The sunlight starts to fade away as the moon rises to take its place in the sky. The moonlight seeps into the bedroom of Dox and Midnight. The two sleep soundly in their bunk bed as the moon rises up to be seen threw the window. Midnight's eyes shoot open as a big smile forms on her face. She sits up and pushes the covers off of her body before standing up and jumping down to the ground. She turns around and shakes Dox lightly while whisper yelling, "Wake up! It's Hearths Warming!"
"Uuuhhhh…" Dox groans in reply as he moves a bit.
"Come on, wake up," Midnight wines as Dox sits up.
"I'm awake," Dox says, yawning and stretching his back out.
"Come on, let's wake up dad and mom," Midnight says, jumping up and down in the spot she stands.
"Cailm your energy," Dox says as he slides off the bed and stands up. "We don't get our presents until we go to Grandpa's place," Dox replies, patting Midnight on top of her head. "That sounds weird to say," Dox thinks to himself before Midnight replies.
"But I just can't wait," Midnight says before bolting for the door. Dox rolls his eyes before quickly following her out the door. Midnight runs across the hallway before opening the door to their parent's room very slowly. Dox stands behind her as she pocks her head into the bedroom. Midnight runs up to the bed with Dox slowly walking behind her. She jumps up and tries to pull herself up with her arms as her wings erratically flutter. Dox uses his muzzle to push Midnight up onto the bed. Acid groans as Midnight runs up to the pair before bouncing up and down on the bed. "Dad! Mom! It's Hearths Warming!" Midnight shouts in joy.
Moon groans as Acid sits up and rubs his eyes. "Sweetie, it's a bit early," Acid says as Moon stretches.
"But I just can't wait!" Midnight says, her wings spreading out in excitement as she smiles up at Acid. Acid chuckles while smiling down at her. He gently grabs her before squeezing her into his body. Midnight lets out a cute high-pitched laugh as she nuzzles into him. Dox smiles as Moon sits up and rubs her eyes.
"You two go get the oven going," Acid says, letting go of Midnight.
"Ok!" Midnight says before running across the bed and jumping off the end, landing on Dox's back. Dox walks out with Midnight giggling on his back.
"She's got your excitement," Moon says before yawning and stretching her arms out.
"She's got your cute looks," Acid says, nuzzeling into Moon. Moon smiles before nuzzling back.
"You're too kind," Moon replies.
"Not at all," Acid smiles up at her. Moon lets out a light squeak in surprise before looking down at Acid in slight annoyance. Acid cheekily smiles up at her.
"Hooves off the rump," Moon says, pointing a hoof at Acid.
"But it's so soft," Acid replies in a mocking winy voice.
"You only get to touch it if you are prepared to go all the way," Moon replies with her own cheeky smile. Moon leans over top of Acid as she blocks him in with her hoofs. Acid smiles up at Moon before she kisses him on the lips. Acid sighs before he falls back onto the bed with Moon standing over him. Acid closes his eyes as Moon does the same. Acid pushes himself into her as Moon lays down on his body.
Moon splits from the kiss, keeping her face just inches from Acid's. The two smile as their faces turn bright red. Their bodies already heating up a bit as they stare into each other's eyes. Their heart rates rise in excitement.
"When was the last time we did this?" Moon asks, sliding her hoofs along Acid's small frame.
"When was the last time we were alone?" Acid asks as his head drifts up to her's. His lips contact her's right as the door to their room opens again. Moon pulls away as Acid flops down onto pillow. Acid grunts in slight anger as they look over at the door at an embarrass Dox hiding slightly behind the door.
"I can distract Midnight if you two would like?" Dox says, his face bright red as he looks down at the ground.
"Could you?" Moon asks kindly.
"I don't know for how long, but yes," Dox replies, not looking up.
"Then yes," Moon replies. Dox nods before closing the door. Acid uses his magic to lock the door as Moon turns back to Acid.
"Now where were we?" Acid asks as Moon leans back down.
