We're Friends [Isamu, Vanyel, Violet]

This man was large, definitely above six foot. He was built like a damn titan, so when he approached her, Violet had a brief moment of terror come onto her features. Another quick, and desperate, glance to Vanyel was made, but she was suddenly turned to fully face him. The jerking gesture was starling, unexpected, and she looked back to Isamu confused. Isamu had decided that was just not allowed. His big ass hand grabbed her head and turned her right back to Vanyel and she stayed like that, still and watching the man in front of her.

As Isamu went on, a knot welled in Violet’s stomach. She went to turn to Isamu again, about to say something, but the man continued explaining his point of view and turned her head right back to face Vanyel again. When Isamu mentioned this “unbreakable oath” over his mother, that was something Violet couldn’t relate too, but she wasn’t stupid enough to not get the point being made. Isamu stepped back and gave Violet her space, but she still kept eye contact with Vanyel while Isamu explained the end of their friendship and all of that made the guilt worse.

‘I was hurting Vanyel…’

Everything Isamu was saying made Violet’s heart ache, and it wasn’t just in guilt or shame. Isamu was right; Vanyel had done more for her since they met than her own parents had ever done for her in her entire life. He stopped her from hurting herself, even took a crystal to the head and didn’t get mad at her. He bought her food, healed her, taught her to cook, and hopefully still planned on keeping her as his student, but Violet’s heart got heavier when she realized that in all of her mess ups, he not once hit her or even yelled at her. He never even called her a bad name. He has only believed in her, supported her, and helped her get better. If their friendship ended like this, because of her blind idiocy, Violet would never forgive herself.

‘He’s right… I can’t stand the thought…’

“Please… S-Stop. I get it. I understand,” Violet said, her head lowered. Tears began to fall as she admitted her stupidity and selfishness. She brought her hands up to cover her eyes, trembling over the guilt and shame she felt. “I’m so sorry, Vanyel.”

‘I don’t want to lose him.’

Feeling Vanyel’s arms suddenly wrap around her, Violet’s breath got caught up in her throat. She froze, standing still in that moment, eyes widened in surprise. Soon enough, she relaxed and the surprise faded. Violet curled her arms around him Vanyel, resting her head on his shoulder as he cradled it there.

‘I won’t do it again…’

“I’m glad you told him…” Violet whispered. If Vanyel hadn’t let that part of her past come out, then she wouldn’t have gotten the advice she needed, or this moment of clarity and security. Violet felt safe right where she was, and that was a gift she never received before. Not from her parents, other so-called friends… anyone except Vanyel. For once, Violet wasn’t scared of what was coming next.

Violet missed that warmth the moment it was taken from her, but she wouldn’t hold onto him longer than he liked. She gave a soft smile and a nod before glancing to Isamu, whose entire reaction was… surprising. ‘In love?’ Violet kept a straight face, not because she was hiding anything, but because her expression didn’t need to change. For some reason, that brought out no shyness or embarrassment at all. She just blinked and watched Vanyel’s face shift from flesh to tomato.

"Can we?" Violet said excitedly, putting her hands together as if begging Vanyel before he got a chance to say no. When he said yes, Violet's eyes brightened and she performed a victorious fist pump. "Can I have lots of pepperoni on mine?"

Violet spent her time waiting on the couch, deep in thought, but never seeming off or upset. She laid back, put her arms behind her head, and stared up at the ceiling. Occasionally, she could be heard giggling about something, but any time she was asked, she waved it off and say something like “Just day dreaming while we wait.”

Right before Isamu returned, Violet’s stomach growled. The pizza was here first, so she could smell it, but found it rude to start eating without him. When he was finally back, Violet cheered, clapped, and sat up. As they began drinking, Violet reached for a slice of pizza and her stomach made sure to announce itself again.

Before she could take a bit, Vanyel decided to show off. She remembered him mentioning that he spoke a different language, but she hadn't actually heard him. With a mischievous smile, she turned to him and said, “Si vas a hablar un idioma diferente, yo también. Sin embargo, encuentro el español más sexy que cualquier otro idioma, excepto tal vez el Italiano... y el Francés.”

[Translation: If you're going to speak a different language, so am I. However, I find Spanish sexier than any other language, except maybe Italian... and French.]