Mamoru felt consciousness slowly take a hold of him, he kept his eyes closed and rolled over to feel the other side of the bed. When he discovered it was empty, he shot up and looked around the room in a panic. It was dark beyond his window, and he couldn't hear a sound in his flat. He shot out of bed and ran to the living room, smacking his shoulder into the door frame hard.
"Usako?!"
There was no sign of her in the kitchen or the living room, only a pot bubbling away on the stove. Mamoru lifted the lid cautiously, it didn't smell burnt.
He heard a door open, he dashed back to the doorway leading to his room and saw Usagi standing in the doorway to the bathroom. His shirt from yesterday was draped over her and her hair was tied in two haphazard buns. Mamoru grabbed her wrist roughly and pulled her into a tight embrace.
"Ma-Mamoru? What's wrong? I heard you shout, I thought you were having a nightmare."
"I felt like I was in one, I thought you had gone."
Usagi wrapped her arms tightly around Mamoru.
"I wouldn't leave without making sure you had eaten, Mamo-chan. You fell asleep before dinner."
"I don't need dinner...I have you…" Mamoru nuzzled into her hair.
"Yeah...but I need more than Mamo-chan to fill me up"
.
"That was amazing Usako, you're a good cook." Mamoru said as he collected their bowls and took them to the kitchen.
"Mama always says it's important to know how to cook. It's really the only thing I'm good at." Usagi blushed.
Mamoru began washing the bowls.
"That's not true, Usako. You're a good friend, and a sweet person, and you know how to cheer people up. Academics don't matter in the long run, how you treat people is the most important thing in the real world."
"You always have something nice to stay, don't you Mamo-chan?"
Mamoru shrugged. "I've been trying a little harder to be nice."
He felt Usagi's arms wrap around his midsection.
"No, nice seems to come pretty naturally to you. So does being mean, but you're more attractive when you're nice."
"I'll keep that in mind, Usako."
He felt her arms go slack, only slightly.
"Mamo-chan...I've been thinking…"
Mamoru placed the bowls and utensils into the drying rack, took Usagi's hand and lead her to the couch. He held her hand between both of his.
"Go on Usako…"
"Well...Mamo-chan...I've been thinking about us…"
Tears began to well in Usagi's eyes, Mamoru promptly wiped them away.
"Don't stop talking Usako, it'll make it harder."
Usagi took a deep breath. "I want everyone to know about us."
Mamoru released the breath he didn't know he was holding. "I thought you were breaking it off with me, this is a relief."
Usagi laughed weakly. "No, I wouldn't do that. Not now at least."
Mamoru smiled. "What made you change your mind?"
Usagi looked down. "From day one, you've done your best to impress me and to treat me like a princess. No one has ever tried to do anything like that for me before. Your soft touches, your gentle words, they're almost overwhelming. I thought I loved Tux-Kamen, I thought I loved Kamen...but he never really did anything outside of his duties. He helped me, then he would leave. But you...you were always there when I needed someone to really help me. I wanted to keep us a secret...in case Kamen would finally return my feelings. But the person I should have had feelings for...who I do have feelings for...was right here all along."
Usagi leaned closer to Mamoru, so her lips brushed his ear.
"I love you, Mamoru Chiba."
Mamoru pressed his lips together so hard he thought they'd bruise, but even that wasn't enough to stop the tears from flowing down his face. Usagi leaned back and and couldn't believe the sight in front of her. Tears began to well in her eyes too.
"Why is Mamo-chan crying?"
Mamoru smiled despite his tears. "How long I've dreamed to hear those words come from you, Usako."
Mamoru released Usagi's hand and wrapped his arms around her shoulders, pulled her into his chest.
"Usako...Usako...Usako…I love you Usako…"
Well, this is end I suppose. Thank you to all of those who read, reviewed, and supported me through this little journey.
I'm thinking about perhaps making a sequel, but I'm funny with sequels so for now it's only on the drawing board.
I am fully aware that this is a short chapter, but I felt like if I indulged myself too much then it might never end. And all good things must end.
Again, thank you all so much.
Love, Luka.