Chapter 10: 不明男 The Watcher

Even as Ami fell asleep, she could feel herself being pulled back into the life of Sailor Mercury.

Before she knew it, she was back to where her last dream left off. Ami felt herself being pulled back into the kiss with the mysterious young man. The "shadowy knight" with the sweet, soft-lips that felt too perfect to have ever been real. Yet, there she was back in that moment. His warm, lovely lips parting ever so slightly to tease her own with his tongue. To her surprise, she did not panic or resist, but tentatively responded with gentle pecks on and to the corners of his mouth. It was a soft yet dry mouth, likely due to the cold air that surrounded them.

Every fibre of her body felt alight and alive as she longed to be as close to him as possible.

She could hear the snow crunch beneath their feet as they shifted closer and the soothing bite of the winter air as it nipped at the exposed skin of her arms and shoulders.

It felt so vivid.

This had to be a true memory.

She was caught in an odd sense of limbo. Ami had come to recognise these dreams for what they were and seemed to be fully aware throughout them. Yet, she was also at one with Mercury, as she was then over ten thousand years ago. She felt every sensation she felt, like a memory rather than a conjuring of her own mind.

These have to be memories, Ami thought to herself. It was impossible not to be lost in this man's kiss. Her heart swelled. Mercury was-was I-am I in love? she asked herself. The thought of Princess Mercury and Ami Mizuno were now fully blended. They were one again in this dream, in this memory.

Who is he? Ami asked herself.

You don't need to ask, her own voice responded in reply. The voice of Sailor Mercury.

Then another feeling spread through her mind. It was guilt and fear. This shouldn't be happening. It is wrong. It is against every law on Earth and the Moon. That knowledge brought tears to Princess Mercury's eyes, and her shadow-lover recognised it immediately.

'We can't!' she croaked. 'This is wrong. It is-we can't do this anymore. We can't keep meeting each other in secret. Lying to everyone. We just… can't.'

He pulled away, cupping her face gently so as to give her freedom to pull as far away as she wished. She stayed put. His eyes were filled with anxiety and pity, and she hated it. He used his thumb to wipe away a beaded tear from her cheek. 'Because of God's Law?'

She swallowed hard.

'It's not just the Lunaerian law, or even my vows,' she quivered. Her heart felt heavy in her chest, 'It's your vows. They are so strict-'

His arms dropped to his side and Mercury immediately felt bereft.

The man then says that he knows his vow and recites it. 'I am to pledge my bodily strength and will to my Master. Never to marry, to father no children, or give my body for anyone other than my master and the Maiden.'

'Under pain of death...' Mercury muttered, eyes looking away. She feared the inevitable look of resignation in his eyes, knowing that the moment it sank in that meetings like this - being alone together with just the Earth Solace and the bitter snow - would end. Foreboding sunk in. Mercury knew the end was near. They would be doomed to lives of solitude. Water began to prickle her eyes.

Am I... crying?

It had never bothered Mercury before. From the moment she was born, she was told and trained to believe that only Princess Serenity mattered, that once she was born her love and kindness would be all she would ever need. The Queen promised her when she gifted her with Mariner Castle nearly one-hundred years ago at her birth that the joy and happiness her soon-to-be born daughter would bring would lighten the hearts of everyone in the Solar System.

Princess Serenity. For so long, her innocence and sweetness had softened Mercury's heart against the resentment felt by her own Mercurial people. Their home was long destroyed and they now existed by grace of the Moon Queen. The oldest civilisation in the Solar System, reduced to the role of servants and their sworn protector, the Sailor Senshi of Mercury, resigned to the role of a bodyguard. Powers capped and reduced. Yet Mercury did not care, as long as she could be with her Princess, Venus and the others.

That is, until now.

Now, the thought of returning to that world of blind happiness and simplicity felt more like a prison sentence. It was not because she loved the other Guardians, her princess or the Queen any less. Even now, her genuine affection for them all filled her mind. The knowledge that in this moment of agony they would comfort her was a mild reassurance. Yet, even with all of that, the thought of being parted from him forever, knowing they could never be together filled her with such sorrow and helplessness that even the thought of the Queen and her daughter could not fill that void.

I know I have to leave him, Mercury told herself. So, why can't I imagine life without him?

She dared to look him in the eyes. Though still a shadow in Ami's mind, she saw a warmth and tenderness there. In his eyes, she imagined nothing but the same love and agony she felt.

You feel the same, she thought with bitter relief. She did not want him to feel the pain she did but it was comforting just to know that he loved her too.

'I do feel the same,' he assures her.

He steps forward. Mercury feels faint. A soft hand takes hold of her chin and she looked up into those beautiful green eyes.

