Written for the 100 Themes Challenge on the UsakoxMamoru LJ Community. These drabbles are getting addicting.

#16: Behind the Blue Curtain
"Motoki-kun, what do you keep over there?"

"Where, Mina-chan?"

"Behind you."

The sandy-haired man looked over a broad shoulder, emerald eyes straying to the far back of the arcade. He turned back and continued to wipe a gleaming glass, saying, "Papers, receipts, my cashbox, and bills and stuff like that. Why?"

The girl bit her pale pink lip in thought. "It's just that I thought I saw Usagi-chan sneaking over there the other day."

"Unless she's doing my taxes for me, I doubt that that was where she was heading," Motoki said, picking up another glass, which he'd already polished twice. "She was probably going to the bathroom."

Minako bobbed her head. "I guess. Hey, I think you missed a spot. Haha, gotcha!"

---Earlier...---

"Would you just quit it, Mamoru-baka? Stop criticizing my grades, stop making fun of my clumsiness, and stay out of my life!"

"If it were any other person, I would Odango, but you're just begging to be mocked." Mamoru's face held an arrogant smirk as he calmly took a sip of his steaming coffee.

Usagi made a loud, exasperated noise, slamming her backpack down on a table. She marched up to Mamoru and thrust her face close to his. Her fists were clenched tightly and she was trembling. Crystal blue eyes collided with cobalt blue orbs. The customers, or spectators, of the Crown Arcade watched with bated breath.

Usagi whispered something in Mamoru's ear. He stiffened and his long fingers released his coffee cup.

"What sauce, Odango," he said between apparently gritted teeth. Everyone was desperate to know what Usagi could have said to have such an affect on Mamoru, but he uttered nothing more.

Usagi shot him a sassy smile before striding back to the booth she was sharing with the girls.

---

A svelte figure snuck behind the arcade counter after making doubly sure that Motoki was still on the phone with Reika. The figure tiptoed to the far back of the arcade, past the bathroom and slid behind a deep blue curtain.

"Odango?"

Usagi's eyes made out a dark, strapping shape in the bad lighting of the alcove. There was no doubt as to who stood before her. She leant forward until their faces were a hairsbreadth away from one another for the second time that day.

"Don't worry, there's no one around."

"Good."

In an instant, Mamoru slipped a broad hand behind the girl's slim neck and eased her forward so that their lips met. Usagi's velvety lips matched his own in the endless embrace. The intoxicating flavors of vanilla and roses intermingled to become one. Her flaxen ribbons were soon tangled into his fingers. His arm around her waist, he pulled her closer so that their bodies could find one another in the darkness, both of them ignoring the rustle of papers. She released a soft sigh, her tiny hands gliding over Mamoru's broad shoulders. When the cursed lack of oxygen made itself clear they slowly, painfully, they pulled away from each other.

Mamoru seated her on the small table so that for once, they were the same height. Holding her hands between his large ones he grinned and whispered, "You're a pretty good little actress, Usako."

Usagi giggled softly. "Your face was priceless when I told you to meet me here."

His fingers dancing with the blonde's own, Mamoru responded, "That's not the only thing you said, as I recall. How was I supposed to keep my cool?"

Another hushed laugh, pealing in his ears like music.

"When do you think they'll find out?" Usagi asked suddenly.

"I'm not sure. I haven't minded keeping it under the covers like this, though." Mamoru lifted Usagi's hand and began kissing her fingertips one by one.

A delightful shiver ran up her spine. She didn't mind either.

"By the way, why did you want to meet here again?" asked Mamoru, looking into her face. Such soft, delicate features, radiating in the darkness. "Someone might stumble in on us at anytime."

"I know." She grinned. "It gives them a better chance to find out about us. And don't you agree that it's kind of thrilling?"

"Yes, Usa, but every moment with you is thrilling for me. Though I'd rather no one did find us in here."

Usagi brought a hand to her love's forehead, sweeping his ebony locks away tenderly. "Agreed."

"I just hope Motoki doesn't notice what a mess all his papers are in."

---Present---

"Hey, Motoki, about that curtain?" Minako asked after finishing off her sundae.

"Uh-huh?"

"What made you hang it up in the first place?"

"It keeps the cashbox out of sight. As a matter of fact, Usagi suggested it."

Ah, hidden romance. So much fun.