Snapshot of a Smile
A smile takes but a moment, but the memory of it lasts forever.
This is a snapshot of a smile.
The face of a young woman – a school girl, really – stares up at us. The laughter bursting from her lips is reflected in her eyes. Large and dark; they shine with a warmth and brilliance belying the horrors she has seen. Her cheeks are flushed; from the warm night air, the exertion of dancing, or simply from the thrill of being with her friends…? Who can say?
Her long hair, once neatly tied, is starting to come loose. Already a few strands fall across her face. Her head is tilted upwards, features lit by a golden glow – the source of which we can't quite see. Fairy Lights? Lanterns? Fireworks? They illuminate her surroundings - a fountain, broad avenue, a sign declaring 'Ticket Office' - an amusement park of some sort.
It's not hard to see why this is a treasured photograph. It speaks of joy and wonder. But the obvious delight upon the young girl's face is not the only reason it is treasured. Nor is she the only person in it.
A young man – a god, really – can just be seen, seated on a bench at the photo's outer edge. Very few people notice him. Their eyes slide across the page, unable to pin him down. He, too, is smiling. A soft, secretive smile; sky-blue eyes trained upon the girl.
This isn't just a snapshot of a smile – it's a snapshot of a moment. It doesn't tell us what has come before, or what will happen next, but we can always tell a special moment when we see it. And this moment; this is a moment neither the girl nor the god will ever forget. Its memory will last a lifetime.
A/N:
Hello. Thankyou to everyone who read and reviewed. None of these are longer than 300 words and the only enticement you had in my summary were the words "Noragami Drabbles" - which is hardly enlightening (so thanks for taking a chance on that!). I wish I lived up to the praise you have given me but I know that you're all just really, really kind. This one is terrible and I don't care. I needed to write something - and post it - today, or I probably never would have again. (Which might not have been a bad thing...). Inspired by Petaluma's Croser adverts from a few years ago.