Karaoke
Have I Told You Lately
By Kayla Chavi
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Romance
Email: kaylachavi@hotmail.com
Website: http://www.envy.nu/kaylachavi/index.htm
* * *
For those of you who have read my stuff elsewhere, and are wondering what in the heck I'm doing here at ffn, I'll give a small explanation. I'm slowly uploading my stuff here and the reason I'm not doing it all at once is because I want to find out what people think. So I guess what I'm saying is that I'm looking for feedback. However, whether it comes or not doesn't slow down the uploading time. I'm gonna be slow no matter what.
Now, for those of you who are reading this for the first time, I hope you enjoy this experiment into mush. I think that it was after this segment that I decided that lovey-mushy wasn't for me. The next part will be darker and more Kaylaesque.
* * *
| |Have I told you lately that I love you| |
Three days.
He hadn't seen her for three days and he was about to go insane. In fact, he was so tense that he didn't even need to drink his normal coffee to stay awake to study.
Of course, it didn't mean anything because he couldn't concentrate.
| |Have I told you there is no one else above you| |
There should be a limit to how long your girlfriend can be gone for a weekend, he decided. She shouldn't be able to leave you for any more than a day. Two days was much to long. Three days was torture.
Any longer and he was liable to do something desperate.
Like go sing karaoke with Andrew.
The tall black haired man ran his hand over his face in an attempt to calm down and make himself feel a little better. It didn't help, but he didn't really expect it to. He was depressed and there was only one girl in the entire world that could get him out of this slump that he had put himself into.
The only problem was that, his Meatball Head was going to see her grandmother for the weekend.
| |Fill my heart with gladness| |
"You look like someone died," Andrew commented when his best friend sat down at the bar. "Come on, you've only been legitimately dating her for a week."
He received a dark glare, "Andrew, did I ask for your opinion on my lack of love life?"
The blond just chuckled and shook his head as he wiped off the counters. A moment later he set the usual black coffee in front of him. He just stared at it for the longest time, as if he didn't know what to do with it.
"She was supposed to get home this afternoon right?"
| |Take away all my sadness| |
"Yeah," he took a sip of his coffee and winced, "This is bitter," he muttered.
"It fits your mood," Andrew said simply.
"I'm not bitter," he again glared at his best friend, "I just miss her a little bit," he shrugged and sat back in the stool. "I mean, I'm used to a certain routine. Everyday she runs into me and everyday I catch her. She's messed up my routine."
"Sure," Andrew said and shook his head, "Whatever you say."
| |Ease my troubles, that's what you do| |
Again he received a dark glare.
The blond grinned, "When did you say she was getting home?"
"This afternoon," he sighed, "It's just my luck that today is a holiday and she gets to miss school."
"So you're not thinking you're gonna see her until tomorrow?" he asked, doing a very good job hiding the mischievous look in his eyes, "I mean, her father would freak if he met you."
"I'm not going to last until tomorrow," he muttered to himself. Andrew just chuckled and the dark cloud felt a pair of arms slip around his waist from behind.
| |For the morning sun in all its glory| |
"It's nice to know I was missed," a quiet giggle escaped her and he turned around to meet a pair of bright blue eyes. She didn't even get a chance to take her next breath.
He picked her up by the waist and set her down on the counter top and then kissed her. His arms were tight around her waist as he supported her against the desperate kiss that followed. A moment later her arms were around his neck and she was returning the kiss. It was the complete anti-thesis of the stolen kiss on her doorstep.
When he finally stopped and pulled away he looked down at her before managing a small smile. Lightly touched her face and thumbed her kiss-swollen lips. She smiled in return, trying to catch her breath.
"I missed you," he said simply and received another giggle.
| |Greets the day with hope and comfort too| |
"Really?" she asked coyly, still sitting on the counter. Her blue sundress had originally gone down to her knees, but in his haste to kiss her, her boyfriend had sat her down too quickly for it to go to its normal length. Now it was about mid-thigh, showing off her legs, legs that he had no problem admiring. "I couldn't tell," she teased
He sighed heavily and placed a hand on her waist, pulling her to the edge of the counter. "You couldn't tell?" he raised an eyebrow, his normal teasing mood returning. Now that she was here, all was right with the world.
She shook her head, the streams of hair attached to her two buns shaking slightly. "Nope. I don't really think you missed me that much."
| |You fill my life with laughter| |
He raised an eyebrow again and placed his other hand on the other side of her waist. He leaned down and kissed her again, this time it was slow but just as deep and just as passionate. He was right up against the counter as he pulled her close to him, supporting her against his chest, so she wouldn't fall.
They didn't stop until there was a group of clearing throats and 'ahems' and even then it was a long moment until they pulled away from each other. They looked at the disapproving group of girls and looked amazingly innocent.
"There something you wanna tell us, Serena?" a tall brunette asked. The short blue haired girl also looked confused. Mina and Rei, however, just grinned.
Serena laughed quietly and Darien just shook his head, a rather large smile on his face. He kissed her forehead once before lifting her up by her waist and setting her down on the ground. She slid down his body and he heard her gasp slightly and saw her faint flush as she pulled away from him.
