Bad Thoughts, Sunny?
if you haven't read my waterpark fic this is the continuation
lets do like a nice intro:
Sunny, after descovering Nephis reciprocating the same feelings as him, despite the shadow bond, has been in a state of confusion on what to do next. He had 3 things on his agenda...
1) Develop the relationship with Nephis
2) Eat all the food in front of Effie
3) Get his get back!
However... as if Fate itself was watching from afar, it decided to give Sunny a massive problem..
Nephis.
Will Sunny be able to handle the teasing from Effie, the blantant moves from Nephis and the jokes from Kai?
somethnig like that
The past couple of days had been... hectic, to say the least. Sunny found himself caught in a relentless storm of thoughts, most of them centered around two things:
The Water Park Incident
and...
Nephis.
Try as he might, his mind refused to settle. Images of his near-drowning, Effie's relentless laughter, and Kai's insufferably perfect ease in the water all played on repeat, gnawing at his pride.
Worse yet, every time he thought he had moved past it, Nephis would surface in his thoughts, and suddenly, his turmoil would deepen.
So, as any reasonable person would, he trained.
Every waking hour not spent fulfilling his duties was dedicated to pushing his body and mind to the brink. He swung his odachi until his arms felt like lead, sparred with challengers in the dreamscape in hoping of raising his Shadow dance, and something he didn't even think of doing till his communicator managed to somehow find the solution to his problems.
Meditating, or at least, that had been the goal.
Unfortunately, even the harshest training couldn't rid him of the grudge brewing in his chest.
Today, though, was the day of their planned picnic. An outing that should be peaceful. A gathering meant to let them relax. A perfect opportunity for vengeance.
'Just you wait, Effie.'
Sunny adjusted Weaver's Mask on his belt and took a deep breath. He wasn't usually the type to hold onto petty things when it came to his cohort, but this? This was different. Water had tried to kill him. And some people had laughed.
That would not go unpunished.
He turned his head, catching his own reflection in the mirror. Dressed in all black, as always, he looked as menacing as he could manage for a casual picnic. His shadowed armor wasn't on, of course, but the lightweight fabric of his shirt clung to his frame just enough to make his muscle definition apparent. His expression remained neutral, but his mind supplied the words anyway:
There was a certain satisfaction in it. He turned slightly, checking the other side, and frowned at his own vanity before sighing and stepping away.
After grabbing a few essentials, he made his way to the PTV. The vehicle hummed as he settled in, alone for now. It was a quiet ride. Peaceful. A rare moment to himself.
Unfortunately, his mind refused to grant him the same peace.
Nephis.
His fingers drummed against his knee.
He had spent the past couple of days training his mind out of any 'naughty thoughts,' as Effie would so crudely put it. The last thing he needed was for Nephis to unknowingly trigger another existential crisis in him. He was a Master of Shadows, a Nightmare Creature in human skin, and a rising force in the world. He would not be defeated by a single outfit.
…Right?
The PTV hit a small bump, jolting him out of his thoughts. He exhaled sharply. This was fine. He just had to stay focused. Maintain control. Stick to the plan.
Effie would suffer. Cassie might, too, if she had laughed. And Nephis..
No. Best not to think about her. It was safer that way.
(love writing slice of life i'm a god at it)
********
The PTV slowed as they approached their meeting point, the cityscape giving way to an open, sunlit clearing. A perfect place for a picnic. A perfect place for vengeance.
Sunny stepped out, rolling his shoulders. The air was warm, a light breeze rustling the trees. In the distance, he could hear the faint chatter of people enjoying their day.
His fingers curled at his sides.
The same words were sent in a loop in his head.
'I'm ready. I won't let anything get in my way.'
"Sunny."
His whole body went rigid.
That voice.
He turned, slowly, deliberately.
And there she was.
Nephis stood just a few paces away, effortlessly radiant beneath the sunlight.
Her silver hair was tied back in a loose ponytail, though a few strands escaped, framing her face in a way that looked too intentional to be an accident. And her outfit…
Black.
She was wearing black.
Not just black.
His color.
Sunny did not react. He did not let his gaze linger. He did not-
"Oh? What's that look for?"
Nephis tilted her head slightly. Usually, she had that same, unreadable expression she always wore. Except… not today...
There was something in her gaze, something subtle but sharp, like the edge of a blade pressing lightly against his throat.
Dangerous.
He swallowed. "Nothing."
Her lips twitched.
"Mmm."
Sunny narrowed his eyes.
Was she...?
No. No, he was imagining things.
She wasn't teasing him. Nephis did not tease.
