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[sadpoem]

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[headhooligan]

[There’s a half-smile, maybe a grimace. Glance to Sunny, back away.]

It’s not really new. I don’t… want that for you, either.

[She pats the couch lightly. Feels like they haven’t talked like this in a while.]

[sadpoem]

[Sunny feels relief. He comes to the couch, and sits next to Aubrey. He wants to reach for her hand--

[He can, can't he? He does. He wants to pull it to his chest. It could only ever be Aubrey.]

It's not really new.

I know.

[headhooligan]

[She reaches for his hand. He can pull it to him, like they used to— started doing— have been doing, and never had to stop.]

I know, too. [Even softer.]

[sadpoem]

[Sunny smiles. It quivers, withholding. He's never been good at it, and it fades. He squeezes Aubrey's hand - strong, reassuring--

[He...tries to be.]

I'm sorry.

[headhooligan]

[She squeezes back, gentle and rhythmic. Grounding, or so she tries, like Sunny is.]

You don’t… have to be. [Tell him.] I mean…

[He doesn’t know.

[Tell him, before you…

[Can’t.]

So am I.

[sadpoem]

[Sunny takes a deep breath. How does Kel smile so much? He squeezes Aubrey's hand, releases - this, this...

[He never knows what to say to this.]

You...help. Me. [That's...something, at least, right?]

Aubrey...[Sunny frowns just a bit, glancing at their hands. He shifts in his seat, tucking one leg under the other; looks at Aubrey.] I want to help you, too.

[headhooligan]

[So they’re both at a loss.

[They’ve been so busy with those lanterns, Sunny and Xie Lian. If Omori’s popped in, Aubrey hasn’t caught it. Then again, she’s been over less. And for what? A maybe-lie? Sunny trusts him. Xie Lian is patient with him; with both of them.

[Either way: Sunny won’t be here forever.

[Aubrey’s mouth opens for words that don’t come out. She shakes her head. Shuts it. Squeezes his hand a little tighter, and…

[Lets herself lean towards him. Rests her head on his shoulder, if he lets her. Maybe she shouldn’t; maybe she doesn’t care. Sunny wants to help, and, sometimes…]

[sadpoem]

[Aubrey rests her head, and Sunny takes it in his hands, fingers moving through soft, pink hair. It isn't the first time. He'd do anything for her. He really believes that.

[Do friends really last forever, or is that only a dream?

[He shushes Aubrey softly, though she isn't crying. It just feels like the right thing to do.]

[headhooligan]

[She’s not crying yet. Ironically it’s the shushing that does it; released hands find their way around his back, pulling Sunny just a bit closer, a fraction of the desperation drawing hushed gasps from weary lungs.]

I…’ve missed you… [Or is it “I’ll miss you”?] Always have....

[He won’t go home.
[Thing is, Aubrey doesn’t blame him.
[Can’t.
[Won’t.

[And she won’t cry about it forever, but just, for this quiet, dark moment…]

[sadpoem]

[Sunny eases into Aubrey's embrace, holding her more securely to his chest. He can be this, for her. Will be. Wants to be.]

I...have too. [He will.]

I...am sorry...I...never came out...

[headhooligan]

I understand. [More than he knows....] I do.

[She nods against his chest, sniffling. Does it feel dishonest? Maybe. But…]

I-it’s like we’ve said. We’re together now.

And we— I won’t waste it.... [That’s a promise.]

[sadpoem]

I won't either. [He almost surprises himself with how quickly, how confidently he answers.

[He hates to see Aubrey cry. He doesn't want to be the cause; of course, he believes he is the cause, or...at least, given everything, he's doomed to be part of it...

[He has to live with that.

[Omori...has to live with that.]

I've...missed you. [They already said so, but...] Please...come over. You don't...have to knock.

[headhooligan]

I will.

[All that running around, and for what. To get herself killed? Sunny might be safe with Xie Lian; god dammit, she doesn’t have to leave him until it’s final.

