Goodbye, Moon

by AwakeForMyFuneral

Summary:

Moon finally unlocked his emotions, and with it comes a newfound protectiveness for his little brother. But when Moon learns that Sun and Terra are teaming up with their dark counterparts who want all Moons and Lunars dead, he can no longer trust them.
In the dead of night, Moon takes Lunar and runs away, somewhere their family will never find them.

Notes:

a couple things to note: this takes place during the current arc in canon with Sun and Moon's whole fight, Moon unlocking his emotions blah blah blah. The biggest difference is that Lunar never became an astral hence why Moon takes him with to go into hiding.

Ya'll probably know by now that I'm not exactly a fan of Terra, and right now I have mixed feelings on Sun that I will not get into. But this fic is not at all Sun friendly and he will not be getting a redemption so be warned Sun fans.

Chapter 1: New Feelings

“You sure you’re ready for this?” Monty kept his hand on Moon’s shoulder, “You don’t have to just yet,”

“No, I need to. I’ll never be good enough for Sun if I don’t do this,”

Monty's expression softened, his usually cocky grin replaced by a gentleness Moon rarely saw. "All right," Monty said, voice quiet but steady, "Just remember, whatever happens, we're right here with you,"

A small hand suddenly slipped into his own. Lunar, usually so quick with a quip, gave Moon an earnest look. “Hey,” Lunar said softly, his voice wobbling with awkward sincerity, “I know you think you gotta prove yourself, but… you already mean the world to us. To me. You’re not alone, okay?”

The corners of Moon’s mouth lifted in surprise - a real, bright smile flickering across his face. He squeezed Lunar’s hand, feeling a warmth that reached deeper than he expected. For a second, the fear faded, replaced by a fluttering hope.

“Thanks, Lunar,” Moon whispered, drawing courage from the younger bot’s support.

With one last shared grin, Moon let go and stepped forward, heart pounding, ready at last to unlock the part of himself he’d kept hidden for so long.

…

When Moon came to, his eyes darted around the room, taking in his surroundings with newfound emotion.

But when he locked eyes with Lunar? He saw the little bot in a whole new way. Suddenly, Lunar was more than the snarky, annoying little brother.

“Oh my god, have you always been this cute?” Moon stared, practically slack jaw, at his baby sibling, “why do I have the sudden urge to wrap you up like a burrito and never let go?”

Lunar’s face flushed a pinkish purple, “calm down, you just unlocked your emotions, it’s not like we put a maternity chip in you,”

The elder took them by the shoulders, “how can I calm down when you might be in danger?”

“Of what?” Lunar brushed his hands off, “the toaster? I haven’t been in danger for weeks now,”

“You know, considering your track record, that’s kinda impressive,” Monty quipped, and Lunar glared at her.

“What did you do?” his eyes narrowed, “did you actually put a maternity chip or something in him? That’s gotta be why he’s acting so weird,”

Monty put her hands up in defense, “I didn’t do nothing. Looks like our Moonie is finally experiencing anxiety,” she gestured to Moon, who had begun pacing the room and muttering about bubble wrap.

“MONTY!” Moon suddenly shouted, eyes fixed on her claws, “put those claws away before you scratch my baby!”

“I’m not even close enough to reach him!” Monty shouted back.

“Your baby?” the lavender bot folded his arms, “that’s new,”

Moon froze in his tracks, realizing what he’d said, “I mean- not my baby! I don’t know why I said that.  Just be careful!”

But it didn’t stop there. Moon constantly hovered around Lunar now. The smaller tried using the microwave? Moon was there in an instant, pulling him away and muttering something about how it might explode and hurt him. Toaster? Too much risk for electrocution. The T.V could fall and hit him if Lunar stood too close to it. The cat’s claws were too sharp.

Moon had found countless excuses to stay by Lunar’s side. And frankly? Lunar was getting annoyed.

One afternoon, Lunar finally snapped. He sat Moon down at the kitchen table, determination burning in his bright optics. “Alright, spill. What’s going on with you? You’re almost worse than Jack used to be,”

Moon stammered under the force of Lunar’s gaze. “Look, I just -  I can’t help it, alright? You’ve been acting different and it’s making me nervous,” he finally admitted, wringing his wrists and glancing anywhere but at Lunar’s face.

Lunar leaned forward, exasperated. “Nervous about what? I’m not going to suddenly combust because I used the toaster,”

Moon looked as though he might protest, but the words tangled in his throat. Instead, he sighed, looking smaller than usual, shoulders slumping. “I don’t know. Just… after everything, I keep thinking something bad will happen if I’m not paying attention,” There was a genuine tremor in his voice, one that made Lunar’s frustration flicker with sympathy.

For a moment, the kitchen was quiet except for the hum of the fridge. Lunar reached out, nudging Moon’s hand. “I’m fine, Moon. You don’t have to protect me from every crumb and cord,”

A silence passed between them.

Solar broke it with a loud clap. “Alright, as touching as this is, someone’s gotta make dinner. And if you two are done playing bodyguard, maybe you can help instead of hovering and fretting?”

Moon managed a reluctant laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. “Yeah. Maybe I need to take up a new hobby or something,”

Lunar rolled his optics but smiled, feeling some of the tension dissolve. “Let’s just try not to burn the place down, yeah?”

“Hey it’s not my fault you decided to give me cuteness aggression,”

“And I’m not the one who decided to unlock your emotions. Who would’ve thought you’d become a helicopter mom?”

Moon gasped with faux offense, “I am NOT a helicopter mom! I’m not a mom at all,”

“You kind of are,” Solar shrugged, not even bothering a glace back at the two,”

“Please, you’ve become more of a worrier than Sun,” Lunar joked, “he may be a germaphobe but at least he doesn’t have a fear of microwaves,”

“I do not have a fear of microwaves!” the moon model insisted.

