Sunny Suzuki's Harem of Childhood Friends

An Interlude

CW///Mentions of death, dark humor

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When Aubrey and Sunny got into Sunny's yard, they saw that everyone that was previously asleep was on the verge of a screaming match.

"Fuck," Aubrey whispered, giving Sunny's hand a squeeze.

The two of them headed up to the group, trying to ignore the freezing nighttime air that bit into their skin and clothes.

Kel was the first to notice them. "Aubrey!" He broke from the group and raced forward, throwing his arms around Aubrey.

Basil was next, tearing up immediately. "Sunny!" Basil did the same, except he pulled Sunny into a hug.

Hero and Mari watched for a moment. Then, quietly, Mari muttered, "Aubrey, you're coming with me. Sunny, you can go with Hero and Kel. I'll send over Basil with a change of clothes for you."

A shiver ran down Sunny's spine, but not from the cold. When Mari was calm...it means she was withholding her anger...

Which always, without fail, ended in disaster.

"Come on," Hero murmured, placing a hand on Sunny's shoulder.

The two brothers led Sunny to their house, and Sunny found that their house was completely clean. Makes sense, seeing as they didn't have an absent mother, jailbird father, or disabled sister (though one of those get complete forgiveness).

Sunny's previous excitement about getting a girlfriend fizzled, and he found himself finally feeling the weight of the day and that evening upon his shoulders.

He got rejected.

He almost died.

He had a terrible nightmare.

Sunny hugged himself, tearing up. He felt a hand lay upon his back, so he looked up to see a concerned Hero.

"You should take a hot bath," Hero murmured.

Sunny's bottom lip trembled.

"Do you need help?" Kel asked.

Sunny nodded, and Kel pulled out his phone. A moment later, Kel led Sunny to the bathroom.

"Do you want some bubbles?" Kel asked.

Sunny nodded, and Kel began running the water. Sunny was so cold...

"Alright." Kel's voice was soft. "Do you need me in there with you?"

Sunny shook his head, but he reached out and took the hem of Kel's jersey between his fingers.

"Please...stay."

"Alright, mi sol." The old petname Kel had used for Sunny sat in the air as he turned around. "Go ahead and get undressed. Let me know when you're ready."

Sunny nodded and stripped, shakily trying to get in the tub. He immediately put his foot back on the bathroom floor, and frustrated tears came to his eyes.

"Kel...I-I need help."

Kel turned around and, while keeping his eyes on Sunny's, lifted the shorter boy and helped him into the tub. Sunny sank into the water, staring blankly at the bubbles.

"Is it one of those nights?" Kel whispered.

Sunny nodded.

Kel nodded back. "Alright. Lay back. Let me take care of you."

Sunny complied, letting his mind wander. When he and Kel were still young and innocent, they took baths together whenever they were having "one of those nights." Mari and Hero had supported them because it was a comfort to both boys, and they'd found solace in bubble beards and rubber ducks and gentle fingers washing their hair.