Nameless Ghoul

Control

They sat side by side at the piano for a little while. Sunshine played delicate melodies absentmindedly as they talked.

“It wasn’t you that upset me, but I can’t handle it when you run off like that. You never need to apologise for that stuff to me. I understand and I would never think badly of you for it,” she said as she tinkered away. “I knew you needed space, so I left you to it. But next time? Please let me know if it’s heading that way and I'll back off, okay?”

His brain was still stuck on the part where she had said ‘next time’, but he nodded.

“It happened so quickly, there wasn’t anything I could do. I’m sorry if I scared you, but I think I’d pushed myself too much. It was going so well and everything was perfect and I thought I would be okay. My brain chooses the worst fucking moments to spit out bad memories and shut itself down. I hate this, being triggered by the slightest little thing.”

Sunshine put her arm around his back and snuggled into his side.

“It’s going to take a lot of time, but that’s okay. Hopefully, we will have time.”

He wasn’t so sure about that, but he pulled her closer to him and kissed the top of her head.

“I’ve never done this before. I’ve never had a real life where I've had to navigate this stuff. Santos summoned me when I was young, so I never had time to bond with anyone except my family at home. Everything here is new to me.”

Sunshine smiled sympathetically at him.

"You're doing a pretty good job of learning so far," she said as she stifled a yawn and checked her phone for the time. “Wow, it’s late. Are you hungry?”

“Yes, actually.” When he thought about it, he was pretty hungry. “Want me to make us something?”

She glanced sideways at him with a sly grin.

“Am I safe to answer yes to that?”

“It depends how much you like scrambled eggs and toast I guess,” he said with a shrug.

They headed back to the kitchen, which was empty when they got there. Swiss, Aether and Sodo were playing guitars in the lounge, drinking beers and chatting. They raised their bottles to Itzal and Sunshine as they arrived.

“You joining us?” Aether asked.

Sunshine shook her head.

"Maybe another time. We’re going to eat and then sleep.”

“Okay, have fun kids!” he said, and the others laughed.

Sunshine sat at the breakfast bar while Itzal opened and closed the cupboards and the fridge. He grabbed a pan, bread, butter, eggs and seasoning. He found them some plates and utensils too.

He could feel Sunshine’s eyes on him as he worked, using his very basic kitchen skills. It wasn’t much, but he wanted to do something for her. She’d put up with him and looked after him since he arrived here, and he wanted to do something nice for her for a change.

He found some apple juice in the fridge and poured her a glass. She thanked him as he handed it to her, and she smiled with mischief as she took a little sip.

“Look at you, Mr. Big Scary Ghoul, being all domesticated. It looks good on you.” Itzal glared at her playfully over his shoulder as he stirred the eggs. He quickly buttered the toast and plated it all up, sliding the plate in front of her and passing her a knife and fork. He brought his own plate over and sat down on the opposite side to her, watching as she put a forkful in her mouth. “Not bad at all! You can definitely cook for me again," she said with a cheeky smile.