Disclaimer: I don't own Sailor Moon.

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"Nothing prepared me for
what the privilege of being yours would do."
-Turning Page by Sleeping at Last

Preface:

"I can't forgive you, Usako... I'll never be strong enough to do that, I think. But I can let you go, and let go of the anger. I still love you…but if this is real, if he is your choice, I can't change that. No amount of anger can change it. I'm letting you go, letting the fury go. Just...live your life, live with the choices you've made."

There's a moment; one complete beat of time, in which there's utter silence as the two of us stand alone in the quad. My eyes find a swaying leaf, moved by the wind of Mamoru's swift departure and in that still, quiet moment all I can accomplish is watching that leaf move like a pendulum until it finally becomes motionless.

When it stops, our moment of peace breaks.

A shattering, clear realization and burning sensation fills my entire body. It's not unpleasant, this new feeling, more like the abrupt departure of something heavy from my shoulders.

This is it.

With Mamoru's last words he's given us a gift of something beautiful; the freedom to love each other without having to run, without having to hide. It shocks me to realize it, but we're essentially free.

A smile wider than the biggest ocean tugs at the corners of my mouth. I try to fight it for a moment, not letting myself revel too much in this freedom; it can diminish as quickly as it came, after all. And yet, somehow, I also know this freedom to love Seiya as wholly and deeply as I wish will not be disappearing now, not when I have it grasped so tightly in my hands.

I can feel Seiya behind me, statuesque and frozen.

I grab his hand with ease and I take my time weaving each of my fingers through his. There is time now to indulge in every touch, every word. There is shock, hurt, love, happiness, sadness, and pain radiating off of him in waves and I know this is the outcome of a situation like this; you win greatly, yet you lose much. We have each other now, but for the price of my future...

I've felt as though all of my life until now has been the course of one very long day. And now, with everything changing, the sun has finally set on this day. There's darkness for one night before the sun rises again. It's rising now, bringing with it a new day.

The dawn is finally breaking.

I turn my face to peer up at Seiya. It feels as though I have not truly seen him in so long. We have been constantly blinded by fear for too long, and now that there is finally calm after the storm, my eyes are clear and he is so much more than I remember him to be. The dark, hip-length raven hair that he keeps tied in a low ponytail and beautiful midnight eyes. His mouth is parted slightly, his eyes round as he still watches the place where Mamoru stood a moment ago, as though he will reappear at any second.

I bring a hand up and softly lay it against his cheek, putting unsaid comfort into the touch. His eyes close and his hand clasps around mine, holding it to his face. I sigh and bring him into an embrace, simply holding his ducked head against my shoulder as we stand in the quiet of the trees.

"Dumpling..." He says softly, his warm breath fanning into the crook of my neck. "I-I can't believe you're finally mine."

I blush, but a sense of long-waited fulfillment fills me deeply. "It feels good to hear that."

"It feels good to say it."

This is a moment that people say changes your life. This is that defining moment. The moment when you realize that the only thing you want, the only person you could ever want - no, need - is right in front of you.

I realize how every one of my molecules are hyper-aware of him. Every sense is completely overrun. Seiya's eyes are dark and smoldering as I gaze into them. The fingers of his right hand brush over my cheek and weaves gently into my hair, cupping the back of my neck and I can feel the warmth from the plain of his palm spread down and settle into my spine.

"I'm gonna kiss you now, Dumpling." His words warm my blood.

And he does.

His mouth descends upon mine slowly, as if he's giving me a chance to resist. The heat of his lips sends jolts of lightning through my body. Seiya slips his left arm around my waist and pulls closer, practically molding me to him. I let the fingers of both my hands entangle themselves in his soft, damp ebony hair as his tongue slips past my pliable lips.

Finally.

I tremble under Seiya's feather-light touch, his thumb caressing my cheek, his other hand moving across my back, easing the tension from the muscles until I can easily fall into his embrace.

I didn't know it could like this.

A small, wistful sigh escapes my parted lips as he slowly eases back from me. I don't want to open my eyes; I can go on for hours kissing this boy.

"You turn a pretty shade of pink, Dumpling." He chuckles, tracing a finger down the side of my hot face. I blush even harder.

My mind is racing. Though upset that I am leaving my old life behind me, there is something in me yearning to begin this new chapter with Seiya, where everything has the potential to be so much better. I'm ready for it to start now that all these loose ends have been tied.

I'm ready to start our forever.

"Seiya, I'm so glad this happened," I whisper contently.

"What?" he inquires bemusedly.

"This. Us." I say softly. "It's been hard, yes, and it's caused me and those I love enough hurt for a lifetime... But this battle has been worth the victory. If I get to stand here, holding you like this... It's definitely been worth it."

Seiya's eyes shine at my words and a smile graces his lips. "I agree. You were made for me, Dumpling."

I place a hand on his cheek, holding his eyes with my own. "I love you," I say fully and slowly, my words absorbing and embedding themselves in the nearby trees, the silence, and in the moment.

"And I love you."

There is nothing else for now. The love we have for each other is our only companion here, and it fills the small park, overpowering and rich. As I bask in this amazing feeling, I cannot help but think back on the events that have led us here...

A/N: Just an introduction to our story... :)

P.S.: Reviews are appreciated!