Keisuke jolted forward with a start, a chill running down his spine as the cool air seemed to hiss against his newly exposed overheated skin. Automatically his eyes sought her out and he was relieved to see her slight figure still curled up beside him, alive and whole. Her body was hidden by the covers but he knew she slept on her stomach with her arms held protectively against her chest, as if to shield her heart from the world.

It was a new habit.

Venus had never previously had any reason to fear. Unfortunately Minako was not as naïve.

He turned away, careful to only move his upper body so as not to wake her, although he was surprised that she hadn't awoken already. Then again, Minako hadn't been trained from birth to be ready at a moment's notice like Venus had.

But then again, neither had he.

Keisuke had always imagined that was something that had carried over from his days as Kunzite. Reincarnation aside, Keisuke had not changed much over the years. If anything he was a little more cautious, a little less comfortable socially but otherwise the same. The only real change was now he never felt truly at peace in a room unless he knew there was more than one way out. Which is why he had chosen an apartment where his bedroom had a balcony.

Minako had argued that normal people wouldn't find jumping from a balcony as a viable option, but they weren't anywhere close to normal so her point was moot. Not that she would be satisfied with such an answer.

Keisuke allowed the slightest of chuckles to escape his lips as he looked back down at his personal sleeping beauty. She would always be stubborn that one.

He was grateful that she hadn't seemed to change much either. She merely seemed more herself. But she had always been adaptable, able to play any role necessary on demand. It was what made her such a good leader.

Still…there were moments where her laughing blues eyes would turn solemn and she would search his gaze for something only she knew. This too was a new habit, one he knew tied back to his days under Beryl and Metallia's control. He knew this because sometimes he searched in the mirror as well.

Another shiver passed through him, this time not from the cold.

It seemed that neither of them had escaped the past without gaining a few new quirks. Their friends weren't much better. Not that they were bad per se but they had obtained new habits that most people would have considered odd.

Like Nao sniffing everything.

He was never obvious about it but before he ate or drank anything, he always gave a discrete sniff followed by only the smallest of bites or sips. It was only after being satisfied that everything was as it should be, that Nao would indulge himself and shovel every last bit into his mouth.

Keisuke supposed it was to be expected. Beryl had literally drugged him to her side. Before Nephrite could recover, she had forced him under her spell. A man didn't return from that without being slightly paranoid.

Jadeite on the other hand had been immobilized. Tied down so tightly that he couldn't even flinch as the dark energy hit him and coursed throughout his body. It was why Jun now hated to be restricted. He could handle crowds for the most part but tight clothing, ties or watches always made him twitchy after a while. Most often in those cases his hands would find something to play with. Be it a pencil, his pocket blade or any random item he could get his hands on.

Satoru had reasoned that it was a subconscious desire to remain armed in some way and neither man had felt it necessary to confirm. It seemed they all felt a compulsion to stay one step ahead of disaster in one way or other. Although the only new habit Keisuke found annoying was Satoru's.

He had always been sneaky, able to move with a cat-like grace and his slender build had allowed him to slip into places the other men couldn't follow as easy. However in this life, Satoru seemed intent on outdoing himself. Where before there had been a slight padding of footsteps, now there seemed to be none. The man could slip in and out of a room with not even Keisuke the wiser. And every now and then Satoru would pretend to forget something. And it could only be pretend because Keisuke knew the younger man had a near photographic memory. It was as if he were testing his audience or attempting to catch them in a lie.

Satoru had never mentioned how he had been caught but most likely he had been tricked by someone in disguise. Perhaps even now he was waiting for one of them to slip, exposing him to the darkness once again.

"Keisuke?"

He turned towards the quiet voice, and saw tired but knowing blue eyes staring up at him, and knew she wouldn't be going back to sleep any time soon.

With a silent sigh, Keisuke pulled his lover up into his arms, settling her onto his lap, without bothering to answer. He had no desire to relieve his past for a second time that night and she would be angry if he tried to lie. Not that he blamed her. There had been enough lies in the past to last him a life time. Even if it was for both of their own good.

Still, she was not the kind of woman to settle for "It's nothing," or "I'm fine" and he wasn't surprised when he heard her soft voice calling him from his thoughts again.

