You're parked in a parking lot, your back car seats occupied by bags and boxes from the trunk almost overflowing. The sun isn't shining through the clouds, and you're really glad your heater is working. It's a cool 40°F out. Comfie. Your fingers feel a bit stiff from the cold and wrapping them under boxes to transfer them into your car.

You rest your hands between your thighs to warm them.

You went to a couple dozen stores before feeling satisfied with everything. April texted you on your watch at some point confirming it was okay for Sun to attend the meeting. Wendy also confirmed it's alright for you to use the loading dock. It should open with your badge, you'd just need some way to carry the boxes and stuff up onto the elevated platform usually meant for trucks. She did check on the Daycare, and nothing seemed out of the ordinary, however, she didn't see Sun or Moon when she got there about an hour ago. She assured you it's fine, and that they're probably still charging or something, but..

You're worried.

You got plenty of stuff for Sun and Moon. Plenty. You're really excited. You also got stuff for the Daycare - for the kids. You feel like an American teacher having to pay out of their own pocket to stock their classroom and make it a little more enjoyable. You don't really mind one bit though. You're definitely making a lot more than a teacher, despite where their pay should be at.

You've got cash to spare.

It was about 5am when you left, and now it's around 9. Wendy edited your schedule to be in sync with Dom's tonight, and when the other technicians would be preparing for the Plex opening this week. You'll attend the meeting at 2pm and help Dom find out what's up with Freddy's battery a little after. You're technically supposed to be clocked in from 12pm-8pm for pre-opening week maintenance, but, you haven't had any issues so far with staying a little longer. You're only getting paid for your official hours you're supposed to attend anyway. It's not like your boss or whoever is higher than Wendy isn't gonna mind you doing more work than you're supposed to. You're pretty sure it's not even illegal in any sense, regardless. Capitalism at its best, hm?

You text Wendy that you're on your way like she asked you to earlier. You mentioned kinda planning to have a lot of stuff to transport to the Daycare, and she offered to send someone down to help.

You start the engine, and drive down busy road towards the empty Plex. The large grows larger as you pull into view - it sparkling with color. A spectacular neon supermall, dwarfing every other building in its vicinity. Everything around it is not-so cluttered - the Plex has a giant parking lot, sure, but there's just trees and sidewalks along roads, not a building outlining it until you reach the next road over. Everywhere else farther on descends into a dense urban setting, but the Plex has the attention in the area all to itself and the pretty would-be greenery of nature if it wasn't Fall. You wonder how it's gonna look in the snow.

You check your watch waiting for the entrance gates to open. Sun and Moon still haven't sent you anything back. Your gut begins a familiar sinking you've known all too well for such a long time.

You'll get a cart, load up everything on it, and be at the Daycare soon. You don't have any idea how you'd get up to the balcony. As far as you know, them lifting you to their little room is the only way in. You'll see if they're comfortable telling you of any other way up, if there is one. You'd rather not learn how to use the hook with only your hands as support. You don't trust your grip, and especially not now with the the cold tensing your fingers.

You grip the steering wheel a little harder as you circle the massive building, and park next to the loading dock.

Cold. You grab your backpack from the seat next to you, and take a sip of your Ultra Rosa Monster before exiting. You step out of your car, and make your way over to the stairs leading up to a door. You scan your badge, and you're in.

The large open space greets you with exposed metal vents on the ceiling as shelves against the wall hold boxes. There's a lot, and in the middle of the room, is what looks like a couple hundred crates just stacked in a rough rectangle, having overflowed from the wall shelves. Two bright yellow forklifts are parked against the opposite wall to the gates are the only thing that currently rivals the dull gray atmosphere in the uncomfortably dark open area. It definitely smells like a warehouse. The light that allowed you to view the room briefly disappears with the closing of the door behind you. Your shoes tap against the concrete beneath you as you slowly approach the gates. Hopefully you won't bump into anything since the light seeping in through the top of the shutters is a lot less than when the door was open behind you, and your eyes are still adjusting to the darkness.

It's really dark, but you find the button next to the many shutters that'll open it and allow you access out to your car.

As soon as you hit it, a flashlight clicks behind you in sync with the button press, joining the daylight creeping in under the rising shutters.

You jump a little, and turn.

Vince clicks off his flashlight as the room brightens. "Ah, hey."

