Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Index and Summary of Chapters!

-Maternity Chip AU ft. Eclipse!
Summary: Inspired by: Hazard-C-Horror's Maternity Chip Eclipse AU! Eclipse, influenced by the Maternity Chip, is unable to take Lunar home until the Daycare is clean and offers to finish the task - in RECORD time.
No Warnings Apply
Rating: General Audiences

-In Cruel Fates' Hands
Summary: Takes place after 'Earth Takes Care of Eclipse in VRChat' - just a short Hurt/Angst ficlet that I couldn't help writing out to cope with the SAD.
No Warnings Apply!
Rating: General Audiences

-Who's the REAL Stubborn One Here?
Summary: A short drabble related to Eclipse and Earth Put Their Heads Together in 'Assemble with Care' in VRCHAT?! Earth and Eclipse just being stubborn about how Eclipse should set-up his new lab space.
No Warnings Apply
Rating: General Audiences

-Solar Resurrected Wrong AU
Summary: Moon attempts to bring back Solar with Eclipse when he can't find Blood Moon or Ruin. The results are an expected consequence.
Chapter Warnings:
- Suicidal Ideation
- Bad Times
Rating: Teen and Up

-Comfort in The Embrace of Ruin
Summary: (A drabble set farther in the future of 'Heart in a Sea of Stars'.)
You're exhausted, overworked and you can feel your spinal implant slowing you down - the impending inevitability of it's self-adjustment program that painfully leaves you vulnerable once a month. You've haven't had time to prepare, you're scared and Eclipse is no where to be found as he searches for his magical circle. Ruin finds you instead and, desperate for comfort and the days you both used to share, you allow him to help you through the painful process.
Chapter Warnings:
- Light Blood and Gore
- Partial Non-Sexual Nudity
Rating: Teen and Up

To Be Added:

Chapter Text

“ECLIPSE!” Lunar yelled, trying in vain to rip himself away from his once-brother but could only scramble out a little bit before the second set of arms snatched him gently and readjusted him back into the protective hold. He slumped, a slight flicker of electricity snapping off of him before he simulated a breath in and let it out.

Eclipse, either unaware or unbothered by the potential danger he was in, just cocked his head at Lunar, “You’re safer with me than out there. I won’t let The Creator get their hands… -tendrils? Robots. On you.”

“Ugh, Earth can protect me just fine - WITHOUT holding me!” Lunar retorted, renewing his efforts to try and escape - only for Eclipse to adjust his hold every time Lunar moved. Before long, the smaller animatronic was tuckered out again. “I need a nap.”

Eclipse perked up at that, the chip in his head capitalizing on the opportunity to dote. “Would you like me to take you home? I can make tea to help you sleep,” Already, Eclipse was walking away from the Daycare that Lunar was supposed to be helping to clean up with Earth and Sun.

“WAIT WAIT WAIT!” Lunar screeched, causing Eclipse to freeze immediately and look Lunar over for injuries with a panicked expression. “I’m not hurt - I’m supposed to be working! I’m not going to just leave Sun and Earth to do this!” He insisted with a determined look on his face. Eclipse looked at him with a confused expression before his gaze softened and he looked around. Briefly, he matched gazes with Earth and Sun before he scanned the rest of the Daycare.

“Hm.” Eclipse looked back at Lunar. “If the Daycare is cleaned, are you free to leave?”

That brought a look of surprise to Lunar and, uncertain, he looked to his brother and sister. “Uhh, can we?? I mean, if the work is done fast, I don’t see why not, right?”

Sun crossed his arms, giving a loud sound of thought but before he could say anything Earth was the first to respond, “We absolutely can leave if all the closing procedures are finished! I believe the only conditions of us staying after closing are if a parent is late to pick up a child. Right, Sun?”

The bright attendant jolted before laughing nervously, “That’s right! The sooner we finish the sooner we can ALL go home. That said, uh…” Sun approached Eclipse and Lunar cautiously, weary of the way Eclipse’s gaze seemed to watch his every move. “Are you… still going to be staying with us until the whole ‘Creator’ thing is situated?”

Lunar, held around his middle, just crossed his arms and looked up at Eclipse. “I don’t know. Will I, Eclipse?”

“As long as I’m there to keep you safe, I really couldn’t care less,” Eclipse shrugged. Then, shocking all three of them, Eclipse used the rotating joints of his upper arms to lift Lunar up and around before planting him on his shoulders. He kept his arms, still twisted to face away from his back, along Lunar’s back to keep him secure. “You shouldn’t fall but if you think you are? Just hold onto my rays; they’re hard locked.”

