Episode #20 - The Bonds That Bring Us Closer
Robert and Hotaru walked down the street. School had just let out, and they were returning to Hotaru's home. Robert had become good friends with Michiru and Setsuna, and barely tolerated Haruka. He knew that Haruka and himself would never get along really well, her attitude reminded him too much of his dead brother, and he didn't know why she hated him so much. "So Hotaru. what's up?" he asked. Hotaru looked at him, smiling slightly. "You'll just have to wait until we get to my place," she said with a sly smile. Robert didn't mind, he and Hotaru had been an "item" for over two months now, and hadn't minded any of her surprises so far. Robert looked at her, she was so beautiful. He would've called her an Angel, but he knew what that meant to her. He still thought of her as an Angel, ethereal, supremely beautiful, near perfection. He smiled slightly, placing an arm around Hotaru's shoulders. She smiled and leaned into him, putting her arm around his waist. Anyone that looked at them knew that they were in love. Everyone that is, except themselves. Robert had told her that he thought he was in love with her, and he was almost positive about it too. Hotaru felt very much the same way, but they were both too scared to really admit it. That day under the cherry blossom trees was different from now, that was just a way for them to tell each other that they truly cared for one another, but truly loved one another was a different story. They didn't want to say something and loose the first person that they had really connected with for a very long time. They soon arrived at Hotaru's place, and Robert opened the door, allowing Hotaru to enter first. They walked to her room, much to Haruka's displeasure, and shut the door behind them. "So, what's this all about?" Hotaru smiled at him again. She sat down beside him, looking at him. "Robert. I want to tell you something" "Okay. what?" "Well. I haven't been able to find the words. so maybe if you'll just listen to this, you'll understand" she said softly as she got up and placed a CD in her discman. A soft Jazz song began to play. Robert looked at Hotaru, he knew this song. "Where'd you find this song?" he asked. "Oh, out and about" she said with a sly smile. "It's beautiful." he said. "And it's also how I feel about you" Robert looked at her, the song was called Forever, For Now. "Hotaru. I. I." Robert couldn't find the words either, but when he looked at her, her eyes so happy and filled with love, he knew what he needed to do. "Allow me, madam" He said, taking her into a close hug, looking deep into her eyes. He danced with her, slowly, softly across the small room until the song was done. When the song had finished, Robert looked at Hotaru, smiling. He began to quietly sing to her;
"Maybe it's intuition, but some things you just don't question Like, in your eyes I see my future in an instant, And there it goes; I think I've found my best friend I know that it might sound more than a little crazy, But I believe; I knew I loved you before I met you I think I dreamed you into life I knew I loved you before I met you I have been waiting all my life"
"Hotaru. what I'm trying to say is. well. I love you too" He said, looking at her. Hotaru smiled and hugged him tightly. She was never letting him go, not ever. "Robert. thankyou" "For what?" "Just being here" she said, kissing him lightly. Robert held Hotaru tight, not wanting to let her go, or break the kiss, ever. Hotaru finally had to break the kiss; she was beginning to feel a little lightheaded from lack of oxygen. "Robert. have you ever. you know. spied on me?" "Never. well. at least not when you were getting changed or anything. but I do look in on you from time to time." "That's sweet." she said, smiling. "Hotaru. there's been a reason I've been so reluctant to tell you how I feel.. Remember how I told you that you were married in the future?"
"Yeah, so? Screw destiny, right now, you're the man I want"
"I know. and I never want to be away from you either. but there's another reason." Robert looked down at the floor. "What?" "Well. you.. sorta. have. kids" "I have children. But." "And I don't wanna mess up the timeline. by taking you away from the guy that you married. but. I don't know what to do. on the one hand, there's the way I feel for you. and on the other there's the timeline I come from where you're happily married and have two wonderful kids. I don't know what to do." "Just let time take its course," said Setsuna. Both Robert and Hotaru nearly leapt out of their skin! "Setsuna! Don't sneak in here! You nearly gave me a heart attack!" said Hotaru. "Not a good sign if I can sneak up on you two. hm, Mr. Assassin?" "Who's