He laughed quietly and kissed the top of her head, the smile remaining on his face. Andrew just shook his head, he having been the one person to see the dark cloud that had existed before the appearance of the blond girl.
"I have to go be with my friends now," she said and a smile up at him. He nodded.
"I understand," he said simply.
| |And somehow you make it better| |
Andrew looked at his best friend questioningly as he watched Serena go and sit down with her friends and Darien remained at the counter, now happily drinking his coffee.
"I thought that you wouldn't let go of her," the blond muttered after a moment.
Darien laughed and again was smiling, "I'm just happy knowing that she's back. It's like the sun is shining a little brighter and--"
"You're going to start waxing poetic," Andrew warned. Darien just laughed quietly and shook his head as if he knew that his friend just didn't understand. He just looked down at his coffee cup with distant smile.
| |Ease my troubles, that's what you do| |
Serena sighed as she sat down in the group's customary booth, the same smile on her face. She was staring off into the distance for a quite a long time before Ami cleared her throat.
"Um...Serena...what was that with you and Darien?" she asked timidly.
Serena blinked and then flushed slightly, "Well...he and I are...well....we're kinda....we're um....dating," her voice was a soft whisper and she looked up bright red at the group of girls.
"DATING!" That was Lita. She received a glare from both Rei and Mina. "Groping is more like it," she muttered crossing her arms. "How could you not tell us?"
"Well, it just kinda happened," Serena said and looked down at her hands. She smiled remembering her first kiss. "We went to the karaoke club and he just happened to be there. And well, Mina and Andrew were together and being all lovey-dovey--"
"ANDREW AND MINA!" That was chorused with both Lita and Ami. "I think we're being left out of the loop," Lita muttered.
"Go on," Ami said patiently after shooting a look at the senshi of love. Mina just blushed and looked appropriately contrite.
"And so we decided to give them something to talk about," she smiled at the memory of dancing with Darien.
He was a very good dancer.
| |There's a love that's divine| |
"And then he walked me home and after that we just decided that it was much more fun to be in love than it was to be enemies," Serena finished.
Her friends looked at her stunned. Neither Rei or Mina, knew what they had talked about on the way home. Lita and Ami just looked completely amazed.
"And well, then we had the big youma attack on Tuesday and I never got a chance to mention it before I left on Friday." She smiled and when none of her friends said anything she just got the dazed look in her eyes again.
Soon her gaze traveled over to where Darien was sitting. Her friends watched as the handsome man met the blond's eyes. The two just stared at each other for several long moments. It was almost sickening how they just looked at each other.
| |And it's yours and it's mine, like the sun| |
Andrew noticed as well and sighed heavily. True he had a girlfriend who was also sitting across the room, but he wasn't being all dorky and looking at her with lost puppy eyes. He shot a quick look at Mina who caught his eye and smiled mischievously. The two nodded at each other and simultaneously cleared their throats.
"So Darien..."
"So Serena..."
"You still coming to karaoke tonight?"
"Yup."
"Sure, Andrew."
The two blinked and broke the gaze when they realized what they had just agreed to. "You have got to be joking!" Darien looked at his supposed best friend with a look of horror. "What's to stop you from trying to make me sing?"
"Guys, I'm tired...I don't wanna go!"
Andrew just grinned, "Nothing," he said simply, "But this time you'll officially be with Serena." Darien just groaned. Life was certainly not fair.
"You said you would," Lita said with a devilish glint in her eye. "We'll stop by at eight."
| |And at the end of the day| |
Piles of clothes had been strewn all over the room. Shirts had been carelessly tossed aside. Shoes littered the floor. He simply had no idea what to wear.
Darien sighed and took off the dress shirt he had been wearing. This was starting to get ridiculous. His room was starting to resemble Serena's.
Serena.
His thoughts stopped once again at the thought of her. God, he was the luckiest man alive. He had the caring and friendship of the most beautiful and wonderful woman alive. She looked at him as if he was the most wonderful person alive. Like he was her world.
Just that thought reminded him why he was spending more than five seconds trying to get ready to go to sing karaoke. He had to look his best for her, because he just knew that she was doing the same for him.
Silently he thanked God for allowing him to find such a wonderful girl. She had such a sweet spirit and she deserved so much better than him, but she seemed to only want him. Why, he didn't know. All he knew is that she did and that if he didn't thank his Maker for her, then he was truly the dust of the earth.
With that thought he finally reached for a set of clothes he knew he would be comfortable in.
| |We should give thanks and pray| |
"MOM! I HAVE NOTHING TO WEAR!"
Ilene laughed at the screeching of her daughter and stood up from the couch where she had been sitting. She smiled at her husband who raised an eyebrow, "I'll go see if I can help her."
"Why should she care about what she's wearing?" he muttered, "It's not like she's going on a date with some evil boy."
Ilene wisely said nothing to him and just went upstairs. She found her daughter sitting among a pile of clothes in the middle of her bed. Serena herself was just wearing a bra and underwear. A bra and underwear that if her father knew she owned, would have her head. They were black, tight, and the bra was padded and a push up.
