Makoto tugged at her kimono nervously. She knelt on the edge of a blanket beneath a sakura tree in a secluded area of the park. Distantly, she can hear the rambunctious noises of other people celebrating the new year. She knew the festival and the ensuing entertainments were fun activities to engage, but she'd thought that just this once, the new year deserved a quiet day alone for two.
She'd dressed to the nines, her silver and green kimono new and elegant, embroidered with subtle vines and leaves. Her hair had been painstakingly made into a perfect coiled bun, only her usual straying hairs at her sideburns and her unbound bangs free of the toils. Her typical favorite pair of earrings had been cautiously replaced by a set of silver crescent moons, something that still brought a faint blush to her cheeks upon fingering them in shyness. A faint dust of makeup had added a smoky haze to her eyes, drawing the viewer into their vibrant green depths. Her fingernails had been painted a pearl color, faint but lovely when the light glanced off them when she moved.
Overall, she was breathtaking to behold. On her way here, she'd been stopped by no less than eight men and twelve boys trying to persuade her into spending the new year with them. It had been disconcerting and flattering at the same time, and she'd been entirely flustered the rest of the trek to the more hidden part of the park. It made her jittery as she'd laid out the blanket and spread out the bowls and trays for her packed meal sitting demurely in a basket beside her.
She inhaled slowly, closing her eyes and basking in the slight chill of the air. She'd spent many an hour trying to decide if she'd prepared things properly, if it was time, but Rei had gotten exasperated with her worrying and blatantly snapped at her to shut-up and just go get ready herself.
She chuckled at the memory, mentally thanking the Priestess for her impatience and support.
"Makoto?" called a voice nearby.
The brunette felt her heart flutter as her eyes flickered open to scan the area.
Her breath caught.
There, cresting the hill to the tree, Usagi entered the moon light and shined. It was like watching a goddess descend from above, gracing the mortal realm with her warm otherworldly presence. Her usual golden hair was bleached silver in the pale light, her blue eyes more dark, emotional and mysterious. Her skin had become milky white, standing out starkly against the deep russet color of her kimono. The golden embroidery flickered between gold and silver in the moonlight, as if it couldn't decide between this world or the other. Her steps were measured, careful, as if entering this new foreign world had yet to prove safe.
Finally, Makoto managed to exhale, but it was rough and choking as it escaped her. She was thanking every deity and being of power she could think of as Usagi bashfully crept to the edge of the blanket and stilled, fingers fidgeting with the hem of her sleeves.
Makoto fumbled, attempting to rise, reaching out to her and trying to restrain herself at the same time. "U-Usagi!" she breathed. "You look… so… beautiful…" She felt the remark fell far flat of what she really thought, but she was having a damnable amount of trouble trying to get her brain to think any coherent thoughts.
Usagi blushed prettily, a soft smile adorning her lips. "My mother helped me." She giggled, hiding her grin behind her sleeve covered hand. "Father was more than ready to keep me locked inside the house, thinking I had gotten dolled up for Mamoru." She shared a mischievous wink with the brunette. "When I told him I was meeting you, he seemed far more willing to let me escape."
Makoto laughed, her tense shoulders relaxing. "Well, I doubt he would do so if he knew why you were meeting me."
Usagi rolled her eyes. "I swear, he thinks I'm still a child!"
Makoto chuckled, reaching out to gently brush her cheek. "Spare him. You are his only precious daughter. I bet it is hard to see you growing up so wonderfully."
Usagi looked away shyly. "I am not. I am an utter klutz and hopeless at school."
Makoto cupped her face in her hands, drawing the blue gaze back to her own green. "But you are. Already you're coordination is improving now that you've spent a few months with me running through some of my katas. Plus, now that I can bribe you with sweets, your homework is getting done and your test grades improving."
Usagi giggled, leaning her cheek into Makoto's palm. "Yes, I guess you're right. Ami was almost frothing at the mouth when she'd realized you'd figured that little trick out. I think she spent three weeks ranting about wasted time."
Makoto giggled with her, pecking the blond delicately on the nose. "Well, sometimes those all-knowing books of hers can be terrible blinders."
Usagi nodded sagely. "Exactly why I kidnap her from them when needed."
Makoto giggled again and drew Usagi closer and waved a hand at the blanket. She shifted her weight, looking shyly down at the ground as she realized how unimpressive the sight must look compared to the colorful dragons and brilliant fireworks in the city. "I know that the other celebrations taking place may be more exciting, but I was hoping that… um, maybe it would be nice to enjoy some quiet?"