to say I didn't know you were there, Ms. Timesenshi?" "I'm so sure," Setsuna said sarcasticly. "Listen. just let time take it's course. if it takes you apart, then it takes you apart. and if it doesn't, then it doesn't, it's that simple" "How can you be so sure?," asked Robert. "I don't wanna go and mess the timeline up totally, say I change something and we don't have a Neo Sailor Saturn?" "Like I said, just let time run its course. you'd be surprised at what can happen" she said with a knowing smile. "Come on you two, it's time for supper" she said as she walked out of the room. "What did she mean by 'Let time run its course'?" asked Robert. "What did you mean by 'say I change something and we don't have a Neo Sailor Saturn'?" "Uh. well. you see. in the future. we sorta have new Senshi. and they're called Neo Senshi. I just don't wanna go and remove one of them before their even born" "You know something, all this time paradox talk gives me a headache" Hotaru said, looking at Robert. "You're not the only one" said Robert, taking Hotaru by the hand, going down to the dining room. They sat down and began their dinner. Hotaru had purposely taken the seat beside Haruka, just so Robert wouldn't have to sit beside her. Hotaru remembered the time that they had been late, and Robert and Haruka nearly tore each-others heads off. Robert smiled to everyone as he sat down, and he waited until everyone was seated before he began to eat. Hotaru noted that Robert was always polite. He seemed to be very. odd that way, but in a nice way. She knew that he had a voracious appetite, and could easily eat two or three extra large pizzas with little or no difficulty, but he smiled and ate the small portions that Michiru served to him. The dinner was soon finished and Robert bid Hotaru and the others adieu. Hotaru began to walk back inside, but Michiru was standing there. "Oh! Michiru! What's up?" asked Hotaru, a little surprised. "If you want to go and be with Robert for a while, then go, girl, go!" she said with a smile. Hotaru looked at her, was she serious? "When do I-" "Whenever" Hotaru looked at her. Michiru was serious. Hotaru grabbed a windbreaker and flew out of the house like a thunderbolt. "ROBERT! ROBERT!! WAIT UP!!!" She cried as she ran after him. Robert turned and looked at her. "Hotaru?! What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be with your jailers?" Robert asked sarcasticly. "They let me out for the night!" she said as she caught up with him. "When they want you home, an hour? Two?" "Whenever" she said as she took his hand. Robert looked at his watch, it was seven o'clock. "We actually have some real time to ourselves? I'm amazed! You sure The Warden isn't going to be following us?" "No, Haruka is staying in tonight" Hotaru said. Robert smiled broadly and put his arm around her shoulders, walking in the quiet pre- dusk gloom. They walked for a long while, arriving at Robert's apartment. Robert keyed the lock and allowed her to enter first, like he always did. They got into the elevator and Robert pressed the '15' key. As soon as he had turned away from the button plate, Hotaru flung her arms around him. "Well, were certainly frisky tonight, aren't we?" She only smiled slyly. Hotaru simply hugged Robert tightly, not ever wanting to loose him. "So, why'd we come back here?" asked Hotaru. "Well, I need some cash, and I also have something for you" Hotaru looked at him. "What?!" she asked excitedly. "Oh, you'll see" Robert said with a smile. They walked into his apartment, the lights were off. Robert placed a hand on Hotaru's shoulder. "Walk with me for a moment" he said. Hotaru walked with him, into a large room that she hadn't known was there. "What is this place?"
"This is the rest of my apartment" He said quietly. They lights were turned up slowly, levelling off at a soft glow. Hotaru looked around, it was a large room, with a computer desk and a sofa at one end, and a piano at the other. Robert walked to a corner of the room, opened a small fridge and produced two chilled glasses and a bottle of wine. "What are those for?" Hotaru asked. "Well, I think we should have a little celebration, considering this is the first time that you've actually been allowed out of the house without one or more of your guardians." Hotaru smiled. "I think it's a wonderful idea. but" "But what?" "I can't drink wine" "Wha?" Hotaru giggled a little and smiled. "It gives me really bad heartburn. but the thought is nice" "Well. give me one second" Robert turned around, put the wine back, and grabbed a dark bottle. It was green brushed glass and the label was gold. "I think that you will like this stuff" he said as he poured a half- glassful for Hotaru. "What is it?"
