A/N: Okay, one last paper to go...in a few hours...but I promised a birthday chapter to a special lady...It's already the 14th where I am but I hope it's still the 13th where you are...
Like I said, exam is in a few hours. So, this is an impromptu drabble which I hope will make you all smile, even if just a bit! ;)
Xx Nariel xx: Thanks! You made me smile too. :) CherrySerenity-sama: Hmm... I hope your laptop survived! LOL. There are worst people they could become! *wink* M&K are a lot like S&D, aren't they? Except, Kevin has no problem expressing his love, privately of course! I hadn't seen the glass slipper but will definitely give it a shot as soon as I have some extra time... Moonprincess998: Thanks! Hmm...I'm a big S&D fan so I can't really see either with anyone else other than as friends. LOL. Your second guess is closer to the truth but your first guess will also happen at a later chapter! ;) Trish1573: Hello sweet Trish! Yup! Serena's birthday is coming up in TOBITF, ours in real life and your Mom's! Q: Do you have your Mummy's appetite? Hope she had a great birthday! ;) PrincessAnastacia: LOL. That's the general idea! Drive you crazy with curiosity so that you can't wait to read TOBITF! Thanks for reviewing! It made me smile. ;) kbtjmandy: *smile & a hug* I'm excited too! Been having lots of snippets and really hoping to be able to write more after my law finals (provided my health allows for it). Thank you for the wish. :) I'm greedy though. I don't want to just pass. My aim is to ace all the papers! Pray that I do, please? ;) LoveInTheBattleField: Thanks! Here it comes! ;) bunny88rosemagic: Thanks! I feel sorry for Pluto too but I also wanted to show that she's strong and loyal to Serena. CherrySerenity-sama & bunny88rosemagic: LOL. Unfortunately, Manga and comics are prohibited reading materials in my home. So I've never read any, not even SM Manga. But I did come across it online and only read two parts of it; the part where D got jealous of Haruka and the proposal part which did inspire LMSY. :) What triggered the previous drabble was a scene in the anime and the many fan fictions which paired Darien with Trista. Good fan fictions by talented authors and because they were good, they bothered me because I can totally see Trista having feelings for D but not him returning the feeling. So I wrote my own version which sits better with me. ;) smfan4ever72 & Rose: I like Setsuna. I get the impression that she likes Darien but a person can't be blamed for how they feel, only how they act upon those feelings. So I guess this is my way of resolving it, in my head at least. smfan4ever72: I'm glad you found these drabbles and finally read CBTM ;) Thank you! catgirl505: LOL. Read TOBITF and find out! ;) Rose: Thank you for the compliment, the wish and the vote of confidence! I'll try and do them justice! ;)
Thoughts are in Italics.
(Standard disclaimer: I do not own any of the Sailor Moon characters. All characters belong to Naoko Takeuchi.)
S plus D equals little s squared plus little d squared (S + D = ss + dd)
5. Mummy's Appetite
Timeline: takes place in between Chapters 19 & 20 of TOBITF (inspired by/with reference to a scene in Chapter 16)
Rating: K
No. Of words: 1612 words
"Darien," Andrew stared at his best friend, an incredulous expression on his face, "You're not seriously preparing what I think you're preparing...are you?" he asked, completely bewildered.
Darien shrugged. "It's Serena's first day of exam," he answered noncommittally, his attention completely on the task at hand, "She needs a healthy breakfast."
Before Andrew could even respond, Jason poked his head, "Hey you two! Nathan said to come on over. Breakfast's at our place this morning! He and Lita cooked up quite a feast," he said grinning with satisfaction.
That information got Darien's attention and he looked up with a frown, "But today's Serena's first day of exam," he said as though that would explain everything.
"Darien prepared...breakfast," Andrew added helpfully at Jason's confused look.
Jason raised an eyebrow as he strolled into the kitchen and peered behind Darien's shoulder. Unlike his sister, he knew what those things were, but like his sister, Jason considered them as blobs in bowls and like his sister, his nose twitched at the sight, "There is no way Rena's touching that!" he said before he could stop himself. And then noticing five bowls, he amended, "There is no way any of them is touching those!"
Andrew just barely managed to swallow his chuckle. Clearing his throat, he nodded in agreement and cautiously added, "I have to agree with Jason on this Dare. Don't you remember the last time?" A hint of regret tinged his tone but there was also laughter in his eyes.
"That was last time! This time I know better! See?" Darien gestured to a box on the counter along with strawberries, plums and peaches on the cutting board next to the bowls in question, "Secret ingredients! They'll love it!" he said stubbornly as he went back to cutting the fruits.
Now both Jason and Andrew inched closer to see what their raven haired friend was up to.
