Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Mari. Mari. What do you put in these?” Aubrey demanded to know what secrets were hidden in Mari’s freshly-baked cookies.

“Aubrey. Aubrey. You shouldn’t talk with your mouth full. We wouldn’t want my cookies to be the reason you end up choking, would we?” Mari playfully mocked her.

“Probably not.” Aubrey swallows, not noticing the crumbs sticking to the side of her mouth. “By the way…where’s Sunny?”

Mari gives an annoyed look. “My lethargic little brother’s still in bed.” 

That sure sounds like Sunny. “I don’t know how he does it.” Aubrey couldn’t sleep in this late even if she tried.

“He’s usually up at this hour…and I noticed his shoes were a little dirty.” Mari frowns, concerned. “You don’t think Sunny’s been sneaking off at night, do you?”

“No way. He’s afraid of the dark!” Aubrey assumes. Sunny was scared of lots of things. “Besides, where would he even go?”

The twelve-year-old’s logic pacified Mari. “True. Guess he’s just a lazy pants.”

Aubrey nods vehemently, stopping in mid-motion when she realizes the scam. “Hey. You didn’t answer my question!” 

“Sorry, Aubrey, it’s my secret. Maybe when you’re older, I’ll teach you my recipe.” So sneaky.

“...I don’t believe you. You’ll probably just say you forgot!” Aubrey huffed.

Mari grins. “Don’t be silly. I’m banking on you forgetting first.”

I’ll never forget - Aubrey told herself. She absentmindedly locks her door on the way out. Faraway nights weren’t dangerous, but if a robber did break into her dingy, crapshack of a home, there’d be nobody to stop them. Not her useless, deadbeat mom that’s for sure.

“Yo, Bossbrey!”

Fuck, it’s Kim. “Not in the mood to chat right now.”

“What crawled up your ass and died?” Four years of misplaced regret, that’s what. “Come on, let’s grab the boys and go smash mailboxes.

“No.” Aubrey continued, “Or we’ll do it later. Got somewhere to be.”

“The hospital again? Those twinks aren’t going anywhere you know.”

“Lay off.” Aubrey walked away. Hoping her best friend wouldn’t follow. The only footsteps Aubrey hears are her own, and since Kim couldn’t be quiet if the muzzle of a gun was shoved in her mouth, Aubrey knew she got her wish. Her shoulders relax somewhat at that fact. She just had to get this over with.

She’d get in. Get out. Then forget. About everything.

That cursed friendship wasn’t worth the memories it was made of. She’d suffered longer than she’d ever been friends with those bastards.

Aubrey shoves her hand in her jacket pockets as she walks into the hospital lobby. A sharp glance to the front desk shows the receptionist busy with another customer. Aubrey quickly moves out of sight and to the elevator.

“Where to?” The guy inside asks.

“9th floor.” Aubrey said, moving to the back of the elevator. Her eyes are peeled to the man’s back throughout the ascent. The elevator stops on the 7th floor.

“Have a nice evening.” He waves.

“Yeah.” Aubrey gives a curt nod. The doors close and she lets out a heavy sigh. The pressure in her chest remains, nauseatingly so.

 She motions to the panel and taps the number 10.

The elevator makes a stop at the 9th floor, then the 10th. Finally.

Aubrey ignores the stares the workers give her, the pink terror of Faraway. All that matters is Sunny. 

“Get in. Do what you need to. Get out.” She mutters a mantra.

The door to Sunny’s hospital room was as blank and mundane as the boy himself. Once upon a time, Aubrey found comfort in that. He was her best friend, a confidant, Mari’s little brother, Mari’s killer, and a liar.

Aubrey steadied her breathing and took her first step inside.

Sunny isn’t there.

The lights being turned off was the first clue, but his bed was cleanly made. He hadn’t been here in some time. “Where the fuck is he?” She hissed.

A thought crept into her mind that made Aubrey spin around and head back for the elevator.

“No way he could have left.” She’d remembered that idiot saying something about Sunny moving. It can’t have happened already. Not now. “Fucker doesn’t have the right.”

The receptionist's desk came into view. “Hey, you know where the patient in room 1022 is?” 

From the look of it, the worker didn’t appreciate her tone or the question. Bitch.

“I’m not allowed to give out that information.”

“I saw him just today. His name is Sunny and he shouldn’t be out of his room right now.”

She gave Aubrey a look over and said, “Visiting hours are almost over. You can come to visit at a later date.”

Fuck it. At least it meant he wasn’t discharged. 

She can try again.

Aubrey heaved a final sigh once she was out the door. This time, she felt light. For now.

“Aha, she was at the hospital!”

Aubrey’s mood soured when she heard Angel’s voice. Mostly because it meant Mikhael wasn’t too far away, and she was not ready to put up with that shit today.

Turns out the gang was all there, including Kim. At least the Hooligans were friends she could count on. Right?  

“Everything alright, Aubrey?” Charlene asked, bless her soul. 

“Nothing to worry about.” Aubrey stared at Kim, who had the same concerned look as when they bumped into each other earlier. Meanwhile, Angel was looking around like the curious kid he was.

“Anyone wanna go for a ride in the town over?” Aubrey grinned menacingly. They knew that smile meant property damage. Only Kim and Vance knew there was a bit more chaotic energy to it.

“Um, boss?” Aubrey took a step back when she noticed Mikhael standing way too close.

“What?” Aubrey froze when she saw exactly what the fake-ass blonde had in hand. She reflexively reached into her jacket pocket and found what was missing, was exactly what Mikhael held.

“You shouldn’t carry knives in your pocket. Trust me, it’s dangerous.” Mikhael said with 100% sincerity.

“The heck were you doing with that?” Kim’s eyebrow raised.

Think, Aubrey. Think. “Must’ve been zoning out and left it there while I was cooking.”

“You left a knife in your pocket?” Mikhael blinked.

“I said I was zoned out. Got a problem with that!?”

“Not at all, my fair lady. All is well.” Mikhael quickly returned to his normal persona. 

Aubrey snatched her knife back. “I’ll go dump this back home, then meet up with you guys in 30 by the park.”

Nobody voiced any complaints. They knew better than to question Aubrey when it came to her household.

Aubrey returned home a total failure and it had never made her so angry before.

“Next time.” She gripped the knife handle tightly, her breathing warped and her eyes unfocused.

“Get in. Do it. Get out.”

Then she can leave it all behind.

Aubrey’s eyes snapped open. She sat upright on the soft bed and grabbed her sweat-soaked forehead. For once, she couldn't blame the searing Summer heat - proper air conditioning took care of that. It was just a nightmare…and a distortion of a very real memory.

Aubrey checked her window blind to find the sun beginning to rise. Her body felt rejuvenated. Despite the dream, she’d count it as a good night’s rest. A luxury Aubergine Carmine hadn’t come across in 14 years. Not since the days when the most wonderful family she ever knew welcomed her to countless sleepovers. In a way, that connection hadn’t changed. She was still being cared for and indebted to Sunny and Mari.

The vibrating cell phone disturbs her musing.

“Speak of the devil.” She says, reading the caller ID. “Hey, Sunny.” She answers.

“Morning. Hope I didn’t wake you.” Whether over the phone or in person, Sunny’s voice had a calming quality to it that made you want to hear more.

“You would’ve if you called 5 minutes earlier.”

She hears a one-note chuckle. “I made good time then.” He pauses. Sunny also had that weird tendency to go on a silent streak and get lost in his head.

“Is work okay?” Not that Aubrey knew much of what Sunny did as a composer, but it couldn’t hurt to ask.

“Could be better. I’ll have to be away for a few more days.”

“Did something happen?”

“Nothing for you to worry about.” He assures her. “I actually wanted to apologize again. You just moved in and all, and I should be helping you get adjusted...”

“Don’t sweat it. The city's not so scary and I can look after myself.”

“Well-” A second bout of silence looms. This one longer than the first. “Sorry. I’ve got to go now, but call if you need anything.”

“Sure. Later.”’

The call dropped after the lie. Any calls Aubrey made would be casual. She wasn't taking anything else.

“If I ask for any more, I won't even be able to stand on my own two feet.”

Chapter Text

*Bzzt* *Bzzt* 

Riza’s eyes snap open. Her arm instinctively reaches for her vibrating cell phone.

“…” Riza skims through the text and decides to start her day early.

8:12 AM 

Very early.

Bed covers are thrown aside, feet land, and window blinds are swiped open.  

Riza stretches her arms overhead, mewling at the crack of her joints. “Bathroom time.” She hums a tune over to the sink. She picks up a red toothbrush, frowning at the worn spines. “Forgot,” To buy a new one yesterday. She makes do with what she’s got. 