A squeal filled the air, startling Makoto and making her jump.
Usagi was kneeling before the basket and nearly drooling, her body positively quivering with excitement. "You made me all my favorites!" She crooned at the basket before sending a radiant smile at the brunette. "This is perfect!" She quickly shuffled adorably, scooting backward with a concentrated frown to her 'proper' spot, before waiting expectantly for Makoto to reclaim hers.
Butterflies filled Makoto's stomach as she breathlessly took her own seat. She nearly gaped the entire time she was taking out the prepared food and portioning it out between them on special dishes she'd bought for this very occasion. Usagi was beaming at her, visibly vibrating with withheld excitement. Makoto kept finding herself wishing to forgo the meal and simply hug and kiss the adorable blond senseless.
A heavy blush stained her cheeks as she pulled her gaze away from the blond.
They had not yet gone so far as to kiss, something Makoto had been utterly respectful about, but found herself daydreaming about frequently. They had kept it rather tame. They'd gone on dates, several of them, in fact. When they had free time from school, meetings, and Senshi duties, Makoto had nearly monopolized the poor blond's time. She used every excuse she could think of to drag the blond off alone. She'd started with asking Usagi to taste-test some of her cooking. Soon after, she asked to help her study. That quickly led to bribery, as getting Usagi to sit still and focused for studying was nearly impossible without some form of incentive. The impatient blond was only rewarded when her work was completely finished and done correctly.
Form of bribery varied, depending on if Makoto worried that Usagi was getting a balanced diet in her as the happy-go-lucky blond had far too much of a sweet tooth to be safe. It had been a true test of Makoto's culinary skills to come up with healthier snacks Usagi could get attached to, and damned if she wasn't proud of herself for achieving it. The blond's energy levels had leveled out more with a proper diet, and she wasn't falling asleep in class nearly as often as she used to. She was also more focused in class, as the promise of a special homemade lunch made her as attentive as could be expected during the droning hours of class time.
Ami had both praised her for it and nearly killed her with her frozen stare of frustrated disbelief. There were days Makoto was afraid Ami would accost her in the hallways when she was alone and demand why she hadn't done such things sooner.
"Itadaki-masu!" cheered Usagi, chopsticks in hand.
Makoto echoed her.
They both set to eating in comfortable silence, Usagi showing a great deal of restraint from her usual habits and eating at a hurried but measured pace that didn't toss food all over the place.
Makoto smiled softly the entire meal, watching as Usagi's face lit up each time she took a bite of something new and the happy hum that followed as she chewed.
She knew others appreciated her meals. They were always certain to express their thanks and gratitude. But none were like Usagi. No one made her feel more accomplished in her favorite hobby then the bubbly blond who practically oozed euphoria while she ate. It had been disconcerting at first. When Makoto was younger, her mother had lovingly walked her through her first attempts at baking. Such only expanded when she'd moved in with her aunt and uncle to cooking, as they ran a small restaurant and prided themselves on every ounce of care that went into preparing each dish. When she'd moved out to live on her own, the restaurant too small for three grown adults to live comfortably, she'd learned to appreciate cooking even more, as it was the only thing to comfort her on lonely nights; a memory of home.
Usagi brought life back to the shaded memories that Makoto used to give herself comfort. She accepted the love and care Makoto devoted to her hobby, and allowed herself the unrestrained expression of her enjoyment of it that had been lacking for a long time. In these moments, Makoto found herself falling even more in love with her Princess. There were other things, such as the blond's tenderness hidden beneath her bouncy exterior. Or, perhaps, the times the blond would pause and smile in a secretive sort of way before emitting some small bit of wisdom that left Makoto shaken and awed. There were many hidden talents that were rarely shown that Makoto absolutely adored uncovering, coveting like precious treasures she didn't want to share with anyone. But this, this unguarded trust and expression always moved her most. It showed so very much how full of heart the blond was, and how much she appreciated all the little things most people tended to overlook.
Makoto loved the honest shows of joy more than anything. So many people wore masks to hide their darkness. So many people had to pretend, or hide their expressions like they were wrong, like they should be dismissed. It was so very refreshing, so touching, to find someone who was wholly themselves, unrestrained.
It had been frustrating initially. She had been certain the blond was mocking her, mocking them all. It took a while for her to understand the blond was simply happy being herself, carefree and flippant with all the silly social idiosyncrasies everyone else got themselves worked into a tizzy about. The brunette had berated her for it that once, yes, but only to show her what everyone else was foolishly binding themselves with to hide.
