Week 2A: Presents
Sailor Raspberry
636 words

Usagi fumbled for the tape dispenser, one palm pressed against the package while the other desperately felt across the countertop.

She hissed, retracting her hand as the tiny metal teeth bit into her pinkie. The wrapping paper unfolded.

A frustrated scream lodged itself into her throat, and with a scowl, she thumped her uninjured fist next to the still – still, after a half-hour of failed attempts – unwrapped present.

Fed up with her useless efforts, she placed her chin against the heel of her palm and flipped open the cover. A little smile pulled at the corner of her mouth as she glimpsed over her baby picture. The pink ribbon in her one tuft of hair looked about as ridiculous as the chewed teddy bear at her side.

"You're hair looked as crazy then as it does now."

Usagi squealed and slammed the cover closed, pressing a hand against her heart. The first thing she saw was Mamoru's amused expression. "God," she breathed, face flushing red. "Don't sneak up on me like that. You nearly gave me a heart attack."

He laughed with a rueful shake of the head. "And I didn't succeed? What a pity."

"Oh, shut up." She shot him a glare as she slid back into her stool. "And go away, you're distracting me."

He waved the comment off. "What's all this for? Someone's birthday?"

"No," Usagi grabbed the tape and then gave another try at the paper. "My parents anniversary." She grunted, pressing an elbow down on the folded pieces and pulled at the tape. "I made this book for them, and all I have to do is wrap it." She pulled fiercely, but only succeeded in twining the tape around her thumb. "This is impossible! I just should've bought a bag!"

Mamoru chuckled, grabbing her wrist. "It's not as hard as it looks." And as he unwound the tape from her fingers, he scooted the album over to his side. "Watch."

Usagi flexed her fingers, cheeks pink and skin tingling. Mamoru poked his tongue out as he straightened the wrapping paper and checked to make sure the endings met. "Well, at least you measured correctly."

She grumbled and folded her arms. It wasn't a surprise that he was so talented at this art. His fingers were so long, he could probably do origami, too.

"Can you pass me the tape?"

Usagi obliged and handed it over. His fingers brushed hers as he grabbed it.

He folded carefully, creases straight and tape just the right length. She raised an eyebrow as he spun the present around to start on the other side. "Is there anything you can't do?"

Mamoru glanced at her for a brief moment before lowering his gaze back down. "Nope. I'm as good as they come."

She snorted, leaning across the counter to watch from a better angle. "Be careful, if you brag any more your head will blow up."

He rolled his eyes and placed the last piece of tape on. One arm extended to offer the gift. "Here, I'll even let you tell them you wrapped it."

Usagi grabbed it and pressed it to her chest. "Thanks."

"No problem."

They sat there, letting the awkward silence stretch out between them. They looked anywhere but at each other.

"Well... I guess I should get going." Usagi stood, but hesitated, rocking back on her heels. Her eyes locked with Mamoru's.

He fiddled with an extra strap of wrapping paper, holding her gaze for a moment. He quickly averted it.

"Do you know how to make origami?"

A smirk pulled at his lips as he looked back up at her. "Yeah."

"Cool."

There was another beat of silence. "Do you want me to teach you something?"

Usagi placed the album on the counter and plopped back onto her stool. "Teach away."