A/N: Hey guys! I AM SO SORRY IT HAS BEEN A FEW WEEKS! I was hit with a few personal issues soon after break ended, and while it got slightly better after a couple of weeks, it never fully went away, and consumed most of my time. Then, I was soon hit with finals. And to top it all off, I got writer's block. I know, I know, it sucks. You might even think I suck. I NEVER intended this break to goon so long! But now, I am on winter holidays, and I ABSOLUTELY PROMISE TO UPDATE EVERY FEW DAYS, AT LEAST UNTIL EARLY JANUARY! After that, it will be every few weeks, but I am not abandoning this story! Sorry to all, especially to Bookworms will rule the world, who left me a wonderful review reassuring me about my updating habits, which I promise will improve. There are only one or two more chapters left after this one, but I will continue writing stories on this site after this ends!

To make up for my absence (which, again, I am so sorry about!), I made this chapter extra long. It is slightly darker than the humor genre I have this story listed under, but it still keeps within the rating, so don't worry! Enjoy this VioletBeliever (which, I did not know was their ship name until I was informed by Bookworms will rule the world. Thanks again!)! We all need some after that heavy finale! Even though I probably do not deserve it, PLEASE READ AND REVIEW! IT TRULY MAKES MY DAY TO SEE EVEN THE SHORTEST REVIEW, OR TO SEE A NEW FOLLOW OR FAVORITE!

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Well, this is awkward.

Really, when Henry was invited over to Violet's place for the first time, he really thought that stimulating conversation would have come more naturally to him. Although, looking back, that might have been too much of a false wish; especially given their past history with awkward moments.

What could he have done? He was invited, and now he was here. And it was awkward, to say the least.

Flashcards, Henry. Definitely next time.

He continued to brush her horse… Nicodemus, was it? That certainly was not a name someone usually thought of when naming a pet, or anything, really. Henry mentally made a note to himself to ask her about it one time.

In all honesty, Henry didn't know what happened. Their last encounter at the ball had ended pretty well by his standards. After listening to his iPod, Henry had entertained Violet with tales of life back in Storybrooke, albeit leaving out some of the more colorful details where he hadn't played a huge rule in heroism. In return, Violet fascinated him with stories of typical Camelot life (with the same mundane expression she wore while talking about the lavish kingdom, which continued to baffle Henry).

So when she had asked him for a second meeting, he had been elated. He remembered clearly thinking:

Hey, maybe David was right after all. I did do something right; she obviously isn't disgusted by my company.

But now Henry and Violet were here, in this situation where both of them did not know what to say. He realized quickly that while they had spent the entire night talking, they had not been talking about themselves. He had spoken of his adventures and family, sure, but not much about himself and his interests.

Well, that was time well spent, though Henry. We're practically strangers. Does she feel awkward too, or is she naturally a quiet person…

The two teens had begun to brush the horse while standing right next to each other, but as the time wore on, Henry realized that Violet had been inching farther and farther away from him, until she was standing almost at the other end of Nicodemus. He turned to her, deep in thought.

Well, no time like the present.

"So, how long have you had Nicodemus?"

Like ripping off a band aid… seriously, Henry, you couldn't have spoken a little slower? Now she definitely thinks that it's as awkward as you do.

But if Violet felt awkward, she didn't show it. "My mother gave him to me for my seventh birthday," she explained. Then, while grinning widely and enthusiastically, she added "She was a champion rider."

She must be really proud of her mom, thought Henry. But she looks really thoughtful. Too much so, almost as if she is reminiscing, like it's a distant memory.

"…but she, um, passed away before I even learned to gallop."

And there it was. Henry stood, shocked. Shocked that the happy girl he had met at the ball had been carrying around a dark feeling, just like with him and his dad. Henry missed Neal, certainly; it was a pain that would linger with him every day. But he never had a strong, intimate relationship with the man like Violet must have had with her mother, based on the age that her mother died and how hurt she has sounded while disclosing that information.

