warmth (sunny & basil)

maybe tomorrow, but definitely not now

Sunny wanted to see Basil.

It was the next day after they went to the park. They had no plans of meeting up, but he was craving his presence. He missed him, his hands, his warmth, the lovely, unexplained feeling he gets when he's with him. Maybe he should surprised him by coming to his house uninvited again?

He's worried that he might be sick of him, though -- they've been seeing each other everyday. Though he believes that's not the case. Basil would never think that way, right?

"I'm going out," he told Kel.

"What? Again? Where? Wait, no -- don't answer that. It's Basil."

He didn't reply.

"Come on, man! You've gotta play with me some time. I bought a new cool game. I'm tired of being with Hero."

"I heard that!" Hero shouted from the other room.

"Whatever!" he shouted back. "Anyway, I won't stop you from going. Just don't come home late. Mom gets worried."

"Okay, Mom."

"Wha -- I'm not your mom!"

"I'll be back before then, don't worry." He put on his favorite black shirt.

"You're always with Basil. Be honest. Do you like him?"

Sunny hesitated for a bit.

"I'm not sure."

Kel was not expecting that answer. "I was...kidding...but good for you! Good for you!"

"Do you think it's weird?"

"Why would I think that?"

"I don't know, we're both boys? It's kind of uncommon...I think."

Kel patted his shoulder. "Liking people isn't uncommon. Whether you're both boys or both girls shouldn't matter! At least, that's what I believe in!"

He made a point. Sunny decided to finally come into terms with that.

"Thanks, Kel. I feel better."

Kel smiled. "Of course! Now go get him. Tell me all the details when you get home!"

"As if I'd do that."

--

Sunny walked to Basil's house. He found him outside, tending to his plants. He smiled -- unconsciously, because Basil taking care of them was cute, he thinks.

Wouldn't you think so too?

"Hey," Sunny called out.

Basil got startled. "S-Sunny!?"

He laughed, walking closer to him. "Did I scare you?"

"W-What are you doing here?"

"No reason. Got bored."

The flower boy tilted his head.

"...and I missed you."

Basil giggled, extending his arms. "You're silly. Come here."

Sunny hugged him. He loved this; he could feel his warmth again in this cold weather. He wished he could have this everyday, he wished he could see him whenever he wanted to. But eventually he's gonna return to his home, far away from Basil again. He doesn't want that. He wants him.

...I want him?

"Sunny?"

"Sorry," he broke the hug. "Spaced out for a bit. It's just really nice inside your arms."

"I'd love for you to stay in them forever, but I have little children to tend to."

"Your plants?"

"Shh! They're sensitive," he joked.

Sunny chuckled. He treats his plants with so much care, so much love. He even talks to them as if each one had their own little personality. Sunny thought that was endearing. He wondered how he'd treat him, if Sunny was to become Basil's...

"Are there any new ones?"

For some reason, that question made Basil's eyes sparkle. He was excited to show him his little plants and flowers. He put all his love and effort into them, and for Sunny to appreciate and take interest in them were small things that overjoyed him.

He crouched down to face his plants. "I have these peace lilies. The meaning is in its name...it's for peace! When you go through something hard, or lost something very important..." he looked at Sunny. "This reminds you that you can still achieve peace after, that there will always be hope, no matter how much you suffered. "

He moved to the next plant. "These are succulents, I love how they look. They symbolise loyalty. It reminds me of how you're always there for me."

"This is..." Basil laughed a little. "It's kind of weird for me, but it's called the holy basil."

"Holy basil?" Sunny questioned.

"Yeah...it symbolises eternal life," he looked at him. "If I could live forever, I'd still prefer to spend those days with you."

"Basil..."

"Ah, but of course, we could have differing opinions! If you lived forever, what would --"

"I want to spend forever with you."

"-- you do -- h-huh!?"

That was so sudden. Basil didn't have time to react.

"Forever seems like a long, long time..." Sunny continued. "But I think I wouldn't mind if you're in it."

"W-What's with you? You're saying weird things," Basil started flushing.

"Weird?"

He crouched to get on Basil's level. He looked at him in the eyes.

"Is being in love with you weird?"

"In...what!?"

Sunny stood up, dusting off his pants. "I just got reminded that I have to buy groceries. I'll be off,"

"W-Wait, you just got here --"

He couldn't say anything anymore after seeing redness from Sunny's cheeks. He understood.

"Then..." Basil stood up, giving him a loving smile. "See me soon again, okay?"

"Y..Yeah."

So he walked away, facing the direction opposite of Othermart.

--

Inside Basil's room, he's with his diary again.

January 23rd
It hasn't been a week since our agreement, but he...he told me...he's in love with me!? What!? What is he saying? Does he know the gravity of his words? Does he know that he might give me a heart attack at any moment? I tried my best to stay cool earlier, but deep inside, I was ready to explode. Both from happiness and surprise. Does he mean it...? Does he love me...? I...I love you too, Sunny...I hope that when tomorrow comes, that love remains. When you leave, I hope you take your love with you. I love you. I love you.

--

After Sunny returned to Kel and Hero's house, Kel realised how red Sunny was. It was faint, but it was there. He looked at him with a smug face.

"Something happen, lover boy?"

"S-Shut up, Kel."

"So, what happened?"

"Nothing. We just hang out."

"For 30-ish minutes?"

"None of your business, Mom."

Kel laughed. "Proud of you, son."

Sunny couldn't believe he said that. It was a spur of the moment type of thing. Maybe he should've thought twice before blurting it out, but he didn't even think. He just said it.

Does he regret it?

Maybe tomorrow, but definitely not now.