Exhaustion wasn't a strong enough word for how she felt upon dragging herself into her rooms when the first light broke over the horizon. Her hands were still shaking, knees weakened as it had only been a few hours since Kunzite seemingly derailed her world with fingers she could still feel running through her hair and lips on her knuckles she would have rather felt anywhere else. He'd looked so intense and of course she told herself he was merely drunk the way that he kissed her hand, that it was nothing. Nothing indeed, and yet her thumb ran circles around her knuckle repeatedly throughout the night, where his lips had burned themselves into her flesh.
First thing she did was transform, if nothing else than to be dressed in attire far more comfortable than the solid gold corset she'd stuffed herself into for nearly twenty four hours. It was gorgeous, but didn't lend for effective breathing, and with everything that happened the previous night she had a hard enough time doing that on her own. Venus gazed at her bed with longing blue eyes, ready to simply sleep the next couple of days away if only she could avoid any further interactions that might spread her impulsive nature any thinner.
As if to mock her, she caught a glimpse of her elegant gold silk pouch she'd taken to the markets the previous day, a bit heavier with the item tucked inside. She swallowed hard, moving to retrieve the rather plain gold box from the bag with an exasperated sigh up through her bangs. Venus plopped hard into the chair at her desk, staring hard at the trinket box with such confliction. She grabbed a piece of red and gold stationary from Venus along with the pen from her inkwell she knew to hold a shimmering old ink. After a deep breath and a moment's hesitation, she scrawled out a very simple note.
The word was foreign to her eyes and it took a moment to register that she'd even written it. The errand behind her intent only added to the anxiety of what she was about to do, her blue eyes fixed on the paper in front of her while she waited the eternity required for the gold ink to dry. Once the ink had settled, Venus slipped the piece of paper into the box and tied it shut with a bit of red ribbon, taking one last calming breath before she stood to leave for the meeting.
She knew Kunzite very little still, but if she knew anything she knew he was punctual, so he would more than likely leave early for the meeting to collect Endymion. Venus hid on the stairs, peeking stealthily around the corner in wait for him to leave his rooms, silently praying no one else would see her. Truly her nerve was almost lost the very moment she heard the click of his door open and he emerged. His uniform and silver hair immaculate as he finished pulling on his gloves, strolling down the hall with chin held high in the personification of command itself. Truly she'd thought Kunzite would have woken considerably more hungover.
Venus crept down the hall with harried nerves toward his room, about a thousand nonsensical excuses running through her mind for just in case she was caught lingering in the Terran Commander's room. Her eyes flickered gold with the shift of her eyes up and down the long corridor to ensure she hadn't been seen, slipping carefully into the room when she was satisfied she hadn't. Her back pressed to the door once it silently closed behind her, senses immediately assaulted by the clean and cool scent of him, like some seaside foreign land she couldn't begin to imagine. All she knew is she'd come to crave that scent, a longing to identify its every note.
Pausing about as long as she could afford, glancing around to room that looked unused save for the uniform laid out on the bed, perfectly polished boots resting patiently on the floor beneath it. She gripped the box in observation of the more formal garments, taking note of how stunning the item in her hand would look with the attire as if fate tried to once more confirm what she would only deny until she was blue in the face. Venus breathed dramatically between her lips, making that split second decision to rest the gold box on the soft white blankets before she could chicken out. She spun on her heel for added drama, rushing from the room before she would be late for the meeting, or found by one of the house staff and forced into the scandal of the century.
A grumpy group of three Terran diplomats, a sleepy Venusian, and an extraordinarily cheery Queen gather in a conference room to discuss stipulations of an agreement. Truly, it was like a bad bar joke.
Queen Serenity thankfully did most of the talking as it seemed no one slept much the previous night for a variety of reasons. Only their eyes gave it away really because the three men held perfect posture, something Venus struggled with currently along with the fight to stay awake. It had been decided that the travel ban to Earth be lifted, with pending trade negotiations. Permissions needed to be granted both ways, and official guard present to escort between Earth and Moon to start since it was true that the rest of the Alliance was less than thrilled by the new developments. They had after all spent an unknown amount of time creating fear of Earth and their instability only to now give an inch of trust. Under most diplomatic agreements it was a very small step forward, but for this particular agreement it was enormous.
"Now. I should like to see your Generals in action on the battleground Endymion, I might extend those travel agreements in regards to training. If I like what I see perhaps we can come to another agreement that my Senshi will train you and your Shitennou in ways of magic, if they agree to train the Senshi in combat. I'm afraid they rely too much on their magics, and it could escalate our other agreement, as well as your progress toward the Golden Crystal. And toward our ultimate alliance."
They all fell stupefied at the Queen who only beamed brightly at the group. Any trace of exhaustion replaced by adrenaline from the shock of her words. Venus glanced at Endymion, who had produced a parchment from the King of Elysium, granting him permissions to make decisions on his behalf as he was unable, or unwilling, to venture to their silver planet. She and Kunzite exchanged glances then, his poker face far better than her own, but there was minute surprise on his brow to her wide eyes and unhinged jaw.
"I'm not sure I have words Queen Serenity. I accept your generous offer of course. It is an honor that my family's legacy be defined by this partnership. I will not let you, or your Alliance down. My council wit meet upon our return to Earth and begin making plans right away." Endymion handed the document to the Queen, she'd glanced over it in silence a moment before handing it off to Artemis. Venus gave Artemis a smug smile, watching him huff to himself because she'd been right about the Terran relations to come, and fully planned on making him admit that later. Still, she would have been smug, except she was terrified.
She and the Senshi had trained with Martians, with Jovians who would crush Earth's army single handedly. True if the Golden Army could surpass an Alliance army based on skill alone without the luxury of magic, then with magic and the Golden Crystal on their sides there was no telling what would happen. If Earth truly would overthrow the Moon in attempts to lead the Alliance themselves. No telling what power truly lay dormant in Endymion and his Shitennou.
"Good! It's decided then." Queen Serenity beamed, standing with a graceful gesture toward the door to escort them toward the training grounds for demonstration. The Princess greeted them in the hallway with a cheerful good morning, filing beside Endymion as they made their way toward the arena.
Venus stayed ever silent, listening to their mundane conversation about the weather or how they slept, knowing full well sleeping was scarcely on the agenda for his stay. She grew distant, twirling a lock of her hair around a gloved finger, staring up at the pale streams of light filtering in through the skylights. Venus did not miss how their fingers entwined behind the safe haven of Endymion's cape, a detail noticed with a brief glance of her Princess and she promptly smacked their held hands to make them stop. She simply rolled her eyes, Endymion glancing back amusedly with sparkling blue eyes, smirking in a deviant way that had Serenity flushing and folding her hands behind her back so innocently. Until then she'd done well to ignore the tall brute of a Commander behind her, silent as he was, she could feel his eyes boring into her back as they entered the safe haven of her all too familiar training grounds.
Venus filed into the spectator's box, dutifully standing beside her Queen in a manner that allowed her to keep an eye on Endymion and Serenity as well. A sense of excitement washed over her, under Kunzite's command Earth's armies had risen above Mercury's in power. Impressive without the luxury of magic at their backs, and she couldn't wait to see the Commander himself in action. She tried her best to hide her amusement, falling occupied by him acting so casually for once in quiet conversation while they picked their weapons. It was intriguing to her that he chose such a large broadsword against a smaller and more agile opponent who had picked his weapon wisely. Kunzite and Zoisite clasped hands in a friendly handshake, and dare she say Kunzite smiled? They both took fighting stances in wait for the Queen's command, it looked like such a natural thing for Kunzite, and Venus realized quickly that he was in his element.