“I-huh? What?” Hesitantly, Lunar held one of the rays to test if it would go in and, sure enough, they didn’t move even a BIT. It was weird because Solar’s were like that, too, but no one really… asked why. “Why don’t they move?”

“Not sure. Didn’t care to ask Ruin,” Eclipse stated simply, bereft of any of the animosity he’d held since he’d been built. “This shouldn’t take long.”

“What shouldn’t take loOOOOOHH MY GOD!”

With incredible speed and nimbleness, Eclipse was rushing through the Daycare like the devil was at his heels. He snatched up stuffies, crayons, glue, and clothes with such precision that Lunar almost couldn’t believe his eyes. Stuffies got tossed in cubbies, the crayons were collected and stuffed into boxes before being tossed on the play tables and clothes were thrown (impressively enough from the BACK of the Daycare) behind the Security Desk and into a box labeled ‘Lost and Found’.

When Eclipse got to the security desk where the barrels were lined up, he quickly ripped a cleaning wipe from a box and rotated the barrel with two hands while the thirst wiped it down like a machine. Ironically.

In the span of about 10 minutes, a record for any attendant, Eclipse was approaching Sun and Earth. “Are we done here?” A slight hint of sharpness in his tone as he spoke.

Sun, shaking from the sheer rage that Eclipse had such an ability to clean the Daycare so quickly and NEVER DID, bit between his teeth. “YEP! We are GOOD to GO!” And it was only Earth’s presence that kept him from saying some choice words.

“Good,” And just as Eclipse was about to bring Lunar back into his arms, the small animatronic made a loud bark.

“NO!”

“Lunar-”

“I’ll stay up HERE! Besides, I can see a lot up here and I don’t want to be held like some weird beanie baby.” He playfully kicked the hands away. “Away! AWAY WITH YOU!” Eclipse only sighed and compromised by holding Lunar by his ankles with one set of arms.

“Fine. Sun, I’ll meet you back at your house and get started with the tea.”

Lunar grumbled, “I don’t need the tea.”

“What would either of you two want?”

Earth gave a gasp, “I haven’t had a chance to try to Echinacea one!”

Still disturbed that he was just supposed to be… okay with Eclipse being in his house, Sun muttered, “Earl Grey is fine.”

Eclipse shrugged, “Don’t dawdle,” Before he was reaching for his magic. “You might get a little disoriented, Lunar.” The poor animatronic didn’t even get the chance to scream before he and Eclipse were gone in a blink.

Chapter Text

I’ve thought of… everything. Scanned every p-part of me… What more can I do?

After seeing Earth and trying (really REALLY) trying to tell her to just talk to Moon, he’d only managed to walk halfway to the Fazcade before he lost his footing and fell to the floor. The amount of pain - of weakness he was feeling - was deeply disturbing. It made him recall the memories of holding the Star and god DAMN that this was his fate… again.

With his back to the floor, staring up at the ceiling, Eclipse just… began to think. Not about anything in particular. About how he came to be. His constant drive to make everyone hurt as much as he hurt. The short time he had a brother that he was utter garbage to. Sun and Moon’s constant hatred and insistence that he should be dead… the irony of that especially brought the faintest smile of derision to his face.

They’d get their wish. If he did nothing else with this last life, having exhausted all his other options, it was that he could finally do something that didn’t hurt anyone. He’d struggled - oh, how he struggled - from one cage to the next. These past few weeks have made him realize, however, that the cards were always stacked against him and if he had no way to change his fate, he could at least go out his way.

I’m… almost done. Almost finished. Solar will come back… and then, Slowly, Eclipse closed his eyes and let the wave of peace wash over him as he finally let oily tears seep from his eyes and down his face plate. Then I won’t be brought back anymore. Not to be a punching bag. Or to be reminded of my failures. Or- A choked sob escaped him and he didn’t even have the strength to cover his face to hide his pathetic cries. “I don’t-... don’t want to go. Not after someone finally gives a shit about me!” It was cruel. Worse than any hell. Maybe he deserved it. He was so sure he did.

But Earth didn’t. Not now that he knew she wasn’t as stupid as he always believed her to be. Sure, maybe she’d get over his death with Solar back… but he couldn’t help but mourn the future he got a taste of but knew he could never keep.

For a while, hell if he knew for how long, Eclipse just remained on the floor in a puddle of exhaustion and self-loathing before the pain let up long enough for him to regain a bit of energy and slowly get back to his feet.

