tfw ur besties have just a lil bit of separation anxiety so now ur gonna have to spend another whole entire night at ur place of work bc ur a sucker and u can only get a proper nights sleep when ur best buddy is hold u like ur precious and so so so important <3 what good friends u have

AFTON AU: We Can Make Our Own Happy Ending

Did anyone else read The Little Red Hen when they were younger? If you haven't you'll probably need to google it first before you read this. Full Disclaimer, this is a one shot just like the last one, I apologize for all errors. Also, there is some fluff here, I wrote the boys to be affectionate and the reader just has to deal. With that out of the way, please enjoy this little Afton AU snippet. (thanks for the blessing Bones, and for your lovely stories :3c )

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You had to admit, today had been a great day for the SuperStar Daycare. Sun had shown the kids how to make sock puppets; all googly eyes and giggles by the end of it. The daycare was going to be a mess tonight, but it was all worth it watching the kids lose their minds over scratchy socks and pipe cleaners. One of them even made one to look like Sun, with bright yellow construction paper clinging for dear life to a sock that was all but dipped in glitter glue. Sun loved it all the same, gasping at the likeness. The kids had set it on one of his sun rays and cheered at their work. "I will love him forever!" Sun had dramatically declared with a pat on the head of the puppet, still resting atop his ray. Moon had even let the children use their puppets during Story Time. Each puppet a different character telling poor Misses Hen that no, they would not be helping her with her bread. You had hung off to the side of the sea of blankets and pillows, watching Moon sit on his island in the middle. He was reading from the book in one hand, held open so the children could see the pictures if they wanted. In his other hand, a sock puppet Sun had made for him. It was stuffed round with two of the biggest googly eyes they had in the box. Fake feathers and ribbons are tucked into a bonnet, sitting askew on its head. "Now, who will help me cut this wheat?" Moon's voice had perfectly mimicked a sweet little old hen. His voice box had additional functions for story-time, adding that special flair to the stories he read. The goal was always to calm the kids for Nap Time, but that didn't mean they couldn't have fun with it. He leaned his puppet toward one of the kids, a three-eyed pink monstrosity poised on his hand. The child tried to contain a giggle, watching the googly eyes dance with a little shake from Moon. In a goofy voice, the child replied, using the puppet to talk. "I will Missus Hen!" Moon had paused and lowered his puppet slightly. "Wait, really? You would?" "No!" A roar of giggling erupts from the pile. The kids roll in their blankets, trying to hide their laughter in their pillows. Moon had hidden his smile and just shook his head. He tut's the child, voice still configured for Misses Hen. "You guys are DEFINITELY not getting any bread after this." You couldn't stifle the snort that had bubbled up from their antics, the kids a mess of laughter, and Moon trying not to encourage them any further. You had missed the tender smile on Moon's face when you turned your attention back to your own work. You had been chipper all day, a warmth in your soul more comforting than all the fresh bread the world could offer. Being in the Daycare with the boys was like being in another world. It felt so safe here, so easy. You swallow back a sudden twinge in your throat, anxiety prickling the back of your neck. You would do anything to keep it that way. * - * - *- * - * - * - * - * - * The day seemed to fly by, and before you realize it, the kids were finished with their third game of Lava Tag. You're caught off guard when Sun clapped his hands together with a sigh. "Okay my little Sun Sprites, it's time to start the Pick-Up game! Clean up, clean up!" The kids groan in unison, ringing through the whole daycare. Some dramatically flopped on the playmats, faces twisted in fake distress. Sun laughed, bright and tinny, making your stomach flutter. His laughs were always so genuine, it was hard not to be charmed by his mirth. A little one clung to the animatronic's pants, earning a little 'Tsk Tsk' from above.  