"I think we were about to have some fun," Moon replies, shaking her rump like a dog before leaning in and kissing Acid.
(Time Skip)
Acid stumbles into the kitchen were Dox is tending to the fire. Acid walks over to Dox with a funny looking limp before sitting down next to Dox.
"You ok?" Dox asks, looking up at Acid.
"We may have gotten a bit carried away," Acid admits, a bit of blush still on his face. He leans over and massages his thighs.
"Just a bit?" Dox asks, looking at Acid with a bit of sarcasum in his voice.
"Why did you say it like that?" Acid asks before gritting his teeth as he stretches out his legs.
"You two were in their for almost an hour," Dox says. Acid looks up at the clock.
"Wow," Acid whispers to himself before turning back to Dox. "We really did have a bit to much f-fun…" Acid grunts as he stretches out his other leg.
"What did you do to your legs?" Dox asks.
"What did you do about Midnight?" Acid deflects the question.
"I feed her and prevented her from going into your and mom's room," Dox explains.
"It was locked anyways," Acid replies, relaxing his legs.
"So what did you do to your legs?" Dox asks, tilting his head to the side as his ears flop to the side.
"I tried to be top," Acid replies simply.
"Ho…" Dox stops before shaking his head and saying, "Never mind, I don't want to know how,"
"All I'll say is it took a lot of thigh work," Acid chukels to himself as his face turns a bit red at the recent memory.
"Hello boys," Moon says with a big smile on her face as she walks into the kitchen. "How are my favorite stallions?" Moon asks, just a bit too pep in her voice.
"Still a little sore," Acid replies as Moon walks over to him.
"Mabye you shouldn't have done that then," Moon replies, kissing Acid on the forhead before turning around and walking up to the cupboard.
"But then you wouldn't be so happy," Acid quips back as he watches her grab bread from the cupboard before closing it.
"Good point," Moon replies before taking a bit of the bread and walking back over to the two. She sits down before eating the bread.
"I'm assuming you two had a great time?" Dox asks. The two look down at him and nod with a smile.
"Thanks for distracting Midnight for us," Acid says, wraping an arm around Dox's back.
"We really needed it," Moon replies before taking another bite of bread.
"You're welcome," Dox replies, nuzzling into Acid's neck. Acid smiels before nuzzeling into the top of Dox's head. Moon smiles down at the two before taking another bite of bread.
"I think I should make some proper breakfast for us all," Acid says as he seperats from Dox. "Then we can open presents and head to Grampas…" Acid's smile fades as he stands up. It quickly comes back as he walks over to the fridge. Dox and Moon look at eachother with worry in their eyes. Dox nods before standing up and walking out of the kitchen. Moon stands up as Dox walks down the hallway. Acid pulls some eggs out of the fridge and places them gently onto the counter.
"Are you ok?" Moon asks Acid as he closes the fridge.
"Ya," Acid replies, walking past her to the cupboards. "Why do you ask?" He asks as he opens a cupboard and grabs a pan from the shelf before closing the door.
"It's just," Moon says as she watches Acid places the pan onto the stove. "You've taken you mother's death so well,"
"I can't take it well?" Acid asks, turning to look at Moon with his head tilted to the side a bit.
"It's just a bit…" Moon thinks for a second as Acid cracks an egg onto the pan. "Out of character of you not to break down when something new happens,"
"Are you saying I can't handel new situations?" Acid asks, turning to face Moon while using his magic to grab a spatula.
"It's more like you can't process your emotions well," Moon slowly and carefully picks the words from the back of her brain.
"Really?" Acid says, raising an eyebrow before turning back to the pan. "What kind of egg do you want?"
"Sunny side up," Moon casually replies before returning back on topick. "Yes," Moon says, stepping next to Acid. "Every time somthing bad happens to you, you seem to not process your emotions well," Moon says, scratching her chin as Acid flips the egg. "What was that story Film told me…" Moon wispears as she thinks. "Right!" Moon replies in epiphany. "When you weren't aloud to see a friend because of Film's school play, you apparently went back stage and destroyed props?!" Moon asks for confirmation.
