took me quite a while to write this, and sorry i got exams so update schedule is slow.
the name photopsias is essentially just another word for "Missing Light." if you read till the end, you'll know why
Sunny stretched out on the couch, lazily watching Nephis cook.
The smell of food filled the living room , but his attention was elsewhere.
No, you gooners, stop whatever you were thinking of.
Yes, the faint blush that was still lingering on her cheeks.
'Poor her.. I haven't had enough of you yet.'
She was trying to act as if nothing had happened, but he could see right through her.
After a few minutes, Nephis set two plates on the table and exhaled. "It's ready."
Sunny sat up, smirking. "Finally. Thought I'd starve before my personal chef got around to feeding me."
Nephis shot him a look but didn't respond.
Instead, she sat down and started eating, seemingly ignoring him entirely.
Sunny found that amusing - it was almost cute how she was trying so hard to act unbothered.
He picked up his chopsticks and took a bite. The taste was... surprisingly good. His brows rose. "Huh. This is actually decent."
Nephis glanced at him. "Did you think I was going to poison you?"
"No, but I expected something bland. You know, like your personality."
She stabbed at her food with a little more force than necessary, and Sunny couldn't help but chuckle. "I'm joking. Mostly."
She didn't answer, simply continuing to eat.
He watched her for a moment, then shrugged and finished his meal. When he was done, he leaned back, rubbing his stomach. "Thanks, My autistic blowtorch."
That made her pause for a moment, blinking at him. Then she simply nodded. "You're welcome."
Sunny grinned. "Wow, no sarcastic response? Are you feeling okay?"
She gave him a flat look. "I can take it back if you want."
"No need. I'm more than happy with my full stomach." He stretched his arms above his head, letting out a satisfied sigh before looking at her again.
"Though... I wouldn't mind dessert."
Nephis frowned. "I didn't make any."
.
Sunny smirked. "Who said I was talking about food?"
It took a second for the meaning to sink in.
When it did, Nephis visibly tensed, her grip tightening on her chopsticks.
A deep blush spread across her cheeks. "...You're such a pain."
"And yet, you keep me around. Makes you wonder, huh?" He leaned closer, resting his chin on one hand as he watched her squirm.
"Maybe you like it."
She opened her mouth, then closed it, choosing to focus on her plate instead.
He laughed softly. "You're adorable when you're flustered, you know that?"
Nephis let out a slow breath, clearly trying to compose herself. "Are you done?"
Sunny tilted his head. "Hmm... I don't think so."
She sighed. "Of course you aren't."
He grinned, suddenly reaching out and brushing a stray strand of silver hair behind her ear. "There. Much better."
Nephis froze for a moment, her breath hitching slightly at the unexpected touch.
Sunny, of course, noticed. He leaned in a little closer, lowering his voice to a near whisper.
"You're really easy to tease, you know that?"
She inhaled sharply, her fingers gripping the edge of the table. "Sunny..."
He hummed in amusement, eyes gleaming. "Yes?"
She glared at him, but her blush betrayed her.
Finally, she huffed and stood up. "I'm going to clean up."
Sunny leaned back, watching her walk away. "I'll come if you want."
"No, you won't."
"You're right."
Nephis shot him a look over her shoulder, and he smirked.
"I like watching you work."
She turned back around quickly, pretending to ignore him, but her ears were burning red.
'Idiot..'
He walked over to her, standing just behind her as she washed the dishes.
Then, with a smirk, he placed his hands on her waist.
Nephis stiffened. "Sunny."
"Hmm?"
"What are you doing?"
"Helping."
"By standing behind me?"
He leaned in slightly. "I just like the view."
Her hands trembled slightly as she scrubbed a plate. "You're impossible."
"You already said that."
"Because it's still true."
Sunny giggled, giving her waist a small squeeze before finally stepping back. "Fine, fine. I'll behave."
She let out a relieved breath. But then he added, "For now."
Nephis sighed, finishing up quickly.
Once everything had been cleaned, she turned to him.
"Are you satisfied now?"
Sunny smirked.
"Not quite."
She gave him a wary look.
"What now?"
He stepped closer, his expression unreadable.
"I want a kiss."
.
Nephis blinked, stunned into silence.
.
"...What?"
.
"You heard me."
.
She hesitated. "You're messing with me."
Sunny tilted his head. "What's wrong? You used to always give me kisses whenever you wanted? What happened to the old teasing Nephis?"
Nephis stared at him for a long moment. He wasn't wrong. She'd always tease him about everything and making the first move. However, today was… different. He was the one who took the approach first.
Then, she reached down and touched his face. "...Just one."
Sunny smiled. "More than one."
She leaned in, pressing a soft, hesitant kiss against his lips. She had done this multiple times, all of it with him so why was she hesitating now?
When she pulled back, her face was red, but her white eyes spoke something softer.
Sunny stared at her for a moment before smirking.
"You call that a kiss?"
Nephis blinked.
"What?-"
Before she could finish, he reciprocated her kiss but with more passion. His hands slid down her back, pressing her closer.
Nephis gasped against his lips, and he took full advantage, deepening the kiss even further.