- One Shower Later – 

Riza rummages through her closet for her morning outfit. 

School uniform? No. 

Casual? Not today. 

Dress? If she wants it ruined. 

Nurse? Too- 

“What the heck is this?” She pulls out the exotic clothing that she didn’t remember buying. There’s a tag on the bottom 

“With Love – Debbie.” 

Riza puffs her cheeks. “I gotta take my key back from her.” She tossed the fabric away and returned to her search. 

“There we go…” Finally, she finds the right outfit for the occasion. 

Green camouflage isn’t her style, and the long pants + brown gear are a bit heavy for the weather. Oh well.

Riza ties her hair into a bun with a scrunchie and puts the green helmet on top. She passes by the mirror to check her appearance. 

There is nothing there.  

“Mission: Start.” 

There was only one obstacle left - the mess left amidst her morning preparation. Aubrey expected her in 3 minutes.  

“…If I don’t get it done now, it’ll be on my mind all day.” Riza sighs. She sends Aubrey a text saying she’d be late. 

She’s out of the house in 10 minutes. 

“Mornin’, Riza.” The familiar voice has Riza spin over to the next-door house. A lax, red-head woman in her mid-20s is smoking on the lawn. 

Riza’s mouth forms an ‘O’ “Lettie. You’re home!” 

The neighbor’s oldest daughter waves. “I’m visiting for the holidays.” She gives Riza a look over. “You…doing okay, girl?” 

“I’m going on a life-threatening mission at Omori’s place.” 

“What kind?” Scarlet asked, bemused. 

“Remember your 16th birthday when Debbie wanted me to help her bake a cake-“ 

“Say no more,” The older girl flinched. “I don’t ever want to talk about that again.” 

That makes two of them. 

“I’m surprised 'mori even needs the help.” 

Riza shakes her head. “It’s Aubrey who’s asking.” 

She blinks. 

Riza blinks back. 

“Am I supposed to know who that is?” 

Oh! “She’s Omori’s childhood friend. She moved in with him a little while back.”  

“Is that right?”  

Riza knew what that look of wonder meant. One way or another, Scarlet was gonna drag all the juicy gossip out of her. “Yeah, but I gotta meet her like right now. Yesterday, even. I’ll tell you about her later.” 

Scarlet went for a puff. “Is she nice at least?” 

“Kinda feisty.” 

Scarlet snorts. “She and everyone else in this neighborhood. Speaking of,” Scarlet purses her lips. “Debbie mentioned something about you two hanging out later…”

“...”

“Well?”

“...”

Scarlet offers a smarmy grin. “I’ll tell her something came up.”

“Appreciate it.” With that oversight corrected, Riza jogs over to Omori’s house and rocks the door knob. 

It’s locked. 

That was gonna take getting used to.  

She rings the doorbell. 

Aubrey walks out in less than a minute. “Hey-…” She takes in Riza’s soldier uniform with much more confusion than Scarlet did. “You know I didn’t invite you for a costume party, right?” 

Riza salutes and exclaims, “Cooking is a battlefield and Lieutenant Warren is ready for duty!” 

Aubrey narrows her eyes. “Are you making fun of me?” 

“I had a serious accident trying to teach my friends how to cook once. I’m not taking any chances.” 

“I’m…sorry to…hear that?” She said slowly, disbelievingly. Still, she steps to the side and makes way for her guest. “Come on in.” 

“Don’t mind if I do.” Riza takes off her boots and silently thanks her dear old friend air conditioning for saving her from the summer heat. “So, why’d you want to learn how to cook all of a sudden?” 

“Every girl’s expected to know how right? I can only make fried foods…” Aubrey spins on her wheels with an explanation. “Sunny doesn’t like to cook either, so I thought I’d pitch in. Anything to be less of a freeloader.”

Long-winded way of saying ‘I want to cook for a guy’ but okay. “What are we making?” 

“Cookies.” 

“Why ?” She got dressed up for cookies?!

“Mari used to make them all the time. They were Sunny’s favorites.” 

Huh. You learn something new every day. “Not very healthy.” Then again, there’s nothing new about Omori’s terrible eating habits.  

Aubrey shrugs. “Worth every calorie. Too bad Mari never shared the recipe.” 

“Well…what did they taste like?” 

“Soft, chewy, and sweet, but not too sweet.” 

Like any cookie ever, but let’s ignore that. “I wish I could have had some.”

“Between the two of us, I’m sure we can make something just as good.” Aubrey’s smile is nice, but Riza isn’t nearly so optimistic. 

“Before we get carried away, private. I’ll need to evaluate your culinary skills.” 

“I’m not into roleplay.” 

Riza deflates like a popped balloon. “Fine. Let’s do this.” 

“Sooooo,” Riza drags out her syllables while eyeing their attempt sliding into the oven. If not for the chance of getting sick later, she’d be judging the cookie dough with her fingers and lips. “How are you liking it in the city?” 

“Sunny doesn’t have the time to show me around much. So far, not so different from Faraway.” 

Riza reactively puffed her cheeks. Faraway was a nice place but Nair City blew it out of the water. 

Aubrey’s ambivalence meant that Omori sucked as a guide. No surprise there. “If you’re free tomorrow, I can show you around.” 

“I’m down if you’re offering, but shouldn’t you be at school?”

“I know everything already. Plus, nobody cares if you show up to class in senior year.” So long as you attend the minimum number of times to not fail, which she had “I can’t wait for college.” 

The minutes pass by in a flash.

*ding*

“Done.” Riza states the obvious. The mitts are on and out comes a tray of homemade snacks. As far as the presentation goes, the cookies look…okay. Not as rounded or full as the ones on TV or in the grocery store, but not too bad.

The taste on the other hand… “Yum.” Riza glowed, devouring every last morsel of sugary sweet sugar.

Her reaction’s a stark contrast to Aubrey’s blue-faced disgust. “This is bad. Where did I go wrong?” She stares at the cookie like a target for extermination.

 “Not enough sugar?” 

Aubrey’s cold stare sent chills down her spine. 

“Kidding.”

“You’re not helping as much as I thought you’d be.” Aubrey said.

“I take a laissez-faire approach to teaching. Don’t worry, I kept track of the quantities of all ingredients up here.” Riza taps at the storage bank she calls her skull. “We’ll use less sugar next time.”

“I bought some brown sugar. Couldn’t hurt to try it, don’t you think?” 

“Knock yourself out.” Riza nonchalantly replied. 

Aubrey stretched her arms to reach the cupboards. Meanwhile, Riza couldn’t help leer at her new friend in her tank top and shorts. “You always dress like this at home?”

“Yeah, meat and heat don’t mix..” Aubrey said absent-mindedly. 

 “Coulda fooled me.” Aubrey was looking pretty hot if Riza said so herself. Chances are she’s not the only one in this house who’d think so. “Even if Omori’s meek, he’s still a guy you know?”

Aubrey’s snicker is faint, but enough to overshadow Riza’s warning. “Sunny and I aren’t like whatever you’re cooking up in your head.” 

Riza tilts her head when Aubrey sets the sugar on the table. “Why not?”

Aubrey stopped in her tracks. “It’s hard to put into words. Honestly, it’s a miracle we’re friends at all.” Silence ensues as Aubrey retreats into herself. Her head hangs a little lower and her gaze flies off somewhere far. It’s enough for Riza to think she’s been forgotten.

“Earth to Aubreeey.”

Aubrey let out a small sigh. “Sorry. Back to baking.”

About that…it was getting boring fast. “How about we take a break?”

Aubrey notes her fatigue and goes along with it. “Want to watch TV?”

“No thanks.”

Aubrey bristled. “Good. I hate TV.”

The girls settled on dying each other’s hair as part of their morning - afternoon activity. It’s a good thing that Aubrey remembered to take back the set of bleach, and foils from Kel’s before she and Sunny left Faraway. It also came in handy that Sunny had multiple bathrooms. Less reason to feel bad about the stains.  

“Between you and me, I used to think fantasy colors were a cry for attention.” Riza strikes a conversation for the first time in the 20 minutes since Aubrey felt the sting of bleach on her scalp. It was surprising enough that the girl could appreciate some quiet.  

“Red should be the limit. Purple just screams ‘look at me, everybody’!” Riza said in complete monotone. 

Aubrey had a few words for that. “Red’s not usually a fantasy color. Never met redheads before?”

“Only my neighbor, Scarlet, but she’s not a natural either.”

“If she colors her hair after her name, then I see your point. Even if it is shallow.” 

Mari wouldn’t have dyed her hair out of vanity. She was one of the kindest, most patient people Aubrey ever met, with a charismatic personality that pulled everyone around her in. It’s why the hole left in her absence was jarring and empty even to this day.