This was fine. He just had to stay focused. Maintain control. Stick to the plan.
Effie would suffer. Cassie might, too, if she had laughed.
And Nephis…
He exhaled slowly. Best not to think about her.
His gaze flicked away from Nephis, far, far away, from Nephis and locked onto Effie, who was unloading a ridiculous amount of food from a bag as Cassie sat nearby, her expression suspiciously neutral.
Suspicious.
Because Cassie knew things.
Sunny narrowed his eyes. Had she laughed at him that day? Had she smiled? If so, she would not escape punishment.
But Effie.
Effie was guilty beyond question.
She was the one who had splashed him. She was the one who had mocked him. And worst of all, she had enjoyed it.
Sunny clenched his jaw.
No more.
He took a measured step forward.
And then...
"Sunny, catch."
Years of instinct had him reacting before he even registered the voice. His hands shot up, fingers closing around a soft object.
He blinked.
Nephis had thrown him a bottle of water.
His grip tightened. Was this a joke?
He looked up sharply, meeting Nephis's gaze. Her face was as calm as ever, but there was a flicker of something else in her silver eyes. Something dangerous.
Something amused.
Sunny inhaled deeply. Exhaled.
"Thanks." His voice was perfectly neutral. Perfectly controlled.
Nephis hummed. "You looked thirsty."
A pause.
A very, very long pause.
Was she...?
No.
Nephis did not tease.
She turned away as if nothing had happened, walking toward the others, her black outfit cutting through the sunlight like a shadow given form.
Sunny stared after her, the water bottle still in his hand.
His grip tightened.
'This picnic was going to be hell.'
He refused to let this shake him.
It was just a water bottle. Just a comment. There was nothing behind it.
…Right?
Sunny exhaled through his nose, tucking the bottle under his arm as he strode toward the picnic setup. The others were already making themselves comfortable, laying out blankets and setting up the absurd amount of food Effie had somehow smuggled in.
She looked up as he approached and grinned. "Hey, look who decided to join us. Feeling brave today, Master Sunless?"
His fingers twitched.
"Brave enough to deal with you."
She cackled. "Oh no, I'm trembling."
Sunny sat down, making sure to position himself as far from the inevitable chaos as possible. He was here for payback, but he also had to be smart. Effie would suspect something if he acted too soon.
He had time.
But before he could settle in, Cassie tilted her head toward him, a small smile on her lips. "You seem tense, Sunny."
His brow furrowed. "I'm fine."
"Are you sure?" she mused.
The sounds of the plastic water bottle kept crackiling. "You've been awfully quiet. And you're gripping that bottle pretty tightly…"
Sunny immediately loosened his grip.
"I'm fine," he repeated flatly.
Cassie hummed. Effie waggled her brows. "Is this about the water park?"
The water bottle in his hand creaked.
Kai, who had been unbothered up until now, raised an eyebrow. "Ah."
Sunny shot him a glare. "Don't say it."
Kai smirked. "Say what?"
Effie leaned in. "That he looked cute all panicked and wet?"
Sunny almost choked on his own breath.
"You!"
Nephis made a sound. A quiet, amused exhale.
Sunny's brain shut down.
His head snapped toward her. She was sipping from her own bottle, looking entirely serene. But he knew better.
That was laughter.
Nephis had laughed.
At him.
Sunny gritted his teeth. He was never escaping this, was he?
Sunny turned away, forcing himself to breathe evenly. Focus on the grudge. Not on Nephis.
Not on her.
Unfortunately, fate was cruel. Because the moment he glanced back, he noticed it.
Her silver hair was tied back in a loose braid, a few strands slipping free to frame her face.
Sunny swallowed.
No. No.
He could handle this.
He was prepared.
He would not let himself fall into whatever mental pit Effie was no doubt hoping he would.
Nephis took a slow sip of her drink, her gaze flicking toward him briefly.
Then, she tilted her head.
Just slightly, just enough for him to catch the way the light played against her throat, the smooth line of her collarbone.
Sunny felt his soul leave his body.
"Sunny?"
He twitched violently. "What?"
Nephis blinked at him, entirely innocent. "You've been staring."
The words hit him like a hammer. He choked, looking away so fast he nearly snapped his neck.
Effie wheezed. "Oh, this is great."
Cassie sighed. "Effie, stop antagonizing him."
"I'm not! I'm just appreciating the moment!"
Sunny clenched his jaw. He could feel the heat creeping up his neck. He was fine. Everything was fine. He just had to-
Nephis rested her chin on her hand, watching him with quiet amusement.
"Bad thoughts, Sunny?"
His brain exploded.
Metaphorically.