Sweet Nocturne

Disclaimer: I don't own Sailor Moon

Chapter 7: Reunion

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Yeah, right. Yeah, right. Yeah, right!

Rini was in denial that she had actually forgotten all about her one and only love from the past after all this time. And that he is standing right in front her at this very moment. She didn't know what to say. When she had uttered his name from shock and revelation, she expected to wake up. After all, this is all still taking place in a dream. But she was still standing in place, and the magnificent horse was still right in front of her.

The horse neighed and spread its grand wings to its fullest length, and then covered his face with the soft feathers. A flash of golden light illuminated the area, forcing Rini to cover her eyes with her arms. The light was still so bright she could see red from behind her eyelids. When she felt the intensity die down, she reluctantly opened one eye, then the other, almost afraid of what she's going to see, or what she's not going to see. Oh, don't tell me he left…

But of course he did not leave. Why would one separate from his love after waiting for her for so long?

The horse had turned into a man. Pegasus has morphed into Elios. Man as beautiful as the beast. Pegasus is a glorious winged horse, the kind of creature whose splendor cannot possibly be captured by paintings, songs, or dreams. The lucky few who have seen it, the royal court, are still astounded by its presence whenever he shows up. Such words can be said about Elios.

Rini was shocked. She thought him utterly handsome and dreamy when she was just a child, but now he is the most drop-dead gorgeous man she had ever had the pleasure of seeing. His features are more refined, and he towered a good head and a half above her. A little taller than Lita. His uniform was a little different too; the lines were crisper, and there was something else. Whatever it was, it made him look more authoritative but still as ethereal as before nonetheless. As she finally looked into his eyes, the same ones as Pegasus', she felt a whole decade of love that she had forgotten about roll back into her being.

"My lady," he said, and went down on one knee to acknowledge her royalty. His voice was a lot deeper and richer now, she noted. He held her eyes with his though, and Rini stood transfixed, yet a tad disappointed with his formality. What did I expect? She thought. A bone-breaking hug, perhaps. A kiss, maybe. She blushed at the latter. Well, he seemed to have liked kissing me before. Why stop now?

Indeed, why stop now? If he's not going to do it, I might as well.

As Elios got up to his full height once more, Rini ran into his chest and embraced him. She realized she had not the courage to kiss him, yet. She hid her embarrassment in the embrace, and was relieved when she felt solid arms surrounding her.

"Elios, I'm so glad you're back," she finally said. She pulled back to look at him.

"Are you hurt, princess?" he asked. The worry was evident in his face.

She shook her head. "I'm fine, thanks to you." Why is he being a bit distant? After a moment, "Do you know who that man was?"

"Not yet. But obviously, someone dangerous," His tone was grave. "And powerful, since he was able to reach you this way."

Rini contemplated for a moment. "You mean through my dreams?"

Elios nodded.

"But I drank a tea hex; I wasn't supposed to be dreaming in the first place."

A look of realization dawned upon his handsome face, then quickly disappeared. Rini did not miss it though. "Then the enemy is more powerful than I thought, by actually being able to break the hex."

"You're not telling me something."

Elios blinked. "Excuse me, princess?"

Rini rolled her eyes. "Surely you don't feign ignorance, my lord." Her haughty tone was comical against her childish expression. She placed a palm against his chest. "I beg you tell me what is on your unreadable mind; a lady, nay, a princess's request." She loved playing these games; using her rank to get what she wanted. Even if she can't use it on everybody.

A smile played upon one of the corners of Elios's lips. She's still got that charm, he thought, of getting anything she wanted. He realized she must've caught on to something indeed. He did not want to tell her yet, though. I'll get her mind off it first. Very purposefully, so that she would notice, he let his eyes travel her body, which was donned in a slinky nightgown.

And Rini did notice, and she blushed hotly. She shouldn't have worn this nightgown; she only started wearing such scandalous rails since she started having those dreams. Normally she would have spat out some well-disguised derogatory phrase to any man who dared look at her that way. It made her feel like some sort of object, a plaything; it made her feel violated. But with Elios, the boy who knew her dreams, the one who she knew was her match deep inside, it was different. She felt like a woman, and she felt like melting. She wanted to move though, but her limbs felt glued onto the ground, her hand still on his chest. Her blush spread, until she thought she'd look pinker than her hair.

Elios had seen Rini's adult form in his vision, when trouble with Nehelenia arose. She was more breathtaking in flesh and blood; she had a very womanly body and had the same beauty as her mother's, except that she looked a bit exotic with her deep red eyes. He was very happy to see with evidence that she has certainly grown into a lady, that her dream has come true. He noticed her blush, which was going down her neck, and laughed inside.

"My lady," he whispered against her ear. "I think you would not like the thoughts in my unreadable mind right now."

Rini shuddered from his closeness, and saw that he was eluding from the real subject. That's very tricky of him. She moved her hand from his chest down to his belly, which she noticed was very hard (Wow, what has he been doing all these years?), and around to his side. "My lord, I'm afraid you underestimate me for any other common woman."

Elios liked the way she trailed her hand up and down his side. Common woman you are most certainly not.  "Forgive me, princess." Does she do this to other men? He wondered bitterly. He stepped back from her abruptly.

Rini was shocked by this sudden move, and the air he left in his stride was cold. She looked up to see his smiling face. Gosh he's gorgeous.

"I'm sorry, princess, but there's not enough time to tell you everything." He said, getting back to the topic.

"Not enough time? We have all night, Elios. And please, call me by my name."

"Daybreak will be any second now," he informed her.

"But we've just—it's been so long! This is such a brief reunion! I will not have it."

He laughed, out loud this time. "Neither will I, princess. Stop the sun if you can, though."

She sighed, "The sun is just as certain as the rising of the moon," Didn't I just tell him to stop addressing me so formally? "Will I see you again, priest?" she asked.

He was quiet for a while. Oh please, don't let it be another decade or so till I see you again, Rini prayed. She took both his hands and clasped it in hers. "Elios! Promise me you'll see me tomorrow!" she requested, eagerly.

Elios looked down at her beautiful face, framed by her loose pink hair, and her elegant hands clasping his. He loved this girl, no, woman since before… he should let her know all the more. He has missed her too much already. Why hide?

Rini began to panic when he still kept his silence and when the forest around them, the brook, and the oak tree was beginning to vanish, turning more yellow and orange. When she fell asleep she was looking at the moon. Now when she will open her eyes, the sun will be in its place. Dammit! I forgot to close my curtains!

Elios noticed her anxiety, and before she could sink deeper into it, he leaned down and pressed his lips to hers. He was pleasantly surprised, once more this night, when she kissed him back. He ended the kiss after a while, and touched his cheek onto hers. He breathed in her scent, which smelled like roses and moonlight, refreshing and intoxicating.

He then looked at her, her eyes still closed, lips swollen. Always ends this way. He then intertwined his fingers with hers. In that simple gesture, Rini's questions were answered.

"I promise, Rini." He whispered. "Open your eyes, darling."

She then awoke to the glare of the unwelcome sun with a smile.

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-I'm very sorry for those who have been waiting for this chapter. Sorry for the wait and for the short length! The essays and other work have been piling up too much. I kinda took a 3-month break from life, you could say. Ugh. I hope my writing style hasn't changed for the worse though. Anyway, I'll make sure that it won't take another three months for me to update. Thanks to those who reviewed and helped get me back on track, much luv.-