Chapter Text
Something was back.
White Space was back.
And Sunny was Terrified.
The infinite white room around him made the darkness of Something stand out as once again it waited there unmoving… just staring at him. Suddenly he feels something on his shoulder, a hand. Looking back towards it he was met with a very familiar face he had wished to never see again. His alter ego Omori looked into his eye with his own blank expression and that all too familiar steak knife in hand. Soon the knife was in the middle of being thrust into Sunny’s left eye, but it never made contact.
Sunny awoke with a gasp and shot up from his pillow, his heavy breathing and panting being only sounds in the room. His heart was pounding as he tried to regain his composure from the nightmare. He looked at the clock on his nightstand to the left of him. It read 4:29AM. Still trying to recover he looked to the right where he saw a familiar face with pink hair sleeping soundly on a futon. The sight of Aubrey was enough to get him to start calming down.
‘It’s fine, everything is going to be okay. As long as she’s here it will all be okay…’ This thought rang out in his head for a couple of minutes as he just stared at her. Eventually he fell back onto his pillow, the panic subsiding and his heartrate becoming steady once more. Sunny then lifted his hand to his right eye, or rather where it should have been. It had been two years since that day, a day he knew could have gone much worse for him and his best friend Basil if he let their guilt and fear overtake them completely.
Life certainly wasn’t any easier after that. He recalls the conversation in the hospital constantly. The expressions on the faces of his friends burned into his mind forever. Hero’s pain and rage, Kel’s shock and horror, Basil’s guilt and anxiety. Reliving the memory yet another time was difficult but there was one thing that made it bearable. The look that was on Aubrey’s face. She did not seem shocked like Kel, furious like Hero or even in pain like Basil. She looked understanding, as if she could feel his emotions right then and there. Maybe she had learned the acceptance like he had.
Coming back to the present, Sunny looked back at the clock. It now read 4:51AM. He then took another peak at Aubrey. He always loved her sleeping face, how serene it was to her usual aggressive front. Her breaths were slow and steady as she remained unaware of the waking world around her. It relaxed him greatly to know that he wasn’t alone anymore. Exhaustion quickly caught up with him as he fell back asleep, his dreams now filled with the girl he had come to rely on rather than his haunting past.
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Sunlight broke through the curtains and as usual Aubrey was the one to wake up first. Rubbing the remnants of sleep from her eyes she turned towards he who had become her savior. It had been a little over a year since she moved in with him. She recalls the speech she gave on her knees that cold and rainy night to Sunny’s mom. His mom was not a cruel person by any means but she had to think realistically of how she would be able to support the three of them. But then came Sunny, with his heart of gold. He declared he would look for a part time job while in school to help support the extra member and was nearly on his knees as well. Eventually his mom gave in after enough pressure and now here they are one year later.
Everyone in Faraway had known of the situation in Aubrey’s house but were useless in doing anything about it. The failure of the adults in the town was a common trend that nobody had ever exposed. Or maybe everyone wanted to remain blissfully ignorant of their own inaction and the consequences of it? Aubrey shook her head. None of that mattered anymore.
She smiled as she saw Sunny’s resting face, even now all she could see is the shy boy he was all those years ago, but she knew it was different than before. He had definitely grown over the last two years both emotionally and physically. That second part upset her a bit since he had gotten an inch above her recently. Granted that did not change the fact she could easily carry his scrawny body over her shoulder, she did miss it.
Quietly she got up from bed and threw on some grey sweatpants and a light jacket before leaving the room. The weekend chill of autumn had made its home in the hallway because of an open window. Aubrey walks over to shut it and takes a quick peak outside. The early morning rabble of people getting ready for work was a sight to behold. The man across the street swearing at his outdated junker for not working the 3rd time this week. To the woman who tripped and dropped her coffee on the ground in a rush for work. Aubrey noticed this as the woman who yelled at her over accidently putting glass in the recyclables one time and chuckled.
Making her way towards the bathroom she notes her disheveled hair. ‘I’ll fix it after I get back.’ She thought to herself as she brushed her teeth. The minty fresh tooth paste cleansed her awful morning breath. Afterwards she made her way downstairs making sure her wallet, keys and phone were still in her jacket pocket before putting on her shoes and heading out the door. The cold nipped at her exposed hands as she closed the door behind her and started to walk towards her destination.
