The first time Sun Ce had given him a flower was when they were young children living and loving life thoughtlessly. The memory clings as though it was merely yesterday. They had been running threw a beautiful lush meadow and tackled one another into a blanket of flowers and grass. Sun Ce had picked one of the blooming blossoms and given it to Zhou Yu smiling foolishly with glee. Perhaps it was a simple childish gesture or much more? A smile had mirrored the one given as Zhou Yu accepted the gift happily.
Now as he sits older and wiser, in a different meadow with his same close friend, he accepts a flower once more. Sun Ce grins adoringly at him watching him take the gift thoughtfully. "Thank you, Ce," Zhou Yu softly says, lightly touching the delicate petals. The gentle red that flushes to his cheeks is illuminated by his pale face. "Your welcome, Yu," is the reply. The tone is mocking in a way Sun Ce commonly uses. Zhou Yu sighs too softly for his lord to hear. Sun Ce no doubt sees and is hinting on the blush. Cursed expressions. Sometimes Zhou Yu wishes he didn't offer them so easily. Of course Sun Ce knew how to draw out the strategist quite easily. This without doubt is because of their strong long friendship.
"Here," Sun Ce offers taking the flower from Zhou Yu's gentle grasp. The young lord places the blossom behind Zhou Yu's ear so the stem keeps the flower in place. The petals show beautifully in contrast to the strategist raven black hair. "Perfect, bro!" Sun Ce exclaims. Zhou Yu caresses a smile upon his face in return for the comment. "If you say so..." he quietly replies returning his gaze to the green fields ahead.
Sun Ce had questioned about a "romp" threw the meadow when Zhou Yu was in depth among his many scroll studying. Since having studying for a few hours and knowing Sun Ce would not accept a 'no' easily, Zhou Yu had agreed. Now here he sits staring at the peaceful landscape before him.
The land of Wu. A divine strong country. A country of loyal, honourable warriors and home to the great and feared Tiger of Jiangdong. The peaceful beauty was worth every moment put forth to protect it from the grasp the others.
"Tell me," Sun Ce says abruptly, "We're good friends right?" Zhou Yu gazes ahead considering the question with undeniable, yet only slight curiosity. A butterfly gracefully flutters past. Some say the colorful insect represents unspoken freedom. "Yes, of course," Zhou Yu replies as it lands upon a flower a safe distance from the warriors. "Why do you ask?"
"Just curious."
"A strange question to ask, Ce. We've been friends for how long? I should hope this would be known?" Sun Ce laughs shortly.
"Always one for words weren't you?"
"How one uses their words can dictate his position, intellect, and personality."
"Yep." Zhou Yu grunts in annoyance: Sun Ce can often be quite difficult to deal with.
"Are you ready to go?" the strategist questions instead if allowing the feeling to lead him.
"All you do is study!" Sun Ce protests. Ignoring the statement, Zhou offers his friend his hand. The Little Conquerer grasps his friends, but does quite the contrary to what was expected.
Zhou Yu huffs as he tumbles upon Sun Ce forcing his lord onto his back. "Ce!" the strategist openly scolds. Seeing it has no affect, he grabs his lord's facial hair and lightly pulls upon it. "Hey!" Sun Ce shouts. "Not the beard, dude!" Zhou Yu smirks at the reaction. The tiger strokes his anchor in clear friendly disapproval to the yanking. "If I didn't know you better I would think you loved your anchor more than me," Zhou Yu says before he realizes it. A rare occasion were the strategist speaks his mind without thought, one quickly and deeply regretted.
Beneath him Sun Ce blinks rapidly as if to help comprehend what was just said, although the words were plainly spoken. His mouth is agape in surprise. If the situation was not so awkward Zhou Yu would have chuckled to see is friend so completely dumbfounded.
The silence becomes too uncomfortable loud. The awkward deadlock of their eyes forces Zhou Yu to hastily retreat to his feet. Even strategist were caught in moments where a tactic failed to come to mind... "Forgive me..." Zhou Yu manages to say as he hurries towards the Sun palace. His words are spoken as he moves away from hearing range. No reply comes nor does Zhou Yu pause. His legs carry him swiftly away from Sun Ce. Guilt and shame heel closely at his side. To leave Sun Ce with such abruption. The young tiger is not just his friend but a lord, he should be treated accordingly. Still Zhou Yu cannot bring himself look back or stop.
Even strategist speak too openly, become caught by complete surprise, and run from what they do not know instead of facing what bothers them so. Even strategists do.
Every meadow has its field of flowers. And some have roses. Sweet beautiful roses.
Apologizes for making the chapter short, but I'll update soon. Famous last words, huh?
Thank you for reading and please review.