-Serenity-

Standing in the entryway to the ballroom, Serenity began gathering all of her courage. Reality was hanging in the balance for her, and she felt the weight of it bearing down upon her shoulders. Taking a moment in her mind, she began to count her blessings.

This essentially consisted of saying her friends' names mentally, and remembering the tiny ray of hope Mamoru had bestowed upon her. Satisfied that gravity wasn't going to crush her; the Moon Princess gave a nod of assent to the Chamberlain and stepped right up to the gossamer curtains.

"Announcing," the Chamberlain boomed "the heir to the Mooninite Throne and the soon-to-be Princess of the Earth, Princess Serenity of the Moon Kingdom."

The curtain pulled back gently, and Serenity began immediately scanning the crowd in hopes of catching a glimpse of her betrothed. Her vantage was good from here…

Her eyes found not what they were seeking, but immediately came to rest on the all-too-familiar face of Mamoru.

"Mamoru? Is that really him?" She thought to herself in disbelief. "It couldn't be! He's in the finest regalia… He's even wearing full, tempered armor; he has a greatsword hanging from a jeweled sword belt? This is definitely not right…"

She began descending the stairs, with what she was sure must've been a dumbfounded look on her face. Mamoru appeared to be reacting similarly. Then, she knew.

"It's Mamoru, alright. Or I suppose his name is actually… Endymion? Oh Goddess! He lied? I lied. It's Endymion? I told all that stuff to…" She didn't have time to complete the thought because she'd arrived at the Thrones of her Mother and future-Father-in-law. She tried rummaging about in her mind for her manners and came up empty-handed.

"Welcome, Princess Serenity. I am so glad to finally make your acquaintance. I hope your stay so far has been enjoyable?" The King spoke warmly to her.

"Your Grace," she curtsied "I am happy to finally meet you. My accommodations have been more than satisfactory, which has been very enjoyable; as for whether the stay in general has been enjoyable? Lets' just say it's been… intriguing." She shot a pointed look at Endymion.

"Well, I'm delighted to hear it, child. Let me introduce to you my son and your betrothed: Prince Endymion." The King swept his hand across the air in front of him, in what was presumably a cue-gesture for Endymion to come closer and make small-talk.

"I… um…" Endymion managed to stammer. He was still recovering from the shock. "I'm the Prince. We're going to be married. Hi."

"Well Hello, Prince Endymion. It's so pleasant to finally meet you, for the first time. Ever." Serenity wasn't sure what to say since their parents were listening. "I'm definitely not pleased with him, being as he used his guise in his favor from the looks of things. Not to mention, he's acting completely simple. Have words failed him? Oh we need an excuse to talk one-on-one."

"Right, well, you two seem to be, uh, warming to eachother? I think it's time you had a dance as an engaged couple!" With that the King gestured to the band, which had quit playing when Serenity entered the room. Music began; a waltz. Endymion at least offered his hand and led her to the dance floor. They took up the familiar stance, hands touching; Endymion with his opposite hand in the small of her back. She could still feel the sparks between them. That strange, nearly electric charge she'd felt when attempting to touch his bare chest the other night. Looking into his eyes, she saw that he felt the way she did. They started performing the steps.

"I can't believe you." She opened bluntly.

"Excuse me?"

"You lied, Endymion."

"Oh, right. Thank you for reminding me, Bunny. Hypocrisy goes both ways, you know?"

"Well, by definition, doesn't hypocrisy have to go both ways?"

"We're not here to get into semantics, are we?"

"No. We're not. What sort of stunt were you trying to pull, anyways? Trying to bend the odds in your favor with all that 'garden of love' nonsense?"

"Serenity, how could I be bending the odds in my favor when I was just as oblivious as you? Let us not forget that you pursued me, mind you. Twice you came to my room using the Crystal thingy. No, I didn't kick you out, so I'm equally to blame. However, you definitely started this. So don't act all haughty and wroth with me like I did something to make this happen."

"So all that stuff you said… was that a lie? Was that all just part of the Mamoru act?"

"Serenity… I couldn't make any of that up if I tried. Everything from how I'd rule the Kingdom of Earth, my general plans for the future, and even the hope I gave you. All of that was real. Moreso now than ever before." He couldn't stress that enough. If this Bunny wasn't just a character then he definitely meant all the things he'd said to Serenity as Bunny.

"Endymion," She wanted so much to believe him. She had been looking away, but now she looked up into his eyes. There, in their deep blue depths, she saw a raw desperation. Never before had she seen a man offer his feelings so plainly to her. How could she refuse him? "I believe you."

"You still mistrust me, though."

"For some reason, I can't shake the feeling that I still don't know the whole story."

Endymion knew. He had to tell her later about Tranquility. Right away. But only when they could truly be alone.

"That sort of news definitely demands bearing in private. She'll certainly feel bewildered and angry. I don't know how I'm going to do this. I can tell she already feels uncertain about so many things between us, and we haven't really even begun courting yet. What a sticky mess this has all turned out to be. Bother. I'll have to come up with something later. For now, we need to get past this little hurdle." He thought to himself. He tried to smile at Serenity, and he could feel how ridiculous it looked. It didn't matter to him, though. He just wanted them to be okay so they could decide about their betrothal and courtship.

