Disclaimer: I realize I didn't write the story anyone expected and there are questions.
Serenity did not believe she had a soulmate. She was opposed to the idea of soulmates because Aphrodite said, "it has to be this way." She wanted to fall in love despite not really understanding what that meant. Endymion wanted choose as well.
Both were fighting it but Endymion stopped fighting because he knew it was more than just fate pulling them together. Serenity realized despite her earlier beliefs, she wanted Endymion regardless of the bond.
Did Endymion have a past? Sure. Does that mean he had sex with Beryl and caused chaos? Not necessarily her. That was a conversation, regarding how careful he is. Beryl would be consumed with Endymion regardless.
As for the interactions between the characters to show the slow burn and fall. Y'all, I can't write 40 to 50 chapters on the looks exchanged between them and how they experienced a wicked exchange saliva and Serenity goes to gush to Rei and Minako who giggle furiously only for Kunzite to overhear and report the gossip back to Endymion who becomes furious that Serenity shared such intimate details of the steamy exchange.
Authors pick and choose what they share and the rest is left to the imagination. If you want allegory and flashbacks to events not explicitly detailed in the main storyline, then I'll add them and label them as bonus chapters and move chapters around.
Serenity was helped to her bed chambers by her mother and Ami while the Shitennou and Endymion began scouring the battlegrounds for injured and ensuring they were given proper medical care.
Selene had given Rei and Minako some authority to see to the repairs and maintenance of the courtyard since Rei's wedding is around the corner.
Servants and others moved rubble. As it turned out, while the main horde attacked the front gates and the surrounding village, there was a smaller horde who managed to leave the courtyards in disarray to Rei's horror.
Makoto left the two women to hurry into the kitchens and help prepare dishes for the reception. The chef and kitchen scullions appreciated the help she offered them.
"Rei, this event will be perfect, stop looking so sour." Minako assures the fiery Martian.
Rei sighs and slumps her shoulders forward, "This place is a mess."
"We will get it cleaned up. Stop worrying." Minako reassures her as she pushes her long blonde hair behind her shoulder and walks over to the nearest pile of rubble and begins helping clear it away. "If you stop sulking and help, it will be done much faster."
Minako's words earned a scowl but Rei knew she was right and joined the rest of the servants to get the work done much faster.
Both girls helped move rubble and anything broken as the day wore on them. Minako found herself atop several trees, removing lost spears and remains of other unidentified weapons. Rei grabs a broom and begins sweeping the dust and broken shards of glass and splintered wood away from the double doors leading into the ballroom.
Eventually the Shitennou and Endymion returned to the courtyard and offered their help, except for Kunzite who excused himself to meet with Selene and Ami.
Rei grabs Jadeite's hand and pulls him close, wrapping her arms around him. He in turn wraps his arms around her.
"Still in a hurry to marry?" He asks.
"We've waited so long." Rei reminds him, leaning her head against his chest and closing her eyes. "Honestly, I'm tired of waiting for everything to be perfect."
"I'm sorry, what?" Minako gasps walking closer to the cuddled couple standing aside from everyone else. She wipes the beads of sweat from her furrowed brow as she frowns at Rei.
Rei opens an eye and sighs once more, "I said we should just have the ceremony here, right now and to hell with it being perfect."
"What about your wedding dress?"
"Who cares. I can give it away to someone on Mars."
"Makoto is still helping in the kitchen. They won't be done for another hour."
"Then it looks like we will have a nice dinner. Invite everyone." Rei says straightening up but still holding on to Jadeite. "Life is too short, Minako."
Minako opens her mouth once more but words evade her and she turns around and walks off, muttering something like, "I suppose I'll break the news to everyone else."
Serenity purses her lips and stares at the small feline sitting in front of her bedroom door, effectively blocking her exit.
"Luna, I need out."
The small black cat just blinks and keeps her tail sashaying back and forth much to Serenity's dismay.
"Mother did not tell you to keep me inside my bedroom. Her words were to make sure I cleaned up." Serenity reminded her friend. Unfortunately for her, Luna did not budge.
When the three women arrived to Serenity's chambers, Ami immediately rushed to her ensuite bathroom and filled the tub with warm water while Selene helped her into the bathroom and undress.
She wasn't completely covered in bruises but she was filthy from fighting Metalia and falling down.
Once in the bath, Serenity leaned back and relaxed, feeling at peace.
After they were convinced Serenity wouldn't fall asleep in the bath, they left her to freshen up and meet with Kunzite in the main operations room of the Palace. Selene gave strict orders to Luna to watch the doors so Serenity could freshen up in peace.
Luna followed her Queen's orders without hesitation and to the annoyance of the Princess.
Serenity huffs and crosses her arms over her chest. She decided to wear a knee length, silver, sleeveless dress. The weather definitely permitted it. Serenity wants to leave her chambers and find Endymion once more. She wants to make sure her friends aren't suffering from injuries they weren't telling anyone about.
Maybe that's just me hiding injuries so I leave the medic wing quicker.
