ic inbox for labyrinthum

[sadpoem]

Comments

[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.

[sadpoem]

[Omori squeezes back; barely notices, really.]

Adam is nice.

When I say no, he listens. [Post-stabbing, but let's not split hairs.]

[headhooligan]

Ouch.

[She’s… actually kind of smiling, though? Faintest little bit? Hardly notices herself. That squeeze back—that, Aubrey noticed. It feels something like progress.]

But, ah… no. You’re right. [Shouldn’t get too comfortable.] I’ve been… pretty awful to you. [Both of you. But Omori can hear that as he will.]

I am… sorry, about that. [He’s just a boy.] Really.

[sadpoem]

[Omori really is just a boy. Everything about his demeanor is different than Sunny's - or...perhaps like a Sunny that once was. Maybe it's not as clear when he's writhing and raging, but sitting here, talking quietly about his only friend...

[Omori may not notice himself, but it's so terribly young. His mind wants young things, at the end of the day; to protect, to connect, to succeed...

[It's important to say "I'm sorry," but it's more important to mean it. Omori doesn't know what he can trust. Aubrey might be sorry now, but she wouldn't be if she knew the truth. That won't change. It can't.]

I can't get rid of you...[It's...non-threatening, really, the way he says it - like a concession with a schoolyard bully.

[Aubrey's really not that.]

Adam helps me...

That helps Sunny. [He can keep her from the truth if she lets him.]

[headhooligan]

[It’s familiar yet not, the way he holds himself. Certainly nothing Aubrey’s seen from Omori yet, even when he was (played at, dreamed of being?) vulnerable.

[He can’t get rid of her. A concession. There’s no satisfaction in it, really; it’s just true.]

Omori… [Still a bit strange, on her tongue.] I know we’re not friends, you and me. And I won’t push you to be, if you don’t want that.

You never asked me to leave Sunny alone, and you’re right that now I won’t… not as long as he wants me there. I just…

[Is she talking too much? It’s too late.]

I want to help.

[Keep him safe.]

Both of you.

[sadpoem]

[Omori squeezes Aubrey's hand.

[They were friends once. She was always so happy to see him. He liked her bow, but pretended not to see. She could Pep Talk him through anything.

[That feels like a long time ago, now. Sunny's dreams have changed.]

Listen to me...[Now, yes, but in general, too. Just listen...]

I know him better. [He does. Better than anyone. Better than Sunny even knows himself. How could anyone deny it?]

[headhooligan]

[She wants to deny it. Very, very badly.

[It’s been four years.

[For once, Aubrey keeps her mouth shut, and nods.]

[sadpoem]

[There's a moment of quiet.]

What do you like about him?

[headhooligan]

[Ah....]

He’s… [A pause. Omori insists he knows Sunny better. All Aubrey has is what’s happened since, and…]

I like… the way he smiles. [Soft. Sweet.] I know he doesn’t like to do it much, but… it’s in his eyes, sometimes. [Gentle.] When Kenma comes in his window, or he’s drawing, or just… being silly.

I like his voice. [Hers is wavering.] He’s always been quiet, and I know that talking is hard for him, too… but that way, what he says, he really means it. He’s—you’ve both even figured out how to talk without speaking, on the phone. And I’m glad.

I like, just… how he sees the world. What I can understand of that. I mean, he thought this was a dream—and I don’t need to tell you that, Omori, and it breaks my heart [hot tears rolling down her cheeks again], but—he would dream up somewhere like this, huh? [Hah. She’s smiling.] Somewhere to explore, and just… get away from it all, and.

[Pause. Shaky breath in. Out, slowly. At some point, early, Aubrey’s gaze dropped from Omori onto their hands, still held together. She pulls her blurred sight back to his face.]

I love Sunny.

[She’ll have to lose him again.]

I do.

[And she’d do it all again in a heartbeat, if it meant one more day.]

[sadpoem]

[Two pale hands find Aubrey's cheeks, tenderly thumbing away tears. Omori tries to meet her eyes.

[Once he does:]

What do you hate about him?

[headhooligan]

[Nothing. Hah. Patent bullshit; they all know it.]

I hate… that he ever went away at all.

[Hands released, Aubrey wipes lightly at her eyes. More left over.]

Sometimes when I’d talk to him, for hours and hours, I’d feel like… maybe he wasn’t listening anymore. Not that I can blame him.

I wish… he’d felt like he could talk to us, too.

[It wasn’t his fault.]

[sadpoem]

[Test failed, though it was an impossible one to pass.

[She really doesn't know Sunny, at all.]

You hate me.

[It's no secret, now, is it? They're part of each other.

[He hasn't let go of her face...]

[headhooligan]

[Aubrey tells herself one thing: No matter how this turns out, she will not take it out on him.]

Look, Omori…

[Tentatively, she starts to reach for his wrists; stops, before making contact. It’s familiar....]

You frustrate me. You do.

I can’t hate you if it kills me.

[sadpoem]

[Omori lowers his hands.]

I don't believe you.

[Simple as that.]

That's okay. I don't need to.

[They've come to an understanding. No need to rehash the whole thing.]

We will protect Sunny.

[headhooligan]

[She wasn’t trying to convince him. Actions speak louder, anyway.]

[Simply, Aubrey nods.]

We will.

[sadpoem]

[Well, sure - then, it's a promise. Friends always keep their promises without fail, right?

[At the end of the day, there's only one person who can protect Sunny, but there's been a need to adapt. Aubrey isn't going away. Cooperation has to do...]

Is that all?

[An invitation, perhaps; whether in or out, it's unclear.]