He clips the flashlight onto his belt and approaches you, walking past the many boxes piling in the center of the room.

You exhale. "Ah, you uh, scared me a bit."

He smiles warmly, and you notice the faint bags under his eyes that are all too familiar, usually seeing them on yourself. "What? Doin' something you're not supposed to?"

You turn a little, and the motor ceases as the gate clicks above you, having opened fully. "Not.. necessarily. Got a few boxes though."

He approaches the opening usually made for trucks, looking down a little to where your car is parked. "Boxes? You're not delivery. What's the babysitter's babysitter doing bringing in boxes?"

You roll your eyes as you bend down and sit over the ledge, hopping down a foot and approaching your car as Vince follows you, stopping at the drop's edge. "Wendy told you I was coming, right? It's.. stuff. For the Daycare, for Sun and Moon. Paycheck is pretty nice, since I am working on sentient robots, y'know."

He smiles softly, crossing his arms as he watches you work your car open. "Mhm." The gentle wind plays with his black hair as he waits.

You pop your trunk, and grab one of the many unlabeled cardboard boxes you've stuffed stuff into. You pick up the pretty sizable box with both hands, and carry it over to the opening where Vince is waiting. "Y-you mind helping out a little?"

He stretches briefly before leaning down to take the box from your hands. "Ya, sure. Not much else to do. Pretty calm here on weekends."

His dark black hair is a mess, and he speaks with a faint hint of exhaustion. "Most exciting thing that's happened all day, actually. You'd think this place has more shit to offer in terms of occasional entertainment while I work."

You take another box, and repeat the routine. "..Is it really that boring? How much have you been working recently?"

He gently laughs a bit looking down at you as he takes the next box up. "Well, the last week has been a little more exciting than usual. Definitely more eventful - especially with your arrival.. But, yeah. I'm working overtime. Hospital bills and stuff."

You shut the trunk, and move on to the back seats. "Is Stella doing okay?" You don't care to ask about Kieran.

He nods as you approach. "Yeah, actually, she'll be out here in a few days. Gonna have an arm cast, but. She's okay, for now. Luckily."

You struggled getting the biggest box yet out of your car, you literally have to drag it to the dock. You're about to try and lift it up to Vince, prepared to already break the rules your doc set about lifting anything heavy, but he stops you. "Chill, I'll get it. You just got out of the hospital, yeah? You'll break something else."

You groan, and roll your eyes. "..I'm not that fragile."

"Uh-huh. You didn't get as lucky as me." He hops down, and struggles a little lifting the box, but, he's pretty strong, even while severely sleep deprived. He climbs back up, and catches his breath while resting his legs over the side of the elevated platform.

You sigh, waiting a few seconds after he's finished. "..Will you have anyone to look after her?"

He stretches a little, but looks down at you with dark, tired, hazel-brown eyes before struggling to stand up on his feet. "Ah.. That's why I'm workin' overtime."

You don't turn to get the last sizable box yet. You just watch him as he places the others next to each other and returns.

A faint grin surfaces onto your face. "..Y'know, I could help a little. And, I'm sure Sun would love to meet her."

He freezes, and his lips part a bit in surprise as he stammers for a response after taking a little longer than usual to process the implication through his hazy head. "..No, you.. don't have to do that.. Really, I'll be fine. The Daycare here is kinda expensive anyway. I don't.."

You rest your arms onto the platform as you lean over the edge. "With the pay I make, it absolutely wouldn't be an issue, Vince. I'd be more than happy to. Even a thousand a month wouldn't really put too much of a dent in my paycheck. Not like I'm using it for much, anyway."

You're right. Even once you're entirely paying your own bills, you'd probably have a solid stack of cash left over. After savings, rent, utilities, insurance, whatever. You'll be more than well-off.

He pauses to think, staring into the concrete below him a few feet away from you next to the boxes.

"..If.. you're really okay with it. Yeah. That'd be really.. damn nice. You don't have to pay for the Superstar Daycare, though, any other would be a lot cheaper."

You shake your head as you smile and push back off the platform. "Nah, It's all right. It'd be nice. I'm sure it'd brighten her up too."

You return with the last box after a few seconds of digging through your backpack for your phone. Vince takes the box, a little slower than usual, ruminating over the offer. You wait until he's done setting it down. "What's your number? Be easier to coordinate it all."

