A few months ago, I asked on Tumblr to be sent some quote prompts from a list. What was supposed to be a drabble / flash fic has turned into something quite a bit longer. This is the first part, and the second will be up within the week. I hope you enjoy it! I'll include what the prompt was at the end of the second chapter. Thanks to AntiGone2 and IrritableVowel for the helpful ideas! :)
Edit: When I originally posted the chapter (right before I took off to work) I didn't have a name in mind. Name has been updated.
Edit II: After being up for weeks, I came to the conclusion that the name wasn't exactly what I was looking for. As I constantly watch Friends on repeat, I've decided to title all prompt fics "The one with/where...".
The One With the Vegas Vacation
The Night Before
Usagi curled the tips of her toes under the stool's metal footrest as she hunched over a fruity cocktail. Mirrored tiles reflected the warmth cast down from the chandelier, and she watched as an array of colourful lights danced in a pattern along the wall. Bottles upon bottles lined a wooden cabinet, a classic nod to the past. People laughed behind her, huddled around stout tables as they enjoyed their drinks, soaking up each other's company. She sighed as her fingers drummed against the counter, seemingly of their own accord; this vacation definitely had not panned out as expected.
She glanced over at a group of girls who whispered and giggled, recounting stories of crushes and conquests. She had been one of those girls a few hours ago, surrounded by four of her closest friends. At the time, they were trying to console her, despite fervent protests that she was fine. Usagi groaned to herself, blowing bubbles through the tiny straw, and watching as they pushed their way past the ice.
She had expected to be ditched by Minako, who over the course of a ten minute conversation had fallen hopelessly in love with an American wannabe-model. She had then enlisted Makoto for a double date, needing someone to entertain the model's best friend. Her other two friends, Ami and Rei, had decided to hit the casino floor and test their luck as Ami had spent the last month studying the mechanics behind every casino game possible. They had asked Usagi to join them, begged her even, yet she politely declined, already feeling a heavy strain on her finances (or lack thereof).
"Stupid medical conference," she muttered, scowling into the empty glass. That was the only reason he was there; not that it was really a surprise. And it certainly wasn't a surprise that he wanted to spend time with some girl he had met God-knows-where before making the long journey back to Japan. He hadn't even noticed Usagi – not that it mattered. She was completely over trying to figure out the ridiculous and complicated relationship she had with —
"Odango?
— Mamoru. Her shoulders tensed at the sound of his voice, and she inhaled slowly, refusing to turn around. She stared down at the melting cubes, stabbing the remains with her straw, half pretending it was the man behind her.
"What are you doing here?" he asked, moving to occupy the empty stool beside her.
"What does it look like I'm doing?" she snapped, nose filling with the scent of his cologne; she loved that smell. He rolled his eyes, and ordered a drink from the bartender.
"I guess Minako convinced everyone to join Ami after the conference?" he surmised, already well aware of the answer; Ami had been bubbling with excitement during their last lecture. "Where is everyone?" he wondered, gaze scanning the room before settling on the plunging neckline of her black dress from the corner of his eye.
"Gambling." She watched with mute interest as Mamoru slid a bill across the counter to pay. "Or dating." She frowned. He nodded as he took a sip of his drink, and Usagi played out a million conversations in her mind. "So, what are you drinking?" she asked.
"Bourbon." He offered her the glass, and the blonde shook her head, tendrils of golden hair falling in front of her face. "Let me guess, you had something extremely sweet where you couldn't even taste the alcohol?"
"It tasted like strawberries," she replied matter-of-factly, feeling a light blush stain her cheeks when he flashed her his infamous cocky smile.
"So, why aren't you gambling or dating?" He signalled to the bartender to bring her another drink.
"I don't really have the funds to be gambling right now," she admitted, gaze dropping to the ring she was twisting around her finger. "And my lack of luck on the dating scene is no secret, not even to you." Mamoru felt a pang of guilt, silently confessing that a good portion of her bad dating luck was caused by him.
