'When you were young'
Minako had always had an idea of what her prince charming would look like. She had whiled away hours of her childhood picturing dark hair, piercing eyes and a kind voice. He would be handsome, of course, tall and strong. When she would cry, he would hold her in the safety of his arms, and whisper sweet nothings.
It's kinda funny, she thought lightly, dazed from the blow, as she pressed her face into Rei's shoulder. She hadn't pictured a prince with curves.
"Are you okay ?" her friend asked quietly as a comforting hand threaded through golden locks.
"Y...yeah."
"Do you think you can stand?"
"Don't know." Venus replied with a pained grin. "Let's give it a shot."
Mars nodded quickly and got to her feet, holding her hands out for the blonde to pull herself up. Minako rose on shaky legs and winced as pain shot through her left ankle.
"Not good." Rei muttered, eyeing her wounded friend critically. "Get out of the fuku."
"Excuse me?" Venus replied indignantly. "I really don't think this is the time Mars..."
The fire solider rolled her eyes. "And yet you still find the strength to do that..." She shook her head and gave her comrade a small grin. "Come on. We'll attract too much attention if I'm dragging you through town and we're dressed like this."
Minako complied, gritting her teeth as the pain sunk in ten-fold.
"You okay?" Rei asked worriedly.
"Yeah." the blonde let out a shaky breath. "Just hurts a lot more without my powers to buff me."
Rei frowned as violet eyes swept their surroundings. During the battle they had ended up at an abandoned warehouse, and having dispatched the monster easily enough on their own, she didn't want to trouble the others at such a late hour. Spying a stack of decrepit pallets near the corner, she got an idea. "Hey Minako?"
"Yeah?"
"Don't kick me."
"Wha..." the blonde's words were cut short as she was quickly scooped up into deceptively strong arms and carried across the warehouse before being gently set down. Noticing confusion in crystal blue eyes, Rei smiled and spun around.
"Hop on my back."
"Huh?"
The dark haired girl threw a look back over her shoulder. "Come on. You're at the right height, and this way you don't put any pressure on your ankle."
"Oh." a light blush tinted her cheeks, and she suddenly felt grateful for the half-light.
Rei laughed. "Come on princess, or do you want to sit here all night?"
"Princess?" Minako huffed in response. "God. You're such a jerk."
"I know."
Timid arms wound around the fire soldier's neck as long legs locked around her waist, and before she knew what was happening, Rei had her up off the makeshift stool.
"Remember, no kicking."
"Like I'd want you to drop me."
"Good." Rei replied quietly as she shifted her arms and brought her hands together, locking them under the blonde's bottom.
"Whoa. You never said anything about groping." Minako teased lightly.
"Dork. Do you want to be dropped?"
"Fine. Fine." the blonde sighed. "Are you really going to carry me the whole way home?"
"Nope. I was gonna ask if you wanted to race about halfway..."
"Smartass."
"You know it." she replied breezily, making her way down one of the quieter streets.
"Hey....Rei?"
"Yeah?"
"...this is really sweet of you."
Rei huffed. "Just don't tell Usagi. She'd make me carry her everywhere."
Minako laughed quietly. "Yeah, she would. Personally, I'm starting to think I should get injured more often."
"What was that?"
"Um, nothing." the blonde murmured as she felt her face flush.
Rei fell silent as they continued the journey home, and Minakowas more than content to follow suite. Besides, it gave her plenty of time to study the girl that was always so guarded and distant. Little things seemed to become so much more noticeable, like her hair. It was wonderfully soft and smelled of light lavender shampoo, with the gentle smoky undertones of the incense burned at the shrine. The frame that was currently supporting her weight was firm and warm, toned from far too many battles.
"If you want," the fire soldier said quietly, "I can take you to the shrine, and get your ankle treated."
"Mmm. Can you make it up all those stairs Pyro?"
"Heh. As long as you don't have any snacks between here and there."
"...are you implying what I think you're implying?"
Rei laughed, and Minako could feel the reverberations from the close contact. "And what would that be?"
"Jerk."
"So I'm told."
There was just something beneath that playful banter that warmed Minako's heart, and she suddenly wished she was able to see the miko's eyes. Times like this were priceless to her, to see that glimmer of happiness in those violet pools...
Instinctively she tightened her hold, and buried her face in Rei's dark mane.
"You alright back there?" Rei questioned, worry lacing her voice.