'That is my vow and I will honour it.' He sounds so serious that Mercury feels her tears begin to fall. She could not remember ever feeling so pitiful.

But then, he pulls her close and speaks all the softer into her ear. 'Endymion may have my body and strength... But you have my heart and soul.'

She cannot herself from wrapping her arms around him. They weave their way under his arms and she rests her hands softly on his surprisingly strong shoulders. His outline had seemed so boyish… but he had the body of a man.

As droplets freeze to her stone-cold cheeks she glances up at the Moon. Guilt seeped in, then slipped away as she felt the sweetest of kisses touch her bare shoulder as her shadow knight tried to comfort her.

I wish I was a human, Mercury lamented, squeezing her eyes shut. If only I could be human like you.

Ami awoke in tears, her face twisted in distress and the taste of salt in her mouth. What a mess I'm in, she mused. Sitting up, she reached for a tissue to dry her eyes while being acutely aware of the heaviness in her chest. She really had been crying.

Guardian Mercury, she asked herself. Why are you sending me these dreams? There has to be a reason for them now. To suddenly be dreaming of the Silver Millennium after all these years...?

Grabbing a notebook, Ami decided she would catalogue these dreams while they were still fresh in her mind. If she waited too long, certain facts would likely escape until all she would remember was the sadness she felt when she woke. As she grabbed her pen, she tried not to hesitate before scratching down everything she could recall from the scenery to the man she was with. She remembered the cold, snow, aurora in the sky and the warmth of the shadow knight's body—

Her pen stopped still.

That man, she thought in frustration. The shadowy knight. I saw his face, I know it! But... I just can't remember. And his eyes, what colour were they again?

She couldn't remember even their colour. Instead, she decided to focus on what she had remembered of the conversation. They had spoken of "God's Law" and of his vow to "His master and the Maiden". Who were they? If this was related to the Silver Millennium, it made sense that she should telephone Artemis and Luna as soon as possible to ask.

More importantly, who was that man? He had a master and, apparently, a mistress to serve. If they were on Earth, could it relate to Endymion? Mamoru hadn't been especially helpful the last time Ami called him but maybe if she jogged his memory a little...?

She closed the notebook and stared in the direction of her clock, barely registering the time of 5:57 am.

As she glanced towards her closed window, another thought occurred to her. No Phantom activity. Maybe he took Sundays off too?

Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, made stickier from her fresh tears, Ami decided it was time to get up and face the world. She had classes today. Kris, Dan... and Hugo, seeing them would make her feel better.

The sound of Hugo's name in her own head made her chest prickle with anticipation for their "date" tonight. Ami had suffered no skin irritation yet, which could only be a good sign. It was unusual how Hugo managed to cause her heart to quiver yet equally soothed her as well. It made her feel better after such a vivid dream.

Something else that would make her feel better was a nice shower. As she made her way to the shared bathroom, one of her fellow residents warned her that the water was a little cold.

She smiled and said it was fine.

After a Mercury dream, Ami always felt an urge for the shock of cold water on her body. Caught between her previous life and this one, a part of her wished she possessed the super absorbent body of a Mercurial again. Yet, as the freezing beads of water sprinkled over her, Ami was reminded how warm she was. It was this sensation that reminded her of the dream before last, how Mercury had lamented her cold body compared to the warmth of her shadow knight.

I am a human, Ami thought suddenly, holding still as her skin grew accustomed to the temperature. I am a human now.

After a light breakfast and packing her books for the day, she made her way to campus. She went over today's schedule in her head: ethnics lecture with Dr Roser, then Dr Finley for anatomy and Dr Patel for pathology.

Before she left her room, she made a conscious choice to pick up the little velvet bag that contained the Goshenite stone. Quickly, she packed it into her bag. There is no way I am leaving this thing unguarded, she told herself.

She also decided to wear her tanzanite stone necklace as well. Here's hoping you do help me study!

It would be a long day. First, university and then the museum with Hugo.

Her heart quickened.

Walking into the lecture theatre, Ami was relieved to see Dr Roser was not there yet. She expected to be asked whether Hugo had paid any more attention to her in regards to his health. While was wasn't against helping bridge the gap between mother and son, she felt it would be more suitable if Hugo confirmed his wellness to her himself. Ami paused for a moment as she ascended the lecture theatre's stairs. She hoped he was feeling better.

Raising her head, she noticed Dan was already sat a few rows from the very back, waving to try and get her attention.

'Morning, Ams!' he chuckled. 'Over here!'

Her cheeks reddened, worried he was drawing too much attention to himself. They were only two of about ten dotted about the large hall who were already there. So, his voice carried very far.

