Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Running to familiar trees had always been the answer.

A locked door appears at the forest’s edge

There is no knob. There is no handle.

Only a cost to bear when the time is ripe.

A key.

A key is all she needs.

What kind of keys does she have?

Suppression

is key.

Regression

is also key.

Life is full of locks that one needs to keep shut.

…

It begins with a whisper in her ear.

All she held dear was dangling on a line.

There was something to fear.

Nothing could be fine.

Decomposition is a familiar face.

A friend, even, given their frequent visits.

A house without a home, a rancid place.

A hatred that boils from putrid minutes.

Bottles and bones breathe,

sugar and alcohol preach.

Watch it crawl, watch it teethe.

There’s nothing it can’t reach.

A divine scent known to few,

the absence of life and the start of forgetting.

It’s all nothing new, that she knows to be true.

To run away means to keep on dreamin-

..

She doesn’t. She never will. She doesn’t need to.

Aubrey isn’t home. She hasn’t been for months now.

Where is Aubrey? Why is she here? What is she doing here?

Aubrey doesn’t know, never knows, and doesn’t need to know.

Everything was okay, and that’s the truth she chose that day.

—

She shoots herself awake, she doesn’t need these thoughts again.

It’s Basil’s place, of course.

She’s been living here for as long as she wants to remember.

She looks after Basil in Polly’s stead, where she treads now no one knows. She made a choice that day, a choice to cling to with nothing left to lose.

Midnight ambience had never been so tranquil.

The flowers peeking through the windows are shy, patient for the next time the sun may shine.

The couch is as cushy as ever, allowing the girl to sink into it to her heart’s content.

Bun Bun’s cage rests in the corner of her eye, with fresh tidbits and water as regularly restocked.

Everything can be okay.

When it is, everything is okay.

Well, not until she checks her notifications.

Her friends have always been the type to regularly peer into Aubrey’s well-being out of sheer compassion.

Hero and Kel are out of town, it has been a great deal of time since she last heard from them.

Basil has been recovering well. Gone was the kid with years of pent-up guilt and anxiety, now the same still-anxious Basil she remembers walking to school with.

Right, school. Whatever happened to that?

Yet, these notifications couldn’t have been from any of her closer friends here. They aren’t this chatty late into the night, though there once was one such boy who would listen to her regardless.

Where had this ‘one’ gone?

Could he have finally returned?

Is he here to listen to her woes and frustrations on this starry night?

“An ode to our dearest, Aubrey. Oh how fragi-“

It didn’t matter, it was mostly from Mikhael.

Sorry, the MAVERICK.

It was mostly from the MAVERICK, with hints of Kim and Charlene sprinkled about. Their conversations ran through hundreds of texts.

Ever since Mikhael had met this “Dweller of Despair”, of whom Aubrey wishes to never meet, this pompous bastard had been spouting nothing but philosophical poetry as though he could finally use it to seek out a “partner-for-life”, as he would describe.

(Spoiler alert: he doesn’t)

This mating ritual of his gets on her nerves, for reasons she wishes to repress.

She doesn’t need a reason to delve back into days of old, when she was nothing but an ignorant child who sought nothing but comfort. Those fantasies died with her, someone dear to Aubrey’s heart.

That’s fine with her.

After all, everything is okay.

Aubrey is here in the now, stuck with friends who would look out for her and offer her solace in times of trouble…

and the MAVERICK.

..

“Fuck.”

Dear god, she tapped on some suspicious link. Now Aubrey was about to potentially give away personal data to some random scam the MAVERICK was preaching about years ago. 

The night can only go from decent to worse, with the moon as its witness.

..

Yet, there was no punchline, or danger.

There were no nightmares, or losses.

Just text following a title.

[The Everyday Shenanigans of Something]

“The hell is this.”

A curious thought, but an interesting one.

It seems fate had other plans in store for her tonight. Tomorrow had always been a bigger day, and there’s no longer a reason to fear the future.

A lock shatters in the distance.

A key to her future….

“What kind of tag is ‘MY BROTHER IN CHRIST HIS COMFORT ANIMAL IS A PIANO’ ?”

..or maybe not.

Chapter Text

(Finally, Auby)

A girl walks into a bakery and asks the boy behind the counter for some bread.

“So you thought it was the brightest idea to keep it all to yourself?” Aubrey reprimands.

“My dearest Aubergine, I’ve been vocal about it since the very beginning.” The MAVERICK answers.

Well, that should have been how things went down. What else is there to do in a bakery?

“Have you considered being serious for once in your life?” Aubrey persists.

“I’m always serious.” The MAVERICK never misses.

“WELL THAT MAKES THE BOTH OF US!” Aubrey calmly remarks.

-Ring- goes the bell as it strikes the buffoon where it matters.

One could even say it was a moving attack, from Aubrey’s fist to the MAVERICK’s forehead, that is.

“Watch the luscious hair!” The MAVERICK cowers to overwhelming violence!

“YOU AREN’T GOING TO NEED THAT WHEN I’M DONE WITH YOU!” Aubrey skips over the counter, confronting her demons with collected composure.

T’was another Saturday at Othermart.

-

The early morning doesn’t often see many customers, even if it was the weekends.

The spiritual departure of the MAVERICK goes by without witnesses, an event of no historical importance.

From the battered apron to the twisted uniform, he saw firsthand the fall of his pride and joy. Gone was the MAVERICK, reduced to a boy working in his family’s bakery.

But alas, there was light at the end of the tunnel.

Stylishly recovering from the abuse, the part-time cashier began to soak in the experience of getting hit on by a girl for the first time. He never knew it was this easy. Another victory for the MAVERI-

“Stop it with your mental tangents and answer my question.” Dammit, she reads him like a book.

“I know not how to approach your query, milady. How exactly should one answer it?” In truth, the MAVERICK couldn’t hear the question the first time round. It’s not called being self-absorbed, it’s all about ‘acknowledging your inner beauty’.

“Exactly as I asked. Why didn’t you do something about Sunny?”

Sunny. He hasn’t heard that name in a while.

The Suzuki boy.

The boy called Sunny.

The Sunny Suzuki.

The Suzuki dubbed Sunny.

..

Who?

What happened to him?

No, Mikhael has other things to prioritise right now. The final fragments of the MAVERICK rest in his next words, held hostage by the metal bell within Aubrey’s grasp.

“I know many things, but the boy’s situation is something else entirely. Even I, the MAVERICK, am allowed to feel useless at times, aren’t I?” Mikhael says.

It was something else, Aubrey could attest to that.

A day doesn’t go by without reminiscing about that moment in the hospital.

I have to tell you something.

Right.

“Couldn’t you at least go and check up on him? Why play along to this ‘SOMETHING’?” Aubrey pushes.

“There was despair to dwell into, a hopeless situation for both parties in that household. I’m only one person, my dear Aubergine.” Mikhael answers.

“Then shouldn’t you have told someone? Shouldn’t you have at least told us?” Aubrey is persistent.

“But I did, at least I tried to.” Mikhael admits.

He did. He did try. That was the truth.

<BossLady>

[TheMAVERICK]: Yo, check out this funni boi https://www.spaceinbetween.com/blogs/the_everyday_shenanigans_of_something/

[BossLady]: Shut the f-

He did try, and he did do something.

That night.

She had always thought Hero called for the paramedics. He was the first one to enter that room, and the only one who could have been thinking straight. Kel was shaking the both of them in desperation, trying his hardest to stop the bleeding as Hero instructed.

All Aubrey did was stand at the doorway, watching her spirit shatter once more by another tragedy.

…

“Do you believe it all? Everything that happened?” The MAVERICK asks.

“I…. I don’t know.” Aubrey doesn’t know, never knows, and doesn’t need to know.

To believe in the ramblings of a self-proclaimed manifestation of trauma is something only the MAVERICK could do.

To believe it wasn’t just Mewo that led her to Kim.

To believe Sunny couldn’t even take care of himself.

To believe Mari was still looking after Sunny, even after death.

Oh if she could.

…

“Are you gonna give me my bread or what?”

“YOU HAVEN’T ORDERED ANYTHING!”

—

2 years.

2 years and one truth.

2 years and one truth is enough for someone to change.

She didn’t figure that someone would be her.

Recent times haven’t been going smoothly for Aubrey. After Sunny left, the friend group was still struggling to keep itself together. Only Kel and her were there to bid farewell. Hero was checking up on Basil at that time. He probably wanted to hear it all from another perspective. The three of them wanted nothing more than to hear a different truth, and honesty is a bitch sometimes.

School never worked out anymore, she couldn’t make it work. Home wasn’t any better, but if she had learnt anything, it’s that others have it worse.

Kel and Hero had each other to support, they had a long conversation one day if she remembered correctly.

After that, Kel threw himself back into sports. He made it there.

Hero continued his pursuit in medicine. He made it there.

Basil was left all alone, again.

The day he was discharged was also the day Polly learnt about everything. Aubrey always took Polly for a thoughtful caretaker.

Yet, she left after 3 days, without a single word spared. Aubrey had forgotten how long she held Basil that night. Loss was the only thing he knew, and yet, the boy also knew his own form of love. Bottling everything up was the norm for him, but there was nothing left to bear. Aubrey was there for him.

His grandmother told him there were only 2 places to cry. In his room alone, or in the arms of his friends and family.

So, he let it all out. His frustrations, his sorrows, they cut Aubrey down. Not because she could sympathise with Basil, but because Aubrey knew she had a part in it all.

“Get away from me, freak.”

And she knew she had no words for the boy. All Aubrey did was pull him closer, lending an ear as someone else once did.

That leaves us with Aubrey, and the life she chose for herself.

She lives with Basil now, she chose that. Aubrey wanted to watch over Basil when no one else could.

She works part-time, she chose that. Aubrey needed a way to buy groceries for them.

For 2 years, this was the truth Aubrey pursued.

It is the truth she lives by.

She needed to be there for the people she loves.

The only love you get to keep is the love you give away.

A truth she needs to question one more time.

-

The sun shined brighter when she was here.

Here she was, back again.

It was that spot in the graveyard behind the church, where the shadows never draw near.

Her grave.

Aubrey finds herself here when she needs someone to talk to.

“Hi, Mari. It’s me again.”

Aubrey pulls out a brush and dustpan, where she got them once a distant memory. It’d make perfect sense now how she got them, even if it’s strange to think about a literal demon stealing them from Fix-It before dropping them off here.

“I read something recently, and you were in it.”

There wasn’t a speck of dust on Mari’s tombstone, but it had always been the thought that counted for Aubrey.

“It says that you were watching over Sunny when he was all alone.”

The grave never responds to Aubrey’s words, but it stands firm to listen.

“I think that’s the only part I can believe.”

…

She was two years younger, peeking into a hollow room. At the end was a hospital bed with Sunny, still unconscious like yesterday and the day before that.

Even if it was a delusion, she begged god to see it again.

Under the light of dawn, was an angel dressed in white robes. Her hair flowed about the room with snow-like eyes, white and fragile. Her hand coursed through Sunny’s hair, humming to a fading lullaby Aubrey had heard a million times over.

The illusion said goodbye with a smile on her face, one of pure unadulterated happiness.