"Nickle for your thoughts?" she mumbled against his chest, and Keisuke realized that he had been squeezing her tighter than he realized. He loosened his grip immediately and moved to rest his head on top of hers, breathing in the heady combination of jasmine and peach blossoms that was her scent.

"I believe the phrase is 'penny for your thoughts.'"

"Yes but you don't speak much so yours are worth more," she argued, earning a small chuckle from the otherwise brooding man and forcing him to tease her in response.

"Would yours be worth a half-penny then," He replied drily, "because you talk so much?"

His eyes danced in amusement at the angry garble that rose out from her throat.

"I'll have you know mister," Minako muttered, one slender, manicured finger jabbing him in the chest, "that I have millions of followers biting at my ankles just to hear my opinions on any subject!"

"How fortunate I am then, to be given such a precious commodity for free."

"That's right! And don't you forget it," she huffed, throwing her hair back with her haughtiest expression.

She was adorably ridiculous.

Keisuke refrained from chuckling, knowing that it would only rile her more, and instead opted to press an apologetic kiss to her forehead, smiling inwardly when she turned to reciprocate the gesture with a more intimate kiss of her own.

They stayed that way for several long minutes, a tangle of strong and soft legs intertwined and fingers buried in hair while soft lips trailed along hot skin oh so slowly…

It was with more than a little disappointment that he felt her pull away from him first. He would have more than willingly continued such activities for hours…but the goddess in his arms seemed to have other ideas.

With one last lingering kiss she leaned back, biting her bottom lip in a way that made it difficult to resist pulling her back to him. He shifted and leaned in closer, his eyes lingering on her lovely mouth even as he watched her lips turn up in a teasing smile.

"Tell me what's wrong and I'll promise to kiss it and make it all better," she purred, her mischievous eyes sparkling in the darkness.

"I'll be much better if you promise to kiss me all over instead," he growled, pulling her closer. He managed to resist kissing her, knowing she wanted to talk, but couldn't stop himself from nuzzling the crook of her neck and taking in another deep breath of her scent. He loved immersing his senses in her, loved feeling her in his arms with the smell of jasmine and peach blossoms all around him while his ears took delight in the deep throaty laughter that he had provoked. It was a new habit for him, though one he had always wished to indulge in in the past.

"I'll do that and more," she promised, kissing him on his shoulder while slipping her arms around his bare chest, "but first tell me what's wrong. Bad dreams?"

Keisuke huffed into her hair, not liking how childish her words made him sound. He chose not to deign it with a response.

"Oh don't be like that. You know what I mean."

He did but that didn't mean he had to like it.

"Keisuke…"

She practically growled his name and he recognized it as the tone she used when she refused to back down. Stubborn woman.

He sighed and gave in just a little.

"It was the usual."

"Oh? Then why did you seem so thoughtful instead of your usual hardness?" she asked him, pulling away to get a better look at his face and exposing him once again to the chilled air.

Keisuke frowned, not having realized she'd been awake long enough to notice that. It seems she had watched him for longer than he'd original expected which would make persuading her back to more pleasurable pursuits all the more difficult.

He sighed, a silent surrender, and tugged her back into his embrace.

Damn woman.

"I was contemplating how we've all changed since then…the new habits we've picked up," he told her after another moment had passed. "Like how Jadeite is always fiddling with knives or how Nao insists on sniffing his food."

"Yeah that's just weird. Mako-chan gets totally insulted too."

"It's not just her—"

"Oh I know," Minako giggled, and he knew she was imagining Makoto's furious face, "but that's how she shows her love, you know? Stuffing people with food, goddess bless her."

"Does she…"

"Know why he acts that way?" she finished for him, and he nodded, rubbing his cheek against hers. "Not at first, but after a while...well it's not like she doesn't have her own habits."

"Oh?"

"Yeah, she's never out right said so but I can tell every time she meets someone new she's imagining the quickest way to take them down. It's the way her eyes move."

"That's not a bad habit to have," he murmured, after all…that was something he did too.

