[Basil's jaws tremble. He looks back at Max with wide, disbelieving eyes, because he was certain that the moment the truth left him, she would realize how much of a lie he'd been living this whole time. He's not good, or sweet, or any of those things. He's fucked up, he's a liar, he's the monster who ruined his friends' lives for so many years. It's no wonder they all fell apart. No wonder Sunny became a recluse. No wonder Aubrey hates him. No wonder Kel made new friends. No wonder Hero left for college, depressed and despondent.

He ruined everything. Their wonderful lives, their happiness...

Now Basil is really crying. Not barely restrained, whimpering cries, but full-on, body wracking sobs. He wails, choking on his own breaths because there's nothing left to hide anymore.

He hates how his shoulders feel a bit lighter, having finally told someone, even if it isn't someone who could really do anything about it.]

I h-hate it, Max! It hurts! And n-now...now Sunny is leaving me, he's m-moving away...!

[Away is said with an unusual amount of vitriol that drips from the word, like Basil is incensed at the idea that Sunny could just...leave him, like that. Alone, to carry this burden by himself.]

...b-but maybe...

[...]

If I'm dead...it doesn't m-matter anymore, does it? If I died, it wouldn't matter.

[Basil at this point...has nothing left to give. He has more he could tell her, sure, but this is obviously the big one that's been haunting him. And now he seems smaller than ever, hunched up and shivering as he pulls his wings around himself. And maybe, for the first time, Max will see them.

Eyes, on his wings. Staring up at her.]