Ilene sighed and looked heavenward, murmuring something under her breath. "I need help," the blond girl pouted.
"If your father saw what you were wearing right now, he'd kill you," she pointed out as she sorted through the clothes.
Serena rolled her eyes, "I don't intend on anyone seeing what I'm wearing," she pointed out.
"Good, or else I would have to kill you as well."
Serena sighed, but was secretly thankful that her mother was on her side and helping her, rather than totally banning her from seeing a much older man. Not that her mother knew how old Darien was, and Serena intended to keep it that way.
Darien.
God, she was so lucky. How many girls could claim to have the city's heartthrob as their boyfriend? And he was totally into her, that much was obvious when he kissed her. She sighed and smiled slightly, yes her life was perfect.
Well, except for the fact that she had to save the world on a irregular basis that was slowly becoming a nightly event that included a handsome hero. Oh how she wished he was Darien, then her life would truly be perfect.
| |To the one, to the one| |
"I can't believe that I let you drag me here," Darien muttered as they sat down at the table, waiting for the girls to arrive. Chad and Rei were already out on the floor dancing, the Shinto Priestess was doing her best to teach the ex-guitarist how to dance. It made a comical site, had he cared to find it funny.
Right now, he was just anxiously awaiting for Serena to come. "Darien. . ." Andrew warned when the other man began to tap his fingers on the table. Man, this guy had some serious attention issues.
Darien took his hands and placed them in his lap, only to start drumming on his knee. Andrew just sighed and was very relieved when his eye was caught by the two blonds walking in the door. He tapped Darien on the shoulder and nodded.
The sight of Serena nearly took his breath away.
| |Have I told you lately that I love you| |
Serena was scanning the table, looking for Darien. She smiled when she saw him, her eyes lighting up with a happiness that hadn't been there before. He stood and walked over to where she was. It was like they were the only two people that existed in the world.
He leaned down and kissed her forehead before taking her hand. "You look amazing," he murmured and he heard her girlish giggle and smiled. "Dance with me?"
"Of course," she said and smiled back up at him as he led her out on to the dance floor. The singer had chosen a slow song to sing and amazingly he sounded like Rod Stewart himself. It was almost uncanny.
Darien pulled Serena close and held her as they danced. Unlike their last dancing experience, this was sweet and gentle, not the wild sexual dancing of before. His arm was loosely around her waist, his head on hers, as she rested against his chest.
| |Have I told you, there's no one else above you| |
He heard her humming along and laughed quietly.
"Are you mocking me?" she demanded, pulling back to look up at him.
He grinned, "Of course not, Rena."
She looked at him intently, "I don't believe you."
"I would never," he said, aware at how sappy he sounded, but didn't care. This moment was theirs alone and if a little bit of sap had to be thrown into it all, then so be it.
"Never?" her face was absolutely adorable as she looked up at him, her eyes meeting his. They were filled with so many conflicting emotions, that Darien was almost unsure what the real question was.
| |Fill my heart with gladness| |
"Never," he promised and she smiled and laughed quietly.
"You're too serious, Darien," she announced as if she were a Queen and this announcement held a great deal of importance in his life. "Life is too short, learn to live."
"I'm too serious?" He raised an eyebrow.
"Yes," she said simply and then grinned, "But, I intend to change that."
| |Take away all my sadness| |
She expected another joke but he just smiled down at her and kissed her nose. The next thing said was completely unexpected.
"Promise?" he looked down at her, this time his eyes were unreadable as so many unnamed emotions flitted through them.
"I promise," she whispered and then gave him a hug.
| |Ease my troubles, that's what you do.| |
Then, because the moment was too perfect, too happy, and too peaceful, it had to be interrupted.
No one wanted to destroy the loving scene, especially with news such as the ones that Rei brought.
She tapped Serena lightly on the shoulder. "Serena, Lita just called, we need to go help her." The look she gave, left to room for wonderment on what the nature of Lita's call was. Serena sighed heavily and then nodded, pulling away.
Darien frowned, "You want me to go with you?"
Rei shook her head, "This is Lita," she pointed out, "She believes she's tougher than all men in the world put together. She wouldn't want to be embarrassed." She handed Mina and Serena their purses.
She pulled Serena and Mina out without another word. Darien just sighed and went to go sulk at the table with the two other men, who were also sulking at the loss of their dates.
| |There's a love that's divine| |
"The Nega-thrash needs to get a life," Serena muttered, "I was having fun." They were running to the spot where both Lita and Ami were battling the youma.
Mina just laughed, "Duty calls," she teased and the three transformed.
| |And its yours and its mine like the sun| |
Darien felt the transformation of Sailor Moon and he frowned. He just stood up and walked out, giving no explanation whatsoever. He ran out the door and down the street. He saw Lita's car and got incredibly worried.
