Artemis and Luna huddled on the floor of the control room under the Sailor V game. They tried to catch their breaths and stop the vicious spin of images in their heads. Artemis stared at Luna as she bent her head and tried to recover. She had indeed been beaten. Not too badly, but it must have been painful. It took a moment to realize that she was indeed crying. "What is it Luna?" Artemis gently tilted her head up an he dried her tears with his shirt.
"I'm just worried and frightened and-" Luna paused, unsure if she should say what she was about it. "Confused." She finished.
"It'll be ok Luna. It'll be ok. I'll make it ok." Artemis put his arm around Luna and she leaned against his chest sobbing. He never thought brave, practical Luna would end up crying like this. He never imagined that she was so emotional a creature.
Luna sobbed and sobbed. She was afraid for Usagi, afraid for the Senshi, afraid of Jadeite, afraid Artemis wouldn't love her. Where did that last one come from? This was no time to think of love! Usagi was risking her life just now. But it was warm here with Artemis. Luna slowly calmed down and looked up at Artemis. His eyes were closed, almost like he was asleep. But his breathing told her he wasn't. Luna had heard the things Artemis had said to Jadeite when the general had talked about beating her. Artemis was so sweet. Risking his life for her. But hadn't he done it countless times already for the Senshi? However, he had never become human those instances. What did it all mean?
"Luna?" asked Artemis softly. He had startled her and she sat up straight.
"Yes Artemis?"
"I don't know if we are going to make it this time. Usually it's just the Senshi in danger and we sit in the control room coaching them. Planing the next move they will practice. But we are fighting this time."
"You sound so pessimistic Artemis!" chided Luna coyly.
"I don't mean to be, but I don't know if I'll get another chance like this to say what I have to say. And that's that-" Artemis paused. He took a deep breath and focussed everything on just saying it. Luna was staring gently but powerfully at him, and only him. Her eyes were unwavering. "I love you Luna."
"I know." Luna hardly knew the words had been uttered.
"May I?" asked Artemis.
"What?"
"K-Kiss you?" Artemis blinked and bushed a little. Luna nodded. Artemis gently brushed his lips against hers then looked into her eyes for approval. Luna answered by kissing Artemis back, letting her lips meet his for a few seconds. More than a brush, yet not quite more. Her eyelashes tickled Artemis's cheek. Artemis took a breath and smoothed Luna's midnight hair. It was so shiny and wavy and beautiful in the dim light. He hugged her close and they fell asleep in each other's arms.