She chuckled nervously. 'G-Good morning, Daniel.'

Upon reaching the row he was in, she took a seat leaving one space between them, smiling rather than speaking.

'Ha, I love how you say my name,' Daniel remarked.

Ami bit her lip. Indeed, she still sometimes said "Daneru" rather than the correct English pronunciation. The letter "L" was still something of a tongue twister. She could say it in her head, it was just hard to vocalise.

'Oh, sorry...' she muttered.

'No, need! Like I said, I like it. It's a, whatchya call it, cute character trait.'

Ami felt neck start to itch.

That was when her saviour came along.

'Down, boy!' Kris chuckled, coming up the stairs behind Ami. Her large eyes seemed even more perfectly framed than usual by her long, dark lashes.

'Morning, sweetie,' she said to Ami before turning back to Dan. 'You know, Ami's just not that in to you.'

Ami. Everyone said her name different as well. From the moment she touched down at the airport, she had been "Aim-ee" or more specifically "Amy". Even Hugo said her name differently, saying a sort of hybrid between the English and Japanese, despite having literal access to her thoughts. He said, "Am-ee".

'Why do you always presume I want to get with people whenever I open my mouth?' Dan pouted.

Kris smirked, taking a seat, 'Oh, I'm sorry for being so judgemental.'

She cocked her eyebrow and pointed to his neck. 'Nice hickey, by the way.'

What's a "hickey"? Ami immediately wondered.

Whatever it was, it made Dan's face dye red as he started to tug the collar of his shirt up higher in embarrassment. Ami tried to see what it was he was hiding but he turned his collar up, obscuring it completely.

He glared at Kris, 'I... didn't even know it was there.'

She snorted. 'Sure ya didn't!'

Ami blinked. So, was a hickey a rash or-?

'It's a bruise.'

Her heart skipped a beat as her head snapped around to see Hugo standing there. Smirking, he continued. 'More specifically, it is when a certain person... suckles the skin, if you get my drift.'

A second later, Ami got it.

Oh, a "kissmark"! she thinks, and it is impossible to suppress a giggle. The way Hugo had said it made it sound so… sensual. It prickled her skin just to think about it.

Hugo took the seat beside her.

'At least we know you had a decent weekend, Dan.'

Her whole body felt tense and warm. They exchanged a smile before both turning to watch Kris and Dan bicker back and forth.

Hugo seemed better than yesterday, still a little grey under the eyes but overall brighter and rosier cheeked. It ignited all the same feelings she felt in his flat yesterday, the desire to be close to him or even kiss him. She took a long breath; he smelled gorgeous, too.

Oh no! she swallowed. Please tell me you didn't hear that!

Covering her mouth in shame, she glanced over her shoulder at him. His beautiful green eyes were so inviting. To her surprise, he shook his head before saying in a low whisper that triggered goosebumps.

'No, but I kind of wish I had now. You sound happy.'

Ami took in a shaky breath before smiling instinctively. She really did feel happy. Nervous, shy, excited... but happy. Her breath was caught in her chest as she thought about the evening to come, going to that museum with him. She began to wonder how on Earth she was ever going to get through the evening with her dignity intact. She needed a distraction and fast!

'How are you feeling?' she asked softly.

He chuckled, 'Heh, I'm fine. I think I've slept off the worst of it. Woke up this morning to a ton of missed messages from my mum, though. Apparently she even called Helen again to check on me and I was dead to the world—oh, um—in a deep sleep on the sofa.' It was then he noticed that Dan and Kris had finished their quarrel and were now listening to him too. He went on, 'Next thing I knew, Hel was shaking me awake "just in case I'd slipped away again". I mean, heck, am I ever gonna live it down?!'

'I think I can understand,' Ami said, her voice gentle. 'After everything you've been through, it must frighten them.'

Hugo heaved a heavy sigh but managed to regain his smile. 'Maybe, but I wish people didn't just know me as "the coma guy". Especially my own family. I've been okay for years now yet it's the first thing anyone thinks or asks about—?'

He stopped dead mid-sentence.

Confused, Ami turned her head to see Kris and Dan both regarding him with matching, bemused looks. They glanced at each other, realising they were thinking the same thing. Then Hugo's inquisitive face switched to an irritated one: 'Go on. Say it. The words are practically oozing off you both.'

Literally, I imagine! Ami thought.

'Damn right,' Hugo muttered in response.

Kris folded her arms, smiling cynically. 'Well, what are we supposed to think? Before this very moment all you ever did was get defensive about your "horizontal existence". It was our way of winding you up. Now, you're making jokes at your own expense more and more.'

'So what?!' Hugo snapped.