She didn’t understand it all, but one thing was for certain.

Aubrey wanted to see her again too.

“..and I’m sure you’ve been watching over all of us too.”

It shined with newborn radiance.

“Thank you, Mari.”

Aubrey says her goodbyes with a smile.

The night is young, she needed rest.

Aubrey needs time to think this over.

Tomorrow is another day, and she still hasn’t brought the bread back for Basil yet.

Chapter Text

-

“Morning, Aubrey.” Bagel greets.

“Morning, Bagel.” Aubrey beckons.

“Aubrey, have you been staring at your phone all night?” Bagel asks.

No wait, it’s Basil.

“What? No. What makes you say that?” Aubrey answers in haste. What crime was she being put on trial for?

“You have bags under your eyes, and this is the second day in a row you’ve called me ‘Bagel’.” Bagel reminds.

Nope, it’s Basil.

Basil woke her up.

His name is Basil.

Basil is her friend.

“Didn’t feel like working on a Sunday. Let’s spend today together.” Aubrey yields.

“Mmm. Sure, why not?” Bagel- DAMMIT

-

2 years.

2 years and one truth.

2 years and one truth was just enough for Basil to learn how to live again.

“I know some people. I think you’re going to love them!”

She leads the way for the anxious boy.

Because for those 2 years, Basil had Aubrey by his side to show him the way.

Guiding him by the hand to a brighter future as she always did.

“They’re nice people. Don’t worry, you can trust me!”

She puts his worries to rest, though only temporarily.

Family was already a foreign memory to Basil, and he didn’t want his friends to be next.

Not Hero, who looked out for him like the older brother he never had.

Not Kel, who would bug him all day just to make sure he was doing okay.

Not Mari, who he could no longer lose.

Not Aubrey, who introduced him to this marvellous group of individuals.

Not Sunny, even if he could understand why.

“Basil, I promise you. I will never leave you alone again.”

They held one another in a cramped room. This was not what she promised.

Polly was the last straw, the last semblance of a makeshift family to walk out of Basil’s life.

It reminded Basil that there were still more things to lose, that he had chosen to love too much.

“It’s going to be okay, Basil. I’m here now. It’s going to be okay. Breathe for me.”

Basil let it all out at the slightest hint of a promise. A promise that was there to stay for 2 years. He said some hurtful things, he really did, and when Aubrey heard them she pulled him closer. No matter what Basil spouted, she refused to let go. She couldn’t, not anymore.

That night was the final ‘distant memory’, to be forgotten at the whims of a restful dream.

What does Basil do now?

Basil sells flowers online. He has his own little website. He chose that.

He tried to help Aubrey with schoolwork before she dropped out. He chose that.

He’s preparing for college. He chose that.

Basil wants to live. He’s choosing that.

Living is hard, but it’s the only way to face the future.

—

A notification.

It’s been a while.

Whether it be a customer or friend, Basil was sure to treasure their words.

<!FarFrens!>

[Hero] : [Hero has uploaded an image]

[Basil]: wat

[Aubrey]: HE’S STILL DOING THAT?!?

[Hero]: It’s the Kel special.

[Aubrey]: It’s a special way to get called out for a foul, that’s for sure

[Aubrey]: WAIT SINCE WHEN DID YOU SUPPORT THIS HERO

YOUR SUPPOSED TO BE THE REASONABLE ONE

[Hero]: If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.

[Basil]: i dont think that’s how it should work.

[Aubrey]: Im telling you Basil. The medicine is getting to his head

[Basil]: didn’t you call me a bagel in the morning?

[Hero]: She what?

“YOU DIDN’T HAVE TO RUB IT IN, BAGE…FUCK. BASIL!” A voice roaring from another room rings adequately clearly.

Growing accustomed to Aubrey’s aggressive disposition took some time, but it was welcome in the otherwise plain and lonely household.

“Well then, get some proper rest today and maybe you won’t be naming me after a doughnut-shaped yeast-leavened roll that is characterized by a crisp, shiny crust and a dense interior.” The Bagel lectures. The girl was rubbing off on him.

An exhausted Aubrey peeks into the kitchen, exchanging glares with a Basil preparing breakfast.

“Alright, you search engine.” She admits defeat, retreating to the couch.

-

Bun-Bun was its name, and getting cuddled was its game.

Having an adorable ball of pure fluff within her gentle grasp was the world to Aubrey. With its relaxed ears and shut eyes, the snowball tumbles into Aubrey’s warmth.

The sparkles in her eyes spoke volumes of her joy, and to the Basil approaching her at average walking speeds for a teenager.

“That was fast.” Aubrey applauded.

“It’s just toast with jam.” Bagel sa-

FUCK.

It was toast and strawberry spread.
Aubrey could understand why Basil would make this. It made perfect sense. The boy was infatuated with strawberries.

“You know, I’ve been thinking.” The Bagel continued.

Now that’s a surprise. Aubrey never knew Basil was going to open up to other flavors for once in his god-forsaken life.
IS TWO YEARS OF TOAST WITH STRAWBERRY JAM FINALLY ENOUGH FOR YOU?

“Shoot.” Aubrey lends an ear, still mesmerised by the presence of her beloved bun-bun.

“I think I should kick you out of the house for a bit.”

What?

Hold on.

Wait a minute.

Sure, Aubrey’s upfront and assertive nature was indeed having an influence on the flower boy.

But..

“What.”

..and so Aubrey stopped thinking.

Basil found a crybaby tugging at his sleeve.

“BASIL, I’M SORRY FOR CALLING YOU A BAGEL. I’LL TAKE IT BACK, OKAY?!“ The little toddler whines.

Sometimes, Basil does wonder who’s looking after who here.

“Maybe I wasn’t clear the first time round. Aubrey, what I mean to say is…” He doesn’t get a chance to explain himself. Aubrey has him in a choke-hold.

“BASIIIIIIIIL~ I’M SOWWWWWWY. I’M SUPPOSED TO BE THE BIG-SIS, I NEED TO LOOK AFTER YOU. PLEASE DON’T KICK ME OUT. IF THERE’S SOMETHING WRONG WE CAN TALK ABOUT IT, OKAY?”
Aubrey is lost in a dizzying trance. This is what binging blogs in the middle of the night does to you, especially when said blogs revolve around a relatively depressing period of your life.

Doctors don’t recommend you do this.

Don’t do this.

-

“Have you calmed down yet?” Basil asked the teary-eyed bagel-enthusiast.

“LET’S TALK ABOUT IT. I’LL LISTEN.” Aubrey insists after having a bun-bun thrown at her face. It was considerably muffled given bun-bun decided to cling on.

“Aubrey, what have you done this past 2 years?”

2 years.

2 years and one truth.

2 years and one….

“What have you ever done for yourself?”

2 years and one truth is enough for someone to….

“When have you not thought about Me, Kel or Hero?”

..for someone to change.

She didn’t figure that someone would be….

“Aubrey, I want you to live.”

…

“Basil?” She asked out of genuine ignorance.

It was blissful while it lasted.

Living.

What was that to Aubrey?

What was that to Aubrey now?

“Aubrey, words cannot express how much I love you. You picked me out of nothing and gave me something to treasure for once in my life. I wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for you, really.“

It didn’t feel good.

Basil doesn’t talk like this.

That’s not what Basil does.

Who was this?

“He’s right. Everything he said about what we did.”

Words squeezed out through years of regret.

Who was he?

“You’ve spent the last few years living for me, and I’m grateful for that. I really am.”

Basil was drifting away, she didn’t like this.

Aubrey didn’t like this one bit.

“But, it just feels like you’re doing all this for my sake and my sake alone. It doesn’t feel right at all. I shouldn’t believe this could last forever.”

Something was coming.

Aubrey doesn’t like it.

“So I’ve been thinking.

Aubrey, why don’t you try the city?”

-

Fargone.

It’s a big place.

It’s a really big place.

It wasn’t far away,..

..and it sure wasn’t Faraway either.

The city.

It exists, but what could ever be there?

What could ever lie there for Aubrey, when she has everything she needed right here?

She was losing something.

“Basil?” It’s on the tip of her tongue.

Aubrey needed just a bit more time.

“I mean, it’s not like you really enjoy delivering pizza for Gino’s and the other quirky jobs our town offers, do you? If it were the city, maybe you could find something that you’d like.” He rambles.

“No.. wait…” She’s fighting with her life on the line.

Aubrey mustn’t let this go.

“Maybe an artist? I’ve seen those bun-bun sketches that you’d left lying around. They’re really cute! You could even have a little comic series for them if you want to!” He daydreams.

“Basil…” One step at a time.

She mustn’t lose her footing.

“Oh, maybe you could try teaching! You’ve been helping Sally learn her numbers, haven’t you?  I think you’d be a great kindergarten teacher, Aubrey!” He persists.

“Basil. You’d be all alone again.”

Aubrey’s words decimated the flow of the conversation. It ripped their facades apart.

“Basil, are you really fine with that?”

“Please don’t leave me too.”

Words of honesty. Basil’s truth.

…

“I’ll be fine.” He utters.

“Basil…” Aubrey needs to hold tight.

He had gone limp. The last remnants of his strength had dissipated with those three damned words.
His body felt cold. It needed her warmth.

She tucks her hands around him, pulling him further into the couch.

They share this moment gazing at the ceiling.

“I’m fine, I promise. I’m trying to get into college, remember? I can’t have you stay with me all the time.” He’s trying.

“Shut up for a bit.” She silences Basil.

Silence was all they needed.

All around them, life was progressing, never slowly, but surely.
Time loses its meaning when there’s nothing to do with it.

For just this moment, they could have each other.

There were no need for tears.
Basil had Aubrey, and Aubrey had Basil.

If they needed any more than that, they have Kel and Hero too.

“Are you fine?” Aubrey tries again.

“No.” Basil answers.

“That’s what I thought.” It’s all she needed.

She releases Basil. It’s all Aubrey needed to hear.

She got up from the couch, downing the early meal. It’s all Aubrey needed for breakfast.

She sets bun-bun down. It’s all Aubrey needed for cuddling.

It’s still morning after all.

“What was that about staying in today?” Basil teases, caressing Bun-Bun’s flawless fur with his fingertips.

“It’s a fine Sunday morning. Wouldn’t want to spend it indoors if you’re gonna be like that.” Aubrey pouts, glaring at Basil. That boy’s mental state is the flimsiest thing she’d ever seen.

With a sleeping bun-bun bestowed onto his lap, it should be just enough company.

“But I do mean it. I don’t want to see you wasting your life away on me.” It wasn’t. Basil doesn’t know how to appreciate Bun-Bun for who they are.

“C’mon, what’s a high school dropout like me to do in the city? Beg?” A realistic answer suits her views.

The city is big. Too big for someone like Aubrey.
It just isn’t for her.

“Sunny made it there.” It slips out with the slam of a door.

—

Left to his devices in a house so big, the boy finally takes a bite out of his daily craft.

“You know, Bun-Bun, I think I’m starting to get tired of strawberry jam.”

Chapter Text

He made it there.

“What do you make of that?”

It doesn’t talk back.

“I mean… even he found something to do.”

It doesn’t reply.

“I’m just trying to do what I want to do too.”

It offers no response.

