[It feels like it should be obvious, but...no, it really isn't, is it? Because when you love someone, you aren't supposed to leave them behind; after Mari died, everyone separated. Sunny understands why he had to be apart, why Basil did; hell, he almost didn't answer that first day Kel knocked. But Hero went to school, and Kel and Aubrey couldn't get along without him, maybe. Sunny doesn't know.
[It doesn't matter. They're here while they're here, and then they'll be home, and Sunny will be leaving the next morning, and maybe he'll never have said it all. Who knows how long he has left with Aubrey, really?
[Her voice is tight. She looks like she might start crying again.
[Sunny laces their fingers. He wish it were enough - that he could say it all without words.]
[It only takes a couple futile wipes before she just crosses her whole arm over her her eyes, trying at least not to bawl all over his stuffed animals. But god, it’s like she never cried at all tonight. There’s not much catharsis this round, feeling somewhat touched but mostly downright rotten.
[Why? Why her? She’s been nothing but terrible to all of them. Yelled at them, ignored them, called them names behind their back; all pushing and pushing before they could even think to reach out. Even back then, she only let them in so much. And here, she shut herself off to Sunny like her life depended on it.
[Sunny, who’s letting her keep a hand twined in his, like it’s not shaking with the effort to not squeeze shut and crush him. Sunny, who’s been losing his memory, just needed someone by his side, and missed her so much…
[It’s not about her. Aubrey is a sobbing, sorry idiot. She doesn’t fucking deserve it.]
[He had no choice but to stay away. He had no choice, but there's no way to tell her that now. He wants to pull her close. She's Aubrey. How many times has he seen her cry? They've never been the most touchy, but he's never seen her quite like this.
[It's Aubrey.
[He tries to pull her in. His arms are thin, and his grip is weak, but he wills himself to be capable and strong. He can take care of her too. They shouldn't be apart anymore - any of them...
[Sunny pulls her in, and Aubrey relents, too beyond exhausted to resist. His grip may be weak, but it’s enough for her; an affirmation, more than that. Shame keeps her from fully leaning in, but it also manages to stifle her somewhat.
[It’s not much. But she manages to sputter,] We… we love each other. [A miserable nod. Aubrey wipes her eyes again, then clasps Sunny’s hand between both of hers. It still feels fragile.] We do…
[With one arm around her, one hand clasped in hers, Sunny feels tears welling in his eyes again. He doesn't start crying properly. It's okay that she does...
[This is really happening. This is really her. And he loves her. He loves her - whether they deserve it or not.]
We'll be...
[He pulls her hand up to his heart, watching her under a subtly pinched brow; concerned, affectionate, searching, pleading.]
Together...now...
[Okay?
[And then, when they get home - when they save Basil - he'll...
[The pull to his heart… be still, her own. It is, once again, surprisingly tender; through the swirl of self-loathing, Aubrey wonders how long Sunny’s been like this.
[She tugs her weary, still-gleaming eyes up to meet his, and nods, more resolute. It’s not a surrender this time; it can be a promise.]
I will… as long as you need me. [As long as you want me. As long as you’ll let me…]
[Her own words finish on a sigh, somewhere wistful but not without exhaustion. Sunny looks like he hasn’t slept in years. She’ll make sure he’s alright, first…]
I’ll be right here.
oh noooo my hand slipped and completed several steps ohh nooooo
[The night is quiet, and the air is calm. The treehouse is dark, but they're together; shadows don't encroach. This is where Sunny brings them - Kenma, Xie Lian, even Izutsumi - because it's the safest place he has.
[Aubrey needed him, needed them. Sunny can believe that. The way she asked why they went back for her; the way she reacted when he said he loved her...
[He can be there for her, too, now; while they're here, at least, he can be. It's a promise he'll try to keep, even if its only made in his mind. Aubrey doesn't have to be alone anymore. Neither does he. Maybe they haven't been alone, really, but...being without Each Other (Kel, Aubrey, Hero, Basil, Sunny, Mari...) feels an awful lot like being alone sometimes.
[Sunny nods. He's grateful that their hands are still resting over his heart. He's not eager to let go, fingers squeezing. "You too, Aubrey."]
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no subject
Ah…
[Hushed.
[Right.
[The future.
[She’s been telling herself it’s different. Different… timeline, different version of the world. And for what?
[“We came back for you.”
[Something in her heart seizes. Aubrey tries to cover her face, but keeps her other hand in Sunny’s. It squeezes, tight. God, not again…]
Why…? [Her voice is tight.] Why would you come back for me…?
no subject
[It feels like it should be obvious, but...no, it really isn't, is it? Because when you love someone, you aren't supposed to leave them behind; after Mari died, everyone separated. Sunny understands why he had to be apart, why Basil did; hell, he almost didn't answer that first day Kel knocked. But Hero went to school, and Kel and Aubrey couldn't get along without him, maybe. Sunny doesn't know.
