Chapter Text
It was a snowy day in mid-December , the sound of people stomping around snow filled the streets, the sounds of kids throwing snowballs at one another. The smell of constant hot chocolate, and other hot beverages filled the atmosphere.
Whenever it snowed in Faraway Town, it always was the perfect amount, you could move around properly without having to shovel the snow out of your driveway. Some stayed inside warming themselves under countless blankets and fireplaces, and others went outside, relishing in the snow, making snow angels and dancing around the snow whilst constantly hitting each-other with icy cold snowballs.
But Kel, he decided to stay inside, despite the intense yearning to go outside in this weather again.
All he really wanted was to go outside, to play around with his friends.. but, things have changed. They all weren’t the same little kids they were all those years ago.
Ever since the truth had came out, and Sunny had moved, things have changed, perhaps for the better.
Kel always had in his mind if he should contact him now, he remembers that day significantly, how everyone ran out but him. He stood there, consoling Sunny. He could see those tears running down his pale cold cheeks, it stung his heart every-time he remembered that memory. Even if what Sunny did had affected everyone, he knows that it’s wrong to blame him for everything when it was an accident.
Sunny was his best friend, no.. he is his best friend. That won’t change, and even after everything, he missed him very much.
But everyone’s actually doing better since then, he should tell Sunny about all the new stuff that’s been going on ever since he left and moved. Wait.. maybe that’s a good excuse to call him, isn’t it? Geez, why was this so hard. If only he could just.. go to the phone, and input his number.. he did ask his mother about their number before he left too.
Kel took a deep sigh, his mind pondering on what he should do. It’s been a few months since the move.. so this surely should be a good time.
He took a moment to change into a more comfortable and cozy outfit as he walked downstairs, he finally reached the landline, taking a deep breath.
Why was this so nerve wracking?
He looks at the numbers on the phone, he was worried, this wasn’t supposed to be so suspenseful, he was just gonna call his friend, or at least he hopes Sunny sees him that way.
He put his finger on the first number, every number made him reminisce of a different memory.
Kel remembered when Sunny used to come over often, the two had sleepovers constantly, whilst Hero and Mari would chat.. no, flirt, in the background. The two used to eat cereal together in the mornings as Kel did most of the talking, he remembers when Sunny would always beat him in video games every-time he stayed over.
Kel actually had practised on his video gaming skills ever since, in hopes that the two would play again. He still does so secretly too.
He put his finger on the second number.
He remembered when he tried to impress Sunny that one time, climbing on a tree, but soon afterwards he fell off, and Sunny laughed out loud for the first time. Kel couldn’t help but grin and laugh by then, rubbing his head as Sunny helped him up and checked for any injuries. He was so happy by then, because he made him smile.
Kel actually started climbing trees more often, and would hope he’d fall so he’d make Sunny laugh more.
He put his finger on the third number.
Kel remembered bickering with Aubrey about Sunny, it was such an infuriating day for him. How Aubrey kept clinging onto Sunny, and he would cling onto him in rebuttal. The two bickered all day long, but in the end, he noticed Sunny’s small smile at the silly argument. His heart melted, he loved whenever he could catch a small, (no matter how rare), glimpse of his smile.
Kel tried many ways to make him smile again after that, he still hasn’t given up after so many years.
He put his finger on the fourth number,
His thoughts, still filled with experiences of Sunny, the way whenever he’d laugh at him, or even give him the smallest of smiles, Kel’s big heart would melt at the sight. It was a running joke actually, he remembered when Hero would tease him after Kel would malfunction whenever, (in the rare instances), Sunny smiled.
Kel still feels warmth in his heart, even after all those years ago, just reminiscing over those memories.
He was caught up in his thoughts as he finally inputted the last number.
Suddenly, a wave of anticipation, fear and uncertainty spun inside of him.