Finally relenting, Luna steps to the side and eyes Serenity carefully. "Thank you, Luna!" Serenity stoops down and scratches her behind the ear before hurrying out the bedroom doors. Once in the hall, she rushes to the stairs and downward, her bond to Endymion leading the way.
Upon entering the empty ballroom, Serenity stops and looks around. She expected to be greeted with festivities, tables being set up, and decorations. Instead, nothing. The chandelier is the only light in the grand room and the doors leading outside are propped open due to Makoto leaning against them.
"She what!? After all this damn fussing?!" Makoto shouts in disbelief.
Serenity tilts her head, confused at Makoto's outburst but doesn't move. Aren't they supposed to be getting ready for Rei's wedding? Mother said she would officiate tonight.
"We bought those damn dresses and she kept whining about her special day being perfect and now she wants to get it over with?"
Serenity frowns and walks over to the doors upon hearing the news. She knew what that meant; Rei changed her mind. Did so much really happen that Rei decided she had waited long enough?
The brunette turns and looks to her left as she hears someone approaching from inside, "Serenity!"
"What are you all talking about?" She asks placing her hands on her hips.
"Rei is ready to get married right now." Minako explains, "She said life is too short."
She stares at her two friends without a word. Silence passes between them. Minako and Makoto share a glance before returning their gaze back to Serenity.
"Rei is right. Life is too short to worry about everything being perfect. I know she wanted it and you both know it too, but look at what happened here today. We should be supportive. Minako, go find my mother and I'll see to everything else."
"When did you get so...mature?" Minako asks, stunned by Serenity agreeing with Rei's assessment.
"Close encounters with death can do that, I suppose." Serenity shrugs and walks outside.
The wedding was indeed nothing fancy at all.
Serenity and Ami found silver and gold ribbons and lined a path with it. At the end stands Selene and several Candelabras lighting the area. They found a several pieces of broken stone and used them to place vases of different flowers on.
Kunzite and Zoicite placed the chairs on either side of the makeshift aisle.
Minako fixed the rings on both Artemis and Luna, Rei liked the idea when she mentioned it.
Rei did ask Michiru, Sailor Neptune if she would join them and play something on her violin. The Senshi of deep waters happily agreed and arrived only moments ago with Setsuna, Hotaru, and Haruka.
Endymion watches them from afar and grabs Kunzite as he passes by, "Is the small girl in purple and black, Hotaru?"
"Sailor Saturn? Yes."
"She's a runt." He whispers to Kunzite who cringes in return. Both men turn to see Serenity greeting the taller women before kneeling and hugging Hotaru affectionately.
"She can and will kill you. Remember that." He hisses under his breath. "She isn't dangerous unless she transforms into Sailor Saturn."
Both men stiffen when the small girl turns and stares directly at them despite so many people passing between. Serenity notices that Hotaru is staring across the courtyard and her eyes land on Endymion who has stiffened under Hotaru's eye. She grins, betting they know how powerful she is.
Elsewhere, Makoto prepared the ballroom for a dinner instead of the reception that Rei had hoped to have. Only tables, lights and every dish would be set out buffet style so people could pick and choose what they ate. This was something Makoto observed while visiting Earth once before.
Once all the small decorations come together, everyone takes their place.
Jadeite stands with Endymion beside him and Kunzite behind him. Jadeite and Kunzite wear their Shitennou uniforms with respective colorings. Selene is in the middle with a long silver gown, short sleeves with a small bow forming along the front and nods for Michiru to begin playing.
Everyone else takes their seat and watches.
The music is elegant and rhythmic enough for Minako and the two felines to begin walking down the aisle first. Once they make their way to Selene, Minako takes her place opposite of Kunzite and the cats on each side.
Michiru strums the instrument differently, the pace of the tune changing directing everyone to turn around and watch as the bride begins her stride.
Rei, despite all her fussing eventually slipped into the white, strapless wedding dress and pulled her hair back in a single braid. She wears a red pendant, a family heirloom around her neck. Serenity used purple ribbons to tie around the ends as well.
As Rei begins walking, Serenity walks with her, wearing her simple dress from earlier. It was only fitting as Rei was the first friend Serenity ever had and vise versa. She asked Serenity merely minutes beforehand if she would walk her down he aisle. Her father passed away months before she was born and had no male relatives, just her mother and two sisters who smiled watching her make her way to Jadeite.
"Thank you, Serenity." She whispers through her smile.
"You're welcome. I'm so happy you and Jadeite made it to this moment."
Once they make their way to the end, Endymion winks at Serenity, earning a blush out of her while Jadeite steps forward taking Rei's hand and they step forward together while Serenity joins Minako standing at her side.
"You and Kunzite are next." Serenity says nudging her.
"Pfft. Don't be absurd. Endymion will propose before the end of the month."
"I want us to take our time and really get to know each other first." Serenity tells her as she looks beyond everyone to see Endymion smiling lovingly back at her. Maybe Minako knows something you don't? She slightly turns back to Minako to see her smirking but says, "At least, I hoped so."
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here on the Moon in the Silver Millennium to celebrate the union of two very beloved people..."
THE END