"I'm okay, really."
"Good. Almost there."
Minako fell silent again. She had been careless. Just one stupid misstep, and here was Mars, literally carrying her home. She was rather thankful the streets were fairly quiet tonight. She managed to get enough weirdlooks on her own. Rei was moving pretty quickly, and before she knew it, the steps of the shrine loomed above the pair. Without a word, the soldier began the ascent, without a hint of complaint or discomfort, though Minako could feel the muscles of the miko's back bunching in protest.
"Do me a favor?" the dark haired girl huffed once they reached the top.
"Yeah?"
Rei chuckled. "Think you could loosen that iron grip of yours and knock on the door for me? My hands are kinda...uh...full."
Minako felt her ears burn. "Sure."
A few moments later, Rei's grandfather appeared, confusion apparent on his wrinkled features. "Rei? What's going on here? It's late."
"Ah, Minako tripped. Hurt her ankle pretty bad. Sorry we woke you up, but I needed some help."
The old man nodded quickly. "Alright. Come on, take her to your room, I'll get the first aid kit."
"Thanks." the dark haired girl replied quietly, following the man down the hall and again nodding her thanks when he opened the door to her room.
"I really don't know what you girls are doing at all hours, coming home injured all the time, but I wish you would be more careful." he chided gently as Rei carefully deposited the blonde on her bed.
"I'm sorry." Rei murmured, and Minako could swear she saw a flicker of guilt in violet eyes.
"And your friend! What is such a beautiful girl doing out so late?"
Minako laughed nervously.
"Thanks Grandpa. I think I've got it from here." Rei cut in, the warning evident in her tone.
"What a pity, damaging such lovely legs..."
"Grandpa!"
"Okay, okay." he laughed. "I always thought the first one you'd carry over the threshold would be a boy, but whatever makes you happy."
"Grandpa!!" the fire soldier admonished, her cheeks flaming red.
"Wait," Minako interrupted. "why would Rei carry a boy over the threshold?"
The old man's eyes gleamed. "She's such a firecracker. Can you imagine Rei letting a boy carry her?"
"Hey! Stop encouraging him!" Rei fumed. "And Grandpa, think you could get that kit?"
"Yes yes." he replied with a wave of his hand, leaving the room.
"Ugh." Rei groaned tiredly.
"I think he's sweet."
"You would."
"He means well."
The dark haired girl sighed. "I know. I just don't understand why everyone feels they have to go out of their way to tease me."
"Because you're so cute when you're flustered?" Minako offered, flashing her a million watt smile.
"Must be."
"Here's that kit." Grandpa cut in. "I hope you feel better Minako. Be more careful, and keep an eye on Rei for me. She sometimes doesn't know when to stop."
Rei grinned. "Must run in the family."
********************
"There. How does that feel?" Rei asked quietly, adjusting the ice pack as she elevated the blonde's injured foot.
"Much better. Thank you."
"Good. It doesn't look broken. Sprained badly, but nothing too serious." the dark haired girl replied, shifting herself towards the edge of the bed.
"Wait." Minako breathed, catching her wrist.
"Hm?"
"What you did for me today was really sweet. Taking care of me like this, it's not a side of you I get to see very often."
"Well, I care about you. Was I supposed to let you suffer?" something indiscernible flickered in her eyes, and Minako felt her heart somersault.
"I mean...you went out of your way..."
"Don't be a dork. We're supposed to take care of each other."
"I know but..."
"Stop." Rei said gently. "Just rest. I'm going to clean up a bit."
"Okay."
The fire soldier rose to her feet. "Need anything?"
"I'm okay."
Rei tucked obsidian locks behind her ears and leaned down, dropping a kiss on the blonde's forehead. "Just be careful. You scare me sometimes."
Minako could only stare up at her, face flushed, as she stammered out something unintelligible.
"I'll take that as a yes?" Rei teased, a soft smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.
The blonde could only watch in stunned silence as the miko left the room, her mind whirling in a million different directions. She had always wanted a prince, with a kind voice and a gentle touch. Granted, the person currently responsible for the butterflies she was experiencing looked a little different from her childhood daydreams, but she spoke and acted with her heart, which is what Minako had always imagined as a little girl.
The goddess of love sighed, and draped an arm over her eyes. "Great. I'm in trouble."
----------------------------
Notes!
Song : The Killers - When you were young
I should really be working on my other story. SHAME!