AN: Thank you for all the nice reviews! Really helped with the nerves from posting my first story. Thanks again to Aya Faulkner and SailorMoon489 for betaing this!
Also, make sure you check out Aya Faulkner's new one-shot lemons story Happy Hump Day if you haven't already. Truly amazing and of course hot! Annnnnnd her new fic Poisoned Mind, a beautifully written Dark Endy trope.
Chapter 2
Seiya nervously drummed on the coffee table with his fingers, looking at the time again it was a little after midnight. Right as he was about to try calling Usagi again he heard keys in the door and giggling, male and female giggling. Soon she came stumbling in the door with Mamoru behind her full on laughing, louder than he had ever heard him laugh.
Seiya jumped up from the couch and walked over to help Usagi up from the floor. "Are you two drunk?"
This seemed to sober them both up for about thirty seconds before they started giggling again. In all the time he's known Mamoru he had never seen him this drunk, at least not to the point of giggling.
Usagi grabbed her phone and showed Seiya the picture of her and Mamoru under the remaining time at the escape room. "You solved it with three minutes to spare?"
"Yes! We didn't even talk and we solved it with time to spare! Isn't that amazing Seiya?!"
Mamoru was working on getting the keys out of the door while Seiya carried a very uncoordinated Usagi to their couch.
"I did it! Got them out!" Mamoru gloated as he slammed the door and tossed the keys to where he thought the counter was, clearly off, the keys hit the floor.
Seiya walked over to Mamoru and helped him to a chair. "Why are you both drunk?"
"It's the only way he isn't boring." Usagi and Mamoru both started laughing uncontrollably, irritating Seiya.
He walked into the kitchen and brought back two glasses of water. "Here, both of you drink. Mamoru you can stay on the couch."
"No, no, no….no, no. I, I just made sure she made it up here. I'll get a cab home."
Seiya easily made Mamoru sit back down as he tried to stand. "No, you'll stay here, it's past midnight and I'm pretty sure you have to be up in less than five hours. Tomorrow will be fun for both of you at your jobs since they're both pretty loud."
Picking Usagi up he started towards the bedroom. Usagi peeked over Seiya's shoulder and started waving wildly, "Bye Baka!"
Mamoru laughed again, "Bye Odango!"
Seiya rolled his eyes and laid Usagi in their bed. Going to the closet he grabbed an extra pillow and blanket, walking back to the living room he set up the couch for Mamoru, who was already half out of it in the chair. Nudging Mamoru's leg Seiya helped him to the couch, grabbing Mamoru's phone he saw it was still half charged so no need to plug it in for his friend, not that he knew where a spare charger was currently. Grabbing a bottle of tylenol he set it on the coffee table and told Mamoru good night before heading back to bed where Usagi was already passed out.
O.o.O.o.O
A loud beeping filled her ears, groaning she searched for her phone, finally finding it she shut off her five am alarm. She grabbed her head with both hands and squeezed hoping to dull the throbbing with no such luck. She heard a thud and loud groan come from the living room and got out of bed slowly, seeing she was still in last night's clothes.
Tiptoeing towards her bedroom door she grabbed the baseball bat from behind it and went to the living room. She saw a figure making its way to stand, raising the bat she screamed getting ready to swing until Mamoru scrambled backwards on the floor screaming, "USAGI NO!"
Letting the bat back down to the floor she grabbed her chest and breathed a sigh of relief. "You scared me! Why are you here, uggggh my head is pounding."
Mamoru grabbed at his temples, "Mine too. Seiya made me stay last night after we came in drunk. Where is he?"
Usagi looked at her phone and back to him, "It's Thursday, he works an early shift on Tuesday and Thursday, five to two."
Mamoru nodded which he instantly regretted and finished getting off the floor. Usagi started giggling.
"What?"
She shook her head and tried to stop giggling, "You...were….so drunk."
He laughed under his breath and reached for his phone and the bottle of tylenol. "Are you sure you're not still?"