[It doesn't matter. They're here while they're here, and then they'll be home, and Sunny will be leaving the next morning, and maybe he'll never have said it all. Who knows how long he has left with Aubrey, really?
[Her voice is tight. She looks like she might start crying again.
[Sunny laces their fingers. He wish it were enough - that he could say it all without words.]
We love...each other...
no subject
[She starts crying again.
[It only takes a couple futile wipes before she just crosses her whole arm over her her eyes, trying at least not to bawl all over his stuffed animals. But god, it’s like she never cried at all tonight. There’s not much catharsis this round, feeling somewhat touched but mostly downright rotten.
[Why? Why her? She’s been nothing but terrible to all of them. Yelled at them, ignored them, called them names behind their back; all pushing and pushing before they could even think to reach out. Even back then, she only let them in so much. And here, she shut herself off to Sunny like her life depended on it.
[Sunny, who’s letting her keep a hand twined in his, like it’s not shaking with the effort to not squeeze shut and crush him. Sunny, who’s been losing his memory, just needed someone by his side, and missed her so much…
[It’s not about her. Aubrey is a sobbing, sorry idiot. She doesn’t fucking deserve it.]
pretend mewo is aubey
[He had no choice but to stay away. He had no choice, but there's no way to tell her that now. He wants to pull her close. She's Aubrey. How many times has he seen her cry? They've never been the most touchy, but he's never seen her quite like this.
[It's Aubrey.
[He tries to pull her in. His arms are thin, and his grip is weak, but he wills himself to be capable and strong. He can take care of her too. They shouldn't be apart anymore - any of them...
[Oh, Basil...]
MEWOOOO……
[Sunny pulls her in, and Aubrey relents, too beyond exhausted to resist. His grip may be weak, but it’s enough for her; an affirmation, more than that. Shame keeps her from fully leaning in, but it also manages to stifle her somewhat.
[It’s not much. But she manages to sputter,] We… we love each other. [A miserable nod. Aubrey wipes her eyes again, then clasps Sunny’s hand between both of hers. It still feels fragile.] We do…
[I love you, too.]
no subject
[This is really happening. This is really her. And he loves her. He loves her - whether they deserve it or not.]
We'll be...
[He pulls her hand up to his heart, watching her under a subtly pinched brow; concerned, affectionate, searching, pleading.]
Together...now...
[Okay?
[And then, when they get home - when they save Basil - he'll...
[He'll worry...about all that then.]
no subject
[The pull to his heart… be still, her own. It is, once again, surprisingly tender; through the swirl of self-loathing, Aubrey wonders how long Sunny’s been like this.
[She tugs her weary, still-gleaming eyes up to meet his, and nods, more resolute. It’s not a surrender this time; it can be a promise.]
Together now.
[Her hands clasp at his heart.]
no subject
[He's thought a lot about holding Aubrey's hands like this; feels different now that it's happening, somehow...
[He really missed her.]
Stay...
[That exhaustion is indeed settling in. He really does look frail like this; he hasn't noticed, really.]
it’s a shippy icon, officer, but it checks out
[It hasn’t remotely occurred to her not to.]
I will… as long as you need me. [As long as you want me. As long as you’ll let me…]
[Her own words finish on a sigh, somewhere wistful but not without exhaustion. Sunny looks like he hasn’t slept in years. She’ll make sure he’s alright, first…]
I’ll be right here.
oh noooo my hand slipped and completed several steps ohh nooooo
Want.
HEWWO!!
Right…
[The thought of him wanting her seemed like too much. But what came out was even more grotesque, huh? Revealing.
[Embarrassing…]
It’s just… good to be with you again, Sunny.
no subject
[It is good.
[The night is quiet, and the air is calm. The treehouse is dark, but they're together; shadows don't encroach. This is where Sunny brings them - Kenma, Xie Lian, even Izutsumi - because it's the safest place he has.
[Aubrey needed him, needed them. Sunny can believe that. The way she asked why they went back for her; the way she reacted when he said he loved her...
[He can be there for her, too, now; while they're here, at least, he can be. It's a promise he'll try to keep, even if its only made in his mind. Aubrey doesn't have to be alone anymore. Neither does he. Maybe they haven't been alone, really, but...being without Each Other (Kel, Aubrey, Hero, Basil, Sunny, Mari...) feels an awful lot like being alone sometimes.
[Sunny nods. He's grateful that their hands are still resting over his heart. He's not eager to let go, fingers squeezing. "You too, Aubrey."]
no subject
[As long as he keeps them there, wants her there, she’ll stay.
[It’s an impossible promise, but she could stay with Sunny forever.
[Faintly, Aubrey manages a smile. They’re not alone anymore.]