With time, Umbrum judged that his feelings towards Urainia were not platonic. They were romantic.

If they were platonic, he wouldn't be finding himself thinking of how beautiful she was, how repeatedly kind she'd been to him.

Considering that his first time dealing with his romantic urges was a cringe-inducing disaster, he didn't want to mess this up.

There was no way that he could confront Urainia directly; There was a better way to handle it.

Umbrum made plans for a decorative sword. While he went out to deal with business, Manx got a glance of the plans. He was intrigued.

Manx brought up the topic while he and Umbrum were taking stock of all the swords, testing out which were and weren't worth keeping around.

"Speaking of swords, I saw the plans you drew up."

Umbrum looked at Manx in suspicion. "You are by no means to sabotage my plan."

"I wasn't going to. I want to help you forge the sword."

Umbrum's eyes widened. "What? Really?"

"As your second-in-command, I should seek to help you in any way I can."

Umbrum, either due to justified or irrational paranoia, felt Manx was hiding something from him.

The sword was forged, and the trouble came with giving it to Urainia.

He didn't trust giving it to a messenger, so he'd have to give it Urainia himself.

But should he just stick around afterward, or give it to her and leave? How would she react to an offer? Would it ruin their relationship?

No matter what insecurities held him back, Urainia deserved to know.

Urainia was overseeing a nebula, not expecting to hear the clatter of metal and got a glimpse of Umbrum before he disappeared.

She took the sword in her hands, wondering why Umbrum would leave it here, on the ground. Then she saw that the hilt had the image of 2 hearts stitched together, a romantic symbol.

Was this a romantic offer? Does he want to be with me? Even if it was an accident, Umbrum needs his sword back.

Urainia came to the dark palace later, the door was opened by a shadow creature she was vaguely familiar with. Kolin.

"Uh...Umbrum dropped this sword."

Kolin looked at the hilt and then to Urainia.

"You need to see him. Now."

Urainia and Umbrum stood in silence. Umbrum wasn't sure how to tell her that he had romantic feelings towards her without making it excruciatingly awkward. And Urainia was thoroughly confused.

"Umbrum...is there something that you have to tell me?"

Umbrum couldn't maintain eye contact with Urainia. "Yes. And I'm trying to make it as painless as I can."

Urainia moved closer to Umbrum. "Painless? Umbrum, all you're doing is confusing me."

Umbrum murmured. "I have feelings for you." He hoped that Urainia didn't hear it, but she did.

"You do? So you want to be in a relationship with me?"

Umbrum was thrown for a loop. "I didn't say I wanted one, I just said that I feel an attraction to you."

"I know, but do you want a relationship with me?"

Umbrum was again at a loss for words. "I like it in concept..."

"That's a yes, then?" Umbrum nodded. "You seem rather fearful..."

"It's the first time I've ever done this! I'm allowed to be fearful-this is unknown territory!"

Urainia held his hand. "Relax, will you? I haven't done this before, either. But we shouldn't let our fears get in the way."

Umbrum looked at Urainia's hand in his, and to her eyes. "You're right. But I'm a busy man, I can't just," He paused to think of what couples do. "Fuck all the time."

Urainia blinked, surprised at this out-of-nowhere crass comment.

"I understand. It'll only make our time together more special, though, won't it?"

"It will.

Do I leave now, or...?"

"You can stay here with me if you like, Umbrum. I have time."

Umbrum did want to stay with Urainia, but he worried that he'd miss something that happened with his shadow soldiers. Probably another fight between Kolya and Snake.

"I can't. Even if I could, what would we even do? Stare longingly into each other's eyes for a ridiculously long time?"

Urainia paused, thinking of what to do next."Right. Would you like a goodbye hug?"

Umbrum nodded. He hugged her, tight.

Urainia touched Umbrum's horns while embracing him. Umbrum was unsure how to feel about it. He couldn't say that he liked it or hated it, just tolerated it.

"Urainia?"

"Yes?"

"If you can touch my horns, can I touch your hair?"

"Sure! Go ahead."

Umbrum ran his fingers through Urainia's hair. Urainia enjoyed the sensation.

Soon, Umbrum felt like if he'd stay, things would escalate much farther than he'd like.

"I...need to go..."

Urainia pulled away. "Of course, you can go."

Umbrum stored that moment away in his long-term memory, as did Urainia. Was it perfect? No, but it was nice, and that's what mattered.