Chapter Text
…
Silence.
All the boy could hear was just that. Silence. If only for a split second.
It was quickly replaced by a low, soft constant beeping that originated on the right side of his bed. With a single blink, he opened his left eye. For some reason, he could not open his right eye. It felt like there was something covering it.
His blurry vision met the paneled light blue and white ceiling, along with a soft, dim light that hung from it. From his peripheral vision, he could see a blank white wall on either side, a light grey chair, an IV drip stand, as well as just barely being able to make out what looked to be several plants around him.
As he stared up at the ceiling, he quickly began to remember.
His memories from last night were a blur, yet he could remember some parts all too well. He remembered all of those repressed memories, slowly but surely rising back to his consciousness. getting up from the floor in Basil’s house… He remembered opening the door to Basil’s room and seeing him standing there in the moonlight. His back facing him.
He remembered how Basil was begging, screaming at him not to leave again. The pain they both felt... The near unbridled fear and guilt that tore away at their very sanity. Remembering the last things he heard and felt before they both lost consciousness, the sound of running footsteps, unintelligible yelling and several distant sirens…
Yet, for those awful, scarring moments, he remembered the most beautiful ones he’s ever had in recent memory.
Talking to Basil outside of his home. Still giving Sunny the unconditional love and support he had always given him. Telling Sunny that he would be ‘cheering him on’.
The feeling of Basil hugging him… Reaffirming his words and filling Sunny up with unwavering determination and support.
Seeing Mari again, finally talking to her. Obtaining the violin everyone worked so hard to get for him. The sheet music for the recital. Going down memory lane and experiencing so many of the wonderful times he had spent with his sister and friends.
The encouragement his friends gave him. The support he so desperately needed, never once giving up despite being face to face with who he has been for the past four years.
Completing that recital. For his friends. For Basil. For himself…
For Mari.
...Finally overcoming his past self.
Finally defeating his demons.
For all of that. For every single second. From entering Basil’s bedroom, to opening that white door...
He cried.
He cried so hard.
He cried for who knows how long.
Covering his eyes with his right arm, he continued to cry. Letting the years upon years of misery and absolute hell release from his heart and mind. Shaking and gasping, he let it all out, his free hand clutching the white bedsheets so hard that it was sure to rip at any moment. The heart monitor was steadily beeping at a faster rate, but he couldn’t hear it. Not over his sobbing.
He grit his teeth as all of his emotions flooded out at once. The fear in his mind, the sorrow in his heart and the pain in his soul. It all came out in just one big wave… He didn’t stop. He doubted he could have if he wanted to.
Sunny let go of the bedsheets, his hand forming into a fist as he slammed it down onto the bed, causing an imprint within the memory foam mattress that became more and more obvious the more he slammed against it. His head tilted upwards and he gasped, letting out a choked sob. He was developing a headache now…
After some more time had passed, Sunny had no more tears to shed. He was on the verge of hyperventilating, but eventually his breathing steadied and the heart monitor began to beep at a normal rate. He continued to gaze up at the ceiling, his mind blank as he relaxed somewhat. The headache eventually faded away, but the dull pulsing pain in his eye never did. That was the last thing on his mind though.
He had to find his friends first and foremost.
He had to tell them the truth.
Slowly, carefully, he sat up and took off the cords that connected him to the IV stand and the heart monitor, shutting it off in case it decided to flatline and bring the entire hospital staff to his room. That was something he did not need.
With his hands clutching the sides of the bed, he stood up, holding onto the bedside drawer as he rose up to his feet. He felt a bit wobbly and had some problem maintaining balance. Just how long had he been out for…?
Sunny paced around a little bit, getting a feel for his legs and hoping he wouldn’t get pins and needles. As he did, he walked back towards the bedside drawer and saw some lily of the valley flowers in a nice little pot on top of the drawer. Attached to it was a vanilla-yellow colored note. The front has the words ‘Get Well Soon!!!’ in a big blue font.
He opened it and saw that the flower and note were from Kel and Hero’s family.
And Aubrey too.
“Sending a little get-well sunshine your way. We miss you, Sunny.”
He also noticed a little bonsai tree at the corner of the room, with a note as well. Opening it up, he saw that it was from Kim and Vance’s Mom
“Get well soon, Sunny.”
“Please get to know Kim and Vance better.”
“They could use a good role model like you!”
He considered it, almost cracking a smile before setting the bonsai tree back down.
As he made his way towards the other side of the half-wall, he noticed a little cactus plant next to the grey chair. There were plenty of other flowers around, but this one in particular caught his attention.
Careful as to not prick himself, he picked up the cactus and opened the note. To his surprise, it was signed by Vince, Kim, Charlie, Angel and Mikha- er, The Maverick.
“Get well soon, Sunny!”
“We’ll be waiting for a rematch!”
A small half-smile graced Sunny’s face for a moment. If it were any other time and day, he would probably consider it. Though something in his mind told him he wouldn’t really be fighting much anymore.
He set the plant back down, then looked around the room.
He made a mental note to read them all later.