When she gave the ready, the two burst into a flurry of action. It was Zoisite to charge Kunzite, his smaller size and weapon making him deadlier from a closer range where Kunzite's size and larger weapon had him at a disadvantage. Or should have. The younger General was fast, and extremely cunning as he spun and weaved around Kunzite in attempts to keep the battle in his favor. Kunzite however, was a force of nature. Despite the size difference between them, he was faster than he looked, maneuvering the larger sword with an ease that didn't seem possible. They were both graceful and calculated, much like Venus expected from the silver haired warrior, the two filling the arena with the loud clash of swords, grunts and growls from impact and successful hits. Battle was an art form to him and it showed. It was nothing like she'd seen from armies across the Silver Alliance, Kunzite was fluid and fast. Were this a real battle he would have been deadly to Zoisite multiple times.
There was a flip of his cape, Kunzite weaving and dodging Zoisite's much faster advances with ease that he truly shouldn't have been able to maneuver. It was breathtaking really, seeming unlikely at the start that Kunzite would be able to disarm the European King with the ease that he did, knocking Zoi to the ground with his practice sword held at his throat. Dust kicked up as the strawberry blonde man slapped the ground as a sign of defeat with strained breath and a wide grin despite the roll of his green eyes.
The spectator's box burst into cheers for the now very dusty men, Zoisite accepting Kunzite's offered hand to help him to his feet only for the younger man to give an overly ostentatious bow to his audience. Kunzite brushed himself off a bit, tapping his shoulder so they could demonstrate parts of their training drills. It was intense, requiring endurance most beings of any realm did not possess and yet the two Shitennou made it look so easy. Venus joined them when the royals all burst into cheers at their completion, and she also made note of some of their methods which wouldn't please the other girls one bit. Venus could see how his soldiers could call Kunzite a brute, but she could better see how effective those brutish methods could be.
"General Kunzite, I would like to see how well you fare against our own brightest warrior now. Venus if you would?" Her eyes grew wide, giving her Queen a disbelieving look that she paid no mind to. Kunzite nodded, giving Zoisite a rough pat on the back, kicking up a cloud of dust that made him cough eliciting giggles from the royal party beside her. Venus huffed, stepping toward the gates of the training grounds earning worried eyes from Zoisite in passing. She hadn't counted on being shown off like a prized stallion, but Venus offered her Queen a nod as she stepped into the main ring of the arena, in no place to disobey. "Don't worry General, Venus has proven to hold her own. Do not feel the need to hold back."
Kunzite watched her approach with mild amusement flickering in his eyes while she was busy blanching at her over excited Queen. Venus was only grateful she attended in uniform or she would have had to subject them all to a short transformation sequence she wasn't sure certain people present were ready to see.
"Apologies General, I hadn't prepared myself for this." She muttered softly, "The Queen gets a little excited sometimes." Her stomach did that flipping thing when their eyes met, the brighter light illuminating his long silver locks making his eyes look almost clear against his dusty darker skin. Sweat beaded on his brow, dripping down the chiseled edge of his cheek turning the crown of his silver hair just a little bit darker. Kunzite only smirked, an almost cocky expression that had her pulse racing when he assumed his fighting stance. Her eyes narrowed, boring into his grey, pleased when his jaw clenched slightly as the chain around her waist hummed with magic and she commanded it to move, seemingly ready to strike in wait for the Queen's signal. Venus came to life at the sharp whistle.
Their match was surprisingly brutal, and flirtatious all at once. She had fun teasing him with her chain, impressed when Kunzite adapted against it, more so when he was able to parry it. He moved like the wind, graceful and calculated but hard to predict. Venus kept his sword busy with her chain, while she advanced with playful jabs of fists and sweeping kicks in attempts to trip him up. Moments were humbling when she thought she might actually lose to him, telling herself that if she had a sword in hand as well, the odds would easily sway in her favor. Perhaps if she could stop getting caught up in the lively ferocity behind his eyes that were alive, and amused, and more excited than she'd ever seen them. Clearly, Kunzite loved a challenge.
She shot a well aimed crescent beam, a weak one, just over his shoulder to catch him off guard and fighting a giggle when his eyes grew wide, her chain disarming the sword from his grasp in his distraction. Kunzite rolled to the side, a few quick movements she wasn't able to comprehend due to the harsh blow to the stomach she suffered when his shoulder connected hard enough to knock her down, and steal her breath. She fell hard with a grunt to the dust, Kunzite nearly straddling her hips and pinning her to the spot with a short sword, primed and sharp. She realized it was his own by the intricate hilt, pulled from the sheath at his side and aimed at her breast.
Venus licked her dry lips, breathing hard between them as her lapiz eyes bore into his steel, surprisingly unafraid by the concept of his weapon so deadly and primed for blood. She was more drawn to his eyes so alive and clear, the breath he drew from his parted lips and these things were starting to prove far more deadly to her than his blade. Kunzite's silver hair was dusty, a wild appealing mess around his shoulders, bronzed skin sheened with sweat and almost glimmered with the dust that stuck to it. The moment became strangely intimate the way she lay between his knees and gazed up into his intensely beautiful face, both breathless and distracted by the others parted lips. Boldy, and with purpose, Venus placed her gloved hand on his thigh, his movements slow while he sheathed the short sword, swallowing hard by the contact. His lips curled in a nervous but triumphant grin that halted her breathing entirely, preparing to stand in assumed victory.
Something wicked flashed across her features, two could play this game. Kunzite froze when her hand slid slowly over his thigh, trying to ignore the feeling of his tensed and powerful leg so warm beneath her fingers, but Venus took advantage of this moment before he could claim victory over her. She bucked her hips hard into his, effectively knocking the larger man on his back in the dust, air audibly leaving his lungs. She shifted, releasing his thigh only once he hit the ground, nearly standing to summon the Holy Blade with blue eyes brimming gold with power, the crystal sword digging into the ground by his neck. Venus watched with amusement as Kunzite's expression shifted from shocked to impressed, if not a little terrified.
"I hadn't conceded General." She nearly purred down at him, watching his grey eyes slide up the blade, over the hilt and finally up into her own eyes. She gave him a wink and flirting smile, quickly unsummoning her sword. It took them a moment, locking eyes before the wide eyed realization hit Venus that she full on straddled his hips, a fact he apparently had come to realize himself. His jaw was clenched hard, stare flickering to her parted lips where she took deep, long breaths. strained from their hard sparring match, and the intensity of his hungry stare. It was only a very short moment that felt like eternity before Kunzite slapped the ground twice in concession.
"Well I concede, Venus."
His voice was merely a breath, slowly moving to try and sit up with her still on top of him. Venus sprung to her feet, heart in her throat when she felt the soft brush of his fingers on her leg, standing a bit too quickly in alarm. Gratefully the applause came, their audience gone completely forgotten until their ruckus echoed over the dusty grounds to pull her from her reverie. She offered them a well placed victorious grin, remaining distracted by the notion she'd been so caught up in the feel of him so warm beneath her. She swallowed hard, trying not to choke on the dust that left her throat so dry and offered Kunzite a hand to help him to his feet. He accepted with a predatory gleam in his eye, a heat to match the beginnings of the dark smirk on his lips.
"Endymion your guard is most impressive!" Her Queen was gushing, heading toward the doors with the amused Terran Prince and Zoisite in tow. Princess Serenity's silvery eyes were excited and flickered over at Venus with unbridled emotion, her lips turned in that happy smile that made it all worth it. "There are fewer than you know in existence that can resist, let alone best our Venus."
"To her credit, I think my General has met his match." Warmth flooded her cheeks at Endymion's so bold declaration, forcing Venus to look away for no reason than to hide the unwanted flush caused by his words that Queen Serenity laughed at no less. She shifted on her feet, crossing her arms in defiance with a glare toward the Prince when the Silver Queen paused on her way to the interior doors. Her silver gaze fell on the Venusian endearingly, eyeing her specifically when she told them all to get rest before the ball without calling her out specifically. Like Venus needed a reminder of how tired, how fatigued she felt as the adrenaline of the morning began to melt away.