“Have I really got it all wrong?”

All it does is listen,…

“It must be weird hearing all this from me. I know…”

…and listening is all it needs to do.

“I just figured if anyone would know, it would be you, Mari…”

Aubrey finds herself here when she needs someone to talk to.

Through honoring their lives, tombstones remember the dead.

They reflect the idea not of ‘passing away’, but ‘passing on’.

Her’s is one of white granite. It shines brilliantly from dawn till dusk, just as she once lit up the world for those around her.

Her’s rests on neatly trimmed grass, endowed with white egret orchids. A garnish of sorts in hopes that everyone’s feelings could reach her, wherever she lies now.

Her’s sits in the perfect spot. A place where shadows fail to draw near, blessed by starlight and morning rays all throughout the year.

Aubrey knew little about gravestone maintenance, but it was always something she chose to do.

With what little dusting and wiping she knew how to do, she tends to this memorial every day without fail.

It didn’t feel like a duty, or those part-time jobs she truthfully detests. This had always been something Aubrey wanted to do.

Aubrey chose this, and she knows she doesn’t choose wrong.

The Aubrey that chose to chase after love stories died long ago.

The Aubrey that chose to pick up that bat died long ago.

This time, she hopes she chose right.

No, she knows she chose right.

So, if Aubrey were to head to the city, where does that leave ‘her’?

The city had never been too big. That was a lie.

Sure, in comparison to Faraway, Fargone is enormous.

The only issue was that it felt ‘distant’.

There’s nothing to do there.

There’s no one she knows there.

There’s nowhere to ‘be’ there.

It just feels so distant from what Aubrey chose to do.

She needed to be there for the people she loves,

and Aubrey loves her very much.

“Too fine a weather to be down in the dumps, isn’t it, Aubs?”

A stranger.

“Ki-Kim?!” A lost friend questions with dried tears.

“Yo.”

The oversized flannel seemed oddly distant, but no one else calls her ‘Aubs’ in such a mischievous tone.

Kim had always regarded her hair as a reflection of who she was, and this was something entirely different.

She looked proper now, mature even.

Aubrey doesn’t recognise this.

Had they not been hanging out often enough?

“What are you doing her-“

She cuts her own tongue off.

They had been hanging out enough.

“Right… sorry.” Sincerity lifts her words up.

“It’s no biggie. I’m sure he’ll understand.” Kim reassures.

‘The Sweetest Little Boy.’ It read.

Above it was a name that meant so much to the both of them.

“How often?” Aubrey was curious.

“I try to make it every week, but studies can be pretty overwhelming sometimes. Maybe I should follow in your steps!” Kim reinforces her tease with a grin.

“Anything but that!” She retorts with a smile of her own.

In 2 years,maybe some things can stay the same.

“Wouldn’t want to bore them now. Let’s head someplace familiar.”

Banter goes back and forth.

Communication goes to and fro.

On a swing set shall two friends reconnect.

Nostalgia purrs in their ears, it’s something they openly accept.

—

“Of all the places…” Aubrey felt awfully picky today after having to deal with that ‘Bagel’.

“C’mon, for old time’s sake. We’re both in a sentimental mood today.” Kim pushes forward with the idea.

“Sure looks like someone’s doing all fine.” Aubrey retreats with a vicious remark. She seems rather sour.

A playground.

They were too big for it, but there was no one around to tell them off.

“How’s it been crashing at flower boy’s place lately?” Kim asked. She needed to be certain.

“Two words. Strawberry Jam.” All Aubrey needed were two words.

“So, you find him sweet? Never pegged you to be into that type.” It’s unclear whether Kim was mocking her or simply misunderstanding the issue at hand.

The sandy ground had seen better days.

Then again, it weathered quite finely.

“Never in a million years. That snarky asshole’s mental stability is the freakiest shit.” Aubrey had seen shit.

“‘Never in a million years’? Aww, it’s really just like old times. Like that time you…” Kim was really playful today.

“We do not talk about the incident.” Aubrey doesn’t talk about the incident.

The metal slide.

It brings back bad memories.

“You’re making me blush here, Aubs.” Lord knows how playful Kim was that day.

“It’s beautiful, really. What made you go for it?” Aubrey pestered.

“He always said he preferred it if I let my hair grow out.” This answer felt fragile.

The monkey bars.

Kel used to love them, before he got too tall for it.

“I’m sorry.”

“You’re always sorry. Here, have a taffy.” Of course there was a taffy in Kim’s pockets.

“No, thank you.” Aubrey needed to get it out, one way or the other.

The yellow cat.

Its comfortable shade is enticing in this sweltering heat.

“You seem awfully moody today. Penny for your thoughts?” Kim offered.

“It’s nothing. Just been thinking about some things.” Aubrey still needed more time to process them.

“Taffy for your thoughts?” How many taffies can one person carry on them?

A ‘rainy’ day,

but there was no need for shelter if the sun stood tall.

“Kim, do you think I’ve grown? Like, as a person?”

Aubrey braves the storm.

It was the truth she needed to question.

…

“That sounds like it’ll cost two taffies.”

—

With her chuckles aside, Kim needed something more substantial to understand what the issue was.

“Jeez. How do I even…”Munching on two diabetes-inducing tidbits made conjuring simple thoughts an uphill struggle for Aubrey.

“Take your time, Aubs. We’ve got time.” It loses its meaning when there’s nothing to do with it.

It feels like…

…like you’ve been living life all wrong, and it took 2 years to realise that.

2 years.

…like you’ve been blinding yourself with a delusional truth for far too long now.

2 years and one truth.

…like you’ve been hiding from everything, and then everything just leaves you behind.

2 years and one truth is enough for someone to change.

…like…

That someone wasn’t Aubrey.

…like what?

What was it?

What was it to Aubrey?

She doesn’t know.

She never knows.

She doesn’t need to know.

She wasn’t a child who could quest after nonsensical fantasies.

She wasn’t a delinquent who could express herself with a simple swing.

Who is Aubrey?

Aubrey didn’t know.

It’s all just one big guess.

Unknown to her, she starts again.

Who is the one dreaming deep inside her?

Consumption begins with a steering wheel, reinvented by yours truly.

Maybe she’s hiding behind a metaphor.

Maybe she needs to break her heart to be sure.

Maybe she’ll lose her balance when she needs it most.

One day, she’ll see it for herself.

But who is ‘she’?

Who knows ‘Aubrey’?

Aubrey doesn’t know.

“Eh, sounds like something you’d say.” Kim concludes with the unwrapping of another piece of taffy.

The nerves of this bi-

“You’re just the same as ever, Aubs.” She continues with a crunch.

What?

“Mari! Mari! You gotta listen to this!”

“You sound like a nice person, Kim…”

“Your heart is so full of love, Aubs. He liked that a lot about you.”

Kim continues.

“Huh? You want to dye your hair? That sounds fun!”

“…and that’s why I’m scared of you!”

“You always put your friends before anyone else. I’m sure we mean the world to you. ”

Her words struck a chord within Aubrey, but what chord was it?

“Eh, me? Nah, my parents are strict about these kinds of things.”

“…the more people I befriend, the more I’ll have to lose too…”

“You live for us, and we’re grateful for that.”
Kim found the answer she needed.

“I’m not sure…”

“…Kim…”

                             Mari

“What should I do,         ?”

                             Kim

“But we can’t keep living life for you, Aubrey.“

“Can you speak English for a bit?” The sugar was getting to Aubrey’s head.

“What I’m trying to say here, is that you need to make decisions for yourself. Stop letting fate manhandle you like this!

This is your life we’re talking about, Aubrey.

No one else should be telling you how to live it,yet you rely on us for this very reason.”

Kim ends off on a stern note. It reeks of vile kindness and putrid care.

She says it so easily, but what was Aubrey to do?

She still doesn’t know.

It’s like she’ll never know.

Aubrey isn’t sure whether she needs to know anymore.

How is she supposed to live life?

Had she ever been living at all?

Isn’t there at least an answer for that?

What does it mean to ‘live’?

Does it mean 2 more years of strawberry jam on toast?

How does she know she’s made the right choice?

Aubrey needed someone to tell her how.

She just can’t-

Where is Aubrey?

Why is she here?

What is she doing here?

Why is she here? What is she doing here?

Where is Aubrey? Why is she here? What is she doing here?

Why is she here? What is she doing here? Where is Aubrey?

Why is she here? Where is Aubrey? What is she doing here?

Where is Aubrey? Why is she here? What is she doing here?

Why is she here? What is she doing here? Where is Aubrey?

Why is she here? Where is Aubrey? What is she doing here?

Where is Aubrey? Why is she here? What is she doing here?

Why is she here? What is she doing here? Where is Aubrey?

Why is she here? Where is Aubrey? What is she doing here?

Where is Aubrey? Why is she here? What is she doing here?

Why is she here? What is she doing here? Where is Aubrey?

Why is she here? Where is Aubrey? What is she…

…

She shoots herself awake, she doesn’t need these thoughts again.

It hurts now. Aubrey needed to stop herself.

Maybe lugging something off her chest could help.

“…Hey, Kim?”

“Yeah, Aubs?”

I have to tell you something.

Aubrey needed to tell Kim something.

Someone, at least.

It’s this thing I found…

Year3, Day 107:

“HIS NAME IS F***CKING HENRY?”

…Nevermind.

Aubrey couldn’t bear to do that to Kim.

Aubrey needed something else.

“If it isn’t too much trouble…”

…

“That’s it? Sure, I’m down.” Kim agreed.

“Won’t it clash with any of your classes?” Aubrey had to be a tad bit worried.

“Nah, if anything it’s reason to visit him more often. Won’t be saying no to that!” Kim reassures.
She tends to do that pretty well.

Aubrey felt that she shouldn’t push it.

She had already took too much from her dear friends. This should be the last.

“Well then, let’s keep in touch.” She declares.

“Off to get lunch for lover boy?” Kim needed to cement a little more tomfoolery into the early afternoon.

“Nah, gotta go confront my inner demons, again as I should.” Aubrey’s words made little to no sense, but her conviction was laid bare.

On the swings now sat a lonesome gal with the bellowing winds.

“Man, it really is pretty sunny today.”

Kim had seen those words before.

‘The sun shined brighter when she was here.’

Words stamped on a promise of eternity.

“Good luck, Aubrey.

Maybe one day the sun can shine for you too.”

A deserted playground.

It smells like a wet kitten.

-

-Ring- goes the bell as it strikes the…

“STOP IT WITH THE BELL!” The MAVERICK shrieks.

“Needed to get that out of my system.”

In Aubrey’s defence, she needed to get that out of her system.

“HOW DO YOU EVEN HAVE ONE? THE STORE ISN’T OPEN TODAY!”

The beta MAVERICK fails to comprehend such complex methodology.

“I bought my own, you buffoon.” Capitalism at its finest.

Well, anyway, it struck the buffoon where it mattered.

“Thanks.” Her words drift in the still winds.

“Pardon, Mademoiselle? Also, how do you know where I live?” He didn’t catch it. Dammit.

“The call. Thanks.”

As much as it had hurt her spirit, there were some things she needed to tidy up.

Life was beginning to close in on her, and she didn’t need to leave any lasting regrets.

