Disclaimer: I don't own Sailormoon or any of its characters. They belong to Naoko Takeuchi.

Author's Notes: Hi, guys! This is an ALTERNATE UNIVERSE. Please read and REVIEW! That's all! Thanks!

Forever

by Maya Kitajima

Winter snow

Serena zipped her baby blue suitcase and locked it. As she finished she straightened up and sighed.

Finally! I'm finished!

She was going to hug herself for warmth but decided against it when she felt the coldness vanish as someone embraced her from the back.

"Ready?"

"Yup."

"Mmm-hmm…" He made a sound as he kissed her head and smelled her shampoo-bathed hair. She smiled slightly.

"Sometimes, Darien, you just get too personal…especially at this time of the year…" He chuckled, not loosing his grip from her.

"The cold weather affects my loneliness."

"Mmm-hmm…" She imitated him, but with sarcasm. He let out another giggle.

"I also have to warm myself sometimes, you know."

"You have a funny way of doing it, Dare."

"But you like it, don't you?" He whispered in her ear, sending shivers up her spine. She beamed.

"Of course. I do get warmer without exerting effort you know." Darien laughed.

"Silly." He said as he kissed her temple. She chuckled and shook her head.

This guy always gets like this on winters. I'm used to it so I don't mind it anymore… I notice, however, that this year he had some kisses to add up to his hugs…

"Hey, sweet guy, are we going to stay here the whole day like a lovey-dovey couple?" This loosened his hold on her.

"Oh, yeah…" His hand moved from her waist to her fingers. With his other hand, he carried her suitcase effortlessly.

"Let's go." He announced as he pulled her hand. With one last look, they left the apartment and took the elevator going to the parking lot. He opened the door of his blue sports car and she entered it. After he deposited their bags on the trunk, he then went in and started the engine. He turned to her.

"Hey, it's 6:00 in the morning. The drive to the mountains would take about 2 to 3 hours. So if you want you can sleep and I'll just wake you up when we arrive." She smiled and nodded to him.

He drove outside the building and welcomed the white snow that surrounded the whole place. Nothing much happened after that except when he turned the radio on, it was playing the song "Passenger Seat" by Stephen Speaks. At first, he didn't mind it.

"And I've got all that I need

Right here in the passenger seat

Oh and I can't take my eyes off the road

Knowing that she's inches from me."

But as the lyrics of the song sank in his mind, he found himself glancing at the slumbering blonde beside him. He then realized how beautiful she is…those long golden curls and flawless skin…

Oh…how I want to wake her up so I could see that pair of cerulean eyes once more…

He stared at her for a second before he finally realized what he's thinking. Blood flowed to his face and for the first time in his life, he blushed. He focused his eyes back on the road but discovered that he couldn't concentrate with the song still playing.

Darn song.

He flicked the radio off and sighed.

Concentrate on driving, Dare. Or you might just kill yourself and your best friend today.

"Wow! So beautiful!" She exclaimed as she viewed the numerous peaks covered with glistening white snow. From the balcony of the house she's standing on, she can see some people skiing from the top of the lowest mountain to the bottom.

"Isn't it?" said Darien, who had came from behind her and rested his arm around her shoulders. She looked up at him.

"Yeah! Your dad is an astounding man, Darien. To own a gigantic ski slope is super!"

"Yup. I'm sorry he wasn't able to get us a cottage with two rooms, Serena. This place is packed ever since it started snowing."

"This is okay. Anyway, when will we ski?" She asked eagerly.

"Later. After we meet my father's family, that is."

"Are they all here?"

"Yes."

"Yippee! I can't wait to see Lita and Mina again! Your stepsisters are the greatest!"

"Uh-huh." Suddenly, Darien's cellphone beeped as a new message was received. He read it.

"Who is it?"

"It's dad. He's asking us to meet them right now so we could all have lunch together at the restaurant."

"Great! Come on! I'm so excited." She ran inside to grab her bag. Darien laughed, following her.

"Control yourself, kid. I do know you when you get ecstatic." Serena laughed with her infamous high-pitched voice.

"Hahaha!" Darien shook his head.

"Here we go again…" He muttered.

"Oh my God! Serena!"

"Mina! Lita!" She ran towards them. "I missed you two so much!"

