Four days had passed since Mamoru pulled Usagi from the frigid water. Four blissful, lusty, miraculous days spent inside their little winter oasis. Four days of learning and exploring every part of each other, from their most embarrassing moments to their unexpected erogenous zones. For Usagi's part, she much preferred hearing Mamoru whine as she sucked on his index finger than reliving the horrid milk-out-the-nose incident of fourth grade. And Mamoru was happy to tickle the inside of Usagi's ankle any time of day if it meant he didn't have to talk about his solo in junior high choir.
"Did you learn that song in choir?" Usagi asked after coercing Mamoru into a third retelling of his dreaded voice crack. "The one you sang to me?"
He smiled and gave Usagi's hand a gentle squeeze. "I'm not entirely sure, but I think my mother used to sing it to me."
Usagi gasped in the seat beside him, her other hand coming to rest on top of theirs in her lap. "You mean, you remember her?"
With his eyes fixed on the road, Mamoru couldn't see her face, but her words were laced with deep compassion. His chest warmed with Usagi's unreserved feelings for him, reveling in the certainty of her affections.
"Not that one," he explained as he navigated the car through the familiar streets of their hometown. "My first mother, the Queen."
Usagi waited patiently for him to elaborate, drawing reassuring circles on his hand with her thumb.
"It's not a clear memory," he continued, "just vague impressions. A giant four poster bed, moonlight brighter than I've ever seen in this lifetime, a comforting, alto voice…" He trailed off, the memory painting a dreamy half smile on his full lips.
"Was that the language you spoke?" Usagi asked.
Mamoru shrugged. "Maybe so. I don't know the exact translation, but I think it's something about finding someone even in their dreams."
Usagi tucked her chin as a grin stretched over her face. "Like you found me."
"And you found me."
Usagi exchanged Mamoru's hand for his arm, wrapping herself around his bicep and nuzzling her head on his shoulder. The car pulled sharply to the right as she gripped him tightly to keep her balance as they sild easily into a parking spot outside their beloved Crown Arcade. Just in time for dinner.
"Come on, let's go eat!" Usagi pulled on Mamoru's arm, her stomach growling audibly. "We ran out of real food two days ago and I'm starving!"
A very different sensation was gripping Mamoru's stomach. Incapacitating fingers of anxiety clawed into his organs and knotted them to the back of his seat. It was suddenly very warm inside the car.
They would know. Everyone would know.
Mamoru could just see the insufferable smirk on Motoki's face that would undoubtedly be waiting behind those automatic doors, the not so subtle comments that were sure to come from the startlingly conniving mastermind behind this whole scheme, the pointed looks between the other girls. They would all know what he and Usagi had been doing for the past week, and that thought had beads of sweat breaking out along his heavy brow.
"Mamo-chan? What's wrong?" Usagi had noted the sudden change in her lover and was now watching him carefully.
He wiped his forehead on his sleeve, erasing the evidence of his all too human emotions getting the best of him once again. "I'm just not looking forward to whatever Minako has to say," he admitted, stealing a sideways glance at Usagi.
To his surprise, she laughed, light bells chiming on a golden Sunday morning. "Welcome to the club," she offered with a toothy grin before climbing out of the car and waiting for him on the curb. Minako always had something to say about everything. Mamoru was just going to have to get used to it.
When Mamoru finally joined her, Usagi took his hand and led him towards the door of the arcade. "Come on, Mamo-chan. If you wanna be my lover, you gotta get with my friends," she sang, much to his chagrin. With a roll of his eyes, the pair stepped through the doors and into the lions' den.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't the happy couple," a particularly annoying voice called to them, directing their attention to the usual booth. A half-chewed french fry rolled around behind Minako's teeth as she spoke. "Now, tell me: who's the Goddess of Love? Who is it?" She cupped one hand behind her ear in feigned anticipation.
As expected, the senshi were all gathered together, various food items and milkshakes littering the table between them. And, as expected, four pairs of overly large eyes were watching Mamoru and Usagi expectantly, occasionally darting amongst themselves with knowing looks and smirks before returning to the anxious couple.
"Oh, come off it," Rei chastised, smacking Minako on the back of the head. "We all knew they'd get together eventually. It's not like you magic-ed them together or something."
Oh, dear God. Rei. Mamoru hadn't thought about her since Usagi mentioned her during their first dinner together when she revealed that she had a "type." And now he was looking at her in a very different light. Gorgeous, raven hair flowed down her back in an otherworldly waterfall, a stark contrast to her fair, olive skin. Mysterious, violet eyes sat over high cheekbones and shapely lips, enticing and alluring. She was snarky and aloof as she pretended to ignore Minako rubbing the sore spot on her head. They were totally alike. And how had he not seen it before? Mamoru ran a hand through his own black hair, wondering if Rei's felt nicer than his, if Usagi would have liked to run her fingers through the length. How her lips might compare to his. Were they softer?