She never wanted to bind Usagi's wings. The very thought was a terrifying thing, making her heart ache and her emotions to scatter. To chain such a loving free spirit was blasphemy, and she would do everything in her power to prevent it.
It was why she often argued with Rei and was so adamant to steer Usagi as far as she could from Mamoru's path.
The little pink frustration was dancing a fine line as well. The little beast could be a total angel one minute and then a nightmare the next. She enjoyed goading Usagi into pointless verbal wars, and thoroughly learned all of the little "flaws" she could poke at to irritate and hurt the blond. It was only recently, after the two months Makoto had nearly sequestered the blond from everyone, including her family, the little girl had started to see Usagi's improvements and had backed off a little. Something akin to recognition was starting to blossom in the little girl's eyes, and Makoto wasn't sure if she wanted to know what it meant.
"Maki-chan?" called Usagi, drawing Makoto from her inner thoughts.
"Hmm?" The brunette looked up, eyes still slightly distant.
Until she registered what Usagi had called her. It made her entire neck up flush darkly. She spluttered, sending some of the rice in her mouth tumbling from her lips.
Usagi giggled, but composed herself to look worriedly up at the taller girl. "Are you okay?"
Makoto was hastily wiping up her mess, blushing furiously as she attempted to regain her cool. "O-of course!"
"Mm… But you looked… distant?" queried Usagi, her voice uncertain on the last word.
Makoto patted her lips with her napkin before smiling comfortingly at Usagi. "I'm alright. I was merely thinking of the past." She finally noticed that Usagi's dishes were clearly empty and she must have been watching her for a while.
"Of good things?" insisted Usagi, still sounding unsure.
Makoto set her napkin aside and reached out to gently brush Usagi's cheek with her fingertips. "Of course. All my thoughts of you are good."
It was Usagi's turn to blush. "Maki-chaaan!" she whined, fidgeting in embarrassment.
Makoto chuckled. "It's true." Her lips shifted into a smirk. "Now, what's this 'Maki-chan' stuff?"
Usagi's blue eyes darted to her lap, her fidgeting becoming more pronounced. "We-…" The rest was mumbled so quietly Makoto couldn't make out a thing.
"What was that?" She leaned closer.
The blond ducked her head, blurting out her answer in a rush. "I said we've-been-spending-a-lot-of-time-together-and-it-just-felt-right!"
Blinking a few times, it took a second to decipher what the blond had speedily repeated. When she figured it out a tender smile stole across her face. "Does that mean I get to create a nickname for you?"
Usagi wrung her hands, a shy smile peeking out from behind her lowered gaze. "Y-you could…"
A deviant smirk crossed the brunettes face. "Ah, I know! How about Sag-chan!"
"WHAT?!" screeched the blond, arms flailing in alarm.
Makoto burst out laughing as Usagi danced all over the place in her seated position, bemoaning the nickname in abject horror.
Makoto waved a placating hand. "Usagi-chan, I'm kidding. Relax. I wouldn't dare call you that."
The blond calmed, but pouted at the brunette petulantly. "'was mean!"
"I'm sorry, I couldn't resist." Makoto chuckled and gently tugged one of the blond pigtails. "I will try again, yes?"
"Better be nice this time," warned the blond, arms crossed over her chest in defiance as she turned away slightly.
"Hmm…" Makoto tapped her chin. "Something nice…"
Usagi huffed. "It can't be that hard!"
Makoto giggled. "Relax. I won't be mean this time. Give me a moment to think."
The blond grumbled but said nothing more as the brunette cast her gaze to the sky in thought.
A slow smile crept across her face and she turned to look at the wary blond. "Gin-chan."
Usagi blinked. "Gin-chan?"
Makoto nodded. "Yup! It contains part of your name but changes it to something new, something special." She reached forward and ran her fingers through Usagi's moonlight bleached hair. "The silver, of moonlight."
Usagi blushed cutely, eyes locked on the fingers threaded through her hair. "Really?"
"Really, really." Makoto gently brushed her ensnared fingers across Usagi's cheek.
Blue eyes darted up to catch Makoto's green ones. The blue eyes were intense, powerful, and Makoto founder herself spellbound.
"Really?" asked the blond, voice filled with emotion.
Makoto opened her mouth, but no words escaped. Usagi was asking something more, something that had nothing to do with nicknames, hair, or color. Makoto swallowed, hand trembling slightly. Was the blond asking what she thought?