What if his mother didn’t give him the right number? What if Sunny never responds? What if he calls and they’ve changed their number? Or.. even worse.. Sunny doesn’t wanna speak to him again!
“Kel?”
Kel spun right around, letting out a loud yelp in surprise.
“AH! Oh-.. H-Hey Hero.”
“What are you doing?” He chuckles.
“..Uh.. nothing, just y’know callin’ some friends.”
Hero’s face softens as his mind slowly draws a conclusion as to who it was.
“..Ah, I think I know.” He smiled.
Kel rubs the back of his head sheepishly, “Sorry, I.. know that-“
Hero shook his head, almost offended at Kel’s assumption.
“I don’t mind. Why should I interfere in your relationships? Besides, if I forgave Basil, why wouldn’t I forgive Sunny?” He said, seemingly reassuring Kel that he didn’t mind him calling Sunny.
“W-Wait! You forgave Basil? When? Huh?”
“A while ago. I can’t hold grudges forever, Kel. Basil is, and will always be my friend, so will Sunny.. and.. what happened those years ago, was an accident. I’m sure Mari wouldn’t want us all to fight forever.” Hero says, his tone a little more softer and gentle, as he looked up, seemingly thinking about something with a tear inside his eye.
Kel’s heart warms up, his shoulder tension eases, he relaxes knowing that it was totally fine now. That there was no more issues, no need to keep it secret, surely.
“..I see.. ah- sorry for being so worried n’ all.” He laughed nervously, “Just.. thought you’d think otherwise y’know?”
Hero shook his head, “I’d never stand between you and Sunny, Kel.” He says, wiping away the tear as he focuses again on Kel. “I know how much you miss him.”
Kel sighed, “I really do, Hero.”
“So.. call him, I won’t make you wait!” He walked off into the kitchen, not before peeking his head out, “Make sure to tell me what happens, okay?”
Kel yells out, “Yeah! I will, thanks dude!”
Hero, finally fulfilled with his small interrogation, gave a small smile as he continued his duties in the kitchen.
Kel took a deep sigh, a very long, and heavy, and anxious sigh.
“..I can do this, I can do this… I can do this.” He repeated, in hopes of some sort of miracle confidence to come along and help relieve him of his worries.
He finally hits enter, and the line rings, he’s internally freaking out, his mind running with plenty thoughts, many of them about Sunny disliking him, and not wanting to speak with him anymore. A simple action was causing him absolute stress and anxiety, he hasn’t felt this way since almost losing the basketball tournament a while ago, though.. that’s a story for another time, anyway. But.. perhaps this was a mistake, maybe he shouldn’t contact him right now-
“…”
The line connects.
This was the moment he was waiting for.
Kel needs to respond quickly, before it’s too late, he grabs the phone, it almost dropping in his clumsy hands, he was shaking, sweating and freaking out. Maybe he really wasn’t fit to talk to Sunny, ah! No matter, Kel should focus on the task at hand.
“Y-He-I mean.. Hey! I-Is this Sunny?” He grinned nervously, squeezing the phone in his hands for dear life, it surprisingly didn’t break from the sheer grip he was having.
“…Yes.”
“S-Sunny! It’s me! Kel! I.. uh.. I was wondering about you man!” He says, trying to keep his composure and keep his voice from sounding too excited or too nervous, he couldn’t be so awkward speaking to his best friend of so many years.
“I.. know you don’t speak a lot, so I’ll make this quick.”
Sunny, despite not saying anything back, he seemed intrigued, and Kel knows that.
“I was wondering if you could come to Faraway Town, this winter. I.. kinda wanted to see you again, a-and.. y’know, catch up after.. everything.”
Kel waits in anticipation, taking in a deep breath.
“…I’m going there anyway.”
Kel’s eyes lit up, and then suddenly back to confusion, “W-Wait? What do you mean you’re coming?”
