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It was warm out, the sun hung high in the sky, and Basil could feel the heat lying on his skin. It was summer, the hot temperature wasn't a surprise, just an inconvenience. He was carrying bags from the store, which in general weren't too heavy, though the heat didn't help much. The bags held items the flower boy had just bought from Othermart, necessary things that thankfully no one questioned. Basil had been scared that someone would have realized, known what these items were truly for, and then stop both him and Sunny. That couldn't happen; they needed to leave.
Basil lets out a breath of relief when he gets to Sunny’s door. Anxiety had always plagued his heart when he went outside; he hated to be lonely, yet he felt like dying when having to interact with the outside world. Now it was worse. He held a secret, one so precious and damning, he was terrified someone would be able to look at him and just know. Basil wasn't a liar, but he would be one for Sunny. He would do anything for him, his best friend, his boyfriend, his soulmate.
Before Basil has the chance to open the door, hands shaking slightly as he tries to use the keys, a voice calls from behind, “Basil!”
Jumping to look behind him, the key falls onto the ground, making Basil cringe. It was hot, he felt sticky and gross, and now his anxiety has spiked; he feels dizzy. He can barely make out who has called his name, but when he does, he only feels his anxiety rise. It was Kel. The boy was smiling brightly, like he practically always was, and was waving like a man trying to wave down a plane to save his life. Getting Basil’s attention was not nearly that important, yet his friend’s urgency and enthusiasm always seemed to make him feel special, wanted. He was lucky to have a friend like Kel. He ignores the part of him that wants to cry because he will never see him again.
Basil smiles awkwardly, then gives an equally as awkward wave, “Hi- uh hi… sor- sorry… hi, Kel. What's up?”
Kel doesn't seem to process Basil’s nervousness; maybe used to the anxiety the flower boy often felt, he just walks up to him. The other boy leans down, picking up the keys Basil dropped only moments before, and hands them to him. “Nothing much! I just saw you as I was leaving the house. Mom sent me to pick up some stuff, so I wanted to come say hi!”
“Oh… well, hi?”
Kel laughs lightly at this, not in a mocking way. Basil doesn't feel like Kel is making fun of him for the response; he finds it amusing, but the flower boy blushes from embarrassment all the same. After the boy gets done laughing, he shakes his head, “I also wanted to ask if you and Sunny were still planning on coming over tomorrow night? Hero is going make food and all that, so he wanted to make sure you both were still coming!”
They were not. Sunny and him are leaving tonight, and hopefully they will be decently far from Faraway Town by tomorrow night. He couldn't tell that to Kel, though; he couldn't know they were leaving, and canceling now would cause suspicion. So Basil, remembering what he has to protect, grain's courage and lies, “We are still. Still coming I mean! Coming tomorrow night. Sorry… I'm excited to eat Hero’s food again.”
“Yeah, well, he's excited to cook it! And I'm excited you two are still coming, thought you two might be too caught up with each other to care about the rest of us.”
“What do you mean…?” Basil asks, confused as to what Kel was saying. He knows him and Sunny have always been two of the closest in the group, yet they always made time for the others, and there was no way Kel knew about them dating. Sunny hasn't been out of the house, and this is the first time Basil has seen Kel.
Kel just laughs, with a shake of his head, “Nevermind! I'll see you two tomorrow night. Bye bye!”
He watches as Kel leaves and realizes that was most likely the last time he will ever see him. Basil pushes away the tears and finally unlocks the door, pushing the door open with the bags in hand, he shuts it and yells, “I'm back!”
Basil sees Sunny peek out from the hall to the kitchen, and it's so cute that Basil’s heart melts a bit. The dark-haired boy stares at Basil for a moment before walking over. When he gets to the other, he once again reaches his hand out to something around Basil, something the light-haired boy cannot see. “You're sad, what happened?”
