Things For The Unseen

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firstly i wanna note that Sunny has no lines at all in this, that's just my personal preference since he's a silent character in the game. i hope his feelings come through anyways, but if it's too weird i'm sorry laksmdkskdajo. also i'm not an unitedstatian so some things might also sound weird. sorry. uhhhh enjoy

***

The bus rides off leaving a thick trail of dark smoke behind, its awful smell mixing with that of the old FARAWAY PARK. As the loud noise fades, the peaceful chirping of birds and the calm ruffling of leaves slowly make way back into Sunny’s ears, after so long. His heart feels heavy when he notices just how much he missed this place, suddenly noticing so many small details he never really paid attention to before, due to the contrast they make to the busy, noisy, and smelly ambience of the big city he is now living in. Not that the change of pace hadn't had a good impact on his health, though. A different apartment, different neighbors, different bed. Definitely difficult getting used to, as several sleepless nights could prove. But after enough time and medications, he started building up the energy to study again and go outside a few times. Sunny steps towards the park, enjoying the warmth of the sun in his skin at first. Then it starts burning on his scalp and he hurries up to find some shade. And then he sees his friends. One tall and sweaty figure landing a perfect throw at the basketball hoop, while chatting with a seated one. The blond hair and the small smile send a pinch under his guts, but he shakes it off and walks to meet them. Basil’s eyes meet his approaching old friend and widen, abandoning whatever he was saying, and causing Kel to turn and throw his largest smile at Sunny. — Sunny! You’re here~ Ahh, it’s so great to finally see you again! — Kel’s hug is strong, sincere and smothering. — See, I told you buses are no big deal. I knew you would make it here just fine! Sunny greets him with his slight smile, before turning to Basil. — H-hi Sunny! … I’m… really happy to see you, too…! So... how was the trip?

***

Their secret hangout spot is as quiet and beautiful as the last time he’d seen it. Not as much as he remembers it from before, but Sunny tries not to let that distract him too much. The smell of Hero’s food, on the other hand, never changed. Even if Sunny wasn’t feeling hungry before, it’s impossible to not drool over what his oldest friend is taking out of the picnic basket. — Hahah, yeah, buses can be a little bumpy sometimes. — Hero unwraps a big sandwich, and hands it to Sunny. — But you get used to it! Sunny responds with a nauseous expression, yanking a nice laugh from his friend. But his face quickly softens with a big bite off his sandwich, which is just as neat as the one who made it, if that’s even possible. — You should try one of the last row seats, It’s like a roller coaster. — Aubrey looks particularly pretty with her pink hair tied up in a ponytail, since it’s way too hot today. — I jumped so high once, I almost fell on top of a dude’s lap... so embarrassing. — No way, if Sunny goes there he’ll puke all over the ceiling. — It’s hard to understand what Kel says when his mouth is so stuffed, but the group is used to it by now. — You’re fucking disgusting. I’m still eating, you jerk! The two begin their traditional arguing session, ignoring Hero’s reprimand about watching your language or something. He smiles back at Sunny after a disapproving nod at the dorks fighting beside him. — But hey, uh. You look great by the way, Sunny. — Yeah, I thought the same! Looks like it wasn’t just the cam after all. They say cameras make you look fat or whatever. Not that you look fat, but uh… — says Kel, still under the stare of a scolding Aubrey. — You just look healthier — continues Hero. — I’m glad to see you’ve been eating well! Sunny nods, munching down at the last bite of his sandwich. He looks over at the lake, cleaning his hands, and gets up, noticing the quiet Basil observing him. The boy had been sitting with everyone the whole time, but hadn’t said much since their greeting today. Sunny doesn’t blame him. — Let me know if you want a second round! Might wanna save room for dessert though~

— Yeah! Hero made chocolate pie! Sunny sends his discreet smile back at the brothers and a wide-eyed Aubrey, apparently excited by the mention of dessert. Grabbing a few things from his bag, he heads over to a bench on the other side of the lake.

***

The sunlight falling through the leaves from above casts a pleasant texture on the pages of his sketchbook.

Sunny takes a breath, engulfing the scent of the park, and watches his friends from the small distance. He can’t hear what they’re talking about exactly, but their voices alone entertain him. It’s nice to just hear them talk without the pressure of having to respond. He takes an automatic pencil and starts sketching distractively. After a few moments, a shadow appears over the paper, snapping him out of his zone. Sunny looks up and meets eyes with a now nervous-looking Basil, who immediately averts his gaze, embarrassed for intruding.

