The dream fairy called Peruru took the hand of Chibiusa, the Moon Princess, and led her to the couch in her chamber at the Crystal Palace. Ever since the two started dating, the princess had succumbed to periods of unresponsive silence and looks of depression. In her heart, she truly cared for Peruru. But he wasn't the only one. Helios had promised he would come back. And she had promised to wait for him.
The young man leaned forward to kiss Chibiusa. She received it and then looked away. Peruru died a little inside, but put on a brave smile.
"That was some movie, huh?" he remarked, referring to the cliché-ridden romantic comedy flick the two had just seen.
Chibiusa looked down at the marble flooring and nodded.
The boy folded his arms. He had learned the story of Chibiusa and Helios's past romance from Hotaru, the princess's best friend and bodyguard. Eight years had elapsed since the two had seen each other. Why did the girl he loved have to have these lingering feelings for another man? He wasn't there. And he wasn't going to come back. She was infatuated with denial.
"Chibiusa," he breathed, adjusting the sleeves of his white dress shirt.
The princess turned to face him, becoming alarmed upon seeing his pure green eyes brimming with sadness.
Peruru swallowed hard. "I can't continue to do this, Chibiusa. I talked to Saturn. I know you still have feelings for Helios." The dream fairy turned away. "I can't truly love someone who can't love me back freely. If you choose to wait for Helios to return, I will understand your decision."
For the first time in hours, the princess spoke. Her tone was little more than a crackling whisper. "What do you mean, Peruru?"
The young man's body shook with emotion. He dug the heels of his black shoes into the surface as an attempt to hold himself in place.
"If you truly love Helios, I'll leave. I won't get in your way. You can live in solitude with your memories, praying you'll see him again. And if he does return, I'll send you my regards. But I can no longer pursue this relationship if you're not willing to love me back."
Chibiusa reacted quickly. She shook her head and threw her arms around Peruru's torso.
"Don't leave…" she whispered. "Don't leave. I love you, Peruru."
The dream fairy gently removed her hands from his body.
"But I'm not the only one."
The world around the princess flashed as memories came flooding back. She recalled meeting Pegasus for the first time in the Crystal Forest as a child. She remembered blushing wildly as Pegasus transformed into the handsome guardian, Helios, right before her eyes.
But then she remembered walking down the street and seeing a boy with beautiful wings. She could almost feel the pavement against her feet as she approached the boy, secretly thinking he was cute.
Chibiusa knew she had to make a decision quickly. She looked into Peruru's pure eyes, suddenly coming to a crucial realization: She was not going to choose the past over the present.
She wrapped her arms around him once again and met his lips with a long, emotion-filled kiss, hoping the gesture was worth more than one thousand apologies.
"You've been so patient," she whispered into his ear. "For all these years, you've been waiting for me to make up my mind. You've always been here, Peruru…"
Peruru smiled and embraced her in a protective hug. A tear rolled down the princess's face as she spoke.
"And life would never be the same if you were gone."
Grinning slightly, the dream fairy held her tighter.
"Are you saying what I think you are?"
Chibiusa nodded. "I choose you."