“Right, you just have a fear of Lunar getting too close to a microwave,”

“Can we stop talking about microwaves!” Lunar was really getting annoyed now, “I’m too hungry for all this talking,”

Solar heaved an exaggerated sigh, grabbing a bag of chips from the counter and tossing it at Lunar. The crinkling plastic seemed to break whatever fragile peace lingered. “If you two are done bickering about appliances, maybe you can focus on what’s actually important. Like dinner,”

Moon caught Lunar’s eye, seeing a spark of mischief flickering in them, before turning his attention to the pantry. “Fine, fine, I surrender. No more microwave debates. You win, Lunar.” He reached for a can of soup and held it aloft like a trophy.

Lunar kept munching away on the chips. “We should have left food on the council agenda,” he muttered between bites.

…

The news broke shortly after dinner when Terra had arrived.

“Sorry I’m late, I had a meeting with President Earth’s council,”

This gave Moon pause, he’d never thought about what goes on in those meetings until now, “what exactly did you discuss?” he’d heard a bit about President Earth but she was never really on his radar…until now.

“Oh she just gave us some updates. She managed to capture her Lunar and eradicated a few more,” Terra told this as if she were happy about it.

“You’re telling me, you’ve been having meetings with someone who’s actively killing all Lunars?” Moon’s whole body tensed.

“Well, yeah. President Earth just wants what’s best for us Earths and the Lunars are getting in her way. It’s no different than if Sun wanted to become friends with Dark Sun,”

“I should have known. You have a weird knack for befriending people who wanna hurt Lunar,” Moon pointed an accusatory finger at Terra, who rolled her eyes.

“President Earth is doing good, it’s not my fault her Lunar betrayed her,”

“You mean, ‘realized that what she was doing was wrong, so he tries to stop it but gets punished’? Doesn’t that sound awfully family to you?” Moon wouldn't be able to rest after finding out about what was going on in those council meetings, “President Earth isn’t just taking out her anger on her Lunar, which is already bad enough, she wants to do it to all Lunar’s, ours included,”

Terra scoffed, folding her arms. “Why do you even care about Lunar now? It’s not like you have for the past several months,”

“Oh, you do NOT get to talk about who does or doesn’t care about him. I’m not the one who befriended MULTIPLE PEOPLE who want him DEAD. And I’m not gonna sit here and pretend to be perfect, but at least I have the guts to admit that I suck,”

Sun, watching from the side, wanted to step in, but knowing who he’d joined forces with himself, Moon was probably just waiting to yell at him.

“And you Sun,” yep, there it was, “don’t just stand there and act innocent after you decided to become buddies with Dark Sun. You know? The guy who wants me and all other Moon’s dead, which could possibly include Lunar and Jack for all I know,”

“How-you weren’t supposed to know that,” Sun looked pissed.

“Oh, so you get to keep secrets now? Real mature, Sun,” Moon scoffed, “and you two think I’m the untrustworthy one? Look, hate me all you want, just don’t drag Lunar down with you,”

Despite the accusations hurled in the heated exchange, neither Sun nor Terra showed even a flicker of guilt. Terra stood steadfast, arms crossed, her eyes narrowed but unwavering, as if the idea of remorse never even brushed her thoughts. The edge in her voice was unyielding, a clear shield against the storm of blame Moon tried to summon.

Sun, meanwhile, bristled with indignation rather than apology. His glare was sharp, his jaw set, and the defensiveness in his stance made it clear he wasn’t about to own up to anything Moon said. If anything, the confrontation seemed to fuel his resolve, hardening him to the accusations rather than breaking him down. For both Sun and Terra, regret was an emotion reserved for other people - certainly not for those who believed their choices were justified, come what may.

“I can’t believe you, Terra. You really think murder is justified. You’re nothing but a self-centered-”

“Hey!” Monty stepped in, “don’t talk to her that way. She has her reason’s for what she did. President Earth makes her happy so what’s the big deal?”

“Terra?” Lunar wasn't meant to hear all this. Their voice trembled, “do you really want me dead?”

Terra didn’t answer, but her silence was enough.

The room fell heavy with the words left unsaid. Lunar’s question seemed to echo, unwelcome, and Terra’s silence weighed on them all far more than any shouted reply could have. Monty shifted uneasily, the tension scraping raw at everyone’s nerves, until even he had nothing more to offer. A brittle quiet stretched thin between them, punctuated only by Moon’s sharp exhale as he turned from the group, eyes shadowed in frustration.

No one moved. The accusations and defenses lingered in the air, bitter as ash, while guilt and resentment tangled, unresolved. Finally, Moon shook his head, voice low but clear, “Fine. If that’s how it is, I’m done wasting time,”

He brushed past, not sparing another glance as he reached for Lunar, determined to shield what little family he had left. Lunar, though still shaken, let himself be guided, trusting Moon’s grip more than any words that had been thrown around tonight. Behind them, Sun watched, knuckles white against his own anger, while Terra’s expression gave away nothing at all.

Chapter 2: Keep Your Little One Safe

Moon spent the night in Lunar’s room. For one thing, he couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling that something might happen if he were left alone. And now he didn’t feel comfortable sleeping down the hall from his brother, if Sun could even be called that anymore.

Lunar had let Moon follow him down. They claimed it was because he didn’t wanna have to listen to Sun and Moon fighting all night. But really, Lunar suddenly wasn’t feeling so safe after what Terra had revealed. They’d given a half assed grumbled when Moon slid into bed but absolutely melted when their big brother pulled them against his chest.

Lunar drifted off to sleep but Moon stayed awake, his mind running through endless possibilities. What if Terra let too much slip and led President Earth straight to Lunar? What if she brought him right to her herself? Or what if Sun let Dark Sun into the house? Letting him get to Moon?

He looked to Lunar, the way he looked so small and young as he slept. His big blue eyes dimmed with sleep. Moon’s chest ached with something he’d never felt before.

He knew now, if he was going to keep Lunar safe, it wasn’t happening in this house. Not as long as his own siblings knew exactly where to find them.   

He didn’t have much to pack, just slipped on his usual black sweater and an extra soft blanket for Lunar – a baby pink one with glow in the dark stars and moons, he wasn’t quite sure what possessed him to worry about that. And threw some snacks into a backpack.