The MAVERICK was probably unfamiliar to something like this, so she’ll make it quick.

The next step will always be the hardest.

“Well, before you step any further, allow me to bid you one monologue. To be, or not to be-“

Aubrey stepped further.

Did it matter the choices she made,

or is it the drive to keep moving forward?

Will the future fade,

or shall the past leap onwards?

Suppression is key.

Repression is also key.

Life catches people in the oddest of moments.

-

“Basil, why are you using bun-bun to trim away leaves that you’ve smothered in strawberry jam?” Aubrey shouldn’t have stepped further.

“Look, Aubrey, if you got the strawberry jam, you use the strawberry jam. It’s the way it is.” Aubrey shouldn’t have stepped further.

“WAIT, ARE YOU WEARING FUCKING SHADES?” Aubrey shouldn’t have stepped further.

“That’s ‘Bagel’ to you, missy.” Oh, the Bagel was asking for it.

This was a really odd moment.

It turned out that it was a rather specific order Basil received, but why anyone would ask for that failed to plague her mind.

This was too much of a Sunday for Aubrey, she needed to get some shut-eye.

Tomorrow is a bigger day.

Aubrey, why don’t you try the city?

“I’ll give it some thought…” She utters something to herself.

She doesn’t know. Yes.

There are answers she needs to seek out. Yes.

Answers that Fargone may hold.

“It’s called ‘Spaces’….”

A key to her future, she just needs to feel for it.

“Aubrey, do you reckon bun-bun is still fine after ingesting like 3 medium-sized jars’ worth of strawberry jam?”

God.

Dammit.

Chapter Text

Mondays. They exist.

The day of the week before Tuesday and after Sunday.

The Moon’s Day, as the Babylonians liked to call it.

I fucking hate Mondays, wondered a Bagel.

Now, that would be understandable if Bagel were a lazy, fat, and cynical orange tabby Persian cat named after Jim Davis’ late grandfather.

Unfortunately, that isn’t the case. Bagel is Bagel.

At this hour, hardly any sunlight enters his room; that, or the windows are once again being obscured by hanging vines.

There were leaves on his blanket, leaves in his hair, and a guide on the general diet of domesticated rabbits that wasn’t there last night.

Bagel had never seen a book cover that large before, not to mention the sheer size of the font…

…

Nope, it was smacked into his face.

A singular post-it note stands out:

[Page 33]

A few flips of curiosity couldn’t hurt Bagel.

Another note… :

[LOOK, BUNNIES DON'T FUCKING EAT STRAWBERRY JAM],

followed by an arrow pointing to a paragraph aptly titled,

"Things not to fucking feed your pet rabbits, I swear to God, you deranged owners."

…

Well, shit.

-

The hallway reeked of uncomfortable silence.

Usually, the sound of bun-bun’s water tank getting refilled would bring Bagel at least some semblance of warmth in the morning.

The creaking of his door startles him.

It’s one of Bagel’s innate reflexes at this point, though it could have just been a nightmare again too.

Who’s to say what really…

A note lies on the ground:

[Bagel :3]

What in the…

There’s another on the potted plant hanging from the ceiling:

[Get your ass into the kitchen.]

What in absolution is…

A bright neon-pink variation on the other hanging pot:

[F A S T E R]

Well, this just feels urgent now.

Rushing about in pajamas didn’t feel comfortable, but it just felt so surreal that he had to follow along.

The fridge door handle housed two notes:

[Don’t open yet. Look up]

[Higher up, doofus]

Pulled by a rope, Bagel felt his entire being listening closely to these words.

It was both enjoyable and nauseating.

This inner voice reading these notes aloud didn’t belong to Basil.

Whose voice was this, and why is it here?

One last note, right smack at Bagel’s eye level:

[Bagel :3]

-

So much noise. Eyes tired.

Aubrey’s eyes were tired.

Maybe she did too much thinking yesterd-

“AUBREY, WHY HAVE YOU PLASTERED 18,984 POST-IT NOTES ACROSS THE ENTIRE FUCKING HOUSE?!“

That sounded like a Bagel.

No, something felt wrong.

This wasn’t right.

“You missed 3. Try checking the sink cabinet again.”

“EX-FUCKING-SCUSE ME FOR A BIT.”

His stomps grew distant.

3 notes should take about 3 minutes.

That means 3 more minutes of shut-ey…

“AUBREY, WHY HAVE YOU PLASTERED 18,987 POST-IT NOTES ACROSS THE ENTIRE FUCKING HOUSE?!”

“Language, Bagel.” Aubey reminds.

“WAIT! ALSO, WHY DO 230 OF THOSE NOTES JUST HAVE THE WORD ‘BAGEL’ WRITTEN IN 230 ENTIRELY DIFFERENT FONTS? HOW DID YOU WRITE IN FUCKING WINGDINGS? WINGDINGS FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!”

Right, his name is Basil.

Ah. Much better.

Good morning, Faraway.

-

“The hell did you do to your face?” Aubrey was caught off guard  by all the yelling.

“Someone slammed a 144-page long hardcover book on it.” Look at this goofy little Basil.

“Sucks to be you.” Aubrey spoke the truth.

“Can you please just tell me how you wrote this down in Wingdings?”

It was another jam-packed Monday.

“What’s for today, chef?” Aubrey inquired.

“Donuts with strawberry jam as filling.”

Wait, shit, I didn’t mean that literally.

“Better than just bread, I guess.” It did indeed sound better than just bread.

“You make it sound like I’m just terrible at doing anything.” Basil’s poor feelings were drowning in jam.

Well, whatever. This is a stupid crack-fic.

Can’t expect the narrator to have any real say over anything that happens.

“Basil…”

“Yes, Aubrey?”

“This isn’t a donut…”

“Well then, what have I been doing for the past 13 minutes?” Basil had it up to here (very high) with Aubrey’s shenanigans.

But, my brother in Christ, BASIL WHAT ARE YOU DOIN-

“Basil, you can’t just cut a hole in plain bread and call it a fucking donut…”

“Language, Aubrey.”

“Apologies. You can’t just call it a small fried cake of sweetened dough, typically in the shape of a ball or ring, when the foundation is simply plain bread bought from Othermart.”

“Nevermind, go back to ‘fucking’.” Basil concedes.

It was a fine and average jam-packed Monday morning.

Aubrey would put up with Basil’s shenanigans.

Basil would put up with Aubrey’s shenanigans.

That’s how 2 years have just flown by.

Time darts by when there’s nothing to do with it,

or if you have someone to spend it with.

They weren’t anything more than friends, but they were closer than family.

-

Bizarrely eager to head out the door, Aubrey catches one last glance at Basil.

“Where do you think you’re going with bun-bun, those shades, and four jars of strawberry jam?“ She just had to be sure.

“Nothing in particular, why?” Basil himself wasn’t sure.

“If you’ve read those post-it notes, you should know two of those jars you’re holding are expired.”

Dammit.

Wait.

No, this is good.

Finally, things are looking up for Basil.

“Why did you bother sticking post-it notes to them instead of throwing them out?”

…

“Well, you’re right. How ‘bout that, hmm? Take care.”

Aubrey bids her farewells with a smile.

A vibrant den of colors.

It’s both distracting and enticing.

It reminded Basil why he hated Mondays, Tuesdays, and any other day of the week.

“Please don’t leave me too.”

-

It gets quiet sometimes.

He needed to start something.

“You holding up alright there?”

Bun-bun doesn’t talk back.

“Me neither.”

It doesn’t reply.

“I’m sorry for what I’ve done to your owner.”

It offers no response.

“I mean, you’re just a bunny. I don’t know what I expected saying that.”

All it does is listen,…

“It’s just that… Aubrey deserves more than just this, don’t you think?”

…and listening is all it needs to do.

“You missed a spot.”

Basil finds himself talking to literally fucking anything when he’s alone.

At least bun-bun looks like they’re attentive.

That or the expired strawberry jam was beginning to kick in.

The final touches of this estranged order were in place.

Basil found using bun-bun as his shears rather amusing, and a safer alternative to whatever else he used beforehand.

“You wouldn’t bite someone’s eye out, would you?”

Basil, for Christ’s sake, stop talking to the fucking rabbit.

Even the windows are getting knocked on by the wind, GET A GRIP OF YOURSELF BOY.

Prescribed with 2 years of having Aubrey by his side, life found odd ways to tickle Basil’s nightmares.

Picking up on Aubrey’s flowery vocabulary was one of them, but nothing could compare to this dread he felt.

Like… he was leeching away at yet another life.

Like… he was about to take something for granted again.

“It always comes down to this, doesn’t it?”

Like… there was something around him.

It creeps and it swallows.

It devours but only later.

Embrace the solitary hollow.

Its eyes deem you a faker.

Love, love and love,

what is that to eventual ‘loss’?

It’s stained on his gloves,

tangling and persistent like moss.

It belongs to you.

It calls for you.

There’s nowhere to run to.

There’s nothing to do.

It had always been you.

“I know that…”

Bun-bun’s nose perks up, skipping about into Basil’s arms.

“I know I’m not doing fine.”

Its ears smack against Basil’s chin, a call to wake up.

Accept the despair.

Retreat to the closet.

You cannot amend the tear.

Face the opposite.

His garden shears peek in from the corner of his eye.

Pray she may never find you.

Pray he may forget you.

It began with your fault.

Let it end with-

“That’s why I’m still here, aren’t I?” Basil finds himself on the floor.

Bun-bun was its name, and cuddling to sleep was also its game.

It couldn’t compare to familial warmth,

nor did it bear any resemblance to platonic comfort.

Yet, Basil needed this, just for a bit.

The idea of loving himself had always been resting on that lightbulb.

He needed to flick the switch himself.

Not yet. Soon, but not yet.

Watching bun-bun snuggle up to a monster like him was enough.

Basil had never been alone.

He simply refused to acknowledge anyone around him.

To a restful slumber he shall drift.

To where exactly? No one knows.

He only knew one thing.

Everything will be okay, because it can be okay…

“What the hell are you doing on the floor with shades on?” A voice.

“What the hell are you doing here?” His voice.

___

-We interrupt this Basil moment to bring you what Aubrey was doing the entire time.-
___

“Basil, I told you not to FUCKING HAVE BUN-BUN MUNCH ON LEAVES WITH STRAWBERRY SPREAD.” Aubrey violently whispered.

Stalking Basil through the few windows this house had proved quite the gauntlet.

“BASIL, STOP BRINGING THAT SHIT UP IN FRONT OF BUN-BUN!” Aubrey smashed her fist against the pane. The glass quivered a bit.

There are some things Aubrey isn’t willing to let go.

She’s stubborn that way, but it’s also what she stands by.

“Well damn, he’s just curling up into a ball on the floor now.” Aubrey couldn’t help but feel sorry for this wimp.

…

“I guess that’s an improvement after all.”

Aubrey needed to be there for the people she loves while she could.

It hurts her a lot, it really does.

However, if she can’t let this go, she never will.

___

-We shall now cut back to the scheduled everyday shenanigans of Aubrey. We thank you for your patience.-

___

“Look at you, you didn’t cry like a baby at all today.” Aubrey mocked.