Some time had passed as she made her way deeper into the city, it was about 15 minutes since she had left the house and seen the usual city dwellers. From beggars not unlike those in Faraway to corporate slaves who had clearly lost all will to live. The cold air still bit her face during her trip. Leaves crunched beneath her shoes with every step, a nostalgic sound as she recounted her memories of Faraway. Memories and feelings that were long gone but still stuck with her. Her and Kel playing with Hector and dashing through the leaves. Sunny and Basil silently watching the antics along with Hero and Mari attempting to clean the yard but eventually joining in the fun.
‘Mari…’ a name she could never escape. Six years later and it still hurts to think about it. Her thoughts drifted to Sunny, if she felt in pain after this long she couldn’t imagine what it was like for him and Basil. Four years. Four years of emotions being bottled up and forced down inside. Even if what they did was terrible, and only magnified the pain everyone felt it does not mean they were beyond forgiveness. Before making amends with everyone she might have hated them, despised them even. But she had learned acceptance. Soon she had made it to her destination. A quaint little sandwich shop with a large banner decorated in green, red and white letters that read “Caesar’s” and headed in.
It was quiet, some people sitting off to the sides enjoying their breakfast. The smell of coffee and different breakfast foods filled the air along with sound of the early morning news on the two TV’s propped up in the shops corners.
“Aubrey! Here early this time I see! The usual for you and your partner?” She was greeted by a very cheerful Italian man behind the counter. His brown and curly hair coupled with his bushy mustache still made for a pleasant sight for Aubrey as he had become quite the friend to her and Sunny over the year.
“Yep, wanted to get here before the morning rush hit. And he’s not my partner but how you been C?”
“Aha you keep telling me that but I see the way you two look at each other. But things have been good! I’ve even been in talks to open up another shop and have my daughter run it!” He exclaimed happily while preparing the usual for Aubrey.
“Hey that sounds pretty good! I’m sure Mia will do a great job there.” Aubrey was happy to hear Mia being able to move up in the world. They along with Sunny had become friends at the high school. Mia even helped them land jobs at another coffee shop in the city which had proved to be an immense help after Aubrey moved in.
“Oh yes, I’ll be sad to see her go away but alas she must spread her wings. Oh and one thing about it.” He motioned Aubrey closer and whispered to her. “She thinks it’s going to be my shop but after the building is complete, I’m going to surprise her by showing her the deed is completely hers.” He giggled as he walked back to finish the order.
“Wow that’s really generous of you, I’m guessing as a reward for her helping out for so many years?”
“Of course! When times were tough, and I had to lay people off she was there eager to cook with her pop pop. I feel as though my failure became her burden, so I want to make it right.”
‘Burden huh?’ That word hung in the air for Aubrey. Burdens are something everyone is familiar with in different degrees.
Aubrey snapped back up as Caesar wrapped up two sandwiches for her order and started to ring it up.
“Oh can you add some cookies to that too?”
“Not a problem my dear! Don’t worry about the cookies either, on the house.” C cheerfully slid a dozen of his freshly baked cookies in the bag and pushed it towards Aubrey. The usual consisted of a packed breakfast sandwich filled with sausage, bacon, scrambled eggs, cheese, and hash browns. A monster of a sandwich that would make anyone’s stomach swollen with delight.
“Thanks C, you’re a really nice guy you know that?” Aubrey smiled as she slid the money towards C.
“Nonsense! I have to treat my favorite customers well don’t I?” Caesar happily accepted the money and readied her change.
“Nuh-uh not this time buddy.” Aubrey swiftly takes the bag of food and trots over to the exit. “You’re keeping the change this time and you are gonna like it. See ya next time C!” She shot finger guns over to him.
“Bwahaha! You always have a home here Aubrey! Never forget that!” Aubrey smiles as she leaves the shop and makes her way back home, Caesar’s boisterous laugh fading as the door closes behind her. She takes a peak at her phone for the time. 8:13AM. ‘I’m making pretty good time. Sunny should still be asleep.’