Then he tore an empty page from Lunar’s journal, using it to write a quick note.

“Come on, Lunar, let’s go,” Moon snaked one arm under Lunar, easily lifting his slumbering brother. Lunar hardly even stirred, and Moon thought for a fleeting moment that maybe he should allow them one last goodbye to their home.

But there was no time, besides, wherever they ended up had to be better than this, right?

He was halfway out the door when he was stopped, “Moon? It’s the middle of the night, why are you carrying Lunar out the door?” Moon wanted to ask Solar what he was doing up as well.

“I’m sure you heard who Sun and Terra are cozying up to. We can’t stay here,” Moon wrapped the blanket tighter around Lunar, as if it would somehow protect him further from the looming threats, “we’re leaving,” his words were final, no room for argument. He wasn’t asking for someone to beg him to stay.

“Did you at least try and understand why they’d do it?” Solar appeared half aggravated and half sympathetic – Moon couldn’t decide which was worse.

“Terra is actively helping someone who wants Lunar dead, Sun is doing the same with someone who wants me dead. I don’t care if I die, but I’m not putting Lunar through that again,”

Solar wanted to reach out, to say something that would convince Moon to stay. But when he saw the exhaustion in his features. The way unlocking his emotions also unlocked a new love for his baby brother. Watching Moon look at Lunar the same way Solar would look at Jack – he had to let them go. “I’m not picking sides, I wanna hear Sun and Terra out. And if I’m being honest I’m not too happy you’re just running away. But I’m not gonna stop you either,”

Moon hesitated only for a heartbeat, searching Solar’s face for any sign of a last-minute plea, but finding only resignation softened by concern. “Take good care of Jack, and” Moon looked Solar dead in the eyes, “if I get word that anything happened to your kid, I’ll be coming back for him. Dazzle too,”

He slipped out into the night, not sparing another word. The air was sharp against his cheeks, the kind of cold that made everything feel brittle and real. Moon tightened his hold on Lunar, whose quite snores were shallow, almost lost to the hush of midnight.

Solar watched them go, conflicted, “Goodbye, Moon. Keep your little one safe,”

…

Sun stepped into the kitchen to find a note stuck to the fridge.

Sun,

We had to go, don’t try to find us.

You were upset cause I didn’t tell you something straight away?

Well, congrats, cause now you don’t get to hear shit from me.

I really tried to be better, but I guess that all meant nothing to you.

Keep being bitter and petty for all I care, I’m done trying to make you like me.

Don’t contact me, and especially don’t contact Lunar. He’s not doing well,

but I suppose neither you or Terra are too concerned about that.

• Moon

Sun crumpled the note in his hand, shoving it into his pocket. Fine, if Moon wanted to run away from his problem Sun wasn’t gonna stop him. He’s not Sun’s problem anymore.

The problem was finally gone.

Although Sun supposed he should let the others know. It was better than sitting around as they all kept asking each about Moon and Lunar’s whereabouts.

…

Sun gathered the family in the living room, holding the crumpled note in his fist. “Moon and Lunar are gone,” he started, “I guess they just decided to run away last night,”

Terra’s jaw clenched, “Moon’s just overreacting. Unlocking his emotions made him overprotective of Lunar but I’m sure it’ll die down soon enough and he’ll come crawling back to us,”

“And Lunar?” Solar was the only one who seemed to have some semblance of control, “you think he’ll come back too?”

“With president Earth after him, It’s only a matter of time before he’s caught. Moon will screw up as usual and get Lunar killed and that’s when he’ll come back, crying for help,” Terra crossed her arms, already annoyed by this conversation.

“Look, maybe it’s for the best that those two are gone. A lot of our issues have stemmed from them,” Sun relaxed into the couch, as if he hadn’t driven his own twin away, “I really just wanted to update you. That’s all,”

Monty nodded in agreement, his arms folded and expression hard. “Terra’s right. Moon’s always getting in over his head, and now he’s dragging Lunar along. Maybe he’ll finally learn something by being out on his own,” he said, voice edged with frustration. “They made their choice. Nothing we can do now except move on,”

Solar shot Monty a brief, unsettled glance but said nothing, the tension in the room thickening.

Sun let out a slow breath, grateful for backup, if only to keep the family from spiraling. “I guess that’s all we can do,” he said, voice quiet.

The conversation faded as everyone sat in uneasy silence, uncertain what the next day would bring.

…

Moon had snuck behind a large building when Lunar started to stir. He did is best to keep them asleep, but the smaller was waking up.

 He helped Lunar into a sitting position, folding up the blanket at putting it in his backpack. “Hey, you sleep good?” he spoke softly, both to not startle Lunar and to not be heard by passersby.

“Mhm,” Lunar mumbled, still in the process of waking up. He let his eyes adjust, taking in his surroundings, “wha? Where are we?”

“We’re behind some old building, I think it used to be a hospital. But we need to keep moving or they’ll find us,”

Moon glanced up at the sky, gauging how much time they had before morning made them too visible. He helped Lunar to their feet, careful not to rush. Lunar wobbled, blinking sleepily, still not quite steady.

“Think you can walk?” Moon asked, voice low.

Lunar nodded, a little uncertain but determined. “Yeah. But can you just tell me what’s going on? We went to sleep in my bed last night and now we’re in some dirty alleyway,”

Moon considered his options. How much should he share? Maybe he should keep it easy, he didn’t want to scare Lunar.

No, he couldn’t keep doing this, Lunar deserved to know, “We’re leaving home. Sun and Terra have put their trust in Dark Sun and President Earth. That house isn’t safe for us anymore,”

Lunar was quiet for a while, the only sound being the cars driving by. “So, you took me from my home? From our family?”

“Lunar,” Moon’s eyes softened, almost defensive, “this wasn’t an easy decision. You think I wanted to uproot our lives? Take you away at the dead of night when you were far too deep in sleep to argue?”

Lunar’s grip tightened on the bag. He looked away, searching Moon’s expression for something reassuring before finally whispering, “So what happens now?”