A familiar silence fell over the pair as they battled internal emotions, playing a game of stolen glances. Usagi found her coy glimpses growing longer, and she studied his strong hands and chiselled jaw. Her fingers itched to push away the silky hair strewn messily across his brow, and she couldn't help but wonder what his lips would feel against hers. Her cheeks burned – clearly this was all the alcohol talking.
"I really wanted this to be a movie vacation," she grumbled, blowing the bangs from her forehead as she swivelled her stool back and forth.
"A movie vacation?" Mamoru echoed, refusing to move despite her leg repeatedly brushing up against his.
"You know, like what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas," she explained, lifting her straw and downing the rest of the bright pink liquid.
"And what would that entail?"
"I don't know." Usagi shrugged. "Getting drunk, doing something crazy, hooking up with some hot guy?" Her wistful smile soured as she caught his disapproving frown. "What?"
"I didn't realize you were that kind of girl," he said, the curtness of his voice causing Usagi to tense.
"How would you even know what kind of girl I am?" she asked, crossing her arms over her chest. "You still see me as the same girl I was ten years ago when we first met." Her cheek twitched, and jaw clenched. "I don't even wear odangos all the time anymore," she added, pointing to the waves of gold that fell down to the middle of her back.
Mamoru remained silent, watching as she struggled to keep the irritation from contorting her face. He sighed; they always seemed to end up in the same place. While falling back into old habits was comfortable, part of him ached to move forward.
"You're right," he conceded, nodding slightly.
"What?" Usagi's defenses dropped, her annoyance quickly dissipating.
"I said, you're right."
"Did the great Mamoru Chiba just admit that I, Usagi Tsukino, was right about something?" She gaped, hand splayed dramatically across her chest.
"Cherish the moment," he replied dryly. "I know you better than you think I do."
"Prove it," she challenged, eyes sparkling.
"Prove it?"
"We'll play a game." A grin swept her face, and she straightened her back.
"What game?" His expression narrowed; what exactly was he getting himself into?
"You have to agree to play first."
"Fine," he agreed, shoulders shrugging. She looked at him expectantly, brows raised and lips pressed into a line. "I'll play."
"Order six shots," she instructed. "It's part of the game," she explained when she noticed his hesitation. Mamoru did as he was told; maybe there was a side to Usagi he had yet to see. "We take turns saying something that we think is true about the other person. If you're wrong, you take a shot. First person who finishes their shots loses."
"Okay." His face softened with curiosity. "Are you sure you can handle three shots?" he prodded, enjoying the confident simper that pulled at her lips.
"I won't need to." Usagi declared, and Mamoru chuckled at her blatant cockiness. "You start," she ordered, lining three small glasses in front of each of them.
"Your favourite milkshake is strawberry."
"It is, but that was too easy," she chided, wagging her finger. She looked at him square on, ready to show him exactly how the game was played. "You want people to think your favourite flavour is coffee, but it's actually chocolate." She lifted her chin triumphantly, and Mamoru leaned back – so that was how she wanted to do it.
"You actually passed your third-year psychology exam on the first try."
"Hey, I did better than just pass," she exclaimed, swatting him on the arm.
"I know." He nodded, unwilling to confess that he had been proud of her. "Your turn."
Usagi hummed, and pursed her lips in thought, eyes sparkling as she came up with the perfect fact. "You grow roses."
Mamoru's head jerked back. "How did you even know that?" he wondered; that wasn't a secret he readily shared.
"I'm not outing my source."
"Motoki," he muttered, shaking his head. "… who you had a huge crush on," he added.
"Well you had a crush on Rei," Usagi retaliated. Mamoru smirked, and pushed a shot glass towards her.
"I have never been interested in Rei," he said, laughing at the blonde's dubious expression. Usagi downed the liquid, nose crinkling at the aftertaste. "Still feeling confident?" he goaded, causing her to roll her eyes.
"Just go."
"You didn't go on your first real date until you were eighteen." She considered the statement, and nodded when she deemed it to be true; her father had been pretty overbearing when she was a teenager.
