Under normal circumstances, discovering you were naked in bed with a man would be very sobering. Especially when that man was cast as the leading role in all of your naked in bed fantasies for the past year. Not to mention the very adult and very real scenarios of a past life romance that you were just beginning to remember. Yes, that realization would be quite sobering, indeed.

But the delicious heat soaking into her from Mamoru's bare skin was having quite a different effect on Usagi.

She was on fire, the flames of desire lapping against every nerve ending under her skin. Everywhere Mamoru touched her–her back, beneath her breasts, her calves–were burning with an urgent need. A need for more of him. More of his touch, his heart, his essence. One of his hands was in her hair, parting it with his fingers and running through its length over and over again. It was agonizing bliss and it took every last morsel of will power not to roll over and

jump his bones right then.

He was Endymion, yes. The man she fell in love with thousands of years ago. The man who made love to her on the Earth and the Moon. The man who lost his life defending hers. But he was so much more than that.

He was Mamoru. The man who, even without his memories of Silver Millenium, risked his own life for her on a nearly daily basis. Whose fleeting smiles were reserved for only her. Who teased her and comforted her and looked adorable in his hideous clothes. The man who had just rescued her once again from an untimely and undignified death.

Her heart had belonged to him since she first laid eyes on him, no matter how long she had tried to deny it. And now, with the full extent of her memories restored, the details didn't matter. Where Serenity ended and Usagi began was inconsequential. She was just a girl in love with a boy who, judging by the way his thumb was tracing exquisite circles on her ribs, was rather infatuated with her, too.

He had to be.

Mamoru had pulled the mattress from the bed and laid it in front of the fireplace, every blanket in the cabin piled on top of them. The fire was the sole source of warmth and light in the cabin (besides the naked man currently spooning her). Though the sun appeared to have set long ago, the power had yet to return. Their wet clothing had been discarded in the general vicinity of the hearth, but remained in damp heaps on the floor, forgotten in Mamoru's haste to warm Usagi. She scanned the various articles of clothing without moving a muscle, too afraid to break the spell. But when her gaze fell upon her pink panties strewn beside the fire, the spell broke itself.

"Mamoru?" she dared.

For the briefest moment, he stiffened behind her. Then his hand resumed it's combing.

"I'm here," he murmured into her hair.

She couldn't bear it any longer. Turning around in his arms, she came nose to nose with the man who had been parading behind her eyelids for the last few hours. His deep, cobalt eyes and shining black hair drew those memories back to the surface yet again; a blue orb in an endless sky.

He didn't blink. Mamoru just stared right back at her, an indecipherable emotion dancing in those dangerous eyes. Usagi timidly brought her hands from shielding her naked breast to wrap around his neck, a tiny gasp tugging up her chest when strong hands settled around her waist. Her breast heaved, her pert nipples brushing against his chest with each laborious breath as she realized the only thing between them now was the flimsy material of his underwear.

"You saved me," she breathed. "Thank you."

Mamoru swallowed, his adam's apple bobbing against the taught skin of his neck.

"I made a promise to you a long time ago that I would always protect you or die trying." The honesty of his voice had her trembling as he brought one hand to her face, brushing the back of his fingers across her cheekbone. "I don't intend to lose you this time."

His face inched towards hers until he was so close that his breath tickled her lips, the edge of his nose grazing hers. The air around them charged with the anticipation of the kiss, electricity dancing along invisible cords, neither of them breathing, both of them waiting. Until finally, Usagi closed the distance.

It was wild, desperate, pleading. They clung to each other fervently; thousands of years of separation bubbling up from their lips and throwing all caution to the wind. Usagi glued her face to his, exploring his mouth with her tongue while his hands roamed her curves. It was exhilarating yet safe, new yet secure. With her fingers tangled in his hair, Usagi threw her leg over his hip and began to grind against him, feeling his growing length harden in response.

She needed him. She needed him now.

Her strength and courage returning, Usagi rolled the two of them so that she straddled his hips, continuing to rock against his erection, an action made easier by the slick already gathering between her folds.

Mamoru groaned beneath her before finding her shoulders and giving her a gentle push. She didn't respond, her body continuing to move on its own, grinding and kissing with abandon. After a moment, firm hands gripped her chin and removed her face from his.