"Just drink it, it's okay, no alcohol" Hotaru looked at the goldish liquid, smelled it, then sipped it. It had quite a nice taste to it, sort of sweet, but not candy sweet. "What is this?" "Not much. just a little concoction of my own devising" "Really? What's in it?" "Now, now Hotaru, a master Chef does not give away all his secrets of the culinary arts, now does he?" He said with a sly smile. Hotaru looked at him. She really hated it when he used metaphors. "You know something?" "Not personally, no" "You're really a pain sometimes" "Well, Kyron-sama didn't call me her 'little pest' for nothing" He said with a half-wistful, half-sad smile. Hotaru looked at him, Robert spoke about Sailor Kyron very little, and most of it he had told only to herself. "So. do you like it?" asked Robert. "It's not bad. not bad at all" Robert smiled. "I guess it wouldn't be too bad if you wanted to know what it's made from" "Really?" "Sure. I guess you could call it a variation on the 'swamp water' drinks, but this one's made with thin honey and half a scoop of melted brown sugar." "Really? It's that simple?" "Yep. most of the stuff I think up is." he said. Hotaru knew the tone in his voice, he was doubting himself. Hotaru knew that Robert was a complex individual, and she was one of the first people that he had allowed inside. She knew of only one other person, Sailor Kyron. Robert had talked about her for hours on hand, explaining about her vast powers, the kind of life she led, the kind of person she was. Hotaru knew that she was very important to Robert, seeing as she was the only person that he even let talk to him a school. Bobbi-Jo had tried a few more times to try and get Robert away from Hotaru, but he had finally silenced her when he had placed a hand on her shoulder and squeezed. Hard. Hotaru could still remember the look on Bobbi-Jo's face when Robert had let her go and then asked "Are you okay?" She smiled slightly and giggled a little. "Hotaru?" "Nothing. just remembering the way you dealt with Bobbi-Jo that last time" "She was persistent, I'll give her that." he said, sighing and looking down at his feet. Hotaru put her glass down and walked forward, placing a hand on Robert's shoulder. "What's up?" "Nothing." "Robert" "What?" "Tell me, I know that something's bothering you" "It's just. I get along with Michiru and Setsuna like we were family, and Haruka hates me, what'd I ever do to her?" "That's just Haruka being Haruka" "Yeah, but it bugs me, I try and be nice to her, and she just blows me off! Is there anything that I have done to make her mad at me?" "Other than threatening her when you brought me home late that one time, no" "Uhh. oh. I see. I guess I should apologise. it would be the right thing to do" "Like you apologized to Bobbi-Jo all those times?" "I mean really apologize! She deserves that much!" said Robert, turning away from Hotaru and looking out the large plate glass window that ran down one side of the room. She hugged him from behind, resting her head on his back. "Robert, Haruka's already passed judgement on you. there's not much that you can do to change her mind." "I know. but still. I've gotta try" "Robert!" She said, grabbing him by the shoulders and spinning him around. "You can't please everyone all the time!!" "But-" "But nothing! This is the one thing that I really dislike about you Robert! You try to be everyone's friend, but you can't! There are just people that will not like you, okay! Can't you figure that out!" She turned away from him and crossed her arms over her small frame. She heard Robert breathing behind her. "Hotaru" "Yes" "I. I guess. I guess your right. but." "Just shut up, would'ja?" Hotaru said jokingly. Robert looked at her. He lightly placed a hand on her shoulder, and turned her around slowly. She looked up into his eyes and even though it was dark in the room, she could see that he was crying slightly. "Robert?" "It's nothing. I just thought. it's nothing." he said softly. "Robert come on, Goddamit! Don't you feel anything after what I just said!" "Of course I do. but I can't put it into words." "Oh no, you who are so gifted with metaphor?" she said scathingly. She saw Robert's shoulders rise and fall quickly, he was getting angry. Good, she thought. Hotaru wanted him to get it through his thick skull that he didn't need to be perfect, he just needed to be himself. "After what you said to me not two hours ago. you have the nerve." He removed his hand from her shoulder, and she saw him bunch his hands into fists. "Yes I have the nerve! You have such a way with words and can tell anyone else whatever you want, so why can't you do it with me! Tell me that!" "That's a simple one, my dear, I don't want to risk losing you" he said with a dark tone in his voice. "Really? You're doing a pretty good job of driving me away right now!" Robert looked at her. His eyes were blazing, his arms were shaking, and Hotaru could've sworn she saw a little trickle of blood coming from one of his hands. "I will say this once, my dear, you are the one person that I have actually been able to trust with anything and everything on this entire pathetic mudball, and you have the nerve to throw that back in my face? You really make me wonder sometimes Hotaru" "Yeah, and that goes double for me" said Hotaru, turning away from him again. She heard his breathing, slightly ragged and coming in short bursts. She heard him walk a short distance, and then a terrific "WHAM!" resounded around the room. Hotaru spun around, she saw Robert standing there, his fist against the wall. "You know something Hotaru, there is one thing that you don't know about me" "Oh no? What, pray tell, is that?" she asked sarcasticly. "Sometimes, if I'm pushed to far. I tend to get a little. nuts" "Yeah, so" "Your about one millimetre away from pushing me past snapping" His voice was a growl. "GODDAMIT ROBERT!!!" She said, looking at him. He looked at her like she was nuts. "Now what I do?" "I guess the only way that I'll drive this into your thick skull is the direct approach" She said under her breath. "What was that?" Robert said in a dark tone. Hotaru looked at him icily. He shut up instantly. At that moment he remembered that he was fighting with someone that could vaporize an entire planet with a thought. "Robert, what I've been trying to drive into that thick skull of yours is that you don't need to be perfect, just yourself!!!" "Uhh. uhh. you mean. all this. was. about that?" he asked softly.
