#sugarhogwrites

He’s feels like he’s in a fog. Throwing himself into work trying to escape the reality that you wouldn’t be there when he got home. He’s been out of the house more and more recently, spending most of his time at DJ’s. He doesn’t see Sun when he’s out in public, and it’s probably the only reason he hasn’t completely lost it yet. He’s carved a space for himself at the club, the loud music and flashing lights that give him splitting headaches a non-issue considering the alternative.

He sits in a booth hunched over and watches. Watches the humans and animatronics alike, as they dance and drink and… connect. He’s never liked clubs, as they’ve always left him with migraines and a longing for normalcy that he knows he can never have. So he sits, lurking in the darkest corner he could find and listens. He’s not just there for the distraction, though it is a big part of it. He’s there because criminals also happen to frequent DJ’s. And while he promised Eclipse he wouldn’t look for him anymore, he can’t help himself. With Sweetheart being… gone, temporarily… God he hopes it temporary, he’s resolved himself to finding his older brother again. He needs to have a real conversation with him, just one.

He knows it because he’s lonely. He’s self aware enough to admit that. His “heart” squeezes at the thought of seeing his brother again. He just wants his family back, he wants his Sweetheart to come home…. He wishes he wasn’t such a jealous insecure loser and that for once he didn’t screw up every good thing in his life- He’s snapped out of his miserable spiral when he hears the mention of his brothers name.

“-hat Fuckers goin’ soft I’m tellin’ you. Eclipse should really watch that new human he’s got hangin’ around.” His fans stutter. That’s- there’s no way… you wouldn’t actually- it… it has to be someone else, right?

“Eh, no one’s dumb enough to go after anything of his. Especially if he’s got a new main squeeze-“ the resounding bang on their table causes the two men to jump. They go to protest, but freeze in place when they look up at the animatronic responsible. For a moment they think they’re fucked, the only reason he’d be there was if they had a hit out on one of them. But before they can try to bargain with the murderous bot he speaks, obviously forcing a friendly tone.

“Couldn’t- couldn’t help but over hear your… conversation,” The men glance at each other still on edge and incredibly confused, but it seems like the Moons not here on business. “Y’see, I haven’t seen… Eclipse in some time now. I think it’s about time he and I catch up, but I’ve been having a hard time finding him.” The venom in his voice as he spits out Eclipses name is poorly disguised, and the men begin to realize that while he isn’t here for them… the bot in front of them is deeply unstable.

“W-we uh, don’t have an exact location or nothin’ just… rumors…” the Moons claws make a terrible screech as they scratch into the table.

“That’s. Fine. Just tell me what you know.” His patience is already on a razors edge, and the men smartly tell him everything they know. Good. He would prefer to keep DJ’s place clean of any… hard to scrub out stains. He apologizes to DJ in his head for the scratches on the table. God, he owes DJ so much. From keeping his Sweetheart safe to allowing him a place to stay at the club despite knowing Moon being there was terrible for business. Once they finish he leaves without another word, and when the night air hits him he feels like he’s finally able to get a breath. He’s got a few leads now, which is better than how he started the night. Even if he’s got a terrible headache to pay for it.

You’d been staying at Eclipses place for around a month now. It’s longer than you’d planned, but with how upset you were with Moon and Eclipse being… surprisingly pleasant to be around you’d decided staying wasn’t the worst thing. It was getting to a point where you’d started to feel the anger cool substantially, and you felt you could actually try and have a talk with Moon. You were still incredibly upset with him, but you needed to see him eventually. When you’d brought it up to Eclipse he’d wholeheartedly agreed, even joked about you getting sick of him, but you could tell there was a bit of disappointment in his voice. You sat in the kitchen on a barstool that was placed near the island, and tapped your fingers on the cold marble.

The barstool was, to put it lightly, gigantic in comparison to you. You felt like a small child every time you sat on it, (something Eclipse mentioned to you nearly every time) and you had to literally climb onto it. You’d called Eclipse to his kitchen to speak with you about seeing Moon, and he’d leaned over you as you explained to him that you really needed to have a talk with Moon. You placed a hand on his when you’d heard the tinge of sadness in his tone.

