September 19th, 1959. 8:39pm. The Hop On Inn, Jackson, Mississippi

"I did not! I would never try something like that, Buddy! C'mon, man, I didn't even touch Vi! She's making it all up," Don rambles. "Who're you gonna believe? Your best friend or some woman?"

"Don, Vi isn't just 'some woman'! She's my woman! She's my wife! I've committed my entire life t'her, she's done the same for me. We're together forever, and she wouldn't lie t'me!" I feel my hands start to get clammy. "Don, really, she would never. I've known her for too long, I know when she's lyin'. Please just tell me the truth!"

Don shakes his head. "The truth is that I never kissed her! I'd never make a move, Buddy. She's your girl and I got my girl. I dunno if I'd trust anythin' Vi says, anyway. You said yourself that she's broken,"

"I never once said that! I would never say somethin' like that 'bout anyone, but especially my wife! Seriously, just tell me the damn truth and we can be done with this conversation!"

"I told you the truth!"

"Then why is Violet so upset? Then why is Phil telling me that you were braggin' about it? Why is Paul tellin' me the same things?"

"Because that wife of yours brainwashed 'em!"

"Don, just fuckin' tell me! Just tell me the truth and we can sort it out!" I feel more and more anger start to build up in my chest. It feels like I'm about to explode. I've been this angry exactly once in my life, and that was towards Vincent Winter. That encounter didn't end well to say the least.

"What do you want me to say?! I didn't do it!"

"You're a horrible liar, Don,"

"I'm not-"

"Forget it, Don. Just fuckin' forget it..." I say quietly. I turn to walk out.

"Go tell that slut of a wife to mind her damn business while you're at it!" Don taunts.

Before I know what I'm doing, my fist hits Don's face and there's blood pouring from his now crooked nose.

Oh shit...did... I break his nose?

His hands fly to his nose. "What the fuck, Buddy!? You just fucking decked me!"

"Don't call her that, you asshole," I say calmly. "Never insult Violet again, got it?"

He rolls his eyes as the blood starts to spat on the ground. "Fine!"

"You owe her an apology, you bastard," I turn around to walk away once again. "And don't ever lie t'me again."

I finally walk out of the hotel room and head down the hall to mine and Vi's. I'm still shaking with both anger and nerves. I've only punched one other guy before, and it was Vin.

It felt so good, though. It felt so good to punch him. I've been holding it in since Vi first told me he kissed her two weeks ago. I've been trying to work through the situation in my head ever since, imagining every possible scenario of when I would confront him.

Well, every scenario besides the one that just happened. I never thought I'd actually punch one of my best friends.

I love Violet with every ounce of me, I can't let anyone tread her down like that. She doesn't deserve it, she doesn't need it. She's had enough bullshit in her life, I want to protect her the best I can. I never want her to feel sad again. I would take any negative emotions she might feel, just so she never has them again.

I make it to our room and reach into my pocket, only to realize I forgot the hotel key. I knock on the door.

"Who's it?" I hear Violet respond.

"It's me," I reply.

She opens the door and I walk inside.

"Well?" She asks.

I pull her into a tight hug. Maybe if she can't wiggle away from me then she won't be as mad that I fucked Don up.

She wraps her arms around me. "What happened?"

I kiss her head. "Don got a broken nose," I say, resting my chin on her head.

"Did you-"

"Yep,"

"Buddy! You shouldn't have,"

"Vi, baby, I gotta defend you. He was bein' a jackass and lyin', callin' you a liar. I didn't realize what I was doin' until it was done. I'm sorry..."

To my surprise, she doesn't try to pull away from me, she actually pulls me closer to her. "I love you so much,"

"I love you so much, too, Vi. You're the one."

"You're mine too, Buddy. You're so perfect."

"No, I ain't, but you sure as hell are. My perfect girl,"

She inhales deeply. "I can't believe you'd do that for me. You really did that against Don..."

"You, Violet Rosaline Holley, are hands down the most important person to me. I don't care about anyone like I care about you, got it? I'd lose every friend I have if I had to. I'm so, so, so in love with you. You mean the world to me, and I wish I could give you the world,"

"Hush, you're gonna make me cry," she giggles.

"My point is that I'm in love with you and would give up everything if it meant I could be with you forever,"

"Well, it's a good thing you don't have to give up anything. You'll always have me, I'll never leave you."

"I'll never leave you either." I smile. I've promised her that since we first got together.

July 30th, 1953, 10:44pm. The Holley Household

"Doll, baby, what's wrong?" I ask quietly. She just started crying and I have no idea what happened. We were just sitting here cuddling when she just broke into tears.

She sniffles and shakes her head. "Nothing,"

"Well it's obviously somethin'. What happened? Did I do somethin'?"

"No..."

"You know you can tell me anything, Vi. Anything,"

"But...it's about you!"

I gently move her bangs from her eyes. "Then you really gotta tell me!"

"I just...I love you so much!"

"I know, I love you too,"

"But you're too good for me! You can have anyone and you're gonna leave me for someone better!"

I guess I'm not surprised that it's something like this. "Doll, I'll never leave you! I would never ever leave you!"

"No, Buddy, you deserve this entire world and I can't give it to you. All I can give you is depressive episodes and tears!"

My poor baby, she really hates herself. Someday, someday I'm gonna change that. I'm gonna make her see herself as highly as I see her. "Violet, doll, listen to me. I love you. I love you more than anythin', okay? You're my best friend, you're my girlfriend, and someday you'll be my wife, and I will always, always, always be here. You deserve me. You love me, therefore you deserve me. We're in love, you know that. I'll never leave you, hopefully you won't leave me. I love you."

"But... but you're so amazing and I'm so bad..."

"No! Violet, you're amazin' too, you just can't see it. You're drop dead gorgeous, you're so incredibly smart, you're kind, you have so much compassion, you're the most amazin' percussionist, you're strong, and above all, you're you. You are you. You're my Violet. You're so many things, but you're mine."

Her big green eyes continue to water, but her expression changed. She wraps her arms around me tightly, nuzzling into my neck. "I'm so sorry, you don't have to be here for me, but you always are..."

I kiss her head. "I love you so much, I'll always be here. I'll be here for you until the end of time, I promise. You're perfect the way you are,"

She moves her head and looks up at me. "I love you."

"I love you too," I reply, kissing her gently. "I love you too,"

A/N: sorry for a shitty and cheesy chapter, I havent been doing too hot mentally bc life sux :') I have a bunch of half done drafts I'll probably be posting soon so keep an eye out for those. Thank you for reading.