I’m not done yet… if Moon is going to put Earth in danger by being an idiot then he can do so after Earth tells him what an IDIOT he’s being! After that… He started to make his way toward Parts and Service. After that, maybe then he’ll listen to her. He has to…

Chapter Text

Eclipse was down in Parts and Service clearing off a table to organize a variety of equipment that was going to be a new work station consisting of monitors, measuring tools and a plethora of accessories. While he didn’t like being a literal AI in a computer, he loved having his own lab to tinker with. After conflicts had settled and he’d dug a spot for himself within the Celestial family the next natural step was to buy things that belonged TO HIM and just… work.

Naturally, Earth had come in with her typical greeting and curious nature that Eclipse had become accustomed to. What was new, however, was the suggestions for how to set-up the workstation and the resulting debate that quickly turned argumentative when he disagreed.

“What sense does it make to put the tower on the table when under the table - on the floor - provides more viable space?”

“The floor puts the tower at risk of dust and debris cluttering up the fans, Eclipse, and if you place it behind the monitor-” Earth gently advised, gesturing to the space behind the monitor in question.

“But then you’re running the risk of potentially knocking the tower over and where will you place the keyboard and mouse? This table doesn’t come with a rolling support below the surface!” He knew he was losing his patience but this was HIS set-up! Earth, persistent as much as she was patient, gestured over to another table and clapped her hands as if an idea had struck.

“Combine these two! One table dedicated to the computer and it’s accessories and the other to the tools like this measuring cup and the little test tubes.” Eclipses looked over at the table in question and gave a scoff at the items that were already on its surface before he shook his head.

“That table won’t fit over here and it’s currently in use for a different task. Earth, your suggestions are noted, but I’m more than capable of handling this.” He didn’t want to tell her that she was suggesting he cannibalize Solar’s workstation to benefit his own and he was sure that if she knew the suggestion would have never come.

“Alright, alright - I can respect that. May I ask how you’ll organize these pens, at least?” She relented, earning a confused look from Eclipse before he crossed his arms.

“In a cup-? They don’t need any particular method of organization, Earth.”

“On the contrary, if you place them in a standing rectangular organizer with dividers, you can separate the pens, pencils, styluses and carpenter pencils for ease of acquisition!” And Eclipse actually gave the idea a solid moment of thought before he groused in agreement. “See, it’s not a bad idea when the possibility of getting your groove thrown off could happen!”

“I’ll consider it, but I’m not convinced that the monitor can’t just stay on the floor!”

“You are just so stubborn!”

Chapter Text

Eclipse couldn’t help but wonder if this was Dark Sun’s plan all along. He’d certainly tossed and turned the question around in his mind enough. He wasn’t usually this sloppy, but then again he wasn’t usually slowed down by the malware in his system.

Caught in trap that he couldn’t react quickly enough to escape, Eclipse had been taken to a place he’d seen only a few times within his memories of the version of him that had the Star. All around him were a variety of instruments, sigils (a surprising thing to see), and destroyed glass - a laboratory that Moon had apparently commandeered. However, more concerningly was the pair of large glass tubes that could easily fit any size animatronic.

One of which he resided in.

“Well… you feelin’ proud of yourself, Moon? ONCE AGAIN you caught the ‘great and terrible’ Eclipse; no satellite laser in this dimension to kill me, however, and you seem to have a little tea party set-up…” Eclipse bantered one-sidedly, making a show of gesturing in front of him while leaning against the back of the glass chamber. “If I were to hazard a guess? You never found Blood Moon or Ruin did you? And now you’ve decided that I’m your Plan B, hm?”

Moon, back facing Eclipse, appeared to just ignore him as he focused with obsessive precision on the computer in front of him. His voice growled as if missing a tone modulator toward nothing, “I’ve got this… and that finished… yeah. Yeah, that-... that should be working right.” He walked over to another computer, typing for a time before he stood up straight and gave a long and soul-weary sigh. “I’m ready. I’m doing this… we- I’ve… come so far.”

“You’re going to fail, Moon. It’s not going to work,” Eclipse tiredly droned, sliding down the back of the chamber to sit down. “Moon, why aren’t you listening to me? I told you there was another way, even if Solar wouldn’t exactly be the same.” He watched as Moon turned to him, apparently finally ready to acknowledge his existence. “Do you hate me so much… or is it what I represent? That whole ‘purpose’ bullshit you told me?”

