Chapter Text
Solar and Ruin had gone to the fairground for some games after a stressful week trying to make Ruin’s dimension machine kill only the Creators, and not the dimensions. Of course, Moon could never know until it was done, or he’d freak and lock up Ruin.
So Solar had suggested the two head out for some carnival games, snacks, and if there was a bar, drinks. Solar doubted there would actually be a bar, but there was. So the two sat down next to each other in one of the booths at the back and ordered some drinks while Solar chatted and Ruin worked on blueprints.
Ruin ended up stopping their work after their third drink since they had forgotten how to spell, and they were currently leaned against Solar while mumbling about their old dimension. They somehow managed not to share anything about the virus despite their drunk state, and they occasionally talked about their Monty, but it all sounded so casual.
Eventually Solar decided that was enough fun for the day, so he grabbed the bags and offered Ruin a piggyback home. Ruin tried to decline, but after tripping over and nearly cracking their faceplate, they let the mechanic carry them back.
It was oddly peaceful. Ruin stayed quiet for most of the trip back home, and they even carried the bags for Solar so the taller didn’t have to worry about dropping them. Solar even had time to take a trip through the scenic route, which was a pretty park that led back to the Pizzaplex. Sure, it added ten minutes to the trip, but Solar was fine with that, and he was pretty sure the half asleep Ruin on his back wouldn’t complain either.
If Ruin was honest, the park seemed almost romantic. There was some couples on a late night picnic date and candles lit up the path. Ruin also always liked trees, they made them feel safe. Hiding in tree hollows was one of the best ways to save themself from their friends murderous rampages.
Actually... curling up in a tree hollow with Solar sounded quite enjoyable right now...
Maybe that could be something Ruin could suggest after Solar and they finish fixing their machine. That is, if the mechanic still wanted to hang out with Ruin after guaranteeing his own safety from Ruin’s revenge. Well, the fusion could hope.
Solar kept walking through the park, glancing back occasionally to make sure Ruin was comfortable and okay. He was about three minutes from home when Ruin lazily pointed at a nearby couple feeding each other strawberries.
‘They... they looks happy...’ Ruin mumbled with a slur before draping their arm back over Solar’s shoulder. Solar expected that to be the end of it but no. Ruin kept mumbling.
‘I wanna be happy like that.’ Ruin muttered, still looking at the couples as Solar kept walking. ‘Me and Monty used to go on dates like that before the virus... I... I wanna be like that again...’
Solar kept walking, feeling a little awkward about this topic. His work partner was talking about their dead boyfriend while sounding like they were about to cry, and Solar had no clue how to comfort them. ‘Um... maybe you’ll find someone else to be like that with? I mean, you never know what the future has in store.’
Ruin stayed quiet for a moment before nuzzling the side of their faceplate into Solar’s back. ‘I wanna be like that with you sometimes...’
Solar paused as Ruin said that. The smaller animatronic didn’t notice. They mumbled something else before falling asleep, still on Solar’s back. They dropped the bags and Solar picked them back up.
After a couple minutes of trying to process if the fusion was serious or not, Solar kept walking back to the Pizzaplex. He tried to shake off his thoughts, but they seemed to follow him at a quicker pace. Solar would also speed up, but he was nervous about dropping Ruin.
Did Ruin actually mean that or were they just too drunk to realise what was going on? From what Solar had seen earlier at the bar, Ruin tended to be an overly honest drunk, if not emotional. Maybe Ruin just meant it in a platonic light? Like, “I would like to hang out with you more, oh greatest platonic buddy, Solar.”
No... Ruin mentioned their Monty, who Solar was dead certain they were dating. Ruin wouldn’t compare their romantic relationship to their platonic one. It just... wasn’t in their nature.
Whatever. Solar decided he’d just ask Ruin in the morning. Right now, he should focus on getting them back to their room at the Fazcade, and getting himself back to his room in Parts & Services.
The rest of the walk back to the Pizzaplex was peaceful - you know, if you ignored the fact Solar was this close to overheating - and even though it felt like it took a lot longer than it should have, even if they took the scenic route, Solar managed to carry Ruin all the way back and log the two back in with security (though it was a bit tricky to verify Ruin when their face was buried in Solar’s back).
Solar ignored the urge to talk another scenic route on the way back to Fazcade, and gently set Ruin down on their makeshift bed of a couch. He pulled starry blankets over Ruin’s curled up form and hesitated before leaving.
Solar stopped by the door and sighed before turning back to say; ‘Sweet dreams.’
And then he left.
Ruin woke up the next morning with a pounding headache and didn’t remember anything except thinking about curling up in a tree hollow, and was very confused why they were in Fazcade, since they swore they were in a bar last thing they remembered.