* 2022-05-31
Oh bittersweet endings, we've come to part ways. It took two years to get here but I've actually managed to finish another story. It gives me the urge to keep writing.
Take note that I had to break the ending into two chapters as it was way too long.
Be warned that my stories contain mature subjects and are PG18+++. There is graphic violence, coarse language, sexual situations, and triggers as my characters deal with emotional, physical, or mental traumas.
A Final Escape
Chapter 27
"The dining table goes next to the window, so we can enjoy the view while eating," Mina crossed her arms over her chest and tapped her foot in annoyance, her jaw grinding. The obstinate unreasonable man was going to give her slip ends and grey hairs!
"That leaves us exposed to spying and attacks," Kunzite countered for the one hundred time, his voice not rising a decibel even as his ire rose. How they got stuck arranging the new furniture together was beyond him. How did anyone think it could end in anything other than disaster? He was all about functionality, Mina was all about design and comfort.
Rubbing the bridge of her nose to soothe the mounting headache, she prayed to her Goddess for patience. "The glass is bulletproof and mirror-effected," she was surprised by how calm her voice sounded when all she wanted to do was wrap her chains around him and hang him on the veranda for birds to shit on. "That means it will not shatter if someone tries to attack. And as there are no super-powered villains around, the only threat possible would be human. But as nobody knows our secret, except a very chosen few, we don't need to worry about any hitmen or paparazzi for now. We can live like normal people until Serena and Darien ascend their thrones!"
"It is called senseless endangerment. I am still in charge of overseeing the royal security, which includes yours, Princess Milaina, might I remind you. As such, I must insist that a thin layer of glass will not prevent a stronger attack than a bullet. Why give an enemy a chance to follow our patterns and succeed in any attempt on your lives?"
Mina had it. She stomped toward the man and started to poke her sharp nails at his chest as he loomed intimidatingly over her. "We are not royals now! We have a chance to enjoy life as normal people for a limited amount of time! And as we've finally reached peace, your overprotectiveness is unnecessary and suffocating! The only way you would be happy with security is if we moved to a secluded fortress such as the castles of old. That isn't happening anytime soon! You better get it through your head, and adapt! No way will any of us allow you to cuddle and suffocate us with your unreasonable overprotectiveness due to your paranoia!"
Kunzite watched as her chest rose rapidly with the anger radiating from her. Her skin bloomed from the rapid flow of blood and indignation. Her proximity, body almost touching his, as she invaded his personal space, completely uncaring of the danger of provoking him. As always, she was pushing his buttons but all he could think about instead of strangling her was burying himself in her. How much their situation had changed since he got free a month ago.
"You are right, Mina. The only way I'd be satisfied with security is if there was no way danger could get to you. I'd only be happy if the world never had access to you. Never had a chance to hurt any of you again." Lowering his face closer to hers, a hair breath between their lips, he allowed a wolfish smirk to play at his lips only for her to see. "But I don't think you'd mind if I cuddled you until you suffocated a bit. I seem to recall Milaina was into bondage," he teased, watching her response with satisfaction.
Stumbling back, her ass hit the dining table as he followed her. Wait, when did their decorating turn to taunting? Sex had been a one-time thing, right? To take the edge off. Help her regain her powers, no? Sure, they teased but since when did Kunzite want a repeat? And wasn't she supposed to stay clear-headed and away from sex to focus on her Senshi role?
He watched as an array of emotions filtered across her face. There lay the difference between Milaina and Mina. Where the former had been a master seductress and shrewd tactician, Mina was often an open book, unguarded and silly, still slightly untainted by the sorrows of life. And that sweetness made every protective instinct in him rage. It also watered his mouth with all the ways he could corrupt it while bringing her to heights of pleasure she couldn't have experienced yet. Just remembered.
Placing his hands on either side of her, caging her body in place, he got in her face. "How about this Princess. As long as you let me fuck you whenever I want on this table, you can leave it right here, where supposedly, no one can see you come."
'Shit, he's good!' Mina couldn't deny he knew how to rev her engine and get her from dry to soaking wet in 0.3 seconds. But if he thought he was going to dominate or make her stutter like a damsel, well, then he certainly forgot whose reincarnation she was. As he lifted his eyebrow inquisitively, she wrapped her legs around him, locking him in place.
"Only if I get to choose where all the furniture goes," she taunted back, acting completely unaffected even as he ground into her until she wanted to bite her lips. "But I suggest you hurry up; Lita and Neph should be here in an hour."