"Jace! You're supposed to come get Andrew and Darien, not stay with them!" Raye said impatiently as she entered the kitchen, "Our exam is in about an hour..." her voice trailed off at the fascinated look on Jason and Andrew's faces as they both stared at Darien, completely oblivious to her presence.
Following their gaze, she stopped in her tracks and had to clear her throat, "Erm...Darien...what are you doing?" Her question came out slow.
"He's preparing breakfast for Rena and the children," Jason answered, his eyes twinkling with humour now.
Raye bit the inside of her cheeks. "Are those...Godiva chocolates?" she asked tentatively as she watched Darien artfully arranged cut peaches in one bowl and cut plums in the other four bowls to resemble what could only be described as bangs on faces with chocolates for eyes and noses.
Darien looked up smugly, "Truffe Amere for eyes and Lune Praline for noses. Just the right shapes," he answered proudly, "Could you get Serena and the children, please Raye?" he asked as he added cut strawberries to each bowls.
"What are those strawberries supposed to be?" Jason asked gleefully.
Darien's eyes narrowed. "Cheeks, obviously," he answered drily.
There was a moment of silence as Raye, Jason and Andrew absorbed his answer and stared speculatively at the five bowls on the table.
True enough, the dark coloured plums on the surface of four of the bowls looked like raven bangs on faces with chocolates for eyes and noses and cut strawberries for lips and cheeks. The fifth bowl was identical except that it had peaches in place of the plums which no doubt was supposed to represent blonde bangs instead of raven ones.
Andrew turned away to hide his laughter, Raye disguised hers with a cough and Jason...well...Jason just burst out laughing.
"What?" Darien asked, half exasperated.
"Darien...Serena... doesn't eat... oatmeal," Raye tried to tell him.
"None of us does! Not even Kevin!" Jason added in between laughter.
Darien glared at him. "I do. Nathan does. And so will Serena and the children! It's got chocolates and fruits! With faces!"
Andrew's shoulders shook harder as he busied himself taking out ingredients from the fridge.
Howling with a fresh peal of laughter and holding his stomach, Jason replied breathlessly, "I stand corrected...Of course you do...and Nathan...does. That's how I even know what that thing is! But Godiva or not...and smileys aside...there is no way Rena and the children will touch them!" he insisted.
Darien's eyes glinted dangerously, "You wanna bet?"
Wiping tears of laughter from his eyes, Jason straightened. "Sure."
Raye smacked his arm. "That wouldn't be fair," she scolded her boyfriend.
"I can even the odds," Andrew intervened once he managed to stop his own silent laughter, "Triple chocolate milkshake with extra sprinkles, chocolate chips, nuts and cream as bribes to wash the oatmeal down."
Darien's brows drew together. "I won't need the bribe."
"Trust me Darien. You'll need them." Raye said with a smile on her face, "I'll go get them for you."
"They eat the oatmeal and you wash both my cars and the bike," Darien set down his term as he placed the rest of the cut fruits on a plate and discreetly fussed over the bowls of oatmeal.
Settling himself on one of the stool and reaching for some of the fruits, Jason studied Darien. His heart warmed at Darien's uncharacteristic behaviour. Only Rena brings out this side of him, he thought to himself, feeling very pleased. Outwardly though, he responded casually, "And if they don't, you copy my notes for each class for a month."
Serena and the children came in with Raye, baffled expressions on their faces.
Sara and Suri ran straight for Darien and he scooped both girls up, settling them on the stools in front of the bowls after giving them each a kiss on the cheek, "Morning my princesses! Look what I made for you!"
Darren and Darryl sat themselves on either side of their sisters, flanking them while Serena remained standing next to Raye who had a plate filled high with pancakes in her hands.
Darien went to Serena and dropped a light kiss on her forehead. "Morning," he said as he pulled her gently to sit next to Jason opposite of their future children.
Serena nodded absently, her gaze on the bowl in front of her, in front of the children. She cleared her throat. "You made this for us?" she asked quietly, torn between gratitude and love and...terror.
Andrew, Jason and Raye watched the play of emotion on her face silently.
Darien nodded enthusiastically.
"It's beautiful Daddy," Sara said.
Darien smiled at that and waited patiently.
Five pairs of Serena eyes looked at Darien, not quite knowing what is expected of them.
"Well, go ahead and dig in! We have to get all of you to school soon or Mummy will be late for her exam."
"You want us to...eat it?" Darryl asked.
"That's the general idea," Darien answered with a smile.
"The whole thing?" Darren continued, "But you made... a face and all..." hoping not to hurt his father's feelings but also to simultaneously avoid eating the oatmeal.
Darien laughed. "That's just to make it appetising. Now eat up. I want to see you finish the whole thing."