Venus stretched with a tired sigh, watching them all disappear through the darkened doorway of the palace leaving the two very dusty warriors on the training grounds. Kunzite had turned to retrieve his fallen practice weapon, seeming to ignore her presence as it was returned to the rack and he began to stretch, popping his neck and shoulder. She was only offered the slightest glance in passing, a silver shift of his eye when he headed for the doors himself.
"Where did you learn to fight like that?" She'd taken a moment, a few hurried strides to catch up to him. Against her better judgement she'd wanted to talk to him more. Hoping without the haze of alcohol he'd maybe want to discuss arrangements briefly, or maybe tell her more about the seemingly difficult life he's lead in continuation of their after dinner conversation the previous night. Truly she craved hearing his voice, irritated as it often sounded, Venus even missed his deflections of her questions, their verbal spars, and those moments of brief passion when she found something he really cared about. Conversations with someone that understood her, when no one else did.
"When one is given an army at a very young age, born in brutal lands, you learn very quickly to fight. If nothing else than for survival." Kunzite was hardly paying attention to her, his pace slow, seeming to vainly check his hair to make sure her crescent beam or sword hadn't accidentally given him an asymmetrical hair style. It would have been a crime indeed to disturb such gorgeous locks of silver. Her face fell, realizing he'd slunk back into old indifferent behaviors, unwilling to accept his casual dismissals.
"How young were you?" Venus gazed up at him, that wide eyed curiosity she was so known for taking in his disgruntled appearance, deciding she liked this more wild and unkempt look on him, not so orderly as he always was. She had to pick up her stride some when Kunzite took on his normal pace, appeased that all of his hair was still intact, he offered her a brief, tensed lipped indifferent glance.
"Six." He replied rather bluntly, short, and dismissing. Nothing new really, but it had her eyes widening in disbelief. Kunzite glanced down at her again with his eyes only, exhaling hard in defeat as they entered the halls together. "My parents perished early, as mentioned Zara raised me. It was hardly the age to give a child a crown."
Venus didn't press him anymore, she could tell by his gruff tone and hard coldness of his eyes that it was a sore subject. Venusians spoke best with their bodies always, from the smallest of sentiments to the grandest gesture of offering themselves to their lovers, and brushed the back of her glove against his own. It was a small apologetic offering that she knew he'd understand, as it was Kunzite to offer her the same gesture just the previous morning. Venus wanted to tell him she was sorry without speaking further to annoy him, but it only served to strengthen the tension between them.
The soft light of the windows bathed them in filtered light, the halls peaceful and silent as though they were the only two in occupancy. An understanding silence fell over the pair of dusty soldiers, not uncommon only more potent by vast and empty silence of the palace itself. For once Venus was too tired to ramble, exhaustion hitting her like a brick wall, settling into her bones and making her more delirious with every step. Yet they did nothing from stopping their hands or arms from brushing as they walked. Not to say she wasn't distracted, she almost thought to stop by the kitchen for a snack before she tried to sleep before the party but knew from experience she was too filthy and would be kicked out by Jupiter who was no doubt supervising their head chef like a drill sergeant.
For once it wasn't Kunzite to distract her but routine thought, made all the more alarming by how natural it felt to walk beside him. The butterflies in her stomach remained fluttering, the urge to look up at him almost too much to bear, yet all too appropriately they reached that juncture in the hallway. She would ascend the stairs to her rooms, leaving him below to discover the gift she'd left him that morning. A well placed, very intimate secret. A gift not many would receive in her long life, and Venus only hoped it would mean something to his very short one.
"What is your name?" Venus froze mid step, jarred more awake by his command that echoed over the marbled hallways. She turned to him, wide eyed with a disbelieving prayer on her breath that no one heard him. His uniform was mussed and dirty, hair an appealing sweaty mess, and his eyes all the more vivid for the darkened smudges of dirt on his tanned cheek that only served to make him look more chiseled. She'd almost called Kunzite an idiot, but felt her features soften at his fierce stare, offering him a gentle and warming smile that clearly caught him off guard.
"I'll save a dance for you General." Her response was somewhat sleepy, but she gave him a wink and continued up toward her rooms leaving a baffled man in the hallway below. She chewed on her lip, anticipation and nerves twisting her insides when she slipped into her room and pressed her back against the door with one deep breath. Venus de transformed, dragging herself toward the bathtub to soak in plenty of hot water and oils to fragrance her skin and hair while she scrubbed the dirt from her body. That very moment he was probably finding the small token of affection she'd left for him, questioning the meaning behind the gift as much as she was.
Anxious to get some sleep before the party, Venus threw open her wardrobe lazily craving the few hours sleep she'd get before servants would be in to help her get ready. Aphrodite herself would be in attendance this evening, bringing her own house staff to see to it that she looked the part of beauty incarnate, a trait of her own Mother's vanity she thought might serve her well this evening. Venus thumbed through and eyeballed each gown she owned, racks full of lush fabrics and revealing Venusian fashions that weren't always appropriate for the occasion. She'd rationalize the want to look more than beautiful tonight on vain competition of her own, an attempt to outdo Serenity if that were at all possible. Certainly nothing about a certain silver haired General and a certain gift she'd left him.
Venus reached the back of her wardrobe, unsatisfied with anything she owned so far, though there were a few gold contenders that would have commanded some form of attention. There was one dress at the very back she had never dared to wear because it commanded too much attention for even herself. It was fashionable, a corseted gown of bright crimson that was modest enough in style to make up for the loud color, but certainly not too modest the way she remembered that corset fitting her when she tried it on. It was bold, far brighter than the garments of those in attendance to these Moon Galas who always wore white, or gold in her case, or silver, or any other muted pastel color that just blended into the background of the palace itself. It was perfect.
Venus managed to fall asleep rather quickly once she was finally able to fall into bed. Too tired to dwell on the anxiety clawing at her stomach that by all right should have kept her awake. A symptom of being awake for more than a full day leaving her almost grateful for the delirium. It was worth the deep slumber she managed to sneak in before as anticipated, Aphrodite's servants arrived to help her into her chosen gown and fix her hair. That alone was a task given the thickness of her golden locks and yet after a couple of hours Venus hadn't ever felt more beautiful. She dabbed a bit more fragrance to her pulse points, giving one last appraisal of herself before gliding from the room. Today was not a day to be running late and she had a Princess to gather.
"VENUS!" The girls squealed in unison as she entered Serenity's rooms where they all gathered to help the Princess get ready. This was followed by a lot of noise and commotion as they rambled both disdain and praise for the Venusian's appearance as usual. Her hair was a cascade of curls pinned up in a messy but elegant style that fell down her back and framed her face all at the same time. She'd stained her lips a vibrant red shade that matched her gown and brought her eyes to vivid life further accented by light gold shadow and a dark lining of kohl with a soft wing to accent the almond shape of her eyes and long thick lashes.
The gown she selected so boldly was the same vibrant shade of red she favored on her lips, a real show stopper. The top was a longer corset embroidered with very fine gold accents that hugged her torso almost all the way down to her hips. It's lines emphasized her every curve and amplified them by cinching in her already small waist but defined her hips and breasts sinfully. The gold threading almost glittered in the light and the skirts flared out in long layers of vibrant red satin and soft organza that flowed like flower petals on the air when she walked, and even more breathtaking in dance.
"Why red?" Mars bit hotly with her arms crossed. She had no right to be mad really, looking completely ravishing in the dark violet gown she wore paired with the bright red jewels she'd purchased with Venus just the prior day. The raven haired warrior was always perpetually annoyed when Venus wore her signature color, not that she did so often anyway.
"I wanted to make a statement tonight." Venus pouted dramatically at her friend who rolled her eyes and shifted on her feet. "I wear orange on duty all day and I always wear gold...I wanted a change tonight." She tried to hug Mars but was swatted away.
