April is Outside Soldier month at SMMFC on LJ. I haven't written anything for it before today, but I really like the prompts that have been given and the idea of writing about the four leading normal lives together. I'll be compiling all the story written prompts for this month in this thread. Consider each "chapter" to be a one shot, but each one shot is relevant to one another. I'll be chaptering the one shots in chronological order as well.

Title: Evening Tea
Theme: Joker
Genre: General/Comedy
Version: Manga
Rating: G
Summary: The normal lives of Haruka, Michiru, and Setsuna as they raise Hotaru.

Setsuna nestled Hotaru in her lap, tucking the lavender fleece under the sleeping babe, and pushed herself into the comfort of the leather couch. Haruka sat on the floor, her sandy head bent low over a new toy she had purchased for Hotaru earlier that day. Michiru deposited a cup of tea on the floor before perching near Haruka's shoulder, softly humming in amusement while drawing her aqua tresses behind her head.

"Honestly Michiru, you can keep it down. This won't take long."

"I suspect it won't," Michiru replied dropping next to the tea cup she had laid moments earlier on the floor, "but I don't want anything obstructing my view."

"You didn't need to make so much tea, either," Haruka grumbled brushing her bangs away from her forehead, "It really won't take that long."

"What makes you think I made more than a cup?" Michiru bemused drawing the china saucer from the carpet, "By the way, Setsuna, it's rose hip tonight."

Setsuna grinned as Haruka scowled at their smiling partner. Hotaru cooed, drifting into another dream. Haruka turned back to assembling the toy pieces, ignoring the two women engrossed in her en devours. "Setsuna, shouldn't we be concerned about all the small pieces?"

"I suppose so," Setsuna replied, gazing down at Hotaru's serene face, "Perhaps we should take it away from Haruka before she chokes."

Haruka turned and gave Setsuna stony look, two mismatched pieces grasped in her hands. Michiru flicked a pink block at the side of Haruka's head, "I believe you want this one."

"Thanks," Haruka gruffed grabbing the fallen piece from the floor. The women giggled as Haruka slammed the two pieces together.

"I'm glad," Michiru uttered after several moments of Haruka silently composing the toy.

"As you should be, I'm nearly done."

"That you have the time to do this."

"As long as it involves me in some fashion, your appreciation is appropriate."

"So we should be glad if you choke?" Setsuna raised an eye brow.

"I believe that constitutes as involvement." Haruka pouted.

Setsuna laughed at her partner's misfortune before turning her attention back to the baby in her arms. "I'm happy for all of us. Do you think we will ever stop saying so?"

"Maybe if Haruka constructs any more atrocities for our beloved Hotaru," Michiru winced as Haruka proudly held aloft a jumbled sculpture.

"It's a lamp," Haruka scoffed assessing her fine handy work.

"Of what?" Setsuna leaned forward and squinted, "A devil?"

"Oh yes, Haruka dear, let's give the reborn Soldier of Ruin a lamp of the mighty Lucifer. A very fine joke."

"But it's pink! It's a bunny!"

"At least she made it a girl devil," Setsuna observed.

Michiru sighed, "I suppose it's the thought that counts."

"Usagi would appreciate it."

"Oh look, now she's off to terrorize our princess," Michiru chuckled walking into the kitchen.

Setsuna maneuvered onto the carpet with Hotaru in hand, nudging the sulking blonde with her shoulder. Setsuna placed the baby up near Haruka as Michiru settled onto the other side with three sets of cups. Hotaru slowly opened her violet eyes as the three women took a sip of their tea.