Disclaimer: I don't own Sailor Moon. Surprise, eh? And see, I promised I'd upload more.
Sometimes she forgets that she isn't the oldest one in their house.
Hotaru is a beautiful young girl, her amethyst eyes gleaming with life and love like the rest of them, and so when she looks up and sees Sailor Saturn meet her gaze she has to keep herself from jumping. When Hotaru looks with Saturn's eyes, something within Setsuna hurts, because it isn't right for a child to have eyes like hers—so full of pain and grief and ice. Eyes like Setsuna's.
"You couldn't sleep either."
It was not a question. Setsuna knew before she looked that it was Saturn and not Hotaru speaking; the voice was lower, quieter, wearier than her daughter's. Saturn slid into the chair next to Setsuna and simply looked at her, face composed, almost as if watching a mildly interesting movie. "Do you dream of her?"
Her. Saturn never called Usagi's mother by name, never addressed her by her title. It was always "her", and while the naïve young girl Setsuna was bristles, her older self understands. As much as Serenity was like Usagi, she was still the embodiment of the Lunar Empire, something Saturn hated with every atom in her body. She says a silent prayer of thanks then that Saturn is not their enemy, that she accepts this new life for what it is and is willing to look at Tsukino Usagi, not the Princess of the Lunar Empire. "Not tonight." Her voice hitches with grief, and she swallows, forces herself to calm. "Tonight my life and my dreams are the same."
"Ah, so you dream of the Gates." Saturn rises, shakes her hair down her back. "I would think it would bore you." Her eyes gleam, and it takes Setsuna a moment to realize the other soldier is trying to make her laugh.
She smiles slightly for Saturn's benefit. "Then you tell my subconscious what to do."
"That realm of the mind is closed to me." She studies Setsuna. "You always did have a soft heart, regardless of what anyone else thinks. I sometimes ponder why you were chosen for your post." It isn't an insult, simply a fact, and Setsuna idly wonders if given the chance, Saturn would have switched places with her.
"As do I." She closes her eyes. "Don't you dream of before, Saturn?"
"No. I was locked away much of my life; I remember nothing but death." There is a bitterness to her voice. "Although if the only other option was dreaming as you do, then I welcome the oblivion." She softens, rises and silently walks to stand behind Setsuna. The Time Guardian watches her, not afraid, just….wary. Of all the Senshi, Saturn has the most affinity for her, but she is still unpredictable.
If Saturn notices, she gives no sign, instead leaning down and wrapping her arms around Setsuna from behind. Bringing her lips to her companion's ear, she murmurs, "You do not dream alone, Setsuna. Remember that."
She isn't prepared for the emotions that arise as Saturn embraces her. As much as Setsuna loves Hotaru, as much as she loves Haruka and Michiru, they don't understand—they can't. Saturn has faced eternity, has seen empires rise and fall. She too knows the darkness and the silence and solitude. Saturn understands.
And so she allows her emotions to overtake her, and for the first time in uncounted years, Setsuna cries.