A bit on the long side, but I'm still working on the submitting-as-many-drabbles-as-possible-by-August-3rd part…


35 Themed Drabbles—2nd Anniversary Challenge

Ala Verity

4. Appliances (Word Count: 1199)


"But…but what the heck are we going to do with three stoves?"

Ami patted Usagi consolingly on the shoulder. "I'm sure you'll figure something out."

"I could always use another stove."

"Mako-chan!"

"I'm just saying…"

"Don't worry so much," Minako advised her friend, who was staring aghast at the three stoves lined up neatly in the middle of her living room. "You've got a smart hubby, I'm sure he'll be able to think of—"

"Usako, I'm home! Usako? Are the girls here yet?"

"We're in here!" Rei called.

"Hi, girls," Mamoru said, appearing in the doorway a moment later with a heavy-looking box in his arms and a slightly hassled look on his face. "Usako, your Aunt Em has just sent us another paper shredder, I think she wants us to cut down an entire rainforest or some—what the hell is all this?"

For Mamoru had just spotted the three stoves, gleaming innocently up at him in their fresh new coats of ivory paint.

"Shi—" The box dropped from his arms with a loud clunk. "What are—?"

"My parents, Motoki, and my cousin all sent them this morning," Usagi replied glumly, kicking the brand new carpet with her toe. "They're belated wedding presents."

"And what the hell are we going to do with three damn st—" He stopped at the sullen look on Usagi's face. "Ohh-kay, let's backtrack here," he said slowly, tripping his way through the cluttered room to his wife's side. He looked around the room. "Girls, a moment?"

There was a chorus of "sure's," and the girls filed out of the room.

"Okay, Usako, what's wrong?" Mamoru asked as soon as Ami had shut the door behind her.

"Everything's fine," Usagi muttered, sinking into the couch.

"You're about as good at lying as you used to be at cooking, Usako."

"Huh?"

"Nothing. Scoot over so I can sit down."

"Hey!" She laughed as he nearly sat on top of her. "Fatty!"

Mamoru wrapped his arms around his wife. "It's your fault you finally learned how to cook an edible meal."

"Excuse me! And what's that supposed to mean? My meals have always been edible—"

"Yeah, if you tried rat poison first…"

"Chiba Mamoru, if you make one more comment about my cooking—" She caught sight of the stoves and stopped short, swallowing hard.

"Honey, what's really wrong?" he asked again, pulling her closer to him. He could feel the heat from her flushed face where it rested against his chest. "I have a feeling this isn't just about your cooking."

"I told you, nothing's wrong," she murmured.

"Come on, Usako, work with me here."

She sighed again and buried her face into his shirt. "I'm just tired, Mamo-chan. We've been married for barely two weeks, we've just gotten back from our honeymoon, we're still trying to get everything in order, and every time I think we've got everything we need, five more things show up that need taking care of!" She shifted slightly so that she could look up at him. "I just want a break, Mamo-chan. Just a day to myself, that's all I want."

She glared accusingly at the stoves sitting in front of her, as if the giant porcelain statues were responsible for all of her troubles.

"Well, if it's a day that you want," Mamoru said at last, slowly, "I can do you one better."

"What do you mean, Mamo-chan?"

"What I mean is, who's to say we don't need three stoves?" He stood up and made a sweeping gesture at the kitchen appliances. "We could keep all three, one in each room so it won't feel too crowded."

"But Mamo-chan," Usagi said, sitting up a little bit straighter, "What are we going to need three stoves for? We have barely enough room in this apartment for the two of us!"

"Well," Mamoru replied with a smile, kneeling down so that he and Usagi were face to face, "Every princess needs her royal chef, right?"

Usagi's eyes brightened a bit, and she nodded.

"And what royal chef doesn't need three stoves?" he continued, getting caught up in the game. "If I'm going to make a seven-course meal and one of the stoves is occupied, or if my princess wants breakfast in bed straight from the stovetop, what better way than to keep than to have a stove right where you need it?"

Mamoru took her warm hands in his, and at that moment, he looked at her with an expression so full of sincerity and gratitude that Usagi thought her heart would burst.

"Usako, you should know that this isn't about the useless stoves we have, or the appliances or anything. We'll find a place for everything in our life, and pretty soon you're going to forget all about the stove that your cousin sent or that food processor from the thrift shop or even Aunt Em's damn paper shredders. Okay, Usako?"

"Mamo-chan…" She suddenly jumped up and threw her arms around his neck, and he caught her with a surprised look. "Mamo-chan…" she whispered into his shirt, "Thank you…thank you, Mamo-chan…"

They stood there for a long time, in the middle of the living room, him supporting the weight of their embrace against one of the stoves.

"Mamo-chan?" Usagi said finally.

"Hmm?"

"You were…serious about that whole seven-course meal thing, weren't you?"

Mamoru stared at his wife for a second, his arms wrapped around her waist and his expression blank…

…And burst into laughter.

"Hey! What are you laughing for?"

"N-nothing!"

"Mamo-chan, if you were just toying with me—"

"Now, do you really think I would do that, Usako?" Mamoru asked, leaning in so suddenly that she could feel his warm breath against her lips.

"N-no…" she whispered, gazing up at him demurely.

"Good." Mamoru kissed her lightly on the nose and pulled back, grinning. "Now what would you like for your fine cuisine tonight, my princess?"

Usagi pulled him back down by the collar of his shirt and breathed, "How about we start with some appetizer…chef?"

Mamoru's eyes went wide, and the room suddenly felt as hot as if someone had turned all three stoves on at once, even though none of them were plugged in.

"I hope it works up my appetite, if you know what I mean," she added, running one finger down his chest.

"I…I know exactly the thing," Mamoru gasped, wiping sweaty palms against his pants leg.

"Good. Now go get 'em, tiger."

"Huh?"

She turned him around by the shoulders and pushed him towards the door, laughing at the bewildered look on her husband's face. "You said you know just the thing, right? Well then, don't just stand there! You're going to have to get started now if you want to be done by a reasonable hour!"

And with that, she opened the door, shoved him out into the hallway, and shut the door behind him.

Mamoru stared at the closed living room door for a long time before finally turning towards the kitchen, muttering under his breath about women in general and leaving Usagi to laugh quietly in the room with the three stoves in it.


Feedback, comments, and critiques are all welcome!

Ala