storypaint | Gold (Syaoran and Tomoyo gen)

Title: Gold
Fandom: Cardcaptor Sakura
Subject: Li Syaoran and Daidouji Tomoyo
Theme(s): 28. Golden thread
Disclaimer: Cardcaptor Sakura belongs to CLAMP. I'm pretty sure I made up the legend, but I've heard a couple variants on the idea in old myths.

Summary: A red string for love and gold for friendship. Tomoyo wears two golden strands.

"What a neat bracelet, Chiharu-chan!" Sakura said at lunch, admiring the red braided strand. Chiharu blushed a little.

"Yamazaki-kun gave it to me," she said, pointing to her boyfriend.

"Haven't you ever heard the legend of the red thread that ties lovers together?" Yamazaki said. His eyes brightened and he lifted a finger, assuming the familiar pose. "It's said that fate ties a little string between the wrists of those who are meant to be in love."

Syaoran looked between him and Sakura, and though they were sitting close together, he saw no string. The thought worried him and he met Sakura's eyes. She looked just as disturbed.

"Are you sure, Yamazaki-kun?" Syaoran asked weakly.

"I thought it was that only Cupid could see them," Tomoyo mentioned thoughtfully. "It's some European tradition. And friends are tied with golden threads."

"Wow, gold!" Sakura said, smiling. She held up her wrist like she could see the threads.

Syaoran looked at his own wrist and contemplated for a while. He would be tied in red and gold to Sakura, of course. In gold to Yamazaki. And perhaps to Tomoyo as well. She saw him glance at her and smiled, hand on her wrist.

"The gold threads never break," Tomoyo said fondly, looking at Sakura and at Syaoran as well. She knew that he hadn't hesitated to protect her when they were catching cards, and that she'd probably never be relieved of the duty of giving advice about Sakura.

The gold threads never break, Syaoran thought in wonderment.

Next week when the bracelet fad caught on and several crushes attempted to come out of the woodwork and present red bracelets to Tomoyo, she refused them all. She wore two-- Sakura's, and Syaoran's-- and the gold threads on her wrist gleamed brightest of all.