Moon hesitated, choosing his words with care. “Now, we find somewhere safe. Somewhere they can’t track us down.” He glanced over his shoulder, nerves prickling at the sound of distant footsteps, just some humans going into work. “We just have to keep moving for a little while, alright? I promise, I’ll explain everything once we’re further along,”

Lunar nodded, swallowing back a dozen questions and the ache of uncertainty that buzzed beneath his chassis. The alley felt colder now, shadows stretching thinner as the night retreated.

Moon glanced around, wary. “We need to get out of sight,” he murmured, guiding Lunar through the maze of backstreets, away from prying eyes and the threat of pursuit. The city was waking, and every locked window, every flicker of streetlight overhead seemed to watch them go. They moved together, Moon’s steady hand at Lunar’s back, a silent promise that whatever happened, they’d face it side by side.

They ducked beneath a rusted gate and hurried past dumpsters and broken glass. Moon’s mind raced with contingency plans - where to hide, how to blend in. As they reached a quieter stretch, he paused, shifting the bag slung over his shoulder. “There’s a place not far from here. We’ll be safe for a little while,”

Lunar’s breath fogged in the early morning air. “Will they look for us?” he asked, voice barely above a whisper.

Moon’s gaze was steady. “Maybe. But we’re careful. You’re with me,”

A silence settled between them, heavier than before, as their footsteps carried them deeper into the unknown. Lunar watched Moon, trusting each word despite the turmoil in his chest. The city’s heartbeat thrummed around them - a world so ordinary and yet, to them, impossibly strange.

By the time the sun breached the horizon, painting the buildings gold, they had reached a squat, run-down motel building. Moon checked the surroundings, then ushered Lunar inside. The stairwell echoed with their entry, the heavy door closing off the world behind.

Safe, for now.

Moon messed with the lock for a while until he heard a soft click and opened it up. “There we go, we can stay here for a few days, at least until I figure out another solution,”

“Moon!” Lunar whisper-yelled, “we’re gonna get caught. What if someone rents this room and they catch us?”

“that’s why we’re only staying for a few days. Trust me, we’ll just use this place to rest and figure out a plan then move out,”

Lunar sighed, everything was happening so fast, and it seemed Moon didn’t think things through.

But then the quiet settled too thickly, the silence filled with the distant hum of pipes and the patter of footsteps above. Moon dropped his bag by the couch and moved to the window, peeking through the blinds with practiced caution.

Lunar hovered in the entryway, arms hugging his chest. He looked so small, framed by the dimness. Moon softened, just a bit. “Hungry?” he asked, already rifling through his bag for snacks.

“Not really,” Lunar mumbled, barely audible. He wandered closer, curiosity flickering through his nerves. “Can you just tell me what’s going on? Why are you suddenly so protective of me?”

Moon hesitated, fingers curled around the cupboard handle as he explored the area, “to be honest, I’m not really sure. Unlocking my emotions must’ve unlocked some feelings I didn’t even realize I had. But is it really so bad?”

“When you take me from my home and family, yeah it kind of seems bad,” Lunar shrugged.

“You heard what Sun and Terra said, who they’re playing buddies with. Things are already tense enough between you and Terra and between me and Sun. It’s better for everyone. Besides, would you really have wanted to stay there?”

The smaller fluffed up one of the pillows, attempting to get comfortable. “No, I guess not. I just can’t help but wonder if it’ll be worth it in the end. Running away,”

Moon sat on the bed next to his little brother and held their face in both hands. “Lunar, listen to me. Whatever happens next - however these next few days, or even weeks, go, I will find you a home. After this, it’ll be you and me, just like before,”

“Like when I was in your head?” he looked so childlike when they met eyes with Moon, so young, “when you made me feel safe even when Eclipse still hurt me?”

“It’ll be just like that,” Moon promised, “just without Eclipse or anyone else who’d ever lay a hand on you,”

Lunar merely nodded, curling up beside Moon. “Will you be mad if I say I miss them? Sun and Terra and everyone else, I mean,”

“Of course not, they’re still your family if you want them to be. They’re still mine too. This doesn’t undo the good. But the good doesn’t erase the bad either,” Moon noticed Lunar seemed to relax as they leaned against him, “maybe I overreacted, maybe one day I’ll regret this and kick myself for being so irrational. But knowing I kept you safe when I could’ve sat around and let the problem fester is all I need,”

Moon watched as Lunar yawned, laying against the pillow, “’m sleepy,”

The elder chuckled, “you slept all night and have hardly been awake for two hours,”

“Shush, I’m small and tired. Lemme sleep,”

Moon smiled fondly, “you know what? We could both get some rest. Then we can figure out what to do from here,”

The two brothers cuddled up against each other. Moon pulled the blanket over them, laughing softly at how easily the little one fell asleep again.

Notes:

If you know what the first line in Moon's note to Sun is referencing then you get bonus points 🫶🏻

Chapter 3: Leaving Wires Behind

Summary:

Moon and Lunar take the next step in hiding, but this one means making drastic changes.

Notes:

Warnings: body dysphoria, nudity/references to male body parts (nothing explicit), fake deaths.

The sun filtered through the window blinds, waking Moon up. He pushed the covers down and felt a chill, but when he tried turning off the AC, it wouldn’t stop. “Great, that’s broken,” he muttered to himself, grabbing his sweater and going to put it on instead.

Huh.

Was his chest always this flat? Moon supposed it made sense; he was a male animatronic after all.

Whatever, Moon slipped into his sweater, he had bigger things to worry about than a flat chest. He shuffled into the little kitchen area and brewed a cup of tea as he pulled up a file he kept in his head. It was a project he’d started on not too long ago.

If this worked out, it just might be the solution him and Lunar needed to stay hidden. He just needed the materials and a lab to build it in.

He scribbled a list of components, his hand steady with focus. The hum of the broken AC was oddly soothing as he planned, mind whirring through contingencies and what-ifs. There would be no more running, no more sleepless nights if this worked. Moon just needed to keep it together.