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The sun had peaked out even more as it started to cross over Sunny’s eye. It fluttered open as he slowly rose from his bed. Turning over he saw the empty bed of Aubrey. This was fairly normal as she would usually be the first to get up early in the morning but Sunny wished he could see her sleeping face one more time. Shaking off the remnants of sleep he got up and walked over to the bathroom. Once inside, he took notice of the large mirror in front of himself and had to steel himself.
Something had not made an appearing in years, at least not in the real world. It still haunted his dreams occasionally but that was managable. Fear gnawed at the back of his mind that one day he would see it again. Deciding to take a shower a bit earlier than usual, he pondered if Aubrey would be back before he finished. Normally he didn’t like to be left alone with his thoughts but it’s not like he had a choice with Aubrey being out and his mom being at work currently.
The shower did not take long, after about 10 minutes he got out and got dressed in just some casual clothes. Black sweatpants, a dark blue shirt and his now trademark eyepatch. Did he have to deal with the stupid pirate jokes for a time? Yea, but luckily his new teachers didn’t tolerate any of that when he was still in high school. His new friends also made it a point to make sure people knew it wasn’t going to fly. Aubrey CERTAINLY made it clear to people that it wasn’t funny once she had transferred over. This made things a bit easier for him. Just as he is putting on the last piece of clothing he is startled a knock on his door.
“Hey Sunny, rise and shi- okay no I’ve used that one too many times. Time to get up!” Aubrey opened the door just as Sunny was getting his shirt on. “Oh uh sorry, should have waited before barging in like that.” Slight embarrassment appeared on Aubrey’s face but she composed herself easily.
“Yea but that’s okay, I was just finishing up anyway.” Sunny sniffed at the air. “Hey what smells so good?” Aubrey smiled after his question and leaned against the door.
“Well, I decided to treat us to something nice this weekend so I took a little trip to Caesar’s and got us some breakfast! I didn’t want another kitchen disaster this morning…” Only Aubrey could have found a way to make cereal catch fire. She really should have taken those cooking lessons Hero offered.
“Oh, thanks Aub. You didn’t have to.”
“Of course I did! It’s a Saturday and we have to start it off right after all! Now come on let’s eat.” She hastily grabbed Sunny’s arm but made her way downstairs carefully. She always took into account Sunny’s lack of depth perception. They arrived at the living room where she had laid out the food and two cups of orange juice for them.
They sat next to each other on the couch as Aubrey started to flip through the channels on the TV. Local news reports on an uptick of gang violence *click*, Saturday morning cartoons for kids *click*, infomercials *click*.
“Ugh they really don’t give anything good at this time. Got any recommendations Sun?”
“Hmmm, we could try one of those new movies my mom bought.” He got up and shifted through the DVD’s inside the cabinet holding up the TV. About a minute later he pulled one out. ‘Captain Spaceman and the Quest for his Sweetheart’.
“Is that like, a more mature version of Spaceboy? Man I remember the old comics, can’t believe they made an animated movie of it. Pop it in I guess.” Sunny obliged and placed the DVD inside the player as Aubrey changed over to the proper input as the player whirred to life. Aubrey hastily skipped through the previews and onto the title screen which hosted various action shots of Captain Spaceman on his adventure.
“Glad to see they’re still spoiling half the movie before we even watch it.” Annoyed, Aubrey clicks play as the intro begins…
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The movie went on for a little under two hours. It had drama, action, romance, and tragedy. It was also a complete mess of a story that the two could not help but make fun of all the way through.
“Okay yea, I can understand him giving up his dreams to protect his apparent sweetheart. But AFTER she tried to kill him!? Twice!? Come on!” Aubrey exasperated her annoyance with the movie while motioning to the TV with flailing arms. Sunny chuckled lightly at the show she was giving as he started to clean up the remains of their breakfast. Aubrey proceeded to take the DVD out and place it back in its case. She tidied up the rest of the living room as she shut the TV off and walked over to the kitchen as Sunny washed the few dishes left in the sink. A pleasant lavender scent filled the air as bubbles floated from the sink.
“So… got any more plans for today? It is still young after all.” Aubrey smirked as she put a hand on Sunny’s shoulder.
“Oh not really, maybe wallow in self-pity for a couple of hours.” Sunny’s flat expression and voice genuinely worried Aubrey until he smiled at her. “Relax I’m joking. Did you have anything you wanted to do?”