This got her to stop laughing as she thought about it, "No...I don't think so. Can you be drunk and hungover?"
He laughed again, "Yes.. man, I need to get home and change for work." Stopping at the door he turned and looked at her, "Hey Odango." This earned him a glare, "Thanks for an okay night."
"An okay night? Okay? Just okay?"
With a grin Mamoru opened the door and walked out, before he closed the door all the way she heard him say 'Yep!' Shaking her head she walked back to her bedroom to get ready for what was going to be a very long day at work.
O.o.O.o.O
"Honey, I'm home! Man, am I ready for a lazy weekend with you. I know it's Friday night but can we please stay in?"
Walking into the living room she didn't see or hear Seiya, looking around she didn't see his shoes so she sent him a quick text checking on him. "Luuuunnnaaa, come here kitty!"
Her phone buzzed in her pocket, 'Working late, have to finish these blueprints before I leave.'
Looking around she called Luna again, still no meow like normal she went into the kitchen and found hershey kiss chocolate wrappers scattered on the floor. She found Luna close by and that she was still breathing. Picking her up she grabbed her keys from the entryway table and ran to her car, she hated driving but would drive when she had to. Luna's normal vet was at least thirty minutes away and she knew Mamoru's new practice was a little over ten minutes away, not wanting to risk Luna's safety she headed straight for Mamoru's.
O.o.O.o.O
Mamoru stretched and looked at the clock, finally only a few minutes left until they close. Fridays were his busiest days so they always stayed open until seven for their clients. He groaned when he heard the front door chime with only one minute left, he squeezed his eyebrows together when he heard her voice. He left his office to head to the front. The receptionist was taking her information when he reached her with a little black cat in her arms and tears on her face. "Usagi? What's going on?"
"Mamoru! Oh thank you! Luna, she ate chocolate and I don't know when or how much or if she threw up and you were the closest vet I could think of and please please please can you help?" The tears increased down her face again as he took Luna from her and went straight to the back Usagi on his heels.
"Miss! Miss! I need you to fill out this information."
Mamoru stopped and looked back to the front, "Unazuki, I'll handle all that, feel free to head home. Just lock the front on your way out." Turning around and heading back to one of the exam rooms he started checking on Luna's vitals. "What kind of chocolate did she eat?"
Looking up with her tear blurred vision she cleared her throat so she could answer, "Hershey kisses."
He looked relieved with that information. "Can you remember about how many wrappers there might have been? Do you think over twenty?"
She shook her head no, "I know it wasn't many, maybe there was seven or ten?"
Mamoru nodded, "Okay so that's good news, I might not even have to pump her stomach, it would take about over twenty hershey's kisses to be dangerous and she's not showing any major signs of toxicity. It looks like she has an upset stomach and that might be the worst of it."
Sighing with relief she sat down and started to sob more.
Stopping what he was doing he sat down next to her and patted her back, gaining her attention. "Thank you Mamoru. I didn't know what else to do or where else to go and you're the first person that popped in my head."
"It is no problem. It's my job, I'm happy to help. What's her name?"
"Luna."
"Luna, very beautiful. Okay, listen to me Usagi, I'm going to take Luna here back with me to run some quick tests just to make sure everything I told you is correct before you take her home. Will you be okay waiting here?"
She nodded and watched him leave the room with Luna. Grabbing her phone she sent Seiya a quick text letting him know where she is and what happened. After a few minutes she couldn't take sitting in the same room anymore so she decided to wander. Going room to room she ended up in Mamoru's office.
Looking along the wall she noticed his degree and all the cards he received thanking him. Sitting down she rested her head on his desk. She hadn't realized she snoozed off until she heard a soft meow near her. Jumping up she wiped at her mouth and then her eyes. She heard a soft chuckle and looked up to see Mamoru holding Luna.
"Luna!" She took her from his arms and cuddled her. "I'm so glad you're okay, I don't know what I'd do without you."
"Did you enjoy your nap?"
She felt her face turn about ten shades of red, "I'm so sorry, I got bored waiting in the room."