'So, good!' Dan smirked. 'We like it. It means you're getting over it.'

'Finally!' Kris groaned in relief.

Ami found herself smiling too. 'You used to be pretty sensitive about it,' she agreed. 'Overall, you seem so much happier than when I first met you. It's… really nice.'

He immediately turned to look at her. 'Really?'

She nodded.

Kris tilted her head, amused. 'Ah, I see. So Ami is the root of this new, improve Hugo. Interesting.'

'Mm-mm,' Dan purred in agreement.

In that moment, Ami dared not look at Hugo as she imagined his face all-pink as much as hers was and she desperately tried to keep her thoughts clear. One false thought and she could end up embarrassing them both. At least Hugo couldn't hear images, only words and sentiments.

Hugo cleared his throat.

That was when Ami felt it was safe to look. To her surprise, he seemed… serene. Their gazes met briefly before he shrugged and addressed Kris's statement. 'Well, maybe that's true. All four of us mesh well together so Ami has been an asset to us all,' and his eyes seem to gleam, 'don't you think?'

It was hard to suppress a squeal of embarrassment as all three of them murmured in agreement.

'Stop it!' she gasped. 'You're all embarrassing me.'

'Aww,' Kris cooed. 'You're blushing, sugar-dee!'

'How charming!' Dan agreed jokingly.

Hugo hummed. 'Very, very cute.'

The low pitch of his voice rumbled through Ami's body like a quake. Never before had she felt so happy and embarrassed at the same time. It was such a good feeling, and it was made all the better as she looked up into Hugo's lovely green eyes. She may well have gone on staring into them for longer than was probably proper had Dr Roser not walked into the lecture hall that moment and called for everyone's attention.

Hugo groaned. 'Well, here we go,' he murmured, now focused on his mother.

Ami smirked. It was so weird to think that those two were related.

'Now… before we begin,' Dr Roser's voice rang out, 'remember you all have a thousand-word essay due by Friday to be handed in to your lab convenors. If you haven't started on it yet, I recommend thinking about your topics during today's anatomy session.'

'Ugh, I forgot about that!' Dan whined.

'Good job she reminded you, then,' Kris said, elbowing him lightly. 'We should all think about what we each want to focus on and compare notes at the library.'

Hugo pulled out his notebook and pen. 'I took the liberty of getting us a study room for tomorrow. It'll be pretty late, though. Four-thirty to six but we'll have it uninterrupted...' he announced, then turned to Ami. 'Sorry if you think I pre-empted you. I know you were thinking of getting us space to study too—'

'Īe, um, I mean no – not at all!' Ami quickly replied, her heart quickening again. It seemed now every word made her body go into overdrive. 'I feel relieved to be doing group work again.'

'Yeah, does feel like we slacked a bit.' Kris agreed.

'Hey! I hosted a brilliant study session at my place!' Dan protested.

'Yeah, it was great,' Kris said sarcastically, rolling her eyes. 'You whined for three hours and nearly gave Hughie a seizure with that stupid video game.'

'I wasn't having a seizure!' Hugo groans. 'I was just tired.'

'That game is not stupid!' Dan complained. 'It's going to be a classic one day. The Silver Knight is. Where. It. Is. At!'

A short and awkward silence was allowed to hang in the air. 'In any case,' Kris continued, ignoring Dan's sulking, 'we tend to concentrate much better in the library. Besides that's where all the books are.' Then she glanced at Dan to add, 'We can socialise at your place, if you are so desperate to play host again. If you get comfier furnishings, that is.'

'What is it with you and hating my minimalist decoration?'

'Ahem!' Dr Roser called out, over the mutterings of her entire class. 'Yes, yes, I know you are all very excited about these essays and just can't wait to get home to start writing them but for now, let's pick up where we left off last week—'

It was a standard lecture. Ami make sure to take plenty of notes, jotting down ideas to write her essay on in the margins. She would need to have another good root-around in Bernard to see if any of them were viable. Hugo also seemed incredibly focused. Throughout the two hours, she kept glancing at him and watching as he scribbled down everything he could without even looking away from his mother or the various cells Dr Roser had put onto the projector in front of her. Half-way through the presentation Kris stopped her recorder to turn the tape it to the other side, taking advantage of a moment of quiet where Dr Roser took a sip of water. Before they knew it, it was over. It was time for their "date" with Bernard. Kris remarked that she 'thought she got the whole thing there' as she waved her tape around, Dan groaned about being hungry and wondering if he could eat half his sandwich before they had to get over to the anatomy labs, and Hugo silently rolled up another cigarette. For Ami's part, she said that she had a few ideas for what they could write about if anyone was stuck.