He pauses again, exhaling sharply with a smile. "..You're really kind." He gives you his number, and you make a contact for him in your phone before pocketing it.

You hum, and begin walking back to your car. "..Eh, I'm a little above the bare minimum at best. It won't be any trouble for me, really." You double check to make sure you got everything out, closing the trunk and back doors. Four boxes.

You open your car's driver door, and take a second to check your watch for any messages. "..Alright, I'm gonna-"

Vince turns in the direction of a door squeaking open across the dull warehouse, far off to the right of him staring outside at you. It slams closed with an audible thunk, and Vince begins laughing.

The lights flick on, and the rest of the room lights up without need for daylight.

You can't see over to the left, but, your hopes are up. You hurriedly walk up to the loading platform, and lean over to smile to where Sun is slowly approaching.

Vince's giggle slows enough for him to speak. "He.. he scared himself with the door. It was pretty funny.. seeing an about eight-foot tall robot jump."

You beam warmly over at Sun, having stopped at the giant pile of miscellaneous boxes in the center of the room that have been sitting collecting dust for who knows how long. "Sun! Gosh, why haven't you texted me back?" You wanna pull yourself up but, as soon as you attempt to, your ribs ache a little too much.

He's smiling back at you a few feet away, wringing his hands as he occasionally stares outside before returning his gaze to you. "O-oh.. yesyes, sorry, Sunflower. We were.. charging. B-but, we're glad you're back safe! Do you need any help?" His voice is a little more anxious and soft than you're used to, and you're pretty used to him being quite nervous.

He's torn between savoring the outside world and you right below it. You push back and head to your car door to close it. "Ya, I'll be up in a sec, I missed you boys."

As soon as you're finished speed-walking up the side stairs and in the building, Sun inches a little closer, diverting from the open gate as you almost trip on your way towards him. He finally lights up a little, smiling as bright as you're usually used to while he awkwardly stumbles past Vince to meet you with a hug, easily making more distance than you initially.

You wrap around his abdomen and squeeze until your sides sting. His arms are big enough to wrap around you and meet his fingertips at your chest if he wanted. You dig your face into his tummy. "You were charging this whole time..?"

Vince interrupts you both from behind, to Sun's relief as he races for an explanation. "I can close this, right? It's really cold."

You pull back a little, and look over to him, and up at Sun. "Do you wanna look a little longer?"

His rays tick to the right and spin a little as his eyes widen. He subtly lifts his hand up, as if he's testing the temperature with delicate sensors. "..O-oh, it is.. cold. It is okay, yesyes."

You nod to Vince, and he hits the button. The motors whir to life and the gate rattles as it lowers.

You quickly guide Sun by his hand in front of it, giving him enough time to adore what's left before you can show him more someday. He lowers himself just a little, before resigning to stare at the shutters, closed with a sharp clang.

He snaps out of it, and looks back to the boxes behind you three. "Ooh, what are the boxes for? Surprises!?" He brightens with more energy in his voice. He turns and almost dives to one before you grab his arm and he stops noticing your hands around him.

"Yep, surprise. But, for later. We'll open them when we get to the Daycare." You giggle as he turns to you, a pout that almost breaks your heart painting his face.

Vince's radio buzzes with unintelligible noise before he lowers his sleeves and grabs your attention. "I'm gonna have to go soon, but, if ya want me to get a little cart, we can load it up and deliver it to the Daycare. Make sure your car won't get towed, though."

Sun's energy is back, he's lively with movement, almost bouncing on his feet as he sways from side to side with excitement. His toothy smile warms your heart. You giggle. "Ah, okay. Just, make sure he doesn't get into anything before I'm there, that okay?"

Vince smiles, watching Sun, charming to only the best of people. Vince eventually heads off to grab a cart.

You pull Sun's hand up to yours. "Promise you won't open them until I'm there?"

He stills for a second before bursting with energy once again flicking from the boxes to you. "B-but, there's a big box! A-and smaller ones! Four! We only ever get one or two for supplies each week!"

You wrap your pinky around his. "Promise?"

He makes the most desperate, pitiful face you've seen yet. His defeat is solidified as you giggle in response. "Pleeeease?"

Your little eyes win over him this time. He sulks, and devolves into mild grumpiness - unable to fully express his displeasure when you're so very sweet. "F-fine." His pinky wraps around yours as Vince returns with the cart, the wheels squeaking a bit and twirling like those messed up Walmart shopping carts. "..It'll be worth it." Something clicks and you're staring into his eyes above you a little too long.