"Same here, girl! So, how are you?" Serena sighed.

"Loveless, as usual."

"How pitiful." Mina said.

"Don't worry. You're in high school now, right? I know you'll find him soon." Lita added.

"I hope so. But how about you two?"

"I just kicked my boyfriend out of my life. He's useless!" Lita exclaimed.

"She's crazy, isn't she? Her boyfriend is so good-looking and she dumped him! Poor boy. He was head over heels in love with my sister." Mina commented. "Anyway, my current boyfriend is just perfect! He's perfect--smart, handsome, rich and just about the sweetest guy in the whole world! He's like our Darien, actually."

"Ooh…talking about me again, ladies?" Darien came up behind Serena.

"This guy is just about the most conceited man I ever met, isn't he?" Lita asked sardonically.

"You're telling me! And can you imagine I've been living with him since the start of the school year!"

"Oh, we heard about that, Serena. Poor girl." Mina jokingly shook her head with pity. Darien sighed.

"Poor me. Everyone is teaming me up…" All of them laughed.

"Good! You're here!" Darien's father exclaimed as he came in with his wife.

"Dad!" Darien embraced him.

"Darien, you're growing up more and more! In years, you'll be a foot taller than me." He joked.

"Hi, Uncle George!" Serena kissed him on the cheek. This man has been like a second father to her.

"Serena! You're bubbly as usual!" Serena giggled with the same piercing voice. Darien pulled her away.

"Don't excite her more, father, or this whole house will collapse in seconds."

"Shut up, Darien." Serena pouted. Everyone laughed. Nobody gets bored around these two.

Each one of them filled everyone in with their lives as they ate lunch. They decided to go skiing together later after they eat and rest.

Serena peeked at the slope they were going to ski. Her heart jumped and her stomach churned because of mixed excitement and nervousness.

"Are you sure you can handle yourself, Serena?" Darien asked, slightly mocking her. Serena pouted her lips.

"I've been skiing once, you know."

"Fine. Just worried." This time his hint of sarcasm was gone and was replaced by pure concern. She smiled at him assuring.

"I KNOW how to ski, Darien." She said straight. Darien shook his head.

"Fine. But I'll go after you." She nodded and took a deep breath. And with a push, she was skiing down the slope. Darien heard her cry with joy and finally smiled. He then followed her.

The girl collapsed on the soft bed back at the cottage. Outside, it was getting dark and people were starting to leave the slope.

"That was fun but very very very tiring." She said.

"You're telling me." Darien grumbled as he himself fainted on the couch.

"I'm hungry, Dare."

"Let's rest for a few minutes first before we eat dinner."

"Mmm…" Serena just made a sound for a reply. She was too tired.

After resting for half an hour, they ate, and were soon getting ready for sleep.

Serena climbed in the bed wearing her thick pajamas.

"I'm so sleepy…" She complained as she yawned. However, she noticed that Darien was spreading a blanket on the floor.

"What are you doing?"

"There's only one bed, Serena." She raised her eyebrows and thought for a while.

"I don't mind." She simply said. He stopped and looked at her questioningly. "I don't mind sleeping beside you." She repeated.

"Just remember your promise." She moved over to the side of the king size bed to make room for him.

"What?" Darien was still stunned.

"You'll freeze to death if you sleep down there! Now climb up here and promise that you won't do anything to me." Darien grinned and did as she said.

"I promise."

"Good."

He laid on the bed, his back on her. After a few minutes, though, he felt her against his back.

"It's so cold…" He heard her murmur. He turned around to face her, but was surprised when she moved closer to him. He stared at the little snuggling creature.

"Serena…" 'You're so cute." He finished in his mind. He then smiled and took her in his arms to make her warm.

"Thanks." Serena said quietly as she hid her face in his chest.

He chuckled softly and stroked her hair.

"I didn't know you trusted me this much." He whispered.

"I've lived with you for more than 3 months. And you took good care of me." The frigid weather was making Serena sentimental. Darien knew that when she gets like that she gets depressed, and usually seeks for comfort. He hugged her tighter and buried his face in her flaxen hair.

"Goodnight." He murmured, his eyelids getting heavier.

And finally feeling contented with each other's presence, the two best friends fell into a deep slumber…

Author's notes:

Awww! How sweet! I want a Darien in my life!