A soft groan from the other room told him Lunar was finally stirring. Moon padded back to check, finding his sibling blinking sleepily, eyes still heavy.

“Up already?” Moon asked, trying for nonchalance.

Lunar yawned, stretching. “Smells like tea,”

Moon handed him a mug, warmth seeping between them in the quiet morning. “We need to get out today. Supplies, maybe a way to sneak into my lab without getting caught. I’ve got an idea,”

Lunar perked up, curiosity shining through the sleepiness. “A new plan?”

Moon nodded, determined. “A risky one. But it might just give us a shot at blending in, for good this time. If you’re up for it?”

Lunar grinned, impish and hopeful. “Always,”

Getting to his lab would be easy enough, just a matter of using a portal. But staying hidden was the risky part. Sure, Moon could up the security, but he’d given Sun access in hopes of gaining some trust.

That sure as hell didn’t work.

But it was their only option if they wanted this plan to work. So, Moon set the portal to bring himself directly to his lab. “We’ll just be there long enough to build the machine, then we’ll get right out of there,”

“Machine for what exactly?” Lunar questioned, “how’s it gonna help us ‘blend in’?”

“It’ll make us human,” Moon stated, “right now, we’re easy to track by anyone who has our system logs, and Solar and Monty both do.

Lunar frowned, curiosity turning to mild apprehension, “you mean we’ll look human? Can’t we just use an illusion disk for that?”

Moon shook his head, that certainly would’ve been an easier option, but, “there’s too much risk, if we were hiding from humans, it’d work fine, but animatronics are better at detecting each other. We won’t just look human, we’ll be human. We’ll have skin, bones, flesh and blood. All of it,”

The smaller cringed, “that doesn’t sound very fun. I didn’t like it much when I turned human that one time,”

Moon hesitated, “I know you didn’t. But this is our best option. But if you really aren’t comfortable, we’ll find another option,” he promised.

Lunar shook his head this time, “no, I trust you. I want whatever is gonna keep us safe and if this is it, then I’ll go for it. But aren’t you tired of having to hide all the time? Can’t we get a break from security and bad guys trying to kill us? It’s exhausting,” at the last word, he flopped back onto the bed, arms and legs sprawled out. Moon laughed, bemused at his younger brother’s antics.

“I’m doing this to keep you safe. It’s not for fun or a new hobby. Dark Sun and President Earth now have recruits who know way too much about us, they’ve gained the trust of our own siblings. If they want to get to me, fine. But we both know you wouldn’t survive on your own, as an animatronic or a human,” Moon was starting to sound almost frantic, like he really needed Lunar to understand.

“It’s just a little frustrating,” Lunar huffed, “you haven’t been this concerned about my safety in over a year, and now that you’ve unlocked your emotions, it’s like you think you’re my mom. I mean, you look like you’re gonna ban me from using the coffee machine every time I glance at the kitchen cause it’s ‘too hot’ and I don’t even drink coffee!”

Moon gave a wan smile full of gentleness that belied the tension in his shoulders. “Maybe I am a little overbearing now,” he admitted softly. “But I’d rather deal with you grumbling about the coffee you don’t drink than take any chances,”

Lunar sat up again, “I guess I’d rather deal with an overbearing brother or mom than be dead,” he shrugged, missing the subtle shift in Moon’s posture when he said ‘mom’.

Moon opened the portal, “then if you’re on board, we should get going. The longer we wait, the more time they have to track us down,”

Lunar nodded, gathering himself and sliding off the bed, steps hesitant but determined. “Alright, I’m ready. Let’s get this over with before I change my mind.”

Moon offered a reassuring hand, helping Lunar up off the bed and leading him to the portal.

…

Moon’s lab was just as he left it, some unfinished project he’d likely never get back to now sitting nearly forgotten, but that wasn’t his concern right now. He started by activating the security, Moon knew it wasn’t likely that Sun or Terra would come in here, but if their darker counterparts were around…well that would change everything.

Next, he started gathering the tools and other materials he’d need for this project. He’d found the blueprint files on his computer and pulled them up for easier viewing and got to work.

Normally, Moon enjoyed working on his own. The solitude gave him a relaxing quiet that left him with nothing but his own tools and ideas. But now, he’d found himself glancing over at Lunar more than a few times. His little brother occasionally added some commentary here or there but knew to let Moon focus. Especially if they wanted to get this done as quickly and efficiently as possible so they could get out of there again.

“What do you think we’ll look like as humans? I mean, will we look the same as we did those times we turned into humans?”

“It’s hard to say,” Moon answered as he adjusted a wire, “when it happened to Sun and I, our bodies were replaced by already existing human versions of us, so we looked like how those guys decided to dress and style themselves. But with you and Solar, you two had your bodies directly transformed, so it was more accurate to your current bodies,”

Moon’s fingers worked deftly, connecting circuits and making the necessary adjustments as Lunar hovered nearby, curiosity winning out over nerves. Moon’s station was cluttered but methodical -half-assembled gadgets, spools of wire, screens glowing with technical diagrams - everything humming with anticipation.

Lunar paced restlessly, casting a glance through the sealed windows before finally breaking the silence. “So, are you sure this is gonna work? I mean, turning us human seems… kinda permanent,”

Moon offered a half-smile, though his eyes stayed locked on the project. “It’s not really permanent if we don’t want it to be. The transformation’s reversible, so long as nothing gets fried in the process and our animatronic bodies stay intact. But for now, it’s the safest way to keep Sun and Terra off our trail,”

“Wait, ‘animatronic bodies’? aren’t our bodies just gonna turn human so these current ones won’t be around?”

Moon shook his head, “not exactly. This device will craft new bodies for us. It scans our mental state, maturity levels and personality to craft our ideal human bodies. Then it transfers our conscious to the new bodies, leaving the current ones as just empty shells,”

Lunar hesitated, staring down at his own hands. “I just… I hope I don’t come out looking like a science experiment gone wrong,”

Moon snorted softly, setting aside a screwdriver. “I’ve triple-checked everything. You’ll be fine, Lunar. Besides, we’re not aiming for runway models,”

After a final check and a satisfied flick of the main switch, Moon leaned back, exhaling in relief as the device powered up with a gentle hum. Indicators blinked green-everything was ready. He wiped his hands on a rag and glanced at Lunar, who was watching with anxious expectation.