There were two purses discarded by the side. Serena's and Mina's. He transformed into Tuxedo Mask as his mind began to work furiously. If Serena had come this way--
His thoughts were cut off as the fight drew his attention. The Senshi were fighting like crazy against the youma. All were attacking but it seem to be of no avail.
At the right moment, he threw his steel-tipped rose, distracting the ugly beast before it could complete its attack on Sailor Moon.
He looked down into her eyes, and then he knew. In that instant, he just knew. Later, he would ask himself how could he not have known? The hair should have been a dead giveaway.
| |And at the end of the day| |
She just tossed him one of her smiles before taking off her tiara and preparing to launch her attack. "Moon Tiara Magic!" she yelled and threw the tiara.
It impacted on the youma who of course crumbled to dust.
But not before it threw out its last remaining energy.
Darien saw it at the last second, before it hit her. He was too far away and moving too slow as he tried to intercept it.
He was forced back by the blast as it impacted on Sailor Moon.
The light cleared.
She fell to the ground.
"SERENA!" He screamed, startling the scouts who still had no idea who he was.
| |We should give thanks and pray| |
"Oh God, no!" He crawled over to her and gently held her in his arms. "Please no."
She shifted slightly, blood trickling down her face and into her hair. He threw off his top hat and mask, dropping them to the ground as he shrugged off his jacket and wrapped it around her slight form in an effort to keep her warm.
"Please, God, I can't live without her. You can't just give me her for a moment and then take her away."
| |To the one, to the one| |
She whimpered weakly and did her best to open her eyes. She looked at him closely, "You know," she said, slightly delirious, "Tuxedo Mask, you look a lot like Darien."
He managed a smile, "Can I tell you a secret, Sailor Moon?"
Mercury knelt down next to them and began to scan her with her computer, doing her best to find the problems spots and heal them quickly at the same time.
"What?" she asked her eyes closing as if she were about to fall asleep. Darien saw this and nearly panicked, but a look from Mercury stopped him.
"I am Darien," he whispered.
Her eyes opened, "No way!"
The remaining girls chuckled at her response. "Can I tell you a secret, Tuxedo Mask?"
"What?" He looked nervously at Mercury as she typed furiously on her computer. She gave him a weak smile and then nodded. He smiled back gratefully and just held her a little closer.
"I'm Serena," she said happily. "So it works out perfectly," she giggled and she took his hand. "I was wishing that you were you," she said in a whisper, as if what she had to say was a secret.
Darien smiled and kissed her forehead, "Wishes do come true, Rena," he murmured and held her close.
"Darien?"
| |And have I told you lately that I love you?| |
"Yes, Serena?"
"I think I'm falling in love with you."
"Me too," he murmured. "Since you threw that awful test paper at me." She giggled again and then sighed softly as her eyes closed. "You were so beautiful when you yelled at me, that I knew that I had to always have your attention, even if all you ever did was yell at me, I knew that I had to have some part of you."
"Darien?"
"Yes?"
"Shut up and kiss me."
| |Have I told you there's no one else above you| |
"She'll be fine," Mercury said to the other scouts. "But I think she'll do better without the constant worry of her parents. She should spend the night at one of our houses so we can monitor her."
Venus frowned for a moment as she watched Tuxedo Mask gently kiss the injured Sailor Moon. "You think her parents would let her stay over on a school night?" She looked down at Luna and Artemis, "Or can you do some mind-meldy thingy and get them to believe that she's in her bed sleeping?"
The two cats exchanged a look before they nodded. "So who's house should she stay at?" Jupiter demanded. "Who's going to want to take her in and let her eat all of their food in the morning?"
Mars grinned mischievously, "Darien could always take her home," she suggested. The other senshi, with the exception of Venus, open their mouths to protest. "Look at it this way," Mars cut in before they could take a breath, "He's not going to let her out of his sight and she's too injured to get into any real trouble. She'll be completely safe."
Luna sighed, "Very well. . ."
| |You fill my heart with gladness| |
Darien gently placed the sleeping form of Serena on his bed. He had changed her into one of his old shirts when Ami had said it was safe enough for her to power down, and of course he was the perfect gentlemen and neither touched nor looked.
Tenderly he undid the two little buns and ran his fingers through her hair as he watched her sleep. She looked like a misplaced angel and was absolutely perfect.
He had almost lost her today without even being aware of it. What would have happened if he had been a moment too late? Would she had died and he never had known that his beautiful Serena was really a heroine that he had secretly admired?
The world had almost come to a horrifying stop. Now he would protect her even more fiercely then before. Before it was duty. Now, now it was his entire life and being. Now he knew that he loved her. He had loved her since the birth of the universe and that was something that wouldn't just suddenly stop.
| |Take away my sadness| |
"Stop obsessing," he heard her murmur as she snuggled up closer to him, still very drowsy and her eyes still closed. "I'm still here."
"But--" How had she known that he was thinking about all of this?
"Shhhhh," she whispered and lightly placed her fingers to his lips. Her eyes were still closed and she was smiling sweetly. "Promise me something?"
"Anything."
"That you'll learn to live life and not take things too seriously."
