Tete-a-Tete
Disclaimer: The characters are the creation of Naoko Takeuchi, yada, yada, yada.
Have You Touched My Daughter?
Mr. Tsukino led Darien out to the yard. Though the house was modern, it was surrounded by a wall enclosing the gardens that were the pride of Mr.Tsukino. Floral borders and hedges led to a small reflecting pool. It was a peaceful setting to talk. They had made small talk on the way, neutral comments about the beauty of the gardens, the flowers, the history of the small ancestral plot. In other circum-stances, Darien would have enjoyed it. When they reached the center, Mr. Tsukino turned to the young man and fixed him with a steady gaze. Darien met his eyes without flinching. *Diplomacy is the greatest battle,* he thought.
"Darien, I would like you to clarify a few things for me," Mr. Tsukino started.
"Yes, what is it?" *En garde.*
"You mentioned you had an understanding with the girls. What kind of understanding?"
"They understand that I am dedicated to your daughter. There is no jealousy because they are her true friends," the young man explained plainly.
The older man looked him over, "If you are so dedicated to Serena, why did you break up with her? And don't tell me you were afraid of me, I see now you wouldn't be."
"You're right. I was led to believe that Serena would be in danger if I -ah- didn't keep my distance," Darien said carefully.
"Danger! You've put Serena in danger?" Mr. Tsukino said furiously.
"She is in no more danger than any of her friends. *True* It was an elaborate practical joke by an old friend," he tried to placate the other.
"Some joke. You are not telling me all of it. What was the point?"
"The point? Oh, of the joke. It was a test of my -our- commitment, and a warning to me to -uh- behave myself." The young man looked down, shamefaced, "The greatest danger to Serena was myself, and my biggest fear is to lose her."
"Young man, have you touched my daughter?" The father's tone was cold and threatening.
"Not. not beyond kissing," the young man gulped, "My friend's warning was very effective."
*He's telling the truth, and yet* "Serena said you protect her," Mr. Tsukino said gruffly, backing off and changing tactics, "Protect her from what?"
"The monsters that attacked the arcade and the play are not the only ones we've seen," Darien said darkly, "There have been others, and I would - give my life to protect her."
"Others? How many others?" asked Mr. Tsukino, startled.
"More than are reported. I have seen that when Sailor Moon does her healing, most people forget what has happened."
"And how do Serena and you get mixed up in this, these monster attacks?" he queried suspiciously.
"A matter of fate, being in the wrong place at the wrong time."
"Like your accident?"
*Touché* "Was not entirely an accident," Darien said flatly.
"Does she know?"
"She knows. Your daughter is a caring, brave and competent young woman," the young man admitted with passion.
Mr. Tsukino nodded, remembering a time by the lake the winter before. "How badly were you hurt?" he asked.
"I nearly died."
The statement lay cold and bare in the silence. Then Darien continued, "I didn't have much of anyone in my life- one good friend, and then Serena came. Her love of life has taught me how to live. She means everything to me. Please don't separate us."
The young man's plea finally thawed Mr. Tsukino's heart. He sensed that Darien had been brutally honest about his feelings and how difficult it had been to do so. He hadn't been told the whole story, but he had learned more than he expected. The rest would come with time. He decided.
"Let's go back to the house. My wife has made a chocolate cake for dessert."
AN: I'm so happy with all the reviews! (Pat on the back, pat on the back, yeah- we like it!) Next chapter: a mother- daughter talk.
Disclaimer: The characters are the creation of Naoko Takeuchi, yada, yada, yada.
Have You Touched My Daughter?
Mr. Tsukino led Darien out to the yard. Though the house was modern, it was surrounded by a wall enclosing the gardens that were the pride of Mr.Tsukino. Floral borders and hedges led to a small reflecting pool. It was a peaceful setting to talk. They had made small talk on the way, neutral comments about the beauty of the gardens, the flowers, the history of the small ancestral plot. In other circum-stances, Darien would have enjoyed it. When they reached the center, Mr. Tsukino turned to the young man and fixed him with a steady gaze. Darien met his eyes without flinching. *Diplomacy is the greatest battle,* he thought.
"Darien, I would like you to clarify a few things for me," Mr. Tsukino started.
"Yes, what is it?" *En garde.*
"You mentioned you had an understanding with the girls. What kind of understanding?"
"They understand that I am dedicated to your daughter. There is no jealousy because they are her true friends," the young man explained plainly.
The older man looked him over, "If you are so dedicated to Serena, why did you break up with her? And don't tell me you were afraid of me, I see now you wouldn't be."
"You're right. I was led to believe that Serena would be in danger if I -ah- didn't keep my distance," Darien said carefully.
"Danger! You've put Serena in danger?" Mr. Tsukino said furiously.
"She is in no more danger than any of her friends. *True* It was an elaborate practical joke by an old friend," he tried to placate the other.
"Some joke. You are not telling me all of it. What was the point?"
"The point? Oh, of the joke. It was a test of my -our- commitment, and a warning to me to -uh- behave myself." The young man looked down, shamefaced, "The greatest danger to Serena was myself, and my biggest fear is to lose her."
"Young man, have you touched my daughter?" The father's tone was cold and threatening.
"Not. not beyond kissing," the young man gulped, "My friend's warning was very effective."
*He's telling the truth, and yet* "Serena said you protect her," Mr. Tsukino said gruffly, backing off and changing tactics, "Protect her from what?"
"The monsters that attacked the arcade and the play are not the only ones we've seen," Darien said darkly, "There have been others, and I would - give my life to protect her."
"Others? How many others?" asked Mr. Tsukino, startled.
"More than are reported. I have seen that when Sailor Moon does her healing, most people forget what has happened."
"And how do Serena and you get mixed up in this, these monster attacks?" he queried suspiciously.
"A matter of fate, being in the wrong place at the wrong time."
"Like your accident?"
*Touché* "Was not entirely an accident," Darien said flatly.
"Does she know?"
"She knows. Your daughter is a caring, brave and competent young woman," the young man admitted with passion.
Mr. Tsukino nodded, remembering a time by the lake the winter before. "How badly were you hurt?" he asked.
"I nearly died."
The statement lay cold and bare in the silence. Then Darien continued, "I didn't have much of anyone in my life- one good friend, and then Serena came. Her love of life has taught me how to live. She means everything to me. Please don't separate us."
The young man's plea finally thawed Mr. Tsukino's heart. He sensed that Darien had been brutally honest about his feelings and how difficult it had been to do so. He hadn't been told the whole story, but he had learned more than he expected. The rest would come with time. He decided.
"Let's go back to the house. My wife has made a chocolate cake for dessert."
AN: I'm so happy with all the reviews! (Pat on the back, pat on the back, yeah- we like it!) Next chapter: a mother- daughter talk.