"You've never had a long-term relationship," she baited, hoping to ignite some sort of reaction in him, but was disappointed when all she received was a nonchalant shrug.
"You've never had a one-night stand," he countered.
"Drink up, Chiba."
"I'm surprised, Odango." Brows raised, he lifted the shot to his lips, wincing as it made its way down his throat; it was much stronger than he had anticipated.
"But I thought you knew me so well," she mocked, batting her lashes. She wasn't about to tell him that the only one-night stand she had was a drunken, unsatisfying mistake. "You only date girls who are stupidly pretty." Mamoru squinted – did Usagi seem jealous?
"You only date guys that are jerks."
Usagi snorted. "I do not." Mamoru's forehead wrinkled in contention. "Whatever, I'll give you that one just because I'm nice," she scoffed, secretly trying to find a hidden meaning behind his remark. "You have never had a pet."
"That commercial with the kittens always makes you cry."
"It's really cute and sad!" She pouted, pretending to be hurt.
"I'm not making fun of you," he said sincerely, and in honesty, he found it endearing.
"You always wear Versace cologne." Heat stained her cheeks as she remembered the rampant search she had dragged Minako on years ago, trying to figure out his scent.
"You only ever paint your nails shades of pink."
"You notice that?" she asked, head tilting to the side. She blinked back the blurring lights, the alcohol finally beginning to take effect.
"I notice a lot of things." His voice lowered, and Usagi couldn't help herself from leaning towards him.
"What else do you notice?"
"That's not the game we're playing," he whispered. "Your turn."
"Fine." She straightened her posture. "Sometimes you pretend to read the newspaper, but you're really eavesdropping."
"Sometimes you speak extra loud to make sure I can hear exactly what you're saying to your friends." He smiled as she blushed with confirmation.
"You had a date tonight." Usagi held her breath, butterflies swarmed her stomach as he grinned, nodding towards the glass.
"Drink."
"I saw you with her," she accused, face growing tight.
"Who, Sara? She's a colleague," he explained, relishing in the relief on Usagi's face as she delicately picked up the shot. "Were you spying on me, Odango?" She threw back the shot, placing the glass upside down when she had finished.
"You wish," she muttered, fighting to maintain her composure.
Attention focused on nothing but her, he propped his head up with his hand. "You secretly love the nickname Odango."
"Drink," she ordered, unable to keep his infectious smile from spreading across her lips.
"No way, it's true."
"I do not love being called Odango," she insisted, feeling her muscles loosen. He cocked an eyebrow in disbelief. "You're infuriating." She moved the glass closer to him. "Drink it."
Mamoru did as he was told, yet continued to maintain that she was lying. "We're down to one each," he noted.
Usagi's nose twitched, and she blinked in thought. Readying her reply, she uncrossed her legs and placed her arm on the counter – partially to steady herself. "You only pretend to find me annoying." Her focus remained fixed on Mamoru; the morning sky clashing with midnight.
"You think I'm attractive." He winked, and her face flushed.
The blonde held up her thumb and index finger, and pinched them together. "Just like this much," she said, refusing to give him any satisfaction. Mamoru chuckled, and Usagi fiddled with her hair an attempt to regain her composure. She cleared her throat and licked her lips, and Mamoru couldn't stop his attention from dropping to her mouth. "You're in Vegas, but you haven't gambled any of your money."
"You've already lost all yours," he countered, being witness to years of money slipping through her fingers at the arcade.
"I win!" She exclaimed, throwing her arms victoriously in the air, balance faltering. "I haven't done any gambling at all." She shook her head vehemently as if to prove her point. "I think, as punishment for losing, you should drink the last one," she said, pointing to the glass.
Teetering on the verge of responsible and reckless, Mamoru threw back the remaining shot. "Come on," he ordered, staring down at the girl smiling wildly – something about Usagi made him jump out of the sidelines and act on impulse. He wanted her to experience everything. "How can you have a crazy Vegas vacation without gambling?" he asked, fighting the light-headedness.
"I don't even know how to play," she stammered, words slurring heart racing.