Basil lets out an uncomfortable laugh, not used to Sunny’s ability. Part of him hates it, the fact that Sunny can always know what Basil is feeling. It isn't because Basil wants to hide things from Sunny, it's because he feels he's forcing his feelings on the boy he loves. Basil is used to feeling those darkening feelings often, the sadness and anxiety, and he didn't want Sunny worrying about every moment those show. It was his burden to bear, it was his fault for being like this, not Sunny’s.
With a breath, Basil goes to walk past Sunny, going towards the kitchen. He puts the bags on the counters, then looks to Sunny, who was following closely behind, seemingly waiting for Basil’s response. “Oh, well, Kel stopped me at the door; he wanted to know if we were still coming over tomorrow.”
“What did you tell him?” Sunny asks, walking over to unload the grocery bags.
“I told him we were… I- I thought saying we weren't would cause suspicion. We… we don't need that.”
Sunny stops, looking up to Basil. He seems upset. “I'm sorry.”
Basil, confused, shakes his head, taking Sunny’s hand in his, “Why are you sorry?”
“You don't like lying.” Is all Sunny says, but there is more to it, this Basil knows. He can't see Sunny's emotions, not like the boy can see his, but still, he knows the boy he loves. He wasn't saying sorry because Basil lied and was upset over it; he was saying sorry because he was the reason Basil lied. He could see the guilt in his eyes, it makes Basil’s heart sink.
Basil squeezes Sunny’s hand, shaking his head again, “It's okay. I promise… I just- I'm just… not used to it. I'm lying to keep you safe. I can do that.”
“I'm supposed to keep you safe.”
“Can't... Can't we keep eachother safe?” Basil takes a deep breath, anxiety and tears welling up, “We... we are leaving soon… together. I'm not scared, I'm not… not as long as I'm with you, but I… I want to protect you, too. We're in this together, right?”
Sunny reaches out with his other hand, going to wipe away the drops of water falling from Basil’s eyes. The lighter-haired boy closes his eyes, letting Sunny do as he wishes. Sunny speaks, in almost a whisper, “Okay… we are. I promise. Don't cry.”
“I love you, Sunny…” Basil lets out, voice shaky, as if on the verge of sobbing.
“I love you too.” The dark-haired boy says, before leaning in to lightly kiss Basil on the lips. This is something Basil is also not used to, but it wasn't as if this was something old; they kissed for the first time last night, early this morning. He hasn't gotten the chance to get used to it.
When Sunny breaks the kiss, leaving a stunned, but happy, Basil in his wake. He lets go, going back to unbagging the groceries and sorting them. The bags contain mostly items that Basil would need, some food, and medical supplies. Sunny only needed to eat blood, which, for now, Basil was going to give him. That was the plan at least. Basil hadn't done it yet, given Sunny his blood. The vampire said he wasn't hungry, having fed off the blood he spilled from the creatures who were going to hurt Basil. Sunny also healed fast, not needing the help of medical supplies, once again blood was all he needed; as long as he had enough blood, he would heal himself in only a few moments.
Basil realized, with all this, the planning and list they had made only hours ago when they realized they needed to leave, and leave the next time the sun falls, that he was going to be a burden. He tries not to dwell on it, but the fact is true: he needs food far more than Sunny does, he can get hurt so much easier, and take so much longer to heal. He'll get cold, possibly freeze, if they don't find somewhere warm, unlike Sunny, who won't be affected by the temperature unless the sun rays fall upon his skin. He's worried, and there are only three reasons he hasn't decided he should just stay here. Firstly, is that Sunny can use him for his blood. Secondly, Sunny won't be alone if Basil goes along with him; Basil can take care of him and hopefully protect him. Then lastly, the biggest reason, which is that, selfishly, Basil just wants to be with him.
As he watches Sunny sort through the items, ones that they both would need to carry, that will cause extra hassle, all because of him, Basil feels the guilt rise up in his chest. Sunny looks up to him, and Basil can feel himself hold his breath, scared the other boy will see the guilt and ask questions. The vampire doesn't; he simply says, “Go get your things from your house.”