— Ah, sorry! I d-didn’t mean to… I was just... Sunny opens room for him on the bench. And for anxiety, as well. Sunny can feel his own heart pound louder inside of him, protesting against his brain’s decision. Not that his brain is much too certain of what it’s doing, either, a thousand thoughts and memories flowing through it as always happens when it comes in contact with this person’s hesitant voice, gentle eyes or their soft, flowery scent -- which just gets more noticeable when the boy accepts his offer and shyly sits next to him. For years, Sunny had tried to erase all of those characteristics from his mind. He didn’t want to remember that this person ever existed, that they were ever special to him, nor the final secret the two of them had shared on the last day they’d been in his life. In a moment, he’d been certain that he would never see them again -- being turned into a complete Stranger. In another, that person almost became the last sight of his life. Still -- those were the very characteristics of his best friend in the world, someone who was so, so comfortable, that no matter how much he’d tried, Sunny could never truly forget. Having him back in his life, sitting right there beside him, almost felt like another warm dream. He resumes his doodling, closely watched by that enormous congestion of conflicted feelings in the form of a boy.

— ...So, you’ve been drawing again, right? ...You were always so good at it… Sunny tilts the book slightly, allowing his friend to get a better view. He’d started off sketching the scenery in front of him, but things eventually took a more surrealistic turn, as usually happened with his drawings when he got too (un?)focused. — Whoa…. that’s amazing! I always admired how creative you get with them! I could never capture something like that with my camera… Sunny finally looks in Basil’s direction. Operating a camera with all its little buttons and getting everything you want in frame was way too stressful in his opinion, so he preferred drawing things his own way. But Basil had built an entire PHOTO ALBUM with their best memories, capturing each moment with a click so timely one would feel transported back to that memory just by looking at a photo. It was unfair to compare them to his drawings. — Hah, I know you like my photos… but this is a whole other level! — Basil says with a sincere smile, understanding just what his best friend meant with his disagreeing nod -- despite time, Basil just knew him too well, didn’t he? Sunny slides the sketchbook towards Basil.

— Ah, are you sure I can have a look? … Hesitantly accepting the book as if it’s way too precious for him to hold, he flips over some pages in awe, stopping at some more realistic-looking portraits of their friend group. — Wait, this is Aubrey! And Kel and Hero… wow, they look just like them! So this is what you are always scribbling during calls, hahah… The boy’s breath stops when he turns to a page full of drawings of himself. — Whoa… — And another page with more Basils. And another...

Sunny feels his own ears getting hotter and his heart protesting louder -- there’s clearly more of Basil than everyone else. He wishes that a buff planet could just land down from the skies at that very moment and take him away to literally anywhere else. — These are... so amazing…! I-I’m honored…

Sunny’s lips form a tremulous little smile. He’s not really facing his friend anymore, so he has no clue if he seems to have liked the drawings or is just trying to be polite. Sunny wishes he could turn into a potato. — I mean it! You’re really good at this, Sunny. Better than ever… a-and... it’s just… so good to see you’re doing better… … since the last time we actually saw you and all.

Sunny stares down at his own shoes. Basil’s voice keeps getting weaker. — I’m really… grateful… that I can see you again. — They both observe the pond in front of them. — I thought… for a moment that… you wouldn’t want to. All of the courage Sunny could gather only allows him to gaze at the buttons on the blond boy’s shirt. — W-what I mean is… I… would understand it if… you came here to see everyone but… would prefer if I… Then he finally manages to face his friend’s stressed out expression, even if for a quick second. — I-I’m sorry… I didn’t want to bring this up again!! I just came here to… H-hah, I always ruin everything, don’t I… Before Basil can think of standing up, Sunny’s hand finds his trembling one in a reassuring grasp, and he stays. — ………. Hah… yeah… I should stop saying things like that. I know…. I just… really want you to be okay. — He grips Sunny’s hand back, but they both still find it hard to exchange looks. — There’s nothing that I want more in this world… The multiple different bird songs sound very peaceful over the soft wind and ruffling of leaves. A few moments pass, the two boys just sitting there in silence. Takes a while until Sunny notices he’s been softly running his thumb over Basil’s hand as to calm him down. — We… should go back there, I think Hero is calling us for pie. If you want… — Basil breaks the silence, getting up without letting go of Sunny’s hand just yet. Sunny follows, and lets him lead the way back to their friends. Aubrey waves at them when she sees them approach. — Hey!! Hurry you two, before Kel eats everything!