Then there was Cris. Aubrey could count on one hand how many times she’d talked to her old classmate but her energetic personality was attractive, even from afar. That horrible blue dye had nothing to do with it. 

Still, Riza had one point. Some people dyed their hair for attention. Ironically, Aubrey had been one of them, once upon a time. “So,” Aubrey started. “If that’s how you feel, why let me dye your hair purple again?” Even if it was only highlighted.

Riza’s brush moves along Aubrey’s bleached hair. “Promise not to laugh.”

“If it made you mess up my hair, I’ll only have myself to blame.”

 “Whew, that’s a load off my mind.” 

“Just get on with it. I won’t laugh.” Aubrey said.

 “When I was a little girl, I wanted to get my hair colored…for my mom.” She said, her voice low and tempered. “It’s dumb, but I thought we’d get closer if I went blonde just like her.”

Aubrey could picture the process of a juvenile mind, thinking there were simple answers to complex relationships. “She never let you?”

“She said I was bugging her with dumb ideas. Looking back, I was a real problem child.” She chuckled.

There’s little warmth in that statement or the laugh that followed. The negativity stood out when coming from the normally positive girl. “Maybe she thought your hair was fine as it was. Why dump chemicals on it at that age?”

“You think so?”

“No. it’s just another explanation.” She didn’t know a thing about the woman, but there was a thread Aubrey could follow using her experiences. “If your mom didn’t care about you, she’d have let you do whatever you wanted.” It’s easier to throw bills away than take responsibility as a parent.

Riza digested Aubrey’s words. “Eh. No point thinking about it now. Since mom’s not here, I’ve got plenty of freedom and lots to experiment with.”

“Freedom won’t make you happy though.”

“You’re such a buzzkill sometimes, Aubrey.” Riza huffed. 

“I prefer realistic.” Aubrey’s nose suddenly twitches, smelling something that wasn’t chemicals. “Remind me again. We turned off the oven, right?”

“...” 

“Right?”

“I’ll be back.” Riza takes off her gloves and zips out of the bathroom, leaving Aubrey alone with her concerns. Not for too long. She’s back within a few minutes and looking a little winded. 

“What happened?”

“Smoke.”

“Fuck.” Aubrey motioned to remove the towel around her front before Riza’s hands planted firmly on her shoulders. “Not finished.” She points to Aubrey’s hair. “I opened the windows. Nothing’s burning down.”

A welcome consolation that doesn’t solve the problem. “What if something caught fire?” This wasn’t her house. It was far better than that. She’d never forgive herself for screwing this up.

“Chill, girl. As long as we’re fine, it’s not the end of the world.”

“I’m pretty sure Sunny wouldn’t be happy to find his home burned to the ground.”

“Meh, he can always rebuild it.” There’s a twinkle in Riza’s eyes. “Until then, you’d have to find a place to stay. Like my place. I’ve got room for both of you.”

“I’ll say it right now: Arson is a crime and you  will  go to jail.” 

“Got it.” Riza’s energy returned to normal levels. With the sort of false alarm passing, Riza returned to doing her best not to screw up royally on an ex-gang leader/bully/nail-bat owner’s hair. Riza, of course, didn’t know any of that, which is why she bothers to ask, “Didn’t think you were the type to curse.”

Aubrey froze, staring up at Riza like she’d grown a second head. Then she remembered who she was speaking to, and how refreshing it was to be in the company of someone that hadn’t been around to see the pink terror of Faraway. “You wouldn’t say that if you knew me. A long time ago, I was a pretty scary girl.”

“A long time?” Riza raises her eyebrow mockingly. “Not even two hours ago, you were putting out some bad vibes. What’s your beef with TV?”

Damn, how’d she let that slip? “My mom spent her last years stuck to the television. Watching puts me in a bad mood, so I won’t if I don’t have to.”

“That’s kinda the opposite of me. I think TV’s boring cuz there’s nothing on but I don’t hate it since it reminds me of mom.”

Right. She was an actress. “Do you ever miss her?”

Riza replies with an uncertain, “Sometimes”. That could mean once a month, once a year, or barely ever. “She wasn’t around too much. Being a TV star was pretty demanding.”  

Somehow they were back to this topic. Maybe it was unavoidable given their similar backgrounds.

“My mom wanted to be an actress too. She gave it up to take care of me.” Aubrey said. “I didn’t even hear that from her. A priest told me.” 

“Couldn’t be further from mine - oh, I wasn’t being resentful.” Riza corrects herself. “It was lonely but moms are people too. At least I knew she was doing something cool.”

Aubrey couldn’t be sure if Riza was lying to her. Aubrey wasn’t sure she agreed even if it was the truth. Nobody should risk having children unless they’re ready to give their all for them. It was one of the few points where Aubrey felt respect and endearment for her mother who never ran away.

‘I’ll never know if she regretted that choice in the end.’

Night fell by the time Sunny finally returned home. He was three hours later than expected, and not a minute was of his own volition.

Aubrey cracked a smile at the exhaustion slipping through the cracks of that stoic mask. Catching any emotion that made its way onto that blank face was a treat, like spotting a rainbow after a rainy day.

Sunny must’ve noticed her amusement. The twinkle in those near-charcoal eyes showed he was geared to fire back. He spread his arms wide. “Honey, I’m home.” He delivers with the driest, most monotone rendition of that corny line.

“I’m breaking up with you.”

Sunny clutched his chest in faux pain. “Now what am I going to do with my souvenirs?” He shakes the white bag in his hand. “Guess I’ll have to give it to Kel.”

Bastard. She’d never been able to beat Mari in a battle of wits either. Was it a family thing to be a snarky jackass?

“Have someone over?” Sunny stared at the army boots.

“Riza bailed me out of trouble.” 

“Should I have come later?” Sunny asked fearfully. 

Aubrey got her victory when the fatigue on Sunny’s face magnified tenfold. “Nah, she’s asleep.”

His shoulders relax and a small sigh escapes his mouth. Unlike Mari (or exactly like Mari) the little brother had an Achilles heel.

 He drags his luggage to the living room and confirms his neighbor was passed out on the couch.

“Cute, isn’t she?” Aubrey quipped. 

“That’s a matter of opinion.” He replies evasively, before facing Aubrey. He gives her the white bag “For you.”

“Thanks,” Aubrey said even before peeking inside. The see-through lid on the rectangular box gave Aubrey a view of the layered cake within. “My coworkers invited me out for lunch to a nice bakery. It’s why I was late.” Sunny explained.

Aubrey fought back the ugly emotions sprouting from within. The source of several nightmares over the years. All of them were like knives pointed at the man who thought so much of her. “What’d you do with Sunny…or are you trying to apologize for something I don’t know about yet?” 

He shrugs. “You got me. I’m Omori, the alter ego in Sunny’s head.”

Aubrey rolls her eyes. “Nice to meet you. Can you ask Sunny if he’s had dinner?”

“He was hoping you’d share.” He muttered.

Aubrey knows it isn’t her place to talk, but Sunny’s eating habits suck. In this case, it works out for her.”Wait here.” She ventures to the kitchen and rests the cake just next to the bowl of chocolate-chip cookies. They’d managed to get one batch done right.

By the time Aubrey returns, Sunny’s gone. “Does this guy ever listen?” It’s then that Aubrey noticed Riza was gone too. She’s not given much time to ponder the mystery before Sunny comes down the steps.

“Where’s Riza?” Aubrey asked as Sunny sat beside her on the couch.

“Put her to bed…what’ve you got there?” Forgetting that, 

“Like you carried her to bed?”

With baffling nonchalance, he responds. “Yeah. It tends to happen when she makes an impromptu sleepover.”

…Despite how he acts, they’re really close.  

“I like your hair.” The sudden remark takes Aubrey off-guard.

“Thanks. She did a good job.” Aubrey played with the pink locks.

“Did you color Riza’s hair too?”

“Yeah.”

“It looks nice on her.”

“Are you complimenting me or her?” Aubrey teased.

“Definitely you.” Sunny sensed the conversation was quickly becoming disadvantageous. “So what’s in the bowl?” It’s a simple question with many answers:

An apology for how I’ve treated you.

A thank you for everything you’ve done for me.

A chance to reminisce.

Things Aubrey can’t say without killing the mood. So she settles for “Cookies.”

“Cookies?” is Sunny’s milquetoast reaction. Intrigued, he dips his hand inside and holds one up like an ancient, priceless coin. “I haven’t had these since Mari died.”

“Really?”

“No, not really. At least, if I had, they weren’t worth remembering. Hers was something else.” 

It stuns her sometimes, how open he is about what he did. A long time ago, it might’ve made Aubrey furious. Now, she was tired of sadness and anger alike. Sunny must’ve gotten sick of it too. “I tried remaking that. Mari’s cookies, I mean.”

