Little Moments: 100 Themes
#76: Family
Lillie Bell
Words:

Disclaimer: I don't own Sailor Moon

"Onee-san!"

Usagi turned from the gates of the high school to see her brother running towards her. He was nearing fourteen now and every time she saw him she was amazed at how much he had grown. When he caught up to her, she was irritated to find he had surpassed her in height all ready. Pushing down a flood of jealousy, not knowing how he had managed to inherit the tall trait in the family, she watched him curiously as he panted. Something important must have made him dash all the way from the junior high.

"Ano," he started when he'd caught his breath. "Is Mamoru-san coming home early today?"

The blonde blinked, having not expected Shingo to ask about her husband. She nodded blankly her interest peaked. Her attention was diverted, however, as her bus came around the corner and made to stop. If she didn't catch it now the next one would be along in an hour and then Mamoru would be home before she had a chance to start dinner. Turning back to Shingo, she had a brainstorm. "Why don't you come for dinner?"

The boy enthusiastically agreed and the two made their way over to the stopped bus.

"You're pretty focused on that celery," Usagi commented as her brother chopped carefully. His face was tight planes of concentration not necessary to the task set upon him. Dinner was offered only with the promise of helping assemble it, yet it didn't seem the junior high student had preparation on his mind. She sighed when she got no response and continued on stirring the pot boiling before her.

The catch of the door caught their attention, as well as the shuffle of feet coming out of shoes. Usagi chuckled when she heard the tell tale sound of her husband bumping into the small table with his shoulder bag. Honestly, the man was too big for the foyer space.

Before Mamoru could make a proper entrance, Shingo left his post and was at the top of the stairs. A surprised man blinked up at the boy. "Shingo-kun?"

Shingo abruptly bowed from the waist. "Gomen, Mamoru-san. Usagi said I could come for dinner. I have something important to ask you please?" His voice only cracked slightly at the end, as was the tendency for boys his age. He stared at the carpet with conviction, praying with all his soul that Mamoru would help him. He and Mika would be entering high school next year and desperately needed advice from Mamoru. High school was a time for serious relationships. He had been going around in circles for weeks trying to discover what to do, until he received an epiphany last night. Mamoru had been in a serious relationship during high school and to Usagi no less. He was the perfect person to ask!

Blue eyes surveyed the two men in her life before turning back to dinner. She snuck a glance over her shoulder and met Mamoru's intense gaze. She winked at him and motioned that dinner was almost ready. He nodded and looked down at the boy before him.

"Sounds fine to me, Shingo-kun. Let's eat first, though, before it gets cold."

"Ha-hai!"

Mamoru chuckled at him then moved to put his bag away and help set the table.

"Ah, Mamoru-san," Shingo mumbled. They were standing on the balcony with the wind rustling their hair. Shingo bit his lip, feeling his resolve fleeting. The older man was watching him intently, waiting. He swallowed the sudden lump in his throat and opened his mouth to say something, anything, but nothing would come. Sweat came to his brow as he tried to force himself to speak.

"Mou, Shingo, what's so important you can only tell Mamo-chan?" Usagi whined good-naturedly from the open balcony door. "What's so horrible you can't even tell your onee-sama?" A near devilish smirk appeared on her face though it missed her sparkling eyes.

Whether Shingo noticed the teasing was only to help him over whatever had stopped him or not was not evident. He reeled toward Usagi, the normal brother-sister fights coming to him in earnest. "What are you implying?" he yelped, trying to suppress the blush on his cheeks. He turned back to Tokyo, grumbling, "I just want to talk to my onii-san."

His eyes were closed and he missed the near trip Mamoru did. The older man stared into the boy's face that was nearing his own height, and felt his heart flutter in a way it never had previously. His breath was quick to leave his lungs and he pulled it in once he realized he had stopped breathing completely. A blush stained his cheeks and, with a look of wonderment, he turned to his wife. Her eyes were larger than saucers and she seemed as surprised as he with Shingo's declaration.

Usagi was quick to recover, however, and she smiled at her husband. She watched as a hesitant million-watt smile made its way across his features. She could see the dancing irises in his eyes and knew he was skating above the clouds. She could not have wished more for him than this, the first true testament of a family.

She smiled and walked up to the two men. "That's fine Shingo-kun, however you can't keep him all night." She wrapped an arm around Mamoru's waist and kissed his lips, bringing him out of his happy daze. They shared a smile that made it clear the level of love the two shared, before Usagi continued. "He still has to do the dishes."

The two watched Usagi sneak away and close the screen over the door to keep bugs out before disappearing into the apartment. Shingo turned back and noticed Mamoru's lingering gaze. He would never let them know it, but he idolized his elder siblings. The love that his sister and husband held for each other was what he secretly wished for himself one day. His heart jolted happily in his chest when Mamoru's kind eyes locked with his own. There was still hope, he knew, for Mamoru would help him find that same love in his own life.

"Now what was it you wanted to ask me, uh," Mamoru hesitated, "otouto-chan?"