***

— Ahhh~ this is great! How i missed it~ Kel stretches with his radiant smile, as the group takes their way back into the afternoon. — The sun is starting to set… We should get Sunny to the bus stop soon. — Says Hero. Aubrey pouts. — It really sucks that you can’t stay over. — Yeah… OH, did Basil give you the thing? Did you give it to him, Basil? — Kel asks, causing everyone to turn in curiosity. Especially Sunny. — Ah! I… guess I forgot...!

— Weird that you forgot something you seemed so excited about. Wouldn’t stop talking about it… — Aubrey adds, laughing. — Hahah…. yeah… I'll go get it real quick then! — We’ll be at the bus stop! — Hero says. — Oh, why don’t you go with him, Sunny? Hahah, you might be curious after all~ Although that was true, he didn’t want to be a bother. Basil seems a little more nervous than usual, after all, but he nods with a smile. — S-sure! We’ll be back in a bit! The two step into their silent way to the flower boy’s house.

***

Everything is pretty much the same -- the old furniture, the smelly fertilizer on the garden, all the well-cared plants around the house, Polly’s cute twirly hair. Sunny waits at the bedroom door for a moment, unsure if he should come inside. He peeks at whatever Basil is doing in there, hearing some ruffling of paper.

— It’ll be just a minute, I'm trying to make sure they won’t get damaged on your way back… Basil turns, and waits for Sunny to approach. He finds the boy holding some potted white flowers. — It’s just… something I wanted you to have. — White tulips and lilies of the valley. Sunny didn’t need to read the tiny wood signs sticking out of the vases, hand-painted in delicate writing. — They’re for you... and for her, too... His heart feels heavy and warm. Sunny takes the gift into his arms, observing each flower’s perfect details in awe. Back then, Basil would assign flowers to each of his friends, his own little way of appreciating them. And despite his short knowledge of plants, Sunny never forgot the names of each of his friend’s flowers. — I-it’s nothing much, really! I guess they made it sound like a big deal… well, I did… put much care into them. — Basil scratches the back of his head. — ...B-but if you’d rather not take them it’s fine too! Taking care of a plant can be a lot of work… Kel accidentally dropped his cacti a few times and I'm afraid they might not last too long, hahah… And Aubrey’s gladiolus are spending some time back here with me to get some nutrients, also Bunbun keeps trying to eat it ...so… A-anyway, I really don’t want to burden you with… He stops to follow Sunny’s gaze. As Sunny was admiring his gift, a soft light suddenly shined on his side, turning his attention to a huge mural on the bedroom wall, filled with photographs and decorated with a thousand white little lights, pulsating slowly. He hadn’t ever seen most of these photos before -- they were new, except for a few ones he remembered Basil showing everyone during calls. He could see Kel, Hero, Aubrey, Basil, Sally, Kim... He sits on the bed to have a better look, gripping the vases on his lap. — Ah, this… Is my newest photo album, I guess! — Basil sits beside him. — I didn’t get to show you all of them, so it’s good you’re here, heheh… there’s new ones now and then… I do plan on putting them back into an album sometime, but everyone insisted this looks too pretty to undo. And I feel like having them around helps me sleep at night, so… they'll stay here for now — He lets out a cute little laugh. There’s a picture of Aubrey giving Kim a piggyback ride on a hot summer day. A picture of Kel taking something that didn’t look very edible out of an oven. A picture of Sally pulling on a screaming Basil’s hair during what seems to be her second birthday party. Sunny doesn’t notice how much time has passed while he was watching each photo, when Basil speaks again, sounding gloomier this time. — I really want to… make new memories together. I'm tired of holding onto the past… So, again, if you prefer not to keep the flowers, i understand-- Basil is interrupted by a firm hug. Taken by surprise, he lets out a soft exclamation, before retributing his friend’s embrace. — That makes me… very happy. Sunny doesn’t know what he’s doing. It felt right, though. He sighs into Basil’s shoulder and allows himself to melt into that moment, being able to feel both of their heartbeats steadying, his flowers resting beside him on the bed. He appreciates the gift, and needs Basil to know that. — Hah, hah… It’s the first time we hug again since that day at the hospital, right… — Basil’s voice is but a whisper at this point. — It’s hard to let go... Yes, Sunny doesn’t feel like letting go either. As they gain just enough distance to see each other’s faces, Sunny finds both of Basil’s teary green eyes looking back as his one. How can something so painful be this beautiful? How can this person allow him into their arms, after the terrible things he’s done? How can he have shared such a morbid secret with them, and yet want to kiss them this badly? When they notice what is happening, though, Sunny is pushed away. In this dark room with only a few soft white lights as a guide, all he sees is those wide eyes, now staring perplexed back at him, as if he’d just done something unthinkable. — … S-Sunny… Are you sure… is this really okay?