"So you figured my office was a comfier place to snooze?"
"No, I was reading and I sat down for two seconds...it's been a long day...I'm sorry."
"Usa, I'm just messing with you! I know it is a stressful situation and what that can do to the body."
"Usa? Wow, so I just need to have an emergency to avoid Odango?" She smiled up at him and realized the shocked look on his face before he put his neutral look back in place.
"Yeah, well don't get used to it." He guided her to the front as she pulled out her small wallet with her credit cards.
"No, don't worry about it. Just promise me you'll transfer Luna to my office for all future shots and we'll call it good." He smiled down at her and she couldn't help what she did next.
Catching him off guard he stumbled back a few steps as she barreled into him with a hug, squishing Luna in between them in the process. A small sob broke from her lips and he couldn't help but respond to her hug.
He rubbed her back lightly with both hands, "Okay, let's not suffocate poor Luna."
Jumping back with Luna safely tucked back in her arms Usagi blushed. "Thank you again Mamo-chan, really I can't thank you enough."
A smile broke out on his face at the new nickname, anything was better than Baka, he put his hand on the small of her back and lead her to the front door.
Before she walked out he grabbed her shoulder and handed her his card. "My cell phone is on there, just in case anything happens. Drive safe Usagi."
O.o.O.o.O
It had been a few weeks since he took care of Usagi's cat and he hadn't really seen or heard from her or Seiya. He did get a text from Seiya thanking him but other than that the invites kind of slowed. He didn't know why it bothered him. He lived in another city for a few years and didn't get to see Seiya much then or talk to him often. Why was it bothering him now? Was it the Seiya part that was really bothering him? Not wanting to dwell too much on it he went out to the living room to sit with Motoki.
"Hey, do you want to go do something tonight?"
"What? YOU want to go out? Wow that's unusual." Motoki stopped texting and looked over at Mamoru. With the look on his face Motoki figured something was bothering him and maybe he did need to get out. "Sure, what were your thinking."
"I don't know. You think of something?" He heard his phone ping in his bedroom and went back to go grab it.
"Are you coming back to discuss our night out?"
"Yes! Just grabbing my phone!" Unlocking it he opened his messages and saw Usagi's face cover his entire screen with a very unhappy Luna squished again her. 'Thanks again! She's doing great.'
Mamoru walked back to the living room with a smile back on his face confusing Motoki but he figured he could ask about it later.
Mamoru quickly saved Usagi's number, just for 'in cases of emergency' purposes and sat back down with Motoki to plan out their night.
O.o.O.o.O
Bowling, Motoki chose bowling. He should have never let Motoki choose. Picking up the rented shoes from the counter with a disgusted look, he headed to lane seventeen.
He stopped dead in his tracks causing Motoki to run into his back, "Ow, hey what the hell man?" Looking around Mamoru he saw what he was looking at, a familiar blonde and her ponytailed boyfriend. "Hey, there's your friend Seiya! You wanna say hi?"
Mamoru shrugged and continued to lane seventeen. Sitting down he focused on putting on his shoes until he heard her scream. Looking up he caught her jumping up and down laughing, running towards Seiya. He grabbed her around the waist and spun them around. Once they started kissing he cleared his throat and went back to tying his shoes. It felt rude to intrude on an intimate moment, no matter how public they were making it.
Mamoru got up and went over to find himself a bowling ball. Grabbing a fourteen he walked back over to his lane and set his ball down. Noticing Motoki already grabbed his bowling ball he looked down and saw it was a ten.
"A ten? Really Toki?"
Motoki looked up from entering their names on the computer with an annoyed expression on his face. "I don't need my forearm hurting tomorrow just to make it look like I'm such a big strong man. Mind your losing streak that's about to happen."
Sitting next to Motoki at the computer he pressed the order button and asked for a pitcher of beer. Grabbing his wallet he pulled out his ID so he had it ready. Glancing back up he realized he had been noticed. He had no choice but to say hi. With a quick smile and wave he looked back at the computer.