"An hour is more than enough time. As I recall, you mentioned how good I was in the sack during the battle. How about I show you how good I can be under pressure?"
"Kunzite, doll," Mina gave him an indulgent smile as she tapped his cheek lightly, "why do you need to talk so much whenever we could be doing something far better. Why can't you stay stoic when it matters?"
Oh, the darn Minx. Mina might not be experienced, but damn, she was a Venusian to the end. And would push his buttons at every opportunity with her teasing and taunting. But it beat dealing with her wrath, and thank Terra that she had forgiven him. Before she could insult him further, he captured her lips and devoured her as she lay back on the table.
"Are these the last ones?" asked Amara, running her hand through her short blond hair.
"Yup! These boxes and we're done! Well at least here," answered Lita as she cracked her stiff neck. Going up and down three flights of stairs with all her stuff made her beyond grateful for her super-strength.
'How did normal people do this? And when did Neph get all these freaking books? Thank Zeus there's a library in the penthouse so I won't have to trip ov…' Her thought got cut off as strong hands started to massage her sore shoulders.
"Amara! Get your hands off my wife!" Lita watched as her usually carefree, cocky, and self-assured man scolded and filled the room with animosity. The frown, the menace, the threat… 'Oh, come to mama!' she sighed internally. It was official, she had issues. Brushing Amara's hands off her back, Lita walked to the fuming man before the two got in a fight and decimated the building.
Amara laughed heartily. "Damn, I forgot how fun it was to screw with you, 'Ite!"
"Don't call me that! Michelle, how can you stand to be with someone who flirts more than Melaina ever did?" Nephrite shook his head in a blend of bafflement and exasperation. As fun as it could be to hang out with the tomboy, it could turn out to be just as vexing when she got bored.
Michelle stopped tying the dark purple-haired infant ponytail in her lap to stare amused at her partner. Shaking her head, she understood why Nephrite might be frustrated. Amara had quite a particular personality, but then, she was biased, as she not only loved it but was amused by it.
"Honey, please stop teasing him. It's just slowing things down. We need to finish before lunch. Hotaru needs a nap after all the excitement."
"Don't worry, I'll get us home in time," she assured her gorgeous and talented girlfriend, checking again out the window her Gemera that the local kids were gawking at. "I should have brought the SUV. Could've fit some boxes in there."
"I call bullshit!" Lita called from the other room. "There's no way you'd put anything in that could dirty or damage your car."
"She's ok with getting the SUV dirty. Even lets Hotaru eat and drink in it," Trista stated calmly as she finished packing the snacks in the kitchen.
Then why didn't she bring it?" tossed Neph over his shoulder as he left to bring another box down to the moving truck.
"Because we've already helped you pack, kid. You have the other guys to help you unpack," Amara replied following Lita down the stairs, a small box under her arm as she pinched Lita's cheek.
"Lita… You can't be serious!" Her childhood friend Ken was blocking their way. His stance was defensive and tense as he eyed the boxes in their hands and the moving van outside through the window.
Lita wanted to roll her eyes. There was just so much drama she could tolerate. And there was ground to cover before she could deal with Ken. The shock of realizing he was her reincarnated half-brother still left a sour taste in the back of her throat. But that didn't stop the affection she felt for the guy who had her back for as long as she could remember. He would always be her big bro, and for that, she needed to have this talk. 'Just wish there were no witnesses.'
"Hey, Ken. Yea, I am. I told you I'd be moving with the girls this summer. And that's exactly what I'm doing."
Amara threw her arm over Lita's shoulder only to play with the brunette's hair, annoyed at the guy's outburst and attitude. "Honey, you want me to throw the trash out?" she added, wiggling her eyebrows.
Ken practically growled, thinking Lita had found a new boyfriend.
"Amara, you're not helping. Michelle, get down here and get your girlfriend home before she causes any more trouble!" Lita called up the stairs feeling her patience snapping.
"I knew this would happen! I leave you two tomboys alone for two seconds and all hell breaks loose." Michelle chided as she walked down the stairs holding Hotaru in one arm. She grasped lightly Amara's ear to pull her along the steps. "I know you've missed teasing her, but try to act more mature. You're not setting a good example for Hotaru."