Oh how you'd kiss him if Vince wasn't here.

Vince giggles. "Lovebirds done? Wanna help me load the boxes up, Sun?"

You groan, quiet enough for only Sun to hear as you cross your arms. You guess you kinda deserve this. Sun smiles, leaving your eyes with a smug grin as he picks up the boxes with ease and places them onto the cart. You're sure he could see right through you. Maybe both of them could.

You're easy.

Sun sets the last box onto the cart, and you wave as you turn. "Alright, I'll be back. Gonna park my car in an actual parking spot. I'll be there soon."

Sun slowly releases your hand and takes the lead from Vince, grabbing the handles and staring in your direction before you can turn away. "Very soon! You better be!"

He turns the cart with ease, and Vince has to almost jog to keep up with him. You giggle, opening the door to the outside as Vince holds the door open for Sun across the warehouse.

There was nothing eventful leading up to finally arriving at the Daycare. Notably, there were a slight increase of STAFF bots in the main entrance, but, you're here. You can hear Sun pleading with Vince to open the boxes as Vince stands his ground downstairs. You hurry through the open gate, past the decorative lobby scenery, around the Sun and Moon statues, and past the cart they left, Sun presumably helping get the boxes down.

You walk down the stairs and meet them.

"Just a peak! T-they won't even-" Sun suddenly stands upright, retracting his hands from one of the boxes, and stiffens outside the Daycare door in front of Vince seeing you approach down the stairs. Vince turns to trace Sun's eyes and nervous expression.

He giggles. "Ooooh, now you're in trouble, bud."

You pretend you're a little more upset than you actually are, pouting a bit just to tease. "Wow, Sunny.. You promised.."

He begins to shake a little as his rays retract. He lowers himself, and backs up before you can express how you don't really mind his harmless curiosity. "O-oh, S-Sunflower.. I-I.. just curious! S-sorry, oh.. Just wanted to peek.. Just wanted to peek a-a little.. J-just a little! I-I'm sorry!" He takes another step back while he whines, eyes darting to you from the floor every so often while his hands hold each other firmly.

You pause before approaching him around the box. "N-no, Sunny, I'm not actually upset. I'm teasing."

He stills for a moment. "..I promised. I.. Don't know what I was thinking! Nonono.. T-too.. too excited.. Got too excited.. I-I'm sosososo sorry, S-Sunflower.." His hands are wrapping around his rays, ceasing their nervous ticking.

You slowly approach him. "..Sunshine.. are you okay? I'm really not upset, I promise. It's okay."

He lets you take his hand down from his faceplate as he calms. "..S-Should've listened to Vince, o-oh.. N-not nice of me, nono. Not nice at all! I-I did bad.. soso bad.."

Any time he'd make a mistake before you, and someone would notice, it wouldn't yield just a slap on the wrist. His natural curiosity betrayed him so many times.

Vince uncrosses his arms next to the boxes. "You're okay, dude. I don't think you're in trouble." He exhales sharply out of his nose with a smile, noticing the situation diffusing.

You lock your fingers with Sun while your other hand secures your backpack strap over your shoulder. "Yeah, you're okay.. Here, I've got something to tie you over until we get to unbox them.."

His rays extend a little in curiosity, and he opens back up ever so slowly. "..S-something?"

You look over to Vince, then back into Sunny's pretty blue eyes above you. "Well, good news. Do you remember Stella? Vince's little sister?"

His faceplate ticks the tiniest bit to the left. "O-oh, yesyes.. O-oh! Did.. did she like the stickers?" He turns to Vince with hopeful eyes and his smile faintly returning.

Vince giggles. "Oh yeah, she loved them. For real, she thinks you guys are pretty cool. I showed her the advertisement of you and Moon for the Daycare on the company's site." He looks at the ground for a second, his smile warm and his tired, baggy eyes don't seem so dark anymore. "Gosh, she hasn't been that energetic since.. yeah. I couldn't really bring her much besides balloons and the dark chocolate she likes, but.. Your stickers, and seeing the art and pictures they have on the site really perked her up. She put the stickers on this little light blue lunchbox she insists on keeping despite the hospital providing everything on a tray."

