Disclaimer: Don't own nothin', no point suin'…
The song for Serenity and Endymion I chose is Loreena McKennit's "The Dark Night of the Soul"
…Oh night, that joined the lover…
…To the beloved one…
The dress was a thing of beauty, a masterpiece by an artist and worked of the finest white silk. The trailing satin ribbons rose around her as Serenity turned a little in front of the mirror. Then they settled about her slender form, clouds floating slowly down to grace an angel.
Endymion would love this…
The smile died in her eyes, though she kept it bravely on her lips. One week, the longest week of her life, had passed since she last saw those blue eyes on her. She found over the days that she had not lied to her Senshi. The pain did not lessen, but grew with every terrible beat of her heart.
Almost worse was the cold silence between herself and her friends. Venus, Mercury, and Jupiter had all approached her, but she brushed them away without listening to what they had to say. Mars refused to go to her, merely sitting mutely at her side during meals, eyes straight ahead, face a mask of ice. Still, the distance was taking its toll on her as well. Every day she looked more tired and distracted.
Serenity stared into her own eyes in the mirror, watching the soft blue begin to melt. She did not want to cry anymore. She did not want to hurt her friends, either. She wanted them to sit with her, hold her and dry her tears like they always did before. She wanted them to comfort her.
But if they do…if it doesn't hurt so much anymore…does that mean it wasn't real? Does that mean it was just an infatuation, like they all said?
I don't want this hurt to go away. It's all I have left of him.
"You look beautiful."
She turned to see her mother in the doorway, watching her with wistful eyes.
"Thank you, Mama."
Queen Serenity glided into the room to stand behind her daughter, looking over her head into the mirror. Her hands rose to lay softly on Princess Serenity's bare shoulders, and her eyes smiled into the mirror. Her child smiled back, her fingers covering her mother's.
"Well, here is something I haven't seen in awhile, little princess. A real smile."
Serenity looked down. "I don't know what you mean."
"You and your Senshi are not speaking, you always look about to burst into tears…what is it, darling?"
"It's…nothing."
The Queen sighed, moving to wrap her arms around her daughters shoulders in a gentle embrace. "Nothing? Does nothing have a name?"
Serenity watched her mother's eyes nervously in the mirror. "A name?"
"You don't have to tell me. Will you at least tell me if he feels the same way as you do?"
"I don't know what you—"
"My love, I am your mother. Did you think I wouldn't figure it out?"
Serenity began to breathe faster. "Are you angry?"
"That you are in love? Far from it. I wish you would trust me with this secret, but I understand, if you're not sure of his love for you."
"That's not it. I know he loves me. He told me so."
"Then what's wrong? Are you afraid I won't approve?"
Serenity shook her head. "I think you would like him very much."
The Queen propped her chin on her daughter's shoulder. "Do the Senshi not like him, then?"
"They do not know him."
"I admit, love, you have me stumped. Why the tears? Why the fighting? What is the matter?"
Serenity closed her eyes. "I can't tell you! You would be so angry with me!"
"What if I promise not to be?" he mother whispered. "You're hurting, Serenity. I want to help!"
"I can't, Mama! I just can't!"
"Alright. I won't ask anymore. But make peace with your Senshi, darling. They love you, and they want to help you, no matter what."
Serenity opened her eyes, but looked to the side. "I'm afraid, Mama."
"Don't be," he mother whispered. "We are all with you. And we love you. We want you to be happy."