"Noooo," she chuckled, and Keisuke just knew that she was laughing at him. "But it's not something she used to do. She was always so sure of herself and of her own strength but now…"

"But now she knows that strength doesn't always determine the winner."

"Exactly."

He nodded, knowing that lesson well. Fortunately he had never had to learn the hard way. Absently he placed another kiss on her cheek.

"I see. And what of the others? I can't imagine Mizuno-san thinking so ruthlessly."

"No…not really…with Ami it's different. It's like… " she drifted off, her fingers gently tapping against his shoulder as she tried to organize her thoughts.

This was an old habit of hers although one she used to rarely partake in. Venus had always controlled her responses in front of others, even one like tapping her fingers. As Minako she did it more often now, but only when not under the guise of Sailor Venus. Secretly he suspected it was because she liked the sound of her nails tapping against various surfaces.

"I guess it's more like she's knowledge hungry," Minako said at last. "More so than usual. Any new variable has to be researched and considered at all angles, it doesn't matter how small. I mentioned wanting to try a new restaurant that just came out and a minute later she had every article and review that ever mentioned it. I'm surprised she hasn't succumbed to information overload yet."

Keisuke was surprised too. Even he thought that seemed a bit much and he had a habit of long hours at the office.

"I know," she continued, recognizing the frown on his face for what it was. "But that's not all. I'm not sure when she finds the time but she's constantly working on new gadgets for Senshi use when she's not busy studying new things to death. She's even made a small device that clips on to her watch or belt or whatever that will make a slight beep if it picks up on any negative energy readings. She carries it around with her everywhere. Not that that's not useful. We should all wear one but still…"

Minako cringed slightly and he could tell she was worried about her friends. The constant battles over the years had certainly taken their toll. He only wished he had been there to help or at the very least that he hadn't been the reason she had awaken so early, but all he could do now was try to make up for lost time.

She hummed slightly, drawing his attention back down to where she laid in his arms and he watched appreciatively as she stretched, her breasts initially pressing against him as she arched her back farther and farther. When she had stretched far enough she dropped onto the mattress with a satisfied grin and propped her feet up against the wooden headboard.

He smiled at her childishness and grabbed the foot closest to him, placing it into his lap. Methodically he began rubbing his thumb in small circles taking care to maintain the pressure just the way she liked it.

"Can we make this a new habit?" she begged, groaning at how sore her foot had unknowingly been, "Because I could really get used to this."

"And risk you growing spoiled? Not a chance."

"Most men like to spoil their women, you know."

I'm not most men," he reminded her.

"Believe me; I'm well aware of that."

Keisuke chuckled, knowing that this was not a time that she was pleased with that fact. But that would change, and soon if he had his way. He finished up the foot in his lap and moved it to the side before reaching for her left foot and starting the process all over again.

"You really are good at that," Minako grumbled a few seconds later. She threw her arm over her eyes and sighed in exaggeration before mumbling so quietly that Keisuke had to strain to hear her.

"What was that?"

She sighed again, this time in a more disgruntled fashion.

"I said I'm worried about Rei."

Keisuke halted his ministrations, momentarily confused by her comment. He had assumed Hino-san to be one of the better adjusted members of the group and now Minako was implying otherwise. Had he missed something? He frowned but resumed massaging her foot while waiting for her to explain.

"She doesn't trust people. Or at least, she doesn't trust anyone new. Ever. Not since Galaxia."

"Well that's hardly a new habit. Mars never trusted anyone in the past."

"This is different," she huffed, shoving herself up by her forearms in order to glare at Keisuke, "Besides, you were soldiers from a forbidden planet. Of course she wouldn't trust you five easily! But at home or on the moon, Mars was much more accepting and she was certainly never prejudice like how she is now."

"What do you mean?"

"Well it hasn't been easy for her in this life." Minako admitted, dropping back down on the mattress and resuming her previous pose. "Her mom died young and her father dumped her at the shrine to live with her grandfather. And while her grandfather's great…it seems like her whole life has reinforced this idea that men can't be trusted."

"I see," Keisuke muttered, raising a single brow as he finished massaging her foot. "While I might have issues with this, I hardly see why you're more worried about her than the others."

