Crystal Tokyo Shorts: The Love Triangle of Venus
Chapter Two – Kitchen Talk
Characters – V&K
by Vchanny
General disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this story.
"So... have you spoken with him yet?"
Venus shot a sharp look to the woman, who was currently stirring a big bowl of batter for something or another. She didn't ask what Jupiter wanted help with, just agreed to assist. Why she needed her help, of all people, was beyond her. Venus was not known for her cooking skills—the girl had burned a pot of water once. All was starting to become clear though: this was a well sprung trap. One meant to extract secrets. Really, she should have seen it coming, but it was too late now. "No." She tossed the cracked egg shells into a nearby trash can and started to clean the counter space in front of her.
"I see." She stirred some more, pausing to motion for Venus to hand her another ingredient that was on her side of the counter. After it had been passed to her, she began measuring and continued, not looking over to Venus at all. "Any particular reason why?"
Jupiter did her best to sound uninterested, keeping her tone calm, but Venus knew what she was up to. Her response was just as impassive. "Haven't run into him."
Jupiter merely nodded. "Would you take the rest of the eggs and beat them in that big bowl there?"
Venus did as requested and the two worked in silence for a few moments. She tried to anticipate what her friend would ask next, and what she could counter with. The fact was she had purposely been avoiding any contact with the General. Every since the King and Queen announced they would be working at the palace, Venus had made herself exceptionally "busy." And since part of her job was knowing what everyone else was doing, she'd managed to avoid areas where they may bump into each other. It was tiring, but well worth it to her.
"You should."
"And why is that?"
"Neph told me he'd like to see you."
Venus beat the eggs rapidly, unintentionally giving herself away. Damn it. "Is that so? Well, maybe I can pencil him in. I've been busy, you know."
"I also heard that you've been receiving bouquets of white roses quite regularly." When Venus didn't respond, she reached over the counter and took the bowl away from her. "Don't you think you should give the guy a chance?" It was a plea. Jupiter had been the first to rekindle things with her old lover. And being the romantic at heart Jupiter was, Venus knew this was a plea to attempt to do the same.
A mumbled escaped her mouth. When Jupiter looked at her bewildered, she repeated herself, not without sighing first. "They aren't from Kunzite."
Jupiter's eye lit up like a teenager who'd just heard the juiciest secret they'd ever heard. "Oooh! So that's it! You have a secret boyfriend that no one knows about! That explains why you've been so absent, and why you've been avoiding Kunzite!" She leaned across the counter, resting her chin on her palms, not seeming to care that she was getting flour all over herself. "So who is he? Tell me! Tell me!"
Interesting, Venus thought. Do I indulge her, or tell the truth? The truth that the flowers were from a man she'd never really told any of them about—at least not in detail. The man who had cursed her to never find love, but was now trying to win her love. "There is no boyfriend."
Jupiter blinked a few times, confused to what she had just heard. "No boyfriend?"
"Afraid not."
"Phooey." She stood and starting pouring the batter into it's baking dish. "So, what, just some admirer? Guy's got to be pretty smitten to be spending all that money every month."
Venus nodded. "You could say that."
"Well who is he, then? You sure are keeping a lot to yourself lately."
"Does it matter?"
"Has to be something important if you'd so unwilling to tell me. Spill."
Venus crossed her arms and sat back into a nearby stool. "They're from Danburite. Ace."
She almost spilled some batter. "What?!"
Venus nodded. "She released all the souls that had been corrupted, not just the Shitennou. Which is why," she continued after a short pause, "I have been so 'busy.' He wasn't supposed to have his memories. But then I started to get the flowers, with the notes. And that was just after the rest of you had gotten to be okay with the others." She inhaled deeply. "It was just too much at once. So, I've continued to avoid Kunzite. Who I am sure knows about the flowers, which he obviously knows aren't his, and has probably by now figured out who has been sending them. Which is probably why he's inquired about me to begin with. Mister stoicism wouldn't bother to reach out if there wasn't a reason."
Jupiter stood there, seemingly shocked by the words she'd just heard.
"So." Venus stood up from her stool and brushed her hands off on her apron before taking it off. "If that's all. I think I'll get going." She set it down and waved by as she left the kitchen. As she turned through the doorway, she ran into something hard. Well, someone. "Oof!" Strong, calloused hands stopped her from falling back. She looked up and froze.
What she didn't know before, was that her friend wasn't shocked silent by her tale, but because as she was telling it, she spotted Kunzite in the doorway. Who had begun to storm away after, but only made it a few steps before deciding to come back. Which lead to this predicament now.
"Are you alright?"
His voice was exactly as she remembered. Rich, husky. A chill ran down her spine. "Y-yes. Thank you, General." She forced a smile and tried to take a step back, but his hands held firm on her elbows.
Jupiter shamelessly made her way closer to the door to eavesdrop, pretending to look through items on the shelves.
"You can let go now." The words came out harsher than she'd intended. Regret washed over her as she saw the disappointment on his face—not that it was there long, it was only there a moment, but she saw it, and it hurt.
But, he didn't let go of her. Instead, leaned down, bringing their faces just inches apart. "Do you honestly think that's the only reason I wanted to see you? Because I was jealous someone was sending you flowers?"
Venus gasped and her heart began to race. She could feel her cheeks flush.
"I admit, hearing that they are from that boy, does start a fire within me. But I've wanted to see you since my eyes opened. Since I took that first breath. Don't think so low of me. Stoic, as you say, or not, jealousy is not one of my motivators." He held his face there for a moment before rising back up and letting go of her. "And now that this is all in the open, I hope you give yourself a break, and stop spending so much energy avoiding me."
Venus didn't get a chance to say anything before he bowed to her and turned to leave. She stood there, frozen and speechless until she felt the tug of Jupiter's hand on her arm, urging her back into the kitchen and guiding her to a table and chairs. "Well that was interesting! Here. Sit, sit. I have some tea. Oh! And cookies."
But she couldn't say a word. The tears just flowed.
AN: I don't intend for all the chapters to necessarily go in order, so to speak. Mainly because I'm the type who just wants to write out a scene and go back later to fill in details/clarify (which is why WIT took so long...), but I think these first few I'll keep mostly in order, just to establish some things. Then, I may go off and drive you all crazy. :)