Usagi frowned, her brows raising in confusion.

"We shouldn't," Mamoru answered, his voice just above a whisper. But even the pain in his voice did little to cushion the blow of rejection.

Usagi flopped off of him and rolled onto her side, her back to him, just as she was before she attacked him. Another groan sounded behind her, but she was too distressed to care. Tears pricked at her eyes and she bit her lip, determined not to let him hear her cry. She moved her shoulders with deliberately steady breaths, doing all she could to keep the sobs from wracking her body.

"Usako." His arms slid back around her waist, pulling her against his chest, and he nuzzled into her hair. "I didn't say I didn't want to. Just that we shouldn't."

"Why?" she croaked, trying to discreetly wipe away the hot tears that had spilled over.

Mamoru sighed and tucked a lock of hair behind Usagi's ear. His hand lingered on her face, trailing down her jaw and finding an errant tear she had missed. Dammit.

His whole body went rigid. "Are you crying?" He sounded annoyed.

"So what if I am," Usagi huffed, swatting his hand away, embarrassment and anger mingling in her tears.

Mamoru's head fell against her shoulder. "I am such an idiot," he murmured against her skin.

His lips felt amazing as they grazed her, almost coaxing her out of her tantrum, but she held her ground. "I already knew that."

"I always screw everything up with you. I always have. Ever since that first day." He rubbed his nose back and forth along the ridge of her shoulder blade, raising goosebumps along her spine.

Usagi stifled a gasp as her core twitched at his delicate contact. "That first day?"

She felt him nod against her shoulder. "You threw that paper at my head and I made fun of you."

"I remember," Usagi answered dryly.

"All I could do was pick on you for the longest time. I made such an ass of myself. But I never could get my words to work right around you." His hand found its way to her stomach and drew mindless circles on her skin with his fingertips as he talked. "I mean, I know I'm not a great communicator in general, but something about you seemed to shut off my brain entirely."

The tears had stopped. Usagi sniffed. "Yeah?"

"Yeah," he breathed. "It still kinda does."

She swallowed, debating. "I thought you hated me."

The response came in less than a second. "That couldn't be farther from the truth."

"Oh."

Mamoru's hand tightened around her ribs, his thumb tracing the smooth curve where her breast met her body and she struggled to keep her breathing even.

"This has all been so confusing and everything between us happened so fast. I just don't want you to do something that you're going to regret." He pressed his lips to the top of her shoulder.

Usagi felt like the dial on a spinner, alternating between extremes of emotions with each flick of his words.

"Why do you think I would regret it?" she challenged.

"Because," he groaned, letting his forehead fall against her shoulder again. When he spoke next, his words were barely audible. "Maybe you're really just in love with Endymion and not me."

This whole time, every snide remark, every attempt to put distance between them, Usagi had thought it was Mamoru's lack of interest in her, when really, he was experiencing the same fears she was. Fear or rejection, of not being enough. Coupled with the pain of silent longing for too many years. Again, the emotion surged inside of her and she took a steadying breath.

"I've had the same fear, you know," she admitted. It was only fair since he had been so vulnerable with her. And the pathetic way he was crumpled around her body made him much less intimidating than his usual brick wall composure.

"What?" his head snapped up. "What do you mean?"

"Are you kidding? How could ditzy, clumsy, thirty-percent Usagi ever compare to the perfect Princess Serenity?" She shook her head, wiping away a fresh wave of tears. "Finding out the Moon Princess was me must have been a major disappointment."

"A disappointment to whom? Me?" His voice was urgent and made the tears fall faster. She wiped at them furiously.

"To everyone. Luna, the girls, and especially you." For the first time in a while, Usagi felt very naked. And not in a good way.

"That's absurd," Mamoru insisted. "If there's anyone on this planet fit for that title, it's you."

Usagi's cheeks burned and she was grateful Mamoru couldn't see her face. He had never said anything so kind to her before. Truthfully, she wasn't even sure if he knew how. She said nothing, instead allowing him to fill the silence himself.

"Of the two of us, you're the one that should be disappointed. All I've ever done is give you reason to hate me. How could I possibly compare to Prince Charming in your eyes?"

