Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

'Sunny, I.. I don't know what to say..' 
His mouth runs dry, he cannot speak. The blonde seems to understand and he turns, looking at the pale body curled up almost peacefully on the floor just under the staircase. Visibly shaking, he picks up the skipping rope that had been abandoned close-by earlier that day, hanging around like an omen. Perhaps it was foreshadowing.
'I...' He can't speak himself. The other one doesn't look away from staring blankly at a wall, sat in an uncomfortable position after sliding down the wall in defeat.

A beat of silence passes, the air gets thicker than it already was. He sinks further into his mind, before coming to when he hears certain shaky words.

'Everything is going to be okay....'

Sitting in an almost empty room isn't the most fun thing to do, especially if you're hallucinating. Sunny still sits alone, his head hidden in his hands as he tries to distract himself from something staring at him, trying to enter headspace. That is until he hears his door open and a quiet, sheepish voice disturbs him.
"Sunny?"
The boy lifts his head away from his palms and looks at the intruder carefully. It isn't a face he was expecting to see, nor really wanting to.
"I'm sorry for uh, barging in?" The blonde speaks ever so carefully, a question forming as he ponders the right use of the word 'barging'. Sunny only hums in reply as the intruder walks into his room, stopping beside him.
"It's uh me, by the way,"  the blondes voice rings louder since he's closer. It makes Sunny jump slightly and look at the, now crouching, smaller boy thats before him. Basil watches politely, his hands balled up into fists as he attempts to fight the anxiety.
"Are you okay?"
Sunny can only nod in reply, becoming acutely aware that something had disappeared in the time that Basil had walked in. He opens his mouth to speak.
".......Why?" It's quiet, broken and not what he wanted to say at all but he sticks with it. Basil smiles at the attempt of communication from the quiet boy before mulling on the question, answering it after a period of tense silence.
"I just wanted to uh, check in. You umm.." He trails off, wracking his brain for the right words to portray his worry, "haven't been seen or heard from in a while."
Sunny's eyes widen slightly, not realising people had been noticing his withdrawl from society. It was probably only Basil that noticed somehow, he was probably trying to be polite by saying 'people' as if others actually cared. Besides, he wasn't too talktative to his 'friends' anyway or didn't leave the house much. Nothing had changed. Why did Basil notice? He paints a confused expression on his face, urging Basil to explain more.
"Oh, umm.. Kel said he um missed you and hadn't seen you in a while when I ran into him," Basil pauses again, seemingly anxious to continue, "...I just thought to check in to make sure you're doing okay.."
Sunny's taken by surprise, a wave of shock and slight unease rolls through him as he tries to understand that someone (albeit Basil) cares enough about him to come find him, especially after everyone knows what he did to her. Especially since it's the same boy that had seen him do the most terrible things.
Basil, as if reading Sunny's mind, smiles softly and hesitates slightly. He moves forward, closer. 
"It's been um.. difficult.. for me too, Sunny. Um," He struggles, but Sunny knows what the smaller boy is trying to say.
They don't forgive them. Nobody does. Kel's trying to be nice but he can't find it in himself to willingly speak to them, Hero pretends they don't exist and Aubrey would kill them if she even heard about them again. The town whispers about them, gossip travelling faster than they'd both like to admit. Hell, even Sunny's own mother has given up on him, practically leaving him to rot in the gutted house by himself until she 'readies herself for the move'. Basil is the only one who forgives and knows what it's like. Basil is the only one and he is reaching out. Reaching out because it's hard to suffer with something alone. It's been hard.

Arms wrap around Sunny. He's not used to the affection anymore, cringing away but soon enough leaning into the warm embrace Basil is giving whilst uttering those damn words that ruined them in the first place.

"Everything is going to be okay."

Chapter Text

It's been a week since Basil visited him. A whole, eventless week. 

The words Basil said stick in his mind, not even escaping them when he visits headspace. Headspace Kel has become more angry towards him for some reason, maybe because he didn't do anything when Basil left. He just sat there in shock until he went to bed. 
After all, why should he reach out to the people that clearly hate him so much? They have a very, very valid reason for it. Sunny would rather not upset them. He has, however, messaged Basil for the first time in years. 
Speaking of which...