He should have known that wouldn't be enough for the energizer bunny. "Hey! What a coincidence!"
Seiya walked up after her and smiled at Mamoru. "I never thought I'd see the day where you would be out bowling."
Mamoru stood and gave Seiya their normal side hug. "Yeah well, blame Motoki, he has no sense of originality."
"Hey!"
"Yeah, what are you trying to say?" Turning his head to Seiya's side he was met with her bright blue eyes. "Bowling is amazing!"
Seiya laughed, "Yeah because it's the only thing you can win at."
Gasping she swatted his arm, "Not true!"
"How's Luna?" Mamoru already knew, per her earlier text but he couldn't think of anything else to talk about and he just felt uncomfortable and couldn't figure out why.
"She's great! Thanks again, seriously." Usagi smiled and Seiya nodded.
"Alright, we better get back to our game if we want to make a movie tonight too."
Usagi bounced on her feet nodding her head in agreement. They said their goodbyes and walked back to their lane.
Mamoru was up first and to Motoki's surprise he landed a strike. "What?! Is there nothing you're not good at? You make it really hard to be your friend."
Mamoru laughed, "Go, it's your turn!"
He grabbed the pitcher of beer and poured himself a glass, taking a sip he tried not to let his eyes wander two lanes down but they did. He saw Seiya walking up, swinging the ball back and Usagi running up grabbing the ball before he could throw it. Mamoru stopped watching and put his beer down once they started in their laughing fit.
~*~*~The night of the escape room~*~*~
He had two beers. That was it. So why he was already tipsy, he couldn't understand; until, Usagi pushed another half finished drink towards him scrunching her face up. "Mmmm no don't like that one either, will you drink this for me?" Groaning Mamoru grabbed her weird fruity drink and downed it. That's how he was getting drunk, Usagi was giving him all her gross drinks.
He heard her screech and he almost spit out the last of her drink from surprise. "I loooooove this song! Come dance with me!"
Mamoru shook his head violently, "No, no, nooooo."
Usagi was yanking on his arm, "Please! Please!"
He was pulling against her to stay in his seat, "I do NOT dance. I can't, just no."
She started singing along using his one arm to twirl herself causing him to erupt with laughter, "You can't take me anywhere, anywhere! You can't take me anywhere, anywhere! I'm still uninvited, I'm still gonna light it. I'm going insane and I don't care!" He couldn't help his laughter but continued to shake his head no. Intertwining her fingers with his she continued to dance next to him while he stayed seated. "Dancing! Dancing! Dancing's not a crime, unless you do it, do it, do it, do it. Do it without me!"
While he was busy watching her and laughing she was able to yank him off his stool. "Usagi, no! I'm not kidding, please don't make me dance." With a pout on her face he groaned and followed her onto the dance floor with the rest of the flailing bodies that obviously didn't know how to dance either. Honestly, he could dance, he just hated to in public.
On the dance floor he could still hear her clearly screaming the lyrics even with the speakers right there. "Ooh, ooh, ooh, when you make that move 'cause I just wanna be your boyfriend, girlfriend, oh yeah!" Once the beat picked back up he twirled her around and dipped her low and back up before she knew what was happening. She gaped at him once they were face to face again, "You said you can't dance!"
With the alcohol freely flowing through him he let his mask go and full on grinned at her, locking eyes with her, "I lied!"
Twirling her out and back in again he carried her off the dance floor. "Hey! I want to dance more!"
"Yeah well I'm going to need more alcohol for that."
Usagi grinned when he got her back to their table. "Deal!" She waved over the waiter once she spotted him and Mamoru buried his head in his hands when he realized his mistake.
O.o.O.o.O
Motoki waved his hand in front of Mamoru's face, "Yoohoo, it's been your turn for about a minute now."
Shaking his head he pulled himself out of the memory, he got up and bowled another strike. Walking back he grabbed his beer again and leaned over to Motoki, "Oh, I forgot to mention. Beer makes me better."
