Author's Note: I've had an urge to create a Usagi and Mamoru fic pairing recently and I finally became inspired. Mamoru is kind of an ass in this fiction based on his personality in the anime...but he will gradually get better I promise haha. It's been a year since they defeated chaos. Usagi is almost done with high school and Mamoru is in his last year of college, he is currently applying to Med school in the process. Usagi is 17 and Mamoru is 21 respectively. There will be some lemon in later chapters. Feel free to leave me any suggestions or comments on which direction I should take the story while it's still fresh. Enjoy :)

Scents of Roses and Coffee

An ode to Mamoru-San

We were sitting at the Howl's cafe shop in Tokyo, and I couldn't help but watch my Mamo-chan through half-lidded eyes.

I loved the way his dark bangs hung over his stormy blue eyes. His pale complexion contrasted greatly to his dark hair, and the black turtle neck he waswearing made his skin seem lighter than usual.

He liked his coffee black and unsweetened. The expression on his face was pensive, and his eyes looked slightly distant as he drank his coffee, lost deep in thought.

Mamo-chan, what are you thinking?

How long have I known my beloved? This is our second lifetime together. In this life we have been together 3 years yet I still feel this mysterious aura about him. Despite everything we've gone through over the years, all the trials, all the battles... I can never know what he is thinking or if it is me he is thinking about. Why is it so opposite when it comes to me?

He was always the quiet one in our relationship , I was always the one initiating conversations, being outgoing and expressive. I was always the one talking, voicing out my worries, and he always listened. He was smart, well educated, loved reading, and was going to become a doctor in the near future. I've been getting better at my studies, but I used to fail almost everything and only liked reading mangas. Being with him changed that, at least a little. Even so, I could never compare or measure to his degree of intelligence or class.

Maybe the saying is true.. maybe opposites do attract?

Still, feeling so far away from him at times like these brings about a longing deep inside my heart that will probably never be satiated.

Instead of calling you Mamo-chan, it seems more fitting that I refer to you as Mamoru-san.

Looking down, I take a few sips from my strawberry milkshake, nervously wondering what to say to him, how to start a conversation amongst this ensuing silence. Out of the corner of my eye, I see him start to pull out a book from his brief-case-looking bag and begin to read. Ofcourse he would. He would always take out a book to read at the most random moments when we were together.

Seizing an opportunity I slide my right arm around his and rest my head against his shoulder as he reads. Even if I can't read his mind or have him share his thoughts with me, I feel content just being here like this with him…the feeling of our closeness is enough for now.

It amazes me how we ended up together. We are polar opposites, Yin and Yang. I am an open book, I rarely keep my emotions inside. I laugh and smile when I'm happy, I cry and yell when I'm sad or angry. It's not hard for me to show how I feel. I tell him everything, my fears, my insecurities, my deepest desires…except one in particular. I haven't told him that yet . I want to wait for the perfect moment.

We've been sitting here for nearly half an hour now, and he still hasn't shown me the least bit of attention. He seems so absorbed by his book. Does he expect me to chat away like always and for him just sit back and just listen mutely? Well it's not happening today.

I try to read alongside him as my head rests on his shoulder. His gaze is so focused and intent on the novel.

He was reading "Metamorphoses" by Ovid. Ovid is a latin poet from what I can recall, Darien mentioned him a few times when I asked him about what books he would read on occasion.

I wore a black dress today, black is his favorite color and I was hoping he would like it. It was a sleeveless black mini dress, the lace part of it covered my neck and part of my shoulders. It hung right above my knees and flared at the bottom. I wore a white belt with it that wrapped around the waist. Mina picked it out when we went shopping not too long ago, she said that it complimented my skin tone and golden hair. I also applied a little bit of make up today, which I barely ever wear. Just some mascara to enhance these bright blue orbs, pink blush, and rose tinted lip gloss. I wanted to look nice but still keep everything natural at the same time, he liked everything natural anyways. I was hoping he would notice the change…yet when he picked me up earlier today in his car I didn't hear any comments about my appearance, not even one compliment. As I walked towards the car he shot me a glance but his gaze didn't linger for more than a few seconds, although I thought I saw a glint in his eye .. but maybe it was just my imagination.

Mamo-chan..no Mamoru-san it seems…why are you so distant?

I slowly started to grow frustrated and a bit impatient. Staring down at my strawberry milkshake again, I proceeded to take a few sips.

Not even the sweet taste can help my predicament it seems. Has it always been like this?

It has been one year since our last battle with Chaos, and despite overcoming that battle and freeing all of the star seeds Galaxia captured, he still acts as if I'm naive and much younger than he is. He is always careful around me, treating me like I'm fragile glass. I want for him to try to let his guard down at least once with me, I want him to break down those walls and let me in completely.

I am a very expressive person and my deepest longing is to be consumed by his love. He is my protector but he is also supposed to be my lover.

Finally it seems like he's done with that last chapter and abruptly closes the book and looks over at me.

"Ready to go now Usako? You're awfully quiet today." He says with a smile.

I laugh nervously. 'I can say the same for you Mamo-chan.'

"haha really? I just didn't want to disturb you reading, you looked so focused reading that book," I reply.

"Well I'm all done now buns. What do you want to do for the rest of the day?," he asks.

There you go again, always asking me and not really offering to take me anywhere or surprise me with someplace different.

I sigh in frustration. I guess it can't be helped.

"Lets go watch a movie!" I say with a cheerful smile. I want to make the rest of our date memorable and fun.

"There is a new theater that opened up recently, and they play independent films and documentaries. We should check it out Mamo-chan. "

He gives me a quizzical look and a smirk begins to form on his face.

" I thought you don't like watching those types of films Usako. Don't we always watch chick flicks and comedies? Are you sure you won't fall asleep or get bored if we go?"

At that I just stared at him at a loss for words. He didn't say it rudely or mean, he seemed genuinely curious yet amused at the same time. I couldn't help but feel a little hurt by his words though. He hasn't realized that I've grown up, that even though I'm still the same Usagi, there is still room for me to grow and learn and try new things.

Choosing to ignore his condescending remark, I playfully ruffle his hair.

"You know Mamo-chan , a girl can choose to try to see different things too." I pouted at him.

He chuckles and grabs my hand. "Alright lets go. It'll be good to see something different. Just promise you won't fall asleep? "

I glare at him. "Mamo-chan…."

"I'm just kidding Usako.," he kisses the top of my head delicately and leads me out of the coffee shop.

I was hoping for a kiss on the lips, but he still treats me cautiously, almost like a little sister.

It seems things don't look like they're going to change anytime soon with you Mamo-chan, but I won't give up. Not yet.