"I promise."
| |Ease my troubles that's what you do.| |
Have I Told You Lately
By Kayla Chavi
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Romance
Email: kaylachavi@hotmail.com
Website: http://www.envy.nu/kaylachavi/index.htm
* * *
For those of you who have read my stuff elsewhere, and are wondering what in the heck I'm doing here at ffn, I'll give a small explanation. I'm slowly uploading my stuff here and the reason I'm not doing it all at once is because I want to find out what people think. So I guess what I'm saying is that I'm looking for feedback. However, whether it comes or not doesn't slow down the uploading time. I'm gonna be slow no matter what.
Now, for those of you who are reading this for the first time, I hope you enjoy this experiment into mush. I think that it was after this segment that I decided that lovey-mushy wasn't for me. The next part will be darker and more Kaylaesque.
* * *
| |Have I told you lately that I love you| |
Three days.
He hadn't seen her for three days and he was about to go insane. In fact, he was so tense that he didn't even need to drink his normal coffee to stay awake to study.
Of course, it didn't mean anything because he couldn't concentrate.
| |Have I told you there is no one else above you| |
There should be a limit to how long your girlfriend can be gone for a weekend, he decided. She shouldn't be able to leave you for any more than a day. Two days was much to long. Three days was torture.
Any longer and he was liable to do something desperate.
Like go sing karaoke with Andrew.
The tall black haired man ran his hand over his face in an attempt to calm down and make himself feel a little better. It didn't help, but he didn't really expect it to. He was depressed and there was only one girl in the entire world that could get him out of this slump that he had put himself into.
The only problem was that, his Meatball Head was going to see her grandmother for the weekend.
| |Fill my heart with gladness| |
"You look like someone died," Andrew commented when his best friend sat down at the bar. "Come on, you've only been legitimately dating her for a week."
He received a dark glare, "Andrew, did I ask for your opinion on my lack of love life?"
The blond just chuckled and shook his head as he wiped off the counters. A moment later he set the usual black coffee in front of him. He just stared at it for the longest time, as if he didn't know what to do with it.
"She was supposed to get home this afternoon right?"
| |Take away all my sadness| |
"Yeah," he took a sip of his coffee and winced, "This is bitter," he muttered.
"It fits your mood," Andrew said simply.
"I'm not bitter," he again glared at his best friend, "I just miss her a little bit," he shrugged and sat back in the stool. "I mean, I'm used to a certain routine. Everyday she runs into me and everyday I catch her. She's messed up my routine."
"Sure," Andrew said and shook his head, "Whatever you say."
| |Ease my troubles, that's what you do| |
Again he received a dark glare.
The blond grinned, "When did you say she was getting home?"
"This afternoon," he sighed, "It's just my luck that today is a holiday and she gets to miss school."
"So you're not thinking you're gonna see her until tomorrow?" he asked, doing a very good job hiding the mischievous look in his eyes, "I mean, her father would freak if he met you."
"I'm not going to last until tomorrow," he muttered to himself. Andrew just chuckled and the dark cloud felt a pair of arms slip around his waist from behind.
| |For the morning sun in all its glory| |
"It's nice to know I was missed," a quiet giggle escaped her and he turned around to meet a pair of bright blue eyes. She didn't even get a chance to take her next breath.
He picked her up by the waist and set her down on the counter top and then kissed her. His arms were tight around her waist as he supported her against the desperate kiss that followed. A moment later her arms were around his neck and she was returning the kiss. It was the complete anti-thesis of the stolen kiss on her doorstep.
When he finally stopped and pulled away he looked down at her before managing a small smile. Lightly touched her face and thumbed her kiss-swollen lips. She smiled in return, trying to catch her breath.
"I missed you," he said simply and received another giggle.
| |Greets the day with hope and comfort too| |
"Really?" she asked coyly, still sitting on the counter. Her blue sundress had originally gone down to her knees, but in his haste to kiss her, her boyfriend had sat her down too quickly for it to go to its normal length. Now it was about mid-thigh, showing off her legs, legs that he had no problem admiring. "I couldn't tell," she teased
He sighed heavily and placed a hand on her waist, pulling her to the edge of the counter. "You couldn't tell?" he raised an eyebrow, his normal teasing mood returning. Now that she was here, all was right with the world.
She shook her head, the streams of hair attached to her two buns shaking slightly. "Nope. I don't really think you missed me that much."
| |You fill my life with laughter| |
He raised an eyebrow again and placed his other hand on the other side of her waist. He leaned down and kissed her again, this time it was slow but just as deep and just as passionate. He was right up against the counter as he pulled her close to him, supporting her against his chest, so she wouldn't fall.
They didn't stop until there was a group of clearing throats and 'ahems' and even then it was a long moment until they pulled away from each other. They looked at the disapproving group of girls and looked amazingly innocent.
"There something you wanna tell us, Serena?" a tall brunette asked. The short blue haired girl also looked confused. Mina and Rei, however, just grinned.
Serena laughed quietly and Darien just shook his head, a rather large smile on his face. He kissed her forehead once before lifting her up by her waist and setting her down on the ground. She slid down his body and he heard her gasp slightly and saw her faint flush as she pulled away from him.