"Yes you silly goose" she said, looking at him. "Oh" he said giggling a little. The tension that had built up in the room dissipated like so much morning fog. "What's so funny?" "Well, we've been arguing about this for just under an hour. and," he shook his head. "Your right, I do need to be myself and not Mr. Perfect, it's just. it's a natural response for me. I try and blend in. you know that. and the people I want to be friends with I try and be the best friend I can be. it's just the way I am, well, actually, the way I was trained, but that's beside the point, I guess I can try and just be Robert. at least for a little while" He smiled at Hotaru, quirked a eyebrow and opened his arms. She smiled back and hugged him. "I guess I've still got a few things to learn about being a normal teenager and not a trained bodyguard" Hotaru, hugged him tighter and looked up at him. Robert looked down at Hotaru, he knew that he wanted to live the rest of his life with her, but he knew that would never happen if he was to leave the time-line unscathed. She leaned up and kissed him. Robert hugged her tightly and just let the kiss linger until she pulled away. She looked at him, a warm, beaming smile radiating from her lips, and her eyes looked as if they were glowing in the half-light of the room. "Robert" "Yes my love?" "I want you, now" Robert looked at Hotaru, she had never been quite so forward about anything before. "You're sure?" he said. She raised an eyebrow at him. "Uhh. yeah, stupid question." She leaned up again and kissed him, but she was also leading him to his bed in the other room.
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Robert awoke the next morning with the sun streaming in and another body pressed against him. He looked down, Hotaru was sleeping beside him, her head was resting on his shoulder and an arm was draped across his chest. He thought back to last night. In a word, it was spectacular. He had never known anything like it in his entire life. Hotaru stirred and opened her eyes, looking at Robert. "You want something for breakfast?" asked Robert. "Sure" said Hotaru, still waking up a little. Robert got out of bed and threw a housecoat on, going into the kitchen and beginning to start breakfast. He had made scrambled eggs and bacon before, so that's what he would make now. He heard Hotaru get up and put a housecoat on, then she sat down. Even though her hair was a little dishevelled and she was still trying to wake up, Robert thought that she had never looked more beautiful. He served breakfast and sat down, pouring a glass of juice for himself and Hotaru. She smiled at him and ran her foot up the inside of his leg. "So, I guess Haruka's not going to be very pleased when I take you home" "I guess not" she said with a sarcastic smile. Robert looked at the clock, it was ten thirty. He swore under his breath, and then he remembered that it was Saturday. He began to eat his breakfast and smiled at Hotaru. "You know something. that was." "I know Robert, you don't need to say anything" Hotaru said contentedly. He smiled, she was the only person that he knew that could know what he was going to say before he even said it. He got up and sat back down beside Hotaru. They looked at each other and were content in the knowledge that right now, they were the only other person that mattered to the other. They soon finished and Robert did the dishes while Hotaru had a shower. Robert just finished when Hotaru stepped out of the washroom. He had never seen her more beautiful than right at that moment. Her hair slightly damp, giving it a glowing sheen and she simply seemed to glow all over. It was like she was an angel, so delicate, so appealing, and he knew that she was his, at least for now. Hotaru sat down on his bed, and he went and had a shower. He exited about fifteen minuets later, and he was dressed in a gray suit jacket and a white shirt with black pants. He offered his hand to Hotaru, she took it, and they walked out of his room. They walked hand in hand back to Hotaru's home, and he knocked on the door. It opened, and Michiru was standing there. "Hello Michiru" Robert said. "Robert" she said dryly. Hotaru walked inside, after kissing Robert goodbye. He smiled and waved goodbye, then turned to leave. He looked around, no one was watching, so he began to leap away, covering great distances with a single bound. He was soon home, and inside his apartment. He was just sitting down with a book when he heard his door buzzer go off. He got up and pressed the button. "Hello?" he asked. "Robert?" It was Hotaru, and her voice was shaky. "Come on up" he said, instantly pushing the button. She had never come over to his place un-announced, she had always called before-hand. He heard a knock at the door a few moments later, and he was up like a flash, and had the door opened. He looked at Hotaru, and then up at Haruka. "Uhh. come on in" he said. Hotaru walked in and sat down, an ashamed look on her face. Haruka entered after she did, carrying a large suitcase. "Um, so. what's all this about?" he asked. Haruka looked at him like there was daggers in her eyes, set the suitcase down, and stalked out of the room, slamming the door behind her. "What was all that about?" he asked, looking at Hotaru. She looked at him, a small smile on her lips, but her eyes full of shame. "Hotaru, what's up?" "You mind if I stay here for a few days?" "Uh, no, not at all. but why aren't you." Robert looked at her. "They. they kicked you out?" Hotaru nodded. Robert looked at Hotaru, she was so frightened now, she had never been without her three guardians, and it was his fault that they had kicked her out. "If they've kicked you out, then I guess you could just stay here. until you want to leave, that is" Hotaru looked up at him. "I never want to leave" she said quietly. Robert walked to his love and hugged her tight. Her felt something release inside of her, and she began to cry. Deep, wailing moans of anguish filled the room, and Robert just stood there, holding Hotaru, lightly stroking her hair. He knew that the next time he saw any of those three, something was going to happen, and it wasn't going to be pretty.