***

“Well… is it?”

The Sunny in the mirror looks extremely tense. The real one, getting support on the sink with his face all wet from cold water and sweat, trembles at what he sees in front of him, and flinches at what he hears from the back of him: nervous steps, a voice calling his name behind the locked bathroom door -- and the calm voice of his dead sister. “I’m sure you’ll figure it out” Mari smiles behind the Sunny in the mirror, her white dress flowing softly. “You’re so brave, little brother. I know it… and I'm so proud of you.” “You forgave yourself. And you forgave Basil.” Sunny looks down into the sink, trying to ease his breath. “But… Did he forgive you?” He takes several moments to calm himself down. When he focuses again, the person behind the locked door seems quiet now, he doesn’t hear them, and he doesn’t hear his sister either. When he looks up, she is no longer there. With some deep breaths, he washes his face, and steps back towards the door. He opens to find Basil, quickly getting up from the floor before him. He can’t tell how long he kept him waiting. — Sunny! I'm so sorry, I didn't… I… Are you okay…? They both look down, embarrassed. Sunny then quickly heads back into Basil's room, coming back with his gift in his arms. Basil smiles nervously. — …. Right. Let's go, everyone’s waiting for us, aren’t they…

***

The boys walk slowly and in silence.

Sunny still fixates on what happened in Basil’s room, and his heart pounds inside of him. He wonders what his friend is thinking about. Probably the same thing, as he constantly catches the boy quickly glancing at him before looking away when he tries to face him back. — ...... I, um… wrote a few instructions on how to care for them, okay? It’s in there… Sunny reaches inside the leaves of one of the flowerpots, finding a neat little letter. — Y-you don’t need to look right now, it’s just… plant stuff… Don’t stress too much though, of course!! It’s okay if they don’t stay for long, if anything I can always grow some more! Flowers aren’t meant to… live forever anyway. Those last words sound like they weigh a thousand pounds. — … Like, the lilies of the valley will do better under some shade. But the tulips will need a more... sunny area… — When their eyes meet, Sunny smiles slightly, and Basil lets out a little sincere laugh. — Hah… I guess I was really looking forward to giving them to you, and to see you today… It’s… all I've been thinking about for every day since that one, and now… Basil stops. He's smiling, but his voice trembles. There seems to be so much that he wants to say, and he can’t hold it back anymore… words just start coming out.

— Hah hah… why is it so confusing, Sunny? I still feel so much pain… Still… I'm so happy when I'm around you... I don't even understand how I feel, how could I ever know how you do? They’ve both stopped walking by now, and Sunny processes what he’s just heard. He sees Basil’s fist and wants to reach for it… but finds his hand cupping Basil’s face instead. They nervously stare at each other closely for a few moments, then Sunny feels a cold hand on the back of his. Basil smiles and closes his eyes, appreciating the reassuring gesture. — I waited… for so long for you to come back… so we could face it t-together... That fills Sunny’s face with sorrow. — Hah, yeah… took you long enough. But even if it took four, five, ten years… I would still wait for you. To h-have you here again with us… w-with me… I… I missed you so much, Sunny. That sends Sunny’s head down, meeting foreheads with the person in front of him, and he feels his tears running down and wetting the leaves under him. He feels the warmth of a hug, the warmth of forgiveness. There is no one in the street near them, only the orange sunset, only them, only their confusing feelings. When Sunny looks up again, his best friend runs a thumb to clean his tears, not minding his own. They are so close again now, but even if it feels so much lighter, Sunny won’t dare try what he did before again. But he didn’t have to, given that the other boy had the same idea. So he simply closes his eyes, and lets him.

***