“It’s finished,” Moon announced, his tone steady but betraying an edge of fatigue. “But I don’t want to risk using it here. We’re still too close to Sun and the others. If they double back or pick up any trace of what we’re doing, this whole plan could fall apart, ”

Lunar nodded, understanding threading through his nerves. “So… back to the motel?”

“It’s safer. We’ll have privacy, and if something happens, we’ll be away from their sensors,” Moon replied. He began to pack the device, careful to wrap the delicate components and tuck spare tools into his bag. Lunar helped, his movements jittery but precise.

The pair moved quietly through the portal, easily making their way back to the motel just in time for Moon to shut it off again, blocking out all chances of being found.

The motel was dimly lit, their room unchanged since they’d left it that morning. As soon as the portal closed behind them, both let out a sigh - part nerves, part relief. Moon set the device down in the center of the room, checking the locks and drawing the curtains shut.

“Okay,” he said, voice low but resolute. “Now we do this. Ready?”

Lunar hesitated only a moment before nodding, his trust in Moon outweighing his apprehension. The device, humming with potential, awaited the final step.

Moon knelt beside the device, fingers trembling just slightly as he made a final adjustment, checking the calibration one last time. He drew in a breath, steadying himself, then offered Lunar a reassuring smile. “It’ll only take a few seconds. Try not to move,”

Lunar stood next to his brother and nodded, gripping the taller’s hands, eyes wide with a mix of trepidation and hope. The motel room was silent except for the soft hum of the machine. Moon pressed the activation button. Light spilled out - cool, pale, and pulsing - and for a moment, both figures were bathed in electric blue.

…

Moon looked down at himself, his body, still tall but less than before, maybe a few inches above six feet, was now a tan brown with some lighter patches, his dark blonde hair fell in shaggy waves and his body had a slim yet toned build to it. Dark brown eyes looked to Lunar.

Lunar was pale, very pale, his white curls were long and fell in his pale blue eyes. He seemed even smaller than before with a concerningly thin build and height that couldn’t put him any higher than a small toddler if even that.

It worked, they were humans now and this was gonna be hell to get used to.

Lunar blinked, tentative, reaching up to touch his own face, feeling the squishy texture as opposed to the metal he’d always had, “I squishy,” he giggled, sounding even younger.

Did the transformation make Lunar a kid again?

Moon knelt down, concern flickering across his features as he studied Lunar’s new form. “God you’re tiny,” he murmured, voice equal parts awe and worry, “but the device is meant to be as accurate as possible, turning us into human’s based on our designs and code,”

Moon hesitated, then reached out, brushing a stray curl from Lunar’s forehead. The sensation was bizarre - flesh meeting flesh, warm and delicate, nothing like the cold of metal. He swallowed, trying to steady his racing thoughts.

Something else caught his eyes, his and Lunar’s old bodies slumped on the floor. Hands still gripping one another.

They looked dead, eerily so. The lights in their eyes were shut off, leaving Lunar’s more greyish than blue. Their permanent smiles were taunting, maybe even a bit horrifying in this new context.

It gave Moon an idea. Something brilliantly horrible.

A wicked spark flickered in Moon’s eyes as he sized up the motionless shells on the floor - their former selves, now nothing but elaborate automata, empty and limp. He straightened, the beginnings of a plan knitting together in his mind.

He’d settled on bringing them to an alleyway near the pizzeria, somewhere he knew Sun would pass by and see them.

It felt wrong, disturbing even, to leave his own body for his twin to find, looking more dead than ever. But it was a necessary step in caution, and maybe it would even snap some sense back into Sun and even Terra, showing them how sorry they’d be when their lunar siblings were found dead.

He propped up them up just right so they slouched against one another, pulling a few wires lose to appear as if more damage had been done.

He’d been in the middle of considering putting a dent or two in when Lunar whimpered. Moon looked beside him at the curly haired toddler – he’d have to get used to that – “I know it looks scary, but remember, we’re just playing pretend, okay?” he soothed the younger’s trembles, “Moonie’s gonna keep you safe,”

“Are we dead?” Lunar’s fearful whimper left him shaking, staring at his own limp body.

“No, no we’re not dead. Remember what I told you before? Our bodies are just being unused, like big dolls, we’ll leave them here so Sunny can find them and then we’ll get them back when we’re ready,”

Lunar nodded uncertainly, small hands twisting in the hem of their borrowed shirt. Moon knelt, putting himself eye-level with the anxious child, his tone soft but unwavering. “It’s like a costume, or a clever trick in a story. We’re out here, safe and hidden, and those old bodies – they’re just a part of the plan. No harm will come to us, promise,”

Lunar’s lip quivered, but they nodded again, a bit of courage blooming in their gaze. Moon ruffled their curls gently, then stood, casting one more lingering look at the hollow shells propped in the alley’s shadow. They were grotesque, yes, but effective message written in silence and metal.

He took Lunar’s hand, the small, warm fingers grounding him in the present. The night wrapped around them, cool and thick, as they slipped away into the city’s hush, leaving the evidence of their own unraveling behind. Every step was heavy with the knowledge of what they’d done, but also with the faintest glimmer of hope - hope that, somewhere in the coming dawn, Sun and Terra would understand that sometimes, a little fear was necessary to wake the heart.

…

This would be the last night in the motel, Moon decided, they’d tested their luck long enough, but it wasn’t smart to stay in one place for too long. He had his bag packed and ready to go for the morning, even taking the complimentary tea bags and sugars for later.

He slipped his clothes off as he stood in the bathroom, preparing to take a shower while Lunar dozed on the bed. But the sight of his own body gave him pause. He was tall for human standards, his chest flat and as his gaze lowered…

Moon shut his eyes; he really didn’t want to look at that. Gross.

