Basil’s Trip

by Completely_Normal_Sunnflower_Enjoyer

Summary:

Basil is given a mysterious cookie at a school party. This can’t go wrong, can it?

Chapter 1

He’d always been a pushover. “Too girly.” “A freak.” “Fa-“ whatever he had to endure, it had never *ever* gotten this bad before.
He had been informed of an after school party happening in the school lunchroom that day. Considering his only friends were going, he decided it’s be fine to go as well.

The bell rang for the final time of the day, and Basil grimaced as he realized he’d missed the homework. He’ll ask Sunny later, he reasons as he quickly makes his way through the hallway and puts his backpack into the locker, making sure to go to the lunchroom before anyone could…prohibit that.
Thankfully, others aren’t as quick walkers as Basil. Or they were lucky enough to not have a reason to be fast. Jealousy wasn’t the most common emotion in Basil’s roster, but it always seemed to flair up whenever he would remember how he just ***had*** to be born the runt of the litter.

He sat at one of the tables, a simple fold-up. He could already hear the excited chatter coming down the hallway no doubt coming from the 8th graders that are going to the final school party of the year. Basil was only in 6th, but as long as he kept his head down he knew that the 8th graders wouldn’t bother him.
The cafeteria filled rather quickly after that, with the party lights, music, and constant moving of everyone further disorienting the poor boy. As he lie his head down on the table to try and wait out for his friends, they graced him with their presence!

“Hey Basil! We’re sorry we couldn’t make it as quick as we promised. Hope you didn’t miss us too much!” Kel, as giddy as ever, spouted between chuckles as he sat next to Basil. Sunny took the seat to his right, unoccupied by Kel while Aubrey took the seat across from him.
“I think since we have our spots saved here now, we can probably go to the snack booth.” Sunny pointed to where a line was forming. Kel practically bounced out his seat, hitting his knee in the process before sprint-limping to the already mile-long line. Sunny offered for Basil to join him, but he politely declined, not wanting to get up and risk one of the meandering groups of 8th graders to steal it while they were away. The only “thing” saving their spots was Basil, after all.

And so he watched as Kel, Aubrey, and Sunny made their way to the back of the line. The truth was, he was starving. He’d been skipping breakfast as of late to get an extra few minutes of sleep in for the end of year assessments, and he’d barely got time to eat his lunch, so needless to say, he wanted something. The table behind him was getting loud, and so he turned around to see…about six or so 8th graders yelling about their crushes with packets of unopened cookies around them.
One of them, an average sized boy wearing a red flannel jacket, beanie, and sweatpants, was sitting back and giggling at the chaos unfolding. Basil decided to tap his shoulder.

“May I have one of those cookies?” A simple question he asked with the most amount of manners he could to try and convince the boy. Turns out he didn’t need to as he got a cookie thrown at him before the flannel wearing boy turned his back to him. Basil picked up the cookie that he failed to catch from the floor and quickly ate it as his friends came back from the snack table.
To no one’s surprise, they couldn’t wait to eat all their treats before making it back to the table. They made light conversation and just kept each other company for the rest of the party before being gently kicked out.
Basil headed towards his locker to get his backpack, said his goodbyes to Sunny, (Aubrey and Kel had challenged each other to a race and were already gone by the time he reached his locker) and headed home.

It had been about an hour long party, and a 15 minute walk home. The sun had already set, so Basil walked briskly to get back to his warm house. To entertain himself he counted how many steps he’d take, and reset every time he went over a crack or divide. *1-2-3, 1-2-3, 1-2-3*. He noticed after a few minutes it got harder to count, but most likely he was exhausted after staying at school that long. Besides, he made it to his house already.
He knocked on the door and his grandma opened it and informed him that dinner was on the table if he got hungry. He thanked her, headed upstairs and shrugged off his backpack and shoes. Practically collapsing into the bed, he noticed his arms were heavier than usual. Was he sweating more? He always walked home, so it’s not like he wasn’t used to that amount of physical exertion. Maybe he was just sick? He could just sleep it off. At worst he’ll just have to skip school tomorrow.
He rolled over and tucked himself messily into bed to have a calming…2 hours of sleep. He woke with less than a start, barely able to get himself out of bed. If his limbs felt like lead before, it felt like a divine force was doing everything in its power to keep him down now.