"Then be my good luck charm," he said, hand gingerly resting his hand on the small of her back as he helped her slide off the stool. He threw a few bills down on the counter as a tip for the bar tender, and the pair made their way to the gaming floor, ready for their next adventure.
Mamoru and Usagi stood in the entrance to casino, serenaded by a chorus of bells and shrill mechanical melodies. The clinking of coins and chips echoed throughout the vast room, dealers called out numbers and patrons shouted their bets. Little old ladies hunched over slots, cups in hand as they pounded on the buttons, waiting for their payout. Usagi breathed – it was magical.
"So, where do we start?" Mamoru wondered, his arm secured tightly around Usagi's waist. Her attention flitted left to right trying to choose, unable to decide whether it was Mamoru or the alcohol that was causing her body to tingle.
A roar of cheers filtered through the floor, and Usagi's head snapped in its direction. "What was that?"
"It's probably from the craps tables," Mamoru guessed, flooded with disappointment as the girl slipped from his grasp. "Usagi –" he called after her.
"Well come on." She shot him an impatient glare, before grabbing his hand and pulling him with her in search of excitement.
They weaved their way through rows of slot machines, and squeezed past crowds of people huddled around tables, fingers crossed and hopes high. After three wrong turns Mamoru took control of the directions, and they finally came to a craps table, buzzing with activity.
Usagi tugged lightly on his shirt, and motioned for him to lean down. "Is this craps?" she whispered. Mamoru nodded. "Do you know how to play?" she asked. His head bobbed again, words caught in his throat as he struggled to suppress the overwhelming desire to kiss her.
As they watched the game in progress, Mamoru explained the basics, pointing out the various wagers being made. Usagi tried to listen, but everything else was catching her attention: the curve of his mouth, and flecks of gold in his eyes, the way his hands moved as he taught her the basics, and how every part of his appearance was pressed and neat – every part, except his hair, which fell perfectly and carelessly.
"Do you want to try a few rounds?" he asked, breaking her reverie.
"You play, I'll watch," she choked, knowing full well that no decisions she made here on out would be good ones.
Mamoru traded money for chips, and they squeezed their way to the edge of the table. Numbers decorated the green, felt pit, and Usagi watched as the dice slid across the board. The dealer grabbed the black marker, and turned it to on, placing it above the six.
"Place bets on eight and nine," Mamoru called, tossing the chips into the ring. "Hope it lands on nine," he said, and Usagi crossed her fingers.
Cheers erupted, and curses were muttered as the dice tumbled one after another. Waitresses stopped by to replenish drinks, and Usagi delighted in being able to use the shelf built into the craps table. After watching the first few rounds, Usagi began to understand the game, and was quickly swept up in the fanfare. She clung to Mamoru's arm as they waited for the dice to fall, and celebrated each chip that they won.
The dealer presented five dice to Mamoru, signalling it was his turn to shoot. He leaned down to whisper in Usagi's ear. "Choose two dice," he instructed, his proximity causing the hairs on her neck to stand on end.
"That one, and that one," she said, pointing to the red cubes. Mamoru scooped the dice into his hand, as the stickman pulled the others away. Taking a deep breath, he shook them in his palm, before releasing them onto the green below.
"Point on twelve," the dealer called, signalling the next round of bets. Four, five, six rolls went by and Mamoru's turn was still going strong, with higher stakes piling in. The constant supply of drinks resulted in liquid courage taking control, and his wagers increasingly tested the odds. Usagi basked in the energy, drowning in the vibrant lights and encouraging calls. Suddenly she stood on her tip toes, and kissed Mamoru on the cheek.
"What was that for?" he asked, voice hoarse as it pushed past the lump in his throat.
"Luck." She grinned, and the crowd whistled, Usagi's complexion reddening with the attention.
Two more shots of the dice, and Mamoru was up by nearly five hundred dollars – a fair amount of winnings for a man hesitant to gamble in the first place. Trusting his gut, he gathered his earnings, promptly rolling a seven on his next turn.
"Seven out!" the dealer shouted, and the audience and players alike congratulated Mamoru on long, well-played streak.
