Work Text:
“Kel?” Aubrey called out, receiving a hum from the person in question.
“Do you think I’m a bad person?”
“What do you mean?” Kel sat up more a bit using his arms, his brows raised. Scooting a bit more towards where Aubrey was sitting.
“I mean, I’m not the same person you guys used to know, y’know?” She retorted, an unreadable expression on her face as she mindlessly inspects a fallen leaf on hand. “I’m no longer the bright carefree girl… Hell, I’m probably the embodiment of change!”
Aubrey had no idea how she managed to end up in their old hang-out spot. She used to avoid this place like a plague. Even during the times that she was forced to go here along with her gang. Her disgust for this place only grew each time.
Then again, she found herself back here. The whole place seemed to be in its most perfect state to have a picnic on as if it was expecting their presence. The soft hazy heat of summer still resides upon the atmosphere with the continuous lingering breeze of the wind, slightly tickling her nose. It adorned itself with a variety of seemingly healthy flowers in spite of this place not being taken care of by anyone from what they know.
And to her surprise, she saw Kel peacefully sitting on the same spot where they created memories.
Both good and bad memories.
She just couldn’t wrap her head around what happened at the hospital. Everything felt like a faraway vague memory yet, it only happened a week ago. Her emotions were all over the place, it was overwhelming.
“That’s not true.” Kel sent the same confused look.
“The Aubrey I know stays true to herself... You still are.”
Aubrey blinked, registering Kel’s statement. Her silence was eventually replaced by her own sound of laughter filling the open field.
Kel scratched the back of his head with his hand, poor boy looked even more confused to Aubrey's response.
“I mean… Despite everything, you still stand by your feelings and values just like the young Aubrey I know.”
Aubrey then gave a genuine smile. She felt somehow relieved by the fact in Kel’s eyes, she never changed. Aubrey always had a thought, that he was rather more misunderstood by a lot of people.
Kel always knows his own friends like the back of his hand, he can read them like an open book and she knew he only wanted the best for his friends. Aubrey can understand that it was valid. But she had the right to be mad and feel too.
Growing up with him, she noticed he’s actually quite observant and picks up things easily. Although, he should consider the feelings and the perspective of others more. Still, he tries his best to cheer up his friends in his own weird Kel way. Well, from what Aubrey’s opinion about him says at least.
“Kel… You’re a dumbass.”
“And you’re grumpy, like your bunny. You’re literally the spitting image of him!” Kel huffed, crossing his arms.
The image of her precious pet stomping and having a tantrum came across her mind but under that brave stubborn façade, lays a timid affectionate bunny. She grinned. “You got a point. Maybe.”
Kel shifted in his place, facing Aubrey better. “Remember when Hero and Mari brought us to that one animal shelter near here?”
Aubrey’s shoulders tensed up as her eyes avoided Kel’s. “Oh god. Not that. Please.”
“You accidentally left the rabbit enclosures opened. Hero was repeatedly apologizing to the staff like a broken record.”
The memory of dozens of rabbits; big and small, roaming around through the shelter was still fresh on her mind. The panicked voices of her other friends as Kel doubles over with laughter while little Aubrey looked lost with tears starting to well up in her eyes.
Aubrey’s face went the same color as her hair, playfully shoving Kel who looked satisfied from her reaction.
“I got Bun-Bun from that same shelter.” Aubrey stretched out her arms then let herself swiftly leaning back. Resting her head on her hands with closed eyes and relishing the feeling of the soft grass that came in contact with her skin. “They had a hard time trying to get rid of the bunny clinging on my side.”
She let out a bittersweet chuckle. “I remembered begging my parents to let me adopt him… Felt like a forbidden love between us!”
“The world brought you two together but alas, it was not destined!” He joked, bringing his legs closer to his chest, his fingers casually finding their way towards the pink locks of hair sprawled amongst the greenery then started fiddling with a strand.
Aubrey didn’t expect to suddenly feel… So opened up with Kel, out of all people. It seemed to be the most natural thing to say and do. She had no idea if she’s just exhausted from being emotional all the time. From being angry and frustrated all the time.
Aubrey owes him a lot.
He saved her when he spotted her crying over a lost shoe. Now he saved her again 4 years later. For an entirely different reason.
She didn’t mind it, not one bit.
Kel… Is really a great friend.
After Sunny dropped the bomb, the impact, the result… Everything… Just felt like a blur.
Sunny was crying.
It was unfair, she thought. She wanted to cry too.
For the first time in her life, for a split second, Aubrey didn’t feel anything. She was living in a lie all her life and spent too much time dwelling in the past. Mari wouldn’t want Aubrey to be like this.
Should Aubrey forgive them? Mari would want that.
Aubrey doesn’t know anymore.
“Did you know,” Aubrey opened an eye and gave a side glance. “Hero once told me that you pick on me all the time before was because you thought I was cute?” It was her cue to finally tease him back. That old typical bullying someone, because you are interested on them, was so cliché yet somehow, it was so… Kel.
She reminisced the past Aubrey cuddling on Mr. Plantegg as tears threatened to fall after a worked-up bicker between her and Kel. Kel made a little prank on her but it went way too far. Hero panicked and tried to console her but then resorted to telling her one of Kel’s biggest secrets.
Kel instantly lit up from embarrassment. His mouth hanging open, shakily finding for a response but end up only producing incoherent words.
Huh, maybe he could dye his hair pink too at this point.
It was kind of cute…? It would suit him perhaps. They’d be matching.
Not that she would ever admit that to him, of course.
“H-Huh? Where did you get that idea?”
Kel stuttering is such a once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon. Chickens should start flying anytime now.
God. Aubrey hasn’t laughed this much in ages.
“Anyways!” Kel coughed, the blush still evident on his cheeks. “I know we aren’t kids anymore but like… I still want to be close to you. I think? I’ll try to be there for you too. Hero isn’t in the best state neither…”
“You think?” Aubrey snorted but soon they exchanged warm smiles. “Kel… Thanks for everything.”
She abruptly pulled herself up, dusting off the fallen leaves from her skirt and hair then holds out an inviting hand below towards Kel. “Let’s go.”
“Where?”
Aubrey simply just shrugged. Maybe from now on, she’ll accept Mari is truly gone and she will just accept whatever life hurdles upon her. She’s not alone anymore like she thought she was.
“Dunno, let’s go on an adventure without a destination, I guess. You want to come?”
Kel grinned and rested his palm on top of Aubrey’s.
“You bet I do.”