When they finally pulled away, she was out of breath, her mind in a turmoil.
Sunny grinned. "Now that's a kiss."
Nephis took a shaky breath.
She could still feel it.
The phantom feeling of Sunny's lips on hers.
She didn't respond immediately, still trying to collect herself from everything that had just happened.
Sunny, noticing her dazed expression, chuckled softly.
His thumb brushed against her cheek, slow and deliberate, before he finally pulled back.
"Time for bed."
Nephis blinked, as if breaking from a trance.
"...Right."
The awkward silence between them had died down a bit, as they moved towards his bedroom.
Once inside, she moved to one side of the bed while he moved to the other side, slipping into the covers.
He smirked at the way Nephis turned her head sharply, her cheeks deepening in color.
"You act like you haven't seen me naked before," he said lazily, watching her as she hesitated before getting into bed.
"Should I be offended?"
"Just shut up and sleep," she muttered.
'Okay then..'
Sunny moved closer, just enough for their bodies to touch.
"What's wrong? Afraid of temptation?"
Nephis turned her head to glare at him.
"I swear, if you don't-"
"Shh," He cut her off, voice dropping to a whisper.
"You don't want to wake the neighbors, do you?"
Her lips opened, but no words came. a
His fingers trailed down her arm. Eventually stopping at a.. place.
"You're impossible," she finally muttered.
"Thank you," he said, grinning.
Silence settled between them again, more charged this time.
Nephis let out a slow exhale, as if gathering her thoughts.
Then, hesitantly, she turned onto her side to face him. "Sunny."
"Yeah?"
She hesitated before reaching out for his hand.
"...Thank you," she said finally.
Sunny blinked, momentarily caught off guard.
"For what?"
She shrugged slightly, her eyes softer than usual.
"For being here."
Something about the way she said it made his teasing falter.
He bit his lip to hide awwy the future thoughts that may occur.
He squeezed her hand gently.
A small but pained smile tugged at his lips.
"Always."
Nephis stared at him for a moment longer. Then, slowly, she leaned in.
Her lips brushed against his.
Sunny didn't let her pull away.
His hand slid to the back of her neck, holding her in place as he deepened the kiss, taking his time.
When he finally pulled back, Nephis was breathing heavier then in any fight she's done.
"You're going to be the death of me, Neph,"
He murmured agaisnt her lips.
She swallowed, but instead of responding, she pressed closer, resting her forehead against his.
Sunny smirked, his hand trailing down her back, pulling her just a little closer.
.
"Go to sleep, Sunny." she whispered, though her voice lacked conviction.
"Mm," he hummed.
"If you keep reacting like this, I might not let you sleep at all."
Nephis let out a slow breath, squeezing his hand tighter as if to ground herself. "You really don't want to let go, do you?"
She didn't answer.
His voice dropped to a murmur.
"I must be pretty special if the great Nephis can't sleep without me."
Nephis sighed, her face still lightly flushed. "You talk too much."
Sunny chuckled, his free hand moving to brush her hair back, his fingers trailing against her cheek.
"I could always stop," he said, then leaned in, his lips close to her ear.
"But I don't think you'd like that, would you?"
A shiver ran through her, but she still refused to give him the answer.
Instead, she exhaled sharply and nudged him.
Not pushing him away, just… responding.
His hand slid lower, fingers tracing the curve of her waist, before finally resting just above her hip.
He felt her tense up.
"Relax, Neph," he murmured.
"You're all stiff. That's not very queen-like, is it?"
She slightly turned her head to the left, pouting.
"I swear, you're insufferable."
"You love it," he shot back instantly.
Instead of teasing her any further, he helf himself back from the teasing.
He wrapped an arm around her weist, pulling her closer.
"Better?" he asked, voice quieter now.
There was a brief pause, then, barely above a whisper, "…Yes."
.
.
.
'That was new.'
.
.
.
Sunny blinked, surprised by her honesty, before a slow smirk stretched across his lips.
"Careful, Neph," He murmured.
"Say things like that and I might just make this night a long one."
Nephis blushed, but rather than pulling away, she buried her face into his chest, nuzzling against him like a white cat.
Sunny felt something tighten in his chest at that.
He let out a slow breat, before pressing a long kiss against her forehead.
"Sweet dreams, My love."
This time, she didn't protest.
Instead, she moved closer, her grip on him tightening, as if holding onto something she didn't want to lose.
He smiled, before attempting to allow darkness to take over his body.
Though he tried to ignore that thought, it came back, like a wrecking ball.
The harrowing thought of Nephis eventually leaving soon. The thought that he would never be able to see her again. The thought that in the upcoming expedition in Antarctica he might not come back. But he had to. He had to come back to her love. He was hers, and she was his.
The Shadow twisted and faced away from the Light, unaware of its future actions.
'Damn… it…'
And with that, Sunny had slept.
When he woke up, something felt off. Like he isn't there, but his mind is.
Like he's somewhere else entirely, but at the same place he left off at the exact time.
But, when he turned to his right.
.
.
.
.
Nephis wasn't there.