"Yes," Acid replies, using his magic to grab a plat from a cupboard. "But that was the first time I remember helping Film out by tying one of the loose stage ropes around Film's body and using it to lift him up into the air like he is flying,"
"Ok," Moon replies with a deep sigh as Acid cracks another egg onto the pan. "What about the time you got ridiculously angry at me for opposing your idea of adopting Dox," Moon replies.
"Ok," Acid nods. "I can see that, but," Acid says, turning around and pointing the spatula at Moon. "We did makeup after that,"
"That's because we drew bounders for eachother that day," Moon replies. "I was trying to make a point that you don't usually take things lying down,"
"I'm fine Moon," Acid says, steping close to her and nuzzeling into her chest. Moon wraps her arm around the back of his head as he says, "Trust me, I'm fine,"
"If you say so," Moon replies with a hint of doubt in her voice.
(Time Skip)
"Sweet Celestia, It's cold out there!" Film says as he walks into his parent's house. Acid, Moon, and Bold follow directly behind him with Dox following them and Midnight asleep on Moon's back. The group drags a bit of snow into the house as they walk in. Dox closes the door as the group takes off their winter jackets.
"No kidding, it's freezing out," Acid says as they hang up their coats on the coat hanger.
"You can wake up now Midnight," Moon says, nuzzling Midnight's head with her muzzle. Midnight groans as she slides off of Moon's back.
"Avi! We're here!" Film yells out.
"Still calling dad Avi?" Acid replies as Moon sniffs the air.
"Is it just me or does the air smell funny," Moon asks as Bold walks up to Moon.
"It does smell a bit musty," Bold agrees.
"I like the name better than dad," Film responds to Acid's comment. "It also means dad in zebra anyway," Film says before his heart drops. "Oh no," Film whispers as his pupils turn into the size of a pinhead.
"What is it?" Acid asks.
Film shakes his head before turning back to Acid. "Avi hasn't yelled back yet,"
"Then we should see if he isn't stuck in the toilet again," Acid says with a little chuckle before walking towards the hallway. "I'll check the lower rooms," Acid says.
"Wait!" Film yells as his heart races. Acid turns around and tilts his head to the side.
"What is it?" Acid asks as Film walks over to him.
"Stay with the kids," Moon wispears to Bold, who nods his head before heading into the living room were the kids where already sorting out presents from the christmas tree. Moon walks over to Film as he replies to Acid's question.
"I think it would be better if you checked the upper rooms first," Film replies with a very nervous-looking smile.
"Oooookkkkaayyy…" Acid says before slowly turning around and walking down the hallway. Film sighs as he tries to slow down his heat.
"This is how it began?" Moon asks, looking down at Film. Film nods as he straitens up. "The smell is not reassuring," Moon comments as Film walks towards the garage. Acid opens the door to the bathroom as Film opens the garage door. Film sighs as Moon walks up to him.
"No one in here," Film replies, his heart calming down a bit. He closes the door and walks to the next one, their parent's bedroom.
"No one in the toilet!" Acid yells before walking over to their old bedroom laughing to himself. Film sighs as Acid opens the door into their bedroom and walks in. Film turns to their parent's bedroom door as his heart races. The musky smell stronger than ever as he grabs the door handle. Film turns the door handle before pulling the door open.
His heart sinks into his stomach as his ears flop against his head. His eyes shrink down as his head feels light. His body feeling like it could float away from him. Hanging by the neck on the end of a rope attached to the ceiling fan is an old-looking male zebra, their father. A chair lies on the ground under him.
Film back pedals hard into the far wall of the hallway before sliding down to the ground. Moon's eyes shaking as she looks into the room. Her mouth slightly agape in shock. Tears start rolling down Film's cheeks as he slowly starts to whisper, "No… no…" Film shakes his head slowly as he keeps repeating the words to himself.
