A Smile [China x Vietnam] Drabble!

    The September weather was an interesting one to witness firsthand, especially standing out over the lake like this. Many people seem to regard this month as autumn already, but the scenery tells a new and different story. Forest green leaves still dot the trees yet some show the beginning of scarlet tips. A single leaf decides to make its escape, falling and twirling like a performing ballerina before finished final by landing without a sound on the clear surface of the lake, as reflecting as always.

    My reflection stares back at me, those honey-golden eyes never blinking…before flitting back across the lake. As much as I seem to take a liking immediately to this newfound sanctuary- the calm and quiet exterior of the setting contrasts greatly against the shouting and arguments forever raging in my head. That’s something I’ll deal with later…for now, I need a break.

    Fingers running through my chocolate brown hair, a few more stray strands manage to make their way out of my ponytail. I leave them be, and resort my gaze and fingertips to brush the wooden rail of the worn bridge. The ridges and marks etched deep into the wood hold my fascination until I hear oncoming footsteps. Quiet as they were, the sound seemed to echo in my skull- I resisted the urge to turn and investigate the oncoming intruder.
   
    Yet…my senses go on high-alert when I sense the newcomer’s presence lingering to the left of me. Surprise is one of the first emotions I can list out immediately for you.

    A flicker of recognition runs through my mind as I take in his dark hair, eyes flickering between brown or amber- I can’t quite tell, and his confident yet silent stature. Perhaps I’ve seen him before somewhere…?

    “Hello, what are you doing here all alone aru?” he asks, his concern leaking through those shining orbs of his. This detail I happened to notice caught me off guard, something that doesn’t happen very often nowadays.

    “It’s nice to see you again…Yao. I’m just sorting my thoughts out I suppose,” I answered back, his accent reminding me instantly of this man’s true identity.

    “I understand. Times are tough… I come here too sometimes. It’s a strange occurrence that you seemed to have come upon it as well!” he changed the subject most likely sensing my discomfort about my reasons to taking refuge here.

    He launches into small talk, knowing I’m not that big of a talker. I start with replying in simple phrases like “okay” and “yeah” but begin contributing more remarks later on. Chatting simply like this causes a bubble of something strange to rise into my chest.

    Before long the corners of my mouth start acting on their own and happen to rise slightly upward.

    Yao looks back at me, the corners of his own mouth mirroring the same action as my own. “You look cuter with a smile on your face Lien!” he holds my hand in his, the warmth quickly spreading and becoming inviting and comforting.

    Ah, so this was what a smile was? It was an action easy to do when Yao was here. Now if only someone could explain to me what this heat in my cheeks and flying-like sensation in the pit of my stomach was called…


~Fin~