Hey Sunshine

Sorry About the Pink

WHEN SOMEBODY WAS EXHAUSTED and suffering from sleep deprivation, there were a couple different ways to tell. The most identifiable sign though, was the darkened circles under their eyes. Those came as a result of the dehydration and dullness that their skin suffered when they weren't sleeping. When their skin became dehydrated and dull, the area below the eyes - already thin and incredibly susceptible - allowed dark blood vessels and tissue to appear through the skin and create dark circles.

Wylan had regularly suffered from dark circles when he was younger. During that one week when he had been locked inside his room, the dark circles had grown so strong he looked ill. The night of his exams had also produced large lilac spots under his eyes, as well as the night his apartment had gotten trashed, the couple days when the group was locked inside the cafe, the time he had gotten the threat letter, the time Jesper was blocking him out.

He knew the signs of sleep deprivation like the back of his hand. Dark dark circles spiraling around your eyes - so dark they reflected a purple night sky - , a slowness to step, a delayed weariness filling your veins and pumping your blood. It was an aura that surrounded you - contagious, like a biting snake, lashing out and wrapping around others.

Kuweii reeked of exhaustion.

#

"Hey Wylan."

Wylan twisted around to see Kuweii standing there randomly, gesturing to his suitcase. He resisted the urge to jump from shock, and rather just gave his old friend a smile. "Hey Kuweii," he responded tiredly. "It's great to see you again."

Kuweii had long dark circles under his eyes, so deep Wylan could probably go shopping with them. His hair was as messy as possible - shaggy black angles fell everywhere, curling at the tip of his neck - and the gold eyes Wylan had remembered were dulled, by age and weariness. Quite simply, Kuweii looked like he was about to fall asleep right there and then.

"Yeah, you too," Kuweii responded. "Do you want me to take your bag?"

Wylan shook his head, dragging the long handle behind him easily. "It's fine. You look exhausted by the way - do you want to grab a coffee on the way?"

Kuweii let out a sharp sound that Wylan shifted uneasily at. "No thanks," he said exhaustedly. "It's just allergens."

He raised an eyebrow, but decided not to ask why Kuweii had used the scientific name for allergies rather than just saying the word himself. "Alright," he said. "If you need Claritin or anything, just ask. I'm pretty sure a pharmacy is nearby and I'll be happy to pick it up for you."

Kuweii gave him a watery smile and gestured to some obscure exit, covered by lines of people. "Well let's go," he said softly. "Singapore's not going to wait forever, my friend."

#

Kuweii's house was about as large as Wylan remembered it. There was still a massive pool by the side of the house, complete with a kitchen as large as his old apartment - the thought of it brought a frown to his face - and a buzzing staff, that came to Kuweii immediately. "Do you want us to make anything sir?" they asked, before looking at Wylan.

He shrugged. "Wylan?"
Wylan hesitated before asking for a coffee, and the two made their way upstairs.

Kuweii pointed to various things as Wylan's eyes caught on them and he raised an eyebrow as he noted various different belongings. There were chemical equations written on a blackboard, scientific journals and textbooks littering the staircase, and a poster with every single Einstein quote ever said, running through exactly three rooms. "Wow," Wylan said quietly. "These decorations are amazing Kuweii."