Robert and Hotaru walked down the street. School had just let out, and they were returning to Hotaru's home. Robert had become good friends with Michiru and Setsuna, and barely tolerated Haruka. He knew that Haruka and himself would never get along really well, her attitude reminded him too much of his dead brother, and he didn't know why she hated him so much. "So Hotaru. what's up?" he asked. Hotaru looked at him, smiling slightly. "You'll just have to wait until we get to my place," she said with a sly smile. Robert didn't mind, he and Hotaru had been an "item" for over two months now, and hadn't minded any of her surprises so far. Robert looked at her, she was so beautiful. He would've called her an Angel, but he knew what that meant to her. He still thought of her as an Angel, ethereal, supremely beautiful, near perfection. He smiled slightly, placing an arm around Hotaru's shoulders. She smiled and leaned into him, putting her arm around his waist. Anyone that looked at them knew that they were in love. Everyone that is, except themselves. Robert had told her that he thought he was in love with her, and he was almost positive about it too. Hotaru felt very much the same way, but they were both too scared to really admit it. That day under the cherry blossom trees was different from now, that was just a way for them to tell each other that they truly cared for one another, but truly loved one another was a different story. They didn't want to say something and loose the first person that they had really connected with for a very long time. They soon arrived at Hotaru's place, and Robert opened the door, allowing Hotaru to enter first. They walked to her room, much to Haruka's displeasure, and shut the door behind them. "So, what's this all about?" Hotaru smiled at him again. She sat down beside him, looking at him. "Robert. I want to tell you something" "Okay. what?" "Well. I haven't been able to find the words. so maybe if you'll just listen to this, you'll understand" she said softly as she got up and placed a CD in her discman. A soft Jazz song began to play. Robert looked at Hotaru, he knew this song. "Where'd you find this song?" he asked. "Oh, out and about" she said with a sly smile. "It's beautiful." he said. "And it's also how I feel about you" Robert looked at her, the song was called Forever, For Now. "Hotaru. I. I." Robert couldn't find the words either, but when he looked at her, her eyes so happy and filled with love, he knew what he needed to do. "Allow me, madam" He said, taking her into a close hug, looking deep into her eyes. He danced with her, slowly, softly across the small room until the song was done. When the song had finished, Robert looked at Hotaru, smiling. He began to quietly sing to her;
"Maybe it's intuition, but some things you just don't question Like, in your eyes I see my future in an instant, And there it goes; I think I've found my best friend I know that it might sound more than a little crazy, But I believe; I knew I loved you before I met you I think I dreamed you into life I knew I loved you before I met you I have been waiting all my life"
"Hotaru. what I'm trying to say is. well. I love you too" He said, looking at her. Hotaru smiled and hugged him tightly. She was never letting him go, not ever. "Robert. thankyou" "For what?" "Just being here" she said, kissing him lightly. Robert held Hotaru tight, not wanting to let her go, or break the kiss, ever. Hotaru finally had to break the kiss; she was beginning to feel a little lightheaded from lack of oxygen. "Robert. have you ever. you know. spied on me?" "Never. well. at least not when you were getting changed or anything. but I do look in on you from time to time." "That's sweet." she said, smiling. "Hotaru. there's been a reason I've been so reluctant to tell you how I feel.. Remember how I told you that you were married in the future?"
"Yeah, so? Screw destiny, right now, you're the man I want"
"I know. and I never want to be away from you either. but there's another reason." Robert looked down at the floor. "What?" "Well. you.. sorta. have. kids" "I have children. But." "And I don't wanna mess up the timeline. by taking you away from the guy that you married. but. I don't know what to do. on the one hand, there's the way I feel for you. and on the other there's the timeline I come from where you're happily married and have two wonderful kids. I don't know what to do." "Just let time take its course," said Setsuna. Both Robert and Hotaru nearly leapt out of their skin! "Setsuna! Don't sneak in here! You nearly gave me a heart attack!" said Hotaru. "Not a good sign if I can sneak up on you two. hm, Mr. Assassin?" "Who's to say I didn't