“Hey… just because I want to talk to Moon doesn’t mean I don’t wanna be friends anymore. I know you two have a… complicated relationship, but you both mean a lot to me. I… really don’t want to have to choose between the two of you.” You give his hand a squeeze as he observes you, studying your face. He turns his hand over and grabs your own, squeezing it back.

“I don’t- just… thank you. I can’t… tell you how much that means to me.” You smile at him and he returns it in kind. You tell him you were planning on leaving in 2 days, and Eclipse suggested going out to get dinner since it might be a while before you’d get to see each other again. You’d accepted his offer, and seeing as he’d been… buying you lots of clothes you had the ability to get dressed up for it. You were actually pretty excited about it as it’s a place you’d always wanted to go but could never hope to afford.

There was this… feeling, you couldn’t shake however. A sinking in your gut. It was probably nothing.

Moon was in his element at night. Years of experience and practice made it so he was practically invisible, and he could easily slip from rooftop to rooftop with little issue. The first two places the men had given had been a bust, but he still had one last place to check. Apparently it was a fancy joint Eclipse frequented. His brother had always had a taste for the finer things in life, especially after they started their organization.

He understands it was unlikely he’d be here tonight, but he was planning on staking out for multiple nights. He didn’t have anyone relying on him right now, after all. He shakes his head trying to clear the thoughts fogging up his head. He can’t get distracted now.

Luckily (unluckily?) he wouldn’t have to wait for long.

When he saw him he was surprised at just how excited he felt seeing his big brother again. Maybe it was the loneliness talking, but he didn’t care that the last time he’d seen him Eclipse had told him to leave him the hell alone. He moved to stand up and hurry over to him, but lurches to a halt midway. He drops back down immediately and it feels like everything in him comes to a standstill. He… must be hallucinating again, right? It’s not- it can’t be true.

His claws dig into the concrete and the scratches that cover him burn. His mind is both quiet and oh so incredibly loud. Nothing makes sense and everything does. He knew it, he knew he could never be good enough for you. That eventually you’d see how rotten he was and you’d leave him alone. He wouldn’t blame you for it, it was an inevitability he’d prepared himself for. But he never… never expected you to be so fucking cruel.

Everyone dies eventually.

It’s only a matter of when.

Some die of old age, or illness…

Obviously, those aren’t the only ways to die.

Sometimes, death is painful. It isn’t quick, and proceeding it you fight and you thrash, only for it to all be in vain.

You’re being hunted. You can feel eyes on you, and you know running now will only spell your doom.

…

Thankfully, whatever it is has decided to wait and watch. It gives you the time to get to a place where you know you can hide, and as soon as you know you can make it… you run like hell.

All prey run. It’s in their nature. You can only hope that you can make it.

You do, much to your relief.

You’re only delaying the inevitable.

You’re patient, you think. You’ve done this before, they all leave. When a predator needs food they’ll move on, and when they get really desperate?

They find different hunting grounds.

Is that what you believe?

What you don’t realize, is that this predator in particular has more to lose then itself.

You wait, and you wait… and you wait some more. Surely by now it’ll have to have left?

Tentatively, you step into the Moon’s light and to your horror you have done nothing but reveal your hiding spot.

All would’ve left by now, why is this one different? You feel like a mouse that’s been spotted by a cat, cornered with nowhere to run.

There was a variable you hadn’t accounted for, The Moon needed you specifically. He never would’ve left without you with him. Who could blame you for not seeing this coming?

It was either you or the Moon’s family.

You never stood a chance.

You can only pray he doesn’t play with his food.

Alt versions ⬇️

SORRY I GOT LAZY AT THE END LMAO

You regret ever agreeing to walking with this man. Not only did his long legs make it so you had to basically jog to keep up with him, but he also decided the walk would be HOURS long. You were well outside the city at this point and the only thing you could think of was how much longer of a walk back it was going to be. Eclipse, for the most part, was completely silent. He seemed deep in thought, so you decided not to bother him with how hard of a time you were having. As you trudge behind him you don’t even notice him stop and run right into him.