"Even...the... oatmeal?" Suri's eyes were wide.
Just like the last time, Darien's smile faltered.
Seeing this, Serena drew in a deep breath and smiled bravely. "It looks lovely Darien."
All four children turned to look at her.
Andrew expertly slid five glasses of milkshake in front of them and Serena looked up at him gratefully. Her smile widened with resolve.
Slowly she picked up her spoon.
Hesitantly, the children followed suit.
She picked the fruits first, careful not to scoop any oatmeal with any of them.
The children mirrored her action.
When all the fruits were finished, each let out a relieved sigh. Each smiled at Darien's eager expectant face.
Next, it was the chocolate and all five faces filled with delight as they savoured the treat.
Darien's smile widened. So did the smiles on Andrew, Raye and Jason's faces.
Now the bowls were left with only the oatmeal.
Serena looked at her bowl. The children looked at Serena. Everyone else looked at the five of them.
Taking a deep breath, Serena looked up at Darien, an uncertain smile on her face.
Another deep breath and she looked at the children as she picked the straw from her milkshake glass.
"Just so we are clear, darlings, this isn't at all proper..." she addressed them, sounding more resolute than she actually felt, "...and it's only allowed just this once. Only under this particular circumstance," she said as they followed her lead and picked up their straws from their milkshake glasses.
One last deep breath as the straws went into the bowls of oatmeal, fingers pinched at the bridge of each nose, eyes closed and five slurping sounds were heard as Darien watched on, wide eyed with disbelieve.
Raye, Jason and Andrew's momentary shock gave way to fits of laughter.
Darien's lips twitched as the oatmeal disappeared from the bowls and straws were immediately transferred back to the milkshake glasses and another five slurping sounds were heard.
"You should've learned by now Darien. They may have your intellect..." Raye gasped.
"...and act like you to a certain extent..." Andrew continued.
"...but they definitely have their mummy's appetite!" Jason finished.
Five faces lifted up from half finished milkshake glasses. Each looked relieved...and sheepishly guilty as they looked at Darien apologetically.
"We finished it though, Daddy," Suri said hopefully, placatingly.
Five pairs of Serena eyes looked on beseechingly contrite, hopeful smiles on each face.
Disbelieve gave way to amusement and Darien let out a reluctant laugh, "At least I won the bet," he said, and laughed harder at Jason's groan.
Non-TOBITF Readers:
When Andrew referred to 'the last time' in the above drabble, he was referring to this particular scene:
Scene from TOBITF's Chapter 16: Charming Children & Morning After
Serena and the children entered the kitchen to Darien's beaming and Andrew's amused good mornings.
"Take a seat everyone. Breakfast is served," Darien said, motioning to several bowls on the kitchen counter.
"Darien," Serena began slowly, "Is that supposed to be our...breakfast?" Her nose twitching, she continued, apprehensively, "hmm...what...is it?" she asked tentatively, looking at what she considered as blobs in bowls.
"Why, they are oatmeal, of course. I prepared them myself," Darien said simply, a smile curving on his lips, pleased with himself.
"You want...us...to eat that...the... oatmeal?" Darryl asked, just as slowly, just as apprehensive as his mother.
Five pairs of Serena eyes looked at Darien.
Jeez! It's bad enough dealing with one pair of those lethal eyes, but five pairs? Darien thought with twin tugs of exasperation and amusement.
"It's not just oatmeal, there are peaches and strawberries in them as well, freshly cut," he said, his smile faltering at the five identical horrified expressions staring at him.
"Why?" Darren and Serena asked at the same time, bafflement clear in their faces.
Not understanding the question, "Why what?" Darien asked patiently.
"Why would you put fruits in...those...things...hmm...the oatmeal? Are the fruits getting bad?" Suri asked innocently.
Andrew wisely disguised his chuckle with a cough as he heated the stove. Darien glanced at him menacingly, "No, of course not. They're fresh. Oatmeal and fruits are healthy and delicious," he answered between his teeth.
Five pairs of Serena eyes now looked at the bowls with identical suspicion. Their expression so baffled and dismayed that Andrew was grateful he had the pancakes and eggs to concentrate on though neither stopped his shoulders from shaking with silent laughter.
Darien glared at Andrew's back as Sara scooted onto his lap and put her arms around his neck, kissing his cheek, "Daddy. I really, really love you. But you aren't really going to make us eat that, are you?"
Posted on fanfiction: 14 November 2013
A/N: Triple chocolate milkshake with extra sprinkles, chocolate chips, nuts and cream and oatmeal for breakfast anyone? LOL. When I'm not ill, I tend to drink a lot of carbonated drinks during exams... breakfast, lunch and dinner! ;)