"Do you ask-?" began Makoto, voice thick. She cleared her throat to try again. "I mean, are you ready?"
Usagi cupped the brunette's hand to her cheek. "I'm ready."
Tears blurred Makoto's vision, breath quick and raspy. "Really?" Her voice was barely audible.
The blond nodded slowly. "I let him go." She trailed her fingertips across Makoto's exposed wrist. "He hasn't called. He hasn't explained. He left. I'm over it." She looked searchingly into Makoto's watery eyes, her own suspiciously moist. "The bond… the one he claimed, Minako said it's broken. I'm… I'm not going to wait around for him to decide he's ready to fix it." She gripped Makoto's had tightly. "I don't want to fix it anymore."
"A-Are you sure? I-I don't want you to regret…"
Usagi shook her head. "I won't regret this." She gave the brunette a watery smile. "It's night and day." She chuckled humorlessly. "He was sturdy and loyal, but his tenderness was fleeting and rare." She grasped Makoto's hand in both of hers earnestly. "You are tenderness. You comfort me when I'm sad, you hold me when I'm lonely. You dry my tears when I cry, and cheer me up when I'm down. You know all my favorite snacks, and you make them for me on special occasions or to simply make me happy. You go out of your way to make time for me, and don't get angry at me when I mess up or trip all over myself. You like me as me, and you don't sigh every time you think I'm being childish or silly. Instead you smile." Usagi clung to her, earnestly leaning forward. "No one has ever let me be me, not like that. They always have something to say, something to change. The only reason you help me change is when you're helping me change, not making me."
"It's because you're perfect the way you are," answered Makoto, pulling her close.
Usagi's lip trembled. "It means the world to me." She lay her forehead against Makoto's firm shoulder. "You never judge me. You simply accept me. Maybe it was the age gap, but he could never do that, not fully." She sniffed. "Th-that's why this means so much to me, why I know I'm ready."
Makoto felt her heart flutter and her entire insides light up with boundless energy. With shaking hands, she grasped both of Usagi's and looked her deep in the eyes. "Usagi Tsukino… will you be my girlfriend?"
The blond smiled brilliantly, eyes nearly closed as she squeezed Makoto's hands in return. "Yes, yes, I'll be your girlfriend."
Makoto's heart leapt to her throat as Usagi turned her face upwards expectantly. With trembling fingers, Makoto brushed Usagi's pink tinged cheek and traced around the girl's bottom lip. A single tear of happiness escaped Makoto's eye as she closed the distance and the two of them shared their very first kiss.
Makoto swore the earth shifted beneath them, that something… indescribably occurred, like Fate itself was torn asunder and re-written. She felt completely remade, whole. As the wind made the sakura petals dance around them, Makoto felt like the entire universe paused for just that moment.
When they pulled apart, Usagi positively glowed. The little blond gave a heady giggle, hands still keeping one of Makoto's captive. "Wow," she breathed. She giggled again. "I never knew kisses could be so…"
Makoto leaned in until their lips nearly touched. "Earth shattering?"
Usagi hummed out some sort of response, but neither were paying much attention as Makoto stole a second kiss.
A suspicious clicking sound pulled them apart, and the two turned to find Minako holding a camera with a wide grin. "Well, that's going into the album for sure!" she said cheerfully.
Usagi and Makoto blushed deeply as the bun haired girl's cheeks puffed up in frustration. "Are you guys always going to spy on me and my dates?!"
Minako winked and waved the camera around as Ami came out from behind the bushes sheepishly while Rei stalked out attempting to look uninterested. Minako chuckled and snapped a couple more pictures. "Well, we have to! We can't have such adorable photos be missed, can we?"
Usagi and Makoto blushed darker. Makoto fidgeted, looking up at her friends imploringly. "Um, maybe not all of them? It's… a little awkward."
Minako tapped her chin thoughtfully. She glanced at them and winked again. "We'll see!" she said in a singsong tone before looping arms with Rei and Ami. "Come on you two! Let's leave the lovebirds alone for a while! Don't do anything I wouldn't do!" she called back.
The new couple chuckled when an audible smack sounded and Rei's voice could be heard scolding the vivacious blond as they left.
Makoto turned to Usagi with a tender smile, eyes still watery with emotion. "Thank you," she whispered.
Usagi smiled softly and shook her head. "No, thank you, for showing me what love really meant." The blond held up their hands and twined their fingers together. "Because this feels like a true fairytale come true."