He moved his eyes to look at his alarm clock. 6:37pm. Anxiety was starting to set in as he couldn’t get himself out of bed. Reaching for his flip phone in his pocket, he sluggishly dialed his best friends number before holding it up to his ear and hoping he picked up. “Basil? I’m washing the dishes right now, what is it?” Sunny said as Basil could hear dishes being placed in the machine on the other side.
“Sunny, I’m… I don’t think I’m doing well. I can’t get up. I don’t know what to do, can you just- come over, please. I can’t get out of bed I don’t know what happened I just need you here,” Basil slurred as he tried to push himself out of bed again only for it to fail. The slight nausea he felt from the anxiety before was close to turning his insides into outsides, and honestly he just needed anyone to soothe him.

“Basil, are you drunk? Why are you slurring so badly?” Sunny hissed in a hushed tone. Family was presumably near, so Basil understood.
“I don’t know…” his voice began to crack as his anxiety overwhelmed him. “Please I just need your company right now, it’s getting worse.”
“I’ll be there in five. See you soon, Baze.”
Basil returned the goodbye and hung up, staring at the ceiling trying to take his mind off the fact that he’d lost complete control to his body and he had no one to talk to about it.
It was truly hell staring at his plain ceiling, so he looked around his room to see his plants and he tried to recall as many facts about them to keep himself busy.
By the time he reached the fly orchids, he heard quiet footsteps up to his room before Sunny slowly opened the door and entered, closing it behind him. Basil tried to wave, but it was taking all his energy to not throw up right then and there, so it most came out as a slight raise of the hand.
Sunny walked over and gently joined Basil in his bed before putting the back of his hand on his head. Basil leaned into the touch looking for any comfort from his closest friend at the moment. Sunny sighed before turning to Basil to look him in the eyes.
“Well you don’t have a fever, so I doubt it’s alcohol. Though your eyes are bloodshot and you’re slurring like a drunkard… what happened?”
Basil choked back a sob as he, having nothing else he could do, just let his emotions take him. While he couldn’t hold them back forever, it took a good few seconds for the tears to actually start flowing, and by that point Sunny was holding him like they would as kids.

With as much strength as he could bear, Basil clung to Sunny as desperately as a koala, which to Sunny was nothing more than a weak presence on his jacket. Basil blubbered to Sunny about how he was fine until after the party, with Sunny leading them both to the conclusion that there was most likely something in the cookie that the stranger had given him. Sunny then had to console him for the next half hour to convince him he wasn’t going to die.
Overall, it was bad. Two anxiety attacks while being completely unable to move…it made him feel so sick the next day that he didn’t even ask his grandma to stay home and just slept in. Sunny did wake him up at the time he normally did by getting up to go to school…leave him… He reassured him that he’d check up on him after school, and so Basil waited.

Chapter 2: Bonus Chapter

Summary:

Sunny comes over for another impromptu sleepover and they cuddle. Nothing more, nothing less.

His grandma brought him lunch, completely dumbfounded as to what might’ve been ailing her grandson, but still wanting to keep him happy and alive.

Basil did as he always did. Wait for Sunny to return. Those eight hours were the longest of his life, and yet he couldn’t remember a thing about them.

They were like undeveloped photos. Blurry and scattered, only vaguely reflecting the moment in time. There might be an object that allows you to make out the memory but other than that it’s a haze.

Breakfast. Homework. Texting friends. Lunch. Tv. His grandma cooking, saying she’ll invite Sunny and Mari over for dinner.

He didn’t want to worry them. Even if last night was terrible, he felt better now. He also didn’t want to tell his grandma that he didn’t need them over, especially when she was cooking his favorite dinner.

So he went back to the couch to continue watching some 4pm cable tv show about selling stuff. His grandma would always start cooking when these came on, saying that she “wouldn’t watch no panderer” when it would interrupt her baking shows.