“Sorry! Sorry, I wasn’t…” you pause to catch your breath and only then does he notice just how exhausted you were. He looks between you and the burnt remains of a decently sized house. He seems… conflicted?

“Do… you want me to carry you?” You are caught completely off guard by this and start to stumble over your words,

“Wh- Uh, you don’t have to do that!” He raises a brow. “…That’d be very appreciated.” You fold almost immediately at the thought of getting off your feet, and when he picks you up the relief in your legs and back are immense. You sigh in content, and quietly thank him. He doesn’t respond, only moving toward the houses remains.

Walking through the house is… eerie, especially since it’s late into the night. Its when you make it to the last room at the end of the hall, do you audibly gasp.

“Is… is that a piano?” Eclipse grins and walks towards it. There’s a chair sitting beside it, and Eclipse moves to hold you with one arm while the other sweeps off the ash that’d accumulated on the cushion. After he deems it clean enough he sets you down, and you’re once again surprised by how gently he does so. After another minute of silence, you can’t take it anymore and start asking him questions. “…So. Why’d you bring me here?”

He looks at the piano, and a look of longing and grief washes over his face. He hurriedly puts back on an indifferent expression when he remembers he isn’t alone.

“…Sentimentality.” Ah, Yes. Not cryptic or sad at all. Your eyes glance at the piano before flitting to him.

“…Do you wanna talk about it?” You entirely expect him to say no, but are pleasantly surprised when he answers you.

“…We used to come here. When it was just the three of us. It was… still abandoned then, but it wasn’t burnt like it is now,” he sighs, and you can hear how drained he is. “Of course this room, of all rooms, would be left relatively unscathed.” You quietly hum in agreement.

“Did you play?” He startles, but recovers quickly.

“What? The piano?” You nod in affirmation, and a soft smile graces his face. “…I did.” His eyes light up with nostalgia, and it makes your heart feel so, so warm.

“I’m… I’m sorry that it got burnt down. The house. It seems like it meant a lot to you.” He looks over at you surprised, then chuckles.

“Ha… while I appreciate the sentiment, you don’t have to apologize.” Theres a manic glint in his eyes when he turns to you. “I’m the one who burnt it down.” He tuts, “Not my best work, clearly. But I suppose I should be thankful for that.” …What? The emotional whiplash you experience stuns you into silence for a brief moment.

“…Why would you do that if this place meant so much to you?” He quickly averts his gaze back to the piano, unable to look at you.

“It was… after I heard about Sun. I was so… angry. Angry at myself, angry at the ones who…” He makes a choked noise and has to pause. You wait for him to continue, and when he does he has to gasp out his words. “Who killed him. But most of all, I was angry at Moon.” You sit up at his confession.

“That’s not fair.” The sternness in your voice surprises even you, “He hasn’t told me much about what happened but… theres no doubt in my mind that Moon would’ve done everything he possibly could to save Sun. And… if he wasn’t able to then whatever happened was completely out of his control.” The finality in your voice leaves nothing up for debate, but you doubt he would have anyway with how he’s looking at you. There’s a sense of pride, amusement, and… something else that you can’t quite place. He starts to approach you and your lack of fear seems to intrigue and absolutely delight him.

His hand reaches for your face and he tilts your head up to look at him. He leers over you, trapping you with the other hand on the arm of the chair. “So loyal… no wonder he likes you so much.” His breathy tone makes you flush, so you try to think of a way to get out of this. You decide to play the fool.

Willing the blush away you answer with the most naive tone you can manage. “Why are you squishing my face.” You have to absolutely commend yourself for your poker face because his expression is priceless.

He basically blue screens, “Wh-“ but as he begins to speak he’s cut off by a near deafening sound. It makes your heart sink into your stomach, and a ringing in your ears that’s so painful you can already feel a migraine coming on. Eclipse hastily uses his body to shield you, (Why is he protecting you? You just met, didn’t you?) and pulls you in so close that your cheek presses up against his chest. Vaguely, you hear shouting from… someone? But because Eclipse is blocking your view you have no idea who your attacker is. Attacker… why hasn’t Eclipse pulled out his gun yet?