"What are you staring at, baka?" his competition challenged.
Mamoru swallowed and heard Usagi stifle a giggle beside him. "Um, nothing. Sorry. It's been a long week."
"Yeah, it has!" Makoto cheered and reached across the table to give Minako a high five.
"Guys!" Ami's face was as red as Mamoru's probably was, her eyes flitting nervously between her friends. "Just leave them alone!"
"No way," Minako insisted, her blonde hair dancing around her shoulders as she shook her head. I want to hear every detail!"
Usagi squeezed Mamoru's hand to get his attention, looking up at him sweetly. "Mamo-chan, why don't you go get us some food while I tell the girls about our trip?"
Bless her, that beautiful, magical girlfriend of his. Ignoring the blooming heat under his skin, Mamoru gave a short nod before releasing Usagi and heading to the counter. The girls exploded into a chorus of giggles behind him as Usagi joined them in the booth, no doubt giving them way too much information. In a few short steps, he was face to face with another infuriating grin.
"There he is! The man of the hour!" Motoki threw his hand up for a high five that Mamoru did not oblige. After an awkward moment and a failed glare from Mamoru (he really did need to check that in the mirror), it fell to the counter as Motoki chuckled darkly. "Are you seriously gonna tell me that you two didn't–"
"Stop. Talking." Mamoru spat the words through clenched teeth. "Now."
"Oh, scary," Motoki smirked, his hands up in defense. "Alright, alright. Just tell me you at least didn't screw it up for once?" To Mamoru's relief, he busied himself with making a fresh pot of coffee.
"Of course I did." Mamoru sat at a barstool and removed his coat, folding it on the stool beside him. "But I also fixed it. Give me some credit."
Motoki barked out a laugh. "That sounds about right. But I bet Usagi is the one that really fixed it."
Mamoru sighed, graciously accepting the cup of coffee Motoki offered. "Right again." He took a sip, the scalding hot liquid calming his nerves almost instantly. "She really is something else."
Motoki rested his elbows on the counter, cupping his chin, and looking at Mamoru with burning curiosity. "So, are you two, like, together now?"
"Oh, shut up."
Another wave of laughter echoed behind them and Motoki turned toward the girls' table. "She looks really happy."
"She does?" Mamoru turned, following his friend's gaze to the beauty in the lavender sweater dress. She was beaming, almost glowing, as she relayed the week's events to her friends. Every so often, an adorable flush would creep across her cheeks or her nose would wrinkle with an endearing giggle. She did look happy. The happiest he had ever seen her. And, by some miracle, it was because of him.
Mamoru's chest tightened with a strange mixture of pride and humility and he turned back to his coffee, not wanting to be caught ogling by Minako.
"And so do you." Motoki clapped him on the shoulder. "Good work, man. Now, just don't screw it up."
Mamoru rolled his eyes. "Gee, thanks."
"Sure thing. You can always count on me for stellar advice." He gave Mamoru a ridiculous, two-finger salute. "Two burgers?"
Mamoru nodded. "With extra fries and a strawberry milkshake."
"Coming up." Motoki disappeared into the kitchen with a wink.
"Oh my gosh, you so don't have to worry about Rei!"
Mamoru was crumpled on his leather sofa, head buried in his hands. It was silly and shameful, he knew, but he couldn't help it. The intrusive thought had lodged itself in his brain like a periwinkle in wet sand, slowly driving him insane as it wriggled deeper and deeper.
"Are you sure?" he mumbled against his fingers.
"Yes!" Usagi knelt in front of him, unsuccessfully trying to peel his fingers away from his face.
Mamoru peered at her between them, his palms (hopefully) obscuring his blush. "Is she prettier than me?"
"You are ridiculous!" Usagi tackled him, hurling him into the back of the couch with the full weight of her body. She straddled his lap and gripped his hair at the roots, tugging his head back to meet her gaze. A thrill traveled down his spine and settled in his groin as her nails scraped against his scalp. "I am not interested in Rei. I am interested in you, you dummy!" She leaned down to him, so close he could smell the strawberry milkshake on her breath, and he wondered if he would be able to taste it. "Now shut up and kiss me before I slap you."
He considered her threat. "That might be nice, actually."
It was Usagi's turn to blush. "Mamo-chan!" she gasped, her eyes wider and bluer than the sky outside his apartment window. "You want me to hit you?"
He captured her lips with his, the lingering flavor of strawberry cream coating his tongue as he tasted her. It was sweet, but not as delicious as other places on her body that he had discovered. Trailing kisses along her jaw, he dipped just behind her ear, giving attention to one of her favorite spots that he had just relieved yesterday, relishing the accompanying hitch of her breath.
"Yes, my Princess," he breathed against her neck. "Do as you wish with me."