The show was utterly boring. Brain numbing. Stupid. It would show an item on a spinning surface before saying a ludicrous price and giving you a number to call. How are these allowed on tv when it’s so obviously a scam? Basil grimaces at the idea before cozying further into the blankets, drowsiness coming to take him again.

He falls asleep once more to the sound of the droning voice on the tv and the sun setting in the window.

About an hour later, he’s woken to his grandma greeting some guests at the entrance of his house. Mari and Sunny, Basil assumes.

Mari and Basil’s grandma talk to each other lively as they migrate to the kitchen, Mari wanting to help make the meal. Sunny silently slips into the living room after he puts his shoes and jacket up, noticing the tv was on. As he gets closer, he sees Basil and decides to sit next to him.

“Hey, Basil,” he quietly says after seeing he just woke from a nap. “Are you doing better?”

Basil, muffled from half-hiding his face in the blanket, answered with a barely understandable “I’m doing better. Thanks for coming over, Sunny. Thanks for sleeping over too.”

He was genuinely happy to have his friend close. He couldn’t explain how he always wanted to be around him and how he made him so happy to stay around. Sometimes his hands would itch to make something for him. A flower crown, card, anything, but he knew that it’s just make the teasing from others worse.

He focused back on Sunny when he flicked his head. “So that’s what I look like when I’m spacing. Come on, your grandma called us for dinner. Smells good, wouldn’t want you to miss it.”

Sunny walks with Basil to the table, where Mari and his grandmother have already set it, each chair also accompanied with a big bowl of French onion soup and a generous slab of bread.

Like they had coming in, his grandmother and Mari continued talking, somehow managing to make the lively conversation about politics. Basil was intrigued to listen, knowing his grandmother was a hardcore communist even back during the red scare. He took a seat next to Sunny, relishing in the taste of the soup.

They held hands (like friends do) while eating. Both were fairly hungry, so didn’t speak much and just listened to the discussion happening across from them. Besides, it’s nice to just be next to your friends sometimes. The silence between the two was comfortable and warm, like a gentle hug after a long day.

Once everyone had finished (and the discussion has quieted enough that they weren’t distracted by it anymore) Basil and Sunny were excused. They put their plates into the sink and decided to sit back on the couch.

It was about 5:30pm, Mari having just finished cleaning dishes before she made her way to the front door and started putting her clothes on while giving goodbyes to Basil’s grandmother.

“Sunny, I think you’re leaving,” Basil said while still sitting next to him, head placed lazily on the black-haired boy’s shoulder.

“Oh, I’m staying over. We checked with your grandma and she said it was okay. Are you fine with that?” Sunny asked, knowing that Basil would say yes, but still wanting to give him an out if he was uncomfortable.

“I’m fine with it. I’m glad you’re staying,” he sighed as the tv played some trashy romance drama in the background.

After they started to get tired once again, they herded up the hall with light chatter before brushing their teeth and going to Basil’s room.

“I didn’t expect you to come here so I’m sorry if your bed isn’t the best,” the blonde said apologetically, sad he couldn’t manifest a bed out of thin air. He couldn’t stand his best friend being uncomfortable in the least.

“Could I sleep with you?”

The question didn’t shock him per se, he slept with him just the night before, but Sunny was willing to do it again? Basil thought it was a one time thing. He was shocked into silence.

“It’s- I mean it’s fine if you don’t want to, but I kinda…liked sleeping with you…” the noirette was getting more sheepish as a slight blush crawled to his face.

“I’d like that,” Basil responded, happy that his friend liked sleeping with him too, even in his feverish state.

They finally crawled into his bed together at around 10pm.

It was the best sleep he’s had in months.

Chapter 3: Hey…What’s up…it’s me, the Devil

Summary:

Basil AND sunny get high. Next chapter is gonna be lit on everyone’s mama

Waking up without Sunny on Monday was hard. They both were allowed to sleep over for the weekend and even invited the others for cartoons on Saturday and movies later that evening after a day in the park. But, all good times have to end, Basil supposes.

As if the world were taunting him, the sun seemed hidden that day. Getting up to dress and eat breakfast seemed dreary in and of itself.

