Shorts

1. Perfect Stranger

Laughter echoed through the arcade. It was unusual to say the least, seeing another blond head bopping about Ju'uban; even more so at the arcade. He looked different in appearance; his face was longer, his skin a pinkish colour rather than the usual yellowed tone; all the evidence pointed out to him that the young man was not a resident of Japan, but most likely a holidayer from Europe.

He cringed as he saw them laugh again. It figured that the young boy would single out the ONLY* blonde girl in Ju'uban; [like with that in common they'd be sure to get along] he'd spent his whole afternoon watching the pair as his meatball head caringly and meticulously showed the blond boy all the great sites of Ju'uban. He had watched with the painful knowledge that this young boy was definitely interested in HIS usako. His thoughts once again interrupted by the voice of his angel.

"So Philo, will you teach me some German?" Finally Serena had produced a name for the young lad who had occupied her whole weekend; Darien didn't know whether to be grateful or murderous.

Philo… isn't that a Germanic derived word meaning 'to love'?

He cringed at the likeliness and hoped that Serena was oblivious to this small fact.

"Of course!" He heard the lad reply. "What do you want to say?"

"All the basics! You know, 'hello', 'goodbye', 'have a nice day'."

Darien couldn't help the smile that stayed on his face for the next hour as he watched his meatball head stumble over her words but by the end of it she was speaking the new language rather well. He watched in annoyance as she hugged her 'Philo' in gratitude.

"Oh Philo, I'm going to miss you when you go home."

"Me too. Promise you'll still write to me when I'm in Germany?"

"Of course! Pen-pals forever!"

"Well I best be going now Sere-chan. I'll miss you awfully." He paused as he thought of what to say then knelt beside her and whispered something to her. Darien felt his heart constricting.

Is it a confession of love?

He desperately hoped not. He was snapped out of his reverie by a loud and doubtful. "Really?!" He slid his eyes over to see Serena looking at Philo critically as if he had just suggested the impossible. He quickly studied the young boys' face and saw that he was completely honestly telling the truth; Serena had seemed to come to the same conclusion also.

"Uh-huh. Try it out Serena; I think it will change things for you. Well I should get going." Once again Darien felt that tightening in his chest as Serena scooped the young blond into a hug.

It's just a hug. It's just a hug.

"Goodbye Philo! Have fun in Germany! I'll visit if I'm ever there!"

"And you have fun here! Don't forget to write!" He replied. Serena nodded vehemently and gave a final wave as he left. Turning back to the arcade she finally paid attention to the rest of the occupants. She quietly sat up on a stool, right next to Darien. Darien could feel his pulse quicken. She was so close he could smell her strawberry shampoo. She must have notices his intoxicated state for she asked. "Are you ok Darien?"

"Just peachy." He managed to reply then decided to get some answers. "Who was your friend?" He asked taking a sip of the coffee he had ordered an hour prior. He hoped he didn't sound too interested.

"Philo? He's my pen-pal from Germany, he's pretty cool huh? His family came over here for a holiday and they let him come see me." Darien tightened his grip around his coffee cup. Who was Philo that he deserved HIS perfect angel to compliment him so. He pushed aside the jealous feeling and tried to at least look as if he were paying attention. "He taught me all sorts of words and a phrase he said will solve all my problems." She ended sounding once again slightly skeptical.

"It will? What is it?" He asked hoping that he could disprove it. There was a slight pause, and Darien wondered if he had overstepped the boundaries that their not-so-friendly-friendship had established.

"What would you say if I said to you 'Ich liebe dich'?" He blinked momentarily stunned. He couldn't believe the opportunity of his life. Smiling he turned to face the young blonde who seemed slightly embarrassed. He cupped her perfect face in his hands and brought his head down to hers, foreheads touching.

"I love you too Serena." He said as lowered his lips into the most amazing of kisses.

AUTHOUR'S NOTE:

* Of course Mina isn't in the picture yet… sorry to all the Mina / Minako Fans.

I thought this idea was kinda cute. Couldn't sleep one night and wrote it at four in the morning. Tell me what you think. When deciding what culture to make him I thought maybe French, so I could call the fic 'The Language of Love' but the connection of France and romance has been so overused I couldn't bring myself to write it.

I decided on Germany because I don't think I've ever read a fan fic about it.

I just want to say right now, so I don't get asked later on. I will NOT be writing more of this story. The idea of 'SHORTS' is that it will be a compilation of small short stories that don't have really anything to do with each other. MAYBE a FEW lucky stories MAY get a sequel but I probably won't so please feel free to ask for a sequel [that way I'll know what's in demand] but PLEASE do not be offended if I choose not to write one.

Thank you!