It had been a couple of days since they'd had time for each other.
l
Between everything happening, neither of them had a choice.
Sunny had been pulled away to deal with a Gate that had opened dangerously close to Rain's school, and Cassie had been caught in long meetings, planning her next move toward the Second Nightmare.
They'd both been exhausted, and the days blurred by with little more than tired greetings and half-hearted goodnights.
But today, Sunny was finally home. The battle at the Gate was over, the creatures dealt with.
His body was tired, his shoulders aching, but the first thing he wanted to do was see Cassie.
She always made his day better.
"I'm back," he called out as he stepped into the apartment, kicking off his boots at the door. "Cassie?"
Silence.
Usually, even if she was resting or working on something, she'd call out. Even a soft "Welcome home," or a faint smile when he walked in the room.
But now… nothing.
A slight prickle of unease settled in his chest.
"Cassie?" he repeated, moving further into the small space. When there was still no response, he made his way to the bedroom.
That's when he saw her.
Cassie was sitting on the edge of the bed, curled up with her knees to her chest.
Her face was buried in her arms, shoulders trembling slightly.
Her long hair fell in front of her face like a curtain, but even then, he could tell she was crying - quiet, muffled sobs that made something inside him twist.
Sunny didn't hesitate. He rushed across the room and dropped to his knees in front of her.
"Cassie-hey, hey, what's wrong?" he asked quickly, his voice soft but urgent.
He reached out, gently placing his hand on her shoulder. "Talk to me."
She flinched slightly at his touch, but then her fingers reached for his arm, clutching it tightly like she didn't want him to let go.
She didn't lift her head yet, just whispered something too quiet to hear.
"Cass…" Sunny moved closer, brushing his hand along her back in slow, comforting strokes. "Please. Tell me what's wrong."
There was a pause.
And then, finally, she lifted her head.
Her eyes, those deep blue oceans, were red and damp with tears. Though she couldn't see, she was staring directly at Sunny.
Her face was pale, her lips trembling.
"I remembered," she whispered.
Sunny blinked. "Remembered… what?"
Her fingers curled tightly in the fabric of his sleeve. "What I did to you."
He felt something cold settle in his chest.
Cassie's voice was shaking. "When I made that choice… to tie your soul to hers. I told myself it was the only way. That it was what had to be done to keep us alive. But every day since then, I've carried it. That guilt." She took a shaky breath.
"I made you a slave, Sunny. I made you obey her. I let you suffer."
Sunny's throat tightened.
"I know we're here now, together, and you say it doesn't matter… but sometimes I can't sleep. I think about how lonely you must've felt. How much it must've hurt. And I hate that I did that to you."
Her voice cracked. "I betrayed you."
Sunny reached out and gently cupped her face, brushing his thumb along her damp cheek.
He couldn't hate her now. Yes, there is still a part of him that wished she'd never done that, or wished upon the worst of Cassie. But that's been long pushed down, forgotten, left to rot.
Love is a strong feeling, that with the right amount can push the impurities of one's soul away and only view the purities.
He couldn't hate her.
He loves her.
"Cassie," he said softly. "Look at me."
She did, eyes shining.
"I don't blame you."
Her lips parted in a breath. "But-"
"No," Sunny interrupted gently, firm but tender. "You did what you thought would save us. And you were right. We did survive. If you hadn't done that… I don't think I'd be here right now."
"But the price-"
"I won't lie.. or rather I cant, even if I wanted to. It was hard," he admitted, his voice quiet. "There were moments when I hated it. When I hated everything. But not you."
Cassie's shoulders shook again, more tears slipping down her cheeks.
"I forgave you a long time ago," Sunny whispered.
"Even if I didn't say it out loud. You're here now, Cassie."
She stared at him for a long moment, her lip trembling.
Then she lunged forward and wrapped her arms around him tightly, burying her face in his neck.
He held her close, feeling her tears soak into his shirt, but he didn't care.
He just held her, like she was something fragile and precious that he couldn't ever let break.
(cassie 😭)
"I'm sorry," she whispered into his neck.
"I know," he murmured, pressing his lips gently to her temple. "But you don't have to be anymore. Not with me."
They stayed like that for a long while, wrapped in silence and each other's warmth.
Cassie's breathing calmed down, the tears stopping bit by bit.
Her arms didn't loosen, though… and Sunny didn't want them to.
Eventually, she pulled back just a little, enough to look up at him with a faint, shaky smile.
"You really don't hate me?"
Sunny gave her a crooked smile, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
"I'd be stupid to hate you."
Cassie sniffled, laughing weakly. "You are stupid sometimes."
"Yeah," he said. "But I'm your idiot now."
She leaned forward, resting her forehead against his. "You really are."
And as if the moment felt right, they both leaned in and the world vanished.
(becsuse the big blue bomb came and kill them - ikykyk)