warmth (sunny & basil)

you're in love

Things were a little awkward for Aubrey and Basil. He found her sitting inside a cafe, looking at the pictures she's taken. He went inside, not thinking of the consequences he'd face. Now they're in front of each other, both afraid of what they have to say.

Basil didn't want to extend the awkwardness further. "So, um...about...what you read..."

"I won't tell anyone, I promise. I swear. Your secret is safe. I'd never do that to you, you know? You're precious to me, our dear Basil, and I would never do anything to harm you. I'm really sorry I looked into that notebook, I know I shouldn't have, but -- "

"Wait, slow down -- Aubrey,"

This was not the kind of reaction the boy was expecting. He swore the that she would've hated him by now. He took a deep breath.

"You don't hate me...?"

Aubrey was now more shocked than scared. To think that he had that idea; how much did he actually trust her? But then again, she did do something unworthy of his trust...

"Hate you? Basil, I'd never! What kind of person do you think I am? Homophobic?"

"H...Huh...?"

"Was that what you were worried about? That I'd act indifferent towards you after... knowing?" she looked down to her drink. "I was afraid you'd hate me too, you know..."

"How could I hate you, Aubrey? Although...I did get angry and betrayed that you read it...because it's so personal to me... B-But other than that, I'd never hate my best friend. Especially someone who I've been with for years."

Aubrey sighed in relief. "I'm still in the wrong. You're allowed to get angry at me. I'm really sorry for snooping in like that. I acted like an 11-year-old."

"Just... don't do that ever again.... not just to me, but to anyone, okay? Also... don't come into someone's room like that,"

"Yeah," Aubrey laughed nervously. "That's my bad too. We're friends, but we still have boundaries. Thanks for being so understanding, Basil. I don't deserve it, but you're such a nice guy."

"I'm not like this just to anyone. You, Sunny, Kel, Hero...you're my most precious friends."

Both smiled, glad that their misunderstanding was over in a blink.

"So..." Aubrey started. "Are we allowed to talk about the contents of that diary, though?"

Basil's cheeks started flushing again. It's like he completely forgot that Aubrey now knows his feelings for Sunny. That he loves him, that he's his everything.

"I've never...really talked about it with anyone."

"If you're not comfortable doing so, I won't pry any longer. But I'm here to remind you that you're not alone in this anymore, okay? You're struggling to accept the challenges that come from liking him, right?"

He nodded. "I don't know what to do, Aubrey. My feelings are so intense. I feel them so deeply, like they're somewhere caged inside my heart and something is stopping them from being free."

"Hm...maybe...you're stopping it?"

"What...?"

"I don't think you've fully accepted the idea that you like him. Is it because he's a boy?"

Basil gulped. It was as if she was hitting all the correct buttons.

"I'm not that well-versed in this kind of stuff, but...maybe you should start by accepting yourself first. Then see where that leads you."

"But how, Aubrey? How do I accept myself?"

She took a sip of her drink. "If you like him, then you like him. Without thinking of anything else."

"I...like him..."

"What makes you like him?"

"Well..." Basil gets embarrassed. "He's...really nice. He's always there for me, and being around him feels the most natural thing ever. His presence gives me comfort, like my favorite flower... I don't need to act like I'm someone else in front of him, I can just be me and he accepts that. Even if we do nothing, that's fine with us, because just being with each other is enough... I like his smile a lot, because it used to be a rare thing, and now I get to see it every time I'm with him. The thought of being with him makes me extremely happy, like no other negativity can harm me... as long as..."

Aubrey was staring at him.

"W-What are you doing?"

"My gosh, Basil," she said. "You're in love."