Week 1D. Visiting
Sailor Raspberry
553 words
"This is ridiculous." His breath fanned up around his face as the cold air nipped the tip of his nose. "I can't believe you're making me do this."
Usagi narrowed her eyes and peered over at him. "Mamoru, don't be such a baby. You've met my grandmother before."
Mamoru clenched his jaw, digging a hand into the pocket of his trousers. "Yeah and that Christmas was as bad as your meatloaf."
She snorted, accepting the jab as she wound her arm through his. "I think she likes you. Don't worry about it."
He winced. "If you call hitting me on the head with a wooden spoon liking me, then yes, I agree."
Usagi batted the comment away, tugging him along a little quicker. "Her bifocals were faulty. It wasn't her fault she thought you were a spider."
They made their way up a path, ears and cheeks pink from the cold, and as a house loomed into view, Mamoru inhaled deeply. "You brought the fruitcake, right?"
She nodded and handed over the wrapped box, smiling as she dropped it into his open palm. "Her favorite."
He made a face as Usagi pushed the doorbell, tucking the cake beneath the crook of his arm. Behind the door, there was some shuffling, locks clicking, and when it finally opened, Grandma Tsukino stood there, eyes squinting up at them.
Usagi's smile was wide. "Grandma! Merry Christmas!"
Grandma Tsukino blinked, mouth puckering, eyes magnified behind her glasses. "Is that my little baby Usagi?" It took her a moment to register that, yes, it was her granddaughter. "Oh, it is! Come here and give Grandma a hug!"
Usagi willingly disentangled herself from Mamoru and squeezed her grandmother tight. "I hope you don't mind us stopping by for a visit. But with the family Christmas party coming up and all, Mamoru and I just wanted to have some time with you all alone!"
"Oh, of course I don't mind! Anything for my baby Usagi!" She paused, and her lips puckered up again. "But who is this Mamoru you're talking about? I don't remember a Mamoru."
Usagi laughed and scratched the back of her head. "He's my boyfriend, Grandma. Remember?"
Grandma Tsukino blinked slowly, peering over at Mamoru. "You're Mamoru?"
He flashed a distressed look over at Usagi, who only smiled and rocked back onto her feels. His mouth went dry. "Yeah, that would be me." And with a nervous laugh, he held out the parcel. "We brought you a fruitcake."
Grandma Tsukino took a wobbly step toward him. "So you're the one Kenji warned me about!"
Mamoru paled.
Usagi bit her lip to hold back a howl of laughter.
"You're too old for my Usagi; she's still just a little baby. It is absurd that she has a boyfriend!"
She did not look so entertained anymore. "Grandma! He is not too old for me! We're perfectly happy with each other!"
Grandma Tsukino waved her away. "Nonsense, Usagi. You've obviously been hanging around him too long! He's messing with your pretty little head! Now, don't go anywhere! I have to go find my wooden spoon." Then, without waiting for a reply, she scurried into the house.
Mamoru shot an exasperated look over at Usagi. "And you said she likes me?"
"She must have forgotten to take her medication. That's all."