"You look beautiful, you know that, but you could have worn blue." Mars bit in annoyance which prompted more approvals from Jupiter and Serenity. Mercury's face had turned nearly as red as her dress when Venus noticed her friend examining the elaborate yet simple corset and what it did for the Venusian Goddess who was budding more into the incarnation of Aphrodite by the day.
Mercury had a swimmers form, lithe and not very busty, but athletic and delicate, the lines of her body like a piece of art. She flushed even more when Venus helped her choose a gown to fit her body type beautifully because she knew better how to work with what she had. Venus suspected a certain fondness growing between Mercury and Zoisite, but she couldn't tell if it was a seduction of the intellectual nature, or if it was melding into something primal. The silvery pale blue satin number was stunning on Mercury and suspicions grew when she showed a bit more gratitude to Venus than normal on helping with the dress.
Even Jupiter wore a stunning mauve colored gown with a sweetheart neckline that actually emphasized her curves and Venus couldn't have been prouder as her gowns were always so modest. It was embroidered with pink roses and green leaves and matching green sash, pulled together with rose earrings that she'd never seen before and wondered if her Jovian friend also had an admirer, something Venus made note to viciously pry from her friend later. Her girls were certainly living up to the Goddesses they were legendary to be, as fearsome as they were beautiful. And there were none more beautiful in her eyes, than her friends.
Venus linked arms with Serenity, finally ready in an elegant gown heavily beaded in silver and gold accents. The bodice hugged her chest, falling in soft draping duochrome fabrics from an empire waist that did little to hide Serenity's shapely form, shifting from white to gold in the light. The Princess was draped in pearls and delicate jewels that intricately adorned the buns on her head with elegance Venus rarely saw from her. She was stunning as her namesake, and looked perhaps more regal than the clumsy Princess actually was, but Venus knew she'd be a fool to ever try and compare to the purity and innocence of her. Serenity was the most beautiful thing in all the Cosmos to Venus, the pure white pearl to her gold. She was so warm and happy, far more loving than any one person should ever be. It filled her with such light that Venus couldn't help but kiss the bubbly Princess on the cheek, pleased when her vibrant crimson stain on her lips didn't transfer to the perfect pale plane of her face.
Venus was awed by the lit ballroom that positively glittered and shined in gold, silver, and crystal opulence. Far more gorgeous than most of the other balls she'd attended. The cobalt colored skylights popped against the gold and white and for once the Moon Kingdom's silver became muted to the shimmering gold and warm light that scattered rainbows over the floors and walls from all the crystal embellishments. Fresh air drifted in through the tall french doors lining the many balconies of the crowded ballroom that grew quiet at the announcement of their arrival.
She was pleased, hearing some of the heated and scandalized whispers she received upon entering the room at Princess Serenity's side. Aphrodite was seated at a long table at the head of the room alongside the other Gods and Goddesses of their Alliance, and her Mother had never looked more proud. Venus grew even more smug by the appraisals as nearly every man in the room turned to look at her. She stood out because as predicted the room was littered by pastel or muted attire that made her crimson gown all the bolder. She wasn't normally so vain, but if she could command an entire room's attention with a red dress, then she became curious to know what she could do to one man.
Radio silence drifted over the room when the Terran Prince and his two Heavenly Kings of Legend were announced and Venus became one of the many women awestruck by their beauty. Hushed whispers and flushed cheeks spread like an epidemic over the room by the women in attendance, some no doubt planning on seeking attentions from the forbidden three men that entered with such regality. Endymion stood out about as much as she did, his dark features complemented by his dark clothes and silver decorated armor he wore like some dark and beautiful angel. This armor was different than she'd seen before, inlaid with gold and engraved with intricate patterns and small stones that glinted in the light.
It was Ryo of all people to interrupt the moment, hardly interested in gawking at the Terran men apparently, so she wasn't able to catch a glimpse of the other two Shitennou. He'd shrunk back initially at the hard glare she shot him, raising his hands in defeat with promise that he only wanted to apologize, and formally asked her to dance. Venus hesitantly agreed of course, knowing it would irritate Mars if nothing else, and she was never one to pass on a chance to flare that temper in her best friend. True to his word, there were plenty of apologies for his previous behavior and harsh words. She remarked with a bitter laugh and hard glare that he wasn't entirely wrong - but she was still no Venusian whore. They laughed it off, and Venus fell shocked when he thanked her for making him see his ways, even though he no longer had full use of his wrist.
Ryo was there with his wife, currently unable to dance due to her heavily pregnant state as they were expecting their first son any day. Venus paused to hug him in congratulations, getting maybe a bit too excited by the first baby to be born of their generation, mental note made to send a gift as soon as possible. Amidst the ballroom's laughter and glittering decor, Venus finally caught glimpses of Kunzite, already hugging the wall and drinking. She'd laugh in amusement that was lost on her dance partner, and realized fast that the Warlord's bored and less than pleasant demeanor when she'd first met him was a testament that his social skills were certainly not on par with his skill in combat. He was likely keeping an eye on Endymion and thought to call him a workaholic but bit her silent tongue because she'd done little but dance with Ryo and keep her own eye on Serenity. Endymion was glued to her side, dancing or talking with her or charming the Alliance Dignitaries with a protective demeanor she found all too romantic.
"So that is the Guardian born male?" Ryo had followed her gaze toward him, almost halting Venus mid dance.
"Pardon?" Her brows had lifted, eyes wide with surprise at her dance partner. His lavender eyes were locked onto Endymion, his lips pursed into a tensed line of unease. Venus knew the potency of the premonitions the Martian royalty harbored, Mars had yet to be matched in hers, but Ryo often knew and spoke of things he perhaps should have kept to himself. There was a mistrust, a fear in his pale eyes that sent a chill down her spine.
"You realize Earth has always been the only planet to not bear a daughter. The royals have only ever born sons in each of their generations, a Prince of Elysium and Four Heavenly Kings to guard him. The Shitennou didn't exist until now, or they were never united under any other generation." Ryo chuckled lightly, returning his pale violet gaze to her. "It's quite obvious they have magic same as us, but years of being denied the powers of the Silver Crystal have allowed them to fall dormant, or perhaps fall out of the Golden Crystal's favor. Dare I say Earth has been home to many of our Queen's secrets for centuries?"
"You'll bite your tongue if you want to keep it." Venus threatened, raising her brow with perfectly composed expression. Though as usual his words made sense, she hadn't thought about the Earthen Senshi, and for reasons unknown to her it was never explained or knowledge infused in her at birth.
"As someone so close to her, I thought you might have considered the thought. Why would one planet be structured so similarly to our entire Alliance? There is unknown power there and a great power latent in that man. We watch their world without ever knowing all the secrets it holds. A lacking education I fear may very well overpower the danger of the Alliance wishes of us not to trust them." He chuckled softly, "And yet here they are dining at our tables. We can speak more on it later if you wish. For now, come and meet Elaina formally."
Venus gave him a hardened look, but followed as he lead her to his beautiful wife, round with child and radiant as can be. It wasn't often a Martian paired with a Lunarian, but they seemed compatible though their link was nowhere near as strong as the one between Serenity and Endymion. Very few were.
Of course Mars jumped on her soon as she parted from Ryo and his budding family, irritated that she'd dance with him after what he did to her. She tried in vain to wave her off, rolling her eyes when it didn't work because once more Ryo had slapped her with words she hadn't considered, and wouldn't soon be forgotten.
"Venus." Endymion spoke to try and save her the Martian's wrath and she turned with a grateful smile, ignoring her hot tempered friend who continued to ramble behind her. "I need to thank you. For everything." He smiled and took her hand, kissing the knuckle as a proper gentleman should. Venus gave a shallow but graceful bow, feeling uneasy because the kiss Kunzite had placed on that very hand the night before was anything but courtly.
