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Sunny stood in front of the window. The sun was beginning to fall through the sky, too early for a sunset, but late enough for the sky to darken.
His gaze was focused on the small planter box in front of him. Arnica— small bright yellow flowers that covered the soil with their florets.
He brushed one gently with his finger and smiled.
Then a weight thumped against his back, and wrapped their arms around him before resting their head in the crook of his neck.
Sunny’s smile widened. “Basil.”
The only answer he got was a couple shaky breaths.
“Basil?” Sunny repeated.
He tried to turn around to face him, but Basil’s arms tightened around him.
“Please…” Basil whispered.
Sunny froze.
“Can we stay?” Basil finished.
Sunny nodded and settled back how he was, looking forward at the window.
Basil’s breath became less steady. Until they turned into sniffles, and quiet cries. Tears began to fall and dampen Sunny’s shirt.
His expression turned downwards.
He looked back at the flowers, bright and yellow.
Yellow meant joy, right?
Sunny took a breath, and then pried Basil’s arms off him before quickly turning around to envelop him in a hug of his own.
Basil paused for a second. Then he returned the hug once more. He gripped Sunny’s shirt tightly, bunching up the fabric in his fists.
“Sorry…” He whispered.
“Don't.” Sunny frowned, and started gently tracing patterns across Basil’s back.
Basil’s breath stuttered.
The tears didn't slow, they flowed more freely than before.
He let them.
They stood there together. Until the sky darkened. Until his breaths evened. Until his strength left him and his grip loosened.
Basil’s arms fell to his sides for a moment before Sunny took his hands in his own.
A weak smile crossed Basil’s face, even as his eyes were red from crying with dried tears across his face.
Sunny looked at him, squeezing his hands tighter. “You okay?”
“Y-yeah.” Basil said breathlessly. “Don't… Don't worry about me.”
His smile widened, but held no more warmth.
Sunny’s chest sank.
He puffed out a breath. Then pulled Basil by the hand. Until he stopped in front of the couch and pointed at it.
“H-huh?” Basil questioned.
“Sit.” Sunny glared at him.
“Oh— O-okay.” Basil complied.
His expression wobbled as he sat with his hands balled on his lap.
The cushions sank as Sunny sat next to him.
Basil didn't move.
Until Sunny pulled on his shirt, tipping him over to rest his head on his lap.
“S-Sunny?” Basil tensed.
Sunny answered only by bringing his hand to Basil’s head, gently running his fingers through his hair.
“Your hair is soft.” Sunny whispered.
“T-thanks.” Basil replied weakly, a light pink spreading across his cheeks.
The wall clock ticked by unnoticed.
Basil shifted around, laying on his back and looking up at Sunny above him.
Quiet. Expression turned into a slight frown— but soft somehow.
He closed his eyes, letting Sunny’s touch fill his mind.
Then sniffled.
Sunny flinched slightly.
Basil's eyes snapped back open. “S-sorry!”
“I just…” His eyes began to water. “I d-don't know what's wrong with me…”
Sunny was silent for a moment.
Basil opened his mouth to speak but—
Sunny looked down at him, cupping his cheeks in his hands.
Their eyes met — and stayed a few long moments.
“I love you, Basil.” Sunny finally said.
Basil felt something swirl in his stomach. He didn't know what it was.
“Y-yeah.” Basil squeaked out. “But…”
Sunny kept looking at him. His eyes were soft and clear.
“I mean— I'm just…” Basil’s voice was breathless. “I don't—”
Sunny blinked, keeping his hands on Basil’s cheeks.
Basil exhaled, sniffled. “I don't deserve you…” He whimpered.
A frown crossed Sunny’s face. “Why?”
“W-wha—?” Basil stammered. “Why do I—?”
Sunny wiped a tear from Basil’s eye. “Why do you have to?”
“H-have to…?” Basil went still.
“Have to deserve it?”
His breath caught. For a second, he was frozen in place.
Then he sat up, tearing himself away from Sunny’s hold. He stared at his lap. “B-because— It's… it's just how things are…”
“Basil?” Sunny asked softly.
“That's… that's how things work.” His hands clenched as he fought against his tears. “I-It's how they've always worked.. “
Sunny frowned, then leaned against Basil’s shoulder. “Not for me.”
Basil’s eyes widened.
His mouth hung open for a moment before he could get anything out. “I-I…”
Sunny rested his head on Basil’s shoulder.
“Y-you d-don't…’
Sunny's hand found his, prying open his fist to interweave their fingers.
Basil stared at them, breaths heavy. “S-Sunny, you…?”
Sunny squeezed his hand.
Basil squeezed back tighter. Tighter.
His throat felt coarse, strained. “Sorry…” He croaked out while blinking away the tears that threatened to fall once more.
“Don't.”