They had become such a tight-knit group, she realised. Her little group.

As they left the lecture hall, they were spotted by Dr Roser.

'Hugo,' she said firmly.

He tried to stifle a moan and turned to Ami and the others. 'Give me a moment.'

Ami nodded, looking over his shoulder to Dr Roser who offered her an appreciative smile. Though they hadn't said anything to each other in the end, she seemed to want to let Ami know she was grateful for yesterday.

She kept her eyes on Hugo as he walked silently over to his mother until the lecture hall doors closed and they were no longer visible.

The day seemed to drag at first, but then it suddenly sped-up in the final hour as the anticipation for her "date" with Hugo really began to sink in. Even he seemed to be affected, being noticeably clumsier during pathology and anatomy. Then, the working day ended and Ami realised that both she and Hugo had become visibly more and more nervous. Ami started to wonder whether it was really the date she was anxious about or the fact that, when they parted ways with Kris and Dan for the day, they inevitably would find out their plans for the evening. Then the teasing would begin.

Maybe if we just make our excuses without more than a goodbye, they won't have time to tease us, Ami considered, half wondering if Hugo was listening.

'I doubt it'll work,' Hugo muttered. She wasn't sure whether he was answering her or a query Dan had posed. Knowing Hugo, it was a clever choice of words to answer both. 'Kris has the eyes of a hawk,' he added suddenly, glancing at Ami, and then turning to Kris herself and pointing to the exposed sinews of Bernard's back muscle. 'Do you notice anything?'

Ami smiled. Yes, definitely being clever with his words.

Once they were outside Hugo rolled up another cigarette, his fourth that day. That was a lot by his standards and it did not escape the others.

'Gee, Hughie, you're smoking like a chimney today,' Kris scolded him lightly. 'Stressed about the essay?'

He cocked an eyebrow, patting himself down for his lighter. 'Just feeling a little strained—'

'You just got over a sickness,' Dan cut him off. 'It's a bad idea to smoke so much in one day.'

'Duly noted, Mum and Dad,' Hugo replied tartly.

Ami didn't like Hugo's smoking either but she suspected the anxiety of tonight might be playing a part in it as well. Not just because of her but because all his sisters and mother would be there too. Goodness, we are a mess!

'So, I know we're having our library session tomorrow,' Dan suddenly said, changing the subject. 'But maybe we should try and go over a few things now before we go home.'

Kris chuckled, 'Wow, you've suddenly become a little trooper, haven't you? Is this essay really getting to you that much too?'

'Look, I just want to do well!' Dan protested, then turned to Hugo and Ami. 'You two feel like coming?'

The pair looked at each other. Ordinarily, it would have been a resounding yes. It was nice to study together and being with Dan and Kris really did make it all the more fun to discuss their findings. But not tonight. They had places to be.

Guess we have to explain ourselves, Ami thought.

'So much for keeping it under our hats,' Hugo said, muffled.

'Um, what?' she replied aloud.

'I'll explain in a bit,' he whispered quickly. 'Dan, Kris… we, um, won't be able to tonight… That is, Ami and myself. You two can please yourselves but, you know—'

Kris crossed her arms, her face an unreadable mix of interest, amusement and curiosity. She glanced between the two, the "curiosity" in her starting to prevail as she realised what was going on. 'Oh, really? Are you two...?'

'Sitting in a tree,' Dan pipped up, a joke that Kris giggled at, Hugo rolled his eyes to, and Ami didn't get. A grin crept across the tow-head's face as he clarified, 'Tree being a metaphor for "dating", that is.'

Ami felt her heart begin to quicken and her cheeks start to burn as the question was finally posed to them. She looked to Hugo, seeking guidance. His expression was carefully guarded, and she realised it was on her to decide how much they told them. Well, it-it is a sort of date, isn't it? she thought to herself, taking it as read that he would hear.

'Yeah, but…' Hugo began, trailing off a little. 'Do you really want to tell them? I mean, really?!'

'Tell us what?' Kris asked in a distinctly teasing tone.

Ami sighed. 'I don't mind how we put it, if you don't mind.'

Hugo swallowed, 'I don't mind.'

Then let's just tell them.

He nodded and turned to the others. 'Okay, fine. Here's the thing: we're going out together this evening. Keep your hair on, though. We'd appreciate it if you could not make a big deal out of this. We're just going to an exhibition being thrown by my sister's sugar daddy—'

'Oooo, which sister?' Dan quizzed randomly. 'The tall one, the poor one or the ginger?'

'The ginger— I mean, Sophia.' Hugo stopped, correcting himself. 'Wait, how do you know what my sisters look like?'

