"I love you."

"No, you don't."

"I do love you."

"You don't."

The day started off like every other lazy Sunday for Vio. Being a light sleeper, he was awoken by the sound of something tapping the glass on his window. After having risen from his bed and making his way to the window in question, he was greeted with a delighted smile.

"Shadow." He called to his friend, showing he had expected this.

The purple-haired child smiled widely, his eyes bright with anticipation.

"Hey, Vio! Whaddaya say to hanging out today?"

"That's a rather difficult question," Vio responded before grinning.

"Good!" Shadow concluded before quickly setting his left foot onto the windowsill and grabbing its sides.

"You know you can't climb through that. My mother told you before that you have to enter through the front door."

"Geez, Vio, when did you become such a stickler? This is fine! Just let her know I'm here."

"You know fully well I always have been a stickler. You must have confused me for Blue."

"Nah. He's a stickler too, just in a different way."

Shadow's feet met the carpet of Vio's bedroom floor with that statement. Realizing he had been distracted from trying to force Shadow to enter through the main door by their chat, Vio sighed and shook his head. He supposed that the only option at this point really was to let his mother know about their visitor, but before he could even start moving towards the door out to the rest of the house, the two boys were greeted by the Purple Maiden.

"I see he showed up."

"Sure did! How are you, ma'am?"

"I'm doing well, thank you. You're well received here, Shadow."

"Thanks, Mrs. P!"

She laughed warmly, then turned to her son.

"I trust you finished your homework, Vio?"

"Yes, Mother. I completed it all yesterday."

"Alright. You two have fun. I'll prepare lunch for you both when it's closer to lunchtime."

Vio and Shadow both thanked her, then, once she left, settled down on the carpet across from each other. Shadow lied down on his side and rested his head on his hand while Vio sat normally.

"Your mother's lunches are the best!"

"Oh, that's right. Your father usually doesn't feed you much…"

"You don't need to bring him up, you know. That's why I came over here in the first place."

"Right. My apologies."

"Nah, don't worry about it. You want to do anything?"

"I don't have any preference."

That's how most of their conversations usually started. Shadow would offer to take over since there were no other suggestions, and Vio simply listened. Most of the time, the topic was lighthearted and casual, but there were moments when Shadow would start talking about more personal things. Vio didn't respond at all when that happened. It was better for all of that to be let out without interruption or feedback.

By the time Shadow had gotten everything he could off of his chest, he had felt it was time to let his friend talk instead.

"Well, that's enough for today. I'm feeling drained. But, hey, are you doing alright? Anything bothering you?"

"No, not necessarily. Everything is going well, I would say."

"How about things between you and Green?"

"That's also going well."

"Hey, can I ask you a question?"

"I don't know, can you?"

Vio moved back slightly to avoid a soft slap on the knee from Shadow.

"Of course I can, you smart-alec."

"I would think so."

"Ah, be quiet! Anyway, I wanted to ask you-actually, before that, I should tell you that you're still in your PJs."

"Huh?" Vio mumbled before looking down. Sure enough, he saw the familiar purple silk of his pajamas. How he could have forgotten that he was still wearing them, he did not know. It seemed like the little details always evaded him when they weren't part of some plan of his.

"That's so like you." Shadow remarked, trying to conceal a giggle as Vio stood up to procure his day clothes.

Within a few minutes, Vio had left for the bathroom and came back to his room sporting his typical outfit.

"You still forgot to brush your hair."

Vio sighed in defeat and sat down again.

"It's too late now. Anyway, your question?"

"Oh, yeah! You told me you were aromantic when we got a little close at the start of our friendship, right?"

"Yes. Why is that significant?"

"So, why are you dating Green? Did you maybe change a while ago? I mean, I'm not trying to pick on you or anything. Promise. I'm just curious."

Vio had expected the question to come up. If there was one thing Shadow was interested in, it was his friends' love lives. Still, he had a right to know the answer to his question. After all, he was the one that got Vio and Green together, so it was natural for him to have such a question. What was odd, though, was that he had saved it until now, when the couple had already been together for a few months.

"It's not that I've 'changed', per se. It's sort of like Green is an… exception? Yes, that's a word I could use to describe it. You've told me before that there are exceptions for all sexualities and romantic orientations, correct? Also, why are you asking this only now instead of when Green and I had just started dating?"

"Well, I kind of just assumed that since you had accepted Green's offer to be his boyfriend, you had changed. Then, I figured, it was better for me to wait a while until asking so that I wouldn't bother you too much about it. It was just in case you ended up changing your mind early, you know? And yes, it is possible for people to have exceptions to their sexuality and romantic orientation."

"In that case, Green is an exception to myself being aromantic."

"Alright, cool! I'm so happy you two are doing great together."

Indeed, Vio and Green's relationship remained as smooth as ever. Just the other day, the two had spent some quality time together at Green's house, and Vio could honestly say it was time spent in the best way possible. Neither his mother nor Green's knew about them being an item, but he planned to let her know as soon as both of them felt a lot more comfortable with each other. It was also very fortunate that no major complications had shown up in the relationship yet, and Vio was thankful for it. While he or Green's schedules would hinder them from going out together sometimes, there was always time during school to make up for it.

Now that he was thinking about it, Vio started to wonder what would happen when bigger issues popped up. Naturally there was the issue anyone could guess, but honestly, it didn't bother him so much. What people thought was their business, and as far as he was concerned, it wasn't going to affect him. Still, how would things go if the pair got into a fight? What if Green were to pass one day without warning? What if the relationship crashed and burned? All he could hope for was that Green would still consider him a friend if that were to occur. All their relationship was meant to do was build on their previous friendship, not completely overwrite and destroy it. At least, that was how he saw it.

"Welp, now that that's over, do you have anything to say to me, Vio?" Shadow inquired, his curiosity now satisfied.

"No, not really," Vio was about to leave it at that, but then added after some consideration, "but promise me one thing."

"Yes?"

"You'll help me with my relationship with Green if it turns rocky or tensions grow."

"Tensions, huh? What kind are you talking about, Vio?" Shadow said with a childish laugh. Vio shook his head but couldn't help smiling. Seeing Shadow happy about such immature jokes made him feel more relieved, because it meant Shadow's mind was lightening up a little.

"I mean negative tension between Green and I, if, say, an argument or conflict arose."

"I know, I know. I promise."

"Thank you."

"Hey!"

"What?"

"Give me a hug! You looked stressed a few seconds ago, and then you asked me to promise something really serious. A hug will help."

"I don't need one at the momen-"

"Vio…"

Before Vio could further protest, he felt Shadow wrap his arms around him loosely and rest his head on his shoulder.

"Don't worry, Vio. You'll do fine. I'll help you, and you're already doing great! Believe in yourself."

"If you say so. Thank you, again."

Just as the two separated from their hug, another voice called from inside the house.

"Vio, Shadow! I've finished preparing your lunches."

"One moment, Mother!"

"We'll be right there, ma'am!"

They both left the room as fast as they could.