Once upon a time there was a lonely little boy in a hospital who made a friend he'd never forget... Anime canon AU. Written for the Sailor Moon Rare Pair Week 2022 event and the 30th Anniversary of Sailor Moon.

Rated: T - Friendship/Romance - Words: 1,491 - Mamoru C./Darien S./Tuxedo Kamen, Usagi T./Serena/Bunny/Sailor Moon, Fiore

The dark-haired little boy sat on the edge of the hospital bed, soft tears falling from his azure eyes onto his pajama legs. It wasn't the first time he'd cried like this. But it was the first time he'd cried this much. At least, not as far as he knew. His memory only stretched back so far after all. It was just one of the many things he was missing.

No mother.

No father.

No home.

All he had was his name and a star-shaped locket, the last relics of a life that meant nothing to him.

His hands were resting atop his legs. They felt slightly cold as more tears dropped down upon them. However, a moment later he felt a strange soft warmth on his left hand. He was so taken aback by the sensation that his tears temporarily subsided.

He looked to his left and found another hand gently laying atop his own; his eyes found that of the other hand's owner who gave him a sweet consoling smile.

"Don't cry."

The boy sniffled before addressing the strange child. "Wh- Who are you?"

"My name's… Fiore..."

"D-d-do you really have to go."

Fiore found his breath had caught. He didn't understand why, but when he looked at Mamoru's big, wet, weeping eyes, his chest ached horribly.

He gave a small, solemn nod. "I'm sorry."

Fiore's chest ached harder as Mamoru continued to sob, his light green hand actually drifting up to his shirt.

"I will come back," he pleaded.

Mamoru wiped his eyes.

"P-p-promise?"

Concentrating, Fiore summoned something he'd found earlier, making it materialise in his hand.

"Mamo-chan…" He extended his arm. "... I promise. "

His mouth hanging half-open, Mamoru tentatively reached out and took the red rose.

"Promise you won't forget me?"

Mamo sniffled, but seemed to straighten up, staring deep into Fiore's striking blue-green eyes.

"Never."

Mamoru traversed the Juban shopping district alone.

It had been another lousy day at college. He had a boatload of homework and he was sure he'd underperformed on today's test.

As he neared a jewellery store he noticed a blonde girl, her head done up in twin buns, exit onto the street and angrily scrunch up a piece of paper. Focussing upon her uniform, he deduced that she seemed to be in middle school.

Mamoru sighed. Trying as his own middle school career had been, right now he'd give anything to go back to what things had been like then.

He rolled his eyes behind his thick sunglasses. Middle school? Who was he kidding? The only time he really wished to return to was that wonderful week in the hospital. That precious seven day respite from the crushing loneliness that had hounded him all his li-

His eyes went wide as the girl seemed to toss the paper, now crushed into a ball, directly at his face!

He didn't have time to move out of the way or catch it. However, neither motion proved necessary. The paper had halted, levitating mid-air.

"Wouldn't want you getting another head injury."

"What?"

Mamoru whirled around coming face to face with a tall lean man about his age with light brown hair that fell over his eyes. The man wore a friendly jovial smile that fit the teasing tone Mamoru had heard moments ago.

"Wh-who are you? How did you kn-"

"Mamo-chan… it's me ."

The stranger's fringe parted slightly and Mamo gazed into striking blue-green eyes.

Mouth hanging half open, Mamoru struggled to speak through his suddenly stolen breath.

"Fiore?"

Mamoru was leaning forwards in the arm chair, elbows on his knees, his head in his hands.

"Fiore… I'm… I'm scared."

Fiore's chest ached at the sight of Mamoru like this.

"Mamo-chan… these blackouts you keep having. Have you considered that you might be doing something during them? You keep saying you feel exhausted afterwards. That shouldn't be happening if you are just losing consciousness."

Mamoru took a deep breath. "Well I… I am starting to get these… these glimpses ."

"What sort of glimpses?" Fiore coaxed gently.

"They're like a dream or a half-forgotten memory. I think I'm dressed up, like I'm going somewhere really formal and fancy. And there's a woman in a… a castle , or something." Mamoru shook his head, as if in disbelief of his own words.