"What is it?" Acid asks with worry in his voice as he walks out of their old bedroom. Acid walks over to them before the two snap out of it and turn to Acid.
"Acid wait!" Film and Moon both yell but it was too late. Acid's eyes widen as his jaw goes slack. Tears form in his eyes as he stares at his father hanging from the ceiling. The walls seeming to close in on him as he struggles to breathe.
"Acid," Moon whispers, walking over to him as Film stands up.
"That piece of shit had to do one last thing to harm us," Film grumbles in anger as he walks into the bedroom. He recoils as his nostrils are overwhelmed with a grotesque smell. He places his hoof over his mouth to prevent himself from puking as he notices a piece of paper on the bed.
"Acid, please speak to me," Moon whispers to Acid as she gently shakes him. Acid keeps staring off into space as Film walks over to the bed. He picks up the piece of paper on the bed before squinting to read it.
"What's going on?" Bold whispers, walking into the hallway. "Fuck," Bold's eyes widen the moment he looks into the room. "What the hell?" Bold asks as Dox pokes his head around the corner of the hallway. Moon looks over at Dox and quickly shakes her head. Dox nods before ducking back into the living room.
"He left us a parting note," Film says with disgust in his voice as he turns around and walks over to the group. Acid still staring off into space.
"What does it say?" Bold asks as Moon keeps trying to snap Acid out of his trance.
"Dear sons," Film starts as he looks down at the letter in his hoof. "I know this may seem rash, and you may not understand why, but that is why I am writing this. Without my wife, your mother, my heart is empty. There is nothing left for me in the world, and I hope you can move on from me and live wonderful lives I know will be much better than mine ever was. Please don't forget me, but don't dwell on me. I love you, Avichai." Film finishes before folding the letter.
"I'll get the hospital," Moon says, turning to walk away.
"Not like they can do much," Bold responds.
"They can take the body away," Moon replies before walking down the hallway.
"I'll stick with the kids," Bold responds before turning and heading to the living room.
"Acid," Film says, walking up to Acid. "You all right?"
Acid blinks and closes his mouth as he looks down at the ground with a neutral expression. "Ya, I think so," Film sighs and nods.
"What's going on?" Midnight asks, running up to Bold as he walks into the living room. "Where's Grandpa?" She asks, tilting her head to the side.
"He's sick," Bold responds as Dox walks up to him. "Your mother has gone to get the hospital,"
"Can I see him?" Midnight asks.
"Not now," Bold responds. "We should head outside," Bold says, ushering Midnight towards the door. Midnight walks over to the door and pulls her coat on.
"He's dead," Dox says, looking up at Bold. Bold simply nods in response before walking over to Midnight.
"What about dad and uncle Film?" Midnight asks as Dox walks over.
"They'll join us shortly," Bold responds, pulling on his coat as Midnight looks at Acid and Film standing in the doorway. "Come on," Bold says, pushing Midnight with him and out the door with Dox behind him.
(Time Skip)
"I still can't believe it," Moon whispers to Film. She, Film, and Bold stand in a circle at the end of the sidewalk leading to the house. Hospital ponies pull Avi's limp body out of the house on a stretcher.
"I can," Film responds with a bit of hate in his voice. "The stallion didn't always care what we felt,"
"That can't be true," Bold responds.
"He hit me and called us the equivalent of a slur," Film responds with a bit of anger before sighing. "But it was when he drunk too much,"
"See," Bold responds as Dox and Midnight walk up to the group. "He was kind-hearted,"
"Mom," Midnight says, walking up to Moon.
"What is it sweetie?" Moon asks, turning and looking down at her.
"Where is dad?" Film's ears drop as his eyes widen.
"I don't know?" Moon says, looking around.
"Suger high in tartares!" Film says, quickly looking around the area. "Was he with you?" Film asks Moon.
"I thought he was with you," Moon defends, pointing back at Film. The two look over at Bold.