know you were there, Ms. Timesenshi?" "I'm so sure," Setsuna said sarcasticly. "Listen. just let time take it's course. if it takes you apart, then it takes you apart. and if it doesn't, then it doesn't, it's that simple" "How can you be so sure?," asked Robert. "I don't wanna go and mess the timeline up totally, say I change something and we don't have a Neo Sailor Saturn?" "Like I said, just let time run its course. you'd be surprised at what can happen" she said with a knowing smile. "Come on you two, it's time for supper" she said as she walked out of the room. "What did she mean by 'Let time run its course'?" asked Robert. "What did you mean by 'say I change something and we don't have a Neo Sailor Saturn'?" "Uh. well. you see. in the future. we sorta have new Senshi. and they're called Neo Senshi. I just don't wanna go and remove one of them before their even born" "You know something, all this time paradox talk gives me a headache" Hotaru said, looking at Robert. "You're not the only one" said Robert, taking Hotaru by the hand, going down to the dining room. They sat down and began their dinner. Hotaru had purposely taken the seat beside Haruka, just so Robert wouldn't have to sit beside her. Hotaru remembered the time that they had been late, and Robert and Haruka nearly tore each-others heads off. Robert smiled to everyone as he sat down, and he waited until everyone was seated before he began to eat. Hotaru noted that Robert was always polite. He seemed to be very. odd that way, but in a nice way. She knew that he had a voracious appetite, and could easily eat two or three extra large pizzas with little or no difficulty, but he smiled and ate the small portions that Michiru served to him. The dinner was soon finished and Robert bid Hotaru and the others adieu. Hotaru began to walk back inside, but Michiru was standing there. "Oh! Michiru! What's up?" asked Hotaru, a little surprised. "If you want to go and be with Robert for a while, then go, girl, go!" she said with a smile. Hotaru looked at her, was she serious? "When do I-" "Whenever" Hotaru looked at her. Michiru was serious. Hotaru grabbed a windbreaker and flew out of the house like a thunderbolt. "ROBERT! ROBERT!! WAIT UP!!!" She cried as she ran after him. Robert turned and looked at her. "Hotaru?! What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be with your jailers?" Robert asked sarcasticly. "They let me out for the night!" she said as she caught up with him. "When they want you home, an hour? Two?" "Whenever" she said as she took his hand. Robert looked at his watch, it was seven o'clock. "We actually have some real time to ourselves? I'm amazed! You sure The Warden isn't going to be following us?" "No, Haruka is staying in tonight" Hotaru said. Robert smiled broadly and put his arm around her shoulders, walking in the quiet pre- dusk gloom. They walked for a long while, arriving at Robert's apartment. Robert keyed the lock and allowed her to enter first, like he always did. They got into the elevator and Robert pressed the '15' key. As soon as he had turned away from the button plate, Hotaru flung her arms around him. "Well, were certainly frisky tonight, aren't we?" She only smiled slyly. Hotaru simply hugged Robert tightly, not ever wanting to loose him. "So, why'd we come back here?" asked Hotaru. "Well, I need some cash, and I also have something for you" Hotaru looked at him. "What?!" she asked excitedly. "Oh, you'll see" Robert said with a smile. They walked into his apartment, the lights were off. Robert placed a hand on Hotaru's shoulder. "Walk with me for a moment" he said. Hotaru walked with him, into a large room that she hadn't known was there. "What is this place?"
"This is the rest of my apartment" He said quietly. They lights were turned up slowly, levelling off at a soft glow. Hotaru looked around, it was a large room, with a computer desk and a sofa at one end, and a piano at the other. Robert walked to a corner of the room, opened a small fridge and produced two chilled glasses and a bottle of wine. "What are those for?" Hotaru asked. "Well, I think we should have a little celebration, considering this is the first time that you've actually been allowed out of the house without one or more of your guardians." Hotaru smiled. "I think it's a wonderful idea. but" "But what?" "I can't drink wine" "Wha?" Hotaru giggled a little and smiled. "It gives me really bad heartburn. but the thought is nice" "Well. give me one second" Robert turned around, put the wine back, and grabbed a dark bottle. It was green brushed glass and the label was gold. "I think that you will like this stuff" he said as he poured a half- glassful for Hotaru. "What is it?"