“Oh, right, uh… but I was thinking, may- maybe I shouldn't? I don't… I don't want to make us carry anything else...”
“You want your photo album and your backup flower clips. We can carry those along with your camera, film, and picture holder; it isn't too much. You also need your jacket, it's cold at night, and more clothes.”
“Sunny… are you sure…?”
He nods, “We have two backpacks. You carry your personal items, along with medical supplies, and the vampire book. I will carry the clothes, food, and water. I will take one of Marie’s purses. We will put our money in there to easily keep track of. I'll wear it. I won't take it off.”
“Okay… but what about your personal items? Aren't there things you want to bring?”
“We will have your photos, that's enough.”
“But what about your drawings and notebooks? All your stories… are we.. are we just going to leave them?”
Sunny seems to think long and hard about this, as if struggling with some part of himself, but after a while, he just shakes his head, “I don't need them. I have my stories; I will rewrite them again.”
“Can we at least take the new book you bought to draw in, and some pens and pencils? I- I know you love drawing… it makes you happy, and it won't take up too much space!”
Basil can't tell if Sunny is annoyed with him right now; if he is, he isn't showing it, but somehow Basil feels he is. There is another stretch of silence before Sunny responds, “You go get your items, and I will let you also bring those things for me. Okay?”
Basil smiles, “Okay! Thank you, I will.”
The dark-haired boy nods his head, once again returning to sorting.
Carefully, Basil places his photo album in the backpack, making sure it sits towards the back, then he places Sunny’s art book next to it. He smiles to himself when he sees the front of it. He and Sunny had gone out shopping together recently, and when finding themselves in a shop full of odds and ends, came across a good-quality art book. What really caught Basil’s eye, though, was the clear pocket in the front that was a perfect size for one of Basil's Polaroid pictures.
Sunny had seen and bought it that day. Then, without a word, took out a picture from Basil’s picture holder, a smaller book compared to his filling photo album that Aubrey gave him when she realized he was taking pictures but didn't always carry around his photo album or have the time to put the photo in the album with the care and attention he always gave each memory. It was a temporary holder, and the first few pages were never filled for long before he put them in the album. Now he suspects it will come in use more, as he already was looking into getting a new album, since his now is officially full, but he won't be able to now.
The picture Sunny stole was one taken earlier that day. Before they were shopping alone together, they were originally with their group of friends, and for some reason, Mari had once again stolen his camera, taking a picture of him with Sunny. They were sitting at a table, alone together, both having their own ice cream that the rest of the group was supposed to still be getting. Basil hadn't realized Mari sent Hero to get her some instead. In the picture, Basil’s mouth was open, seemingly telling something to Sunny, with a smile tugging on the corner of his lips. Sunny was staring at him, head resting on his palm, full attention on Basil, with a small smile of his own.
Basil had been embarrassed when Mari handed him the picture, one of her knowing smiles on her lips. He hadn't known what to make of it, but he loved the picture, and by the way Sunny stole it to display, he must have loved it too. It makes Basil’s heart squeeze a bit, and he smiles, lightly touching the Sunny on the picture as his other hand rests on his chest, trying to calm the feelings whirling inside him. He was already dating Sunny, he doesn't understand why these beautifully sickening feelings still weigh in his chest as if he was still one with an unrequited crush.
He feels a hand touch the hand on his chest, and he jumps, looking over to see Sunny looking at him, amusement dancing in his red eyes. The vampire boy sits next to him, taking the items Basil has yet to put away and placing them in the bag. “The sun has gone down; we need to go.”
Basil nods his head, chest now filling with guilt, “Ri- right… I'm sorry.”
Sunny shakes his head, “It's okay. You're cute.”
The light-haired boy blushes, looking down at his own hands, “O- oh, o- okay… thank you.”