"Hey," Bold says, raising a hoof up in defense. "Don't look at me, I was with the kid the entire time,"
"Oh, no no no," Film shakes his head rapidly back and forth as he walks in a little circle. "This could be bad, very bad," Moon looks down at Dox and nods. Dox nods back before ushering Midnight away from the group.
"What?" Bold asks in genuine question. "It's not like he's going to kill himself," Bold says sarcastically. Film stares at him with wide eyes while Moon looks at him with slight disgust, "He's going to kill himself," Bold says, his demener droping as Film walks back over.
"It's a good possibility," Film responds. "He never had good control over his emotion past being happy,"
"Do you know where he could be?" Moon asks, turning to Film.
"There is one possibility," Film thinks. "I'll take the east city, Moon you get the west, and Bold, you get the south," Moon and Bold nod before turning around. Bold runs off as Moon flies up into the sky. Film quickly jumps into the air before flying quickly up into the sky. The stormy winds tossing him around a bit as he flies threw the snow.
(Time Skip)
"Where are you?" Film wispears as he covers his face with his hoof while looking down at the ground below him threw the snow. Film squints as he starts coming up to the edge of the city. His eyes widen as he spots Acid standing at the edg of the cliff, stareing into the darkness below him. Film clasps his wings against his body as he starts plummeting toward the ground. He spreads out his wings again as he gets close to the ground before landing a good few feet away from Acid.
Acid takes in a sharp breath as his head jerks up. His ears turn around to face Film as Acid realizes who's behind him. Acid sighs while looking down at the dark chasm below him. His ears flopping against his head as tears form in his eyes. "You shouldn't be here," Acid says almost in a wisper.
"And you shouldn't be here either," Film responds, taking a small step toward Acid. "I know it hurts like nothing could ever fill the voide. It feels like you should have done so much more with them, but never did and now you are regretting it," Film says as the tears roll down Acid's cheeks.
"Please think this threw," Film begs. "Don't through your life away because of dad," Film takes a small step forward. "Think about me, about Moon. What would Moon think, NO! What would she feel if you decided to kill yourself because of your surprising inability to talk things out?!" Acid grimises a bit as he takes a step over the empty void of the cliff. Film bites his lower lip as worry crosses his face before a light bulb goes off. "What about Dox!" Film yells out in desperation, causing Acid to freeze.
"You would be leaving behind your son," Film begs. "He loves you, and I know you love him. You adopted him without even getting to know him first," Film says as Acid's legs shake. "How do you think Midnight will respond when I have to explain her dad is never coming back!?" Film yells, causing more tears to fall down Acid's face. Film stands there, waiting as Acid stands frozen, staring down into the void. The void whispers back to Acid, causing him to stumble back and land on the ground on his rump. He quickly pushes away from the edge in a frantic fight or flight response. Film runs over to Acid and wraps his arms around Acid.
Acid wraps his arms around Film as Film sits down with Acid. Acid barries his face into Film's chest as he lets out waves of tears. Film squeezes Acid as he rubs his back. Light tears had formed on Film's face as well. He wipes them away as Acid slowly starts to calm down. Acid takes a deep, very shaky, breath before letting out a well-needed sigh.
"How," Acid whispers, shaking his head slowly. "How do you deal with this feeling?" Acid asks, looking up at Film with tears still fresh in his eyes. "I feel so… empty…"
"I don't," Film bluntly responds back, causing Acid to look up at him with confusion written across his face. Film sighs before giving more of an explanation. "At least, I don't deal with it alone. I always had you to lean on, and even Bold helped a bit. But the first real step to healing is to admit there is something wrong, or you need help," Film explains, looking down at Acid with a small smile. "That's what my psychiatrist always said to me when I was little,"
"I need help," Acid replies as his lips quiver. Fresh tears fill his eyes and fall down his cheeks.
"I'm not the one you need to talk to," Film responds. Acid nods before barring himself back into Film's chest. Film places his head on top of his crying brother's head. "Happy Hearths Warming," Film whispers.