"Just drink it, it's okay, no alcohol" Hotaru looked at the goldish liquid, smelled it, then sipped it. It had quite a nice taste to it, sort of sweet, but not candy sweet. "What is this?" "Not much. just a little concoction of my own devising" "Really? What's in it?" "Now, now Hotaru, a master Chef does not give away all his secrets of the culinary arts, now does he?" He said with a sly smile. Hotaru looked at him. She really hated it when he used metaphors. "You know something?" "Not personally, no" "You're really a pain sometimes" "Well, Kyron-sama didn't call me her 'little pest' for nothing" He said with a half-wistful, half-sad smile. Hotaru looked at him, Robert spoke about Sailor Kyron very little, and most of it he had told only to herself. "So. do you like it?" asked Robert. "It's not bad. not bad at all" Robert smiled. "I guess it wouldn't be too bad if you wanted to know what it's made from" "Really?" "Sure. I guess you could call it a variation on the 'swamp water' drinks, but this one's made with thin honey and half a scoop of melted brown sugar." "Really? It's that simple?" "Yep. most of the stuff I think up is." he said. Hotaru knew the tone in his voice, he was doubting himself. Hotaru knew that Robert was a complex individual, and she was one of the first people that he had allowed inside. She knew of only one other person, Sailor Kyron. Robert had talked about her for hours on hand, explaining about her vast powers, the kind of life she led, the kind of person she was. Hotaru knew that she was very important to Robert, seeing as she was the only person that he even let talk to him a school. Bobbi-Jo had tried a few more times to try and get Robert away from Hotaru, but he had finally silenced her when he had placed a hand on her shoulder and squeezed. Hard. Hotaru could still remember the look on Bobbi-Jo's face when Robert had let her go and then asked "Are you okay?" She smiled slightly and giggled a little. "Hotaru?" "Nothing. just remembering the way you dealt with Bobbi-Jo that last time" "She was persistent, I'll give her that." he said, sighing and looking down at his feet. Hotaru put her glass down and walked forward, placing a hand on Robert's shoulder. "What's up?" "Nothing." "Robert" "What?" "Tell me, I know that something's bothering you" "It's just. I get along with Michiru and Setsuna like we were family, and Haruka hates me, what'd I ever do to her?" "That's just Haruka being Haruka" "Yeah, but it bugs me, I try and be nice to her, and she just blows me off! Is there anything that I have done to make her mad at me?" "Other than threatening her when you brought me home late that one time, no" "Uhh. oh. I see. I guess I should apologise. it would be the right thing to do" "Like you apologized to Bobbi-Jo all those times?" "I mean really apologize! She deserves that much!" said Robert, turning away from Hotaru and looking out the large plate glass window that ran down one side of the room. She hugged him from behind, resting her head on his back. "Robert, Haruka's already passed judgement on you. there's not much that you can do to change her mind." "I know. but still. I've gotta try" "Robert!" She said, grabbing him by the shoulders and spinning him around. "You can't please everyone all the time!!" "But-" "But nothing! This is the one thing that I really dislike about you Robert! You try to be everyone's friend, but you can't! There are just people that will not like you, okay! Can't you figure that out!" She turned away from him and crossed her arms over her small frame. She heard Robert breathing behind her. "Hotaru" "Yes" "I. I guess. I guess your right. but." "Just shut up, would'ja?" Hotaru said jokingly. Robert looked at her. He lightly placed a hand on her shoulder, and turned her around slowly. She looked up into his eyes and even though it was dark in the room, she could see that he was crying slightly. "Robert?" "It's nothing. I just thought. it's nothing." he said softly. "Robert come on, Goddamit! Don't you feel anything after what I just said!" "Of course I do. but I can't put it into words." "Oh no, you who are so gifted with metaphor?" she said scathingly. She saw Robert's shoulders rise and fall quickly, he was getting angry. Good, she thought. Hotaru wanted him to get it through his thick skull that he didn't need to be perfect, he just needed to be himself. "After what you said to me not two hours ago. you have the nerve." He removed his hand from her shoulder, and she saw him bunch his hands into fists. "Yes I have the nerve! You have such a way with words and can tell anyone else whatever you want, so why can't you do it with me! Tell me that!" "That's a simple one, my dear, I don't want to risk losing you" he said with a dark tone in his voice. "Really? You're doing a pretty good job of driving me away right now!" Robert looked at her. His eyes were blazing, his arms were shaking, and Hotaru could've sworn she saw a little trickle of blood coming from one of his hands. "I will say this once, my dear, you are the one person that I have actually been able to trust with anything and everything on this entire pathetic mudball, and you have the nerve to throw that back in my face? You really make me wonder sometimes Hotaru" "Yeah, and that goes double for me" said Hotaru, turning away from him again. She heard his breathing, slightly ragged and coming in short bursts. She heard him walk a short distance, and then a terrific "WHAM!" resounded around the room. Hotaru spun around, she saw Robert standing there, his fist against the wall. "You know something Hotaru, there is one thing that you don't know about me" "Oh no? What, pray tell, is that?" she asked sarcasticly. "Sometimes, if I'm pushed to far. I tend to get a little. nuts" "Yeah, so" "Your about one millimetre away from pushing me past snapping" His voice was a growl. "GODDAMIT ROBERT!!!" She said, looking at him. He looked at her like she was nuts. "Now what I do?" "I guess the only way that I'll drive this into your thick skull is the direct approach" She said under her breath. "What was that?" Robert said in a dark tone. Hotaru looked at him icily. He shut up instantly. At that moment he remembered that he was fighting with someone that could vaporize an entire planet with a thought. "Robert, what I've been trying to drive into that thick skull of yours is that you don't need to be perfect, just yourself!!!" "Uhh. uhh. you mean. all this. was. about that?" he asked softly.