Aubrey didn’t need to say anymore. Sunny helped himself to the first bite. Like Riza, it was hard to find a reaction on that expressionless face. Sunny going for a second helping was a surefire boost of confidence to her ego though.

“How are they?” She asked.

“It feels like I lost the exchange. No way store-bought cakes can compare to this.” His smile - rare as unicorns - touches her heart.

Aubrey smiles back. “Don’t worry about it, I’ll bet it’ll still taste better than the disaster you’d make.” She jokes. 

“Point taken.”

“...Not like I’m any better though. If Riza hadn’t helped, you’d be eating charcoal right now.”

Sunny nods. “She’s a pretty good cook…compared to me anyway.”  

“Never thought of learning from her?” Aubrey imagines the three of them in aprons, making a mess of the kitchen.

“Couldn’t bear it.” He shudders.

“Too bad. I thought it’d be nice if you joined us.”

“Since you’re asking, I’m not refusing.”Sunny makes the sharp u-turn. 

“I’m not asking.”

“Then I’m volunteering.”

Aubrey let out a half smile. “If you’re that eager to help, I have a favor to ask.”

“Name it.” He said without hesitation.

“Can I sleep with you tonight?” The question was out and Aubrey watched for his reaction. Lightning struck the same place twice today and Aubrey was thoroughly enjoying the ways those handsome features flushed.

Sunny composed himself slightly. “You mean staying in the same bed. Not-”

“Yes.”

His eyes narrowed. “You phrased it ambiguously to mess with me.”

“You caught on pretty quick.” Aubrey repeatedly tapped his face.

Sunny sighed, letting the anxiety and embarrassment wash away. “Why?”

“Nightmares,” Aubrey told the truth. It was the least she could do for asking the favor. She just wouldn’t go into detail. “I’ve been having trouble sleeping alone so…”

“Yeah, it’s fine.” Again, he replies in a heartbeat. It made Aubrey feel like she was taking advantage of him. “So when…?” He asked.

“You’re tired from traveling and I am too. Why not now?”

Sunny got to his feat. “I’ll take a shower first if you don’t mind.”

Aubrey shrugged. “It’s your house.”

“As long as you’re living here, it’s yours too.” He said softly. His feelings towards her were an open secret. It’d been so obvious in hindsight. The way he blushed when she brushed against him when they were children. Or even those innocent embraces that must have made much more of an impression than she thought.

Aubrey didn’t think she was worth those strong affections, and she didn’t know if she was capable of returning them.

 But it couldn’t hurt to try, could it?

Chapter Text

Aubrey didn't know when exactly, but at some early point in their friendship, she expected that Hero would end up in a big, extravagant house to put his parents to shame.

He didn't disappoint.

It wasn't as uselessly large as Sunny's and the family living in it supplied warmth with their accommodations alone.

Aubrey placed the tea that Gracie had made on the table. "Sorry to drop by on your day off."

"Don't be like that. You're always welcome here." It's a mystery as to whether Hero was born with charm.

"Right now, maybe. When the kid comes along, you'll be cursing anyone who dares take up even a second of rest." The teasing remark makes him freeze up. The soon reality of being a dad was the chink in the otherwise perfect armor that Kel was so happy to tell her about.

"I'm sure it won't be that bad. I'm looking forward to it." Then there was the naive Gracie. Her stomach had grown large with life in the time they'd been apart.

"Have you been around kids much?"

"Not often, But I have a little cousin that I see now and then. She's so adorable."

"Good luck." Aubrey said.

"It sounds like you know a thing or two," Hero interjected. "Come to think of it, the kids were all over you at the park. How'd that happen?"

"The church happened." Aubrey replied curtly. "Some of my responsibilities as a volunteer was taking charge of bible studies and even tutoring. After that, they started bugging me even during my personal time." Faraway was a small town where everybody knew everybody.

She'd hated it from the start.

"Haha, look at you being a role model." Hero's laugh was filled with pride. "Wouldn't mind giving us some tips later, would ya?"

"I'll even babysit if you want. Think of it as a trade for helping me with my problems."

Hero's smile shrunk. "Hey now, this is just a favor. You don't need to pay me back. Besides, my advice might not be all that solid. I'm not that kind of doctor." So he says, but she has a feeling that he'd be no less compensated as a counselor or psychiatrist, than as a doctor. The female clients would see to that.

"Speaking of which," Gracie interjected with some powerful enthusiasm. "How's living with Sunny?"

"That's kind of why I'm here." Aubrey gave Hero a look.

"I…haven't had much time to fill her in?" He lamely replies.

"Is it not going well?" Gracie sounded disappointed. Why?

"It is," Aubrey tries to convince herself as much as Gracie. "Sunny's been as good a host as can be when he's around."

Gracie catches on to the last bit. "Is he not home often?"

"About half the time. I don't mind the silence when he's gone. The problem is,"

Aubrey's fingers curve around the mug. She peers into the near-transparent beverage as she avoids the eager stares, "The problem is that Sunny loves me."

A penny could have dropped out of her pocket in utter silence.

Aubrey lifts her head to meet the awkward gazes. She can't blame them. It was a very…private topic.

"O-oh. That's wonderful" Gracie's eloquence is at full display there. "Unless you don't feel the same way?"

"That's why I'm here. I'm trying to understand what I think of him." Aubrey faces Hero expectantly.

"I said I would help but…you know that you're the only one who knows the answers to that question."

"You think so?" Aubrey's smile contained no mirth at all. "Then why do I dream of killing him?"

Aubrey confesses to her nightmares.

A recurring trip to the hospital set a decade ago.

She hides away from prying eyes and suspicion, carrying a knife in her jacket.

Her intent is as clear as the blade itself. The edge never gets dirty or stained.

Sunny's gone long before then.

"How many times have you had this dream?" Hero asked with a grave expression.

"Too many." Aubrey doesn't say that it's entrenched in reality. Hero doesn't need to know about her past. Nobody does, and it's not important anymore. "I don't want to hurt Sunny, so why am I having this dream?"

Husband and wife trade quick, concerned, glances. Hero tries to find the words. "In my experience, recurring dreams like these tend to be caused by trauma. Or stress caused by unresolved issues." There is a question at the tip of his tongue. He skirts around it, afraid to ask it.

The outsider to their tragedy is the only one with courage. "Is it about Mari?" Gracie asked.

"It takes place around the time we found out, yes." Aubrey replied. With the opening Gracie provided, Aubrey posed a new question to Hero. "Have you ever thought of it?" She doesn't elaborate.

Hero knows full well what she means. "I can't say I have." is his answer.

His fingers rake through his hair. "I–I did think of getting back at him somehow, but I always threw them away. What could I have done to him anyhow?" The discomfort in the finest movements was clear as day. "No, I just…tried to figure things out and move on."

Things Aubrey could never have done by herself. Hero had been hurt as badly as she was, and he still had the strength to change for the better. Never letting himself succumb to negative thoughts.

She was the worst.

"It's okay to have felt that way." She hears his voice again. "You were hurt, and I don't think anyone could have blamed you for having those thoughts. What's important is that you didn't act on them."

Unknowingly, inadvertently, he drives a stake through her heart.

Aubrey smiles through it and lies. "Thanks. Sunny didn't make it easy."

At least she had some answers now. There was some unfinished business she had to take care of.

"You shouldn't think about that dream too much." Gracie interjected. "Dreams can be misleading, and you might miss the point of them. Like a mystery coded in layers."

"I don't think my life is so interesting."

"It can be, and that's what I think you should focus on." She said. "What have you done every day since you moved?"

Aubrey could have made something up to make herself sound less pathetic. Anything would do, but it would defeat the point of being here. "Nothing much. I usually sit around at home and hope Riza's around to entertain me. Otherwise, exercise."

Gracie nodded unexpectedly. Unexpectedly for Aubrey. For the blonde, it felt like she anticipated that answer. "That's natural. You're a fish out of water right now, and it doesn't sound like Sunny's around to help."

He shouldn't need to be. Aubrey had imposed on him enough, yet she couldn't bring herself to do more.

"You mentioned exercising. What kind exactly?" Gracie asked.

"Yoga mostly."

"What do you think about taking classes?"

Oh, Aubrey could see where this was going. "To mingle, I'm guessing."

"Yes. There's no better way to make connections than having shared interests. Plus, it should be a snap for you to make friends." Something about the way the blonde woman put it threw Aubrey for a loop.

"Why would it be easy?"

Gracie gave her a dull look. "Well, you're very pretty."

Aubrey blinked once, then turned to Hero.

"Tell her." Gracie did the same.

