Cassie released him from her grasp, stepping back slightly as she took a deep breath.
"Sorry," she murmured. "I didn't mean to-"
Sunny waved a hand dismissively. "It's fine."
She hesitated for a moment before speaking again. "Actually… I wanted to ask you something."
Sunny narrowed his eyes, already sensing that whatever it was, it wasn't going to be normal.
"What?"
Cassie clasped her hands behind her back, tilting her head slightly.
"Can I sleep over for the night?"
Sunny blinked.
Then he blinked again.
"…What?"
Cassie shrugged as if it wasn't a big deal.
"It's already late, and I don't want to disturb my parents by coming home so late."
Sunny pinched the bridge of his nose, exhaling through gritted teeth. Was she serious? Was she actually serious right now?
"You…" He sighed, shaking his head. "Are you crazy?"
Cassie just smiled slightly, her blank eyes practically daring him to refuse.
Sunny groaned. He already knew he wasn't going to win this argument. "Fine."
Cassie's smile widened just a little. "Thank you."
He turned away, rubbing the back of his head. "Don't thank me yet. You're sleeping on the couch."
Cassie hummed in amusement but didn't argue. Sunny, however, had a sinking feeling that this night wasn't going to be as simple as he hoped.
----------
Sunny led Cassie inside, guiding her toward the couch before stepping back. "Alright, here's your spot for the night," he said, crossing his arms.
Cassie ran a hand along the fabric before tilting her head toward him. "Comfy."
Sunny exhaled, rubbing his temple. He wasn't sure why, but seeing her like this - alone in the dark, settling onto a couch like some unwanted guest - made something in him twist uncomfortably.
He clicked his tongue in irritation. "Tch. Whatever. Just take my room," he muttered.
Cassie turned her head toward him, confused. "What?"
"You heard me." He jerked his thumb toward the hallway. "Go sleep in my room. I'll take the couch."
A slow smile spread across her lips. "Oh? You're being awfully kind to me, considering everything I've done to you."
Sunny shot her a glare. "Shut it before I choke you."
To his horror, Cassie's smile widened.
"…I wouldn't mind," she said softly.
Sunny choked on his own breath.
His entire brain short-circuited for a second before he forced himself to cough and swiftly turn away. "I - I meant in the 'kill you' way, not in the-" He cut himself off, running a hand down his face. "Never mind."
Cassie chuckled, clearly enjoying his suffering.
"Go to sleep. Doors's to your right, Bed straight ahead." he grumbled, already regretting everything.
She hummed in amusement but stood up anyway, walking toward his room with an almost too-graceful ease.
"Goodnight, Sunny."
He flopped onto the couch, scowling at the ceiling.
"…Crazy woman."
-------
Sunny blinked awake, groggy and slightly disoriented.
He frowned, staring at the ceiling.
'The hell am I doing sleeping on my couch?'
Then it hit him.
Right. Cassie.
With a sigh, he ran a hand through his hair before lazily sending his shadow walking toward his room.
Through its sight, he found Cassie lying in his bed, curled up beneath the covers, her expression soft and peaceful.
She looked so… peaceful. It was strange, really.
He'd only ever known her as the calm, knowing seer.
But here, asleep, she looked almost-
Human.
Before he even realized what he was doing, he shadow-stepped into the room, appearing beside the bed.
His hand moved on its own.
Gently, he brushed a few stray strands of hair away from her face, his fingers barely grazing her skin.
He hesitated, but then… slowly, he let his hand trail through her hair.
Warmth spread through his chest.
Then, like a slap to the face, realization hit him.
His eyes widened.
'What the hell am I doing?!'
Before he could even process the thought, Cassie stirred beneath his touch, a soft hum escaping her lips as she shifted slightly.
Sunny panicked.
In an instant, he shadow-stepped away, reappearing in the living room, heart pounding.
Back in his room, Cassie slowly blinked awake, her hand reaching toward where his warmth had been just moments before.
Her lips parted slightly.
"…Sunny?"
But there was no response.
Just the quiet hum of the night.
Cassie closed her eyes again, a small, knowing smile forming on her lips before she drifted back into sleep.