"Of course!" While Motoki went up to bowl his turn Mamoru saw Seiya walking up out of the corner of his eye. Standing up he closed the last couple steps, "hey man, you out of here?"
Seiya nodded, "I just wanted to come over and say that we'll see you later and see if you want to do a guys night out like we used to soon?"
Mamoru nodded and reached his hand out, "yes, real soon, it's been too long."
Seiya shook his hand and patted his arm, "alright, we'll see you." He watched Seiya walk up to the counter where Usagi was turning in their shoes, catching his eye she stood on her toes and waved wildly at him. He waved back and went and grabbed his bowling ball for his turn, looking up at the scoreboard he whistled, "man I should have bet money on this Toki."
Motoki chucked one of the complimentary mints at his head making him chuckle and whisper, "sore loser already."
O.o.O.o.O
It had been a slow week at work, just the normal annual vaccinations but he was still happy to have a lazy Saturday. Seiya had called him Thursday setting up a guys night and Motoki for the following Saturday. Remembering how Seiya would party he figured he'd take this weekend to relax.
He just started a new novel when his phone vibrated, he would check it after he finished this chapter...maybe two. He heard it vibrate it on his nightstand again, turning the page he heard it start to vibrate non stop, meaning he had a call coming in. Setting the book down on his bed he got up and saw Usagi's face, from the picture she sent him, on his screen. "Hello?"
"Mamo-chan? Can you hear me?"
He heard loud music playing in the background and lots of voices. "Barely, where are you?"
"We're out at the bar across from the Crown Arcade. I don't know anyone in here and the girls wouldn't be able to help me. I need you...can you come?"
Mamoru didn't hesitate as soon as he heard her say bar across from the Crown Arcade he was out the door. "I'll be right there, give me twenty minutes."
He could have grabbed his car but it was a nice September night and he wouldn't have much time left to ride his bike. Plus it cut his time down to thirteen minutes. Off his bike in seconds he was roaming through the bar looking for her brilliant blonde buns. Finally catching the top of her head he went to her side as fast as he could. Suddenly he realized why she needed him. Seiya was beyond drunk he was half passed out on their table.
There was fear all over her face until she saw him, relief and joy flashed across her features as soon as he was at her side. "Mamoru, I'm so happy to see you." She gripped his arm tight pulling him closer. "I told him I was fine driving us home but he needed to stop drinking because I'm not strong enough to get him to the car. He kept saying he was fine and he seemed fine but then he just got more and more drunk, like it was slowly catching up to him."
"Oh, Seiya." Putting a hand on his back Seiya moved his head and groaned. Grabbing his arm he wrapped it around his neck. Usagi moved to his other side and did the same. Slowly they walked to Seiya's car and Mamoru got him in the backseat. Shutting the door he turned to Usagi. "Are you alright?"
She had her arms wrapped around her torso and nodded.
"I'm going to follow you home so I can help you get him inside okay?" She nodded again and walked to the driver side, grabbing her arm he stopped her and looked her in the eyes. "Hey, seriously, are you okay?"
She nodded again, "I'll be fine." He let go of her arm and went back to his bike.
Once they reached her apartment he helped get Seiya inside, in the elevator and in the apartment. Sighing Usagi wiped her forehead and flopped down on the couch. "I'm so sorry Mamoru, I didn't mean to bother you, but you were the only person I could think of." Mamoru shook his head, "Do not apologize, Seiya has been my friend for many years and I will always help him. You are now an extension of that."
She angled her head so he was in her line of vision, "Mamoru the superhero."
Mamoru smirked, "Hardly."
Letting out a frustrated groan Usagi sat up on the couch.
"Well, you're probably tired, I'll get going. Let me know how he is tomorrow."
"Wait." She looked nervous which he thought was weird. "Would you be okay with staying and watching a movie with me?"
Looking at his phone he saw it was already midnight, "I know it's Saturday, but you look exhausted. Are you sure you want to watch a movie?"