"I'm only glad you are here." She knew they couldn't speak aloud the reasons he thanked her, but Venus felt pride that she had a hand in getting them here, and took a moment to study Endymion's eyes. She found them unique, too blue as though the Universe itself peered back into her. It was quickly understood why his gaze always felt so intense, the eyes of a legendary Senshi. Mars of course started in on her again as soon as Endymion swept Serenity onto the dance floor. His blue gaze lingered, an odd look back at Venus who had seemingly tried to peer directly into his soul. She'd scarcely heard a word Mars had said beneath the weight of what this new information might mean.
"You're impossible you know that? And don't think that Terran Prince can save you." Mars had crossed her arms, violet eyes fixed in fiery frustration on the Venusian, ignoring Jupiter's pleas for her to drop it. "I didn't take you for the forgiving type Venus, and what he did...Are you even listening!?"
"Well Mars," Venus started, turning back with mock hostility to her Martian warrior, that gleam in her eye most of her comrades grew to know spelled mischief. "I could just entice dearest Ryo into a scandalous affair until his Son is born. I'm sure that would sit well with your Mother to know that not only is Ares engaging in such activities with my Mother, but her Nephew would be doing the same." She was mostly annoyed that Mars' temper was interrupting her thoughts of Earthen Senshi and the structure of the planet's guardians. Her already small amount of patience rapidly dissolved leaving Mars sufficiently angry. Venus was only surprised she hadn't tried to burn the red dress from her body, but even she knew it was all a bluff. A blessing in their otherwise tight knit friendship.
"You love your duties too much to make empty threats like that." Mars scoffed, the fire simmering down a bit behind her violet eyes. "I think you'd sooner marry Serenity yourself than do more than kiss another." Venus winced, she hadn't realized how visibly but it was enough for regret to snuff out the flames of Mars' hostility and warner a sympathetic look from Jupiter who was sampling how the wine went with some of the snacks. Mercury and Zoisite approached directly after, both flushed and panting from dancing but she hadn't ever seen the blue haired girl look so alive. Jupiter grinned, appearing grateful for deliverance from the awkward silence.
"Is everything okay Lady Venus?" Zoisite inquired before anyone else had bothered, genuine concern in his vibrant green eyes that still struggled to look at her too long. Did she really look that devastated? She only burst into laughter over nothing, a silly distraction that didn't sound genuine to her but seemed to fool everyone else. The smile didn't reach Jupiter's eyes, she knew better. Venus knew how she was. Obsessive about her duties, devoted to a fault to Serenity's side, horrified at the prospect of failing, and yet she wanted so much more. She craved what was in her nature. To know love, to taste desire, to find the soul that fit so perfectly with her own, and knowing that other souls didn't fit at all with duties like hers. Law forbade that. Such affections would begin, and end, with shallow lust.
"Mars is just angry because I danced with her cousin, who is married by the way, and wanted to tell me they are about to have a beautiful baby boy, the first of our Generation!" Mars looked away, biting her tongue for once at the dismissing wave of Venus' hand. "Martian men aren't really my taste anyway. I have a hard enough time keeping Mars here from setting me on fire daily." They all laughed sincerely this time except for the raven haired beauty who continued to sulk quietly. Venus decided then that she really liked Zoisite. He appeared to be more the aristocrat during their meetings but he was simply curious and the company of another intellect seemed to make Mercury happy like she'd never seen her. It would have been easy for her to rationalize that they were both so brilliant and like-minded but it was then that she saw the familiar red string. Vibrant but almost wavy like the tides, and her heart shattered in her chest. They had to have kissed, and sealed their fate. Another tied, another damned.
She was both grateful and terrified to feel the light touch on her back, the pleasant smell of bourbon mingling with spices and cool waters assaulting her senses. A welcome distraction from the awkward, very tense evening thus far. A welcome distraction from her own heartbreak as Mercury explained a dancing technique to Zoisite, daring to touch him in demonstration of posture and where he should rest his hands as well. The notion of another far too convenient link seen created anxiety in her, and knowing just who it was that had touched her, didn't help. Yet his warm breath against the shell of her ear left her breathless with the intensely forbidden craving for more, despite how much she feared that red link. All thought of Earthen Senshi and duty became fleeting under the lightest brush of his gloved hand.
"Lady Venus, I believe you owe me a dance." His low voice reverberated through her bones, and she turned on weak knees to address him as he stood to full height. Venus could hear the snickers behind her, Mercury looking anywhere else but them while Zoisite grinned deviantly by her side, and she couldn't find it in herself to care. Kunzite looked gorgeous, his uniform a pale grey lined with a gunmetal color that matched his deepened grey eyes, the satin lining of his cape an Elysian blue that further brought out the stones in the cape clasps she noted him wearing. The uniform opened at the collar as always, elegant patterns embroidered with fine silver thread, the warm tones of his skin beneath a beautiful contrast to the cool colors of the rest of him.
"I believe you are right Commander." Venus extended her hand for him to lead her to the dance floor in acceptance, finding herself cursing those pristine gloves of his when his hand found hers. Kunzite placed a familiar kiss to her knuckle, one far less chaste than the one his Prince left mere moments prior, fierce grey eyes burning into her. He guided her hand so that her arm wrapped around his own to lead her to the dance floor without having the mercy to tear his eyes from hers, leaving her breathless before they'd even begun.
She was pulled against his chest, not as intimately as he had when they were almost caught in the gardens, but his hand rest at her hip and she silently cursed his gloves again for the one that cradled her hand. Venus was only too aware that she stood out, and in presence of the entire Alliance there was a greater caution to be taken. Her face lit up when she saw the cape clasps and her fingers grazed lightly over the pale polished stones and engraved silver. "They suit you."
Her lips curled into a gentle smile, shifting her stare from her gift back up into his eyes which caught her completely off guard with the unbridled emotion gazing back at her. The air left her lungs, the hand he held at her hip sliding to the small of her back to pull her flush against his tall frame, and Venus began to drown in grey and silver oceans. Her heart beat impossibly hard against her ribcage as Kunzite lowered his face toward hers, convinced he might kiss her right there in the center of the ballroom. Instead, his cheek brushed hers in passing, her eyes stinging from the emotion and ache behind them as they drifted closed with her catching breath, and his lips so intimately brushed her earlobe.
"And I thank you...Mina."
Her eyes fluttered open at the sound of her name on his voice, her real name, accompanied by the lightest brushes of his lips with each word spoken, the very slight contact of his tongue with the exaggerated first syllable of his gratitude. She was certain the strangled gasp that escaped her lips was desperate and her fingers curled into his cape at the shoulder, times like these she could hear the slightest accent in his inflection and it hit the core of her hard. His warm breath at her ear trailed down her neck making her feel feverish and weak, goosebumps rising to her skin, yet the room became almost too warm.
Venus was all too happy that Kunzite spun her away gracefully only to pull her back to the firm plane of his chest with far too much passion in his grey eyes. She swallowed the lump in her throat down, unable to look away and all too certain her eyes pleaded with his for mercy. Mercy from his beauty and subtle seductions she was certain he wasn't doing on purpose, but it only fed into latent desires she'd all but denied. The rest of the party had long faded to the background, an awareness that faded with the urge to belong to someone for the first time in her life. The need to be near him stifled all else, and perhaps this is when she knew.
"We should be cautious." She warned breathily, allowing him to lead them gracefully in tandem with the throngs of dancers, "Surely you've noticed the pairings forming amongst our ranks." Kunzite spun her, brow furrowing in confusion when her eyes locked with his and she pressed herself closer into him. Any distance was too much, yet they continued to move unassumingly with swaying hips and calculated steps to the beat of the song. She spied Mercury and Zoisite dancing mere feet away, he'd apparently stepped on her foot and the pair laughed in a carefree manner that wasn't characteristic for Mercury. That waving red line between them was steady, and Venus had to blink hard not to see it anymore "You may blame Serenity... or perhaps fate is to blame in this instance..."