"You're the one who's absurd," Usagi snapped, feeling Mamoru stiffen behind her. "How many times have you saved my life? How long have you been there for me? And I'm not talking about Endymion. I'm talking about you, Mamo-chan. You have been there for me since the beginning. Tuxedo Mask was there the first time I ever fought a youma. You were there for every wound, every defeat, every victory. And for everyday things, too. Don't think I haven't noticed you watching me at the Crown."

She heard him swallow. "You noticed, huh?"

"Of course I noticed," she said, her voice more gentle now. "Because I was always watching you, too."

Mamoru's thumb resumed it's stroking of her bare skin, reawakening the need that had been smoldering in her just minutes before. She clenched her legs together, an unconscious attempt to relieve some of the pressure.

"But are you sure?" he pressed, returning his lips to her neck and administering tiny kisses between words. "This isn't just Serenity and Endymion? It's you and me?"

"I really don't know how much of this is because of them," Usagi answered honestly, "but I also really don't care. Not anymore."

Mamoru's mouth opened against her neck and he sucked at her pulse, sending new waves of pleasure along her sensitive flesh. Usagi found his hand beneath her breast and brought it to her nipple, encouraging him to touch her with boldness. And touch her he did.

With her permission secured, Mamoru freely explored her body. Cupping and kneading her breasts, pinching her nipples, squeezing her thighs and bottom, all while rocking his erection into her ass. She moaned and pressed back into his hips, desperately needing to feel more of his flesh. His lips traveled over her neck, jaw, and shoulder, kissing every inch of accessible skin with the familiarity and neediness of a long forgotten lover. With one hand, Usagi reached behind her head and knotted her fingers in his thick hair, granting him approval of his ministrations with gentle tugs to the roots. He moaned in response.

Usagi's core was throbbing and she needed him to fill her, to relieve the ache, to consume her body and soul. With her other hand, she found his cock and slid it between her legs, clenching her thighs around him and relishing every frustrating stroke against her slit.

"I need you," she moaned, and that was all the instruction he needed.

Mamoru lifted her top leg and, with far too much skill for a pair of virgins, he found her entrance from behind and thrust himself inside.

She was tight around his thick girth and it took a moment for her body to adjust, but Mamoru stayed right with her, his muscled arms wrapped protectively around her waist and offering reassuring kisses on her shoulder. After a minute, she adjusted to his size and sighed, feeling full and complete for the first time in this earthly life. This was what she had been missing, what she had been craving. She relaxed against his chest and he took that as his cue to move, slowly at first, the both of them moaning quietly with each deep stroke of his cock.

It was better than the memories. Better than the dreams. Because it was real. It was her and it was Mamoru and it was happening right now. He picked up his pace, rutting inside her with one hand on her nipple while the other found its way to her clit. He rubbed both in tandem, circling with fingers that knew exactly what she liked, just the right pressure, the right speed, as his cock hit her spot over and over again. And as much as she wanted to stay like this, spooning and making love with Mamoru forever, she was not going to last.

The pressure was already building. Thousands of years of emotional longing and at least one year of unresolved sexual tension boiled under her skin, overly responsponsive to every little touch. She tugged at his hair as a particularly strong jolt of pleasure crashed over her. He groaned against her neck.

"Usako, I'm sorry but I don't think I'm going to last much longer."

"Me neither," she gasped.

Mamoru shuddered against her, moaning in her ear, and filled her core with his hot liquid. And she followed him, her release absolutely explosive compared to any she had experienced before by her own hands. His chest heaved into her back as his head fell against the pillow. But he didn't withdraw. He stayed trapped between her thighs, their calves and feet entwined.

After a moment of catching their breath, Mamoru's voice rumbled behind her. "I think you could say we've sufficiently broken the ice."

"Oh my God!" Usagi wailed, rolling over just so she could give his chest a hard shove. "That joke was so much worse than any of mine!"

Mamoru laughed, loud and full, his toothy smile reaching from ear to ear and nearly stopping Usagi's pounding heart. "But am I wrong?"

She rolled her eyes. "No, you're not wrong." Then she snuggled into his chest and he naturally wrapped his arms around her, placing a kiss on the top of her head. Smiling, Usagi breathed in his musky scent, rich with the afterglow of sex.