You're both looking at Vince, your attention entirely focused on him. He snaps out of it, and he darts between your eyes studying him attentively. "A-ah, rambling again, my bad, hah. But, yeah. She adores them, Sun."

Sun stands to his full height so fast his neck ruffles flutter for a few seconds. His smile is as wide as ever, it having creeped to its full potential the longer Vince explained his sister's adoration for them. "T-That's! That's wonderful! I'm sososososo glad, oh.. I'm sososo glad she likes them, Vince! Yesyesyes.. so nice."

You giggle, and pull his hand a little closer to you to grab his attention. "Mhm, so.. I thought, just because I definitely have enough leftover money.. Once Stella gets out, she could come here while Vince needs to work. I'd be able to cover it."

Vince smiles. "Gosh, she's gonna probably fall out of her bed when I tell her. She perked up so fast at the stickers, she forgot she had a cast on her arm."

Sun is frozen as still as his bright yellow rays, his smile having transitioned to surprise and wide eyes, focused on Vince. You squeeze his hand. "Is.. that okay, Sunny? Would you be okay with that?"

He his suddenly jolts down to you, and you lock eyes. His rays spin. You've seen them this fast before, but it's still a little jarring. You giggle as he stumbles a bit. He squeezes his free hand close to his chest in excitement. "O-oh, yesyes! W-we would absolutely LOVE that, o-oh, Sunflower, you're sososo kind, this.. Oh, w-we're veryvery happy.." He turns to Vince. "T-Thank you. We can't wait to meet her, nono! When do.. you think she'll be enrolled? O-oh, we have a nice little Superstar Membership package, i-it won't cost as much if you purchase multiple drop-offs in advance, nono! Ooh.. a-and we can't wait to see the children tomorrow, too! I-I almost forgot!" He beams down at you, swaying side to side, but you follow the glow in his eyes with ease.

You giggle as you hold his hand with both of yours, only anchoring him to your position unless he didn't want you to. His energetic fidgeting makes it seem like he's going to combust at any second, and with his fans being a bit audible at this point, you're starting to grow a little worried that's actually a possibility. "That'd be perfect, yeah, I'd be more than happy to help her attend."

Vince looks over at you with appreciative eyes that seem to heal from their exhausted state the longer he's in Sun's presence. He looks over to Sun to answer his question. "Hm, she should be out in a couple of days. I'll definitely text your babysitter here so you'll know when I'm about to drop her off, probably the day before."

Sun's head rotates a little to the side. "B-babysitter? Mmh, nono, sometimes it's the other way around, yes.."

You roll your eyes. "Yeah, and how many times have I had to take care of you?"

You meant the, y'know, repairing them twice and just.. being here for them, but Sun's smile devolves into a smug grin and his eyes hood. He leans down a little to you, barely a foot away from your face. "Ooh, veryvery good point Sunflower. You took care of us quite well, mmhm."

You're gonna learn better at some point. You hide your somewhat shocked expression just a second after it appears on your face. You hope that heat trickling up your neck isn't visible. You lean back a little and dart your eyes to Vince, then Sun. "Y-yeah, I'm good at my job. Robotics engineering degree.."

You huff and sigh as Vince snickers a little.

You roll your eyes after nervously adjusting your backpack. You back up a bit from the awkward closeness as Sun composes himself back up from leaning into you. You cross your arms. "He's joking."

Vince's grin doesn't subside. "Yeah, yeah. Sure. Do you need help carrying the boxes in, or should I get going before y'all kiss? ..Does he even have a-"

You groan. "No, we don't need help, but, thanks." You sigh. "Sun can you carry the boxes in, I'm just gonna talk with Vince about getting the money to him."

Sun hums, and casually spins past you to pick up a box with ease, carry one out of four through the large wooden Daycare doors.

You pull out your phone, and walk over to the wall with Vince. "Ya got Cashapp?"

He nods, telling you his username as you write it down in your phone. He crosses his arms. "You know you don't have to do this, right? You can back out at any time. Seriously, it's definitely a little more expensive here compared to other places."

You smile. "Yeah, I think I'll be fine. You deserve to know she's in good hands, and definitely deserve not to stress over paying for her care. I'm.. sure the medical bills fucking suck. How many hours are you working this week?"

Luckily Sun doesn't hear your language, he's grabbing the second box a couple of meters behind you and Vince.