"Do you know something I don't?" Kunzite quirked his brow, nodding slightly to the side where Endymion danced so charmingly with Serenity. "Aside from the obvious pairing that is." Venus chewed her lip almost too hard, hoping he was too distracted to see the longing in her eyes as they attentively traced the curve of his lip and sharp line of his jaw. The urge, the want to kiss him, and the pain that she couldn't frustrated her beyond measure. Venus felt herself teeter ever more dangerously on that cliff, swearing the rocks grew loose and threatened bury her in an avalanche down below.
"Fate has been cruel enough to link those forbidden to each other together as soulmates." Her eyes flickered back up to his, noting the furrow of his brow and the steadiness of his stare. Venus had seen the link too many times between their soldiers for it to mean mere coincidence. Serenity and Endymion, now Mercury and Zoisite. It was so convenient. It was so cruel. She knew better than to wonder if the fates were as cruel to her, placing her on this path that just so happened to place her in his arms.
"I cannot argue with the Goddess of Love on such matters." Venus could visibly see the struggle behind his eyes, trying to grasp what she was saying. She could not confirm any link between Mars and Jadeite though she knew of their pairing, or Jupiter and Nephrite whom she hadn't met yet. She was certain that being near Kunzite like this came with a certain want, forbidden urges, and pain that couldn't have fallen to coincidence. Even as they danced, her every curve down to the hand he held in his fit so perfectly, and Kunzite understood her, he reached those corners of her she'd often wished Serenity could comprehend. And he barely knew her. Her face fell, eyes pricking again in manners unlike herself because Venus found herself wanting to fall apart beneath the weight of it.
"The meeting with your Queen went well, we could be celebrating an engagement soon." His face had fallen as well, and without missing a step of their dance he released his hand from hers to tilt her chin up to look at him. Venus rest her free hand on his arm to gaze back into his eyes as those grey eyes commanded. The smile that spread to his lips made her knees weak, he'd never looked at her like that, or anyone in her presence at least, like she was the only other person in that crowded room.
"For once...I wasn't talking about them." She whispered, the air becoming heavy and warm. She took the moment to study his features, Kunzite doing the same, grey eyes drinking her in as he tried to decipher her words or try to find another way around them as she had done many times over. "Take off your gloves..."
He stared at her, blinking in confusion for a moment before Venus reached and began to pull at the middle finger on the glove that had cradled her chin. It looked like he might laugh, nervously shifting his eyes around them as his hand slipped from the white sheath and smoothly placed it in his pocket. Venus twirled herself away by the hand still adorned in a white glove, curling back into his arm so her back pressed against his chest giving her the perfect opportunity to pull the other offensive thing from his hand with a light giggle. She'd turn again, heart leaping when she saw the wide unmasked smile on his face, shaking his head and attempting to be discreet in discarding his glove to his pocket with the other.
"Better?" Kunzite mused huskily in her ear, pulling her back against his chest rather intimately. For the most part she'd been able to brush aside her attraction for him and keep their relationship purely professional, mostly. But when his hand slipped over her back, upward beneath the cover of her thick curls, resting against bare skin, and his hand took hers Venus thought she might melt into him and disappear completely. It was only then as she glanced at their joined hands to appreciate how beautiful his slightly darker skin tone was against her own, that she noticed the small engraved gold ring adorning his pinky finger. A familiar thing that spoke to her intimately. It was hers.
"Better.." She whispered in the most distracted fashion, longing for him when she was so perfectly held in his arms, and still worlds apart. She gave him a knowing, understanding look that required no words, and surprisingly Kunzite showed no shame. Amusement fell from their features in favor for something more private, his calloused fingers methodically stroked her skin beneath her golden veil of hair and Venus quickly became aware they'd become lost in each other far long enough to be suspicious.
Venus was almost grateful for the shift in song, a more upbeat tempo for her to better hide the misting of her eyes because it was crushing her. She knew. She knew and couldn't say a word but all those coincidences made sense to her suddenly, but how hopeless it was had yet to be determined. Lust, infatuation, a kindred understanding ... there were all of those things, and it hurt her to refrain from acknowledging that there might be much, much more. Trying not to read too much into the moment, she sprung into a dance far more suited to the song. It caught Kunzite off guard, faltering his steps as she took control of the dance. Venus laughed lightly, it was better than drowning, laughing harder when Kunzite dipped her deeply to steal back his control.
It became a sparring match of sorts, weaving and spinning around the other in a frenzy to conquer the other. Desire burned through her blood, their battle beginning innocently enough turned primal at every challenge the other posed. A fight for control against the other who seemed dead set in their ways to win. A careless touch, deliberate brush of hips, utterly sinful hands so well utilized no one would have thought it was anything but standard movements customary to ballroom dancing. Venus felt her lungs catch fire under his intense and darkened stares, trying to keep her own desires contained the more intimate things became and Kunzite took full advantage of his gloveless touches. Neither were aware of the attention they drew to themselves, admiration mixed with judgemental stares as the two wove around the other like silver and gold.
Venus found herself losing to him, losing to feel of his hands on her back, fingers drifting down her arms and almost entwining as they twirled and spun almost aggressively. He stole the breath from her lungs, secretly placing a kiss to the inside of the wrist he held before spinning her away. Almost desperate for escape her wide blue eyes grazed the crowd in attempts to get away before she fell consumed completely, though Venus found herself pulled intimately back to Kunzite's chest with an eager yank before someone could rescue her. He dipped her low, his long silver locks concealing his face as his lips brushed so carelessly to her shoulder and she shivered with an ache that intensified as he brought her upright, mere inches from his lips. Their eyes locked, hard breath mingling, as the final strings of the song drawled out to signify its end leaving the crowd of onlookers around them standing stunned by the display they made. Not that either of them really noticed, too hurried to break apart, to put at least two feet between them.
The music began again, a slow romantic song she'd always loved, now brought on a feeling of dread. Lovers around them began to dance more intimately, stolen and unforbidden kisses and caresses so uninhibited and proud only sought to mock her. Tears fell from her eyes before she could think to stop them, stifled by things she didn't want to accept, damning things she wanted more than anything. Venus could at least be grateful for the romantic shift leaving the two forgotten and lost in the crowd.
"Would you like a drink?" Concern furrowed his brows, neither had quite been able to catch their breath, but it was enough to let her get some semblance of order around her emotions so she could give him an affirming nod.
"I need air." She stated dryly. Kunzite nodded, offering her his arm as a gentleman might to lead her to the bartender. Venus ignored the offer, merely brushing passed him to retrieve her drink because touching him was far too dangerous right now. And Gods did she want to touch him, but became too worried about the attention they drew themselves.
The bartender had served the royal family for long before her time at the palace. He automatically handed her a flute of her favorite honey mead, giving her a beat of reprieve from Kunzite before he stepped behind her to order his bourbon. She felt his fingers at her arm, the lightest brush when he leaned forward to accept his drink and she stiffened, glancing up at him over a sip of her wine.
His grey eyes shifted smoothly toward the balcony, suggesting she walk with him, clearing his throat with a subtle nod of his head. After dancing like that Venus knew they'd have to tread carefully, and so without acknowledging the gesture, she gathered her crimson skirts and headed for the doors. She had to swallow hard around the knot in her throat, put off by the notion they had to hide at all. Kunzite was supposed to be an honored guest, meant to be spoken to, and danced with, and at least for the moment not entirely forbidden. Yet as she brushed by dancing lovers so wrapped up in each other they didn't notice her, she felt that harsh prick behind her eyes that threatened to spill weakness she'd been hard trained to hide.
The balcony was familiar, a wide stone porch with stairs on either side leading down into enchanting gardens probably full of lovers who'd snuck off in favor of more amorous activities. Venus took a long drink, leaning on her arms against the railing while the song she'd loved so much once drifted out to her on the cool night air. It wasn't long until he joined her, off to the side near the stairs, and out of direct line of sight to the ballroom.
