A/N: A minor ficlet that came to me. I hope you'll like it. One more. Will be companion fic to this one.

Summary: Observations on her smiles. I want her to always smile. ExT

Disclaimer: CLAMP.

Shades of Her Smile

x

She turns to me, a bright, but impatient smile on her face. "Eriol-kun," she says, holding out her hand. "What's taking you so long?"

And she doesn't know this, but I do. That one amazing smile is enough to last me a lifetime. Well, maybe a few more wouldn't hurt, but Tomoyo-san, don't you know? Your smiles make me want to live for you. I shake my head slowly, and hesitatingly, I take her hand.

I am filled with a longing, a sweet desire that I cannot quench. I am led to her latest endeavor, her palm against mine. The longing pushes its way out, and I can feel it spill over. She turns to me again, and smiles, this time, her eyes lighting up with sheer happiness.

I can't say anything, but I shake my head, and I smile back at her, knowing my smile cannot even compete with hers. Oh, she's so close, but she isn't mine. Tomoyo-san, don't you know? Your smiles make me want to live for you.

And so, it goes on like this, and I feel I cannot take it. She stops in wonder, and I am left staring at the back of her head, ebony curls spilling over her shoulders. "Look," she whispers, as if sharing a secret with me. "Aren't the falling flowers beautiful?"

And she will catch a white blossom in her hand, and she will examine it closely, and then thread it through her hair. She will turn to me with a childish smile, as if she is maybe a little embarrassed that she still loves flowers.

I smile gently and lightly mock her, but inwardly, I shall admire the contrast of the white flower in her dark inky hair. She gently swats my arm, and oh, please, Tomoyo-san, direct one of those amazing smiles at me again. Tomoyo-san, don't you know? Your smiles make me want to live for you.

And even now, she watches her best friend. She's a little heartbroken, but she's also a little happy. She wants so desperately to prove that she really loves her, but she so desperately wants to stay with her. She looks up at me, and her hold on my hand tightens. She gives me a smile of sadness mixed with despair and it is still beautiful, because she is.

I hold her hand, because this is perhaps the only way I know to give her some comfort. I want to hold her close to my heart and tell her to smile like she used to, please, Tomoyo-san, I'm begging you.

Tomoyo-san, don't you know? Your smiles make me want to live for you.

fin.