"Beautiful, I didn't start anything. The guy talked smack. I wasn't goin…"
"Save it and get in the car. Lita's a big girl who can handle herself. Plus they're finally married, so stop worrying," ordered calmly Michelle as they exited the stairwell and exited the building.
"Ma… Married?" The shocked whisper left Ken's mouth as he whirled on Lita. They were best friends. Surely she would have told him if she was thinking about marriage, about getting engaged! She'd just turned eighteen not a full year ago… His eyes sought her ring finger. And the ground shifted under him.
Lita put the box down to grasp Ken by the elbow. "You didn't even invite me or my family?" The hurt painted across his face hurt more than the attacks from the Youma's.
"No one was there except Serena and Darien as witnesses. We were planning to through a big wedding after I was done with culinary school. I'm sorry I didn't tell you… But there was a lot that happened since school ended and I haven't had a moment to catch you up on everything. I'm sorry K," she pleaded for understanding.
"You met the guy not even a month ago…"
"No, I met him a really long time ago. We got engaged but then he… He got… sick… and had to move away. I never thought I'd see him again. But we got a second chance."
"You're lying to me, Litz! I've known you my whole life and you never mentioned him!"
"It was too painful. But I'm not lying."
"Then what about me?" The question she'd been dreading had finally come up. And try as she might, she didn't know how to explain to him that things could never work between them because of their past.
Feeling all the strain in the air, Trista walked down to meet Lita after locking up. Sensing the situation, she placed herself between the two friends. "Ken, right? Nice to meet you! I've heard a lot about you from my cousin."
"Cousin?" Ken's shock was palpable. Wasn't Lita an orphan?
"We've just reunited as I've just moved back here from overseas. It's been a real rollercoaster ride. Her wedding wasn't probably as much a shock to me as it probably is to you since they we inseparable when we were all last together," Trista continued, forcing the young man's eyes to remain on her, casting a spell over him. "Ken, I know this is a lot to take in. It has been a lot for Lita. But I might be able to help you understand if you let me. You see, I'm a psychic and I think I need to show you something. I know it might seem weird but it'll help clarify the situation."
Ken was just dumbfounded, barely following all the woman was saying, her words making his head foggy. But he was in too much a shock to care. He didn't believe in psychics but if she found a way for him to make sense of it all, the better.
Nodding, Trista laid a hand on Ken's shoulder. Soon, images of his past life filtered through his head. He paled drastically. Images of Lita and his former family life flashed through his head, them playing together as kids. However, the feelings of brotherly love turned into infatuation and took precedence as they grew older.
Ken whirled around and threw his head out the window, only to dry heave. When the shock finally settled in his stomach, his ass slid to the ground. Turning toward… What did he call her? She wasn't his sister now… But… "Did you know?"
"I just learned recently… I always felt you were like a brother to me…" She didn't want to say more. The devastation painted on his face didn't allow her to continue. She didn't want to add to his pain by rejecting him, finally.
"Lita, Neph is waiting for you in the van. You should hurry. Aren't you moving Mina's stuff this afternoon?" Lita couldn't thank Trista enough. Ken was her best friend but there was nothing at the moment she could do to comfort or help him.
Nodding, she picked up her box. "Ken… When you're ready, let's catch up, okay?"
The short brown-haired man couldn't hold her gaze, sick to his stomach with what he remembered. He simply nodded because he didn't know how to get over what he'd learned.
When Lita left, Trista kneeled next to the crumbled figure, resting her hand supportively on his knee. "You aren't him anymore. And if Neph hadn't survived, maybe you could have ended up together as you're not siblings anymore. But fate had a different plan. I know you're hurting because it's hard to let go of someone you've loved as long as you have. But I can assure you, you'll find your true love one day. And if you like, if you move past this, you can continue your deep friendship with Lita."
"Although it'll annoy the daylights out of 'Ite. Which, if you think about it, is totally worth it!" quipped Amara, coming to check what was the holdback as Hotaru was starting to cry in the car.
"I guess you're right," nodded Ken, standing up slowly with the help of the guy. Wait. Looking finally at the fine features, Ken finally registered that he was a she. Were the surprises going to end soon? He'd had enough for one day. And with that thought, he turned his back on them to retreat to his place thinking he never wanted to cross the path of another psychic. Ignorance could be bliss…
"I forgot how much fun it was to be around them," Amara mused as she jogged slowly down the stairs.
"No, you just don't have fun because you're busy raising a baby. Don't worry, we'll have an endless supply of babysitters now."