“O-oh I just thought maybe we could check out the arcade or something. You know, instead of wasting time sitting at home all damn day.”
“That doesn’t sound bad actually but just so you know, any time I spend with you isn’t wasted.” A gentle smile came upon Sunny’s face as he started to dry his hands after placing the last of the dishes on the drying rack.
His pleasant smile, coupled with his shy but sweet voice hit all the marks for Aubrey’s brain to go into meltdown mode. She made a collection of very confused and awkward noises as she tried to recover from the wave of warmth that overcame her. Unsure if he was always such a smooth talker or just that kind, she tried to put herself together to respond.
“I-I uhh yea I just uhh thought that getting some sun would be good is all. S-so is that a yes?” Composure did not come as easily this time, fumbled words and shaky hands gave away her real feelings. But her face? The most damning piece of evidence that Sunny’s words had hit her like a truck, her pink mane starting to blend in with her flushed face.
“Yea, of course.” Aubrey quickly turned around and headed upstairs to try and hide her excitement.
“Great! Let me just shower real quick and we should be good to go!” She dashed up the stairs before and tried to relax after finding refuge in their room. Her heart ached, not when she recalled her childhood memories but it was a different kind of ache. Like a longing for something. Ignoring it, she snatched her towel that was hung up on the door hook and hopped into the bathroom.
While getting undressed she looked at the multitude of cuts and scars on her body. Her time as a hooligan really did a number on her body, nothing too permanent but still they would stick with her for a while. Some of them from random scuffles with the neighborhood kids back in Faraway, some of them from fights against people bullying Sunny. But there was one that hurt a bit more than the others. Despite the years passing, the wound Sunny gave her at the park never disappeared. It seemed to have healed just fine the days after but the scar remained. Aubrey was too afraid to ask why he had a knife on him that day. Granted she did have her nailed bat on her, it was to be expected from her. But for the first time in four years Sunny comes out of his house and one of the first things he does is stab her with a knife.
She had given up on ever bringing it to his attention anyway. The last thing she wanted was to trigger more awful memories for him so she kept it inside of her. It wasn’t important anyway, what was important is the time they spent together and what they did with it. The past stays in the past after all. ‘Man I wish I could have believed in that years ago…” she thought to herself. Her thoughts then drifted to what Sunny had said a couple of minutes ago and her face went flush yet again.
Aubrey had been feeling this way about a year after moving in with Sunny but constantly tried to deny it. ‘There’s no way right? And even if I am… are we even in the right state of mind for it? Does he even feel the same way? I just can’t…’ Shaking off the negative thoughts she quickly finished her shower as to not keep Sunny waiting.
After drying herself off and exiting the bathroom she could hear the TV on in the living room. That tipped her off to the room likely being clear for her to get dressed in. Nonetheless she lightly knocked and slowly peered inside just to be sure. After moisturizing she decided to put on some blue jeans and a graphic tee featuring a show she had started watching recently with Sunny. Her thoughts were more focused on getting done quickly as to not waste time for their… hangout. ‘Yea we’re just hanging out after all… nothing more nothing less…’
Her thoughts were interrupted as she was startled by a knock at the door.
“Hey Aub, you okay in there? Please don’t try to look under my bed again…” Aub. Every time he called her that it felt special. He might not have thought much of it but to her, it meant a lot.
“I-I’m not Sun I swear! Just making sure I didn’t forget anything.” She haphazardly grabbed both their jackets, wallets and sets of keys before opening the door.
“Come on, we’re burnin daylight!” Happily taking the lead as the two walked down the stairs. Opening the door greeted them with the familiar city air. It was certainly heavier than their peaceful little suburb of Faraway but it had become the new norm for them. After locking the door they walked down the stone steps as Aubrey took in a deep breath. “Smell that Sunny? Good ol fresh, polluted city air! Even more encouragement to get the hell inside somewhere.”
“Well uh, feel free to lead the way.” Sunny was still fairly uncomfortable with going outside unless it was to the grocery store or work. But being with one of his closest friends made it a lot easier. ‘Yea… friend right. Nothing more, nothing less…
“With pleasure!” Aubrey trotted along while keeping Sunny close to her side as they started their journey outside.