"Are you quitting?" Usagi wondered, eyes heavy and limbs languid.
"We should call it a night." Mamoru swallowed as the petite woman leaned against him. The sweet fragrance of her perfume invading his senses, mixing with the alcoholic buzz, making it nearly impossible to think straight.
"Nooo," Usagi whined, turning to face him, her hand resting gently on his chest. "I don't want to spend the rest of the night alone." Her bottom lip fell into a pout. "We can watch a movie," she suggested, brows raised as she looked up at him hopefully.
"Movies are good," Mamoru choked, heart pounding as he struggled to control his breath.
Fighting drunkenness in silence, Usagi and Mamoru waited patiently for the elevator to arrive. The blonde swayed slightly from side to side, fingers fidgeting with the strap of her purse, and Mamoru tried his best to appear sober. The bell chimed and the doors slid open, rush of people shuffling past, ready to test their luck. The awkward pair climbed inside the now empty space, standing closer than necessary, but feeling too far away. The elevator jolted, and Usagi stumbled, unable to maintain her balance. Mamoru instinctively reached out and grabbed her by the waist, pulling her against his chest. She turned in his grasp, his forehead lowering to hers.
"Are you okay?" he asked, he hands planted firmly on her hips. Eyes locked and hearts pounded, time stopped as everything around them blurred into an array of shadows. "How drunk are you?" he whispered.
Usagi shook her head, the mellowness of her expression replaced by sheer determination. "Don't talk." Reaching up, she tugged his head forward, mouths crashing together. Tongues explored, and fingers caressed, as years of pent up tension finally saw a hint of release. He pulled her closer, their bodies melding perfectly into one, drowning in the sensations of soft skin and thrumming lips. The elevator dinged, and the two jumped back, breathing ragged and appearances dishevelled.
"We're going to watch a movie," Mamoru stammered, as an older couple stepped in, steely eyed and disapproving. Usagi refused to look anywhere but the ground, cheeks on fire, and unable to breathe through the thick tension. The second the doors opened at her floor, she flew into the corridor, legs shaky and mind reeling.
"I'm down here." She pointed down the hallway, and Mamoru followed dutifully behind. With neither drunk enough to pretend that the kiss had never happened, they painfully avoided the topic, their interactions now filled with awkward comments and nervous smiles.
Usagi sat on the edge of the bed, flipping through the television guide, as Mamoru busied himself staring at the new release synopses on the hotel desk, unable to clearly make out the words. The blonde racked her brain for something to say, but only came up with one conclusion: more alcohol was the only way to remedy their situation. Leaping from the bed, Usagi crouched before the mini-bar, pulling the contents into her arms.
"Look at how cute these are," she cooed, dumping the load of small bottles onto the bed. "We should try them." She bit her lip, expecting him to decline.
"Race to see who can finish one first?" he suggested, relieved for the distraction. Usagi nodded, and they chose their poisons, opening the bottle in preparation.
"Ready," Usagi said, elbow poised on her knee as she sat cross-legged on the bed.
"Set." Mamoru licked his lips, and shrugged his shoulders.
"GO!" they shouted, bottles empty within mere seconds.
Two rounds later the nervous energy had dissolved, leaving them warm, giddy and completely at ease with one another. Usagi tripped her way to the mini-bar, nose crinkling at the overpriced nuts, raisins, and banana chips.
"We need snacks," she declared, finger thrust into the air.
"Vending machine?"
A wide grin spread across the blonde's face. "Best idea ever," she cheered.
The couple snuck barefooted down the hallway, shushing each other's giggles with exaggerated gestures. They slowed their pace, and peered around the corner of a small alcove to find one vending machine standing proudly in the space.
"It's like heaven," Usagi whimpered, nose pressed against the glass as she inspected the goodies in the machine. Using Mamoru's credit card to make the payment, they began selecting items, watching with fascination as the silver ring spun to release their snacks.
The last thing either of them remembered that night was pressing every button on the vending machine, and taking bets on what would come out first.