"Yes! Date night, here we come!"
Trista laughed lightly, thinking how lucky she was for her whole family to be reunited once more. Sure, there were a lot of problems they'd face in the future, but being with the ones you loved made it worthwhile.
The most important or dreaded night of any teenager's life had finally come. Delayed by over a month of renovations, the ballroom stunned and dazzled the young organizers as they all but stumble inside.
"Wow! Pweeeetty! Malvin! Look at the chandeliers! Have you ever seen something as sparkly!" Molly burst out, skipping in her low heels, making her puffy light pink tulle ball gown bounce. Her giddiness was contagious. Even Malvin had to tone down his usual pessimism to appreciate the room. It looked a thousand times grander than when they had first visited and chosen the location.
Molly waved to the rest of their prom committee and ran to the DJ and lighting artist. In moments, the room was flooded in purples and blues while white star-shaped lights danced across the ceiling, all reflecting on the multiple crystals of the chandeliers. The grand white classy décor under the moving lights captured a fairy tale feel.
"Oh, it's perfect!" the little redhead squealed! And just in time! As the music started, the first group of her schoolmates arrived. Molly again skipped to her spot at the greeting booth. The evening was getting off to the perfect beginning! She couldn't wait to see her BFF Serena's reaction! It was going to be their last big party together for a while as she and Malvin were moving away to another city for school. Prom was such a bittersweet event!
Her smile died as her heart stopped beating. It couldn't be… He left…
"Molly, you alright? You're pale and shaking."
Lita wasted no time and ran around the table to support Molly. She feared this might happen. Molly had fallen for Neph's clone…
"Is she alright?" Nephrite asked, completely oblivious to the situation, his mind completely distracted by the green gown Lita was sporting. A gown that looked far too similar to the one that they had waltz together for the first time. Except that this gown left her whole back exposed. All that skin was dangerously distracting.
"Malvin, get her a cup of water please!" Lita ordered. When the young man left, Lita whispered to her friend. "Serena showed me the pictures of that popular entrepreneur you dated. I should have warned you that I was dating his brother. I'm sorry Molly."
"Bro… Brother?" the stuttered words were but a whisper that Lita could barely decipher over the loud music.
The distracted man suddenly caught on to what his wife was whispering. The clone's memories were a little jumble and not all clear. If Lita hadn't spoken, he would have past the girl without a second thought. But the stricken look on the ginger head's face pulled at his consciousness strings.
He extended his arm politely. "Hi there. I'm Neythan. Sorry for startling you, I didn't know you knew my brother Max."
Molly slowly extended her hand and shook his in greeting. Now that the shock had passed, she could see a slight difference. The brothers certainly had an uncanny likeness. But the scars on his upper brow and forearms, exposed because he had already rolled up the sleeves of his dress shirt, were proof they were different people. Even the feel of his grip didn't feel the same. A tense laugh bubbled out of her; how did Lita meet Max's family?
Nephrite pulled back as he stiffened while a blond man put him in a headlock. "What'd we miss?"
"Are you serious!? Can't you give us a break at least tonight!? You've been dumping Hotaru on us none stop for the past week and emptying our fridge! Don't you think we deserve a date night without your ugly mug," cursed Nephrite. Amara gasped dramatically and clutched her chest all lady in distress style.
"Amara, come on. We're here to chaperone, not ruin their evening," a very tall, dark green-haired woman chided as she pulled Amara by the ear. "Cousin, do break the news gently to her. This evening was supposed to be special for her. Not unhappy."
Lita nodded, while Molly just looked more confused and startled by all the new faces. Nephrite massaged his sore neck as he rested a hand on Lita's shoulder.
"I guess you must have broken up with Max since you're with Malvin. It's a good thing. My brother worked for some really bad people. And, well… I wish I didn't have to break this to you tonight, but… He was shot a month ago."
The stricken look on the man's face confirmed that Max hadn't survived. Max was dead… She was happy now with Malvin but a small part of her heart still longed to be reunited with her first love. But it was never to be.
Just then, Malvin returned carrying a plate with treats and a soft drink for his girlfriend. He had also brought back help to relieve Molly from her duty until she felt better.
"Thank you for telling me… I'm… I'm sorry for your loss…" she whispered and allowed Malvin to steer her away to their table.