Vince sighs. "Uh.. about.. 50? Maybe a little more with overtime.. The work is easy, it's just.. lots of walking. Place is pretty big, and we need to log in at different stations daily, most literally on the opposite side of the Plex."

You hum, crossing your arms. "Sounds exhausting. I'm sorry dude. If you need any help, lemme know. Take it easy, for real. I don't wanna sound mean, but you look tired as fuck. You literally lost your parents and now you're being throw into this."

He leans back against the wall, and nods, staring at the floor. "..Yeah. Taking care of my sister.. Covering bills.. Electricity literally got shut off for a day since the bill was just.. timed horribly, and my mom who'd pay it is, yeah. Still going through legal stuff to get the money they left, but, it hasn't been very.." He sighs, catching his breath.

Your mouth parts a little and your eyebrows raise before your expression drops to sorrow. A teardrop suddenly falls from Vince's eye. You didn't even notice it forming, even if he was looking up at you for a few moments beforehand. His eyes are so very tired.

He wipes at his cheek. "Shit, didn't even.. Didn't even notice. Sorry, I.. don't feel.. like I should be crying. I don't feel that sad.. ugh."

Sun paused a little after getting the third box, noticing Vince seeming upset, but, he assumed you had it handled, although his instincts were telling him to help. He hesitantly walked back into the Daycare, carrying the box, but his head locked on both of you.

Your eyes are noticeably full of worry. Vince would see so if he wasn't trying to convince himself he wasn't a mess. You sigh. "It's okay to cry, dude. It's healthy. I'm.. sorry." You pause.

"Do you want a hug?" You tilt your head a little, observing him. He locks eyes with you for a second before looking off to the side. He mumbles. "Y-yeah. Sure."

You slowly wrap an arm under his and press your hand against his back as your other arm reaches over his shoulder. Your chin rests a little over his other shoulder, just barely. He's a little taller than you.

He returns the hug. It's only for a few seconds, but you hope it helped. He sighs, and leans back into the wall. "S-sorry, I'd cry some more if I stayed like that." He fixes his security cap a little, it having bumped loose in the brief embrace.

You smile warmly. "As I said, it's okay to cry. If you ever need anything, just shoot me a text. I'm.. a little busy here with these boys, but, I don't really have any friends outside of the Plex. Surprised Wendy and April and I haven't hung out already. If you wanna, I'd be down. I'll cover it too, so."

He giggles. "Yeah.. Still gotta go bowling though. If I'm ever off work, I'd.. be more than happy to." He pauses. "..Thank you. Take care of yourself, alright? I'm gonna try and get to the Monty Golf security desk before I miss my check-in time." He smiles and checks his watch, pushing away from the wall and moving over to begin leaving. He pauses to adjust his belt, checking he has everything.

You wave as he slowly begins walking away. "You take care, too, Vince. See ya later." He spins to walk backwards briefly to return your wave before turning around and making for the stairs. You watch as he disappears up them.

Sun is fucking sneaky. He's a foot behind you. "..Soooo, that was a cute little hug, yes.." His hand wraps over your shoulder.

You turn, and look up at him, recovering from initially jumping. "G-gosh, how are you so quiet? You're.. huge."

He hums. "Magic." He begins walking back with you, collecting the fourth box before entering the Daycare. You roll your eyes. "That can't be your excuse for everything."

Sun looks over to you as you enter the Daycare and he sets the boxes with the others. "..Mmh, s-so, Vince is a nice friend, yes?"

You look over toward the castle balcony on the opposite side of the Daycare. "Huh? Yeah, he's a good dude. His situation really sucks, though."

You look back over at Sun, who's eyeing the boxes. You speak up before he can lower himself to one in attempts to peek into it. "Hey, not yet."

He groans. "..Mmh, I-I know.." He speaks before you have a chance to explain why you're not ready for him to rip into the boxes yet. "..S-so, Sunflower.. are you and him going to be.. hanging out outside of the Plex..?"

You tilt your head a bit. "Yeah? Probably get some drinks or food, or we could go bowling like he wanted. I.. know you don't really.. like bowling, I don't think, but, you don't have to come. We could do it someplace else, too." You recall Sun growing noticeably uncomfortable at the first mention of Bonnie Bowling when you talked with Vince in Rockstar Row. You've already concluded it's probably a similar situation that the one pirate-themed area is near the Atrium.