He once again feels hand take his own, and looks up, just for Sunny to lean in to give him a kiss. He likes to kiss him; this is something Basil has started to realize, really fast. When Sunny leans away, he stands up, handing Basil his backpack. He takes it and watches as Sunny goes to his bed, putting on the purse he had stolen from his sister, and his backpack. Basil stands up quickly, putting on his own backpack. The dark-haired boy walks over, taking Basil’s hand, then looking back at the room.
Basil can see the sadness on Sunny’s face as he takes in the room, knowing this to be the last time he will see it. The light-haired boy asks, voice quiet, sad, “Do we have to leave?”
The other boy doesn't look at him, but Basil knows he heard him, as his face changes. He looks lost in thought again. Then, after only a few moments, he looks to Basil, sadness and determination paint his features. Basil knows he won't be able to change Sunny’s mind. “I do, you do not.”
Basil shakes his head, “Where you go, I go too.”
“Okay,” Sunny says, squeezing his hand. The human boy can see the relief in Sunny’s eyes and feels himself relax the smallest bit.
“Okay… what’s the plan?”
The vampire starts walking, hand secure in Basil’s, as he talks, “We will walk to the cargo train. There should be one tonight. We will sneak on it. Go where it takes us.”
“Okay, I trust you, Sunny. Like I said… I'll go where you go.”
Sunny didn't get cold. Before, he was a bit like this; the cold didn't bother him too much, but still, he was human and needed warmth. Now, he was dead; he didn't feel the shiver that came from the dropped temperature. He knew Basil did. The vampire looks down at the boy, snuggled up on his lap, asleep. They had gotten on the train successfully hours ago. When they had, at first, both boys just watched the trees fly by, not a word being spoken between the two, they didn't need it. Then Sunny had realized how tired Basil seemed to be, it made sense, he's been up for days and had just walked for an hour straight. He must have been exhausted.
The dark-haired boy carefully took Basil's face in his dead hand and asked him to sleep. The light-haired boy was too tired to argue, only nodding his head and going to rest on Sunny's lap. There wasn't a need for him to snuggle so close to Sunny, as the vampire didn't give off much body heat anymore, but neither of them wanted to be far from the other. Now Sunny watches the blurred scenes by himself, as the boy he loves rests, until Sunny feels the boy shiver slightly, and concern wells up in his chest. He takes off his hoodie and places it on Basil like a blanket. He watches with satisfaction as Basil curls into it.
He was worried about all this, something he had tried not to show Basil. The vampire knew he, himself, would be okay. He was a vampire, only needing blood he could responsibly get anywhere. It took a lot to hurt him; he didn't get sick, he didn't feel the cold. This was going to be easy for him, easier for him than Basil at least. The human needed so much more, and Sunny was terrified he wouldn't be able to provide for him. It wasn't a good idea to bring Basil. He knows this, but he also didn't think a life without his sunflower was worth living. So selfishly, he had let him come, after so many moments of almost running away without him. Maybe he should have, but it's too late now.
“Sunny…?” The vampire hears, looking down to see a groggy Basil looking up to him. Sunny reaches out, running a hand through Basil’s now messy hair.
“Go back to sleep.”
The light-haired boy looks slightly upset by the request and just sleepily mutters, “Are you okay?”
“I'm okay.”
“Daydreaming?”
“Yes, I'm daydreaming. Now go to sleep, you need it,” Sunny urges, continuing to play with Basil’s hair. The boy hums, tired, but before he goes back to sleep, he sees the hoodie lying on him. Sunny sees a light glow of yellow around Basil, and he sits up, eyes still droopy with sleep, and puts on Sunny’s hoodie. Sunny loved it when Basil’s emotions were yellow just as much as he loved it when they were pink.
He lies back down, a small smile on his lips, and whispers, “Goodnight, Sunny. I love you.”
“Goodnight, Basil. I love you too.”
He goes back to sleep, much to the relief of Sunny. The vampire looks back out to the world of the night, continuing to push down his fear of the future. They will be okay; they have to be. Sunny will make sure of it. He won't let the boy he loves so much get hurt, he won't. He will make sure their life is as good as it can be; it's what Basil deserves.