It didn’t taste bad, at least. His grandma made him some strawberry oatmeal, which is his favorite. After going to put his dishes away, he quickly gets his backpack on, kisses his grandma on the cheek, and heads out. The walk over to Sunny’s was short as always. Aubrey joined him once she saw Basil round the corner.

“Baaaasil!” She yelled as she nearly collided with the poor boy. Her hair was a mess, likely from running, but she smiled all the same.

“Morning, Aubrey. You didn’t have to run y’know,” the blonde chuckles. “I always walk with you.”

“Yeah but what if you don’t this time?” Aubrey retorts, putting on a fake pout and crossing her arms before a stray clump of hair falls in her face and she angrily puts it back in place.

Once Basil begins to walk again, Aubrey joins him, sighing after a moment.

“I wish I knew where mom put the brush. I haven’t seen it in days,” she laments.

“We could ask Mari for her brush,” Basil tries to suggest, but Aubrey still looks downcast. The brush was probably more important than she was letting on. Her mom seemed to hide or “lose” a lot of Aubrey’s stuff.

Basil’s parents used to do that before his grandma took him. She said it was to buy bad stuff. He knows now it was only because his parents wanted to get high more than they wanted him.

The two friends silently walk up the three blocks to Sunny and Kel’s houses. Once they turned the corner, Aubrey bolted towards where Sunny, Kel, Mari, and Hero were standing. Mari was talking to Hero, and from the deep blush on his face, it was likely more than just some light flirtation sprinkled in there. Sunny and Kel, uninterested as always, were playing pet rocks and sitting on the sidewalk in front of them. Basil noticed Kel didn’t seem like he was….winning.

Mari got tackled by the small girl and was knocked back with an ‘oomph’ into a hug.

“Aubrey!” She laughs. “You can’t go doing that to me! I got a bad knee, remember?”

“Oh yeah…sorry Mari,” Aubrey responds, ashamed of possibly hurting her friend.

“Just be careful. One day you’ll be big enough to actually knock me over!” The older girl says with a ruffle of Aubrey’s hair.

Hero gets both Sunny and Kel off the concrete as Basil finally approaches. Corralling 4 rowdy 12 year olds at 7 in the morning certainly was difficult for the sophomore. Mainly Kel and Aubrey, who had already begun fighting after he made a comment about her hair. The blond quietly follows the group until he feels something touch his hand.

He jolts, quickly looking at what touched him to be met with Sunny’s confused face.

“No touch today?” He asks.

“N-no I’m fine with touch today it’s just…you startled me, hah,” Basil replies.

Sunny stares at him, the slight crease of his eyebrow the only emotion Basil can discern from the boy, but he knows the noirette enough to know it’s concern.

“Are you still sick?” Sunny asks.

“No, Sunny. I promise I’m okay. I was just…in my own world. Your hand startled me. That’s all,” the blonde reassures him again.

Sunny narrows his eyes in suspicion, but shrugs and follows the blonde anyway.

Both of them crowd on to the bus with the rowdy two and Hero and Mari.

School was as it always was. Well…save for the somehow even rowdier 8th graders celebrating their final week prematurely. They still have 5 more days of school left. Basil doesn’t really know why, but the loudness of people has always annoyed him.

The bell for lunch rings and Basil gets up from his chair, banging his knee on the desk attached to it and muttering a curse under his breath before quickly scurrying out with the crowd. If he hides well enough, he’s usually left alone at lunch.

Not today, apparently, as when the blonde is about to pass the men’s restroom, he gets grabbed by his sleeves and yanked inside. Trembling and terrified, he turns around to see-

“Sunny? Why’d you do that?” Basil wheezes through panicked breaths.

“I found the kid who fed you last Friday,” Sunny responds, planting another cookie into Basil’s hands. Before the poor blonde can object, Sunny continues speaking. “The cookies were edibles, Basil. You ate an entire thing. That’s why you didn’t feel well. Maybe if we split o-“

“I’m not eating another one of these things!” Basil interjects, hurriedly pushing the cookie back into Sunny’s hands. “W-what do you mean edible? Like weed? Am I a criminal?!”

