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Sunny hesitated, standing in front of Aubrey’s front door. His hand was already raised, ready to knock, but it was frozen in place.
He took a few deep breaths and—through the shaking of his hands—knocked on the door.
A moment passed, then two. Each second waiting was excruciating. They passed slowly as he played with the hem of his shirt.
He flinched when he heard the door unlatch. Aubrey opened it.
“Sunny? What’s up?”
“Can— can you help me with something?” Sunny spoke a bit too quickly.
“Sure.” Aubrey shrugged, stepping outside and closing the door.
“Uhm! Inside, I mean.” Sunny squeaked.
“In your room.” He added quietly. His eyes drifted to the ground.
Aubrey’s face went red. “Oh, uh… Sure.”
She hesitantly opened the door again, looking back at Sunny. “Just… mind the mess.” Her voice was a bit sheepish.
Sunny nodded.
They walked through the main room. Past the trash bags lined up against the wall and every other surface. Past the cans of cheap liquor that covered the floor. Past the blaring TV and Aubrey's mother who was slumped in front of it. As still as a corpse — and just as useful. Except a corpse could conceivably be used as fertilizer, but she'd probably just spread her filth and rot.
They climbed the ladder to Aubrey’s room. Sunny always thought it was kind of cool — having your room be the attic, opening up a trapdoor in the floor to get in and out.
Sunny got up and looked around.
He saw Bun-Bun resting in her pen.
He looked in; Bun-Bun’s eyes twinkled back at him.
Aubrey walked up beside him. “Wanna hold him?”
“Can I?” Sunny asked with a glimmer in his eye.
Aubrey smirked. “Of course.” She seemed almost overly excited that someone else was so keen to partake in the fluffy pillow that is Bun-Bun’s fur.
Aubrey carefully lifted Bun-Bun and handed her to Sunny — letting the rabbit slowly shift from her hands to his.
Sunny held Bun-Bun reverently, lightly petting her with his other hand. She was light, her feet soft but hard underneath. A light grassy scent filled the air.
Her fur was soft and as fluffy as one would expect — no, even more so. Like holding a cloud in your hand. (you know, the cartoon type of cloud, not the actual mess of water vapor and dust that is real life clouds)
He almost got lost in it — the ball of pure comforting energy and warmth.
It was like a sunbeam wrapped in a fuzzy blanket, condensed, magnified twice over, and now cuddled up in his hand.
He put his face close up to Bun-Bun’s, almost nose to nose. He watched her wide, round eyes look over him. She shifted. Then moved closer, sniffing, and then booping her nose against his. Sunny’s face lit up. A smile formed that could be seen from space. As if he had just won life.
Bun-bun rubbed her chin against Sunny. It tickled, and Sunny had to hold in a giggle.
“All right.” Aubrey interjected, smile wobbling. “Hate to break you two lovebirds apart, but Bun-Bun’s getting tired.”
Sunny looked at Aubrey. “How can you tell?”
“Her ears are drooping.”
Sure enough, they had fallen back, resting on her back. With a slight frown, Sunny placed her back in her pen.
Bun-Bun picked at her bedding for a bit before flopping onto her side adorably.
“Isn’t she Best Girl?” Aubrey said, more a statement than a question.
“Mhmm.” Sunny hummed in response.
A moment of quiet passed easily by as they both watched Bun-Bun sleeping peacefully.
Aubrey cleared her throat. “So! You said you needed my help with something?”
Immediately, Sunny tensed. His eyes dropped to his shoes. “Oh— Uh…”
His voice was quieter now, hesitant. “Promise… you won’t tell anyone.”
Aubrey froze for a second. “Okay.”
“I promise.”
Sunny exhaled. “So… Can I… Could you…”
His hands were shaky, his breath uneven.
Aubrey stepped closer, gently squeezing his hand. “Hey, whatever you need I’m here. Don’t worry.”
Sunny closed his eyes, focusing on Aubrey’s warm grip as his heartbeat slowed.
“Can I try on some of your clothes!” He blurted out quicker than lightning.
Aubrey blinked. “Huh?”
“Sorry!” Sunny shrunk back, pulling his shoulders close. “I just—”
She laughed. “No no no, it’s fine!”
“I just didn’t expect that.”
Sunny’s cheeks went red as he looked away.
“Yes.” Aubrey said. “You can, and I won’t tell a soul.”
He turned back towards Aubrey, mouth stuck open. His gaze was met with the softest expression he’d ever seen. One that felt safe, and caring.
