A/N: Hello Fanfiction readers! So, I'm on a bit of a hiatus after 'It's Always Been You,' and I fully intend to complete 'When two worlds collide,' but, alas, life has overwhelmed me. Still, I was inspired to write this, and could not get it out of my head. It's a snippet of King Endymion and Queen Serenity just before the Dark Moon Clan attacks and forces Chibi, Jimu and baby Endy to time travel.
This was originally written just for me... but, I thought some of you may enjoy it?
Let me know if you do!
King Endymion and Queen Serenity
In which they bask in the calm before the storm
King Endymion, formerly known as Mamoru, had spent years honing his skills. And not just the powerful empathic abilities that enabled him to heal, resurrect and feel the energy in the room. He was also well versed in the art of patience.
Which, as he'd slowly learned, he'd needed to utilize very carefully over the years. It wasn't just for the vast array of supernatural monsters, either. Though, those had been plentiful over the centuries as they crept forward from the shadows and crevices in space, sensing the powerful chords of light that emanated from his equally powerful wife that protected this planet with him. Along with the Senshi and Generals that were his closest friends, and fierce protectors of justice.
He'd always assumed that fighting monsters would be the hardest thing he'd ever have to do until suddenly, the people of Earth had rallied and thrust them at the head of a newly crafted monarchy that required an entirely new kind of patience. An endurance that included wading through a world of political semantics, hours of diplomatic negotiating, and exhausting conflicts that would always plague the human race.
If you had asked the younger version of himself, who had been the one to initially alter time to rescue his Generals and protect his princess, if this is where he thought he would end up; a King safeguarding the people of the entire planet, he would have laughed incredulously.
He never would have anticipated that the Silver Crystal would have granted them all an eternally long life. Though, if given a choice, he may not have chosen to go down this particular path, he'd settled relatively well into this world.
Even as they fought endless hours to maintain peace. Both in political and supernatural aspects.
They'd managed, though, and Serenity, formerly his little ball of sunshine Usako, had flourished. She was awe-inspiring, breathtaking, and a fierce and compassionate power to be reckoned with. He hadn't needed to worry about her safety in decades. Until Small Lady was conceived.
That was the moment that she lost the ability to turn into the powerful Moon Senshi that had solely belonged to her for as long as he could remember. That was also when the Dark Moon Clan had first attacked.
It was the first time in years that he'd been terrified for her safety. Though they had effectively managed to win that first battle, and Serenity had still been able to use the Silver Crystal, she'd been weak for days afterward. Practically comatose, and bed-ridden. The power of the Golden Kingdom unable to revitalize her.
He'd remembered, in those terror-filled moments, what it had felt like to be afraid that something would happen to her again. This time, it wasn't just her - though, that was certainly enough to send him into a panic-induced fit of rage - but, this time she was carrying their baby.
After that, despite her vehement protests, he'd once again become the overprotective, perhaps a tad bit overbearing, Mamoru that would have gladly kept her locked in the crystal castle if only so that she would not need to face another monster again.
She was still as stubborn as ever though, and over the years they'd fallen into a comfortable compromise.
He fought the bad guys with the Senshi and Generals, and she only joined in when the crystal was absolutely necessary. Since Small Lady had yet to unlock the powers of her birthright. (Which, he would gladly keep that way if it were up to him.) Besides, she was more of a people person anyway, she always had been. Which was why she was the one that usually dealt with the foreign dignitaries, the diplomats, and any difficult decisions in law-making.
Except for today.
Today, he was in charge of meeting the council of men and women, an array of diplomats that were in charge of overseeing the countries overseas. It was a familiar democratic system that had been tweaked and refined over the centuries, and, damn, his wife was a powerhouse that managed it all. Which, he was eternally grateful for, as he had a distinct impression that the short, portly tawny-haired politician that was currently proposing economically beneficial trade options for Crystal Tokyo was not pleased to be discussing it with him.
The dour-faced, scowling man was probably much more accustomed to the welcoming warmth in his wife's expression, rather than the hardened, shrewdly scrutinizing look that he just couldn't wipe off of his face.
"Your Majesty, perhaps I might wait to discuss these things with Queen Serenity," the politician ventured carefully. "Will she be available today?"
His brows drew together into a scowl of irritation. "Unfortunately, she's currently indisposed. You can certainly wait to discuss this with her. However, it would seem that my wife has a very full schedule for the foreseeable future," he replied, his tone steady, the cobalt blue of his eyes piercing into the man's faltering gaze.