"But that's just it! It's not just the men anymore! She doesn't trust anyone new. Male or female!"

Minako pushed herself into a sitting position, tucking both feet beneath her, and turned her troubled gaze on him.

"She's begun isolating herself at the shrine and refuses to go out to anywhere but school and the arcade. And the way she prays at the fire all day…" Minako shivered, "Rei used to only pray every morning, unless she was scrying for enemies, but now…now it's gotten unhealthy. It's like she's fading away and there's nothing I can do about it."

"You could always order her to stop."

An indelicate snort told him exactly what she thought of that idea.

"Right, I'll do that right after I tell Makoto to add more salt and Ami not to study." Minako shook her head, allowing several blonde strands to fall forward as she imagined doing as he suggested. "Even if I pulled rank, I'd have to watch her like an eagle. She'd just brush it off and tell me she's fine, when she's clearly not."

Keisuke, who had been listening to her carefully, felt a small tug at the corner of his lips at her mangled expression. This too was a new habit, one, he wondered at times, if she had started on purpose to lighten the mood until it became second nature for her to do so. She was too pop culture savvy for him to believe otherwise. He could never pull off such a thing himself but perhaps he could still relieve her worries in other ways.

"If it's any comfort, Hino-san seems less distrustful of Jun than the rest of us and we were once enemies."

"You were under mind control," Minako corrected.

"Be that as it may," Keisuke smiled, his heart surging at she came to his defense, "Perhaps we can take this as a sign that things aren't so bad, and that with time she'll return to her former…" he paused, searching for the right word.

"Aloofness?" she offered.

Her eyes were sparkling again and Keisuke knew she was teasing him. He smiled once more and leaned closer, lifting one hand to trail through several strands of her long hair.

"Aloofness," he agreed, pulling her towards him for the fourth time that night. He laid a kiss on her forehead before moving down to leave another on her cheek.

"I suppose it was impossible to remain entirely unaffected," he murmured, now kissing along her jaw line, "At least our prince and princess remain unchanged."

He pressed another kiss just below her ear, eliciting a small giggle from the woman. Smiling a bit more smugly, he began to trail his lips along her delicate neck.

"Are you kidding me?" He heard her giggle again, "They can't keep their hands off each other. It's like they constantly need reassurance that the other is ali—ah."

Her words were cut off with a gasp and after a few moments Keisuke brushed another kiss against the newly bruising skin.

"I seem to recall," he told her, his lips now on the inside of her wrist, "them being similarly attached at the hip before."

His gaze flickered towards her and he was pleased to see her light blue eyes had darkened, drawing him in. For the moment he resisted the lure and instead placed a kiss in the center of her palm, watching as her eyes began to burn in intensity.

"No," she purred, inching closer, "It's much worse now."

Her fingers trailed down his bare chest, giving him pleasant shivers as her nails grazed his skin lightly. He leaned in closer, her pert lips filling his vision, and slipped his arms around her waist as she continued moving towards him.

"They were love sick then," she told him, "addicted to each other. But now," she paused millimeters from his lips before dragging her own to brush against his cheek until she reached his ear and whispered.

"Now they're desperate, like drowning men holding onto salvation."

"Perhaps you're right," he admitted, his fingers coming up to tangle in her hair as his lips ghosted down her neck a second time. A single deep breath and he felt his senses being submerged in her sweet perfume. "Perhaps I'm too busy drowning myself, to see others suffering the same affliction."

"Still suffering? Didn't I promise to kiss it all better?"

He smiled, his eyes glinting in the darkness as he lowered her to their mattress.

"Oh no," he whispered, "This is one torture I'd prefer not to go without."

A cheeky grin flashed across her face stirring the well of emotions that he usually kept sealed. He could very well drown in them if given the chance, though perhaps finding his own salvation would be an effort worth drowning for.

"If you must make a habit of torturing yourself," she breathed, pulling his head down towards her, "Just don't forget to hold on."

I know, I know. This is not SW. And for a long time I believed in punishing myself by not writing anything unless I was working on that. But then...then I just never wrote anything and that just made it harder. So instead I'm just gonna do what I please (though I promise the update will be coming soon). That said, I hoped you enjoy this! B