(A/N: So, while Makoto and Mamoru were never in the same orphanage, and never heard of each other until they were teenages (as per cannon), I decided to try and make either of their childhoods not so lonely, even a little bit. While this is a one-shot, if anyone wants to give me prompts, or wants me to make this a mini-series of sorts, let me know. I think this has potential. Thanks for reading! Please let me know what you think! ~TRP~)
Things to Know:
A. Obviously, AU
B. Usagi & Mamoru aren't together through a mutual/amicable breakup, and are still friends.
C. Usagi & Mako are together.
Anxiety coursed through her body as he left their apartment after lunch.
She kept wanting to ask; knowing how touchy of a subject it could be; knowing how touchy a subject was for her.
He would open up to Usagi; and has in the past. That she knew. But even that was general.
He lost his parents in a car accident; she lost hers in a plane accident.
They both went through the foster care system, but were never in the same orphanage.
But to dare ask; the vague memory constantly slamming it's way to the forefront of her mind…
Was it even a memory, or just something she had wished for?
Something that, because of their similar childhoods of not having parents, of being in an orphanage, was just something she used to comfort herself even now.
But not knowing ate at her.
Constantly.
"You okay?" Makoto startled, as she heard her soft voice, and felt her chin rest on her shoulder, while her arms wrapped around her shoulders, feeling a kiss to her temple.
Usagi had come into the living room from doing the dishes to find Makoto sitting at the bay window, staring outside.
"Huh? Oh, yeah I'm okay."
"No you're not. You only ever get this quiet when something is bothering you."
Makoto remained silent.
"Mako, please? I get if you're not ready to talk about whatever it may be, but I'm here okay? Just as you are for me; to listen to me, it's what I'm here for too. I love you."
Makoto leaned towards her, resting her head agasint hers. "I know, and i appreciate it. But it's not something I can talk to you about yet."
"Are you sure? It's fine if so, but you usually only get like this after we see Mamoru…Is something wrong or did you guys have an argument you're trying to protect me from?"
"No...Nothing like that. I promise. It's just...Something I have to ask him, and yet I'm not sure how. I feel like...I feel like it's all kind of in my head; maybe I made it up to compensate for something. I just don't' know…"
"It sounds like it's more than just something you made up Mako...It also sounds like it's eating away at you too...And because it sounds as difficult as it seems...I think that may mean all the more reason to talk to him...Especially if you think he can be the one to help you or understand what you're thinking."
"You're okay with this?"
"I'm not jealous, if that's what you're asking, no. Even I don't have the answers to everything, Makoto. There are some things that while I can sympathize with, I'm just not going to understand...Not fully."
"Thanks Usagi."
"Here, call him. He's probably still close by. Go to the park." Usagi encouraged, handing Mako her cell phone.
Makoto made a hesitant face before taking a deep breath and dialing.
"Usa? Did I forget something?"
"Sorry, Mamoru, it's Mako. Are you still nearby? Can we talk in the park? I have some questions I really need to be answered…"
"Sure. I'll meet you there."
"Sure, see you in 10."
Hanging up, she turned towards Usagi. "Thanks...I owe you."
"Nah. Just go get those questions answered."
Walking to the park, Makoto found Mamoru in a more secluded part of the park.
"Mamoru? Thanks for meeting me. I'm sorry I didn't ask this earlier...I just...I'm not ready to share this with Usagi yet."
"Sure, what's up?"
"So...I'm not even sure where to start or how to ask this but...When I was little, maybe about 10? I was in (I'm not even sure what number foster home)...There were two girls, and two boys in addition to me; all foster kids...I barely remember the girls; or the boys, but one of the boys I remember more than the other, while the 2nd one was older than all of us and newer. This particular home...The kids all had nicknames for each other...I was the Protector. We had the quiet one, the adventurous one, the singer...And the Noble Knight."
Mamoru locked as if his eyes would pop out of his head. "Oh my god, that was you! You were the Protector! I remember you!"
"Y-you...You were the Noble Knight? I-I-I wasn't imagining things?"
"No! I thought I was…."
Makoto looked away, trying to hold back her tears, but failing. She didn't mind.
"We promised each other we would always protect each other and anyone else we could...We tried to get each other's information; even figure out who our social workers were...But we got separated before we could. We...We were all too scared to tell each other's names in front of the adults, even the police, so I remember we went by our nicknames the night we all got taken out of the house."
"I cna't believe I wasn't dreaming...I've always wanted to tell Usagi; hell tell the others that I always felt I had a brother...but never knew what happened to him...I could never find him; never track him down…I...It's silly but I wanted so badly for one of us to either take each other's last name even though I didn't know yours at the time; because that's how I thought it would work...I just wanted a sibling so damn badly...You were it. I wanted you to be my brother."
"And you my sister….While everyone to a degree 'gets it' when it comes to foster care...You were the only one who I instinctively didn't feel alone with. I; we...Just connected. Maybe it was because we both wanted to protect those around us but…I can't believe we found each other after all this time...How did you remember that, remember me?"
"How could I not? You saved me that night. You saved us all. And besides, when I saw you again, once you started flirting with Usa...The memories wouldn't leave me alone; but I hda buried them so deep...I really thought they were figments of my imagination."
"Me too...Yet every time I saw how protective you were of not just Usagi, but everyone else...Me even...I just knew...But I was kind of afraid to ask you; worried you wouldn't remember, or that it was someone entirely different."
Mamaour grunted brielfy as Makoto hugged him tightly. She couldn't necessarily be called the hugging type; not like Usagi was by comparison. But she was usually receptive; and would give them when warranted or when she was comfortable enough.
"I'm so happy I found you."
"Me too." Mamoru smiled warmly, having returned the hug.
The pair stood there for a few moments.
"Too bad we're too old now to legally become adopted and be official siblings."
"We dont need blood or a legal piece of paper for that Makoto. Besides, you tell Usagi, Mina, and I think Setsuna, and that'll be it. You and I will be siblings for life if it were up to the three of them."
Makoto chuckled. "Yes we would be. And then, if we were to get sick and tired of each other, they would never let up."
Mamoru flashed a wide grin of agreement.
"Thank you Mamoru, for everything."
"You're welcome. Right back at you."
"Are you around next week? I think I want to grab lunch, and maybe we can talk more about this…"
"Sure. That'll be a good idea. I bet Usagi will be happy to know you're feeling better."
"She's gonna be thrilled; at least a little that you and I knew each other when we were that young, and that we're siblings."
Mamoru smiled kindly. I'll expect the exuberant phone call…"
"Thank you, brother."
"I'll always be here for you, little sister. Always."
"Excuse me? Little?"
"Age only." Mamoru put his hands up defensively at the half playful glare Makoto gave him.
"You know that, and maybe Usagi are the only two things that are saving you right now, yes?"
"Very much aware. Tell you what, next week, let's make it a dojo session."
Mamoru laughed as Makoto's eyes lit up. "Yes!"
"It's a deal. Now go on back to Usagi, huh? You know she'll be frantic the longer you're out."
"I'll bribe her with a milkshake, it'll be fine."
"Glad some things never change." Mamoru laughed as he and Makoto walked out of the park.
The End. (Or is it?)
(A/N: Please review! ~TRP~)