The man faked a cough. "No comment." He didn't earn those certificates and degrees for nothing. Dumber men would have fallen for that trap. Not that Gracie intended to set one, but still.

"I'll think about it." Aubrey said.

"Good. Now for the next part," Apparently, at some point, Aubrey had called Gracie for advice and not her childhood friend. "What do you think about Sunny?"

"Elaborate." She had a million thoughts to air out on that general question.

"What do you, or would you, like to do with him?" There's a burning interest there that Aubrey can't pin down. It'd been there from the start, but now it set off like a blaze.

"Hey now, isn't that a bit too personal?" Hero winced when he received a light elbow jab from his wife for his consideration. 

"The girls are talking, sweetie." There was nothing 'sweet' about that smile though...

Hero shot Aubrey an apologetic and defeated look.

Well, if she was going to be honest. "I like talking to him."

"Talking?" Even Hero raised an eyebrow. "Like, how?"

"Just talking. Like we're doing now."

"Oh, I suppose this wouldn't be a casual conversation."

"It would be for him. He typically doesn't talk unless he has something to say, and it's usually calming." Aubrey replied.

Again, husband and wife trade glances. "Calming…" Gracie repeats.

"I don't know how else to explain it. It's just…peaceful between us. Always was." Unless you count those horrid 3 days.

Hero rubbed his chin. "About those dreams, do you have them when Sunny's at home?"

Aubrey knitted her brows and reflected.

"No, I don't."

No two ways about it. It was blazing hot, and Aubrey picked the wrong morning to go out for a jog.

She squeezes the clear water bottle in her hand for dear life until the contents run empty. With a quick toss, the empty container lands in the trash bin next to the bench. It was located right in the middle of a park not too far from Sunny's place.

A cat's cry drew Aubrey's gaze to the side. She hadn't been alone on that bench. The other guest had been playing with a cat the whole time. Despite the carefree air, the redhead was far from a child - practically Aubrey's age, and wearing office clothes. Aubrey would never be caught dead in those pencil skirts. Not to mention those high-heels.

"They always run." The woman - who apparently could psychically distinguish a cat's gender - pouted and slovenly relaxed back onto the bench.

"It's the smell." Aubrey speaks up only to save the future cats who get caught in the stranger's hands. "Cats can't stand tobacco."

The redhead reflexively sniffs her clothes. "Isn't perfume supposed to help?"

"That makes it worse. Cat noses are more sensitive than ours."

"News to me. I was never allowed to keep pets." She rests an elbow on her lap and her chin on a flat palm. "So," She draws out the vowel with an impish smile, "Ms. Busybody. Are you a pet-lover, a smoker, or both?"

She pries.

Well, Aubrey pried first. "Former. To both. I quit smoking recently."

She blinks. "Why?"

There were many different answers to that question. Aubrey keeps it as vague as possible. "A guy."

"Of course." The carefree lady scoffs, then introduces herself. "Name's Scarlet, and I'm currently skipping work."

"Mine's Aubrey, and I'm unemployed."

Scarlet cocked her head. "Sounds familiar. Where have I heard it before?"

"Huh. I was getting the feeling that I'd heard your name before too." She couldn't pin down where though- oh, right. Hmm, this could be a bother, all things depending. "Do you know Riza?"

"Tragically, yes. We're neighbors."

"Then I guess that makes us neighbors too."

The gears turn in Scarlet's head. "You're Mori's girlfriend."

Aubrey fights back a sigh. She can't keep up with the names Sunny calls himself or lets himself be called by. "Yeah, sure. How do you know Sunny?"

Aubrey realizes her mistake when Scarlet asks, "Who's Sunny?"

"It's like this…" Scarlet's smile widened inch after inch as Aubrey's explanation progressed.

"That's his real name?" She threw her head back with laughter. "Are his parents sadists? Plus, it doesn't even fit him. He's so moody and cynical all the time!"

Aubrey raised a bitter smile. "He didn't always use to be like that."

"Really?" The intrigue was written all over the other woman's face. "What was cute, teenage 'Sunny' like?" It feels like she'd just made Sunny a chew toy for a predator.

"He was always snarky, but that was more in his actions than his words. He didn't talk much."

"I'm shocked." Scarlet deadpanned.

Fair enough. "Even compared to now, Sunny was quiet as a ghost." He wasn't expressive most of the time either. "But when he was happy, the wonder in his eyes could light up the room."

"That part is different. I can't even imagine it." Scarlet tapped her chin, her thoughts a mystery. "It might help me understand better if you had, say, a photo?"

Ah, this girl was a little dangerous. "I think I've caused Sunny enough trouble for one day."

Scarlet's eyes widened. "So one exists."

"I didn't say that."

She scoffed. "Are all country bumpkins as naive as you?"

"You might be assuming too much."

Scarlet wasn't convinced in the least by the looks of it. "Fine. I'll let you off this time." There's going to be a next time? "Here." She drew a lollipop from her pocket.

Aubrey hesitantly accepted. "What am I doing with this?"

"We both recently quit smoking so I figure we can substitute cancer sticks with candy sticks to scratch the itch."

"You're going way too fast. Wait, when did you quit?" The smell on her suggests…

"5 seconds ago."

"Well. I can see how you and Riza get along."

Something changed then. Scarlet's eyes grew dark, and her head hung low. Empty laughter escaped her lips. "This is her fault. All those years of taking care of those brats messed up my sense of humor."

"I-I'm sorry?" Sensing she was invoking some deep-seated trauma, Aubrey changed topics. "What made you want to quit?"

Scarlet quickly snapped out of her funk. "I was looking for a good excuse for a while now. I figured why not take the hike with a friend?"

Aubrey tilts her head. "We're friends?"

"Is that a problem?"

She hadn't made friends that fast since she was a child…

Actually, no. She'd never made friends easy at all. Nobody liked her. Not even Kim at the beginning. Not until Mari and the others.

"No complaints here."

"Good. I'd celebrate with lunch, but you look like you were on a run." Scarlet examined her. "It's pretty hot to wear a tracksuit though, don't you think?"

"It's what I usually wear when exercising."

Scarlet gave her a pitying look. "I didn't think they still made girls like you. We'll have to fix that."

"Fix what?"

"Your wardrobe." She replied bluntly. "I know. I'm free evading my responsibilities now. Will you be free later? There's a good shop not too far from here."

Right down to business.

Aubrey didn't have a reason to refuse. "I'm down. Should we tell Riza?"

"Uh no." Scarlet scrunched her nose. "This is an adult outing. That little girl will only teach you weird things. It was just the other day that I saw her out in an army uniform."

…

"Yeah, you've got a point."

"Stick around me and you'll be thinking that often." Scarlet picked out another lollipop and stuck it in her mouth.

Aubrey followed suit.

It wasn't bad.

Chapter Text

Melissa Carmine wasted the last years of her life rotting on a couch.

Aubrey couldn't forgive her mother, or those complicit in her unceremonious demise.

Television was an accessory to the crime. Whatever captivating force was on the display effectively distracted her from reality and from her daughter. Aubrey grew sour on all sorts of shows, including ones she loved.

All of that had nothing to do with the fact that TV in general sucked nowadays.

Aubrey couldn't complain this time though. She'd been the one to join Sunny on the sofa, so she'd suffer a mediocre flick or two.

"Huh. Her acting isn't as stiff as I remember." To the heroine's credit, the holes in her performance weren't easily noticed unless she was talking for long periods at a time, and of preppy topics that didn't appear to come naturally. It was only then that you saw how forced and off-beat the tone in her delivery could be.

"You've seen her in other movies?" Sunny asked without taking his eyes off the TV.

"I watched a few with my mom." When Aubrey was too tired to argue or scream, she just relaxed in the discomfort of her mother's presence. Aubrey's opinion of Leslie Warren hadn't changed: an average talent with striking looks and an even sharper persona to compensate. "This is one of her better roles. She plays the villain pretty well, in my opinion."

"I think I understand."

He might've, but Aubrey was still in the dark. "Is there a reason you're watching Riza's mom?"

"Just a passing curiosity." Tight-lipped as always. He's also become more and more of a liar.

She wanted to punish him the only way she knew how. "Ever thought of watching it with Riza?"

His face twists like he'd drunk a gallon of Kel's favorite beverage. "And give her ammo to call me a creep? No thanks."

"I think the kids call it 'cringe' nowadays."

"You make us sound so old…"

"Watching old movies after a Sunday of lazing around does give that vibe."

Sunny finally gives her his undivided attention, and his expression is visibly awkward. "About that. Scarlet called out to me today. You…told her that we were dating?"

"I didn't 'tell' her." Aubrey air-quotes. "She jumped to assumptions, and I didn't bother correcting her."