Sunny grabs his phone, finding himself wanting to hear back from Basil. It's strange, he should hate the boy but he doesn't. He only wanted to help, after all.. And he's the only one to know what Sunny is going through.
He opens the messenger app and finds Basil's contact.

- - - - - - - - - -
4 Years Ago
19:54
Flower boy: I'll see you tomorrow Sunny!! I can't wait to hang out with you again! ^^
Sunny: see you tomorrow
 - - - - -
Yesterday
13:24
Sunny: basil
Sunny: can we talk

Today
15:21
Flower boy: Hi Sunny! Of course we can talk! Is something bothering you? It's nice to hear from you! I'm sorry for my late reply. :)
- - - - - - - - - -
Sunny feels a strange sense of comfort reading the message, something he wishes he could shake. He doesn't need to be getting attached to anyone again, right? He has headspace, that's all he'll ever need.
Right..?

..I suppose it won't hurt to get closer to your 'partner in crime'. Even if that is literal..

- - - - - - - - - -
Flower boy: Hi Sunny! Of course we can talk! Is something bothering you? It's nice to hear from you! I'm sorry for my late reply. :)

Sunny: about last week
Sunny: i dont think im going to talk to kel or the others
Sunny: i feel like itd be a wrong choice

Flower boy: I understand, Sunny. Please don't feel like you have to talk to them just because I said something! 

Sunny: they dont forgive us
- - - - - - - - - -

The topic scares him slightly, he doesn't know why he's doing this to himself. Hasn't he been through enough? Surely, god willingly, he deserves some respite. Even if he did kil-

A 'ping' noise comes from his phone, indicating a reply. Sunny would well rather continue with the topic him and Basil are on than sit and listen to his intrusive thoughts. He grabs his phone again, reading the notification which says:

Flower boy: Even if they don't forgive you, Sunny.. I always will <3

....

Omori sits on the picnic blanket near Mari, watching as headspace Kel glares at him from a distance. He shrugs it off, making sure to stay close to Mari. She doesn't speak too much to him - she knows she'll be met with silence. It doesnt bother him at all, actually.
What does bother him though, is the way Basil has been. 
Sure, it's nice to see the boy so passionate over something.. but when that something is him? It's a little weird. They've always been close - yeah - but this feels.. strange. Omori can't help but be disturbed yet also intruiged. Maybe he should let it happen, for headspace's sake.
The behaviour in question is actually nothing too much - it's just barely noticable in the strangest way. He's been getting closer, not really leaving Omori alone. Always asking to tend to his flowers with him, help repot a plant with him, the things that have never needed 'help' but suddenly do now. 
Mari suddenly turns to him, the stale breeze ruffling through both of their hair. She speaks, a warm, soft tone which can make any person relax. Yet, there seems to be a slight undertone of a certain emotion. Whatever it is, he isn't sure what it is.
"You and Basil are cute together!"
Omori shudders. 

Chapter Text

Basil. He's an enigma to Sunny. 
How can the boy that hung his-
How can he be so joyful? How has he not shattered under the pressure that nobody likes him, not even his own fucking parents? Oh, Sunny vividly remembers the day they left him with that caretaker. How Basil gave a shaky smile and pretended everything was okay.
It's a reoccuring theme. One he hates.

But alas, it's been a few weeks. Long, dreadful weeks. Sunny knows he'll move soon.. hopefully. His mother comes back to check in every so often.
Basil has made the habit of counting his scars and drawing flowers on them. It... somehow soothes the disturbed boy.

Ping!
- - - - - - - - - -
Today
9:07

Flower boy: Good morning, Sunflower!! Do you mind if I come over today?
- - - - - - - - - -

Does he mind? That's a good question. Sunny shifts on the bed, mulling over a response. Basil visiting has become routine now. He doesn't want to break it.

- - - - - - - - - -
Flower boy: Good morning, Sunflower!! Do you mind if I come over today?