It was true, too. Serenity had a meeting scheduled for every moment of the day for the next two weeks. With Endy's unfurling abilities, his 1-year-old was keeping her up most nights, and, at his fervent request, his exhausted wife was taking a day to herself for a much-needed break.
The politician, Asahi Sugimoto's face fell, and Mamoru grit his teeth as the cords of energy twisting around the man was not purely political, either.
Endymion's posture was stiff as he abruptly stood, deciding that it was more prudent to end this conversation before he said something damaging, "Perhaps you're right. This meeting would be better rescheduled," he agreed, his tone tinged with a harshness that he did not intend.
Asahi's eyes widened, and Endymion felt the panic curl around him as he stood, red-faced, with an indignant expression on his face. "Now hold on, I have waited weeks for this meeting, and this is- well, it's simply unacceptable!" He sputtered furiously.
Endymion forcibly remained calm as he regarded the man coolly. Asahi must have seen something that frightened him etched into the hardened contours of his expression because Endymion could feel the spike in fear weaved into the threads of his energy as he swallowed and took a step back.
"I mean to say- that- well, I think that Queen Serenity would perhaps.." he stuttered nervously, and the threads of his energy indicated to the empathic King that Mr. Sugimoto was less worried about the people that had elected him to lead them, and more concerned with getting a glimpse at his admittedly beautiful wife.
Endymion promptly interrupted him. "As I have stated, the Queen is currently indisposed. However, you are correct. You have waited a long time for this meeting," he agreed, his tone dark and steady. "As I am not able to continue with this conversation, I will have my General hear you out."
Asahi's face paled, and his eyes widened. "Which General, your Majesty?"
Endymion smiled softly. "I believe that Kunzite is available," he replied, and it was difficult not to laugh at the horrified expression on Asahi's face. "Have a good day and good luck, Mr. Sugimoto."
He didn't give the man a chance to respond as he swiveled around and strode from the cavernous room that was commonly used to meet with the countries delegates. He couldn't suppress the grin that curled onto his lips as he felt the fear-ridden chords of his energy behind him, though.
Kunzite, rightly dubbed the general of darkness, seemed to have that effect on people.
"Ami, are you sure?" Endymion demanded, not much later, as he stood with the Senshi of Mercury in front of a massive, gleaming console with flashing screens and an array of complex buttons and dials. "After Rebeus, Sere sealed Nemesis. There shouldn't be any way for them to travel."
The blunette chewed her bottom lip nervously, her eyes trained unblinkingly onto one of the many screens flickering up at them ominously. "I truly wish that I was wrong, your Majesty," she murmured apologetically. "But, we've specifically been watching for this. Michiru glimpsed it in her mirror, and there's been a strange shift in the mists of time big enough to alert Pluto."
Ami, normally calm and collected, was usually difficult to read. Her energy was muted, as she relied on logic more than emotion, but, right now, he could sense her growing unease. That worried him.
Endymion sighed and raked a hand through his hair. "Do we know with absolute certainty that Demande has managed to escape?" He asked, his tone filled with a resolute fortitude, though tinged with concern. Sere was at her weakest, and Small Lady was not yet prepared to fight. It was not a convenient time to be facing the annoyingly persistent militants of the Dark Moon Clan.
Ami shook her head, blue hair fluttering around her face with the movement. "Not yet, your Majesty," she replied, her tone soft and apologetic.
Endymion peered down at the blunette with raised eyebrows and a half-smile. "Ami, there's nobody here. Seriously. You can call me Endymion," he said with amusement and chuckled as her face tinged red with embarrassment.
She frowned and turned back towards the console. "Right, sorry your— Endymion. It's easier than switching back and forth," she explained softly, her gloved hands moving quickly across a floating keyboard.
He nodded slowly, his eyes glistening with a nostalgic wistfulness. "Things were a bit easier before Crystal Tokyo," he confessed quietly.
Ami's gaze was warm and filled with understanding as the aquamarine hues of her eyes fixed onto his face. "Life was simpler, definitely," she agreed. "But, you and Serenity were always meant to lead," she stated, her tone steady and filled with a resolute conviction that made him smile.
"Thank you, Ami," he replied gratefully, his expression softening as he turned his gaze back onto the flashing lights on the console. "I would rather not worry Sere until absolutely necessary," he murmured, his brow furrowing into a concerned frown.
Ami did not reply, though he felt the spike in emotion that churned around her.
