Warnings: Slight AU, possibly slight OOC.

Notes: Hint of VincentxOC.

"…Please smile, just once? For me?"

Murky waters rippled, shattering the glassy surface as her skin made contact with it, swaying her foot lightly. There sat, hushed, the very same girl who had asked him that childlike question years ago.

"Even just a smirk, I'll leave you be…"

Pale blond hair was draped over her shoulder, loose from the bands that often held it. A thin black shawl was drawn across her slender shoulders, in a meek attempt to ward off the oncoming chill. She remained nearly still, only her foot making any movement beyond her breath.

"Please Mr. Valentine?"

He wordlessly took a place behind her. He had caught her attention nonetheless. The young woman glanced back, startled. Sage eyes met with scarlet, and a silent greeting was exchanged.

"Vincent…" She whispered. The warmest of smiles placed itself upon her winter rose lips. She certainly was no child now; of course she had grown over the years. Matured, well-taught. She had grown into a beautiful young woman, he would admit, though that was obvious to anyone gifted with sight. She had called him by his name as well, not 'Mr. Valentine' as she had during childhood. He could not help but to reminisce.

As long as it had been, Vincent certainly had not changed, that one thing was for sure. His face was still obscured by his trademarked crimson cloak, and his eyes still bore that same almost forlorn expression. His ebony hair still fell down his back the same way it had while she was a child. He hadn't aged, he couldn't; she had learned only a couple years back. Really it was a comfort, to know that, no matter how much she changed, he would remain the same, until she would no longer be within this world. In a way, it was saddening as well. Gesturing for him to sit next to her, she broke the stillness between them.

Vincent, though slightly reluctant, sat next to the blond-haired girl, watching the water, which once again had ceased to move.

"Shiloh…Hello…" Vincent's voice, although deep, was near silent; subdued. Shiloh glanced to him; of course she could not guess his feelings, for his eyes bore no emotion.

"Hello Vincent. It has…Been awhile since I've seen you." Even with his cool demeanor, Shiloh continued to smile. After all, truthfully he wasn't that cold. A bit distant, yes; but still caring. Whether he would ever admit it or not. He simply nodded in acknowledgement. She knew he wouldn't reply aloud, nor did she expect him to.

The grass beneath the two figures, sitting near water's edge, swayed with the whisper of a breeze. The setting sun cast a mixture of autumn colors, though none as brilliant as the scarlet eyes that gazed across the waters; or the spirit of the sage-eyed woman next to them.

I found the rough draft of this story (It was originally going to be a full fanfic with chapters an' all) yesterday an' thought that it would make a cute one-shot with a bit of tweaking. So here it is! Hope you enjoy!

I wanted to get something up in the meantime while I'm waiting to get the next chapters of Red Threads done.

-WKR