Silver Blue

The snow-covered forest brought back tormenting memories, as it did every day. I looked up into the blur that was the sky as snow fell gently towards the earth. I stood like this for quite some time, collecting my thoughts and feelings; collecting myself, if you will. The more I watched the snowflakes fall, the more they depressed me. Maybe it was the atmosphere of the forest, or maybe it was the weather, but either way, it reminded me of myself. Brought onto this earth only to be melted, swept away, and when a new flake takes my spot, I'll be left alone, forgotten.

I take a deep breath, inhaling all of my negative thoughts - I wouldn't want to ruin his mood with more bashing on myself. Slowly, I exhale all my troubles, my anxiety, my depression and put on a smile. Surely he'd want to see me smiling.

As I stood there, under a bare tree, I heard the sound of boots breaking snow. My eyes widened and I stepped around the tree, bending forward and locking eyes with Shun then smiling - half happily. Shun smiled back brightly, his silver blue eyes gleaming with delight upon seeing me.

"Yo! How was your day, Rin?" He continued to smile. His face was utterly pale - I ignored this.

"Oh you know, the usual: boring. But look at this!" I paused, reaching into the backpack I had been carrying. Shun's face lit up as he saw the treat I had waiting. "Mom baked these before I left; fresh melon buns. Come on, let's go sit down before they get cold!"

Excited, Shun grabbed my hand and began guiding me towards our usual spot. His hands were ice cold. It was a bench overlooking the now frozen pond, the evergreen trees and snowfall complementing the mood I was trying to create for Shun. He wiped off the bench before extending an arm, motioning me to sit down before he did. I smiled faintly at him as I sat down, rubbing my hands together in an attempt to warm them before I pulled out our delicious treat.

Shun wrapped his hands around mine. I looked towards him, questioning his motive. He attempted to smile and opened his mouth to speak, but instead frowned and recoiled his hands without another word. We sat in silence until I finally took a melon bun out and handed it to him.

"Thanks, they look delicious!" Shun gently accepted the bun and smiled widely as he waited for me to pull out a melon bun for myself.

"They smell great too," I tried to add to the conversation. I bit my lip as I realized what I had said. "Sorry, I wasn't thinking" I quickly apologized.

"It's fine, you didn't mean anything by it" Shun was always understanding. "Now hurry up and get a melon bun, my mouth is watering just waiting to eat this!"

I forced a laugh then pulled out a melon bun myself. We both began to eat without a second thought. They really were good, but neither of us made any comments on this.

"Do you remember what you said to me the first time we ate melon buns like this?" Shun chuckled to himself, then smiled at me in anticipation of my response.

"Not exactly, what did I say?"

"It was really cute, we were eating melon buns like we are now, and it was a sunny day I think. The ducks were in the pond and the water was glistening beautifully. I remember comparing you to that image, and how gorgeous you truly are. Then I started imagining you in a bridal gown – "

He must have seen the look in my face because he stopped and got back to his story.

"Anyway, you were already eating your melon bun peacefully while I absorbed the image before us, and when I finally took two bites you smacked me on the back of the head. Looking back on it, that was funny, I was so surprised. You looked at me in utter disgust, I thought I had been chewing with my mouth open or maybe you wanted me to eat slower. Either way, I was shocked but then you had this baffled look on your face and said 'has anyone ever taught you how to eat a melon bun? Clearly not.' I laughed so hard when you said that. That only made you angrier but the look on your face was adorable and so serious. Then you said – "