"You said she was ready."
The sentence was accusatory, though he knew Ami would never intentionally mislead him or corner her friend. When they had arrived at the small part bakery part juice bar, he'd caught a split-second glimpse of brown hair before it had promptly disappeared in the back room. Zoran had immediately followed, muttering something under his breath that Nathanial hadn't been able to hear. Zoran had returned a short time later stating that Makoto was too busy and might come out when the meeting began.
Nathanial hadn't even known there would be a meeting.
"I said I may be able to help with that. She was… somewhat amiable to the idea this morning. She knows you're going to have meet everyone," Ami sighed. "I'll go talk with her. Mamoru and Jacob should be here before long."
Ami moved away and left Zoran and Nathanial in silence. Nathanial eyed the other man closely. He looked mildly irritated, with his lips pursed subtly and his chin resting on his fist. He was deliberately not making eye contact.
This is absurd, Nephrite stated and Nathanial could tell an eye roll would have accompanied the statement.
"This is absurd," Nathanial deliberately agreed out loud.
Zoran's eyes flashed back towards Nathanial and he sighed, "I'm sorry. She's just… stressed."
"I was talking about you," Nathanial replied pointedly. Nathanial wasn't sure whether he was feeling irritated or jealous. Zoran had appeared protective at every mention of Makoto. Nathanial was aware enough to know he'd been with her when Nathanial had arrived the night before.
Zoran drummed his fingers across the tables, "Well, I don't like that she's stressed. She protects people. She takes care of them. And, we're friends. Plus, it's not like you've been here to get to know her."
True, Nephrite agreed.
Nathanial sighed, "Forgive a man for having to adjust to a past life."
"We all have been," Zoran dismissed. "Plus, you didn't say hi."
"What?"
"This morning," Zoran glared. "No 'Hi.' No 'How have you been.' No nothing."
Nephrite was in hysterics. Nathanial stared at Zoran for a solid 10 seconds in disbelief, "You're mad… Oh. I'm sorry. I was… distracted about Khaled."
Holy shit, he is Zoisite! Nephrite finally said.
"Fine," Zoran stated. "I can forgive that. I will not allow Makoto to be uncomfortable though."
"Oh…kay," Nathanial said slowly. He had had several interactions with Zoran before he had left, before either one had regained their memories. The young man had always been interesting. And, now, Nephrite remembered that Zoisite had been occasionally prone to dramatics. He hadn't guessed that Zoran would be, but apparently, he was when he wanted.
He couldn't entirely blame Zoran. Makoto did seem resistant to seeing him. He still didn't understand the connection, but it was clear Makoto and Zoran had formed a friendship. Zoran apparently took it as his responsibility to help comfort Makoto. If Makoto was as caring as Zoran made it sound, then he supposed he could understand it. And, in the end, Zoran was right. Nathanial had no relationship with Makoto at this point.
He would certainly like to form some relationship. He understood he was basing all desire for one on a past life- and he wondered if Nephrite was influencing him more than the other man let on- but he definitely wanted the chance to try and form something with Makoto. He was willing to see where things fit.
Nathanial suddenly straightened and Nephrite grew reserved. Zoran perked up and the same moment. Nathanial turned as the doors slid open and Jacob walked through with Mamoru. While Nathanial hadn't met him yet, he recognized the reincarnated prince immediately. So did Nephrite. There was shame and excitement, one after the other, rapidly emanating from Nephrite's corner. Nephrite was excited to see the reincarnated Jovian. But this is what he had stayed for, this is what he had really wanted closure on.
Nathanial stood as Mamoru reached them. He held out his hand and introduced himself, "Nathanial."
Mamoru gripped his hand, "Mamoru. I'm glad to see you've returned. Memories intact even."
Kneel, Nephrite demanded.
"Nephrite wants to kneel," Nathanial stated, glancing around. The shop was empty. So, if he had to do something strange, now was the time.