“You keep this up, and I swear to God, I will.” Basil spoke with the aggressive tone of a melodica.

Some days, the sun rises higher than it should.

“Are you threatening me with you crying?” Aubrey couldn’t comprehend the coward’s words.

“Yes.” Yes, he says.

“Damn, you know me too well.” Basil does know Aubrey well.

When that happens, there will be no more shadows to hide in.

“C’mon get up. I got us lunch.” Aubrey kicks Basil in the calves. That should do the trick.

“Shouldn’t you be at work delivering greasy pizza according to notes written by the devil himself?” Maybe not, Basil found it harder to get up now.

“Well, if you really want me to visit the city, why not spend the week in?”

If the sun doesn’t shine for you, be that ‘sun’ for someone else.

Words that had been passed along to Aubrey by someone dear to her.

“What’s that smell?”

“Greasy pizza. Want a slice?”

“Sure, why not?”

She had all the keys she needed, all her worries neatly locked up away in a land named ‘Faraway’.

“You know what would make this better?” Basil suggested.

“Don’t you fucking dare-“

“I dare whatever the fuck I want, Aubergine. Who are you to stop me…” Basil was way more vocal than he needed to be, and throwing about such beautiful phrases to boot.

The last 2 years already seem like forever ago.

What had Basil become?

Year 4, day 260:

Mari wanted to see Basil grow as a person,

to become more confident and outgoing as the years would fly by.

She loved him and she left him.

Are you seeing this, Mari?

“Wait, next Tuesday? You might wanna pack some of our scarves then.” Basil advised with a grin.

“Why the hell would I do that?” Yeah, why would Aubrey do that?

“It’s the 23rd, Aubrey. The first day of Fall.”

This summer life will slowly die too, prior to spring’s death.

It was about time to welcome change again, why not start with the seasons?

“Basil, put the fucking expired strawberry jam away from the pizza. I swear to go-”

“IT COMFORTS MEEEEEEEE!”

Chapter Text

(Auby in her casual fall outfit, you guys made her smile :D)

——

Day (idk it’s a special again):

Now now, imma be real with y’all.

GUYS MY BLOG STARTED ALL THIS, GIVE ME THE CREDIT.

HOW IS THIS REACHING 2k HITS FASTER THAN MY BLOG.

I STARTED THIS WHOLE SHAMBAM DAMMIT.

At least Auby’s happy, haven’t seen her smile in a long time.

Anywho here have this selfie of myself that I took.

Till next we meet.

——

~Our Beloved Something

-

What is up, Gamers? PracticallyUnethical back at it again.

Around a good day ago, ShardOfHope,

(You know?

‘Their Time’,

‘Mari Prays the Gay Away’,

‘Culinary Conversations’,

‘Dread Hunt’?

Any of those titles ring a bell?),

told me they rated this story 10/10 on the expired strawberry jam scale.

Around a good day ago, I also learnt it’s possible to shit and piss your pants at the same time. (For legal reasons, take that out of context.)

But I’m getting carried away here,

Many thanks everyone for 100+ kudos and 2000+ hits. Most of all, I’ve really just fallen in love with the comments. Your comments make me smile.

I’m lurking, and I’m stalking when you least expect-

No, I totally didn’t post this so soon for another post of ‘The Everyday Shenanigans of Ringle-Dingle’.

*cough*

What are you talking about?

*cough*

Now then, back to the fic:

1)What is [The Everyday Shenanigans of Aubrey]?

-To put in the simplest terms possible, TESOAubrey is really just a post-truth fanfic based off TESOS. It’s as shrimple as that.

Also Sunburn, because why not.

Cmon, look at that Auby smile again.

Go on.

she happy.

Did you guys expect AubreyxSomething?

WAIT NO STOP THINKING ABOUT THAT-

2)Why have so much space?

-because funni sentence hit different when it’s the only sentence

3)Where Something?

-FOR CRYING OUT LOUD

4)What’s happening next?

-As Aubrey has finally accepted, we’ll be exploring the sacred land of Fargone very soon. There will be new faces to meet and new fears to confront.

-We’re also made aware Sunny is there. What is that buffoon up to?

By the way, for the sunburn enthusiasts and terrorists out there, might as well mention how many chapters till the two meet.

Give it about-

——

Day (Idk it’s still the exact same special):

BAZINGA.

GET LEAKED FOOL.

SOMETHING ALWAYS WINS.

SOMETHING OUT.

——

~Our beloved Something

WAIT SHIT

IT’S NOT EVEN FINISHED YET

CRAP

SHIT

WATERMELONS

UHH WELL I GUESS THIS WILL HAVE TO DO.

IMPROV PEOPLE IMPROV.

uhh so for the final part of the special, here’s a sneak peak of the main song theme melody whatever this is.

The first official track will debut in a couple of chapters into Fargone, so I mean, I gotta work on shit a bit more

For now, I gotta go ensure Something hasn’t gotten their hands on anything else.

If y’all still have any questions regarding the story this far, I’m willing to clarify most of them.

See y’all again sometime,

And thank you all once again!

Chapter Text

She seeks a light by the shine of moon to kill the minutes.

She sought any guiding hand to show her the way.

To say this is Aubrey…

…oh, if she could.

Reaching for the clouds, she listens closely.

As summer sings one last joyful tale, it’s left in the sun to slowly rot.

-
Dear, my detested past,

Abhor the feigned memories, and bring the isolation.

The blinded, regretful days.

The nightmare that dusts my mind.

To you, a bouquet I shall send off, garnished by a poem.

-

Aubrey mourns the endless song that seeks someone’s light.

…

Welcome to Fall, the season of change.

You’ve never lived through this before.

…

“Basil, why is the couch squashing four tiny luggages to death?”

“How else are you going to be sleeping there?”

Another day, another case of domestic abuse.

“WAIT DID YOU ACTUALLY THINK I WAS ‘MOVING’ TO THE CITY?”

“Well, that’s what you said, right?”

-Ring- goes the bell as it absolutely smashes Basil’s Father’s Day.

-

“I told you this yesterday, Basil. I’m only going to stay in the city for a bit. Maybe a week.” Clarification is nothing without brutality.

“Gimme a sec. This shit hurts.” He just couldn’t handle it.

“Oh you sad, strange little boy.” Basil was a sad, strange little boy.

She only had enough to get through a week, though she did plan to prepare for more.

“Well, maybe if you had slept in one of the rooms, I wouldn’t have gone through the trouble of meticulously planting each leg of the couch in a miniature luggage keychain I bought from Hobbeez.” Domestic abuse is scary, guys.

“WHO IN THEIR RIGHT MIND LUGS A COUCH AROUND?” Okay, it’s getting even scarier now.

“WELL, THAT MAVERICK GUY FOR STARTERS.”

How else am I to rest my feeble self on this fine Tuesday morning?

“You compare me to that buffoon one more time, and this bell is going up your fucking a-“

“Why do you keep calling everyone a buffoon now? I mean, other than the usual ‘Bagel’.” Basil had a point.

-We interrupt this final chapter of TESOAubrey’s introduction to bring you a collection of times-

-Something uses the word ‘buffoon’.-

Year 4, day 184:

…IT WAS AUTOCORRECT YOU BUFFOON.

________________

Year 4, day 259:

Watch this buffoon, Maidenless once again

________________

Year 4, day 259 again:

…I KNOW WHERE THE PESTICIDE IS YOU TINY BUFFOONS…

________________

Year 4, it’s still day 259:

YEAH SQUISH THAT BUFFOON YEAH

________________

Year 4, day 260:

STUPID BUFFOON

________________

Year 4, also day 260:

GET OUT OF MY BLACKSPACE YOU BUFFOON.

________________

Look, I’m getting tired of labeling these. Same as the one above:

MAVERICK BUG OFF YOU ABSOLUTE BUFFOON.

-We are now cutting back because the narrator has given up on finding more instances.-
-We thank you for your patience.-

“Because you are one.” An ‘Aubrey’ answer.

“You gonna say that while I’m suffering down here?”

“That’s what you get for knocking on death’s door.”

Aubrey doesn’t like it when Basil goes ‘Knock-Knock, Death? Helloooo~’ every single fucking time she leaves him alone.

“Did you just compare yourself to the abstract construct that is death?” Shenanigans ensue.

“You’re goddamn right.” Aubrey reassured Basil.

-

This had been her home for the past 2 years, and pretty much the only home she had ever known.

“You’ve put them all back…” It took Aubrey a bit to take it all in.

They were plastered back perfectly as she remembered it.

[There’s probably a puddle here from you crying. Don’t fucking slip.]

[This jam is expired.]

[Before you even dare touch bun-bun, please read the goddamned book. ]

[You’re alright. Stop staring at yourself in the mirror. You’ve got this.]

[It’ll only be a week. You got this.]

[Everything is okay.]

[Bagel :3]

A vibrant den of colors.

It’s both distracting and enticing.

“I’d just thought… you know?” Words didn’t make sense to him anymore.

Loss is one thing, but saying goodbye is another.

Basil still didn’t know how to handle either.

For so long, he had no choice but to say goodbye. They were circumstances outside of his control, something his form of love couldn’t comprehend. As others had left him, he remained rooted to his uneven ground. He couldn’t chase, not even follow their steps. Basil would be left all alone again, and again.

Now, he could’ve chosen not to.

He didn’t have to bring up the city in the first place.

Aubrey didn’t need to ‘move’ to the city.

He could just tell Aubrey he wants her to stay, for as long as his heart desires.

Aubrey didn’t have to leave him.

“I’m sorry. I really… really don’t want to ‘miss’ you.”

It was beyond heartfelt. This wasn’t even sincerity.

This is Basil.

Aubrey knows Basil.

-Ring- goes the bell again as it reminds Basil that he could no longer celebrate Father’s Day.

“AAAAAGH FUCK!”

Readers, I call upon you to point your fingers at the screen and laugh at the Bagel.

Quick, do it now before this funny interactive segment ends.

It’s gonna end with this sente-

“Idiot. You think I haven’t started missing you already?”

Basil doesn’t know ‘Aubrey’, but he loved her.

“You’re an oblivious idiot with the worst fucking mental stability in all of Faraway. You can’t cook for shit. You fall down all the fucking time, and you’ve gotten way too snarky recently.”

Basil couldn’t understand ‘Aubrey’, but he loved her.

“Do you know how much I want to stay?”

Basil perks his chin up.

His crotch was a goner, might as well listen up.

“This is as much ‘home’ to me as any other home. You guys are the closest thing to family for me. Now, you’ve all I got left in Faraway.

Sunny moved away ages ago.

Kel’s always away for his matches.

Hero has a part-time job as a nurse and attends college, for crying out loud.

For 2 years, you’ve been my only ‘family.’ I…”

2 years.

“I want to stay.”

2 years and one truth.

“This place means more to me than you can ever imagine.”

2 years and one truth will change someone.

“It’s the first time in forever I could sleep without a thought.“

A night that shook her life, for better and worse…

…but for once in this hellish world, Aubrey had shut her eyes while looking forward to a better tomorrow.

“I… I really…”

Aubrey doesn’t know who ‘Aubrey’ is,

but she knows one thing too damn well.

Just like Basil, she chooses to love too much.