Acid shakes a bit before responding with a cracky voice, "Happy Hearths Warming,"
(Time Skip)
Moon walks back and forth in front of the couch where Dox sits watching her pace in front of him. Tears run down Moon's cheeks as terrible scenarios run rampant in her mind. "Oh, sweet luna let him be all right," Moon whispers.
"He'll be fine," Dox responds. Moon stops in front of Dox and raises an eyebrow.
"Are you even sure about what you just said?" Moon asks. Dox sighs before looking down at the ground and slowly shaking his head. A tear runs down his cheek before he brushes it away with the back of his hoof. Moon sighs before going back and pacing. Dox feels a weird tug at his heart like someone was getting closer. A sudden wave of regret floods his body.
The door opens up, scarring Dox a bit and letting in the cold winter wind as Acid shakily steps into the house. His eyes are fixated on the ground as he closes the door. Moon lets out a little gasp of happiness before quickly running over to him. Dox pops his head over the couch and looks over before letting out his little squeak of delight and jumping over the back of the couch and running towards Acid.
"I'm sorry if…" Acid gets interrupted when Moon quickly wraps her arms around his head and pulls him into her body for a very tight hug. Moon nuzzles into Acid's neck as fresh tears run down her cheeks. Acid stands in slight surprise before wrapping his hoofs around her neck and hugging back.
"Don't ever do that to me, please," Moon begs as she grips him tight to her body.
"I'll try," Acid responds with complete seriousness in his voice. Dox walks up to the two as they separate.
"Dad," Dox says with worry in his voice. "Are you all right?"
Acid smiles down at Dox as tears form in his eyes. "Now I am," Acid says as he pulls Dox into a hug. Dox smiles before wrapping his arms around Acid's body and nuzzling into his chest. Acid places his head on top of Dox's as a few tears run down his cheeks. Dox and Acid separate before Acid quickly wipes the tears away. "Now shouldn't you be going to bed?" Acid asks, looking out the window to see the sun coming up.
"Right," Dox replies, nodding before turning around and running out of the room and down the hallway. Acid and Moon watch as Dox enters his and Midnight's room before the door shuts. Acid's smile fades quickly after the door shuts. His ears flop against his head and his body relaxes a lot. Acid turns to Moon but keeps looking down at the ground.
"I'm sorry that I scared you guys," Acid says, looking up at Moon. "You were right," Acid says, looking back down at the ground and away from Moon's gaze.
"What do you mean I was right?" Moon asks, stepping close to Acid before gently placing a hoof behind his head.
"Early you said, and I quote, "Out of character of you not to break down when something new happens" end quote," Acid says, looking up at Moon with sadness in his eyes. "You were right, and I want to talk about it," Moon sighs as a small smile forms on her face.
"Come on," Moon says, guiding him to the couch. The two sit down on the couch before Acid leans against Moon's chest as Moon gently strokes Acid's body. "When you're ready you can talk," Moon says, resting her head against the top of his.
Acid nods back as he snuggles up into Moon's body like a little dog. Acid closes his eyes as he slowls down his breath. He listens to Moon's heart slowly beating inside her chest. Her slow intake of air rases her chest and pushes on Acid's face before the air is let out and her chest returns back to resting.
The winter wind bashes against the windows and walls, causing the wooden house to creak in response. The wind thumbing regularly against the glass windows as the dying fire in the stove crackles away in the kitchen.
Moon's eyes wander the room, taking in the little details of the room as she waits patiently for Acid to talk. She notices little indents in the plaster and paint on the walls. Little blemishes and bumps on the wall where the projector was meant to project its image on to. The carpet seems to have patterns that aren't really there but are vaguely real.
The door to Dox and Midnight's room opens very slowly. The light creak of the door is lost in the house creaking. Dox slowly peeks out of the gap in the door and looks down the hallway both ways. Midnight slides under him before quickly but quietly walking across the hallway and down toward the open living room and dining room.
Dox walks after her as she makes it to the edge of the hallway and stops. Dox steps over her and wraps an arm around her body as she looks up at him with worry on her face. The two slowly look around the corner to see Moon's head sticking over the top of the couch.
