warmth (sunny & basil)

i'll let you be

"I'll promise my heart to you."

Basil spent a few moments processing what he just heard.

"I won't like anyone if it's not you. So...promise me, okay? I'm...your only one..." At this point, Sunny was avoiding eye contact. He was probably getting embarrassed of the words coming out of his mouth. And also the fact that he's doing this in front of Kel's house.

"I – I promise, Sunny," Basil answered. "Even though it's impossible for me to start liking someone else."

"Sunny! What are you doing outside?" Kel asked. Sunny flinched.

"None of your business! I'm heading back in soon," he let go of Basil's hand. "Do you...do you wanna come in for now? It's cold, and you came all the way here."

"It's not like I live that far away."

"I missed you."

"W-Well, if you insist, who am I to say no?"

Both of them went in – and Basil was greeted by Hero carrying Sally. He was even wearing an apron.

"Oh, Basil! Nice of you to come here," he struggled with Sally, who was moving around too much. "Unfortunately, I can't do anything right now. But you can stay here for as long as you like."

"Thanks, Hero. Sally's so cute."

"Isn't she? She looks just like her big brother!" he smiled.

"She looks like me," Kel said, coming into the living room. "Isn't that right, Sally-Wally?"

"Sally-Wally?" Sunny looked at him in disgust – but you know, in a joking manner.

Basil laughed. He liked the ambiance in their house. It seemed so lively, with so many people. All he ever had was his grandmother and Polly. He felt lonely inside his own house, and sometimes he wondered how it felt to have his parents with him, too. To have a mom to tuck him into bed and kiss him goodnight, to have a dad to teach him some cool things. But they've always been absent, so he's always been alone. It was hard for him growing up, but eventually he had to accept it. Though acceptance can't reverse the damage it did to him. They didn't leave, and they do give him enough financial support...and give him things he wants...but being actually there for him is different.

He brought his attention back to Sunny. He zoned out again. They sat near the fireplace to warm themselves up.

"It's getting colder lately," Basil said, warming his hands.

Sunny took his arm and hugged it.

"Sunny?"

"This is more efficient. I think."

"You're silly. It's not," Basil laughed. "But I'll let you be since you're cute."

"Hnn.."

Sunny looked like he was really enjoying Basil's arm.

"If you keep that up, I might even get jealous of my own arm," he joked.

"Aw, do you want a hug too?"

"Maybe when there's not too many people."

"But when we were kids, you always liked hugging me!"

"T-That's –" Basil felt embarrassed. "We were kids. Things are different when you're older."

"Don't say that, Basil, or he'll get upset," Kel teased.

He looked at Kel, then back at Sunny. The look on his face asked, 'He knows?'

"It's not like we can hide it from them, anyway. And there's no problem with them knowing. Right, Kel?"

"Yeah! Love is love, guys!" he smiled.

Basil blushed at the thought of love. He felt Sunny's heat from his arm. Love, huh? He wondered if he'll be able to say the 3-word sentence to him someday.

"Only less than a month till you leave."

Sunny frowned. "Stop thinking of that. Let's cherish the present, then get sad later." He gave his arm back and cupped Basil's face, squishing it. "I don't want you to be sad right now."

"Y-Yeah...you're right..." Basil said. Squished.

"Do you want to stay for dinner, Basil? I'll be cooking tonight," Hero offered. It was Kel's turn to take care of Sally.

"Sure! I missed your cooking. I'll go have to tell Polly, though, so she doesn't need to cook a lot later."

"Then I'll go with you," Sunny said.

"It's just a quick run –"

The boy whined. "But I wanna be with youuuu..."

Kel was pretending not to notice his best friend's behavior. It was a side of Sunny he definitely never saw before, and definitely don't wanna see again.

"L-Let's make it quick, then," Basil said. He stood up.

Sunny's eyes sparkled. "We'll be back soon, guys."

In truth, Sunny wanted some alone time with Basil after spending less than two days away from him. It was mostly his fault, though, but still. He wanted this opportunity to do something for him.

Maybe something will happen in the last days of January.