Sunny accepted that answer with a convincing nod and returned to watching the movie. For a brief moment prior, the flicker of disappointment was clear to her eyes. Slowly, over a few minutes, she shifted closer until their shoulders touched.

The only voices from thereon came from the TV. The duo sat in silence, viewing the modern-day retelling of Bonnie and Clyde. Their relationship was set to end in tragedy, and the appeal was watching every step, action, and emotion that would take them there.

"Feeling comfortable?" Aubrey almost didn't recognize the voice that disturbed this fragile peace. The number of occupants on the couch seemingly rose to three. The eerie glow of the TV gave life to the shadows beneath her feet. Their tendrils dissolve into black mist and rise up like vapor.

"He's the boy you used to bring home, isn't he? He's grown up well." Aubrey ignored both the black mass beneath her feet, and the thing sitting next to her. "He was also the only reason I knew you even had friends until he stopped coming over. Did you fight?"

Aubrey drew her fingers inwards, making a closed fist on her lap.

"Who am I kidding? From the time you were a child, all you ever did was act out. The worst part was that you knew you made trouble for others. You just didn't care. Until you did. Then, you'd be sure to cry until you let everyone know how sorry you were. I never understood why you didn't just behave from the start."

Aubrey's posture was rigid and motionless, save the minute shaking of her chalk-white knuckles seated right over her lap.

"Though, it seems everything worked out for you. You escaped. You're free to do whatever you want with me out of the way. On top of it all, you've found a rich man who'd move heaven and earth for you. Everything I ever wanted,

And you're rejecting it, you ingrate."

Air rushed back into Aubrey lungs as she remembered how to breathe. Her eyes were tired, her skin was flush with sweat, and there was a crick in her neck that hadn't been present before she, evidently, fell asleep. The ache was understandable after a moment's awareness. Sunny was many things, but his lap didn't beat a decent bed to lie on.

Aubrey rubbed her eyes.

The TV had switched off at some point after Aubrey had slept. Sunny must've finished the movie without her. But why didn't he wake her up? "Hey." She nudged him awake.

He groaned. "What time is it?"

Aubrey checked her phone. "4 am. Why didn't you wake me?"

"I thought you should rest, but I didn't plan on sleeping through the movie myself." He replied.

Aubrey raised an eyebrow. "Didn't you turn the TV off?"

"It does that automatically if nothing's playing after a while…"

"Oh." The wonders of technological advancement. "My old TV would play on and on…"

With an unreadable expression, Sunny proposed, "We should go to bed. Morning isn't for a while longer."

As usual, Sunny let her lead the way, probably to make her feel welcome. Their paths were quickly set to split off into their separate rooms. "Well, good night."

"Nigh-" Aubrey opened her mouth to reciprocate and stopped.

"Did you want to talk about something?"

"I-" The words stall again. She can't bring herself to say that she doesn't want to sleep alone, so she lies. "I'm fine. Good night."

For a moment, she thinks Sunny would leave it at that.

"If," He starts, "If anything is troubling you, you can always talk to me."

Talk? A conversation with Sunny was always welcome. Not about this. Never about this. "Just like old times?" She plays it off with a feeble smile.

"No." He betrays her expectations for the second time that very early morning. "Back then, all I could do was listen. Now, I can help. If you'll let me."

The invitation slid through the sealed lock in her heart. Almost. "You're already helping, Sunny." She couldn't infringe more than that. "Good night." She closes her room door and barely catches his voice.

"Sleep well."

Aubrey was having a refreshing day. Oh, she was still lounging around the house but the usual routine felt less monotonous when accompanied by music and an extra body.

"Ow ow ow. Damn, this is tougher than it used to be." So Scarlet says. With her inflexible performance so far, Aubrey wouldn't be surprised if her new friend had never taken a yoga class in her life. The truth aside, the struggle was no less fun to watch. "How'd you get so good at this?"

"Practice." Aubrey said with both arms flat on the mat, and her lower body daring to form a crooked 'C' in the air.

Scarlet fell on her back, eyes still following Aubrey's movements with wonder. "That looks dangerous."

"If you don't know what you're doing, sure." Aubrey continued, "Want me to teach you?"

"No thank you. I like my spine unbroken."

"Suit yourself."

Aubrey went back to concentrating, though a piece of her mind was held captive by the echoes of a piano.

"Riza's good, isn't she?" Scarlet's compliment was lost here. Aubrey didn't know much about music and knew even less to compare Riza to. Mainly Mari and Sunny, and it was probably no fault of Riza's that she fell short of the mark.

"Yeah, it's pleasant." Aubrey gives what little she can. "Maybe you should talk her into entering a competition."

"That girl doesn't have a competitive bone in her body. Like, maybe if there was an ulterior motive and some wacko outfit was the prize or something." Scarlet sighed. "Honestly, she should just be going to school instead."

Aubrey fully agreed there. Riza had given the excuse of it being the last stretch of a pointless year. It was hardly convincing but, "What can we do? It's not like we're her parents." Sunny was practically Riza's unofficial guardian, and he let her do whatever she wanted.

"True that. Her mom would've grounded her until 30 for this." Scarlet brings up an interesting subject. One that warrants Aubrey to break her pose. She sits with her legs crossed and faces the redhead.

"I've only heard a bit about her. Riza said she went missing." Dead actually. "Do you know what happened?"

Scarlet's blank expression befits the dead, as did the transient silence that followed. "Not much more I can add. Riza's mom was one fire lady. It wouldn't surprise me if she got into it with the wrong person. It's best not to think about it."

Aubrey pressed on. "Did she get into fights a lot?"

"Uh no. She wasn't a thug or anything. She was just the kind of person you only ever wanted to meet on a good day." There were many names out there for such people. None Aubrey cared for and would be a hypocrite to comment on, given she had been in that exclusive group once upon a time.

"Surprising, considering what Riza's like."

"Right? Riza's always been a good and happy kid, and she had decent sensibilities where it counted. It's what makes me think that hag wasn't so bad behind closed doors. Y'know, like one of those lionesses that only show their sweet side to their cubs."

"...You make it sound like you've never asked."

"I have." The smile drops off a cliff. "That girl doesn't talk about her family. When I pried, she'd changed the subject or-"

"She'd make something up." Aubrey guessed correctly going by Scarlet's nod.

"Somewhere along the line, I decided to let sleeping dogs lie."

Aubrey hadn't noticed at the time - neither the warning nor the hint of conspiracy.

Chapter Text

Basil Avery was one of the strangest guys that Aubrey had ever known. To begin with, his middle name was as unfitting as Kel would be in a frilly dress. Jordan. Really? The first time he told her, she’d actually laughed. To his credit, it was the icebreaker to rekindle a nearly-dead friendship. How that happened was one of the miracles of the universe. Aubrey and Basil both had plenty of reasons never to forgive each other. Aubrey knew hers - she got over the hate. She’d never asked what Basil’s reason was…

Until now, since he was visiting. “Doesn’t it bug you that I pushed you around back in high school?”

The sudden question sufficiently distracted Basil from being a creep. “You know, it makes me uncomfortable when you start up these cold topics out of nowhere. It’s weird.”

“I’m the weird one?” She arched an eyebrow. “I know it’s your first time over, and while Sunny’s place is nice? It’s not nice enough to be treated like a trip to Buckingham Palace.”

Basil nervously laughed and set the expensive looking vase down. “I guess I got a little excited.” He uses past tense but he can’t even concentrate on her for 5 seconds before those electric blues scan the walls around them.

“Anyway, I’m not weird.”

“You’re the only guy I’ve known who loved flowers enough to wear one religiously.” Or wore in this case. Jokes aside, Aubrey missed that old accessory. Nowadays he settles for polo shirts (often green) and khakis. Not much for personality, but she supposed conforming to streamlined and modest fashion  was part of growing up.

Basil shot her an unimpressed look, and spoke, “You think I’m gay, don’t you.”

“Actually, I’m surprised you aren’t . I heard you met a girl at the beach.”

The blonde reverted to his usual bashful self. “Her name’s Jenny. She’s…really sweet.”

Aubrey blinked. “Is that all?”

He stared at her like she was the strange one. “No offense, but the only reason I’ve never told you is that I figured you wouldn’t be interested.”

She’s puzzled, but not offended…okay maybe a little. “Why’s that?”

Basil crossed his arms and asked, “How long were Cris and Kel an item?”

A question with a question, real classy. “Hmmm. A year?”

“Trick question. You should have said ‘which time’? They were on and off, you know?”

Deep down, Aubrey feels like she had, and just forgot. “I didn’t take Kel for the type- No wait, that actually makes sense.” 

Basil’s expression practically said “Here we go” but the wry smile hinted that he was looking forward to something, “Let me guess. You think their falling out is his fault for being annoying and insensitive.”