'I spied a picture in your mum's office and you have a very attractive gene pool. Present company included,' Dan replied in comical lechery.

Hugo scowled, 'Haven't you ever heard that it's not a good idea to perv on your friend's sisters?'

'Come on, Hugh!' he joked. 'I was only teasing.'

'Indeed,' Kris agreed, smirking wickedly. 'And you are distracting us from the really important thing here. Hugo and Ami are going on a date.'

She flicked some of her long, dark hair out of her eyes and chuckled to herself. 'It's funny but in a way I always figured you two would pair off…'

'Saw it in your crystal ball?' Dan commented.

Kris rolled her eyes. 'Oh, ha ha ha! You're just jealous that all the pretty girls go after Hughie.'

'See that's where your wrong,' Dan protested, folding his arms. 'As far as I remember, Ami's the first girl he's ever gone on a date with. Like, ever.'

Hugo's cheeks were starting to flare. 'Dan—'

'Oh, give him a break,' Kris countered with a cheeky chortle, barely registering that Hugo had tried to speak. 'He spent most of his teenage years lying horizontally, and not in the good way.'

'Kris! I mean, bloody hell!' Hugo whined, covering his ears and looking to Ami. The insinuation of "lying horizontally" was thankfully lost in translation to her, and by the slightly sheepish look he gave her, it was better that way.

'Oh, don't be a prude! I thought you were okay with coma jokes now?'

He scowled. 'You know perfectly well that's not what my problem is with what you said.'

Kris pursed her lips tauntingly at him. It was so rare she got a chance to really run circles around Hugo and she was clearly enjoying herself.

Dan was not done, either. With a snicker he posited to Kris: 'I'd bet you my bursary this month our Hughie-boy here is still a virgin. Better be gentle with him, Ams—'

'Will you two stop talking as if we aren't here?!' Hugo snapped.

Now it was Ami's cheeks that lit-up like a stop sign about that insinuation. Funnily enough, this statement seemed to have not bothered Hugo at all, who promptly decided to end this taunting – seemingly for Ami's sake more than his own. She folded her arms shyly and forced a smile for him.

'We could,' Kris said, her eyes shining with mischief. 'But then we wouldn't get to see you squirm. You look so darn cute when you're embarrassed, Hughie. You too, Ami. You look like you just finished a two-mile jog.'

'Ugh, you're as bad as each other,' Hugo grumbled. 'Maybe you two should be together.'

For the briefest of moments, Ami caught a glimmer of panic in Dan's eyes as they flickered between Kris and Hugo. In curiosity, she tilted her head to regard him. He was usually pretty good at hiding his feelings with a flat-smile, as he was now, but his eyes revealed all following that one statement. How had she not noticed this before now?

Oh, she thought with a small smile. Now I understand.

Kris sidestepped the comment completely as if it had never been said at all.

'Come on, Hughie,' she said in a distinctly sweeter tone. 'It's like Dan said earlier, we're just messing with you. Seriously, you two, have a good night. I think it's really cute that you're seeing each other, even if you were doing it sneakily behind our backs.'

'Th-That wasn't our intention,' Ami promised, softly.

Kris offered her a gentle smile. 'Heh, don't worry about it. I don't blame you. Sorry, Ami – we didn't mean to embarrass you, right Dan?

'Y-Yeah,' Dan's voice croaked. Less than a second past and his eyes brightened again as he winked at Ami. 'Yeah, you two have fun! Don't do anything I wouldn't do.'

'Says the man with the hickey,' Kris scoffed, twirling gracefully to walk away. 'Have a good night, you pair!'

Dan dutifully span to follow her, like a loyal retriever dog. He immediately mumbled away, justifying his love bite to her. 'Look, I got a bit drunk and woke up with this. I don't even know who did it. Could have been anyone! Hell, it-it could have been you for all I know—!'

'Ha, you wish!'

As they watched them go relief spread through Ami. Finally, she and Hugo would be alone. They turned to face each other. Neither said anything but Ami could tell they were both thinking the same thing. Hell, Hugo knew they were thinking the same thing!

Let's leave them to it, Ami thought.

'I always do,' Hugo muttered in vague amusement.

Now they were alone, his posture seemed coyer as he rolled back and forth on his heels.

'So…'

'So?'

'Well, the museum is just across London Bridge so we can get there from campus in about twenty minutes,' Hugo suggested. 'Although we can take the tube, if you'd prefer?'

Ami shook her head, smiling. 'No, I'd like to walk. I haven't really been over the river yet so it'll be nice to do a bit of walking.'

'Well, you can see Tower Bridge pretty clearly mid-way,' Hugo told her. 'It'll be like a mini-tour.'