"Do you think she believed me? Is she gonna be okay?" Nephrite asked as he rubbed the back of his neck. The whole situation had made him uncomfortable. Damn the Negaverse for screwing and hurting so many people.
Lita bit his lip to get his attention, when his eyes heated, she smirked. "She'll be fine with time and it's for the best. This way, she can finally move on, and hopefully, now we can use this to create a back story for you. Naythen, really?"
"It was the first thing that popped to my mind. I was considering Neal, Minx," he teased back, pulling her to him as they headed to their table.
"Neal will do."
Zoisite pulled a chair out for Amy a couple of minutes later and joined them at the table. Lita noted the light blush on her serious friend's cheek as Zoisite held her hand. 'Aww, young puppy love.'
"Darien and Serena should be here soon, we passed them in the parking lot… Well, maybe not. They were making out again. Has anyone heard anything from Jadeite and Rei?" Zoisite chatted as he beamed like the peacock he was teased of being.
Not only had he asked Mrs. Anderson's permission to date Amy, and had been given the okay, Amy had finally heard him out on the limo drive here. It had been incredibly cute how his Ambrosine, his Amydalia, his mouse's hands had fidgeted and played with the white flowers' corsage on her wrist as he divulged how he had grown to care for her back on Mercury. How he had always regretted not courting her. When he started to enumerate all the aspects he loved in Amy, she had covered his mouth again with her hand not being able to take any more of his words. And in the simple and reasonable Amy fashion, had agreed to go out with him.
What could he do, other than kiss her hand? Which had somehow led to their first kiss. He could still feel the hesitant press of her lips, the nervous tremble of her lips, the rush of her pulse. His own response had been slightly clumsy as the enormity of the moment hit him.
The room hushed suddenly as Mina and Kunzite waltzed to the photo booth. A group of giddy teens rushed and surrounded them, begging Mina for pictures and autographs. Such was the life of a celebrity. Zoisite couldn't contain his laughter, which Nephrite soon joined. The menacing air coming from Kunzite demonstrated how much he regretted accepting Mina's request to be her escort that night.
She had been right though. The young woman definitely needed a bodyguard. And he played the role perfectly, making sure to pick up a couple of overly enthusiastic guys trying to push their way to her to ask for a dance. After Kunzite had made it clear she wouldn't do anything but sign a couple of autographs and take pictures with friends, most guys back away. Others had had a harder time understanding.
Maybe it was the dress she wore, as Mina had a designer recreate the very same sexy as sin yet classy gown Milaina had on when she had first cornered Kunzite back on the Moon. Maybe it was the perfectly done makeup, hair done just right, or her Venus endorphins circulating around her tantalizing everyone's libido. Mina was definitely honey to the bee. Lita and Amy joined in the amusement that Kunzite's frustration provided at keeping the bees away.
The crowd then gathered around another couple, a little astonished though. Who would have taught that the sweet bubbly blond would actually date the guy they had witnessed her argue with constantly? Molly, feeling slightly better and refusing to allow the night to be ruined, ran up to hug Serena, Mina joining them. The girls squealed over each other's dresses and gushed over the décor, while Darien and Kunzite shook hands.
When Molly returned to the greeting table, Serena smiled fondly, almost tearing up. To share this normal milestone with her friends was a blessing. After all the fights, injuries, and duties, to be alive, reunited with long-lost friends, seeing her girlfriends blissfully happy, and getting escorted by her soulmate to the prom seemed slightly unreal. She really couldn't express the happiness and gratefulness in her heart.
'Thank you, Mom and Dad. I promise I'll make you proud and look after everyone!' With that thought, she joined her friends at their respective table. Lita looked grand and yet intimidating in her emerald choker gown, Mina was beyond dazzling and downright sexy in that golden Venusian style piece, and Amy was a masterpiece of sophistication and class in her sapphire V-neck chiffon lace evening dress.
To commemorate this special evening and bring a piece of her royal parents with her, Serena had used the magic pen to summon her royal lunar dress. It might have been a little bit over the top, but the girls had agreed with her. And to see them all sporting their respective royal styles, was bittersweet, to say the least.
"You think they'll let you in The Devil's Playground in those outfits? We could continue the afterparty there," suggested Darien, already thinking about dancing with Serena in that golden cage. Although, it might not be doable with how much space her gown took.
"I'm surprised you'd suggest that, Darien. You've changed," Mina wiggled her eyebrows as she finally sat with them. "How did it go with Serena's parents?"