"So, Endymion. What's going on in your life?" She asked in a playful tone. "I don't like the negative direction this conversation is going. I'll just have to put my mistrustful feelings aside for now. I'm sure, in time, he'll prove himself. We're still just getting to know eachother, after all. I really just want to move on with our courtship and begin our life together."

"Well, I've just found out that the servant girl who'd begun stealing my heart happens to be the woman I'm going to marry. It's a bit complicated. Maybe I can tell you about it later?" He returned, equally as playful.

She beamed. "Oh, I'd love to hear about it."

"How about you, Serenity. What's going on in your life?"

"Hm. I think I've just planted the seeds of love in a theoretical garden with my future husband. Maybe I could explain more about it at another time?"

"You'd better! I thought I was the only man in your life? Is he handsome? Strong? Clever? What's he got on me?"

"Oh he's definitely all of the above, though clever isn't one of his foremost traits. He hasn't got anything on you, though." She stuck out her tongue a bit.

"Clever not my foremost trait eh? We'll see about that."

"Endymion?"

"Yes, Princess?"

"Can we be like this always? Can we really learn eachother and grow together? Is it okay if I end up falling in love with you even though I'm clumsy and emotional and childish?"

"Serenity, I don't care about all that. Yes, we really can learn eachother. Nothing would give me greater pleasure than attempting to solve all the little mysteries of you. Growing together? Definitely. If you're so childish, allow me to help you mature. In turn you can help me to grow more childish so that I may enjoy life a little better. As for being clumsy, well, that's just part of you right? Same with your emotions. In marriage, you agree to take the person as they are for the whole of them, good and bad. So yes, even though you're clumsy and emotional it's okay for you to fall in love with me."

Serenity began to feel her knees going weak, and there was a familiar tingle in her eyes and cheeks. Things were growing blurry and she knew she was about to cry like a baby in front of the entire court. Though it wasn't her most regal choice, she couldn't refrain. The happiness that she felt in that moment was so immense she wanted to marry him on the spot.

Endymion couldn't bear it. He halted their dance, and brought both hands to Serenitys face. She defiantly focused on the ground and he knew it was because she was embarrassed about crying so easily. "Princess, please, look at me." He said in his sweetest voice. She did look up then.

Both hands still on her cheeks, he smiled at her. A singular tear streamed down her porcelain face, and with his thumb Endymion neatly swiped it away. He tried to force all his tenderness and endearment into the smile he was giving to her. She blushed and tried looking away again, trembling a little beneath his touch. He forced her head gently back to the center where she couldn't hide.

"Serenity, you are so perfectly beautiful in this moment." He whispered, barely audible.

He bent his head down and pressed his lips to hers. The crowd around them erupted in cheers, and Serenity was pretty sure her face was melting from the perfection. Endymion was so gentle, and he lingered. Slowly, she parted her lips, eager to taste his sweet breath. He too parted, and steadily began to move his tongue into her mouth. The experience was new for her, as she'd never really kissed anyone before this. She enjoyed it, though. She didn't exactly know what to do with her tongue, and awkwardly left it where it rested. He didn't seem to mind, and allowed his own to explore her mouth for another moment before withdrawing and re-applying pressure with just his lips. Serenity leaned into it, wanting this moment to never end.

Endymion had entwined his hand in one of Serenitys pigtails, and the opposite had returned to the small of her back. He pulled her in tight so he could feel her warmth. She was so soft and slight. Her arms were around his neck, hands toying with the hair on his neck. It sent prickles down his spine. He'd never felt like this during a kiss. His senses seemed more acute as he researched her mouth with his tongue. He definitely, definitely had never tasted anything so sweet in his whole life.

It had to end.

They pulled apart reluctantly. Serenity hated for it to end, but she knew they'd already hedged on an improper length of time for a public display of affection. She stood there awestruck, staring at Endymion as if she were seeing him for the first time ever.

Endymion stared back unflinching. He knew he couldn't let this go. Serenity was so precious and sweet. Even now her eyes were pleading for the kiss they knew they couldn't share again. She wanted to be with him. She really wanted to be with him. He couldn't wrap his head around the concept fully just yet, and at this moment he really didn't want to be bothered trying. He just let himself contentedly settle into the knowledge and went on sharing the gaze with his Princess. His Bunny.

-Tranquility-

From behind the curtains of the dining alcove, Tranquility had witnessed the 'magic' unfold. Suffice to say she was less than pleased. Granted, she and Endymion had definitely grown rather significantly apart in the last year or so. She was even willing to admit to her share in the blame. However…

"Just because you don't really love me anymore, and just because we don't talk anymore, it doesn't mean you can just leave off at your leisure with the newer model. Have your kiss, enjoy your little magic waltz, escort her to her room and have your quaint little courtship. I am going to allow your sweet love to grow for quite some time. When I am satisfied that you feel safe, Endymion; I will burn your whole world down."

"This means war." Tranquility said to no one in particular.