He hadn’t considered how…male… his body would be. But should he really be surprised? Of course, he, a male animatronic, would become a male human. It just made sense.

But why did it feel so wrong? So gross?

He shoved the shower curtains back, stepping into the steaming water. This wasn’t the time for another crisis. Damn, unlocking his emotions unlocked a whole bunch of other things he did not want to get into.

Like how he felt when Lunar jokingly called him ‘mom’.

Yeah, definitely not getting into that.

He almost forgot to wash his hair before getting out as it wasn’t exactly something he was used to having. That was another thing, the dark blonde just didn’t look right to him. He couldn’t understand, the machine was supposed to match their bodies to their ideal selves. So, what went wrong? Why does Moon feel so uncomfortable looking at his own reflection?

Lunar seemed right at home in his little body, the machine provided copies of their old clothes as Moon was in too much hurry to bother designing more. But it hadn’t factored in the difference in size, so now Lunar lay swimming in his lavender sweater and striped pants. Moon’s clothes were a bit snugger now as he was no longer built like a twig, but they were noticeably long on him. He’d had to roll up his pant legs many times throughout the day. But Lunar’s soft curls and blue eyes fit him perfectly. Even seeing him transform into a toddler seemed more fitting than being an adult or even an older kid would have been.

He rinsed the conditioner from his hair and shut off the stream. He didn’t want to think about his body anymore tonight. He could shove those thoughts away for a later date.

After drying, Moon put his clothes back on – he’d really need to find better fitting ones for the two of them – and climbed into bed.

…

Dark Sun and President Earth had accompanied Sun and Terra at the pizzeria. The siblings had informed them of Moon and Lunar’s disappearance and President Earth had sent a drone to scan the area, which came back claiming to have detected a moon model in the area.

“They should be right around here, and once we get to them we can be rid of them properly,”

Their search led them to a narrow alleyway drenched in the sickly yellow glow of a single flickering streetlamp. There, slumped amid a scatter of discarded boxes and the distant hum of city life, lay two familiar figures: Moon and Lunar, sprawled motionless as if sleep had claimed them in the cold.

For a moment, no one spoke. The sight was jarring, but not entirely unexpected given the way things had unfolded. Dark Sun’s mouth twisted in a grimace, while President Earth’s eyes narrowed as if searching for a trick in the shadows. Sun bent down, his hand hovering above Moon’s shoulder, uncertain whether to touch.

Terra exhaled, a heavy breath breaking the silence. “I knew it,” she muttered, more weary than mournful. “I always said Lunar would end up like this. He never could keep out of trouble,”

President Earth’s gaze flicked to Terra, then back to the lifeless forms. “Let’s not jump to conclusions,” they said quietly, but their tone betrayed little hope. “We need to check if there’s still a signal.”

Dark Sun kicked a bit of gravel, the scrape echoing down the empty street. “If they’re playing dead, they’ve got better dramatic instincts than I gave them credit for,”

But as the group drew closer, the chill of uncertainty settled around them, raising the question none dared voice: was this really the end for Moon and Lunar - or just the beginning of another elaborate act?

President Earth knelt beside the bodies, scanning for even the faintest flicker of consciousness – active code, fans whirring, anything - but found nothing. Moon and Lunar lay utterly still, their forms stripped of any hint of life. The alley seemed to grow colder, the silence deepening.

Sun’s hand, once hesitant, now withdrew with a mixture of resentment and resignation. “So that’s it,” he muttered harshly, barely masking his irritation. “After all the chaos they stirred up, this is how they decide to bow out,”

Terra folded her arms, her jaw clenched. “I can’t believe we wasted so much time cleaning up their messes,” she spat, voice edged with anger more than grief. “Every warning, every second chance - they never listened. I’m not surprised they landed here,”

President Earth remained quiet, glancing up at the siblings with a measured look. Dark Sun, meanwhile, simply shrugged, as if the outcome mattered little. “Well, at least we won’t have to deal with their theatrics anymore,” he said, voice flat.

No one knelt to mourn, no one shed a tear. Instead, Sun and Terra exchanged a look of mutual annoyance, as though Moon and Lunar’s deaths were simply another inconvenience - a final, frustrating act from two who never knew when to stop. In the end, their absence left no void - only a lingering irritation and the distant hum of the city, indifferent and unmoved.

The tension snapped - Sun’s anger boiling beneath the surface, sharp and blinding. With a sudden violence, Sun lunged forward, a flare behind their eyes that startled even Terra. Their hands, trembling with pent-up fury, seized Moon’s inert form and then Lunar’s, dragging them from the cold ground as if repudiating every memory, every trespass.

The alley’s shadows seemed to recoil from the harsh movement, as though even the city itself wished to dissociate from the scene unfolding beneath its flickering neon. President Earth, watching Sun’s desperate act, finally rose and stepped back, their features unreadable. For a moment, the group hovered on the edge of something irrevocable - a precipice where remorse might have flourished, had any been willing.

Terra’s eyes darted away, fixed now on the distant lights that blinked, indifferent above their sorrowless gathering. “Let’s just get this over with,” she said, voice thin and hard. “The sooner we’re done here, the sooner we forget.”

Dark Sun lingered, surveying the alley with the careful detachment of one who had seen too many endings. Their gaze swept past Moon and Lunar, pausing on Sun’s taut shoulders, on Terra’s clenched fists, on President Earth’s silent vigilance - cataloguing each reaction for some future reckoning.

The city’s hum grew louder, swallowing the last whispers of grief and anger until nothing remained but the rhythm of metal feet against concrete.

Sun lifted Moon’s frame with all the strength he could muster and slammed in back down, leaving scratches and dents. “I don’t need you in my life,” his voice quivered with anger, “so you better not come back to life, crawling to me again,”

He was about to slam his deceased twin down again when Dark Sun stopped him. “Let’s take him to our paradise, Lunar too, then we can deal with them…properly,”

Sun froze mid-motion, considering this offer. Finally, he nodded. “Just get them away,”

…

The morning sun filtered through the motel curtains, shining in Moon’s eye and alerting him that it was time to leave. He didn’t waist any time, grateful to have packed up the night before, as he slung the backpack over one shoulder carrying Lunar’s still sleeping form with his other arm.