He laughed quietly and kissed the top of her head, the smile remaining on his face. Andrew just shook his head, he having been the one person to see the dark cloud that had existed before the appearance of the blond girl.
"I have to go be with my friends now," she said and a smile up at him. He nodded.
"I understand," he said simply.
| |And somehow you make it better| |
Andrew looked at his best friend questioningly as he watched Serena go and sit down with her friends and Darien remained at the counter, now happily drinking his coffee.
"I thought that you wouldn't let go of her," the blond muttered after a moment.
Darien laughed and again was smiling, "I'm just happy knowing that she's back. It's like the sun is shining a little brighter and--"
"You're going to start waxing poetic," Andrew warned. Darien just laughed quietly and shook his head as if he knew that his friend just didn't understand. He just looked down at his coffee cup with distant smile.
| |Ease my troubles, that's what you do| |
Serena sighed as she sat down in the group's customary booth, the same smile on her face. She was staring off into the distance for a quite a long time before Ami cleared her throat.
"Um...Serena...what was that with you and Darien?" she asked timidly.
Serena blinked and then flushed slightly, "Well...he and I are...well....we're kinda....we're um....dating," her voice was a soft whisper and she looked up bright red at the group of girls.
"DATING!" That was Lita. She received a glare from both Rei and Mina. "Groping is more like it," she muttered crossing her arms. "How could you not tell us?"
"Well, it just kinda happened," Serena said and looked down at her hands. She smiled remembering her first kiss. "We went to the karaoke club and he just happened to be there. And well, Mina and Andrew were together and being all lovey-dovey--"
"ANDREW AND MINA!" That was chorused with both Lita and Ami. "I think we're being left out of the loop," Lita muttered.
"Go on," Ami said patiently after shooting a look at the senshi of love. Mina just blushed and looked appropriately contrite.
"And so we decided to give them something to talk about," she smiled at the memory of dancing with Darien.
He was a very good dancer.
| |There's a love that's divine| |
"And then he walked me home and after that we just decided that it was much more fun to be in love than it was to be enemies," Serena finished.
Her friends looked at her stunned. Neither Rei or Mina, knew what they had talked about on the way home. Lita and Ami just looked completely amazed.
"And well, then we had the big youma attack on Tuesday and I never got a chance to mention it before I left on Friday." She smiled and when none of her friends said anything she just got the dazed look in her eyes again.
Soon her gaze traveled over to where Darien was sitting. Her friends watched as the handsome man met the blond's eyes. The two just stared at each other for several long moments. It was almost sickening how they just looked at each other.
| |And it's yours and it's mine, like the sun| |
Andrew noticed as well and sighed heavily. True he had a girlfriend who was also sitting across the room, but he wasn't being all dorky and looking at her with lost puppy eyes. He shot a quick look at Mina who caught his eye and smiled mischievously. The two nodded at each other and simultaneously cleared their throats.
"So Darien..."
"So Serena..."
"You still coming to karaoke tonight?"
"Yup."
"Sure, Andrew."
The two blinked and broke the gaze when they realized what they had just agreed to. "You have got to be joking!" Darien looked at his supposed best friend with a look of horror. "What's to stop you from trying to make me sing?"
"Guys, I'm tired...I don't wanna go!"
Andrew just grinned, "Nothing," he said simply, "But this time you'll officially be with Serena." Darien just groaned. Life was certainly not fair.
"You said you would," Lita said with a devilish glint in her eye. "We'll stop by at eight."
| |And at the end of the day| |
Piles of clothes had been strewn all over the room. Shirts had been carelessly tossed aside. Shoes littered the floor. He simply had no idea what to wear.
Darien sighed and took off the dress shirt he had been wearing. This was starting to get ridiculous. His room was starting to resemble Serena's.
Serena.
His thoughts stopped once again at the thought of her. God, he was the luckiest man alive. He had the caring and friendship of the most beautiful and wonderful woman alive. She looked at him as if he was the most wonderful person alive. Like he was her world.
Just that thought reminded him why he was spending more than five seconds trying to get ready to go to sing karaoke. He had to look his best for her, because he just knew that she was doing the same for him.
Silently he thanked God for allowing him to find such a wonderful girl. She had such a sweet spirit and she deserved so much better than him, but she seemed to only want him. Why, he didn't know. All he knew is that she did and that if he didn't thank his Maker for her, then he was truly the dust of the earth.
With that thought he finally reached for a set of clothes he knew he would be comfortable in.
| |We should give thanks and pray| |
"MOM! I HAVE NOTHING TO WEAR!"
Ilene laughed at the screeching of her daughter and stood up from the couch where she had been sitting. She smiled at her husband who raised an eyebrow, "I'll go see if I can help her."
"Why should she care about what she's wearing?" he muttered, "It's not like she's going on a date with some evil boy."
Ilene wisely said nothing to him and just went upstairs. She found her daughter sitting among a pile of clothes in the middle of her bed. Serena herself was just wearing a bra and underwear. A bra and underwear that if her father knew she owned, would have her head. They were black, tight, and the bra was padded and a push up.