Aubrey tilts her head. “No? Just persistent enough to keep trying even after it’s over. He’s an athlete. That’s the mentality he ought to have.”

“Oh.” That was all. One word tinged with both surprise and disappointment.

“What’s ‘oh’ mean?”

“It’s just,” He chooses his words carefully. “Well, it’s you and Kel. You can’t- couldn’t be in the same room without getting at each other’s throats when we were kids.”

“Well yes, I was a child.” 

Aubrey states the obvious.

Basil hears what is complex and concerning.

“So,” He starts. “How’s life with Sunny?”

“Depends on what you mean by that.” Basil always had one idea or another going on in his head. Most of them were stupid. “If you’re asking how I’m adjusting? The answer’s ‘just fine’.”

“Really? I mean I was surprised to see that you were alone. I was expecting to meet him here.”

“You probably should have called first.” Then he would’ve known that Sunny left on a trip the other day.

“I wanted to surprise you guys.” See? Stupid ideas. “Looks like I was the one in for a surprise though.” His eyes were straying again.

Okay, maybe she was hard on him. Sunny’s mini-palace had been breathtaking for her too.

A vastness that tempted the eyes to envision the other side.

Enough closed doors to put that old game show to shame. None of them were really a secret, but there were certainly prizes behind them. Mostly decoration, awards, sports gear, and junk that he couldn’t parade around on the walls. Nothing Aubrey had a real interest in, but they’d probably sell-

Hold that thought, “Did you know that Sunny’s got a bike in the garage?”

“I honestly thought you were pulling my leg.” Basil was slack-jawed in front of the beast of a machine, made of sleek black and silver metal. “I-I’m sorry but I can’t picture Sunny ever riding this.”

“I know what you mean.” Aubrey dragged her hand across the seat. “I haven’t seen him drive this since I got here. Actually, we’ve never even talked about it. This thing could be a prop for all we know.”

“Looks a bit real for that.” Basil inspected the front, his hands on the handlebars. “Thinking about it again, we’re not being very fair to Sunny. It’s been 10 years. He’s bound to have gotten up to all sorts of things, made new friends and hobbies with his lifestyle.”

Aubrey knew that tone. “Are you jealous?”

Caught, he admits. “A little.”

“That’s dumb. The same time passed for us. It says a lot about you if you think his experiences are worth more than yours.”  

Basil was silent, eying her for a time. “To tell you the truth, the real reason I came over was to check up on you.”

Now that grabbed her attention. “I didn’t think I needed to be monitored.”

“I’m not kidding around. It’s only been a few months already since your mom passed.” That gentle, peaceful phrase fit Basil to a ‘T’, however disingenuous it was. “I don’t think it’s right that Sunny’s leaving you by yourself this soon.”

“...I might be sponging off Sunny but I’m not a charity case. He has his own life to live, and I’m not getting in the way of that.” She’d rather die than become her mother.

With a disappointed look, Basil said, “Sunny would never think of you that way.”

“He won’t even have to consider it, because there is nothing to worry about.”

“How is losing your mother in a fire ‘nothing to worry about’? I know you didn’t get along but that’s- that’s…” He can’t find the words.

Aubrey spares him any further effort. “The only thing I lost was a home that was already on the verge of falling apart. My mom died way before that.” 

Aubrey overheard a snicker right then, too light for Basil to take notice, and so sweet that it could only be mockery. The disembodied laughter grated her ears. 

She resists the shudder that always accompanies the voice. 

She rejects the source, as would be her second act of defiance against the departed. “Her death didn’t bother me, and it wouldn’t bother her. The only difference now is that she’s lying around and doing nothing six feet underground instead of on a couch.”

Basil visibly cringed. “It should bother you. In the same way that any close family member’s passing would bother anyone.” 

“Basil.” She starts with a warning tone. The red light signaled an altercation of their own  if hefails to heed the signs. “The idea’s heartwarming and all, but you don’t understand what my family is like-” Aubrey pauses, remembering who she’s speaking to. “How are your parents, by the way?”

“They’re doing just fine!” The authenticity behind that statement was the most surprising thing Aubrey had heard in a long time. It must have been written on her face. “They’re actually staying with me back in Faraway for a bit. I’m leaving soon so I guess they wanted to see me before I set off.” And/or arrange how they can sell the house since it’d just be taking up space.

“That too, but I think grandma’s house would take second place in this race.”

Aubrey blinked. “How’d you-”

“Has anyone ever mentioned that you’re cynical?”

“Not really.”

“Then that just means that I’m the one who knows best.” He said with a teasing smirk. “You had this doubtful look while I was talking. I’d guessed that you were thinking something negative as usual.”

“Aren’t you the same?” She countered. “You can’t tell me that you’re not suspicious of the timing.”

“Nope.” His smile didn’t recede an inch. It was enough to let Aubrey know she’d lost before the fight began. “Throwing what you said back at you: You don’t know my family-”

“Because they were barely around?”

“True, but we still keep in contact, and I visit them once a year.” News to her. Then again, she’d never pried. “Let me tell you that my parents aren’t really uh…frugal? Like, they paid Polly way longer than they should have. Considering all the memories that house has of grandma, they could keep the place even with nobody living there and just forget.”

Selina and John Avery wouldn’t be the only forgetful ones. Aubrey had forgotten one important thing about the couple herself, “It must be nice to be filthy rich.”

“No kidding. Their house in London even puts this place to shame.”

Aubrey wanted to voice that Basil had never mentioned that his trips actually took him abroad, but it takes a second seat to the more pertinent question. “If your family’s living that large, why the heck are you like a kid at a toy store here ?”

Basil stared at her like the answer was the most obvious thing in the world. “Because it’s Sunny’s place?”

Confused, Aubrey asked, “Sunny lived in Faraway. You were kinda over a lot so, I’m not sure what makes this being ‘Sunny’s place’ all that special.”

“That’s not what I meant.” He clarifies. “ Do you remember when you, me, and Kel used to talk about how amazing Sunny and Mari were?”

Aubrey struggled to connect these two points but she replied, “Yes. Though I don’t think Kel really followed the conversation.” Sunny and Mari were just “friends with cool stuff” to Kel. 

Basil chuckled. “That’s true, I don’t think he ever understood how…out of the ordinary their upbringing was.” Overly formal, is how Aubrey would put it. Like they were prim and proper kids from the 30s. “We thought the world of them, and Sunny-” He breaks. There’s a flash of guilt in his eyes. For the role he played, in which the result is why he can only continue with one of those names. “Sunny made it. The old home in Faraway was his parents. This is his home, and he got it by himself. How could I not be a little excited?”

…

Aubrey lowered her head slightly. It hurt to look at him, and that purity he’d carried throughout the years, even as he stained his hands in deceit. Basil had never been materialistic. Of course, there was something more to his excitement. 

That brightness he exuded only revealed her own shallowness.

 “Basil. I’m going to hug you.”

The declaration took him for a spin. “Um okay. But why?”

“Can’t say.”

“I…don’t get it, but okay.” It was an awkward embrace at the beginning, and she’s mostly to blame. 

“I’m going to miss being able to do this.” She said. “Wouldn’t want your girlfriend getting the wrong ideas.”

“We’re not dating.” He chuckled nervously. Aubrey doubted that statement would remain true for long. There wasn’t a part about Basil she found lacking. He was sensitive, caring, attentive, and strong, both inside and out.

Her oldest and closest friend.

A beautiful, solitary flower that had weathered harsh winters and still faced toward the sun.

Chapter Text

The city buzzes with energy, alive but not as suffocating as Aubrey thought it’d be. 

Buildings are marked in graffiti and old posters that curve at the corners. 

Cars travel through narrow lanes. Some honking at the scooters that slip through the gaps.

People move around them, heads down, forward, or chattin-yelling. "They're fighting in the middle of the road." Aubrey remarks.

"It happens. Good thing we didn't take the car." Sunny turns around the corner.

Aubrey takes her eyes off the road rage dispute and trails after her host. 

Every block seems a little different.

A corner cafe wafted out the delightful aroma of coffee. 

A flower stand is packed with sunflowers that brighten the grey sidewalk…and remind her of Basil.

On one wide streetlamp, there’s rows of flyers piled up for lost pets, missing bikes, and concerts. None of it seemed to fit together. Like they piled a piece of their worries and hopes in one place that would accept them.

“Where are we going again?” She asked.

“Neighbourhood center. Someone asked for help putting signs together.”

“Signs.” She repeated. “Like protest signs?”

“More boring than that.” He slipped his hands into his pockets. “A fundraiser. They’re repainting the playground near the docks.”

“You could’ve led with that. I almost got excited.” She’s relieved to have come in casual; a black, long-sleeved shirt and denim jeans.

