Things Unsaid by blustripe
Summary: Three months after the defeat of Metaria, Minako shows up unexpectedly on Rei's doorstep. When she stays the night, will they finally say what they've always wanted to? Rei/Minako PGSM based
Discalimer: I do not own Sailor Moon or any of the characters or stories. But I do own these words. Please do not duplicate in whole or in part without my permission.
Things Unsaid - Chapter 5
Life had become conveniently busy. All the songs had been recorded and the launch of Minako's latest album was imminent. Lately she had been caught up in a whirlwind of interviews, press conferences, and special concerts. All parts of a concerted effort to ensure a successful launch, and to ensure the most money possible. Minako had not really considered this aspect of her career in her days as a Senshi. She had been terminally ill, bound by the greatest duty one could ever posses. Her life had not been her own. Though now as she stared at her bank statement, it began to sink in for the first time.
Minako was filthy rich.
There wasn't much she couldn't buy. A palace? Sure. How about seven? Something about this kind of freedom irked her. Perhaps it was the lack of boundary that made her feel...insecure. Minako dropped the paper into the trash with distaste.
The past month of her life had been a sleepless, seamless existence. Each day began before the last had ended and everything began to blur. She had time for no one but her adoring public.
Excuse.
Her lunch breaks were really too short.
Excuse.
She'd rather not waste the minutes on her cell phone.
Well, now that was just pathetic.
There was always an excuse not to contact Rei, but try as she might, Minako could not stop her mind from circling back to that weekend one month ago.
The whole affair had been a disaster. It pained her to admit, but Minako believed she had finally identified her greatest flaw. When it came to personal relationships, she had the tact and delicacy of a freight train. This revelation made her scowl. Sitting and stewing in her own sourness had become a favorite past time. Self analysis was a new and troublesome territory.
Whatever grace she had in her past life must have been a learned quality.
She should have seen it coming from a mile away. Throughout her life as a Senshi, Minako had allowed herself one single indulgence: the very small and very private fantasy she had constructed around a certain fiery Senshi. After the defeat of Metaria, it had grown steadily from a daydream into her most singular, possessive thought.
As she had come to learn, that passionate, almost wild determination she felt walking up those steps of Rei's shrine had been the biggest warning sign of all. Though it wasn't clear to her at the time, she had fully intended to lay herself bare that night. And so she did. And so Rei panicked. Minako made a promise to better control herself next time she felt such a wave of conviction. It could only lead to trouble.
This, perhaps, was her one valid excuse.
Her heavy handed attempts at basic human peer bonding had thus far been unsuccessful.
She had not forgotten the sting of rejection. No, that was still quite fresh. But as the days passed, Minako felt more and more as though she herself was to blame. And try as she might, Minako could not shoo her fantasy away. So she would wait.
For Rei.
For Rei to call her and want her and forgive everything past and future.
Hope.
Yet another addition to her long list of uncertain sensations.
At this moment she finally had a chance to rest from her hectic schedule. Today was miraculously free, and she had so far spent it on her sofa trying to keep her thoughts as still and quiet as possible.
Artemis was at her side, purring contentedly as she scratched behind his ears. It was the smell that came to her first. Shampoo and soap and clean linen. Rei. Then her lips remembered. Soft and slick and so very warm. Kissing Rei had been like crawling into a cool, freshly made bed and dancing through fire all at once. It was a memory that kept her warm and fell over her like a comforting blanket. But all too soon, reality washed over and she cringed in humiliation.
As Minako's mind strayed, her ministrations paused.
"Minako?" Artemis questioned, clearly not ready for the scratching to end.
"Oh, sorry," she said, resuming. "I was just...thinking."
"About Rei?"
She huffed, bothered that he had guessed so easily.
"Do you miss her?"
"I really don't want to talk about it."
"Oh, all right," he offered apologetically. Minako had been so closed of late, and he was growing weary of her refusal to discuss it. Not that he didn't already have an idea, but it was distressing that Minako would no longer talk to him the way she used to. Although, he had been here before, and would very likely be here again.
"Artemis," she whispered. "Will you always be with me?"
"Minako..." he spoke hesitantly, as though she should have already known the answer. "Of course I will. You are Sailor Venus."
"But I'm not anymore. I cant transform."
"Then you are Aino Minako, and I will always be with Aino Minako."
"If you'd like to continue this, please contact my manager and set up an appointment."
A challenge, as always. So Rei decided to do exactly that. As soon as Minako left, Rei had marched right back inside, grabbed her cell phone, and dialed the number of Minako's manager. He seemed bewildered by her call until she identified herself as Mars Reiko, then scheduled an appointment for four weeks from now.