Ilene sighed and looked heavenward, murmuring something under her breath. "I need help," the blond girl pouted.
"If your father saw what you were wearing right now, he'd kill you," she pointed out as she sorted through the clothes.
Serena rolled her eyes, "I don't intend on anyone seeing what I'm wearing," she pointed out.
"Good, or else I would have to kill you as well."
Serena sighed, but was secretly thankful that her mother was on her side and helping her, rather than totally banning her from seeing a much older man. Not that her mother knew how old Darien was, and Serena intended to keep it that way.
Darien.
God, she was so lucky. How many girls could claim to have the city's heartthrob as their boyfriend? And he was totally into her, that much was obvious when he kissed her. She sighed and smiled slightly, yes her life was perfect.
Well, except for the fact that she had to save the world on a irregular basis that was slowly becoming a nightly event that included a handsome hero. Oh how she wished he was Darien, then her life would truly be perfect.
| |To the one, to the one| |
"I can't believe that I let you drag me here," Darien muttered as they sat down at the table, waiting for the girls to arrive. Chad and Rei were already out on the floor dancing, the Shinto Priestess was doing her best to teach the ex-guitarist how to dance. It made a comical site, had he cared to find it funny.
Right now, he was just anxiously awaiting for Serena to come. "Darien. . ." Andrew warned when the other man began to tap his fingers on the table. Man, this guy had some serious attention issues.
Darien took his hands and placed them in his lap, only to start drumming on his knee. Andrew just sighed and was very relieved when his eye was caught by the two blonds walking in the door. He tapped Darien on the shoulder and nodded.
The sight of Serena nearly took his breath away.
| |Have I told you lately that I love you| |
Serena was scanning the table, looking for Darien. She smiled when she saw him, her eyes lighting up with a happiness that hadn't been there before. He stood and walked over to where she was. It was like they were the only two people that existed in the world.
He leaned down and kissed her forehead before taking her hand. "You look amazing," he murmured and he heard her girlish giggle and smiled. "Dance with me?"
"Of course," she said and smiled back up at him as he led her out on to the dance floor. The singer had chosen a slow song to sing and amazingly he sounded like Rod Stewart himself. It was almost uncanny.
Darien pulled Serena close and held her as they danced. Unlike their last dancing experience, this was sweet and gentle, not the wild sexual dancing of before. His arm was loosely around her waist, his head on hers, as she rested against his chest.
| |Have I told you, there's no one else above you| |
He heard her humming along and laughed quietly.
"Are you mocking me?" she demanded, pulling back to look up at him.
He grinned, "Of course not, Rena."
She looked at him intently, "I don't believe you."
"I would never," he said, aware at how sappy he sounded, but didn't care. This moment was theirs alone and if a little bit of sap had to be thrown into it all, then so be it.
"Never?" her face was absolutely adorable as she looked up at him, her eyes meeting his. They were filled with so many conflicting emotions, that Darien was almost unsure what the real question was.
| |Fill my heart with gladness| |
"Never," he promised and she smiled and laughed quietly.
"You're too serious, Darien," she announced as if she were a Queen and this announcement held a great deal of importance in his life. "Life is too short, learn to live."
"I'm too serious?" He raised an eyebrow.
"Yes," she said simply and then grinned, "But, I intend to change that."
| |Take away all my sadness| |
She expected another joke but he just smiled down at her and kissed her nose. The next thing said was completely unexpected.
"Promise?" he looked down at her, this time his eyes were unreadable as so many unnamed emotions flitted through them.
"I promise," she whispered and then gave him a hug.
| |Ease my troubles, that's what you do.| |
Then, because the moment was too perfect, too happy, and too peaceful, it had to be interrupted.
No one wanted to destroy the loving scene, especially with news such as the ones that Rei brought.
She tapped Serena lightly on the shoulder. "Serena, Lita just called, we need to go help her." The look she gave, left to room for wonderment on what the nature of Lita's call was. Serena sighed heavily and then nodded, pulling away.
Darien frowned, "You want me to go with you?"
Rei shook her head, "This is Lita," she pointed out, "She believes she's tougher than all men in the world put together. She wouldn't want to be embarrassed." She handed Mina and Serena their purses.
She pulled Serena and Mina out without another word. Darien just sighed and went to go sulk at the table with the two other men, who were also sulking at the loss of their dates.
| |There's a love that's divine| |
"The Nega-thrash needs to get a life," Serena muttered, "I was having fun." They were running to the spot where both Lita and Ami were battling the youma.
Mina just laughed, "Duty calls," she teased and the three transformed.
| |And its yours and its mine like the sun| |
Darien felt the transformation of Sailor Moon and he frowned. He just stood up and walked out, giving no explanation whatsoever. He ran out the door and down the street. He saw Lita's car and got incredibly worried.