“Wh- no. Basil, weed is legal here. Not for minors…but, we can use the sick excuse again. I really…liked cuddling. With you,” the noirette mumbles the latter half, looking at the ground in shame.

‘Wow Basil, you’re never beating the gay allegations.’ The blonde tells himself.

“Fine. But I’m taking the smaller half and we’re sleeping at my place. I doubt I could handle the lights at your place when I’m like that. No offense,” Basil says.

“None taken. I like your house much better anyway,” Sunny responds with a light tilt of his lips upwards.

They both go to lunch afterwards. Without the crowd to hide in, Basil is unfortunately called many names by straggling 7th and 8th graders in the halls. Just one more week.

By the end of the day, as Basil gets off the bus, and Sunny follows him. It’s normal enough, but once they pass where Sunny normally leaves, Mari waves at them and Sunny stays.

Basil’s hand itches to hold the boy’s next to him, but it doesn’t move an inch. Thankfully Sunny does it for him. The blond is glad his best friend is so much braver than he is. Even if he doesn’t talk much, his actions say everything for him.

Basil announces his and Sunny’s entrance to his grandmother once he reaches his house. The warm lights were always softer to the both of them, which Sunny relishes in whenever he comes over, considering his house lights are an annoying white.

They both put down their backpacks and take off their shoes at the doorway before the blonde scurries to the kitchen to warm up some canned soup and make some grilled cheese for dinner. Sunny sits on the couch and admires him. He always enjoyed watching their friends, but Basil is so much more.

Sunny doesn’t know why his parents say it’s wrong. Mari says to not listen to them, but…they’re their parents. It doesn’t make sense why they wouldn’t want the best for them. Although Mari is kinder. She probably knows better too, considering she’s actually in the friend group.

She got into an argument with them one time. Over Hero, Sunny assumes. They said she “shouldn’t be dating that queer” and she’d argued for hours about how he was a kind, smart man who treated her well. She was grounded that night for being disrespectful, so she couldn’t see Hero for a week. Sunny thinks that’s the first time he’s seen her cry.

He likes to think he’d be brave enough to defend Basil in front of his parents, but maybe not.

Sunny thinks about it silently as Basil calls him and his own grandmother for dinner. He speaks while Sunny silently enjoys his grilled cheese and chicken soup. It’s extra cheesy, just like he likes. The noirettes left hand is entangled in the blondes right as his grandma talks to him about his day.

After dinner, the two slink away to Basil’s room. He seems visibly nervous, but Sunny assures him it’ll be okay. As his best friend of course he wouldn’t hurt him on purpose. So he splits the cookies into quarters to share.

Basil reluctantly takes one with Sunny before laying on his bed.

“They don’t take effect that fast, y’know,” Sunny says.

“I know. Just…still scared. Last time wasn’t fun,” Basil shudders at the memory.

“Even with me at your side?”

Basil looks over to see Sunny crawling over to where he is on the bed. He opens his mouth to reply before Sunny is literally on top of him.

“U-uhm…well…you…helped, I suppose…why are you…staring at me like that?” Basil stutters, barely able to look at the boy on top of him.

“I want to kiss you.”

“…p-pardon?”

“May I kiss you?” Sunny asks bluntly. Basil wants to melt into the sheets from embarrassment, but he can’t say he doesn’t want to. Sunny is his best friend after all. And he’s…right there. Asking for a kiss. Shyly, Basil nods.

Sunny leans his head down and kisses Basil on the lips. It’s so electrifying that Basil thinks the edibles have kicked in already. It feels so right too. Warm and soft despite both of their bitten lips. Soon enough, though, Basil’s hands come up to Sunny’s cheeks to push him back.

It’s silent for a moment before they start laughing. Sunny’s is a barely noticeable thing, but it’s so rare that Basil’s heart flutters at the sound. He did that. He got his best friend to laugh.

They both lay back down on the blonde’s bed as the edibles really hit. It’s nice. Nicer than last time. Maybe things will really be okay.

Notes:

To my goat fiso_the_fur