Sun is quiet for a little longer than he should be. He finally speaks noticing your worry. "..M-mmh.. I-I just.. worried you'll be a little.. u-uhm, too.. too intimate.. yes.." He shrinks, and looks anywhere but you. His rays retract a tiny bit and he plays with the two ribbons around his wrist, one being the one you wore.. yesterday? - Which Moon tore off. Time is weird.

Your eyes widen a little and a grin creeps onto your face, it clicking. "Ah, you're jelly." You giggle. "It was just a hug, Sunshine. He's going through some stuff."

Sun whines. "Mmmh, j-just.. Don't like seeing.. nono.. c-confusing.. I.."

You walk over to him. "Me and him are just friends, promise. I'm not gonna get super close with anyone else like I am with you guys. I'm more than happy with you two."

He relaxes, and looks down at you after standing back upright from his slouched position. His rays extend, and his arm reaches over to you. His fingers gently brush along your jawline as his thumb traces your temple. He almost whispers, and you have to process the individual syllables for a second.

"..Mine."

You roll your eyes with a smile, leaning into his touch a little. "Oh, so you're possessive now? Weirdo."

He stills for a second, before continuing to rub your face, his fingers finding their way into your hair. "Mmh.. I thought the bite marks already made that clear, yes.."

His other hand elicits goosebumps down your neck and back as his fingers trace over the faint marks that you're glad haven't been mentioned by Vince or anyone while you shopped. Luckily most people mind their own business. Your hand wraps around his wrist, your fingers making contact with a bell connected to a ribbon as you hold his hand to your face. "..Yeah, well.. I'm not going anywhere." You enjoy his touch for a few more seconds. "..But, I-I'm gonna have friends. I'm always gonna be.. yours, as.. kinda cringe is that to say, b-but.."

His head tilts as he lowers himself down to you. "..Cringe? O-oh, you didn't think it was so cringe these last fews days, nono.."

You scoff with a smile, eyes hooding as he plays with your hair and cups your face. "..I'm.. joking. Just.. don't be silly, okay? I'm more than happy with you two, I promise. If it makes you feel any better, I'm kinda worried sometimes that you'd like someone else more too. I don't.. I don't think I'm that special in the first place, hah.."

He looks almost insulted. "W-what!? No one we have ever met amounts to you, Sunflower! You're the most precious little star we've met, and you'll always shine the brightest, yes, w-we promise."

You turn your head away but your smile is obvious anyway. "..That is so.." Your eyes meet his for a second. His hands have dropped off of your face and he seems worried anticipating your response. "..Cute." You giggle. "Sappy, but, cute.." He grins.

You hum, and lean back into his hands as he holds the side of your head in his palm. He whines, wanting to somehow be closer with you. "..Very.. very few people were sosos nice to us before, b-but.. Even them, we.. we never felt so.." He's frustrated trying to find the words. "..W-we haven't felt the way we do with you, w-with anyone else.. nono. W-were just.. happy to be treated.. so very kind, yes.."

You hold his hand to your face a little tighter as you look into his eyes above you. "..Oh, Sunny.. God, I'm sorry. I'll always be here. I'll always be here for you guys. No matter what, alright? Really, don't worry about that.. Besides, it's early Christmas for you guys." You grin.

He's silent and still. Unresponsive. He eventually tilts your head up so he can look into your eyes and savor as much as them as possible before you can express concern. "..Will not.. lose you. No.."

Your eyes widen a bit as you grow a little concerned. "..What? Sun, of.. course you won't. Are.. uh, you alright?"

He's still, and his lack of expression worries you further. He's not emoting nor saying a word. "Sun..? What's wrong?"

He lets go of you, and backs up a bit. You worriedly follow him as he makes his way to the security table, sitting on the top, legs more than long enough to still be on the ground. You tilt your head up at him. He's staring into space. "..Do you want to talk about something..? Sunny?"

You gently tug on his baggy striped pants as he doesn't respond. "It's okay if not, just-" .

He pulls away, shaking out of it. "..S-sorry, it's nothing.. no. Just.. It's.. o-okay."

Sun is conflicted with what Moon insisted upon.

You don't need to know.

You look up at him, a pout painting your face, and your heart dropping ever so briefly, every few seconds. You whine a little. You hate not talking about things. Communication solves a lot. "..Okay, if.. if you're s-"

He suddenly locks eyes with you, his rays extending in a sharp flash, he begins composing himself. "W-what's Christmas..?"