[Aubrey cannot stop caring if it kills her. Acting otherwise—yelling at friends, watching them cry and doing nothing—might be the biggest waste of time of all.

[With a shaky breath, she lifts her head. A mess, but that’s not new, either; she just wants to see Sunny, really.]

We’ll keep… making new memories. [Chasing that light, together, as long as they can.] All of us.

[Omori, too.]

[sadpoem]

[Sunny thinks of Omori too. Aubrey looks at him, and he takes a deep breath. Something in him rebels. Omori isn't interested in that. He'll make it known, Sunny thinks, if he can't keep him away; of course, he doesn't know how to keep him away, but...

[Focus. Aubrey. Sunny's nostrils flare. He feels like he could cry. It's a terrible guilt, it--]

I think...I've hurt him...

Omori...is my fault...

[headhooligan]

[He knows.

[It’s a nonsense thought, though, isn’t it? Is it not? Hasn’t Kel said as much? Ah, hell, she forgot the talk with Adam—

[The memory rush is borderline offensive, though Aubrey manages to keep it off her face. Her eyes sting; residual. Focus. Sunny’s here, now.

[She moves a hand back to his and squeezes.]

You… said you dreamed about him…? [Something like it.]

[sadpoem]

[Sunny takes Aubrey's hand, squeezing, releasing; he nods.]

Me...in my dreams.

But...now...when I'm upset...

I go away...

It's all him. [Sunny doesn't have to face anything. It's...not fair.]

[headhooligan]

[That’s…

[It makes sense. Sunny has been upset as himself, Aubrey knows this well—but she also can’t remember a single talk with Omori, barring that actual dream (and the Wonderland like it), that wasn’t preceded by… well. Sunny having reason to be extra upset.

[It’s not lost on her that she’s often been at fault.

[Aubrey nods, slowly.]

And you think you’ve… hurt him? [Not doubting. Concerned. Almost sickeningly curious.]

[sadpoem]

[Sunny nods, miserable. His eyes glisten. He tries to will the tears away.

[He doesn't want to hurt anyone. He really doesn't.]

If I'm not there...when bad things happen...then bad things only happen...to him...

[Then, softly, very softly:] It's not fair...

[headhooligan]

[…Oh.

[Oh....]

[She remembers him being strangled by his own dream.]

He… he wants to keep you safe. [Has she told him this before? Does he remember?] Neither of you… should have to do that alone.

[Squeeze. Release.]

obligatory if you need more~

[sadpoem]

[Aubrey doesn't know. She doesn't know Sunny's guilt. She doesn't know Sunny's truth.

[If Omori doesn't carry it, then who will?

[He's not ready.

[He never will be...

[A pale hand squeezes Aubrey's hand tight. Doesn't release. Dark eyes glare between their laps, focused...]

[headhooligan]

[Quiet.

[Aubrey tries to meet his eyes.]

[Faint:] …Omori?

[sadpoem]

[She won't listen.

[He doesn't let go of her hand. Anger makes his face briefly tense, contort - it fades into easy calm, tenses again. He doesn't look up.

[The control is slipping...]

You didn't listen to Adam. [She won't.]

[headhooligan]

[Speak of th…

[There’s not not a jolt through Aubrey at that flash of anger, how quickly it dies. At the same time, though—this isn’t his dream. She’s been grabbed worse, now.

[He has Sunny’s grip strength—and sad, sad face.]

Hey. [Not without unease, but… one of the calmer greetings she’s offered.] I… handled that pretty bad. I know.

He’s your friend, right? [Not bitter.]

[sadpoem]

[There is some hesitation; Omori's not used to hesitating. He nods.]

[headhooligan]

[Very, very warily… Aubrey gives his hand a little squeeze. Briefer than anything, lest he think it’s another surprise grab.]

I’m… [Deep breath.] …glad.

Yeah. I’m glad that… you can talk to him.