His frown deepened as his gaze snapped back onto the blunette who was busying herself by forcibly fixing her eyes onto the screen, though her lips were pressed into a grim, disapproving line.
He sighed with exasperation. "What is it, Ami?" he asked with a resigned inflection layered beneath his tone. If he'd been speaking to any of the other Senshi, especially the fiercely, and annoyingly, opinionated Minako, they would have instantly voiced their displeasure. Ami, though, like Jadeite, always carefully considered her words before speaking.
He could tell and feel that she was mulling over them now as she peered up at him with censure glistening in her eyes. "I just think that," she began quietly. "Though I know you certainly mean well, every time you've lied to Serenity intending to protect her…" She trailed off, cringing as she visibly formulated the right words. "Well, honestly, it's ended in complete disaster."
He grimaced, his heart skipping a beat, because, she was right. Serenity as the Queen, or Usagi as the Moon Senshi had proven time and time again that she was a powerful, steady, force of brightness. And they always fared better when they trusted her with the truth. Still… he couldn't help but remember the way she'd fallen, unable to transform into the Moon Senshi, their first time facing the Dark Moon Clan. Demande's sickly dark eyes filled with an obsession that elicited the most primal, protective emotions within him, as they perused over her form in a slow, lust-filled, and calculated manner that made him sick.
His expression hardened with determination as he faced Ami. No. This was the right thing to do. She was his life, his reason for breathing. The mother of his children. They could handle this for a couple of days on their own without burdening her with the impending fear of another imminent attack.
He didn't need to respond. Ami sighed as she glimpsed the answer in his eyes. "Okay, Endymion," she murmured with uncertainty. "Though, I will tell her if there is any indication that they are close."
He nodded, grateful for her acquiescence, and turned to leave, as he was eager to see the silver-haired Queen in question when her slender gloved fingers curled around his arm and halted him in his tracks. He peered down at Ami over his shoulder curiously.
She smiled softly, though he could sense that she was worried about something else. "Before you go," she began tentatively. "Lia told me that there was an incident this morning. With Chibi-Usa."
His heart sank, and his expression fell. His daughter was the light of his life, but her lack of confidence, despite their best efforts to assure her that she was perfect just the way she was, was eating her up inside.
"What happened?" He growled defensively, prepared to fight on his daughter's behalf.
Ami seemed reluctant, and at first, he thought that she wasn't going to say anymore, but she expelled a pained breath and faced him. "I wouldn't normally say anything. Lia asked me not to, as Chibi-Usa would like to deal with this on her own, but there were some teenagers, and I am told that they were cruel."
He inhaled sharply, his hand curled into fists and his shoulders stiffening angrily. "What do you mean, cruel?" he demanded furiously.
Ami's gaze was sympathetic. "Lia says they bullied her, Endymion, and though she will not tell me what was said, I can only guess it has something to do with her inability to wield the crystal."
The image of his sweet, tenderhearted, pink-haired daughter — who reminded him so much of a younger bright-eyed Usagi— being bullied filled him with rage and elicited an involuntary growl. The golden energy coursing through him sizzled dangerously in response to his need to defend her.
"Who was it?" he demanded through gritted teeth.
Ami shook her head and crossed her arms. "I don't know. Lia wouldn't tell me," she replied, her tone purposefully soft and meant to soothe him. "I just wanted to let you know so that you can talk to her, Endymion," she pleaded. "This has been difficult for her, and it's important that it's handled delicately."
He opened his mouth to retort angrily, but the look on Ami's face, raised eyebrows, eyes glinting with a knowledge that he could not begin to possess about the inner workings of a teenage girl, effectively silenced him.
With a sullen scowl, he snapped his mouth shut, jaw clenched tightly and a defeated look shining in his eyes. Though nothing sounded better than exacting revenge on the kids that had dared to hurt Small Lady, Ami was right.
He exhaled slowly. "Okay, I'll talk to Sere. We'll talk to her," he responded with resignation.
Ami smiled and nodded with approval. "Yes, I think that would be the most prudent course of action," she admitted knowingly. "I'll let you know if there's any change with the Dark Moon Clan."
He nodded appreciatively and turned to leave. His beautiful Queen was in high-demand and the most capable of handling all of this. His face hardened with resolute fortitude. Not today, though. She needed just one day of rest. It wasn't much to ask, and he was determined to give it to her.
It was late, and the sun was just dipping below the horizon, leaving brightly colored oranges and reds streaking across the sky, and piercing into the crystalized buildings of Tokyo, when he stepped over the threshold of his bedroom.