"Mina.." He whispered, concerned still locked into Kunzite's grey eyes that looked as conflicted as she felt while they danced between her own. She half wished more people lingered on the balconies, thought it odd when she found themselves alone yet she swore it felt like they were being watched. A symptom of nerves, she thought, glancing around once more before regarding him.
"Why do you have my ring? Venus licked her dry lips, turning against the railing to regard him. She took a small glance at the glint of gold on his right pinky, it suited him and yet was out of place amongst all that silver.
"Because it is yours." Kunzite stepped toward her, close enough to set his half empty glass down on the railing beside her flute of mead. He removed the ring and offered it toward her in a swift and easy motion. "It is engraved with emblems of the Venusian Kingdom, a suspicious trinket to be left on Earth in tribute to one of our kind. I thought you might like to have it back."
"No..." Venus replied, eyeing the ring, a gift meant to honor a fallen woman. He had a point but, but the sentiment would be lost should she take it back. "I don't like to retract such offerings. If you are Knighted under my Mother it is only fitting I suppose." Venus leaned against the railing, inhaling the fresh air and her eyes greeted the stars. They looked so close but she knew too well how far away they were.
"You shower me with such gifts...I'm afraid I have nothing to offer in return." She smiled, laughing in her throat because she knew a great many things he offered her that she could never have. His company had been plenty those long nights in the Elysian gardens, yet Venus knew there were things just out of reason she wanted of him, but could never have.
"I would say that a kiss was a worthy offering, but I fear you might insult me with your restraint." She mused, offering him a teasing grin over her shoulder, only to watch him squirm slightly. It was one thing she knew they mutually wanted, a simple kiss so forbidden that it terrified her on more than one level. Venus laughed in her throat lightly, melting against the railing as a familiar song began to play, it was so romantic, always her favorite to dance to, pretending she was in love with whoever she danced with. "This song was always my favorite..."
"We could keep dancing." Her breath caught when his hand wrapped around her waist, pulling her close. She went gladly of course, hiding her amusement with a teasing roll of her eyes. It was all she could do to ignore the butterflies wreaking havoc on her stomach.
"Stop that." She bit, her smile betraying her mock annoyance while her hands took their place at his arm and shoulder. The fabric of his more formal wear a bit thinner than the one she was used to and Venus had long grown to appreciate the warmth of him, firm and sculpted beneath it.
"Dancing?" Kunzite mused back with a mere quirk of his brow, a certain gleam in his eye she'd grown to read. He'd won their spar on the dance floor, and so she allowed him to lead the weakest of slow dances, a mere sway to the melody that drifted out to them.
"Being charming. You're quite the dancer you know." He actually laughed a little, the slightest motion of his lips revealing the dimple she'd begun to look for. Air certainly became hard to come by as he held her closer, and once more Venus found herself drowning in the pale color of his grey eyes.
"When you've fought one battle you've fought them all I suppose." Her smile was dark, but broadened at the notion that everything was a battle to them, a fight for them both. Not that dancing had ever been a battle to her. Until she danced with him.
"Dancing is hardly a battle Gener-" Heavy silence fell under the finger he brought to her lips to silence her, unsure when he'd gotten so close, but when her eyes met his she noticed the same war was being waged behind his. Venus felt her breathing halt at his touch, forgetting herself entirely when he looked at her like this. She'd seen this look before, on a terrace by the sea.
"Kunzite. My name is Kunzite." He reminded her quietly. She sucked in a breath of air when his lingering finger traced softly over her crimson stained lips, down her chin, and made the slow descent down the full length of her throat. Fingers trailed lightly to hook just under her jaw and his thumb could brush her cheek. "The way you dance, you could have fooled me."
"Kunzite..." She whispered weakly in exhale, unsure if she'd ever called him by name before, but the name was sweet on her tongue. Sweet as the assuring motion of his thumb softly stroking her cheek. His other hand pulled her against him, Venus going gladly back to the sturdy wall of his chest. Her fingers traced the fine embroidery on his formal tunic, gazing into his grey eyes, deepened and yearning as she was. It was agony, this restraint. Every cell in her body screamed, every breath like fire in her chest. Venus felt like breaking beneath the emotion seeping into her rapidly, no longer willing to be denied. She had to blink hard to clear the welling tears from her vision, silently cursing as she tore her eyes away from his, and the weakness glided down her cheeks anyway.
"Have i offended you?" He whispered, so close, so warm, stifling how perfectly she fit in his arms.
"I wish you had." Venus admitted. It would have been easier had he been the cruel, cold man everyone told her he was, but she'd long seen past that. She scoffed, or sobbed, unsure which, as she took a painful step backward out of his arms. "Gods why must everything be a fight?"
"If it's any consolation, you've offended me for weeks." Kunzite muttered under his breath, taking a careful step towards her, frowning when she took a panicked step away.
"Those weeks have been a dangerous dance..." Her breath came out shakily, ready to run away because she simply couldn't bear the agony any longer. The attraction, the hidden glances and small touches that drove her wild for want of touches and kisses that could never be. The pain of it all confirmed too much for her, but it wasn't too late for him, not too late for her to run from it. Only she didn't want to. For all the Goddess-like power inside of her, she wasn't even sure she had the strength.
"A dangerous dance indeed."
"Why can't we just..." She trailed off, thinking she might run because his eyes were stifling, his arms inviting, and his lips too enticing. She didn't need to finish the question, she knew the answer. They couldn't sate their need or curiosity because the consequences were too dire, it could destroy two kingdoms. It would destroy the two people they loved the most.
"Why can't we what?" His patience with her was clearly running thin by the way he raised his brow, his frown deepening that dimple that was so much more charming when he smiled.
"Nothing Gener-"
"Kunzite." He corrected a second time, eyes growing colder and hard, his patience becoming further lost in his biting tone. Venus swallowed hard again, it was enough for her to gather her nerve to leave.
"Forget it. Thank you for the dance, I hope you can forgive me my offenses." Sobs threatened to claim her, but she was proud of her cold demeanor as she turned on her heel despite her shaking breath and quivering lip. Maybe she could still save him from the pains she felt now, as he iced over it was possible he didn't feel it yet, and she could free him.
Hope fell short as no sooner had she taken those first steps toward the stairs to deliver him from damnation did his hand wrap around her forearm to pull her back into his chest more intimately than before. Venus wanted to fall apart then, to melt into his arms without care or remorse for the consequences in the security of his embrace. His grey eyes pleaded with her, appearing as angry and tortured as she was. Kunzite rest his forehead on hers, sharing breath between them, and she thought maybe it was too late for him after all.
"Gods we have to stop this dance of ours." He whispered, lips parted and nose brushing hers like he might kiss her but restrained.
"I don't know how." She admitted, tensing her fingers on his jacket and daring to touch the line of his jaw softly with her fingers, pleading with her eyes for some sort of deliverance from this ache. Painful to deny, but blissful and sweet as Kunzite so slowly closed the gap between them.
This song, will have a sad ending...
Then we should dance carefully.
"I am bewitched by you, magic or no." His lips brushed hers with every word whispered, accented lightly by a land she'd never seen. Venus gasped against them, parting only enough for Kunzite to claim them patiently with a very light and restrained kiss, like a whisper that had her eyes fluttering closed. Her body and soul became consumed by something decided and yearning for more, and so he answered it with a firmer, hungrier kiss that only sealed it further. They shared deep inhale through noses as neither were willing forfeit the other's lips for air, a breath that came with an overpowering notion that something had been decided.
