AN: Just because I'm so nice, and mostly because I want to whet your appetites for more, here's the second chapter. Huge thanks to FloraOne for reading over this and changing nothing. I needed the confidence boost ;)
And another GIGANTIC thank you to FloraOne for the idea of their wedding that's mentioned in this chapter. She mentioned it in her EPIC fic Ikigai (go read it, now, if you haven't already!) I just expanded the details on it a little bit, but the idea was completely her's 3
Enjoy! Review! Favorite! And thank you for reading regardless 3
Still don't own Sailor Moon...*sigh*
"There is a budding morrow in midnight."- John Keats
Mamoru reached out in his sleep for his wife. When his hands found nothing, he blearily opened one eye to confirm that Usagi was, in fact, not in the bed as she should be.
He looked at the clock. Midnight on the dot. It wasn't like Usagi to still be awake at this hour, especially not if Mamoru was in bed, as well. She claimed she didn't sleep as well when he wasn't there, a sentiment he understood and returned fully.
Despite the protest of his body, Mamoru climbed out of bed, and sleepily stumbled into the living room. He glanced around the room, checking the couch and kitchen, but still, there was no sign of her. A slight panic started to rise in him, until he turned towards the windows, finally catching sight of a small blonde with endless, golden hair out on the balcony, gazing at the moon.
He smiled. They had been married only a month, now, but this wasn't the first time he had caught Usagi staring at her old home. Often times, it seemed that the two were inexplicably tied to each other. Usagi looked absolutely radiant in the moonlight, and the moon seemed to shine all that much brighter when in the presence of its princess.
'You can take the girl off the moon, but you can't take the moon out of the girl.' He chuckled to himself, making his way over to the balcony door, slowly sliding it open.
"Usako? Are you alright? It's after midnight, love." Mamoru wrapped his arms around her from behind, pulling her close. Instinctively, Usagi melted back against him, and there was only awe in her voice as she spoke."
"I'm fine, Mamo-chan. The moon was just so lovely, tonight. I had to come out and visit it for a few minutes."
"It is very beautiful. A reflection of the one who rules it, no doubt."
"Flattery will only get you so far, Mamo-chan." He laughed outright at this. God he loved her…
"You're adorable, you know that?"
"And don't you forget it, mister." He laughed again, a memory coming to his mind of another life, of holding her just like this under a moon that shone just as brightly.
"Do you remember the night we were married, Usako?"
"Considering it was a month ago, I would hope so."
He grinned. "Not that marriage, Usa. Our first marriage...in the garden."
A dreamy sigh escaped her lips as she closed her eyes, recalling images long forgotten by history. "Yes, I remember. We were married in front of a giant tree in Elysion. At midnight, just like this. You wore a deep blue tunic instead of your armor."
"You wore a crown of roses in your hair, and a dress of the purest white lace. We had no rings, so Helios fashioned them from leaves and twigs. And we were bound together forever."
"I guess it must have stuck, huh?" She said, turning in his embrace to kiss him softly.
Smiling at her softly, he replied, "I guess it did."
A warm silence enveloped them as Mamoru picked Usagi up and sat with her in the solitary chair on the balcony. They stayed that way for a long while, content to gaze at the moon, drinking in each other's presence.
For many, the day ended when the clock struck midnight, but for the new husband and wife, it had only begun.
End