"Ah, Jacob mentioned Nephrite was still present," he smiled, small and good-natured, just as Nephrite's memories always showed. "Bowing is unnecessary Nephrite. I am glad I could speak to you again."
Of course, Nephrite responded. Nathanial felt some discontent simmer out. A reaction to not being able to directly communicate with his prince. But, he could feel the reassurance radiating off of Mamoru. Not just towards Nephrite, but towards Nathanial, as well. He was happy to speak to his old knight, but he was happy to meet his future knight as well. Nathanial had worried more than he cared to admit about how he would be received.
He understands, Nathanial stated to Nephrite.
Always too well, Nephrite sounded proud when he said it. He looks well.
Nathanial gave a mental nod as Nephrite settled in, as though to say he was content for the moment.
"It saves us some discomfort, not having to watch you dissolve under the memories," Jacob quipped with a smile.
"I didn't dissolve, I processed," Zoran responded with a pointed look.
"I didn't know you'd been seeing the damn therapist!"
"Damned therapist?"
"Jacob has been seeing a therapist," a new voice commented, vaguely familiar though not nearly as well known. The re-incarnated Venus stepped up beside Mamoru and Jacob, she gave Jacob a playful punch to the arm, "More in love with him than with Rei, I'm pretty sure."
Ah, Nephrite chuckled. The Venusian is as full of life as ever.
Nathanial tilted his head as he watched Jacob throw an arm around the blonde's neck, "It's purely professional. A therapeutic alliance."
They're close, Nathanial directed at Nephrite as he scanned the memories from the Silver Millennium. The two had been friendly even this, but this was closer. A tangible connection that confused Nathanial. Like Zoran and Makoto. It didn't seem like this then.
It wasn't, Nephrite sounded as thoughtful as Nathanial felt. This is different. This is… integrated. This is what we couldn't do before.
"Anyway, I'm pretty sure you reacted just as badly," the Venusian gave Jacob's cheek a slight pat before pushing away. "I'm Minako."
"Rude," Jacob muttered, putting his arm around Rei as she stepped up next to him with a roll of her eyes.
"Nathanial," he answered, glancing past her to the second blonde that had sidled up close to Mamoru.
Kneel, Nephrite demanded.
Nathanial ignored him as the woman smiled, as filled with light as his memories would hint at, "I'm Usagi. We're glad you've returned."
Nathanial noted the minute way she squeezed Mamoru's arm when she spoke the last part. She was glad he had returned in general. But, she was mainly glad he had returned for Mamoru.
"I am glad I could return as well. It seems there has been… a lot happening since I left," Nathanial straightened, his mind going to Khaled's visit.
"Ah, Ami had mentioned his visit. I suppose that means it's time for official business. I'll get Ami and Makoto," Minako had attempted to sound cheery, but the force was noticeable. She was stiff was she brushed past him towards the back.
Jacob released a breath, "This should be a tense meeting."
"She can handle it herself. She doesn't need a white night. And, you're not the one she's hoping for, anyway," Rei chastised, but it was gentle.
Nephrite glanced around, seeing the signs of tension, of worry, echoed throughout the group. Zoran gave his shoulder a solid pat. He glanced at the man and noticed the same tension but as Zoran tilted his head, he realized it had a different cause.
Her whole body was tense and her two friends followed close behind, as though they were afraid she would turn tail and run. She could just as easily have been on a death march by the grim expression on her face.
Gods, but she's as beautiful as Em'.
She was. But, Nathanial thought she was more. She was as tall as the memories had hinted she should be. Not as tall as him, of course. But taller than her friends, possibly taller than Mamoru. Her hair light hair was pulled back, convenient and neat.
She stopped with most of the dining area between them and her eyes finally met his, the emerald clashing with his causing a physical punch to his stomach.
Nephrite realized the biggest difference at the same moment Nathanial did and Nathanial felt him relax. She was beautiful, a goddess in her own rite, but blessedly human.