-

“Maybe I do need the couch…” Aubrey admits.

“Shut up for a bit.” Basil silences her swiftly.

With the embrace of a lost boy, silence was all they needed.

They were crying to themselves, selfishly mute. Neither wished for the other to hear their sniffles.

Just for them, the world ceased the progression of all things for a moment.

Just for them, it seemed like time halted.

For Aubrey and Basil, they could have each other.

Basil needed to learn how to let go, or he never will.

Aubrey needed to learn how to let go, or she never will.

“Ready?”

“Just a bit more.”

They had all the time in the world.

It would be a real shame to waste it.

It wasn’t warm, but it wasn’t cold.

It wasn’t tight, yet it wasn’t loose.

It was Basil.

Basil, I promise you. I will never leave you again.

“Just a bit more…”

Acceptance is key.

One to many locks in life.

-

“You sure that’s all you’re bringing?” Basil pestered.

“Basil, this is the 72th time…” Perhaps he pestered too much.

“I’m just curious why you’d pack Mr. Plantegg too…”

“That’s non-negotiable.” Aubrey stood her ground firmly.

Her pendant sparkled in the afternoon’s glow. It reminded them of someone.

“You ready?” She asked.

“Of course I am.” He replies hastily.

“Then I want to hear it.”

Basil knew what she needed to hear.

He knew what he needed to say.

“Bye. See you soon.” Soon, that brought him some comfort.

“You too.”

—

By a roadside she treads, to a-

Before her stood a door.

It leads to nowhere, yet it starts here.

There is no knob. There is no handle.

Only a cost to bear when the time is ripe.

It needed a key.

What keys did Aubrey have?

As humans, our lives are full of such doors.

We know little about where they go, nor the consequences of opening them.

There is no clear way to approach them, nor back away from them.

Sometimes, there just isn’t a key.

It is at times like these that we need to give ourselves a little push.

…

“Girl, you getting on or what?” A husky voice.

The bus had been waiting for her. The clunking of its engine grew impatient.

It doesn’t matter anymore.

She knows that.

Aubrey stepped further, and further she shall go.

Everything seemed so far away, but nothing can stay close forever.

There were questions she needed answers for.

Who is this ‘Something’?

…and…

Who is ‘Aubrey’?

Fargone.

That name seems so foreign.

The city.

It seems like a whole new chapter.

The road ahead is clouded, she needed a light to show her the way.

Where will this take her?

What the-

<Basil>

[Basil]:  M

[Aubrey]: What the

[Basil]: ah, sorry i must’ve sent that by accident.

[Aubrey]: Don’t tell me you’re already fucking crying already

[Basil]: no?

[Aubrey]: What’s with the question mark…

[Basil]: …

[Basil]: yes

[Aubrey]: BASIL IT HAS BEEN LITERALLY 14 FUCKING MINUTES

She will never stop thinking about Basil.

<Kim>

[Aubrey]: Hey, Kim?

[Kim]: New phone who dis

[Aubrey]: Auby

[Aubrey]: Aubrey*

[Kim]: Oh hi Auby

[Aubrey]: I swear to god.

[Kim]: Was thinking about meeting up with Charlene later on in the afternoon

wanna join

[Aubrey]: Can’t. I’m visiting the city for a bit.

[Kim]: wat

[Aubrey]: Listen, I know I’ve already asked you to help me with the cleaning.

I need something else now too, if that’s fine.

[Kim]: I’m here for ya Aubs

Waddya need

[Aubrey]: It’s flower boy. I need you to like, check in on him sometime

[Kim]: No worries Aubs your boyfriend is safe

[Aubrey]: You know damn well he isn’t my boyfriend.

[Kim]: oh so you’ve got one? ehe

[Aubrey]: I may be a few miles away from you,

but you know damn well I can hurl this fucking bell at you with pinpoint accuracy.

[Kim]: Chillax Aubs I’ll go pay that guy a visit with Charlene every now and then

[Aubrey]: Thanks.

[Kim]: Also do you happen to know why Mikhael is lugging a humongous couch around town

She will never stop thinking about Kim.

Here’s hoping she won’t find anything new to miss.

Bonus:

Cover for the first official soundtrack :D It’ll debut in a few chapters.

Chapter Text

…

Welcome to Fargone.

A place of many ‘keys’ and ‘pieces’ for one to collect themselves.

We hope you (enjoy your) stay!

…

The roar of downtown traffic.

The bus’ grunts grow distant.

The buildings are towering.

A man in a suit passes by.

A lady and her child walk away.        

There is a moderate amount of chatter originating from a nearby coffee shop.

Steps. Many steps.

A statue of a fish.

Another man in a suit passes by.

The clicking of high heels on the pavement.

Bicycles sweep past her.

Something is watching her.

Trees sway in response to the non-existent breeze.

Lights. There are lights all around her.

An elderly man is reading a newspaper while walking.

Buskers take their crafts to the streets.

A motorcyclist drifts by.

The sky bathes in its signature hue.

A commercial for a clothing brand. The model looks pretty.

A child chases off a flock of pigeons.

The fluttering of wings complement the hustle and bustle of Fargone.

This is a whole new world…

“Aubrey, I want you to live.”

“This is your life we’re talking about, Aubrey.

No one else should be telling you how to live it.”

“Do you believe it all? Everything that happened?”

…and that only means one thing.

Where the fuck am I?

-

<Hero>

[Aubrey]: Hero

[Aubrey]: Hero

[Aubrey]: Hero

[Aubrey]: Hero

[Aubrey]: Henreeee

[Hero]: Is there something bothering you, Aubrey?

[Aubrey]: Am lost

[Hero]: You do know Faraway is a rather small town, right? How did you manage that? Are you in the woods?

[Aubrey]: I’m in the city.

[Hero]: …

[Hero]: May i ask why?

[Aubrey]: Bagel kicked me out.

[Hero]: Who’s ‘Bagel’?

[Aubrey]: Bagel.

[Hero]: …alright. Do you happen to know which city in particular?

[Aubrey]: Golly gee I wonder why I’m asking you if it didn’t happen to be the exact same city with your stupid college.

[Hero]: Oh. Fargone? Could you describe some of the things around you then?

[Aubrey]: Statue of fish

[Hero]: Which one?

[Aubrey]: what do you mean which one…

[Hero]: Anyway, there should be a map somewhere near that statue. It should look like a slanted table.

It did look like one. It was enormous too.

It read:

[South Sector Directory]

<Hero>

[Aubrey]: WHY ARE THERE 26 FISH STATUES WITHIN MY LOCAL VICINITY?

[Hero]: We do have quite a few of them. Though 26 seems a bit low…

[Aubrey]: You city folk have some strange religions

[Hero]: Actually, they represent the local culture of developing the unconscious and rebirth.

It’s also a tribute to the late Marco and Polo, who served as the city’s mascots for a good 14 years apparently.

[Aubrey]: Nerd

[Hero]: You should be good with that map. If you need any further help, be sure to give me a call.

[Aubrey]: Nerd

It sounded like a good note to end off for Aubrey.

The map was clear, for the most part. It’s just the font that was hard to decipher.

Who in their right mind actually uses Comic Sans?

It didn’t help having an 8 foot-tall goldfish statue staring at her from above with those stupid goofy ass eyes.

What the fuck is a ‘fishtrict’, and why am I in number 34?

It turned out there were more than 26 fish statues.

This revelation, however, did nothing for Aubrey.

…

Right, there we go.

She drills her finger into a segment titled ‘Spaces’.

[https://www.spaceinbetween.com/blogs/the_everyday_shenanigans_of_something/]

If there was anyone who could know anything about this ‘Something’, why not the platform itself?

There was something she came here to do, and it was exactly that.

Now how the fuck do I get there?

This was the issue.

Aubrey knew jack shit about many things, including how cities functioned.

Everything back in Faraway was nice and orderly, especially since all the shops are literally in the same place.

Fargone, on the other hand…

“So, turn right at the DacMonalds, head straight through 4 buildings…”

Fargone is not Faraway.

It doesn’t sugarcoat anything.

“…pass another DacMonalds, and then- oh Hobbeez is here too…”

Often, such shenanigans would begin to attract attention.

“…around the Museum of Slippers, then follow that lane…”

On the bright side, maybe someone could then come and help.

“…wait, what kind of name is ‘DacMonalds’ ? ”

At this rate, Aubrey might as well start her own blog.

Maybe she’ll call it “FINDING MY F*CKIN WAY AROUND THIS BIG ASS CITY”, though it doesn’t really have a ring to it.

Enough was enough. She needed to get started on something.

Aubrey stepped further, and further she needs to go.

Deeper into the abyss she shall walk.

Fields of heads will warp her vision.

Fear not those who stalk.

Stay true to your mission.

Something is watching you.

Loosen your shoulders and calm your breaths.

Something is watching you.

My brother in Christ, calm your fu-

Wait, this Dacmonalds or the one after?

Someone thought it was okay to have two branches of Dacmonalds right next to each other.

…

Aubrey knew what she needed to do.

It’s unconventional, but it’ll work.

If there’s anything she knew how to do, it’s this.

Now, the author utilizes a comedic way to express how Aubrey literally retraces her steps all the way back to the fucking Goldish Statue Numero 34.

Umm.. HUZZAH BLANK SPACE TO EMPHASISE HOW LONG AUBREY TOOK!

…

“GAWD FUCKING DAMMIT!”

There were a lot of DacMonalds branches.

<Hero>

[Aubrey]: HENRIAH JEREMIAH THE FOUTH

[Hero]: Still lost?

[Aubrey]: NO. IT’S THE STUPID CITY’S FAULT.

[Hero]: Alright, where are you now?

[Aubrey]: DacMonalds

[Hero]: Forget I asked then.

Where are you trying to go?

[Aubrey]: Spaces

[Hero]: As in you-don’t-wish-to-tell-me , or the headquarters for the brand ‘Spaces’?

[Aubrey]: nerd

[Hero]: You do know you are using a smartphone now, right?

Fuck.

-

Technology really is something else.

It only took 2 hours to navigate through the labyrinth that is Fargone’s South Sector.

It didn’t help that this was the first time Aubrey had visited the city.

It also didn’t help that Aubrey’s sense of direction was thrown off repeatedly by whatever sorcery conjured both the fish statues and DacMonalds all around her.

Spaces.

The in-between.

It was most definitely larger than the entire strip mall back at Faraway. The sheer scale alone resembled that of a whole campus.

“Connecting dots to the people.”

Their slogan.

They also had those fancy doors that Aubrey had never seen before.

You know, the ones which rotate the entire fucking way?

Yeah, Aubrey spent a good 6 minutes lost in that.

HOW DO I FUCKING ESCAPE?  
A reasonable thought.

-

Now, Aubrey was no interior designer.

Heck, she dropped out.

Yet, she couldn’t help but be marveled by this new ‘world’.

It wasn’t futuristic in any way, but it definitely felt modernized.

The late afternoon shines through the transparent ceiling.

A grand open area for entrepreneurs to converse.

Spiraling pillars with vapor spouting up top. The mist leaves a lasting cool.

It reeked of fervent business.

A garnish of vines along the walls which bolsters a natural feel.