Sunny: no i dont mind
Sunny: come over whenever
- - - - - - - - - -

The phone in his hand is placed down onto the sheets, abandoned for the time being. He knows Basil will come over in the next 10 minutes, he's never been one for waiting to see him.
Thinking of which, they've been getting closer and closer. Basil keeps touching him innocently. Sunny reciprocates.
There's a lot of questions that need to be asked. He's too afraid of doing it, however. Sunny doesn't want to displace Basil, nor shatter the feeling that he's cared about. It's foregin, sure, but it's starting to feel so, so good.

Even if he doesn't deserve it.

The knock at the door breaks him out of his reverie, to which he stands.
Nobodys surprised when Basil is at the door.
"Sunny!" He says with a surprising amount of happiness, like he's been dying to see the emotionally distant boy. Sunny only replies with a nod, letting him inside.
"I hope you've been well!! I brought some snacks, maybe we could hang out? It's okay if you don't want to go outside today. Aubrey and her little gang are around, anyway."
Basil walks up to Sunnys room, the boy in question following behind obediently. Their hands are intertwined. It's cold skin on cold skin.
He honestly forgot all about Aubrey, Kel and Hero. The only person on his mind now is the blonde that somehow distracts him from something. He wonders if Basil's something dissolves when he sees Sunny.

The sunlight streams through the windows, both boys sat on the bed. Snacks litter it, but none are eaten. Well, if you don't count the piece of chocolate being held to Sunnys lips.
"Come on, you need to eat! Open wideee~" 
He knows Basil is trying to seem normal, like they're normal friends that haven't done anything wrong at all... but it feels... different.
He opens his mouth, though. Not missing the way Basil's fingers feel against his bottom lip.
Or the way Basil seems to gently rub it as he accepts the chocolate.
Warm skin on cold skin. It sends a shiver through both boys.

Chapter Text

Bliss. Pure bliss.
That's what a kiss is supposed to feel like, right?

Their lips lock together, a sudden joinment which jolts both of the boys. It feels too fast, full of uncertainty. Anger, greed, love, guilt.. Maybe it's an impulsive decision on Basil's part, probably so.
Sunny can feel the blondes warm lips against his own cold ones. He doesn't know what to do, but he doesn't want it to be awkward. So he kisses back.
Their lips mould together in what should be something they cherish, moving in tandem. As one. The last time they felt this close was when-
Sunny pulls back suddenly, gasping for breath. Basil looks on. Both are speechless.

Headspace is different than normal. Omori can tell very clearly. If he wasn't suspicious about Basil before, he is now.
"Omori! Look here!" Basil calls out with a grin, turning towards him. It's a flower crown made entirely of sunflowers. 
Omori can only nod, letting the shorter boy place the crown onto his head. It's a funny feeling, really. He doesn't know what he's supposed to do in this situation - he's only meant to keep the truth from surfacing. Perhaps this... affection... Basil is showing will help?
He doesn't know. All he can think about is the flowers resting atop his head.
"Aw, Basil made you a flower crown! You should do something for him too, Omori!"
Mari's voice carries over from the picnic blanket. Something nice? 
The boy stops to think for a moment, before deciding to play into this. See where it goes. A monochrome hand moves out, gently pushing back some of Basil's hair. The flower boy seems to blush.
"A-Ah, Omori.. You don't need to do anything in return! I promise," He mumbles, shifting his feet slightly. The blush on his pale face seems to darken.
Affection is a strange thing to Omori. Sure, he's used to his sisters affection, but not a romantic one. Hell, he's never even been in a relationship before. How is he supposed to handle this?
He supposes if it was anyone, he'd rather be in one with Basil... So that's a good start. 
He nods at Basil, patting the others head gently. His hair feels bouncy and soft. Perhaps this is a good thing. 

Over on the picnic blanket, Mari smiles. She turns to Hero, chuckling.
"They're so in love. Reminds me of me and you when we first started dating~"
The boy scoffs, turning his head as an embarrassed flush covers his cheeks.
"Don't remind me! I was a sap!"
"You still are! Don't try telling me you aren't!"
"Hey, cut it out Mari! Or else I'll eat all the cookies!"

In faraway, the sun begins to rise again. A certain blonde, flower smelling boy lies next to the dreamer, their arms intertwined. Maybe, just maybe, this is the beginning of something new, a healing journey for them both.
Or, this is the beginning of the end.