He looked outside his window, in search of Sunny possibly standing right outside, but alas, seeing nothing but snow, “Are you already on your way to Faraway Town? Wait-.. are you in trouble? Is there something wron-“
“I’m fine. I wanted to see you.. as well.” Sunny says, a hint of warmth in his voice.
His eyes darted back to the floor.
Kel’s cheeks warmed up just by that, he took a deep gulp, catching his breath and trying to keep his composure. Sunny was going to be the death of him. Why was Sunny having such an huge affect on him? It had to be studied at how easily he had him wrapped around his finger, and he barely even spoke, also Kel hadn’t even see his face at all, yet.
“..Kel?” Sunny spoke, a little worried from the uncharacteristic silence, Kel usually talks up a storm, (not to say Sunny minds that), so this was a little unusual.
“Ah! S-Sorry..” He mumbled, trying to think of something to explain his sudden silence, as well to explain why he was stuttering so much, “ Was.. uh.. occupied, y’know man..” He laughed nervously, trying to break the tension.
Sunny chuckled from the other end, maybe Kel wasn’t screwing this up afterall.
“Ahh..” He couldn’t help but smile goofily, playing around with the ties on his shorts, Sunny was so perfect, he was so quiet, but so proper, he could never see him as any kind of monster, it was hard enough taking time for himself after the truth, but before Sunny left, Kel had made sure to have a way to contact him. Sunny always found a way into Kel’s heart, (unknowingly of course), Sunny was the most amazing, (and the most understanding), friend that Kel could ever ask for.
Kel spoke a while, talking about what’s changed in Faraway Town, how Basil is now planting flowers and decorating the streets after his recovery, and how Aubrey and Hero had forgiven Basil, and sometimes Kel would see the two, (Aubrey and Basil), planting flowers together with Aubrey’s now girlfriend, Kim. How Hero also told him that he forgives Sunny, and how everyone is starting to accept this change, and get used to the new environment and circumstances, despite the earlier events.
“And, that’s all!” He smiled, proud of himself.
“Oh! And one thing..” Kel grinned.
“If you’re comin’ to town, don’t forget to sleepover at my place!”
Sunny mumbled a faint ‘Sure’.
“Okay, I won’t bother you anymore dude! Go ahead and get ready, where will we meet?”
“I’ll be at your door.”
“Ah? Gee, I thought I was being the gentleman, turns out I was the princess all along.” Kel joked dramatically, Sunny seemed to like that joke too.
Sunny faintly chuckled, “I’ll go now, bye.”
“Okay, love you, bye!” Kel said happily, completely oblivious to what he just said.
“..L…Love you too.” Sunny said back, a little embarrassed from his voice.
The call ends, as but in a short moment, Kel realises what he just said to Sunny.
“…Wait..”
His face heated up, his cheeks warm and face completely red, he put his hand on his cheek as he sweated nervously, trying to hide the absolute embarrassment that was clearly painted on his expression. It was embarrassing enough just rambling onto Sunny (even though he did that plenty as a child), it was worse knowing that he told him ‘I love you’ and that had probably made him extremely uncomfortable.
But.. even though he was extremely embarrassed over that, a part of him felt a little confident after his bold move. He felt nervous definitely, but at the same time, he couldn’t help but feel a little excited and relieved, like a weight was lifted off his shoulders, he didn’t feel such a heavy tension looming over the conversation afterwards.
The next couple of hours were spent with anticipation, Kel waited around the house eagerly waiting for a knock on the door, or some kind of strange signal, it was so obvious how he was waiting that Hero had picked up on Kel’s intense enthusiasm and excitement, Hero didn’t dare interrupt Kel’s eagerness, which was much alike an excited dog that was eagerly awaiting their owner, so he wasn’t going to ask what happened, not until he let Kel relish in whatever (likely) Sunny told him for a while longer. Although Hero would never admit it, he was happy for Kel taking a move, and not being so anxious about everything anymore.
Finally, life felt as if it was a little bit more normal, for once.