Pure Vanilla tilted his head slightly, eyeing Shadow Milk with a mix of concern and gentle curiosity. "Are you sure you can walk?" He had asked, the question soft but sincere.

The reaction was immediate. Shadow Milk’s expression twisted into something between offense and exasperation, as though the question itself had physically struck him. He scoffed, clearly affronted— perhaps more by the implication than the words themselves.

“Of course I can walk, ‘Nilly! Honestly, I’m offended you’d think so lowly of me!” he snapped, puffing his chest out like a flustered bird trying to appear bigger.

Pure Vanilla gave him a small, patient look— one he knew would get under his skin. It wasn’t unkind, but it spoke volumes. He wasn’t entirely convinced, and he didn’t need to say it aloud for Shadow Milk to know it.

Predictably, Shadow Milk rolled his eyes in an exaggerated arc, clearly determined to make some kind of point. With an overdone sigh, he began lowering himself from his usual float, his movements slower than necessary, as if he were putting on a show. A soft thud followed as his feet touched the ground.

Pure Vanilla watched quietly as his companion touched the ground with a soft thud. And then… there it was. A subtle shift. Barely a flicker—but unmistakable.

Shadow Milk’s confidence faltered.

His hand went straight to his cane, fingers tightening around it almost reflexively. Pure Vanilla’s gaze lowered, noting the slight tremble in those long-unused legs. The wobble. The way his knees bent ever so slightly, threatening to buckle. It was clear: walking was not as easy as Shadow Milk had wanted it to seem.

He leaned heavily on the cane, jaw clenched. Pure Vanilla could feel the tension radiating off of him— not from pain, necessarily, but from the sheer effort of holding himself together. Of preserving pride.

Still, he stood. Barely.

"See?" Shadow Milk muttered, though the bravado had dimmed. The words were there, but the strength behind them had cracked. "Easy."

Pure Vanilla didn’t answer right away. Instead, he simply stepped a little closer— quietly, supportively— ready to catch him if he fell. Just in case.