Making his way across the room, he noticed that the other bed was completely empty and unused. He actually didn’t know there was another patient bed in here… He was grateful nobody was there to hear his emotional outburst.
He walked towards the cabinets and sinks, stepping in front of the mirror, finally being able to take a good look at himself.
Sunny looked… Different, of course. Still in his hospital gown, several white bandages wrapped around the middle of his entire head as well as a big gauze pad covering his eye, further wrapping his head in more bandages.
…
A number had really been done on him last night.
…
He hoped that Basil wasn’t nearly as in bad condition as he was…
Sunny exhaled through his nose as he stared at himself through the mirror. A sudden thought popped into his head, something about Kel calling him a pirate. He could even imagine Kel getting him a pirate themed eyepatch for his birthday or something.
The silly thought made Sunny smile. A smile that quickly faded as the reality of the present set in once more. What he had to do.
...He hoped that such a day would happen. Where they were all still friends.
Looking down, he turned on the faucet and began to wash his hands. More out of pure instinct than anything else as he thought of what he would say to his friends.
Should he…? Maybe if… How about…- What if-
For every time he came up with some sort of excuse or way to make it easier for his friends to swallow, he shot it down and shook his head. No… He wouldn’t do such a thing. Not after having come so damn far.
He would be truthful, down to the smallest detail. He would be blunt and honest. Even if his voice wavered… The truth would come out of him once and for all.
As he finished washing his hands, he began to realize just how thirsty he was, no thanks to his crying. His throat felt quite dry as well. Looking at himself in the mirror one last time, he cupped his hands underneath the cool stream of water and drank it, repeating the motion a few more times until his thirst was adequately quenched. Clearing his throat, he felt slightly better. At least for now.
He planned to do a lot of talking after all.
Drying his hands, he turned around and faced the door. He paused for a moment, exhaled quietly and opened the door out onto the hallways of the hospital.
…
Closing the door behind him, he was both relieved and somewhat surprised to find the hallways empty. He could still hear muffled noises and ambience coming from the adjacent rooms and floors, but he was the only person out and about, it seemed.
He was relieved that it was empty. Otherwise a doctor or nurse would’ve probably scolded him for being up and about without any approval.
Sunny continued down the hallway, occasionally limping and looking at the outside. He couldn’t see any trees or anything, so he assumed they were quite high up in the hospital. It looked like a clear sunny day, blue sky and everything. Not a cloud in sight…
He took it as a good omen.
As he came upon the crossroads, he stopped dead in his tracks, seeing the figures of Hero, Kel and Aubrey, talking and making motions, though he couldn’t hear what they were talking about. It was almost as if he was deaf, but only to them.
Then, both Hero and Aubrey turned around at the same time and realized Sunny was standing there. He saw Kel with a surprised expression and ran up in front of Aubrey and Hero. He looked borderline ecstatic and looked as if he was speaking a million miles a second, though he still couldn’t hear them…
Aubrey was also making excited motions, before she and Kel ran off up the hallway. Hero began to follow along at a normal pace, but stopped and turned to look at Sunny again. It looked as if he said something and smiled, before running off towards Kel and Aubrey.
Before he did anything, Sunny also saw Basil’s shadow suddenly appear before him, across the hallway his friends had run towards. The shadow didn’t turn to face him at all, rather, it began to walk down its hallway, mimicking the way Basil walks.
And without a second thought, Sunny followed Basil’s shadow.
He followed him all the way down to the next adjacent hallway, turning the corner and seeing the same Basil he saw when he was unconscious standing there at the door. He smiled at him, before he turned to face the door, reached for the door handle and slowly dissipated.
Sunny stepped over to where Basil stood. He was starting to get shaky again… But before his worries could overwhelm him again, he closed his eyes.
And calmed down.
Steady breathing…
Calm mind… A steady heart.
Slowly opening his eyes… Coming face to face with the white door that stands before him.
Inhale… Exhale…
Sunny reached for the door handle.
And carefully pushed the door open.
…
The sound of a heart monitor went through his ears once more, his body was being bathed by several small rays of sunlight from the clear open windows on the right side. Stepping forward and closing the door, he came face to face with Kel, Aubrey, Hero…
...And Basil. Laying right on his hospital bed, still unconscious.
Considering all that he’s been through, it’s probably for the best that he stayed asleep for just a little longer. At least, until he was done talking.
The first thing he noticed and was absolutely grateful for was that Basil didn’t look nearly as bad as he did. A pretty major bruise on his eye, but nothing like what Sunny had. It made him breathe out of relief.
But the air got stuck in his throat when his friends turned around and faced him. First Aubrey, then Hero, then Kel.
It seemed like there was a great distance separating them from Sunny… It made him nervous. But he didn’t falter.
He calmed down and focused.
His friends continued to gaze at him. They looked surprised, shocked. They all looked as if they wanted to say something. But were waiting for Sunny to say something first.
Gazing back at them, he relaxed his shoulders, and began to speak what had been eating away at his very soul since that tragic day.
“I have to tell you something.”