He didn’t have words for how thankful he was — but they weren’t needed.
Aubrey smirked, practically running to her wardrobe and beginning to rummage through it.
“So what did you want to try on? A shirt? Jacket? Perhaps a skirt or dress?” Her voice grew teasing
“Hmm?” She looked back at him for a second.
Sunny opened his mouth to speak but—
Aubrey gasped “This would look great on you!” She held the shirt in front of him; A baggy black crop-top with the sleeves tied at the ends.
She tossed it at him. He barely caught it before it hit the floor. When he looked back up, Aubrey was already back to rummaging.
“And this.” She tossed a shirt at Sunny.
“And this.”
“And this, and this.”
Soon enough, Sunny’s arms were full with what had to be over half her wardrobe. It stacked up higher than his head — almost heavy enough to tip him over.
“Aubrey…” Sunny said, strained and muffled by the mountain of clothes.
“Oops! My bad.” Aubrey rubbed the back of her head. She took the top half of the pile from him and set it on her bed.
“Alright what do you want to start with!” Aubrey looked over her wardrobe which now sat spread across her bed.
Sunny fidgeted with his hands.
Aubrey’s expression softened. “Here.” She handed him a simple pink tee-shirt. “Start easy.”
Sunny nodded as he took it.
“Go and put it on.” Aubrey smirked. “I promise I won't look.”
Sunny's heart skipped a beat. “Aubrey!”
Aubrey turned around with a chuckle.
He huffed, then changed into it.
It was a bit big, coming down well past his waist. Somehow it felt different. He just didn't know how.
“Heh. Knew you'd look good in pink.” Aubrey chimed in, causing Sunny's cheeks to flush.
They went through about half the shirts Aubrey owned. Some were too small, some too big. Some pink, or black, or gray. Some plain, some with graphics or band logos.
Aubrey would joke, or laugh, or surprise him with a compliment where he couldn’t tell if it was earnest or not. It made him blush either way
Sunny found he kind of liked the ones that were too big. They seemed… easier.
He looked down at the skirt in his hand. Simple, charcoal-black, yet it felt intimidating.
His knees were shaky.
Like he was doing something wrong.
Like everything would crash down onto him if he even dared to try it.
“You done yet?” Aubrey said eyes still on the opposite wall.
“Uh—”
“Hey… it's fine if it's too much.” Aubrey's voice was soft. “No shame in taking it slow.”
Sunny’s breath caught. He slapped his cheeks lightly, then changed into it.
It felt weird — in a good way. Like it made him freer. It didn't make sense to him. His heart was still beating fast, but somehow it felt good.
Feeling the soft fabric around him, between his fingers.
Seeing it flow and twirl as he moves around.
It put a subtle smile on his face.
It just felt… right — in a way he didn't have words for.
And when Aubrey turned around, her face went beat red. She quickly hid her face again, quietly sputtering unintelligible words.
“You uh… you look— good.” Was all she could manage.
It hit Sunny hard — harder than her previous complements. And harder than he thought words ever could.
“Thank you.” Sunny’s voice cracks.
Tears had snuck up on him, but a smile was stuck on his face.
Before he had time to second guess himself, he leaped forward and engulfed Aubrey in a hug.
The sudden weight caused them to fall over backwards onto her bed.
Sunny buried his face in her shirt, quietly sniffling.
Aubrey slowly brought her arms around him.
After a few minutes of quiet. Sunny had calmed down, and got off of Aubrey.
“Sorry.” He whispered. “I don't—”
“Heh. Did you really like wearing my clothes that much?” Aubrey teased.
“H-hey!” Sunny pouted, face reddening.
“You know I'm only teasing.” She ruffled his hair.
Sunny sighed, content. And the room fell into a soft silence once more.
“So… you wanna keep it?” Aubrey asked. “The skirt, that is.”
Sunny tensed slightly. “Can I?”
“Absolutely! It hardly fits me anyways.” Aubrey smirked.
Sunny doubted that that was true. But he felt happy regardless. “Thanks… again.”
“No problem!” She gave him a hearty pat on the back.
“Now… you planning on wearing that out?” She glanced down at the skirt he was still wearing.
Sunny jumped, like he had forgotten he was wearing it.
“M-maybe another time.” He said sheepishly.
Aubrey smiled. “Nothing wrong with that.”
“Just know…” She leaned closer. “I think you look cute.”