Title: Smile
Author: Chele
Rating: G
Category: Angst
Code: S, slight Tu/S
Summary: Hoshi loses a friend, but finally learns an important truth.
Author's Notes: A little drabble. In loving memory of my dear friend.
Disclaimer: Don't own, don't sue.
* * *
She watched as the coffin slowly sunk into the ground.
"Why is it you always have a smile on your face, Dante?"
"Cuz, Hoshi, I'm smiling for everyone, including you."
She watched as the dirt began to cover the coffin.
"You're soaking wet!"
"I...I didn't know where else to go. My...parents are splitting up."
"Come inside, Hoshi."
She watched as one by one, family, friends and acquaintances, placed a flower, ribbon, kiss on his grave...his grave.
"I can't believe you broke up with Trip."
"I had to."
"Why?"
"I just...did."
Pause.
"You didn't have to be here either."
She had offered her condolences to his family and waited. Waited until it was just them.
"Will you just do one thing for me? Will you just smile?"
She wondered how she could just stand near his grave and not have anything to say.
Walking up to his tomb, she traced his name. He was young, too young.
"Hey."
She turned around and stared at him.
Silence.
"I thought you might need these." He handed her two white roses.
Reluctantly, she took them and, bending down, placed them over the fresh dirt of his grave.
"I know this must..."
"Trip..."
She looked at him, finding herself once again caught in those familiar light blue eyes.
"Just hold my hand, will you?"
"Sure." He gently linked their hands together.
As they walked away from the grave, she couldn't help but turn her mouth upward--she smiled.
Wasn't that what Dante had always wanted her to do?
*****