You hope they'll let you talk about it with them later, but for now..

You stare into his eyes, genuinely surprised, and he grows worried given how obvious it is that you expected him to already know. "..Do.. they not do anything for the holidays? Don't the kids mention it?"

He pulls back a little and plays with his hands. "O-oh, j-just.. we have heard the word.. sometimes, a-and, the Plex is closed for a week around the end of December.. Hm, we.. never really bothered.. no, s-sorry."

You part your mouth a little in shock. "Sunny, you're fine. Gosh, I can't believe you guys have gone all this time.. Okay, so, basically.." You don't even know where to begin. "Oh gosh, you guys don't know what Halloween is either, do you? Or.."

He shakes his head with a frown, cupping his hands together worriedly in front of his chest.

You sigh. "It's a good thing. It's fun. And, Halloween is pretty soon actually. I'll definitely get some things to decorate and stuff. Basically, hm.. It's like, scary stuff. People dress up as ghosts, zombies, all that. Free candy, people go from house to house in costumes and the theme is just really spooky. It's fun. You get to carve pumpkins and stuff."

He tilts his head. "S-Spooky.. s-sounds.. not very kid-friendly nono.." He waits as you giggle at his genuine concern. "Pumpkins.. t-the.. orange things, yes?"

You light up. "Oh, yeah! How'd ya know?"

He smiles. "One of the children came in.. sometime last year.. with stickers. He said one was a pumpkin."

You exhale sharply in bewilderment at their innocent ignorance. "Gosh, do you guys not get on the internet?"

He sulks. "V-very rarely.. it is.. restricted, mhm. And, Moon is the only one that really.. sneaks onto the computers.. A-and, when he does, he isn't very.. curious. He only did what was.. n.. necessary, y-yes." His hands cease their nervous fidgeting for a second. "..B-Besides.. learning.. t-that stuff.." His voice shrinks quieter, and he races to explain himself, or cover for Moon, only digging a deeper pit. "N-not that I dᶦᵈⁿ'ᵗ ᵉⁿᶜᵒᵘʳᵃᵍᵉ ʰᶦᵐ ᶦⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠᶦʳˢᵗ ᵖˡᵃᶜᵉ.."

You bury your face in your hands briefly to cover your smile. Sun takes a few seconds to compose himself from oversharing a bit. You stare up at his poor flustered little expression, him avoiding eye contact with you best as possible. You grin. "Moon's right, you're probably worse than he is."

He frowns, stammering a little more than you intended him to, not necessarily flustered either.. "..N-no.. not.. not worse than Moon.. nonono."

You sigh. "You poor things. Hm.." You're torn between being excited with how much you're gonna teach them and heartache with how much they've been deprived of for so long. "..Okay, I'm gonna let you play on my phone occasionally, alright? Anything you're curious about, you can learn.. Mostly anything."

You swear his eyes sparkle but that's probably just your unfaltering enamoring of him and his pure excitement. "A-anything!? W-we.. we still need to learn about Christmas!"

You giggle. "Mostly anything. But.. some of the stuff I got you can help you learn things too. I'll tell you about Christmas in your room. For now.." You tilt your head towards a box, staring at it.

He traces your eyes. "Oh! R-Really? Can.. can I open the boxes now!? Can I..? Can I? Can I? P-please..?"

Your smile returns as your heart jumps and melts. "Yes.. bUT!" You reach for him as he beams and within the second, he lunges towards the boxes, stopping inches away before looking back at you pitifully. You giggle. "We gotta get like, three, up to your room. Three are for you specifically. Gimme a second and I'll let you open one of them down here."

He almost lunges for a random box he thought your eyes were pointing towards. You jolt forward. "ONE!" You wrap your hand around his. You're half surprised his claws aren't already extended to cut into the box. If he wasn't so averse to using them, they just might be.

He beams back at you, and you swear he's going to explode from excitement, the pitiful needy little pout plastering his faceplate absolutely begging you to allow him to tear the cardboard to shreds. You smile up at him as he's literally vibrating. You can feel it in his hands. "Wrong box. Just a few more minutes, then we'll get the rest open. Promise."

Sun's eyes sparkle with anticipation, waiting for you to give the go ahead to whichever box you're allowing him to tear to sheds.

Like an early, early Christmas present.