Fiore knelt down by the chair, placing a comforting arm around Mamoru's shoulder and another on his forearm.

"We'll figure this out Mamo-chan."

"Y-yo-you promise?" There was a childish quality to his tone.

Fiore took Mamoru's chin between his thumb and forefinger, gently moving his head around to face him. He stared deep into Mamoru's soft azure eyes.

"When have you known me to break a promise?"

As Fiore leant in, a single rose petal fell from the bouquet in the genkan.

It was over.

His time had run out.

All those months searching for answers. All those weeks chasing down the Rainbow Crystals.

And now Mamoru was going to die, consumed by the inferno rapidly speeding down the elevator shaft.

What was worse, he wasn't even dying alone. Poor bun-head of all people had gotten herself caught up in this too. Mamoru hadn't exactly been fond of her, but she didn't deserve to burn with him.

Gripping his bleeding shoulder, he turned to her. The least he could do now was apologise, maybe even comfort her. He only wished a certain someone was here to comfort him.

To his surprise, bun-head didn't seem scared. On the contrary, fierce defiance and determination adorned her features. Bizarrely, she flung her hand into the air.

"Moon Pri-!"

CRASH!

Both she and Mamoru just barely brought their arms up to shield themselves as glass cascaded across the elevator. Mamoru felt a strong, firm arm wrap itself around his waist, accompanied by a wonderfully familiar rose fragrance.

His stomach felt odd as his centre of gravity shifted and the cool night air cut across his face. Lowering his arms and just barely opening his eyes he saw the glittering Tokyo lights twinkling below him and growing ever larger.

As his senses reasserted themselves, he heard bun-head yelling and screaming despite the loud rush of wind in his ears. Her volume only increased as they zeroed in on a rooftop and finally landed.

Mamoru however was not paying attention to her. His focus was upon the concerned green face of the man who was still gripping his waist tight.

"My hero," he smiled up weakly.

It was early morning. The first light of the day was steadily creeping up across the sky, though the Moon was still just visible.

Fiore strolled through the park, letting the crisp morning air blow through his mane of blue hair. He usually liked this time of day, at least when he could spend it here. It was light enough to appreciate the beauty of the park, but enough darkness lingered that he could walk around without his human guise.

He could just be himself . Today however he found it difficult to enjoy himself.

"Fiore."

His chest ached at Mamoru's voice. Tentatively, he turned around.

"Mamo-chan?"

Slowly, as if worried about scaring him away, Mamoru came closer.

"Did… Did you talk to her… to Usagi… to Serenity ." Fiore winced. Uttering the name seemed to cost him something.

"I did," Mamoru said simply, edging forwards a little more.

"… And?"

"Luna confirmed it beyond any doubt. The Dark Kingdom is finished for good. Serenity saved the world."

Anger bubbled up in Fiore and he whipped his head around, momentarily disgusted at the sight of Mamoru.

"That wasn't what I was talking about."

He was so angry, that he only dimly detected the sound of soft footsteps upon grass.

"I'm sorry. I should have been more considerate."

"Mamo, the only thing I am interested in you considering is… is…."

Fiore felt a comforting hand upon his shoulder and another upon his forearm. Mamoru gently guided him around to face him, though Fiore's gaze remained downcast.

"Fiore, I… I'm sorry. I love Serenity. I can't help but love her."

Fiore's chest felt like it was bursting open. Tears flowed down his cheeks.

He felt a thumb and forefinger around his chin. A moment later his blue-green eyes were locked with Mamoru's own azure orbs.

"… But not as much as I love you."

The dawn fully broke across the park.

The last vestiges of the Moon disappeared.

The red roses in the park seemed to bloom.

And two young lovers returned home, never knowing loneliness ever again for the rest of their days.

A/N: Consider this (partially) representing the 90s Sailor Moon movies amidst this anthology.

Also I'd like to let you know I am involved in a discord called 'Moonlight Legends' which is dedicated to sharing all sorts of Sailor Moon fanworks, including other fanfics. If you would like to join so you can share your own work, get help with your current projects or just connect to other fan creators shoot me a PM and I'll send you an invite. All are welcome!