‘ you’ll always be a friend. ’ sea monkeys
He’s known for some time that this conversation would be coming. He’s known that it would be bittersweet. That it would feel like a betrayal to… to his closest friend. All those nights spent in bed together, not because they were looking to fool around but just to hold one another; and then all those other nights (and even days) when all either of them wanted was to kiss, and touch, and feel.
Neptune is more than a teammate. Sun trusts his team, but Neptune? He’s trusted him with more than just protecting his back in a fight.
When Sun started rigging up a prank for Scarlet (who doesn’t love a good ole fashion bucket of water to the face?), Neptune was right there beside him. Sometimes, when things got hard enough that he could barely stand to speak, it was Neptune that sat with him in comfortable silence. It was Neptune that helped him study, even though he didn’t understand the classwork any better than he did. He was Sun’s first real kiss, his first time, his near constant companion while both of them stumbled through adolescence like a couple of blind cats.
It’s always been Neptune.
So what was he supposed to do when this incredible girl came into his life? Say, “Well, it’s been nice bro, but I’ve got a date with a gorgeous girl tonight”? No. Sun wouldn’t do that to him. Neptune deserved better. And Blake… she deserved better, too. But that didn’t make this any easier.
Sun stood back, hands shoved in his pockets, afraid of invading Neptune’s personal space. “I have to go after her, Neptune. I… She shouldn’t have to go through this alone.” The fall of Beacon had left it’s mark on everyone. And Blake had hurt more than most. “I’m worried about her, and I–”
He’s cut short by a surge of emotion in his throat. Eyes shut tight, Sun sighed. “I care about Blake. After everything that’s happened, I know that I can’t keep that down anymore. I know we never really made it official, but I cared about you just as much.” Brows knit together in solemn defeat. This is happening. This is happening, and I can’t run away from it. “I’ll never stop caring about you. But I need to be with her now.”
When he finally looks at Neptune just to see him smiling, he almost feels himself crumble. “I know.” Neptune says, false positivity masking the melancholy underneath. “You think I don’t know you well enough to see when you’re in love? I kinda guessed you were gonna fess up to it sooner or later.”
“Stop.” He held up a hand before running it back through his hair. “I understand. And you’re right. Blake shouldn’t have to be on her own right now. So go, Sun. Chase after her and make sure she’s alright. Nobody’s gonna blame you for that. Besides…” Careful eyes look back up to search his best friend’s face. “No matter what, you’ll always be a friend.”
There’s a slow, astonished silence between them as Sun tried to process everything he was feeling. It still hangs over them a moment longer when he steps forward, taking one of Neptune’s hands into his own.
“…I know.” It still hurt. It hurt more than even the slice of a knife. But he tries to match Neptune’s sad smile anyway. And then, with a hand on the nape of his neck below striking blue hair, Sun pulled him closer, pressing their foreheads together. “I know.”