There were two purses discarded by the side. Serena's and Mina's. He transformed into Tuxedo Mask as his mind began to work furiously. If Serena had come this way--
His thoughts were cut off as the fight drew his attention. The Senshi were fighting like crazy against the youma. All were attacking but it seem to be of no avail.
At the right moment, he threw his steel-tipped rose, distracting the ugly beast before it could complete its attack on Sailor Moon.
He looked down into her eyes, and then he knew. In that instant, he just knew. Later, he would ask himself how could he not have known? The hair should have been a dead giveaway.
| |And at the end of the day| |
She just tossed him one of her smiles before taking off her tiara and preparing to launch her attack. "Moon Tiara Magic!" she yelled and threw the tiara.
It impacted on the youma who of course crumbled to dust.
But not before it threw out its last remaining energy.
Darien saw it at the last second, before it hit her. He was too far away and moving too slow as he tried to intercept it.
He was forced back by the blast as it impacted on Sailor Moon.
The light cleared.
She fell to the ground.
"SERENA!" He screamed, startling the scouts who still had no idea who he was.
| |We should give thanks and pray| |
"Oh God, no!" He crawled over to her and gently held her in his arms. "Please no."
She shifted slightly, blood trickling down her face and into her hair. He threw off his top hat and mask, dropping them to the ground as he shrugged off his jacket and wrapped it around her slight form in an effort to keep her warm.
"Please, God, I can't live without her. You can't just give me her for a moment and then take her away."
| |To the one, to the one| |
She whimpered weakly and did her best to open her eyes. She looked at him closely, "You know," she said, slightly delirious, "Tuxedo Mask, you look a lot like Darien."
He managed a smile, "Can I tell you a secret, Sailor Moon?"
Mercury knelt down next to them and began to scan her with her computer, doing her best to find the problems spots and heal them quickly at the same time.
"What?" she asked her eyes closing as if she were about to fall asleep. Darien saw this and nearly panicked, but a look from Mercury stopped him.
"I am Darien," he whispered.
Her eyes opened, "No way!"
The remaining girls chuckled at her response. "Can I tell you a secret, Tuxedo Mask?"
"What?" He looked nervously at Mercury as she typed furiously on her computer. She gave him a weak smile and then nodded. He smiled back gratefully and just held her a little closer.
"I'm Serena," she said happily. "So it works out perfectly," she giggled and she took his hand. "I was wishing that you were you," she said in a whisper, as if what she had to say was a secret.
Darien smiled and kissed her forehead, "Wishes do come true, Rena," he murmured and held her close.
"Darien?"
| |And have I told you lately that I love you?| |
"Yes, Serena?"
"I think I'm falling in love with you."
"Me too," he murmured. "Since you threw that awful test paper at me." She giggled again and then sighed softly as her eyes closed. "You were so beautiful when you yelled at me, that I knew that I had to always have your attention, even if all you ever did was yell at me, I knew that I had to have some part of you."
"Darien?"
"Yes?"
"Shut up and kiss me."
| |Have I told you there's no one else above you| |
"She'll be fine," Mercury said to the other scouts. "But I think she'll do better without the constant worry of her parents. She should spend the night at one of our houses so we can monitor her."
Venus frowned for a moment as she watched Tuxedo Mask gently kiss the injured Sailor Moon. "You think her parents would let her stay over on a school night?" She looked down at Luna and Artemis, "Or can you do some mind-meldy thingy and get them to believe that she's in her bed sleeping?"
The two cats exchanged a look before they nodded. "So who's house should she stay at?" Jupiter demanded. "Who's going to want to take her in and let her eat all of their food in the morning?"
Mars grinned mischievously, "Darien could always take her home," she suggested. The other senshi, with the exception of Venus, open their mouths to protest. "Look at it this way," Mars cut in before they could take a breath, "He's not going to let her out of his sight and she's too injured to get into any real trouble. She'll be completely safe."
Luna sighed, "Very well. . ."
| |You fill my heart with gladness| |
Darien gently placed the sleeping form of Serena on his bed. He had changed her into one of his old shirts when Ami had said it was safe enough for her to power down, and of course he was the perfect gentlemen and neither touched nor looked.
Tenderly he undid the two little buns and ran his fingers through her hair as he watched her sleep. She looked like a misplaced angel and was absolutely perfect.
He had almost lost her today without even being aware of it. What would have happened if he had been a moment too late? Would she had died and he never had known that his beautiful Serena was really a heroine that he had secretly admired?
The world had almost come to a horrifying stop. Now he would protect her even more fiercely then before. Before it was duty. Now, now it was his entire life and being. Now he knew that he loved her. He had loved her since the birth of the universe and that was something that wouldn't just suddenly stop.
| |Take away my sadness| |
"Stop obsessing," he heard her murmur as she snuggled up closer to him, still very drowsy and her eyes still closed. "I'm still here."
"But--" How had she known that he was thinking about all of this?
"Shhhhh," she whispered and lightly placed her fingers to his lips. Her eyes were still closed and she was smiling sweetly. "Promise me something?"
"Anything."
"That you'll learn to live life and not take things too seriously."
"I promise."
| |Ease my troubles that's what you do.| |