His mind was a blur, a racing whirlwind of worry as he strode into the dimly-lit, lavishly decorated white marbled chamber, as he raked a hand through his hair.
The worry melted away, though, when the familiar, brightly lit cords of Serenity's silvery energy warmly enveloped him and effectively soothed his frayed nerves.
He fixed his gaze onto the beautiful slender profile that belonged to his wife, and he stopped short, frozen in place, at the sight of her. It didn't matter how long they'd been together, how many decades they'd spent in each other's company; every time he was with her, she consumed every part of him.
She hadn't noticed him yet, and his gaze greedily took in the sight of her, as she stood, like the breathtaking focal point in a painting, in front of their floor to ceiling window. The billowing white lace curtains rippling in the breeze and the rays of the setting sun enshrouding her in its light.
She was an ethereal vision, a moon Goddess swathed in a white silk gown that molded perfectly to her shapely form, and bared the tops of smooth, milky-white shoulders.
Her hair that had gradually changed from its deep warm golden tones to the silver, shimmering shade that mirrored what it had been in their first life together was unbound and cascaded down her back in glossy, glimmering waves.
Endy, his cherub-cheeked baby son lay sleeping in the safety of her arms, his tiny ebony-haired head, nestled comfortably in the crook of her arm. His heart skipped a beat at the soft, tender expression on Serenity's face as she lovingly peered down at their child, instinctively rocking him back and forth in a soothing manner, as she hummed the soft honeyed chords of a gentle lullaby.
His throat constricted tightly with emotion; pride and love swelling almost painfully in his chest as he slowly stepped towards her, feeling unworthy, even after all of this time.
She lifted her gaze to meet his, and the way the sapphire blue of her eyes flashed brightly, her face lighting up as her ample, rosy-hued lips curled into a welcoming smile made him inwardly groan with anticipation.
"Sere," he murmured longingly, moving closer, assaulted by the enticing scent of lavender, vanilla, and the fresh, clean, baby soap that she used on Endy.
She lifted a slender index finger, pressed it to her lips, and shushed him as she tilted her head sideways. Her eyelids fluttered, lacy black lashes sweeping the tops of her cheeks as she peered down at a sleeping Endy.
His responding smile was tender as he stepped in front of them, and lifted his hand to caress the soft, smooth skin of her cheek. His heart skipped a beat as he relished in the pink blush that tinged her face and the way she shuddered beneath his fingertips.
He automatically held out his hands for their sleeping child, and she smiled gratefully as she very carefully transferred the tiny bundle into his arms.
Endy cooed, stirring for only a second, as he adjusted him into the crook of his elbow. It was another one of those moments; tender, quietly intimate, the energy in the room laced with a steely strength, and an unyielding love that had a calming effect. It soothed the sizzling frayed edges that were lingering remnants of a practically immortal life, wading through a relentlessly political storm of stress.
He'd die to protect moments like this, and his heart swelled within the cavity of his chest as he swept his head down, and pressed a fleeting butterfly kiss onto his sleeping child's forehead.
Endy smiled in his sleep, and burrowed deeper into the lavender-colored fabric of his shirt, as he lifted his gaze to meet the equally awe-filled, softened expression on Sere's face.
She stepped forward, the corners of her lips curled up into a gentle smile, as she swept down, a delicate hand on his arm, as she placed her own lingering kiss on Endy's forehead.
Just like it always did, Endy's unique swirling threads of gold and silver energy swirled around them, laced with ribbons of elated contentment that was only ever genuinely present when his mother was near. Even in his slumber, Endy's energy responded to Sere's, and she was the only one that could calm him.
When she lifted her head, her face was only inches from his, and with a sweet, enticing smile, she propelled herself onto the tips of her toes, eyelids fluttering shut as she softly pressed her lips onto his. It was a sweet, chaste kiss, but it was filled with tenderness and an underlying promise of so much more.
He was breathless when she pulled away, and with a wordless smile, he turned, and moved as steadily and as silently as possible, through the threshold of the adjoining bedchamber that served as Endy's nursery.
At one time, the walls had been covered in different shades of pink, with strategically placed white painted pieces of furniture pressed against them, for the doe-eyed, baby daughter that had been the second girl to have wholly stolen his heart. Small lady had outgrown her nursery, though, and it was now covered in a vast array of blues and greys for her little brother that he very carefully lowered onto the plush mattress of his mahogany-stained crib.
