A/N: Still don't own Sailor Moon.
Special thanks NeverKnew!


2-3 "Your Arms Around Me"

She was getting beat up and there was nothing she could do about it.

Giving up, she looked over at the rejoicing girl sitting cross-legged next to her on the fleecy carpet. She smiled fondly at the blonde's display of glee and happiness. Her controller laid forgotten in her lap as Minako's avatar pummeled her own character against a pillar.

"PERFECT," an echoing voice exclaimed.

Mina turned to face Makoto with a victory gesture and a toothy grin. Then she winked, brought her hands together in front of her and bowed her head. "Sorry, Mako-chan. But I really, really, really had to try this combo. It's so awesome!"

"What a bad way to thank me for preparing your favorite food, Minako-chan!" In truth, she couldn't care less.

Minako raised her head and stuck her tongue out, scratching the back of her head in attempt to appear coy. "I'm so sorry! ...how can I make it up to you?"

"About that," Makoto licked her lips and leaned forward, "I might have an idea..."

A sharp pain from her ribs yanked Makoto out of her dream.

She groaned sleepily. Well, it wasn't a dream until the last part. After Makoto had called Minako and invited her to her place, it had taken the blonde less than fifteen minutes to appear on her doorstep. The evening had been delightful, to say the least. After realizing, she had no idea how to move on otherwise from here, Makoto had felt content just to have Mina. To have her there, treating her to her favorites, spoiling her and having her to herself alone – she found herself wanting to simply cherish Minako's presence and their togetherness, more than to pursue her earlier musings. But obviously, her subconsciousness wasn't quite on that same page.

She remembered the moment from her dream, that in reality ended with herself laughing it off and asking Minako for a re-match, when something kicked her shin. She blinked and shook off the remains of her dream, forcing her senses to awareness.

A wince. Quiet sobbing and a breathless plea.

Minako.

The blonde's body twisted restlessly in her sleep. In an instant Makoto sat up in her bed. Next to her, the shaking form beneath the blanket whimpered. In the pale light, that shone in from between her bedroom window's blinds, she could see golden locks sticking against the damp skin of the sleeping girl's forehead. Her eyes were squeezed shut in agony, her brows furrowed, her breathing rapid. Makoto had a very clear idea what the girl was dreaming of. Helplessly she watched Minako relive some of the most painful experiences in her life.

A desperate cry. A tensed up quiver. Frantic hands cramping at bedsheets.

Makoto felt her heart break.

With slight remorse, she leaned over and carefully pulled Mina into a light, gentle embrace, caressing her along the way, cooing reassuringly into her ear to soothe and shoo away the horrid memories that haunted the smaller girls' sleep.

After a few moments, Minako's flinching faded, her breathing was still quickened, but slowly and steadily turned into choked sniffs and occasional gasps. The girl in her arms was waking up.

Makoto could still feel the stubbornly remaining tenseness in the blonde's shaken body. It reminded her of every single one of her own nightmares. And the horror and agony, the pain and distress they left in their wake. The feeling of helplessness and loneliness.

Only half aware of what she was doing, Makoto tightened her arm around Minako and pulled her on top of her to be able to hold her in a close, warming hug, both arms around the precious, yet so badly battered form. She wanted nothing more than to protect the sobbing girl that desperately clung to her, give her comfort, make it right.

She held Mina against herself, the blonde's head settled against her neck. She caressed her back and shoulders, hushing soft, calming sounds to the girl. Affectionately she turned her head, tenderly nuzzling her cheek against Mina's forehead.

"..is okay. I am here..."

Before she knew it, her lips touched Minako's forehead and she found herself enjoying a waft of a warm, sweet scent. Inhaling it deeply, her lips still lingered close to the smooth, warm skin. Mako squeezed her eyes shut, regaining her focus.

" ..I got you..."

Finally, Minako's muscles relaxed under her gentle strokes and Makoto let her consoling whispers fade to a soft incoherent purr. She felt Mina's cheek against the skin of her neck, and realized the girl was now smiling. *Yeah, that's more like it.* She smiled as well, as she pictured the now content expression on Minako's features. She let her fingers run along the blonde's spine, up, and down, then fondly buried one hand in her neck, gently massaging some knots away. *Smiling Mina is how Mina should be.*

Makoto couldn't help but to feel good. Very good indeed. Makoto wouldn't have wanted to be anywhere else. She could feel the rise and fall of Mina's breathing, feel her warmth, smell her scent... She felt Minako shifting ever so slightly, slowly returning and tightening their embrace, effectively bringing their bodies even closer. Very, very close...

*Huh.* Makoto blinked. As much as she did enjoy the closeness, Makoto couldn't quite shake the feeling, she was taking advantage of the situation. Mina had just had a pretty bad nightmare and been starving for comfort. No, this wasn't right... Taking a slow, calming breath, Makoto carefully tried to move around beneath the other girl, searching for a slightly less compromising position.

Some bundled up bedsheets had gotten in her way to settle back more comfortably. She arched her back, attempting to get them out from beneath her - in the process unintentionally pressing her chest against Mina's. She froze. She could feel the smaller girls' strong, quick heart beat against her own. An overwhelming sensation.

And an unasked for thought popped up in her mind. *Is her heart still beating from her nightmare? Or, does she maybe enjoy this as much as I try not to...?*

Mina began to shift as well, pulling her head slightly away from the warm curve of Makoto's neck.

The question burned on Makoto's mind. She needed to know. Now.

Carefully, she loosened her hold on Minako's neck, giving the girl the freedom to pull away further if she wanted to. In a swift, gliding motion she cautiously continued to draw her hand back, until her fingertips reached the tip of Mina's chin. Holding her breath, Mako prepared herself for whatever she was going to find, as she gently guided Minako to face her.

When their eyes locked, she had been worried to find sorrow, pain or – worse! – objection. But she couldn't find any of these emotions in Mina's gaze. Instead, there was an unexpected haze of insecurity, some kind of inner conflict and a questioning demand.

Makoto let her fingers gently brush against the soft, warm cheek, wiping remains of half-dried tears off the pretty face. She regarded her with gentle eyes. *What is it, Mina? What do you need? I'll give you anything.*

Then, Makoto's heart skipped a beat.

As if a curtain had been lifted, Minako's expression had changed. And now, beyond a hint of shyness, these wonderful, baby blue eyes only held one simple but very strong emotion...

Mako felt a tentative touch against her cheek. Mina's eyes followed the motion, holding a fascination within them, that mirrored Mako's own enchantment as she herself let her own fingertips wander along Mina's jawline again.

She cupped the blonde's cheek carefully with her hand and felt Minako nuzzle light and softly into her palm, a content smile adorning her Venus' features. Their eyes met again and Makoto felt her own smile spreading. She had never felt happier in her entire life. *Me too, Mina.*

Closing the gap between them, Makoto drowned in the sensation of Minako returning her kiss.