"To be completely honest, I think it's the best case scenario," Usagi mused, cramming a whole smore into her mouth. The fireplace, she had learned, had many uses: cast iron nachos, smores, and romantic ambience. Also drying her clothes and saving her life, of course.

"How do you figure?" Mamoru asked, already threading another marshmallow onto the skewer. He really did know her so well.

"Well, like, just imagine," Usagi voiced around a sticky mouthful. "You could have wound up in Umino's body."

Mamoru shook his head, incredulous. "Had that been the case, I bet this would have been a very different evening."

Usagi choked, the dry graham cracker nearly getting stuck in her throat on the way down. She dove for her glass of milk, downing the contents urgently. The last thing they needed right now was another carrot incident.

"How dare you even suggest that." She shot him the dirtiest glare she could muster, though her pout vanished as soon as that infuriating and irresistible smirk touched his lips.

"Hey, you're the one that brought it up," Mamoru defended, rotating the marshmallow to ensure perfectly even toastiness.

"I wasn't thinking about that," Usagi wailed. "Get your mind out of the gutter, Mamo-chan!" She readied the ingredients for the next smore and then adjusted the blanket draped around her naked shoulders.

"Sorry, sorry," he shrugged, removing the marshmallow from the fire and inspecting it. "It's hard to be a gentleman when you've refused to get dressed."

The blood under Usagi's skin burned from her face to her chest as Mamoru dragged his sapphire eyes down her body. She pulled the blanket a little closer.

"But I do understand what you're saying," he offered, graciously moving the topic away from her naked body. "I'm glad it's you. I don't think I could ever love anyone else."

Usagi's heart stopped beating for a good minute. Or at least, long enough to wonder if she was about to die because it certainly was not supposed to be quiet for so long. Did he just say "love?"

"Did you just say 'love?'" Across from her, Mamoru froze, his eyes fixed on the marshmallow he was currently sandwiching between graham crackers and chocolate. "You love me?"

After what felt like an eternity, he graced Usagi with his gorgeous ocean eyes and answered with confidence, "I thought that was obvious."

Sometime the next morning, after hours of adventurous love making and consuming every snack they could find in the cupboards, Usagi awoke to the most grating sound she had ever heard in her life. It scraped at her eardrums and pounded against her skull. It also probably didn't help that she had gotten very little sleep. She groaned and rolled into Mamoru's chest, throwing his bicep over her ear to smother the sound.

"What is that?" she whined.

Mamoru chuckled. "I believe that is a snow plow. Which means we can go home today."

Usagi bolted upright. "Today!?"

"Well…yeah. It's Sunday." Mamoru scratched his head, obviously not seeing the problem that was tearing at Usagi's insides.

"But I don't want to leave today!" she cried and then dove back into the safety of his armpit. "I just got you back."

"I don't really think we have a choice, Usako." He attempted to console her by rubbing circles on her arm. "Minako's the one that booked the place for us. It wouldn't be right to ask her to pay for an extended stay.

"What do you mean, she 'booked the place?'" Usagi resurfaced to raise an eyebrow at him.

"Minako told me she rented this cabin for all of us, and then she backed out and…" The wheels were visibly turning in his head. "Oh, God, you don't think she lied? We're not squatting, are we?"

Usagi laughed at the panic spreading across Mamoru's handsome features. "Oh, she lied alright. But we're not here illegally. This is her family's cabin."

Mamoru's jaw dropped and she gently lifted his chin closed. Shock turned to fury and he turned on her.

"You knew?" he almost shouted. "And you went along with it?"

Usagi shrank back sheepishly, realizing her mistake. "Well…I knew it was her family's. You never would have gone if you hadn't felt obligated." She clasped his hand, threading her fingers through his. "But I really didn't know they were going to back out. Honest."

"Then…" The anger faded, replaced with confusion. "Why did you go if you knew you weren't obligated?"

That familiar blush that Mamoru was so good at painting on her cheeks reappeared and she averted her gaze. "Because I wanted to spend time with you." The words almost sounded like a question, almost apologetic.

The next thing she knew, Usagi was wrapped in a bear hug, her head tucked under Mamoru's chin.

"Thank you," he crooned. "Thank you so much, Usako."