"Midnight, Dox," Acid grumbles as he opens his eyes. Dox and Midnight's hearts stop beating for a second as Moon looks down at Acid with a little tilt in her head and a raised eyebrow. "They are the reason I didn't do it," Acid says, causing Dox and Midnight to let out a quiet sigh. "I love you Moon," Acid says, looking up at her with a few tears forming in his eyes. "But when I thought of Midnight and Dox being without me. I remembered how dad's suicide made me feel. I realized if I went threw with it, I would be abandoning my kids the same way my dad did,"
Dox's eyes slowly start to fill with tears as his emotional sensors are overwhelmed with heartbreak and sadness. Midnight just stares off at her mom's head as she tries to listen. Moon slowly slides her hoof up his back before resting on the back of his head. Moon smiles down at Acid before gently nuzzling his cheek.
"I know you love me you goofball," Moon replies, causing Acid to chuckle. "It's great to know how much you care for them," Moon says, pulling away to look into Acid's sparkling orange eyes, now lit up with the morning sun drifting into the room. "All I wanted was for you to open up a bit more emotionally. You've always been so distant when it comes to talking about emotions,"
"I'm not very good at it," Acid replies with a bit of a grumble.
"Just try it," Moon replies. "What was going threw your head when you learned about your mother's death yesterday?" Moon asks.
"Shocked at first," Acid replies as he averts his eyes and looks down at the carpet. "I couldn't believe the mare who had been so careful, so nice, so… great to me was now gone forever," Acid whispers. "I have no regrets, but she left a mother-sized hole in my heart that only one pony I know of can still fill," Acid says, turning to look up at Moon with a smile. Moon smiles back down as Dox, almost on reflex, smiles.
"You lifted a bit of the weight of her death off of me. You made it bearable to keep going," Acid says, cuddling into Moon. "I thought I had moved on, but I think I was really just keeping the emotions in," Moon sighs as she gently strokes his hair. New tears start to form in his eyes as he squeezes her a bit harder. "Dad taking his own life trusted all the emotions back to the front of my mind. It felt like I was drowning in nothing but an empty void no one else could see," Acid says as his voice cracks.
"I felt like if I was to scream, no one would hear me," Acid explains as tears flow down his cheeks. "I thought, in that moment, the only way to get rid of the feeling was to follow my dad," Acid says, looking away from Moon. "But staring into the cliff, adding on what Film said, it slapped me out of it,"
"What did he say?" Moon asks with a great deal of curiosity in her voice.
"He reminded me what I felt like when Dad took his life and reminded me that if I follow him, I would cause the same pain in Dox and Midnight," Acid says as Dox's heart breaks. A few tears roll down his cheek and onto Midnight's head, causing her to look up at him. Midnight's face goes soft when she sees her big brother crying. She looks around the hallway before getting an idea.
"Come on, let's surprise them," Midnight whispers, tugging at Dox's arm. Dox looks down and smiles before following Midnight into the room.
"I didn't want to hurt them, or you anymore than I already have," Acid says, looking up at Moon, who looks down at him with a warm smile.
"You haven't hurt me," Moon replies, gently caressing his cheek with her hoof.
"And we will be with you no matter where you go dad," Midnight says, jumping up onto the couch with Dox walking up to the couch.
"Midnight!?" Aicd says in shock as Midnight wraps her arms around his neck. "Dox, you two should be asleep,"
"And so should you," Dox replies back.
"Did I make you feel better?" Midnight asks, pulling a bit away.
"Of course you have my little bloodsucker," Acid says, grabbing Midnight and pulling her into a bear hug as he flips onto his back, dragging Midnight onto his stomach laughing. Moon lays down on the couch, wrapping her arms around Acid and Midnight. Moon looks over at Dox with a big smile.
"Get over here you bug," Moon says with a smile. Dox smiles back before jumping onto the group hug. The group laughs together as they lay on the couch in the mess of limbs and fur.