OUTRUN THE TRUTH {OMORI AU} (OLD)

Manipulation Is Easy

TW: Foul language, Manipulation.

BASIL leans against the window with a lazy posture, letting out a sigh as he rubs his eyes and casts a glance towards KEL, who is sleeping peacefully. Feeling curious about KEL's dreams, BASIL walks over and gently pokes his sleeping face, causing KEL to stir in his sleep.

'Hmphh...', KEL huffs in his sleep.

BASIL couldn't help but giggle at the thought of KEL sleeptalking, but the memory of their recent fight dampened his mood. He realized that if KEL woke up, he might be angry with him, so he rubbed his neck and frowned, leaning against the wall. He remembered something HERO had told him a few years ago - that KEL was prone to sleeptalking.

'..Hey, KEL..?', BASIL whispers, trying to see if he would respond to him.

BASIL couldn't help but find it amusing when KEL emitted a small 'hmm?' in response to him. He realized that he could talk to KEL while he was sleeping and KEL would never know. However, BASIL also felt a twinge of guilt at the thought of invading KEL's privacy.

'Hmm, Hey, have you seen AUBREY lately..?', BASIL continues to whisper. He was really curious on what KEL was going to say. He himself hasn't seen AUBREY in a long while.

'..Nooo...Captain Spaceboy is deadd...', KEL mumbles before shoving his face into the pillow.

BASIL chuckles quietly. He decides to leave him alone and turns towards the door to exit the room. However, as he opens the door, he is surprised to see someone standing there, blocking his way.

'Uhhh....What are you doing..?', BASIL looks up, confused.

HERO looks down and smiles.

'Oh uh good morning BASIL! I was just visiting 'KEL'. That's his name, right..?', HERO smiles brightly. 

'Uh yeah...that's his name. Do..you seriously not remember anything..?', BASIL tilts his head, still being cautious of HERO. 

'Hmm, nope!', HERO chuckles. 

BASIL looked at HERO weirdly before stepping aside.

'Well, you can't talk to KEL cause he's sleeping right now.', BASIL points to KEL.

Turning away from BASIL, HERO's gaze falls directly on KEL and his eyes widen in surprise.

'That's...my little brother?', HERO says, seemingly saddened by the fact KEL was covered in bandages.

'Yup..wait how did you even get here if you don't remember KEL?', BASIL raises his brow.

'My mom told me to check up on KEL. She said that KEL had to get out of the hospital today or tomorrow or she'll burn all his books.', HERO rubs his neck nervously. 

Despite his personal inclination to let KEL stay longer, BASIL didn't express any opinion. As he wasn't KEL's guardian, he didn't have any authority to influence KEL's mother's decision and he didn't want to add more stress to himself.