His first thought was to find better clothes, thankfully he’d remembered his wallet, and then they could get breakfast somewhere.

The world outside was already awake, bustling and brazen, yet Moon felt suspended in an uneasy hush. He glanced down at Lunar, whose breathing was shallow but steady, and pressed forward through the cramped motel hallway, each step bringing him closer to the outside world.

He’d found a mall a short walking distance away that should have clothing options for the both of them. Upon arriving, he entered the large automatic doors and began searching. He wasn’t too concerned about style for now, just needed something that would look more natural on a human body.

Eventually, he settled on a black t-shirt, dark blue cardigan and grey jeans to change into and a dark blue beanie – he missed his hat. It was simple, but would fit just fine. And then grabbed a couple extra shirts and pants just in case.

Then to the kid’s section to shop for Lunar, who had slowly begun to awaken by now.

“Hey, you wanna pick out some clothes?”

Lunar nodded sleepily, “I wan’ soft,” he mumbled.

“Soft clothes? I think we can make that work,” he set Lunar on his feet, watching him toddle around as he looked at all the soft and colorful clothes, “how about these? He held up a two pack of baby blue and baby pink onesies both covered in silver stars and moons – probably meant for boy-girl twins – “they match your blanky,” Moon pulled Lunar’s blanket from his bag to show him, and the toddler’s eyes lit up.

“matchy! They match blanky!” he cheered and Moon laughed.

“Yes they do,” he smiled fondly and he checked the sizing, “how old even are you? These clothes are all by age,” the 2T seemed a bit big, so he reached for the 12-18 month instead, that seemed a bit better, but still big. Sizing up Lunar now, it hit him just now tiny they were. His speech suggested he was about two years old, but his body, now that Moon really looked, didn’t even look big enough to be a year old. He swallowed the growing lump in his throat as he realized the 3–6-month-old size was the best fit.

He grabbed a pair of lavender overalls and a few sweaters in the right size too and headed for check out, he’d give Lunar a better check over when they found a new place to stay. He grabbed a few other things – wet wipes and diapers for Lunar, snacks – then checked out.

Balancing the bag over his shoulder, Moon exited the store, the weight of Lunar’s new clothes settling against his side like a quiet promise. The morning sunlight had sharpened, slicing through the air with a clarity that made everything look freshly minted. Lunar, now clutching his star-speckled blanket, gazed up at Moon with a small, uncertain smile - caught between sleepiness and delight.

He’d found a public restroom to change into, slipping into his new jeans and t-shirt and helping Lunar into their onesie. “Alright, now time for food,”

he said, fastening his belt and tucking the receipt into his pocket. Lunar, now wrapped cozily in their new onesie, waddled alongside, clutching Moon’s finger with one hand and the blanket with the other. The city outside hummed around them - cars flashing in the sun, scents of coffee and bread drifting from the bakery down the block.

Moon took a moment to pause, kneeling beside Lunar. “What sounds good? You want something warm?” he asked, voice gentle.

Lunar considered this, scrunching their nose thoughtfully. “Pancake,” they decided, then added, “and juice.”

“I think we can do that.” Moon stood, scanning for somewhere inviting. The little brunch café across the street, with pastel chairs and golden morning light pooling through its windows, seemed perfect. He led Lunar over, weaving through the low bustle of early risers, and pushed open the door.

Inside, the air was thick with cinnamon and laughter. Moon guided Lunar to a seat by the window, settling the blanket in their lap and smoothing the starry fabric with absent affection. He ordered pancakes and juice, adding a tea for himself, and watched Lunar’s eyes roam the room - absorbing the world with a cautious curiosity that made Moon’s heart ache and swell at once.

As they waited, Moon found his mind drifting. The softness of Lunar’s new clothes, the way the morning felt full of possibility, the hope that maybe, just maybe, today would be a good day.

The simple act of eating felt entirely different now that they were human. Everything tasted just a bit differently, as though the sensors they had to emulate tastebuds weren’t entirely accurate. Pancakes were sweater, tea was stronger – he decided he like it that way – even water tasted different. It was an all around odd yet mostly pleasant sensation.

Lunar, of course, dug right into his pancakes. Digging his little fingers in with no regard for the silverware. “Yummy pancakes!” he cheered, “yummy yummy!”

“You really like those, huh?” Moon reached over with a wipe to clean off his hands handing him a fork, which Lunar grimaced at. He used his own knife and fork to cut up smaller pieces and feed them to the little one, “I know you hate utensils but I wanna keep your hands and new clothes clean and we can’t do that with you smearing syrup all over yourself,” Lunar huffed but accepted the compromise, allowing Moon to maneuver forkfuls of pancake into their mouth with only minor protest. Every bite seemed to delight them anew, their cheeks puffing with pride and sweet satisfaction. Sunlight flickered over the table, painting golden shapes across Lunar’s onesie and Moon’s hands.

Moon watched Lunar, a small smile curling at his lips. Each gesture felt precious - a reminder of the fragile newness of everything. He sipped his tea, letting warmth settle into his bones. Around them, the café’s quiet symphony played on: cups clinking, soft chatter, the occasional burst of laughter.

Lunar paused mid-chew, glancing up at Moon with syrup-bright eyes. “Can we go see the park after?” they asked, voice hopeful.

Moon nodded, his heart caught between amusement and tenderness. “Of course. We’ll finish breakfast, and then we’ll go on an adventure,”

Content, Lunar returned to their pancakes, legs swinging beneath the chair. The blankness of the day stretched before them, filled with an infinite array of possibilities - each one brighter and softer than the last.

Notes:

Poor Moon has to bend over so much to hold Lunar's hand lol

Notes:

Due to reason I won't be getting into, I'm putting most of my other fics on pause. sorry.
i am gonna try to at least finish the chapter's i've already started writing.