When the two hit high school, everyone knew they should be in college. The only reason they were there was for the "social experience". They had already taken all classes offered at the school, and now were just working on projects that occupied their free time.
Dexter and Mandark had hit a sort of truce over the topic of school. Ever since they had blown up the science lab trying to sabotage each other's chemical solutions (just combustions, because they only really wanted to embarrass or harass the other), and started laughing over each other's burnt eyebrows and blackened faces, and were promptly sent to the principal's office by a disgruntled science professor, they hadn't tried to kill or maim the fellow genius in any way besides simple little pranks and very controlled explosions in each other's lockers.
Some said they were friends, but they would always deny it. "The correct term is 'peer,'" Dexter once said. Mandark agreed airily. He had been thoroughly absorbed in a book about the Holocaust.
"But you guys eat lunch together, and work together in projects," the person countered.
"That is true." Dexter turned to Mandark to field the conversation from there. He still hadn't eaten his lunch yet.
"Of course, we're the only ones who can keep up with our own thoughts," Mandark argued, turning a page in his book.
"And from what Iknow, you guys meet up after school," the person pressed.
"Isn't that what colleagues do?" Dexter mumbled between bites of a ham and cheese sandwich.
"I guess," the person sighed, defeated, and left them alone.
"Mandark," Dexter began. "Are we friends?"
"What is the definition of 'friend?'" Mandark asked back.
Dexter pondered over this. "Then, yes, I suppose we are. Why didn't you tell her that?" He gestured to the retreating back of their interrogator from just a minute earlier.
"They need a good, healthy rivalry to look upon." Mandark shrugged and pushed his pointed glasses up. "We provide it. If we were to team up, could you imagine the mayhem of people worried over our ability to destroy the school now doubled?"
Dexter chuckled. "Yes. You're right."
"Thank you."
And they sat in silence the rest of the lunch period, relishing the content quiet that only a friend could provide.
Friend - a person who gives assistance; patron; supporter.
I owneth not Dexter or Mandark.
This seriously took me less than ten minutes.