Sunny was, as usual, in semi-formal. Does he even own normal outfits?

A bus hissed nearby, and a group of teens rushed past with their backpacks swinging swaying. Aubrey instinctively steps back before Sunny’s arm comes around her, pulling her close just enough to guide her out of the way. 

She noted the steadiness of his hand at her side and the way he let go only once the path cleared. Aubrey glanced at him, but his eyes were already forward again, as if nothing had happened.

“Always stay a good distance away from those stops.” 

Aubrey nods slowly, still surprised. “Thanks.” She mentally notes how Sunny moved like he knew every turn. From then on, Aubrey kept closer.

The city always made her feel like she could get lost if she blinked too long.

“Do you volunteer a lot?” 

“Sometimes. It helps people trust you if you show up.”

“And here I thought you just didn’t like saying no.”

He didn’t answer that jab.

They passed a corner where the walls were covered in paint; loops of neon spray and cartoonish characters stacked on top of each other. Aubrey slowed her pace to study the graffiti. 

“Guess everyone wants to leave their mark on something.”

Sunny glanced over. “It's just vandalism.”

“Some would call it art.” She counters. “It depends on who you ask.”

The neighborhood center wasn’t far, he’d said. She wondered if that was familiarity talking. To her, the walk stretched on forever.

“You ever get used to all this?” she asked.

“All what?”

“The noise.”

He thought for a second. "Yeah. You stop noticing after a while."

That was promising 

Another block. Another smell.

This time, it was the scent of salt coming from the docks. They passed by a building with a hand-painted sign that caught Aubrey’s attention. Someone had drawn a crooked heart in marker.

Below it were words in blocky handwriting: KEEP OUR BEACHES CLEAN. MEETING SATURDAY.

“That one of the signs we’re making?” she asked.

“No. Different group.”

“Huh.” 

By the time they reached the neighbourhood center, she’d counted at least four other signs like the first. It reminds her of Faraway in a weird way. 

The center itself was an old brick building that looked like the last renovation was dated 30 years ago. Flyers covered the windows. The front steps had chalk drawings scattered across. 

“Kids.” Aubrey was reminded of the church walls she used to scrub clean, only for them to be covered again the next week.

Inside, the air smelled of dust and paint. A few people waved at Sunny, calling him by name. Their eyes flicked to Aubrey with curiosity.

“Friends of yours?” She quips.

He ignored that, moving toward the reception desk. Was he embarrassed?

A woman at one of the tables looked up. Her hair was pulled into a messy bun, and her shirt had streaks of blue paint across the front. “Sunny! You made it. And you brought a friend.”

“Aubrey.”  He said simply, motioning to her.

Aubrey gave the woman a small bow. “Nice to meet you.”

She smiled warmly. “Always good to have extra hands. We’re making signs to direct people toward the fundraiser this weekend. Nothing fancy, just clear and readable. Think you can handle that?”

“Sure.” Aubrey said. “As long as I don’t have to draw anything complicated.”

“Trust me, simple is best.”

They found a spot at one of the tables. Brushes, markers, and a stack of cardboard sheets. Aubrey watches Sunny dip a brush into black paint and test a careful line across the board. His handwriting was as neat as ever. She wondered if that came from practice or just him being him.

She grabbed a marker and pulled a piece of cardboard closer. The only sound was the scratching of pens and brushes. It was almost peaceful.

Almost. There were a few others around. Occasionally, when resting her hand, she caught their gaze.

Well, Sunny was famous. 

“Say,” The man himself starts speaking. “Once we’re done here, want to go check out the beach? It’s not far.”

“…Sure.” Aubrey accepted, though a tad surprised. “It hasn’t been too long since we went to the beach resort with the others, though. Were you always a beach guy?”

“As if.” He sighed.

A woman in a sunhat walked by, peering at their boards. “Thanks for helping. It’s nice to see new faces pitching in. It’s not too difficult. I hope.”

Aubrey initially presumed she was a volunteer, but her pointed inquiries suggested someone more along the lines of a supervisor on inspection.  

“I might as well help the place we live in.” Aubrey smiled faintly. “And it’s manageable. I’m used to volunteering.”

“Oh?” The woman tilted her head. “Where at, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“My hometown, Faraway. I was involved in more or less the whole community. “ Aubrey adds. “The church mostly.”

“Looks like we’re lucky to have a darling like you.” The old lady gave an impressed hum, then turned to Sunny and commented before leaving, “You’d better keep this one.”

Aubrey laughed a little at his disgruntled expression. “We should have seen that one coming.”

“They’re just being nosy.” He glanced her way. “You’re not bothered, right?”

Aubrey shakes her head. “Not at all. In fact, this is the most I’ve felt at home.”

Her smile grew softer, unguarded. So she missed the flash of hurt on his face

Evening rolled out by the time they were finished.

The beach was quieter in the evening, supposedly. The tide had pulled back, leaving long streaks of wet sand. 

A few joggers passed on the boardwalk, and a couple of kids chased each other near the edge. 

Farther down, a food cart was closing up.

Aubrey takes it all in as they walk side by side.

One thing does bother her.

“Did something happen?” Aubrey asked Sunny. “You look down.”

His face barely shifted. He’s stoic as always, and still, she knows something’s wrong. 

“Sorry.” Sunny’s sudden apology catches her off guard. “I should have shown you around a while back…or made you feel more welcome at home.”

She blinked, then quietly laughed as she remembered what she’d said earlier. “So that’s what you got from that? That’s so like you.”

He grimaced. “What is?”

“You’ve got an active imagination.” She nudged him with her elbow. “That wasn’t about you. Like I told that lady, I used to volunteer all over the place.”

”Kel or Hero told me.” Sunny continued. “Why?”

“The preacher got me into it.” She counted on her fingers. “Started with helping at the bakery with Mav, then Gino’s deliveries, then tutoring kids at the church. One thing led to another, and suddenly everyone wanted me for something.”

“You answered ‘how’ you started, not ‘why’.” He pointed out.

Aubrey smiled crookedly. He caught her red-handed. “Kim left town. College was out of the question. I needed something to do. Something that would stop everyone from hating me.” She tells a half-lie.

”I’m sorry.” Why he ever thought that was his fault was beyond her. It was such a Sunny thing to do.

“Don’t be.” She pats him on the back. “That experience helped me deal with a lot of problems, including my anger issues.” Another harmless half-truth. 

“Anyway, I am a little bored sometimes.” She confesses. “Since you were home for the weekend, I figured I’d squeeze out as much time from you as possible.”

“Ah…” He said, awkwardly. “I’ll try to be home more often then.”

“I’d like that.” She wondered if he knew she was steering the subject away, and just went along with it anyway.

They catch up to the food stand she spotted earlier, right before closing. Sunny’s gaze fixes on the freezer where a stack of popsicles stands out.

Aubrey zones in as well. “What flavour are you up for?”

He scans her for a moment before answering. “Lemon.”

“Got it.” Aubrey steps up to the counter. Moments later, she returns to Sunny’s side, handing him a yellow ice pop while keeping the red one for herself.

She took a bite out of the watermelon-flavoured treat a bit too fast. Her head is quick to reprimand her. “Brain freeze.” She hadn’t had that since…back when Mari was still around.

Sunny didn’t say anything, just waited with that flat look on his face.

She glances back at him, specifically the popsicle in front of him. “You always pick the sour flavours.”

“They last longer.”

“That’s such a you reason.”

They ate as they walked, the popsicles dripping down their fingers quicker than they could keep up. 

“Back at the center,” Sunny breaks the quiet. “Did the staring bother you?” Sunny asked.

“Me? Shouldn’t they bother you? You’re the famous one.”

“Not that famous. You’re the one getting the looks.” His words throw her for a loop. “When you weren't around, they were bugging me about how pretty you were.”

“Oh.” So that’s what it was. “I stopped paying attention to that sort of thing a while back, so I thought their eyes were on you.”

“So you do think you’re beautiful.” 

“Kim and the gang beat that into my head.” Aubrey’s smile turned wistful. “Prettiest girl in Faraway, is what they said. And those guys would never lie to me.”

“They didn’t. I can back them on that.” There’s warmth in his eyes. They’re not always there, except for when he’s looking at her.

His feelings were plain, clearer than he probably realized. 

Feelings that she doesn’t know how to answer.

Maybe it was wrong to take his hand without sorting her own feelings out first, but he doesn’t pull away when their fingers touch. He only adjusted, letting their hands settle together in a light grip; loose enough that she could slip free at any time if she wanted.

“Take me here again some day.” Aubrey said.

Sunny’s lips tugged upward. It was small, shy, but a real smile all the same. His first and only of the day. 

“It’s a promise.”