Sun swooped down and plucked the child off of his leg, and with a swing had cradled her in one arm. The little one squealed with laughter before she tried to maintain her pout. "Now don't be that way little sunbeams! It'll be fun, and I know someone who can help!" Sun lifted his other hand from behind his back, a floppy sock puppet greeting the child with its mouth open. The child started giggling again, all sour thoughts were easily forgotten as Sun pretended to 'bite' at her with the puppet. Just like that, the kids had started using their puppets to grab and bite their things, picking up toys and backpacks with smiles all around. Sun began bouncing around the little ones, assisting socks in cramming crayons back into boxes. You hadn't realized just how distracted you were watching Sun and the kids until a hand tapped at your shoulder. You nearly jump out of your skin, whipping to your right to find no one there. You're only allowed a moment of confusion before you're pulled into a hug from your left. Moon cackled when you shot him the nastiest glare you could muster, but he was warm all the same. He could be a real jerk sneaking up on you like that. "The Check Out reports are ready, Starling. We should help Sun with clean up." Despite his words, you feel arms wrap around you and give you a little squeeze. Your cheeks burn from the embarrassment of getting caught spacing out when there was work to do. That...was probably the only reason. Probably. You start to fidget against Moon's chest plate, awkward realization replacing your annoyance. "Oh, yeah SORRY did you say you already get the closing report done? Shoot, I'm sorry, I should have-" You're starting to ramble but it's cut short when you feel a bonk on your forehead. Moon lifts his head away, and you become acutely aware that you're still being held three ways to Sunday. Moon chuckled a little. "Breathe, little Star, the parents are going to start arriving soon. No need to fuss over the paperwork." He smiles at you, sweeter than honey, and you take a deep breath. You internally choke slam the vicious words foaming in the back of your brain; the day was almost over, and you didn't want to it mess up just because you couldn't focus. You open your mouth to say something, but you're interrupted by a familiar jingle. Right on queue, the first of the parents began to enter the lobby, and Sun was skipping over to help. The Daycare exploded into shrieking and laughter, kids frantically waving art projects at their parents. While Sun and Moon got the kids organized and chatted with the parents, you're making notes on the Check Out list. Your eyes occasionally darting to the kids still waiting for their parents, lest they try to get into trouble with the boys busy. You stand off to the side the lobby door, tapping a pen absent-minded against your clipboard as you go over the end-of-day list. You're considering a note you left for yourself when someone starts talking behind you, catching your attention for only a moment. "Yeah, it's been great. Ever since Dad left his company assets to me, I've been really trying to refocus the company. Which, is exactly why we implemented those new waivers. The legal team loved the new outline I submitted, parents are basically signing their kids away at this point. They just eat this shit up! Look at all the little brats around here, and no possibility for an incident report." He snickered, checking his watch at an incoming message. Your head buzzed numb, and a sudden rush of hot anger flooded your skull. Your head tilts to the side, catching a glimpse of the thing talking behind you. It's a tall, stocky man in a dark blue suit, leaning against the door next to a familiar adult. Looks like Mrs. Lawrence was buttering up Sun again, raving about how he is so helpful, and how nice it would be to have him around the house instead of Mr. Lawrence. Sun always handled her well, acting out just like he did with the kids, making her laugh but keeping a masked distance. But this usually left Mr. Lawrence to mope at the door, never too keen on going deep in the daycare. You think he is a little scared of Sun. But today he had someone to talk to, and you didn't appreciate the company he kept. There was a pause in the conversation, Mr. Lawrence looking uncomfortable but polite. Your body was tense, eyes boring holes into your clipboard listening to them talk. You are wound up, like a predator waiting for its chance to pounce, prey never the wiser to the danger. Your hands shake, but you force yourself to pretend to scribble on your clipboard in case they noticed you. They did not. "So," Mr. Lawrence lowers his voice. "Your wife still sore about...that whole lawsuit thing?" "Oh yeah, I'm staying late at the office tonight. No way I'm going home with her still awake I'm sure I'll think of a way to kill the time, hell, I heard we just hired a pretty little tidbit for the second shift accountant position." Both men laugh and share a slimy, wistful sigh. Your scowl deepens, too deep in thought to notice the tightening grip on your pen. The ache building up in your hands goes unnoticed. Your head runs a mile a minute, taking in the conversation. You recall that one of the Health and Safety senior executives had just stepped down, giving his position to his prodigal son. And now he was here, a wretched snake that had slithered into a place he should not be. You're taken out of your darkness when a little girl runs by you, waving and calling out a squeaky 'Goodbye!' The girl runs to Mr. Lawrence, who awkwardly picks her up. She's wiggling with an abundance of energy and giddiness, ready to go home. "About time Princess. Looks like you had fun today. They sure give you guys a lot of...glitter." Mr. Lawrence silently mourns his white shirt before turning to the man in the suit. "Looks like I gotta get going. Good luck with...all of that." "Yeah, gonna head to the office, this creepshow is about to close anyway. I'll see you later." The man in the suit waved off Mr. Lawrence, leaving out of the doors. He was heading toward the back of the Plex where the main offices were, you note. His office was here. Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence wave goodbye to you, but your stare goes through them and you give no response. Your head was spinning, deep in a haze, your stomach all but boiling with a deep, seething rage. He's staying late tonight. After close. "Uh...Starling? Do you, need help with that?" Moon's concerned, pillow-soft voice cuts through the fog behind your eyes. You look around in a daze, all the kids were gone and Sun was singing to himself amongst the plushie bins. Your head was full of wasps, still excited and angry and swarming. You try to speak but nothing comes out, Moon's eyes narrowed, only for a moment. You shake your head and force words out of your throat. "The list! Right, I almost completely forgo-" You look down at the clipboard and pause. The pen that was in your hand had all but exploded, plastic shards poking into your fingers and sticky blue ink trying to stain the fabric of your gloves. The whole room seemed to tilt under your feet, when did that happen? Good thing you made these easy to clean. Moon reaches out, and gently takes the clipboard and pen remnants from your hands, turning toward the desk. You could still see the worry reflected in his eyes, but he said nothing else. He always tried to be respectful when it came to your hands. The gloves weren't perfect, literally nothing you've done has been, and mistakes like that happened from time to time. No need to stew on it, and no need to rub salt in the already bitter wounds. Sun had finished with the plushies, bounce in his step as he bounded over to you. He's humming, sun rays spinning with a whirl. He's so deep in his musings, that he doesn't read the room. He's still half singing when he does a twirl around you. "Oh, today was just SU-PER! The kids were all SO creative and Moony's little story was so fun and- and...Sunshine?" He stops mid-bounce when he realizes your fuzzy eyes and faintly blue hands. "Oh Sunshine, are you ok? Your stress levels are higher than normal, and you're shaking! What happened?" Sun cups your cheeks, hands cozy against your face. You regain your senses at his touch; the buzzing ebbing away. Sunny just had a way to make you feel so...secure. Your strained look melts into a smile, small at first. "I'm fine Sunny, sorry for scaring you. I- I just got distracted by...something. That's all." Anticipation floods in where your anxiety had been, and you can't help the nervous chuckle brewing in your guts.Oh, there was always so much work to be done. You lift your hands to meet his, eyes beaming up at Sun, watching him relax into the gesture. You force your stiff fingers around his palms, holding his hands in yours, close to your chest. Sun's rays spin again, flustered by your pulse and the sudden attention. His eyes flutter for a moment, before turning his head away, trying to hide the sheepish grin spreading across his faceplate. Moon had disposed of what was left of the pen and had returned to you, silently pulling you back into an embrace. He nuzzles your cheek, fans whirling like a content purr against your ear. They both seem to sense your contemplation, waiting patiently for you to gather your thoughts. You let out a hum, and you can hear two sets of gears click in response. "We...we have a lot of work to do tonight." You finally say, something cruel growing behind your smile. "A lot of work." "We DO? But Sunshine, I thought there was only sweeping left, did I miss something?" Sun turns his head back to fully face you, tilting his head like a puppy. His voice teetered on the edge of an embarrassed giggle, swaying his hands with yours. He hadn't let go, and you hadn't thought to pull away.   "Hmm, what is it that has our little Star so worked up?" Moon hums, and you can feel it in his chest against your back. He was running a hand through your hair, the other wrapped around your midsection. You feel slightly overwhelmed by the display, completely sandwiched between Night and Day. Such sweet devotion they shared for you. The buzzing in your mind starts to pick up again, as you try to piece together your plan. You had been working on a little...trinket, for a while, but you hadn't had a chance to try it out. This could prove to be the perfect opportunity to see it in action! But you didn't have a lot of time, the clock above the Daycare doors ticking louder than you ever remember. Vanessa's shift wouldn't start for at least another hour, and this whole thing would be a lot..cleaner without her here. "I think we should pay a visit to the office tonight." Your smile gleamed with wicked intent. "There's someone I want to have a talk with someone about breaking the rules in OUR daycare."