“I do hate you. More than anything,” Slowly, Moon approached the glass chamber Eclipse was trapped in. “You want me to be honest? Every time I look at you I’m reminded of how much you took from me, my past self and my brothers! Did YOU do it- NO, but I couldn’t give a SHIT if you DID!” With every step his voice became louder and more manic with rage. He stepped in front of the chamber, his eyes wide in security red as he bore down at Eclipse. “Solar coming back to me in exchange for your pathetic life is poetic justice and you know it. You never deserved to live. Much less to spend one more second around my family.”

Eclipse just looked up at Moon with tired optics but even though he knew Moon had lost it, he couldn't deny the nugget of truth that he agreed with. He shouldn’t have ever come back. “If you do this, Moon… they won’t be your family. He won’t be your family. I can guarantee this to you.”

“I don’t care.” It was then that Eclipse noticed the remote in his hand just before Moon pressed a button.

It wasn’t… painful. No more than what he was used to these past few weeks, anyway. As iridescent red lights flashed and the hum of machinery permeated the room, Eclipse felt as though he were getting more and more tired. Like the battery was just draining from him and he let the back of his face plate clunk against the glass behind him. “Y-... You really don’t, do you?” His words came out like a whisper, the only volume he could manage. He turned his head as far as it could go toward the other glass chamber and felt a cold chill run through his endo at the dimensional matter collecting slowly into a humanoid form. “Moon.”

The animatronic in front of him had his gaze laser-focused on the chamber, hissing out, “What?”

“A last request. Please,” That had Moon glaring at him but he didn’t give a fuck. “Tell Earth…” He struggled to get the words out but forced it through the failing modulator, “Tell Earth that I was grateful. To be in her presence… to listen to her vent and even t-talk about Solar. Tell her that I- … I was grateful to be called her friend. When no one else did.” Silently, Moon said nothing, remaining stone-faced and unmoved as Eclipse outpoured his request. “Please.”

“You were never her friend. A copy is all you were, Eclipse. And when she has Solar back? She’ll forget you even existed.” Moon coldly and coolly promised.

Eclipse smiled weakly, a genuine glint of amusement and bittersweet knowing there, “You may be right… I always suspected it and maybe… maybe even she never really knew it.” He looked down to see his legs nearly gone now, the matter breaking apart before it disappeared. He raised a hand to see it had already become partially translucent. It made him want to scream and cry and rage at the unfairness of it all but Eclipse knew a long time ago what his fate was. “S-Still,” He finished with obvious emotion and damage to his voice box glitching his words. “-I-I was… the ha-ha-happinest when sh-she was around me. To have h-her attention. My only regre-e-et is that I couldn’t tell her mys-e-elf.” He stared at Moon, finally showing the pain on his face as oily tears fell - the last of his strength giving what he had hoped one day to tell Moon. Had things not gone the way they did. “For wh-wh-what it was worth… I’m sor-r-ry.”

For only a moment, like the finest of cracks in glass, Eclipse saw the cold exterior of Moon’s expression fall in surprise and as the darkness faded in on his vision for the last time… Eclipse could be grateful for that too.

With the glass chamber now empty of its sacrificed occupant Moon tore his gaze away to the other chamber and his breath was punched through his vents as he observed the figure inside. Shaking, Moon approached the other chamber as the lights flickered and placed his hands against the glass.

It was him. Solar. While he wasn’t dressed in the boots or gloves or even his goggles, he still wore the patchwork pants that he always did and it made oily tears burst from his optics as he cried out. “SOLAR! S-Solar, please - wake up! You’re here! I did it! P-Please,” He watched as the lights to Solar’s optics flickered on and he gave a soft groan from inside the glass chamber. Moon could have combusted from happiness as Solar lifted his head to look around a little and take in his surroundings. “H-How are you feeling, Solar?”

Turning to Moon, Solar narrowed his eyes in confusion at the familiar figure that had been talking to him before something of recognition comes to life in his optics. Yet, it wasn’t the snarky teasing that Moon had come to associate with his brother nor did Solar ask about what was going on. No.

The figure in the glass chamber grinned, wide and wild, mismatched optics taking on a sharp intensity that made the oil in Moon’s body run cold. A voice Moon only recognized through his memories echoed through the chamber as the body of his brother placed a hand against the glass. “‘Solar’? I’m afraid you’ve got me mixed up with someone else.”

Moon shuddered, revulsion eating at him as Eclipse’s words fell around him. “No. No, he-! He was WRONG! I di… didn’t-”

“Fail? Maybe not, but Sun sure did!” And the fragile house of cards finally caved in to fall around Moon as that grating laugh made the reality finally hit.

