Mari won the race. Sunny came in second. Basil came in 4th, losing to a Koopa Troopa CPU.
The end of race fanfare played as Mari celebrated her victory. "The still undefeated MarioKart champion!"
"You were using Funky Kong, of course you won." Sunny rolled his eyes bitterly. Or maybe just saltily?
"I feel a bit sick... I'll be right back..." Basil suddenly stood up and rushed to the bathroom.
A few moments of silence passed by. Polly had gone outside to talk to a few of her friends, so no sounds but some muffled conversation, and Basil gagging in the distance.
"Looks like it's just us two, hm?" Mari smiled.
"Mm." Sunny made an acknowledgemental hum. Then he noticed her smile.
It wasn't the familiar one from before. It seemed far more sinister. More... the word escaped Sunny. Her smile changed.
She pet Sunny's head in a way that felt just a bit too slow. "Whatcha thinking about, cutiepie?"
"D-Don't call me that..." Sunny said, a bit embarrassed, and a bit creeped out.
"But you are!" She pet slower and whispered in a strange and soft tone, "Good boy."
Sunny swatted off her hand, and tried to give Mari a look signalling that he was freaked out. She returned a pout.
Basil returned from the bathroom, looking disoriented. His hair was a mess from trying to keep it away from his face as he was gagging, and then puking.
"You okay?" Sunny asked with a look of concern.
Basil coughed before answering, "I'm okay. Just puked a bit. Sorry about that."
"It's fine. Did you eat anything strange lately?" Sunny spoke before his sister could try to switch topics.
"No, I don't know what it could've been. Whatever it was, it only started making me feel sick after I drank some water." Basil elaborated.
"Huh. Weird." Sunny responded briefly.
"Are you still okay to have this sleepover?" Mari asked in a worried tone.
"I'm okay, don't worry." Basil smiled.
Mari sighed and then smiled. "Alright, I'll set up the spare mattress for me and Sunny."
Basil and Sunny looked at each other awkwardly. At that moment, Polly came back in, Basil exhaling in relief.
"Hey Polly! I was just about to bring out the mattress, so you won't need to worry about it!"
Polly shook her head, "Sorry, Mari. Basil has a bit of a phobia of girls. Unless they're me or a doctor, he has somewhat of an aversion. He doesn't want any girls in his room."
Mari had a bit of an odd look. "Ah. Okay."
"You're straight right, Sunny? Are you fine with sleeping in Basil's bed?" Polly inquired.
"I trust him, I'll be fine." Sunny thought about what Polly meant while she walked to Basil's room to get the mattress. He began to blush as he realized.
Polly got the mattress through the doorway and began to struggle to move it out of the hallway. Mari rushed over and helped Polly move it to the living room.
Thank god for Polly.
Sunny and Basil moved out of the way for the other two to place the mattress onto the living room floor. Basil grabbed Sunny's hand.
Sunny blushed deeply. He reasoned in his mind why it wasn't gay to think about kissing Basil. Definitely straight.
"Oh, jeez, look at the time! I better get dinner started!" Polly rushed into the kitchen, Mari following behind.
"Is it okay if I help?" Mari asked from the kitchen. Sunny and Basil sat on the couch and prepared for a rematch in Mariokart.
"At least we know you won't be getting sick from any food today. Two cooks guarantee it." Sunny joked.
Basil giggled his usual cute laugh before replying, "Actually, Polly was making steak and rice today, so you chose a good night to sleep over."
Sunny blushed from Basil's laughter, but his mind was occupied, imagining steak. Delice.
Sunny chose Yoshi, his usual choice, and Basil chose his usual, Dry Bones.
Sunny used the Classic Dragster, and Basil used the default kart. Star Cup. A few races later, and Sunny won this time. Basil came in fourth again, losing to Waluigi and Rosalina.
"How come you're so good at this?" Basil asked incredulously. Sunny was also puzzled, more at how Basil lost to Waluigi, who was using probably the worst possible kart in the game.
A loud thud came from the window, making the pair jump.
"What was that?" Polly asked from the kitchen, "Are you two okay?"
"We're fine. It was from outside." Basil called back, "We should go check what it was." Basil continued, addressing Sunny this time.
Sunny nodded. He began to think of what it could have been. The sound was the sort of thunk you'd expect if you heard someone throw their backpack at a window while you're inside.
The pair speed walked over to their shoes, donning them, then headed out the door. Sunny looked around quickly. No backpacks nearby.
"Oh no..." Basil covered his mouth in shock and sadness. Sunny looked to where Basil was looking. A dove that had died. Likely doing what it loved, slamming its head into a window.
Closer inspection revealed that the dove had already began to rot even though it only died at a maximum of a minute or two ago.
How odd.
YOU ARE READING
A Cage with No Key
Fanfic- AU - Sunny has been making his way through school as Mari has started her success as a pianist, playing for national events and concerts. throughout it all, she hasn't moved out, though. She says it's for Sunny, but it couldn't be for him alone, o...