It was a good thing she did this, otherwise she might have avoided Minako forever. The more she thought about the situation, the more it terrified her. Minako really liked her in that way? Did Rei like her back? It was almost too stressful to think about. It made her stomach churn and her brow scrunch. She had thought many times about canceling the appointment, but it was already written on her calendar in pen.
Minako 3:15
It seemed so innocent, written concisely in black ink. Every day she saw it, and she felt the day impending.
She needed to rehearse what to say, what to do. But before that she needed to figure out what she felt. As far as she knew, Rei had not considered Minako in those terms. But...it had been...sweet. Very sweet. And electrifying. And wonderful. And...dangerous.
Rei was confused more now that perhaps she had ever been. Though she knew it hadn't felt wrong, which was a comforting indicator.
Would it really be so bad? Would it really be so scary to just take her by the hand and follow whatever path they were on together? In spite of all her confusion, Rei clearly knew she wanted to remain at Minako's side in whatever capacity she may. It had nearly become a compulsion. So she was going to do it. She was going to take a step closer and lean in as far as she needed to figure out where it was they were heading.
Rei had faced Youma, Metaria....Rei had faced death. Surely she could face Minako.
So as the day approached, Rei steeled herself for the task ahead. All the time she wondered if Minako knew about the appointment, or if she might cancel it.
It was 2:45 in the afternoon, but for Minako it could have been 2:00 in the morning and it wouldn't have made a difference. In the months before a launch, AM and PM lost all meaning. She lounged sluggishly on the sofa in her Tokyo high rise apartment, Artemis asleep in the corner. As her eyed slowly drifted shut, the harsh ringtone of her cell phone snapped her back to the present. For a moment, she considered ignoring it, but that was hardly appropriate for an idol with her responsibilities.
"Heeeey, Minako-chan!"
Ah, her manager.
"Just to remind you, be at the studio for your interview at 8:45 tomorrow morning."
Yet another talk-show interview. Though she could no longer keep track of which one it was.
"Oh, and you have a meeting with Mars Reiko today at 3:15."
"What? Who?!"
"Mars Reiko. You know, that super cute up-and-comer you did a variety show with last year."
"No, I know who she is. It's just, you never told me she made an appointment."
"Well, I'm telling you now."
Minako fumed and squeezed her phone until her knuckles turned white. She had a few choice words for Mr. Manager, but kept them behind her tongue.
"Fine then." And with that she snapped her phone shut and threw it on the table.
Rei was coming.
In half an hour.
Minako panicked, and paced. She wrung her hands and told herself to stop overreacting. It wasn't as though Rei was coming all this way to be mad at her. That would make no sense. She paced about the room for nearly ten minutes then sat in the chair that faced the door. She nibbled at her fingernails, ruining a very expensive manicure.
Waiting. She hated this.
There was suddenly a sharp knock on her door. Minako sat and stared in anguish, as though not aware her action was required. The knock paused, then became louder.
"Yes! I'm coming!" she shouted, then jumped from her chair and carefully stepped toward the door. Her stomach gave a lurch and she felt as though she might throw up.
She yanked open the door hard and fast and a small wind brushed at her hair.
And there she stood. There was the faintest hint of a scowl, but not the angry kind.
"Hi Rei."
"Hi."
They stood in the doorway for a few moments, Minako's hand still on the door handle. Rei drew a quick breath through her nose, chewing lightly on her bottom lip.
"Are you going to let me in?"
"Oh!" Minako gasped with a small jump. "Of course. Come in."
She backed away and closed the door behind her after Rei had entered.
"I see you contacted my manager."
"Yes. I have you booked for the next two hours. Put on your hat. We're going for a walk."
Minako obliged. She put on her hat, her glasses, and even her scarf.
Out the door, down the hallway, push the button. All in silence.
They descended in the elevator. It was slow and the music made them feel out of context. When they had reached the front door, Rei held it open for Minako. And once outside, Rei grabbed her hand. She did this to try and put Minako at ease, but her own heart was racing. It felt as though her blood had thickened where their skin came into contact. She was determined not to be embarrassed. None of the people on the street knew her, so she was going to hold Minako's hand and hold it tight.
Minako, meanwhile, felt bewildered and thrilled, but strangely....comfortable. Rei was holding her hand and it didn't make her tense. Minako had been so afraid that Rei would become disgusted and frightened by her. But here her fingers were wrapped around her own. Minako could no longer hold it in and had to let herself smile.
As if sensing the air of pleasantness, Rei released a nervous sigh then turned to meet Minako's smile with her own.
"It's a nice day, isn't it."
Minako could only nod in agreement.
A/N: So its been over 3 years since my last update. Sorry! I dont know what exactly possed me to continue, but I felt like this story was too good to abandon. I know this chapter is not quite as....intense as previous ones, but I've already started writing the next and dont worry, the angst comes back. Welcome back to my old readers, and welcome to the new ones!