He did fail.

This wasn’t his brother. He didn’t even bring back the copy he’d sacrificed!

He brought back the Original Eclipse.

Chapter Text

You sighed once more, shoulders slack with exhaustion as you sat against the wall on the floor in the dim lights of Parts and Service. It had been another long day in ‘paradise’ – basically living at the Pizzaplex during one of the busiest weeks of the year dubbed ‘Birthday Bonanza’ where there were actually discounts for customers to take advantage of. What did that mean for you? Given you were BARELY paid, it meant overworking yourself to cover the influx of activity.

More repairs, cleaning (Cross-training, amIright?), STILL expected to do Security work and to top it all off? Maintenance that came monthly with your spinal implant was coming up and you were in pain. No, pain wasn’t enough of a word to encompass the feeling, honestly. Agony. Torture. You were so tired. Movement was hell and you felt like your joints were made of hot tar.

Running a hand through your hair, you released another shaky sigh that rattled your body with shivers. Eclipse was still out trying to find his circle of magic, Solar was over at Sun and Moon’s house to cat sit while they investigated their own leads and Ruin… well, you hadn’t seen much of him, but going anywhere while you were like this was out of the question.

Another shudder shook you, pulling a whimper from you when it had your spine feeling as if it had twisted under your skin. You wanted to sleep – needed it to continue this hellish week – but there was just no mercy or comfort from your chronic condition. Just when you were sure this was going to be your existence for the night, the sound of a door opening caught your attention. Shoes quickly running along the concrete followed after and you had only just lifted your head to see a figure with rays and a hat come into view.

Ruin stopped when he saw you, confusion and concern laced in hisbvoice, “Darling? W-Whatever are you doing on the floor?” Ruin asked in a pitch higher than normal as he noted you curled in on yourself. Quickly, he approached before taking a knee before you. His head looked over you, scanning for injuries, “Are you alright?! Take a fall or p-perhaps you just need a moment to ground yourself? I-I-I can leave if you want, I just–!”

You reached for him with a violently trembling arm to hold him by his wrist, missing the days before everything got so complicated and just… missing him, “Stay. Please, I’m just–” You swallowed, your hand on his wrist tightening a bit as you only just barely managed to not sob. “I’m– I’m scared… I don’t want to be alone right now.”

For a long moment, Ruin just stared at you with a look you couldn’t decipher before he seemed to relax, “Of course, Darling, of course.” He carefully approached, lowering himself down to sit next to you with his back to the wall. Yet, even as he remained you felt as though there was an awkward space between two your shoulders that might as well have been miles apart. He was giving you space that you didn’t want and the thought had your breath hitching in a sob you couldn’t stifle. Ruin flinched, leaning over to try and see your face, “Are you sure you’re not hurt–?”

He didn’t expect you to practically leap into his lap, throwing his long arms outward with a yelp of surprise. You buried your face in the material of his neck ruffle and the proximity and familiarity had you finally just let the tears fall with a shaky and ragged sob. “I-It hurts… so much–!” And that was enough to convince Ruin to gently wrap arms around you, rubbing up and down the spinal implant that lay beneath your shirt.

“You’re alright, shh,” He cooed in a hushed voice, a look of torment on his face as he warred within himself. He wanted to have what you and him had together; the comfort, the familiarity… the closeness. If only the dark cloud of suspicion and mistrust would disappear to allow him the space to breathe. “I’m sorry I haven’t been there for you. With dear Moon and Eclipse nary a sliver away from imprisoning me… I don’t want them to misunderstand and think I would ever hurt you, Dear One.” You could hear his words, understand their meaning and implication but couldn’t find the strength to pull from his embrace.

“I know, but I–” You shuddered, trying to pull in a sharp intake of air from a searing stab of pain (physically and emotionally) to find your voice. “I just don’t want– c-can’t be alone right now. Please, Ruin–” You begged, trembling now as that frightening sensation of numbness stole your strength from you. Your left arm, locked around Ruin’s neck pipe with your metal right arm, loosened against your will before one fell limply at your side. Like a marionette with its strings cut.

It was happening and, dear god, you were terrified; openly crying now as Ruin looked ready to panic.

“Ohgod, dear me–! Darling, i-i-i-is it that–?! The t-t-time for your… ‘s-self service’?” The sheer terror in his voice as he recalled the only bits of knowledge he retained about the manner in which your spinal implant stretched and adjusted every month to preserve its host’s vitality. Even if it appeared to be an agonizing and gruesome affair. Which it was!