He held out his arm, offering to lead the way and Ami felt a tingling run all over her skin. To both of their surprises, though, she found herself laying her hand gently on his elbow. He froze still as she struggled to find the words she watched.

'Hugo,' she began. 'Th-Thank you for asking me to go with you. I… I don't think I would have ever had the courage to do it myself. That is, ask you to go with me to, um, somewhere.'

He gasped, then cleared his throat awkwardly.

Even Ami managed to chuckle at that. It had clearly not been his intention to gulp quite so loudly.

'Um, sorry,' he apologised sweetly. 'And I wanted to be all smooth too.'

She shook her head, 'Don't apologise. It's… kiwamete kawai.'

Mirroring his phrase from yesterday, now it was his turn to feel that light-headedness he had given her. His cheeks shone with flush and cheer as she shyly walked to stand next to him, ready to let him lead the way.

'Well, thanks!' Hugo bleated happily, slowly entwining his arm with hers. To Ami's own disbelief, she naturally leant forwards him as they walked towards the front gate. They had only just stepped onto the pavement when he quickly crouched down and indicated towards one of the side buildings. It was where the academic doctors had their offices and, right there, they saw Dr Roser talking to one of her third year students.

'We'd better be quick before my mum sees us and decides to walk with us or something,' he told her.

Ami's ears burned. Of course, she will be there tonight!

Suddenly, she tugged on his arm and made to run. He once again inhaled in wonder as she offered him a bold smile, one she was surprised at herself for too. 'Well, come on! Let's pick up the pace!'

Hugo was stunned but burst out laughing as they began to run. They kept with each other's pace and they got a few odd looks from other people – including other couples – as they rushed up the street and towards London Bridge. Only stopping to cross the road twice, before they knew it, they were standing at the long stretch that reached across the Thames. The sweet smell of caramelised nuts, ice cream and, something else… Ami looked and saw a dessert waffle stand. Those! Those were what she was smelling and it was amazing. Everything, the whole atmosphere, was a mixture of smoke, salt and sugar. A perfect description for London.

Their arms loosely slipped away from each other but Hugo caught her hand and softly led her towards the edge. As his fingers encircled her own, she was surprised at how calm she felt over all.

Hugo walked in confided, slow strides to pace himself with Ami.

He must take this route across the bridge every day - while I have seldom seen any of London since I got here, she mused.

Then, he suddenly pointed out across the river towards the bridge opposite. Ami recognised it immediately – Tower Bridge.

'Look, they're preparing to raise it, you see that big tourist boat coming up stream?' Hugo suddenly announced. 'How lucky is that? I hardly ever pass when its going up. Let's grab some waffles and watch, my treat!'

Ami's stomach growled at the prospect of that sweet-and-savoury deliciousness touching her lips. Once again, hand in hand, they walked over to the beacon of that gooey goodness. They gave them the full works, too; ice cream, melted chocolate and strawberries laid atop a piping hot caramel waffle.

'I've been to these fancy dos before,' Hugo explained to her as they walked back towards the edge, 'They never have filling food so may as well eat now.'

It wasn't the healthiest of meals, true, but the moment that dessert touched her tongue Ami regretted nothing.

'This is delicious!' she couldn't stop herself from saying.

'I know, it's great, huh?' Hugo beamed enthusiastically, looking back over the river towards the opposite bridge. 'When my parents first separated, my sister Aude used to bring us up here to talk about our feelings. Sophia would cry. Helen would try and climb up on the railing, and I would just… stare out at Tower Bridge and hope I'd get to see it lift. It rarely did. It was never the right time.'

Ami giggled.

'What?'

'Nothing, it's just,' she paused to pick the right words, 'I really like hearing these stories about your childhood. It makes you feel so… real.'

Hugo puffed out a chuckle, 'Real?'

'Ugh, maybe that isn't the right word?' she questioned herself.

In a sense, it was. For so long she had felt distracted by Hugo's face and the prospect that there might be more to him than met the eye. Now, hearing childhood stories and tales of mundanity were refreshing. Especially considering her double life as a Sailor Senshi. It was nice to remember sometimes that life wasn't always filled with monsters, magical crystals and Phantoms.

'Well,' Hugo smirked, taking a sip of water, 'I have plenty more. The good thing about being the youngest of four is that you never run out of insane sibling stories.'

'It will be interesting to meet them all tonight,' she admitted.

She had met Helen, of course, but she was looking forward to seeing what Sophia and Audrey were like.

'Well, be warned,' he said faux-ominously. 'Sophie in particular is quite a character.'