He slowly inched his hands out from beneath him, freezing, breath caught in his throat, only once, as Endy whimpered in his sleep. His little brow creased into a frown before he stretched chubby arms, and a tiny thumb found its way to his small, heart-shaped, puckered lips.
Endy's frown smoothed away with a softly whispered coo that melted his heart, and Endymion spent one more minute studying his small, onesie-clad form before he tucked a thin muslin material blanket around him. Then, with a wisp of a smile on his face, he turned and quietly tip-toed out of the darkened nursery.
He found Sere seated in front of her vanity mirror. A picture of elegance and perfection, yards of billowing white silk pooling around her as she slowly and dutifully ran the bristles of an ivory-handled brush through the endlessly long locks of glimmering silver hair.
She was all ample curves, milky, unblemished porcelain-like skin. The Moon Princess personified. He loved her for it, but he also remembered the bright-eyed, less confident, blonde-haired Usako that had once sat in front of a cheaper, scuffed wooden version of this vanity in the tiny apartment that she'd shared with him, as she peered at him in the reflection. Sapphire-colored orbs filled with uncertainty, as she chewed her lower lip nervously.
It was centuries ago, and the memory should be a dull wisp in his mind, but it was just as clear as the vision of her sitting there in all of her graceful, regal glory now.
He'd been blessed with a fiercely strong woman. Complex and layered with so many different versions of brightness and love that took his breath away. What had he done to deserve her?
Her eyes met his in the reflection of the mirror, and her lips curled up into a warm, inviting smile that had him striding towards her until he stood directly behind her.
His hand shook as he tenderly swept the heavy locks of silver hair off of her right shoulder, exposing the slender curve of her neck, the dip of her collarbone and the soft, bared skin that glistened brightly in the moonlight that had replaced the brightly lit hues of the setting sun.
Her breath hitched, and she froze in her movements as he dipped his head and slowly and deliberately, pressed his lips onto the crook of her neck.
"Usako," he murmured against her skin as he trailed feather-light kisses up to the edge of her jawline, just below her ear. His fingers grazing the soft skin of her arms.
She laughed a low sultry sound that made him shudder. "Mm. It's been a while since you've called me that, Mamo-chan," she murmured, utilizing his all but forgotten name as well. "Feeling particularly nostalgic this evening, my love?" She questioned breathily, though her voice broke with an involuntary moan that spilled from her lips as his roaming fingers curled into the silky folds of her gown on her thighs, and bunched the fabric in his hands. Slowly sliding the material upwards to expose bared, endlessly long legs.
He chuckled, his breath fanning against her cheek, as she unceremoniously dropped her brush, leaned her head back against him with a contented sigh as she lifted her arms above her head to curl enticingly around his neck.
"I am always thinking about you," he responded huskily against her ear.
She shuddered, eyes fluttered shut in blissful anticipation, as his hands trailed up the length of her inner thighs along with the silken fabric that had slid listlessly across her skin and was now fully bunched up at her hips.
"Endymion," she pleaded on a whispered, ragged breath of need.
He inhaled sharply, the intensity building between them. "Sere, if you're too tired—"
She interrupted him with an indignant gasp of dismay as she gracefully twisted her upper body around, startling him with the intensity of her need as she crushed her lips onto his.
He was lost after that, barely capable of thought, as he pressed the soft contours of her slender form against the hardened edges of his body.
It was always like this between them, and they were a flurry of intermingling limbs, hitched breathing and the tearing sound of fabric as they somehow managed to find their way pressed into the soft, cushioned mattress of their bed without breaking their kiss.
He supposed that the ease with which they moved was because they had spent centuries exploring each other, and he knew every inch of her body better than he knew his own. Their movements were honed, expertly synchronized and perfectly practiced as he lost himself in the sounds of her mewls and moans, gladly drowning in the warm waves of her love.
It was only later, when she slept, her head nestled comfortably on his shoulder, her fingers laced with his, resting on his chest, that it occurred to him that he needed to tell her about the ominous cloud that was looming, suddenly, over the perfection of their lives.
He exhaled slowly, his index finger mindlessly tracing circles along the length of her spine, as he basked in the afterglow. Her legs intimately tangled with his, her hair like a curtain of silk, splayed out around them, as her warm, steady breath, fanned across his neck. He pressed her closer to his side, closed his eyes, and forcibly decided not to worry.
How many times had they been threatened, and won? He wanted to give her more time to enjoy motherhood and a reprieve from the exhaustion that was a constant embedded into the core of her energy as of late. They would manage just fine.
What was the worst that could happen, anyway?