Mutely, struggling to draw in any air to speak, you gave a nod before another searing bout of pain rushed down your back – the choked cry that came nearly bringing Ruin to tears himself at the sound if he could cry. He did his best to appear strong, doing everything in his knowledge to help you as he spoke soft words of comfort. Once your other arm had fallen limply from his shoulder, he moved quickly to carry you to a table nearby. The contents of the surface met the floor without a care in the world before you were being placed upon its surface on your stomach.

Carefully, Ruin began to arrange your gradually paralyzed body to make sure the adjustment wouldn’t cause damage to your muscles. He would freeze, however, when the eventual task of removing your top clothes wrought fear from him. He needed to do it lest the twist and push of the implant potentially pull the material dangerously into your body. He just hoped any cameras Moon or Solar would look through didn’t paint a disgusting picture of misunderstanding. He didn’t have the benefit of the magic coursing through the Fazcade to manipulate the cameras and he didn’t expect this to be happening.

Determined to keep you safe, Ruin spoke softly to you while carefully removing the shirt and then any undergarments you had below. “You’re so strong, love– just h-hang on a little longer, Dearest,” He forced the tremble in his voice box back as much as he could, even as the multiple flash and fade of colored lights the shone from your spinal implant began to flicker in a flurry of worrying patterns. “I’m here, Darling,” He whispered, keeping himself within sight. You couldn’t move anymore, your cheek pressed against the cold surface of the table. Still, it was a great comfort to see the mismatched colors of Ruin’s eyes as he spoke to you. “I’m not going anywhere.”

As tears rolled down your cheeks, sections of your spine adjusting with each pin unscrewing slowly one by one on each side, Ruin would use a clean cloth fresh out of its package to clean the excess blood and spinal fluid that seeped from the implant. It was a long, agonizing process but as it came to a close nearly an hour later, you were beyond exhausted.

The buzz of sensation that told you that your nerves were lighting back up to allow movement didn’t matter to you when you didn’t have the strength to move anyway. Ruin, bless him, had carefully put your shirt back on but didn’t have the dexterity to help redress your undergarments - not that you wanted it on with your back muscles so sensitive and tender. Once he was sure your implant wasn’t going to do anything else, he gathered you up and sat back down onto the floor.

You cracked your eyes open, puffy and heavy from exhaustion and tears, “R–…Ruin?”

He smiled down at you, voice as soft as a caress, “I’m here. I only regret that I can’t do more than be a subpar pillow while you rest… if you’ll allow me the honor once more.”

Your throat constricted with emotion, shoulders shuttering as you fought to manage even a whisper, “I–...” With what strength you had left, you reached up to grasp his shoulder and pull yourself up to his cheek to weakly press your lips to the swirl of a white cheek, “I missed you.”

The click of a glow could be heard, fans kicking up quickly to betray how affected Ruin felt before he could even say a word, “D-D-Darling?” He sputtered bashfully and vainly tried to hide his face from you. “I-I… I don’t deserve your a-affection,” He admitted with clear shame.

You scrutinized him, still rather close to his face, before you gently brought a hand up to touch the side of his face plate to turn him back to you, “Ruin… why do you think that? Why have you been avoiding me until now?” You felt the bubble of emotions rise, reflecting the conflict between rationality and desperation for a connection.

For a long moment, Ruin’s mismatched gaze stayed locked to yours before he emulated a sigh with a release of hot steam. “It’s… very complicated. Would that I-I could explain it better, but please know that it isn’t out of malice.” He brought a hand up but hesitated a second before overlaying it above yours on his face. He held onto your hand with a yearning you typically associated with Eclipse – an underlying magnetism to be close to you. “If there is any one thing that I-I am sure of, Darling… it’s that I won’t ever try to hurt you. I…” You could feel a tremble begin, growing more pronounced as he spoke. “I hope that, if nothing else, you believe that of me.”

“Ruin.” You whispered softly, voice choked with emotion, before moving your head forward to gently press your forehead to the top of his face plate. “I believe you. F-For a little bit, please–” You swallowed. “Can we just stay like this? For a little while?” Gone was the bravado of a dimensional jumper and gone was the steel-resolve you typically kept in the face of insurmountable horrors and death-assured odds. You were human once… and, just like now, you would continue to be human every now and again.

The smile Ruin gave you was a bittersweet as it was radiant, speaking softly to you, “Of course, Darling. For however long you desire.” You closed your eyes in relief, your body relaxing like a tire being deflated for the first time in months.

“Thank you.”