She had never seen anything like this before.

An information centre with-

Ah, Aubrey could use that. Information.

“Umm..excuse me?” Her first interaction.

The lady behind the counter took a bit to react, she seemed rather busy. That’s what she gets for trapping herself between a counter and a huge pillar with an ‘I’ symbol pinned to it.

“How can I help you?”

Everything fell apart.

Aubrey crumbled.

Why does it manifest here, of all places?

You feel someone watching you.

It’s just the lady, it isn’t anything more. Breathe, Aubrey.

You feel something watching you.

It’s just the lady, there’s no need to fear anything. You need to ask something. Breathe, Aubrey.

“Excuse me, Miss? You’re hyperventilating…”

You feel someone else watching you.

Breathe, Aubrey.

You’re making a scene.

Breathe, Aubrey.

More people are looking at you.

Breathe, Aubrey.

Please breathe, Aubrey.

A man is staring at her.

A lady is staring at her.

A child is staring at her.

The walls are staring at her.

The mist gazes into her.

Things she can’t understand are glaring at her.

A businessman.

A mother.

A janitor.

A staff member.

A visitor.

Another visitor.

Some buff dude.

A toddler.

Vines.

Mist.

Walls.

Height.

Space.

Someone is whispering behind her back.

Something is. Maybe.

Aubrey doesn’t know.

Aubrey never knows.

Aubrey doesn’t need to know.

Pace your breaths.

Persist.

Calm your heart.

Focus.

Clear your mind.

Calm d-

“Ah, ever since her father left…”

“…She’s so uncontrollable…”

…

“Excuse me.”

She’s running again.

She can’t keep doing this.

-

It’s cloudy. It’s foggy. It’s hard to see.

It’s scary. It’s hard to breathe.

A complete lockdown.

What keys did she have?

Suppression is key.

Regression is also key.

Good. Good.

Breathe.

Calm down.

Relax.

Rest.

Cool off.

Take it easy.

Simmer down.

Regain composure.

Ease off.

Loosen up.

Breathe.

Repeat.

Breathe.

Calm down.

Relax.

Rest.

Cool off.

Take it easy.

Simmer down.

Regain composure.

Ease off.

Loosen up.

Breathe.

Repeat.

Haaaaaaaaah~

It came like a voice.

It’s a distant voice.

It’s far away, and it came from Faraway.

It was beautiful.

Notes that were crisp and fluent, played on delicate strings.

The cries of a violin never go unheard.

It was clear.

Like a ray of light, it carved through Aubrey’s woes.

With its shine, she found her worries dissipating.

It sounded familiar, like a faint lullaby.

“Let’s make it a promise then. I bet you’ll look great in pink, Aubrey.”

It sounded like everything was going to be okay.

The lock in her heart will not succumb.

A boy? No, Aubrey couldn’t tell.

The lovely sound was crowded by others.

No one was looking at Aubrey anymore.

She found time to breathe.

Haaaaaa-aaaaah~

It’s a wonderful voice.

The lock in her heart will not succumb.

Hair. Jet-black.

Aubrey could barely make that out.

It reminded Aubrey of someone.

The lock in her heart will not succumb.

Talent. Talent she had seen before with her own eyes.

Someone had that talent. Aubrey once knew them.

The lock in her heart will not succumb.

An ending.

Applause.

Something was right in front of Aubrey.

It wasn’t a key.

It wasn’t a door.

What was it?

Then.

Yes.

Right then, in that magical moment,…

…

Some asshole ruins the moment by performing a German Suplex on Aubrey.

God did it hurt.

I mean, it did help clear what fuckery was going on in that noggin’.

But who in this stupid ass world would dare to pull this off in broad daylight?

“I’m sorry, Aubrey. He couldn’t help himself after peeking at my phone.” It sounded like Henriah Jeremiah the Fourth.

That means…

Who am I kidding?

It’s the mofo himself.

“KEL?”

Chapter Text

[You lack the necessary keys to <Calm Down>.]

Sniffling. It came from Aubrey.

Where was she?

A porch. It wasn’t Aubrey’s.

She doesn’t know.

“…please talk to me… I don’t know what I’d do…” Aubrey weeped.

She never knows.

“She wanted it purple. I wanted it pink. It should have been…”

She will never know.

“What do I do now, _____?”

Something else was coming. It was starting to swarm around Aubrey.

Like a malicious parasite, it taunts its prey.

Consumption begins with the soul, seasoned by despair.

…

That is until a force of nature slams against her face at Mach speed.

It hurt, but the pain was second to her heart’s ache.

Embracing her knees in a curl, she laid back onto the porch.

It tasted like fur, and dug its claws into her hair.

MREOW! The projectile yelped.

“Mewo? Did you come to see me?”

The engulfing darkness shattered, scattering across the reaches of Faraway.

SOMETHING was watching over her.

“You’re really energetic today. Want to go on a walk with me?” Aubrey asked.

Mreow~ It responds.

She stepped away from someone that day.

It doesn’t matter anymore.

The lock in her heart will not succumb.

No.

This didn’t happen back then.

Aubrey isn’t home. She hasn’t been for a good day.

Where is Aubrey?

She’s in Fargone. She can’t be in Faraway.

Ah, it’s this same dream again.

…

Aubrey shoots herself awake. She didn’t need to relive this past.

This bed is too big for her. She wouldn’t mind lugging it back home.

The room is too fanciful for Aubrey’s liking. She honestly preferred the greenery back home.

It’s comfortably warm for an autumn night. Aubrey could stay like this forever.

Her pendant glistens in the absence of light, shining for her when nothing else would.

Right, she remembers…

…

… having her spine snapped in half by a fucking gorilla.

-

Maybe she was exaggerating. She isn’t paralyzed.

But it still fucking hurt.

“WHAT’S UP, AUUUBREEEEY?” A bombastic fella asked.

“The floor. Now get your hairy arms off me so I can beat the shit out of you.” Her response.

“Language, Aubrey.” HOLY SHIT, IT’S HENRIAH JEREMIAH THE FOURTH.

…

Having collected herself, she searches for the-

The what?

There was something she was drawn to. Where is it now?

Look for a crowd.

There’s a crowd everywhere. This is the city.

“Your free trial of peace has expired.” The mighty Kel commanded.

“My what-“

Another Suplex.

Clearly, Aubrey should have gone with the Kel Premium Package. It would be nice to have a break from the ads spine-breaking feats.

That’s it.

-Ring- goes the bell as it decimates Kel’s Father’s Day.

“AAAAGH ORANGE JOE ON A SHTICK.” A ‘Kel’ exclamation.

“Can you two stop duking it out in public next to the statues?” A reasonable approach coming from Hero.

One small issue.

Aubrey’s bell was rated ‘E’ for everyone.

-

“What was that for?” Kel whimpered.

“You nearly broke my fucking spine, twice.” The cold gaze spoke volumes of her unbridled animosity.

“What about Hero? What did he do?”

In the distance, a wild Henriah Jeremiah the Fourth is seen squirming under the yolk of capitalism.

In English, that means he’s fucking dying.

“Terrible at directions.”

“A-Aubrey, you know there’s way too many DacMonalds branches h-here, right?” Hero’s truth goes unheard.

“WHY DIDN’T YOU TELL ME TO USE THE ONLINE MAP FROM THE START, DIPSHIT?!” There were no locks on Aubrey’s fury.

“Language, A-Aubrey.”

“DON’T YOU CHANGE THE FUCKING SUBJECT.”

Siblings. They suffer together.

When one feels pain, the other tries to feel it for them too.

A beautiful relationship.

Aubrey had one too, right?

“I’m sure it’ll look great on you, Aubrey.”

Aubrey doesn’t know.

Aubrey never knows.

Aubrey doesn’t need to know.

“Soooooo, what brings you to the wonderful nation of Fargone?” Kel is incessant with his words.

“Bagel wanted me to get a life.”

“I KNOW! YOU SHOULD TOTALLY CRASH WITH US!”

There is no such thing as a consistent topic in a crack-fic.

“By the way, Fargone isn’t a nation, Kel.” Hero tags in.

“Sorry. The wonderful living room that is Fargone.”

“IT’S A FUCKING CITY, KEL.” You may know who this is, so I don’t need to say it.

To Aubrey, however, she’s glad almost nothing had changed for the two.

“Language, Aubrey.” One brother nagged.

“Language, Aubrey.” The other brother nagged.

“You guys are talking mad shit while standing in bell-throwing-range.”

Kel and Hero. They grew together.

“Either way, there’s no way in hell I’m crashing with that gorilla.” Aubrey’s safety comes first.

“Oh, you’ve got a place to stay already?” Curiosity got the better of Hero.

“…”

No, she fucking didn’t.

“Don’t worry. It’ll be our treat. We haven’t gotten to spend much time together anyway.” This charming bastard and his generous offers.

It would be nice to catch up,…

…just not in a prestigious hotel.

-

“Remind me again how you guys afforded this?” Aubrey’s budget could never set foot here.

“Kel moment.” She never got used to Hero’s newfound snark.

“Be right back y’all.” The monke says, stumbling out the window.

This shit wasn’t a hotel, it’s a whole ass stack of mansions.

The ceiling is disgustingly high, sprinkled with such intricate chandeliers a common folk like Aubrey just doesn’t care about.

The floor is marble. Of course it’s marble.

Each piece of furniture here probably costs more than Basil’s entire house.

To think it’s even possible to stack 50 of these rooms on top of one another.

Wait a minute…

“KEL, WE’RE ON THE 50TH FLOOR! WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING?”

“Look, Aubrey. This shit isn’t a six-star hotel. I HAVE A DREAM.” He clambers his way out of the frame.

He had a dream.

“HOW THE FUCK ARE YOU EVEN GONNA DO THAT?“

“Instant noodles in the shape of a star, a glue gun and a dream.” Monke man had been on the web too much.

“Kel, that’s a Möbius strip.” The only voice of reason belonged to Aubrey.

Now seems like a good time to slot in ‘My Time’ by Bo En.

“Eh. Potato Tomato. If it glows in the dark, it’s all that matters.” Yes, glow-in-the-dark instant noodles is canon now.

“GET THE FUCK DOWN FROM THERE.”

“I’M MAKING FUCKING MAC AND CHEESE, AND NOBODY CAN STOP ME.” Kel had also brought along frozen mac and cheese, he must’ve forgotten the microwave.

On the surface, none of this makes sense.

You, the reader, would be correct.

After all, this is a crack-fic.

The Kel is in his natural habitat.

“Let him be.” An unexpected compromise from Hero.

“Shouldn’t you be the overly worried one here?”

“Kel is way more capable than the two of us will ever understand.” How exactly have the two grown to this extent?

“Let’s talk for a bit, Aubrey. How about that?”

Talk.

Sure.

Aubrey needed that.

-

Night begins to set in with the lasting cries of the drowning sun.

As the final rays melt into the man-made horizon, Aubrey is greeted by a starless sky.

Pitch-black as far as the eye could see.
Even though it was admittedly unsettling, it’s still the same tranquil night she had grown to love.

It’s beautiful.

Aubrey pondered that phrase on the chiseled balcony.

Lights.

Many lights.