Finally, the bridge was raised and the tourist boat chugged towards it. Ami took another bite of the waffle, eyes fixed on the sight and wondered what it would be like to be on the boat going through.

'Ami, you've got a—'

Without hesitation, he reached out to gently clean away a tiny dollop of ice cream from the tip of her nose. She stared as he then licked his finger clean with a coquettish smile. It was hypnotic.

What a lovely mouth, she ruminated.

Then she realised what had transpired – as well as what she had thought – and she blushed hideously, covering her nose.

'Heh, sorry,' he said softly.

She quickly shook her head. 'No, no, don't be. I'm the one who thought something like… that—'

'Ami.'

'Y-Yes?'

'Let me make something very, very clear,' he began, his voice suddenly deep and throaty as he confessed with a dark expression: 'You never, ever have to apologise for thinking that sort of thing about me. Honestly, it's invigorating.'

Her breath hitched. The way he had said the word "invigorating". Energise, vivify, stimulate, give energy to, kakkidzukeru. How did he go from being so sweet to essentially sin incarnate in one breath? Well, Ami's idea of sin, at least. Once again, she felt the overwhelming desire to kiss him, just as she had the other day, and do… other things…

She quickly looked away. Serenity, help her! What was wrong with her?!

'Um, t-thank you then,' was all she could utter.

'No problem.'

Her heart was going into overdrive. Desperately, she tried not to think anything else too direct. Then, she glanced Hugo's to see it twisted in concentration. Her heart ached. He was clearly trying to block it out again.

The boat passed through.

'Hugo, please don't think you have to be on guard around me,' Ami said earnestly. Their eyes met, and she smiled. 'I want you to be yourself, even if it means you hear the odd thing I think. I know you can't help it and—and—well, I know my emotions and thoughts are running out of control right now. I think what I am trying to say is…' she sighed. 'I… I really like you and I'm not used to being like this.'

Hugo rubbed the back of his head, seeming desperate not to burst out into joyful, unmanly giggles. 'Well, um, thank you. It's nice to… be myself.'

'Good.'

'A-and,' he took a breath. 'I still mean what I said. I like you too.'

The bridge slowly began to close again.

'I hope that's cleared the air.'

'Me too.'

She was glad it was out there. The other day in his room, finding out about his abilities and how isolated it had made him feel, and then knowing that ever "inappropriate" thought she had could potentially be clear as a bell for him to hear – it had been a lot to take in. Yet, it forced her to admit the truth. She liked him so much and now he knew. He may have guessed before but now she had clarified what he had been hearing. It was liberating, exciting and so… un-Mercury.

'We should probably get going, then,' Ami suggested.

'Oh, definitely!'

They turned away from the bridge edge to look at the long path ahead of them. 'Well, let's finish these waffles off as we walk,' Hugo suggested. 'The NKM is yonder. Should probably get there for the opening speech seeing as I hear it'll be delivered by my possible future brother-in-law…'

As Hugo and Ami reached the other side of the bridge, passing the Monument, neither of them noticed the shimmering silver Bentley car parked to their right nearby. The well-dressed driver did not notice them either, to occupied with his cigarette to care – but the passenger in the back saw them. He knew they would likely walk this way, seeing as the NKM was so-close to their campus.

'There they are,' the man muttered under his breath.

Before he could voice another thought, his car phone rang out. He placed down a glass of sparkling wine to take the receiver, knowing immediately who it would be. 'Bernard, how are the preparations?'

'Excellent, sir. The guests should be arriving shortly and the exhibits have been displayed exactly to your liking.'

'And the pièce-de-résistance? Did it make it there safely?'

'It was a very large piece, sir, but she made it here in perfect condition. Dr Olafsson insisted we keep it covered and only unveil it at the end of his talk.'

'I thought he would. Very well, he has a wonderful flair about him.'

'As you say, sir. Such a pity you will not be here. After all the money you put into it, too!'

'It cannot be helped. I will be leaving London tonight but shall be back for the weekend. Do give my personal regards to all my guests, to Dr Olafsson, his charming fiancée and… her family.'

'That I shall, sir. I have my speech complete with your apologies in my pocket.'

The driver climbed back into the car.

'I must be going now. Be sure to run through the health and safety procedures before the guests arrive. I would… hate for any harm to come to the guests.'

'Of course, sir. I have it in hand.'

'I have every confidence in you. Good night, Bernard.'

'Safe travels, Mr Karim.'

Yes, I am back. The reason why there has not been an update for a while is pretty much down to RL struggles and concerns together with losing this chapter more than once and briefly becoming disheartened. I had to piece this together out of three separate note documents I had with the outline. It was an arduous job but I wanted to FINALLY get it out today.