She could have drown in this moment, every cell in her body wanting to combust and fall apart all at once. Venus was breathless, that tight stringing feeling in her chest spreading throughout her entire being, heart palpitating painfully against her ribs. Her fingers tightened on his uniform jacket, unable to respond in any other manner than desperation with her lips. She'd felt the cold sting of desire when it wasn't right, but this was warm, and light, and felt something like coming home. Kunzite had kissed her a third time, and the fourth when they simultaneously slanted their lips just so slightly to taste the other further, she pushed him away when the bourbon hit her tongue. It was the briefest of moments really, one that spun everything about her life, her duties, her very soul on its axis. Immediately she took in the surrounding balcony, to ensure that no one saw, no rogue onlooker from the party, or lingering lonely souls.
"That shouldn't have happened.." She heard herself whisper, unsure if she believed her own traitorous voice when all she wanted to do was kiss him until the Old Gods brought wrath to them both. She'd thought of this moment more than she was proud of, and his lips did not disappoint, his mouth proving more devastating to her than she thought it might be. Kunzite nodded silently, but the heat in his stare suggested he disagreed with her statement as well. Venus shivered, glancing longingly at him because there was something in that moment that shouldn't have been so perfect as though something sealed and locked into place. She took a reluctant step backward, knowing the thrum of her pulse was quite possibly visible against the strain of her corset that suddenly felt far too tight. Of all the men she'd ever kissed, nothing compared as sweet as it was. "We should get back..." Her voice was now a choked whisper and she almost wished he would say something. Instead he nodded again, reaching to brush a rogue curl from her face, longing in his eyes that mirrored her own. "I'll go in first. I'm going for one more dance, then come in after me."
Venus didn't wait for a reaction, just plastered a brilliant smile on her face and swept back into the golden lit room. She grabbed the nearest Lunar dignitary and swept him off to the dance floor with the faint taste of Kunzite's bourbon still lingering on her lips. She didn't particularly care for the song. It lasted forever and she danced generically, laughing at whatever boring thing the Lunar man said to her and tried to mask her distraction. Her eyes scanned the room to find Serenity speaking with some diplomats, Endymion protectively at her back and being charming as ever. Venus gave her Princess a smile when she waved happily over to her, a silent question in her eyes- probably wondering where the Terran's first in Command was.
Her question was answered when the song ended, Kunzite emerged from the balcony a cool calm with his empty glass in hand only a few feet from her and Venus felt herself get distracted entirely for a moment before an icy fear shot through her. He scared her, the way he could affect her without trying. The way she wanted him and knew she shouldn't. That tangible tension between them turned red and impossible when their eyes locked from across the room. Venus prayed, hysterics threatening choke her, that it wasn't possible. It was something she shouldn't be able to see, and didn't want to. The room became very small, very hot, and too crowded. She thought she might be sick. The crystals everywhere blinding and painful but she gave him a small smile anyway before tearing her gaze away. Venus didn't miss the concern on Princess Serenity's face when she walked by her briskly in a flurry of red skirts and gold hair.
She politely approached the Queen who was talking about the political gains of the small milestone with Earth to inform her that she felt ill and wanted to go lie down. Believable with the sweat broken over her brow and pale state of her complexion, but she'd laughed and explained she'd had too much wine and dancing, briefly charming the diplomats and left the room quickly with her Queen's blessing. Venus made a point to stop to kiss Artemis on the cheek so he knew she was ok, insisting he stay and enjoy the party with Luna. Venus knew he would worry most. Probably suspecting quite accurately the cause of her sudden disorientation.
She leaned against the doors to her room for a moment, clenching her eyes tight and taking a few deep breaths after the brisk walk she took to get there. Truly her breathing never quite recovered after the gentle, perfect feeling of his lips on hers. Her eyes widened when she saw a brief reflection of herself as she stepped away from the doors to begin the long process of unlacing the restraining corset of her gown. Venus was firstly grateful that the stain of her lips was budge proof, forgetting she'd applied it. Secondly she had to admit that she'd never looked so beautiful, so much like the Goddess she'd grow into, and for some reason that made it all worse. Somehow it made her feel all the more foolish for even wearing the dress in the first place.
As she pulled the gown from her body, she got a whiff of something cool and spicy, a remnant of his scent on the bodice of her dress. Venus tossed the offending garment aside with a shuttered breath, tearing at her undergarments to run hot water for a heavily oiled bath. The makeup was scrubbed from her face, not that it did all that much for her anyway, and she sunk down into the water, shutting her eyes in a failed attempt to make her heart stop beating so erratically. Her hands covered her face, eyes clenched shut tight while she tried and failed to rationalize away what she'd seen.
Venusians weren't supposed to see their own fated links, it just wasn't possible, and once more she told herself it was a trick of the light. She tried to forget how soft his lips were, how gentle his touch, how no matter how fragranced her bath was she could still catch his scent, and mostly Venus noted she could still taste him. Also noting she never wanted that taste to go away.
She slipped into a thin silk slip of a light orange night dress that was scandalously short but airy and comfortable. Her hair was unpinned hanging in loose curls down her back releasing the pressure on her scalp. Venus frowned at her reflection and prayed to her Mother she hadn't seen what she thought she had, that Aphrodite herself in attendance that night hadn't seen it. A trick of the light, it had to be. She crawled on top of her covers and peered out the window, the faint sound of fireworks came from the other side of the castle while the party continued and she wished she hadn't left so she could watch them with him.
She didn't know how long she lay there or if she even fell asleep, but Venus sat up slowly when Serenity snuck into her room with an apologetic smile. She was surprised the young Princess hadn't already fallen into Endymion's arms for the night since it was his last night there. She supposed it didn't really matter, she'd be sneaking off to see him again sooner than later.
"Venus, are you ok? Mother said you were feeling ill." The girl's wide blue eyes laced with silver concern as she slid onto the bed beside the Venusian. The fear and uncertainty in her face was unmasked and she shifted her own blue eyes away to look at a particular wrinkle in her satin sheets.
"I'm alright now, I think I just drank too much." She smiled but it didn't ease the worry on Serenity's pale brow.
"It's him, isn't it?" Sometimes the Lunar girl's perceptions terrified her.
"The Martian Duke?" Venus opted to play dumb, though the expression on Serenity's face assumed she was anything less than savvy on what had happened.
"I saw you two dancing, you and Kunzite." She put plainly, placing a delicate hand on Venus's thigh. "You were radiant, like silver and gold entwined in red satin... not many people could look away.. "
"Well it isn't like that." She bit in an almost Martian manner, tearing her eyes away from Serenity's. "We are both the head of the guard and thought we should at least have one dance, that's it." Her hands were shaking and she folded them beneath her legs to hide it. Serenity frowned.
"You could just allow yourself to be happy."
"What makes you think I am not happy?" Venus said flatly, nearly glaring at the silver clad girl beside her. "I need nothing more than what I have. I have you my Princess... you are enough."
"What about your wants cousin?" Serenity brushed the fringe from the Venusian's eyes and for some reason the action made her want to crumble. The girl should have known it was never about what she wanted. Her life was only about her purpose, her duties, she didn't know anything else. Only that wanting hurt, it ached and suffocated her to the point of breaking now that she'd found something, someone, she truly wanted. Venus stood suddenly, walking quickly toward her bathroom for an escape with a shuttered sigh.
"You should spend your time with Endymion. He leaves tomorrow." She bit, not waiting for Serenity to respond, she closed the door and sauntered to the bathroom window brushing the few rogue tears that escaped her eyes from her cheek, taking deep breaths to ease the incoming panic. She hid there until she heard the door to her quarters close when Serenity finally left.
The Princess may have had an idea of her wants and desires, they daydreamed about it all together regularly enough. But there was no way for her to know how much it ached, or the pain she felt from restraining that want into cold, hard duty. Kunzite's name had certainly never been mentioned, in fact Venus had been very careful for the thought of him in that manner to never reach those beautiful daydreams. Until now. Venus ensured her doors were locked before she slipped back into bed, emotionally drained, she fell fast asleep within minutes.