"Yes you silly goose" she said, looking at him. "Oh" he said giggling a little. The tension that had built up in the room dissipated like so much morning fog. "What's so funny?" "Well, we've been arguing about this for just under an hour. and," he shook his head. "Your right, I do need to be myself and not Mr. Perfect, it's just. it's a natural response for me. I try and blend in. you know that. and the people I want to be friends with I try and be the best friend I can be. it's just the way I am, well, actually, the way I was trained, but that's beside the point, I guess I can try and just be Robert. at least for a little while" He smiled at Hotaru, quirked a eyebrow and opened his arms. She smiled back and hugged him. "I guess I've still got a few things to learn about being a normal teenager and not a trained bodyguard" Hotaru, hugged him tighter and looked up at him. Robert looked down at Hotaru, he knew that he wanted to live the rest of his life with her, but he knew that would never happen if he was to leave the time-line unscathed. She leaned up and kissed him. Robert hugged her tightly and just let the kiss linger until she pulled away. She looked at him, a warm, beaming smile radiating from her lips, and her eyes looked as if they were glowing in the half-light of the room. "Robert" "Yes my love?" "I want you, now" Robert looked at Hotaru, she had never been quite so forward about anything before. "You're sure?" he said. She raised an eyebrow at him. "Uhh. yeah, stupid question." She leaned up again and kissed him, but she was also leading him to his bed in the other room.
************
Robert awoke the next morning with the sun streaming in and another body pressed against him. He looked down, Hotaru was sleeping beside him, her head was resting on his shoulder and an arm was draped across his chest. He thought back to last night. In a word, it was spectacular. He had never known anything like it in his entire life. Hotaru stirred and opened her eyes, looking at Robert. "You want something for breakfast?" asked Robert. "Sure" said Hotaru, still waking up a little. Robert got out of bed and threw a housecoat on, going into the kitchen and beginning to start breakfast. He had made scrambled eggs and bacon before, so that's what he would make now. He heard Hotaru get up and put a housecoat on, then she sat down. Even though her hair was a little dishevelled and she was still trying to wake up, Robert thought that she had never looked more beautiful. He served breakfast and sat down, pouring a glass of juice for himself and Hotaru. She smiled at him and ran her foot up the inside of his leg. "So, I guess Haruka's not going to be very pleased when I take you home" "I guess not" she said with a sarcastic smile. Robert looked at the clock, it was ten thirty. He swore under his breath, and then he remembered that it was Saturday. He began to eat his breakfast and smiled at Hotaru. "You know something. that was." "I know Robert, you don't need to say anything" Hotaru said contentedly. He smiled, she was the only person that he knew that could know what he was going to say before he even said it. He got up and sat back down beside Hotaru. They looked at each other and were content in the knowledge that right now, they were the only other person that mattered to the other. They soon finished and Robert did the dishes while Hotaru had a shower. Robert just finished when Hotaru stepped out of the washroom. He had never seen her more beautiful than right at that moment. Her hair slightly damp, giving it a glowing sheen and she simply seemed to glow all over. It was like she was an angel, so delicate, so appealing, and he knew that she was his, at least for now. Hotaru sat down on his bed, and he went and had a shower. He exited about fifteen minuets later, and he was dressed in a gray suit jacket and a white shirt with black pants. He offered his hand to Hotaru, she took it, and they walked out of his room. They walked hand in hand back to Hotaru's home, and he knocked on the door. It opened, and Michiru was standing there. "Hello Michiru" Robert said. "Robert" she said dryly. Hotaru walked inside, after kissing Robert goodbye. He smiled and waved goodbye, then turned to leave. He looked around, no one was watching, so he began to leap away, covering great distances with a single bound. He was soon home, and inside his apartment. He was just sitting down with a book when he heard his door buzzer go off. He got up and pressed the button. "Hello?" he asked. "Robert?" It was Hotaru, and her voice was shaky. "Come on up" he said, instantly pushing the button. She had never come over to his place un-announced, she had always called before-hand. He heard a knock at the door a few moments later, and he was up like a flash, and had the door opened. He looked at Hotaru, and then up at Haruka. "Uhh. come on in" he said. Hotaru walked in and sat down, an ashamed look on her face. Haruka entered after she did, carrying a large suitcase. "Um, so. what's all this about?" he asked. Haruka looked at him like there was daggers in her eyes, set the suitcase down, and stalked out of the room, slamming the door behind her. "What was all that about?" he asked, looking at Hotaru. She looked at him, a small smile on her lips, but her eyes full of shame. "Hotaru, what's up?" "You mind if I stay here for a few days?" "Uh, no, not at all. but why aren't you." Robert looked at her. "They. they kicked you out?" Hotaru nodded. Robert looked at Hotaru, she was so frightened now, she had never been without her three guardians, and it was his fault that they had kicked her out. "If they've kicked you out, then I guess you could just stay here. until you want to leave, that is" Hotaru looked up at him. "I never want to leave" she said quietly. Robert walked to his love and hugged her tight. Her felt something release inside of her, and she began to cry. Deep, wailing moans of anguish filled the room, and Robert just stood there, holding Hotaru, lightly stroking her hair. He knew that the next time he saw any of those three, something was going to happen, and it wasn't going to be pretty.