She laughed and patted the couch. "Seiya snores LOUDLY when he's drunk and I won't be able to sleep yet. I won't force you to stay, I just don't feel like being alone."
Mamoru grabbed the remote from the end table and handed it to her before sitting on the couch, "Alright, what are you going to force me to watch."
Usagi smiled, "You have one of two options, I get to choose this movie night and you choose next time or you choose this time and I choose next time."
Mamoru laughed, "What makes you think there will be a next time?"
"Oh I'm sure you'll be saving the day again sometime soon." She got up and made her way to the kitchen.
"What are you doing?"
"Popcorn of course!" She gave him an incredulous look, "a movie is nothing without popcorn annnnnnd," he saw something fly through the air so he sat up to catch it, "buncha crunch?"
"Yes! Popcorn and candy! Have you decided which option yet?"
"Uhh, you choose this time." He heard the microwave start up and she walked back to the living room pulling a bin from the bookshelf. She started flipping through little DVD slips as the popcorn popped in the background. He got up and went to her bedroom where they dropped Seiya off and cracked the door. Sure enough he was snoring as loud as she explained. Heading back to the living room he saw she had already put a DVD in, "so what are we watching?"
"You'll just have to see!" She came back from the kitchen with a bowl of popcorn and sat down on the opposite end of the couch with the popcorn on the middle cushion between them.
Bride Wars appears on the screen and Mamoru groaned. "Well at least it has Kate Hudson."
He reached for a handful of popcorn and popped a couple in his mouth. "Got a thing for blondes huh?" This caused Mamoru to choke on a kernel. "Oh! Are you okay?!" She reached over and started patting him on the back. "I was just messing with you!" She got up and ran off to the kitchen, coming back with a glass of water which he gulped down gasping for air after. "I'm so sorry, I now know not to make jokes when you're eating."
"Not funny." His face completely serious. She sat back down on her side of the couch with a small pout. "Yet," he smiled at her and started eating popcorn once again facing the tv, settling in to watch her romantic comedy.
O.o.O.o.O
Seiya stopped when he reached 4F, sighing he took off his sunglasses and knocked on the door. In less time than expected Mamoru appeared in the open doorway, "Seiya? Hey, what are you doing here?"
He winced, "Hey man, can I come in?"
Mamoru chuckled and stepped back to allow him in, "Hungover?"
"God yes."
"Take a seat, I'll grab you some water." He walked around the coffee table and sat down, laying his head on the back of the couch he pinched the bridge of his nose.
Mamoru made his way back to the living room and sat in the recliner across from the couch after handing the water to Seiya. "Drink up."
He took a sip and set the cup back down. "So...I know you helped with my whole drunken escapade last night." Mamoru nodded waiting for him to continue. "I wanted to stop by and thank you and apologize for you having to take time out of your night to do that."
Mamoru leaned forward with his elbows on his knees, "It was no problem at all. You've done the same thing a few times."
"I know, but we're older now and it wasn't smart on my part to put Usagi in that position. It had been a while and I didn't realize I became a lightweight." Picking up the glass of water he took a big gulp before nodding his head over to the stack of boxes, "you found a place?"
"We did, but it's not going to be ready for 30 days and we have to be out by this coming Saturday. Motoki is going to stay with his sister and I will probably stay in a hotel with my stuff in storage."
"What? Why didn't you say anything?"
He shrugged, "Why? Not much you could do and we've both been really busy."
"You can stay with Usagi and me! We have a spare room that literally only holds a bed. You can put all of your non essentials in storage and just bring what you need."
He shook his head, "I can't do that, you guys just moved in together not that long ago. It's not fair to impose on you."
"It's not imposing! You have helped me out countless times in the past. Please let me help you out."
Pausing for a minute Mamoru sighed, "shouldn't you run this by Usagi."
"I know she won't have a problem with it, but if it will make you feel better I will talk to her when I get home. If she says yes are you in?"
"Yes, I will move in." There's no way in hell Usagi will agree to it anyway.
Seiya smiled and walked to the front door. "I'll text you later. Thank you again for last night."