Everything comes from something, and something cannot come from nothing. Throughout his life, Henry had been hit repeatedly with one lesson, over and over again; and that was that all great relationships have to stem from something meaningful. It was unfortunate and not at all ideal that their common ground has to be the lack of a close parental relationship, but there it was.

It began with this statement. This close sentiment that Henry was sure wasn't easy to talk about. But she took a chance, and she clearly felt comfortable enough with him to share that piece of information. And now, as shocked as he was, he had to return the favor.

"My dad died before I really got the chance to know him," he stated.

Then she glanced over at him. Her expression was hard, serious; so different from the girl he had met at the party the night before. And in that moment, Henry knew that they had made a bond that delved deeper than their superficial friendship from the night before.

Seeing her about to ask him something, he continued speaking. Just to ensure that she received his message about the connection.

"There's just so much I wish I could tell him, you know?"

Violet looked down; solemn, contemplating. She clasped her hands together and walked away from Nicodemus for the first time that day. She looked desperate to tell him something, but at the same time, it was painfully obvious that she was holding back, as if a rope was tied at her throat.

Great, Henry pondered to himself. What did I do wrong?

But what Henry didn't know was that Violet stepping away from Nicodemus was her own sign of comfort. It was how she displayed that she was beginning to trust Henry, even after knowing him for only a short amount of time.

She had hesitated in telling him her true feelings because she had never spoken about her mother's death in depth with anyone before. Well, any person. Up until this point, only Nicodemus had been her true listener. Not only was he her main connection with her mother, but in Violet's mind, she almost felt as if he understood what he was saying. It might have sounded crazy to other people, but Nicodemus did know her mother as well. He could sympathize with her; he knew when to nuzzle up to her when she was feeling sad, when to back away when she got too emotional.

Her father hated speaking about her mother's death. He was too shaken up, and tended to avoid the topic whenever he could.

So the truth was, Violet had no idea how to talk to someone about her mother. But now, she might finally get that chance to truly unleash her feelings (no offense to Nicodemus, but she would like a response or some advice from someone who could actually talk to her), and not only that, but with someone who would truly understand.

Another thing that Henry did not know was that his statement just proved to Violet that she had chosen a good guy to spend her time with. Unlike the boys her father would rather have her hang out with, Henry had just given her common ground that she hadn't been able to talk to anybody about. He didn't try to impress her with actions with a sword, or stories of their bravery that Violet knew they had just snatched from the only storybook they had ever read.

While actions may speak louder than words in some people's books, Violet was a firm believer that the pen was mightier than the sword.

The apparent sincerity in his voice solidified her opinion that Henry was someone she wouldn't mind getting to know better.

She turned to him. Normally, she would have smiled that smile of hers that had become so familiar to Henry, but thinking of her mother made such an action difficult. Instead, she spoke to him as if it had taken all of her energy to do so.

"Yes. I do know."

She breathed out in relief when he remained there, eager to hear what she had to say. However sad she might have been feeling, Violet thought it was rather sweet that he was willing to listen to her spill all of her personal problems onto him.

She began to clean up the stables. While at the same time, determined to tell him how she felt.

"I've never met anyone I could talk to about this before."

At that statement, at that moment; Violet knew that they had trust in one another. Henry appeared to be aware of it as well. He smiled at her; a true smile that one only reserved for a special relationship.

Violet surprised herself by grinning back.

"I should put Nico's saddle away," she said, still smiling. "I'll be right back."

She turned away, grinning. And she knew that Henry was smiling behind her too.

Violet might not have been ready to talk about her mother yet. After all, the girl had been forced to keep her feelings to herself for several years; it would take some getting used to, to be able to talk about it with anybody. But she was confident that when she did feel ready, Henry would be the one. They could talk about all of their repressed feelings, although Violet was sure that with his extensive family, he had plenty to talk with. But yet, he still chose her to express with as well, and that made her feel all the more special.

For her, it was more than enough.

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Please review! If you're tired of waiting between updates, check out my other story, His Darkness, although it might now be a bit outdated with what has been revealed...