"The Fun We Used to Have" - A VioxShadow One-Shot

The Fun We Used to Have

Shadow crept quietly up the wooden stairs of the house they all shared, and knocked softly at the first door down the hallway. He cracked the door open slightly and peeked inside.

"Vio...?"

The violet-clad boy sat unmoved in his old fashioned armchair by the window, his eyes glued to the book he was reading. Yes, he did notice Shadow, but he was in no mood for dealing with his shenanigans today.

"Vio," the voice said again.

Vio let out a sigh of exasperation and closed his eyes, irritated, and set his book in his lap. "What... is it, Shadow?"

Shadow stepped in the door and shut it behind him, standing awkwardly at the edge of the room. He looked down at the autumn-colored rug in front of him, then up at Vio in his chair at the other end of the room facing slightly away. He took a breath and spoke. "Well... It's a nice day outside, and the others are off to castle town to do stuff, so I was just wondering if... maybe you wanted to do something...? A walk maybe? Or we can go to the library? Or a visit into town?"

Vio took a breath and looked out the window, leaving Shadow to wait for a reply. Most days he spent holed away in his room reading. Every day he sat in his same chair in the same spot with a view of the same window-- and he liked it that way. For nothing to change. Green and Red had made many an attempt to lure Vio out of his room for more than just mealtimes or family gatherings, but their efforts were always futile, and eventually they gave up. Shadow, however, had been asking Vio to do something most every afternoon, or if not just checking in on him every once and a while. And every time Vio told him no.

But today he felt different. He thought about it, and the more he thought about it the more he realized how much he actually wanted a break from the usual routine. Just for one day. Though he wouldn't let Shadow be satisfied that easily. He sighed, looking back at his purple-haired counterpart. "Well... I suppose I might come with you... Maybe," he added, looking at Shadow through the corner of his eye.

Shadow couldn't help but suppress a smile, taking a step forward. "Please?" He asked, his eyes bright, an eyebrows raised.

When Vio laid eyes on this so familiar facial expression-- the one characteristic only to Shadow, his best friend-- he let out a breath and smiled, setting his book on the nearby table. "Alright," he said, getting up. "Where shall we go?"

"That's the Vio I've been missing," Shadow said slyly, slipping an arm around Vio's shoulder. This was one of the things Vio missed. Contact. "And wherever we want to go" Shadow added.

Little did Vio know that he had a whole day planned out for the two of them.

. . .

"I'll admit, you do know how to make the day worthwhile," Vio said as they walked through the main doors of the library. This was the first thing on Shadow's list, which he really only decided to do to make Vio happy; especially considering he wasn't quite literate. Vio had read to him and had begun to teach him how to read back at the castle on Death Mountain, but he only learned so much. But today he'd decided he would pretend he could at least understand half of what he was reading.

Vio immediately made his way to the science fiction section, Shadow following closely behind. He marveled at just how many books there were in the library. "There must be hundreds," he thought. "No-- thousands! Just on this floor alone!" Shadow realized his thoughts had caused him to stop in mid-pace, and he found Vio already halfway across the first floor. "Wait up!" He called, running to Vio, who immediately hushed him.

"Shh!"

"Sorry," Shadow whispered, grinning sheepishly.

The two sat down on the floor between two rows of bookcases, Vio having already picked out something and beginning to flip through it. Shadow watched him curiously, seeing how his pale blue eyes quickly scanned the words, how he flipped each page, how his auburn-blonde locks fell forward as he read... Vio apparently noticed his staring, shifting uncomfortably and clearing his throat. Shadow took his queue and selected a book off the shelf and opened it, pretending to read for the next twenty minutes. He stared at the foreign characters, unable to make sense of it, and eventually just ended up sitting patiently waiting for Vio to be done with his reading. Though Vio wasn't quite ready to leave, he saw Shadow sitting next to him and set down his book.

"Ready to go?" He asked, smiling a little.

Shadow got up and stretched, letting out an exaggerated yawn. "Yeah... About time you finished, bookworm. I'm starving!" He raised an eyebrow and smiled at the other, his arms still stretched above his head

"Come on..." Vio smiled and started out the doors, Shadow running behind.

The two found a small cafe to eat at, grabbing a table outside in the shade. The streets weren't too crowded, which both were greatful for. The waitress brought them their food-- Shadow insisted that Vio tried a burger and fries for a change, so that was what they each ordered. To drink, Shadow had a grape soda and Vio a water.

Shadow sipped his soda as Vio examined his food. "Well," he urged, "try it!"

"Fine... Though I don't want to." Vio reluctantly took a bite, attempting to hide the fact he hadn't tasted something so delicious in quite some time.

Shadow noticed however, and smirked, laughing slowly. "I saw that smile! See, it may not be the princess food you're used to, but it's good stuff!" Vio gave him a teasing look as Shadow drank his soda. "Heh," he said, holding up his glass. "It's grape. Like you."

Vio sighed, leaning on his hand. "I told you not to call me that..."

Shadow laughed and nodded. "Alriiight... I won't call ya that. Grape."

Vio threw his napkin at him and the two of them laughed.

. . .

After lunch, the two decided to take a walk around town, enjoying the weather and the atmosphere. It was a little too bright for Shadow, of course, but he pretended not to mind for Vio's sake. After all, he did want to make this day nice just for the two of them. Plus, he thought, it will be nighttime soon enough.

Shadow broke the long silence. "Walking is nice sometimes," he commented. "...Though I prefer it at night," he added, looking up and shielding his eyes.

Vio chuckled, looking thoughtfully around him. "It's a nice day outside."

"Yeah... See, Vi, I told you. Maybe you could see more nice days like this if you weren't holed away in your room all the time."

"Yes... I suppose you're right. You know..." Vio paused, causing Shadow to stop walking. "Thank you. For today, I mean. I guess I've just forgotten how much fun we used to have. ...Today has been really nice." He smiled and looked back up at Shadow, blushing slightly.

Shadow opened his mouth to make a witty comment, but paused. Instead he smiled, putting his arm around Vio and giving his shoulder a squeeze. "It has. And that's not even all of it," he added slyly. The two resumed their walking, enjoying each others company and talking about whatever things came to mind as the day faded.

. . .

"Where are we going now?" Vio asked, hesitantly jogging after Shadow who was well ahead of him. The sky had already darkened, and the grassy field they ran on now was illuminated by moonlight.

"Shh! To a place I know. Just come with me!" Shadow laughed, turning around briefly and then running ahead. Vio laughed silently and shook his head, running to catch up with Shadow.

Vio stopped behind Shadow, and the two emerged onto a hill covered in soft grass. Dandelions bloomed sporratically, and trees stood off to either side. "So... What are we doing here?"

"Look above you," Shadow answered with a smirk. Vio looked up. From the hill one had an excellent view of both the star-filled sky and the land below them.

Vio smiled at the sight, taking a moment before looking back to Shadow, who was sitting down on the ground. "It's beautiful..."

Shadow gestured for him to join him, so he did, the two laying side-by-side on the cool grass. Shadow looked at Vio, who looked up at the sky in fascination. His violet tunic glowed a bluish tint under the moon's light, Shadow's hair doing the same. The air wasn't too cold either. Everything was just... perfect.

Shadow returned his gaze back to the bright constellations above him, a slight smile forming on his face. He was surprised when he felt a warm hand rest on his own, and looked over to see Vio's hand on his. Their fingers entwined, each enjoying the moment. Shadow closed his eyes and smiled.

"Today was a nice day..." He thought.