The ringing is starting to fade, and soon you can hear the argument going on. Immediately you try to look around Eclipse at him, and at your squirming Eclipse lets up on how tightly he’s holding onto you. When you lock eyes, Moons face is filled with a sense of anguish and betrayal you’d never in a million years wish to see. It quickly turns into an all consuming fury that, for the first time since that one argument you had, genuinely terrifies you.

“Moon-!” Panic begins to stir in you as you realize how terribly this must look. You try to get out of Eclipses grasp but his hold remains firm. You only stop when Eclipse whispers,

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” There’s an edge to it that wasn’t there before, but you can’t help the feeling that it’s… forced. You are dramatically swept up into his arms as he spins around to face Moon fully. It’s as if you weigh absolutely nothing to him the ease in which he does so. Which, in all honesty, is probably true. “Your little ‘sweetheart’ has just been an absolute pleasure to get to know! You know, I do remember teaching a certain someone to be careful about pulling the trigger when someone you care for is nearby. Surely you haven’t forgotten?” Confusion crosses over Moons face, and when he looks at you he seems to mistake your panic for being scared of Eclipse. You stare at Eclipse for a brief moment before it dawns on you. He’s playing the villain… for you.

Despite knowing that it’ll cause their relationship to more than likely become irreparable, he doesn’t want Moon to think someone else has betrayed him. It makes you all the more conflicted, but you decide you have to play along. For Moons sake. You start to push off of Eclipse, tears welling in your eyes. Eclipse only pulls you in painfully tight. You let out a strangled noise as it becomes hard to breathe. Desperately you look to Moon for help, and he is nearly hysterical now that he thinks Eclipse was holding you here against your will.

“Now Moonie, if I let your little ‘sweetheart’ go, are you gonna be a good boy and leave me well enough alone?” The look on Moons face is absolutely heart wrenching. He nods his head yes, and the pained grimace he gives Eclipse tears your heart to pieces. Eclipse doesn’t seem to be enjoying this any more than Moon is. But Eclipse, ever the performer, hides it behind a tight grin that doesn’t quite reach his eyes. He’s leans closer to you to whisper in your ear, and Moon tenses up. Eclipse stops and sneers at Moon, a look that makes Moon shrink in on himself. “Oh relax, I just need ‘sweetheart’ to understand something as well.” There’s anger and a hint of fear simmering in Moons expression, but he understands he has no power here and relents.

“It wasn’t supposed to go this way, doll. I doubt we’ll be seeing each other very often… but it was nice finally meeting you regardless. And… thank you, for saving him.” You let out a pained noise and only manage a small nod as you are at a loss for words.

Eclipse acknowledges Moon once again, “You didn’t think I’d just let them go without you dropping all your weapons first, did you?” If looks could kill… Moon begins to disarm himself and tosses his weapons across the floor at Eclipse. The vitriol when he tosses each weapon can be heard every time it loudly clatters to the ground near Eclipses feet. There’s a moment where Moon seems like he’s about to take his coat off as well, but… he looks Eclipse directly in the eyes and shrugs it back on. The grip on you becomes almost unbearably tight before letting up completely, and as soon as it does you sprint across the room into Moons arms. Moon wastes no time in picking you up and burying his face into your neck.

“I got you, sweetheart. Everything’s gonna be okay.” Guilt eats away at you and again, you remain quiet. Moon doesn’t give Eclipse a second glance and turns to leave as quickly as possible. As he does you look over Moons shoulder at Eclipse who looks absolutely defeated. Subtly, you give him a small wave. Despite everything, there’s a small smile on his face when he waves back. It’s full of grief and regret for leaving his family behind, but it’s there.

You hug Moon tighter as he walks out of the burnt ruins. It’s early dawn now, and you can barely keep your eyes open. A dam of emotions threatens to burst and you are so, very tired.

I HATE THE BACKGROUND DRAWING WITH A BURNING PASSION BUT… I wanted to visualize where Eclipse took Y/N. Also I think those photos of abandoned pianos are cool and wanted to show Eclipses love of the instrument :)