Some were yellow, some were pink. Some were bright, some were dim.

The starscape of Fargone was a breathtaking view.

As though straight out of a fairy tale, glimmers danced about this castle of wonders.

They say this sort of spectacle comes only once in a lifetime, yet here Aubrey was.

Lost and confused, these sparkling spirits lit up the world beneath her.

They spoke in twinkles and drifted like shooting stars.

Though artificial, these lights breathed life into the city.

She only hopes it can do the same for her.

“Where’d you get that from? It’s beautiful.” Hero comments, offering a mug of cinnamon tea.

How long had Aubrey been holding onto this for?

It was a pendant in the shape of a particular flower. Its shine is nothing short of extraordinary.

“Found it online about a good year ago. Thought it was pretty.” The cup barely scalds her hands It’s nothing she isn’t used to.

“That it is.” He takes a long sip.

Two lost souls share a balcony. It’s unclear whether either of them have truly moved on.

“How is it? Do you like it?” Hero asks.

“It’s beautiful. If only there could be stars too.” She responds.

“Yeah. I miss the night sky back home.” Something they’d both agree on.

Without a sun, the stars are your last hope. Without hope, you are nothing.

“How is she?” He needed to ask

“Resting, with her eyes shut.” Aubrey knew the words. She would’ve asked the same.

“I’m glad to hear that. Thank you.” Hero was useless with these kinds of things.

Aubrey finds herself here when she needs someone to talk to.

“Has it really been 2 years?” The truth they needed to question.

“I don’t know. What has it been for you?” A question for the both of them.

“I don’t know either.”

She was the world to them.

Without the world-

“Do you still miss her?” Aubrey asked.

It was the one question she shouldn’t have asked.

It marked an end to an otherwise restful night.

They share a moment together in Fargone’s radiance.

It reminded them of her.

“Unconditionally, with no strings attached.” Just as much as he had loved her.

Year 4, day 260:

The time they spent together meant so much more to Mari then the both of them could ever realise.

She loved him, and she left him.

Just as much as she did.

Hero offers a puff of vapor to the clouds above, donning the solemn look of a smoker.

A sip, followed by a gulp.

The tea could have been a little sweeter. Aubrey agreed.

“Yo, anyone up for some mac and cheese?” Kel had spent the last hour finding a way to enter the conversation.

-

“UNO.”

“Kel, we’re playing blackjack.” Hero tried to correct his little ball of chaos.

“CHECKMATE.”

“Wrong game.” Aubrey chipped in.

“EXODIA OBLITERATE.”

“What?” This time, both in unison.

It smelled like wooden planks on a sweltering summer day.

“Aight, I’m off. I gotta be in peak condition for tomorrow morning.” The gorilla swooped under his mattress. He didn’t enjoy sleeping like a normal person, something about this being a ‘reference’ of sorts.

“Kel, it’s like 8pm.” Aubrey fashioned her non-existent watch.

“Good Nightoreo-“

“…”

“…”

“Is it me or is he snoring to the Space Jam theme?” It was Aubrey’s first time learning this.

“First time?” Hero stop repeating shit after me.

Card after card, how much did they play?

Swiping one against the other tickled a memory.

“So, what brings you to Fargone?” Hero asked.

A jack.

“Bagel kicked me out.”

“Is that all there is to it? If anything, I’d thought Basil would ask you to stay.” It was impossible to properly discern Hero’s impression of Basil. His tone burned with an uncertainty.

“…” She knew what she came for, it just doesn’t seem worthwhile.

A pair of diamonds.

“What is it like, growing alongside Kel?” It felt like derailing the conversation.

“I never got enough of it.” This felt honest.

“Then, what would you have done without Kel?”

The ace of spades.

Silence.

A Queen.

“Who knows anymore? I learnt so much this past 6 years, who Kel is to me is one of them.” He takes a quick peek at his brother, tightly snug under his mattress.

“…” Listening was something Aubrey could do too, much like someone else.

“I’ve been so used to our dynamic as ‘Kel’ and ‘Hero’ that I had completely forgotten about my younger brother.”

There were no more cards to pack.

They made their way to the balcony again, empty cups in hand.

“He’s annoying, playful, and way too energetic. He bothers me all the time with texts, and invites me to every single game he plays in.”

“I can see that.” Aubrey could believe it.

“But really, he just wants everyone to be happy.”

Year 4, day 260:

Mari wanted to see Kel grow into the most energetic bundle of happiness, spreading his joy to everyone around him.
She loved him and she left him.

“It took me this long to realise what Sunny was to Mari.” Henry concluded.

The sun shined brighter when she was here.

What was this to Aubrey?

She could never know.

“Come here, Aubrey. I’ll tie your hair for you.”

She shouldn’t know.

“It’s watermelon. I know what you like, Aubrey.”

Then, what is this?

“That’s a pinky-promise!”

…

“I’m heading in for now. I also have to be up for his game after all.” Hero’s hands part from the railings.

“Sure thing.” Aubrey wanted to soak it all in just a bit more.

“You can take the other bed. I’ll be on the couch.” How generous of Hero.

-

This bed is too big for Aubrey.

She wouldn’t mind lugging it back home.

The room is too fanciful for Aubrey’s liking.

She honestly preferred the flowers back home.

It’s comfortably warm for an autumn night.

Aubrey could stay like this forever.

Her pendant glistens in the absence of light, shining for her when nothing else would.

A night like any other.

A tomorrow unlike any other.

Chapter Text

“…”

“…”

“…”

Silence.

Whoever shall break it first?

“Kel, you suck.” Aubrey was just so tired.

“Aubrey…” Hero was just so tired.

“THIS SHIT ISN’T A SPORT IF THEY CAN’T HANDLE BALLBASKET.” Kel was just Kel.

On the Kel Calendar, it is officially War-Crime-Wednesday.

“Put the fart bomb away, Kel.” A classic Kel shenanigan as identified by Hero.

“Fart?” Holy shit. Nevermind.

“You better say sike right now.” Aubrey’s life was already in danger, and this is only the second day.

He did not say sike.

“…”

“…”

“…”

Silence, once more.

Whoever shall-

“Couldn’t you have at least told us it was a glitter bomb?” Hero was looking rather sparkly today.

“It’s more fun this way.” Kel was looking rather radiant today.

“Fuck you.” Aubrey takes Kel down with a shining German suplex.

It seemed like Faraway wherever they went.

-

“Excuse me, Miss?”

Someone was watching Aubrey.

Well, it mainly just caught her by surprise.

“Your two friends left a long time ago. There’s something I need to discuss with you.”

Was it the way she dressed? Nah, that shouldn’t be the case.

Kel only wears that one black jersey he owns anyway.

“See, before they left, one of them raided our refreshments and deemed them ‘a dollar each’. ”

“The guy with the ponytail who looks like an idiot, right?” Aubrey posed a rhetorical question.

Someone is watching her.

Aubrey couldn’t be bothered.

“Well, if it’s alright, we may have to pass the costs onto you.”

“Fine. I’ll handle it. How much do I have to-“

“For the record, YOU OWE ME MY ENTIRE LIFE-SAVINGS AND A DOLLAR.”

“mmmfp mmmmmfp~ mmfp mmmmfp!”

“Aubrey, could you fish Kel out from the ground?” Hero, shut up. Stop being so reasonable in a crack-fic.

Monke in the ground. Whatever will he do?

“THIS BITCH ORDERED TWO TRUCKLOADS OF ORANGE JOE AND PAID TWO BUCKS FOR IT, HERO.”

“Wait what?” It was at this moment that Hero decided it would be best to stop thinking.

“mmmfp mmmfp mfp, mmmpf mmmmmmmmmmmpf.” Someone please get Kel out of there. My keyboard can’t handle this.

Aubrey is tired of Kel’s shenanigans.

Hero tries his best to calm down two rapscallions.

Kel loses a basketball match by committing a felony.

It sounds like an absolutely regular day for the trio.

“It’s about noon already. We should probably get lunch. Any preferences, Aubrey? I’ll make sure Kel pays for it.” Hero interjects with a suggestion.

“Hero, this is my second day in the city, and all I’ve seen is DacMonalds.” It was a shitty suggestion.

“Well, I happen to know someplace you’d like.”

Gino’s. A name she recognises for once.

“As long as you guys are footing the bill.” Aubrey has officially attained the ‘broke ass bish’ title.

-

Ah, it ages like fine wine.

The moist atmosphere is rich in both sweat and steam.

The chattering of customers who don’t give a crap about one another.

That sickly aroma of trashy fast food.

It’s unhealthy, but goddamn does it taste good.

Some things stay the same no matter where Aubrey goes.

That includes Kel’s appetite.

“Save me a slice, Kel. “ Hero needed to skedaddle to the nearest restroom.

They ordered five ‘large’.

One for Aubrey and Hero.

The other four for Kel.

“Damn, you must come here a lot.” Aubrey complimented Kel’s skill with the blade.

Kel knew very well how to operate a pizza cutter with his hands.

“Okay, that’s good.”

Kel was using four pizza cutters….

“That’s good!”

…on one pizza.

“THAT’S ENOUGH SLICING, KEL!”

Lunch tastes better when you don’t have to pay for it.

“What have I missed?” The boomer returns with a stride in his step.

Many things have been missed.

“Aubrey, why is Kel in the ground again?”

“Hero, look at this shit.”

Achievement unlocked: Pizza Noodles

“What the-“

Dear God, Hero really swears. No dignity.

“What the heck?”

Hero was on some pussy shit again, and I can’t fucking stand it.

“Just say fuck, Hero.”

“Language, Aubrey.” DAMMIT.

…

Cheesy, greasy goodness that melts under your tongue.

Burnt pepperoni submerged in baked tomato paste.

It tastes a bit too familiar for Aubrey.

“Now that you’re here, would you be interested in coming to a recital with us tonight?” Hero proposes while his mouth is scalded by searing mozzarella. It’s like they’re just kidnapping Aubrey at this point.

An invitation to a recital. That never goes wrong.

“You still play it? I thought you’d stopped years ago.” She doesn’t remember the last time Hero touched a piano.

“Nah, I don’t have the time too. On the other hand, I enjoy watching them.” Hero couldn’t very hide it well.

It’s like experiencing what should have been.

A subtle message was shared between the two.

Did Aubrey want to go?

“Hero, you know my friends only got us two tickets, right?”

“And this jolly fella will pay for yours!” Kel joined at a wrong time.

“WHAT HAVE I DONE TO DESERVE THIS, HERO?!”

Was Aubrey fine with this?

Was it fine for her to run away from everything and embrace a new blinded truth?

She’ll settle on it later.

It can wait.

The heat from a piping-hot Gino’s pizza doesn’t last forever.

…

“Aubrey, why did you put a jar of strawberry jam on the table?”

There was just a singular jar of strawberry jam, set to expire in a few days, sitting on the remains of a meal ravaged by Kel not too long ago.

“Force of habit.” She throws it out the window.

Nobody bats an eye.

-

Time.

Sky.

Trains.

It travels at breakneck speeds while providing a comfortable environment for its passengers.

Park.

Fish statue.

Commotion.

The city lives and breathes through these daily interactions.

Life doesn’t wait for you to catch it by the tail.