warmth (sunny & basil)

then tomorrow

The meal that Hero cooked was fantastic. No one could even speak; they were too engrossed in their own plate of food. Hero breathed a sigh of relief knowing everyone was satisfied.

"Hero, dear?" their mom asked, "Why aren't you eating yet?"

"Ah, well...I don't even know! I guess I'll go take a few bites," he took some food and placed it on his plate.

He was just busy appreciating how they loved his cooking. He hadn't done this in a while. He remembered almost giving up on cooking since that day, and also because he's been so busy...but he's glad could do what he loves again.

Sunny and Basil were the first ones to finish; they're not really the type to eat much, but Kel was still there, munching.

"Me and Basil will wash the dishes," Sunny offered.

"What?" Hero stopped eating.

The same happened with their mom. "What?"

Their dad was left stunned.

"A-Ah, it's just – we feel bad for coming in like this and crashing your din –"

"Unacceptable, Sunny! Both of you are our guests, and your mom entrusted you to us. We can't have you doing such a thing."

"It's just for today, Ma'am," Basil tried to convince her. "It's fine for us, don't worry."

"Well...let me think."

Both of them looked at her with much anticipation.

"...if you really insist, then...maybe I can allow you. Hero could use a break, too, and... Kel!" she hit the back of Kel's head – but not hard, it was only enough to startle the boy, since he was so busy eating. "You better help them!"

"Y-Yeah! Of course," and he continued to eat. Silly boy.

They all laughed; feeling the atmosphere of a fun, happy family, that were always there for each other.

--

After everyone had finished, only Basil, Sunny, and Kel were left in the dining room. Kel was...too full to even move.

"You guys..." he said. "You guys can handle this, I think. I'm gonna go and...crash..."

Slowly drifting off to sleep, he took all of what's left of his strength to get up from his seat and go out, holding his stomach.

Basil and Sunny only giggled, taking all the plates from the table to the kitchen.

"So..." Sunny started.

"So...?"

Basil put all the dishes onto the sink.

Sunny hugged him from behind, burying his face on the flower boy's back.

"I have you all to myself again," he said.

"Sunny – what are you doing!?" Basil got flustered again, but he couldn't even move. He felt the heat from Sunny's body.

"You're driving me insane," he told.

"A-And you think you're not driving me insane!? Look at what you're doing!"

"I just wanna be with you. Always. Your touch, your warmth. It's like I crave for them each time you're gone. Do you have any idea how much you keep me up at night just because I miss you? I wake up everyday and my first thought is seeing you. What have you done to me, Basil? Why do I want to be with you so much?"

Basil removed Sunny's arms; they were wrapped around him. He turned around and saw a shy, blushing, and maybe a little frustrated boy.

"Do you like me, Sunny?"