"Oh my god...finally a little getaway from the castle." Serena said with her hand out the window taking in all the fresh air.
"Gosh didn't know our 15 room castle, with a pool, stable and tennis court was so miserable to you."
"That is not what I meant!" She lighted swatted him.
"I know... I am just teasing you." He grabbed her spare hand and brought it to his mouth for a kiss. He continued to hold her hand as it rested in his lap.
"You guys are sooo gross..." Rei commented from the back seat. "And shouldn't both your hands be on the steering wheel?"
Mina just glared at Rei.
"What? I see it in the films! Some always yells '10 and 2' whatever the hell that means." Rei just shrugged and looked out the window.
Darien and Serena just grinned and ignored her. The drive was about an hour away from the castle. The road was windy and went up a hill. They group had broken up into two groups, and rode in two cars. Darien led the way.
"When I was younger...me the guards would race up here...My dad would get so mad, threatened to shred my drivers license."
"Did he ever take it away? Who won? Did the guys always let you win?" Mina asked leaning over his seat.
"She is getting antsy," Serena whispered and smiled at him.
"I need to stretch my legs! I hate long rides!" Mine whined.
"We are almost there." Darien addressed. Looking over his shoulder only to see Mina's face inches from him. "What the hell are you doing? Are you not buckled up?" Darien yelled as he quickly glanced back. "Get your seat belt on!"
Mina leaned back. "Sorry." And quickly put on her seatbelt. "We don't wear these back home."
"Well here you do!" Darien demanded.
"Don't take it offensively Meen, he scolded me too the first time he drove me around." Serena reassured.
"Sorry... I didn't want my wife to get injured. I am such a horrid guy." He looked right to Serena, then blew her air kiss. She rolled her eyes and scoffed.
The remainder of the drive was small talk and pointing out little things on the journey. At one point Malachite called and asked if they should race the rest of the way since Mina and Ami both had to use the bathroom. Darien declined. Malachite tried pressuring him, but the prince did not allow it. He ordered the conversation to stop, and it did.
When they finally arrived, the girls sprinted from the car. Mina and Ami went straight for the door while the others went to look at the scenery.
"Ooooos." and "Oh wows." Could be heard echoing. Serena took in big breath of the fresh air and sudden content washed over her body.
"Wait until you see what the inside of the house looks like." Darien said throwing his arm around her shoulder and pulling her in to kiss her head. "Ready to go in? Unpack and get settled." She just nodded yes as he turned them both in the direction of the house.
"Must you ladies pack so much? We are here for like what two days?" Jadeite complained carrying three bags and throwing them to the side.
"You can never be too prepared." Ami said casually not taking her eyes off the paintings around the house.
"What are you preparing for? A world war?" Zoisite teased, laughing alone.
The girls ignored the comment and turned their attention to the prince. "So what are the room assignments?" Mina asked.
"Well..." Darien tucked his hands in his pocket. "This is one of our smaller vacations homes."
"Right... 10 bedrooms... how did you ever live?" Nephrite mocked sarcastically.
"If you knew how to actually count before speaking, you would see there are eleven of us here, with Molly."
Molly did an awkward wave as she sat on the sofa.
"So, if everyone takes a room, we have a pull out couch in the upper loft." Darien informed.
"Out in the open?" Serena questioned.
"Don't worry about it Serena," Molly waved her hand signaling she was okay.
"Well there is no privacy. Where would you get dressed, what if it gets too noisy and you want to rest?" Serena asked looking up at Darien.
"Sere, if you really cared you could always share a room with your husband." Rei casually stated as she took a seat next to Molly.
Darien awkwardly coughed as Serena turned red, not really sure how to respond.
"I mean you guys are so mushy and gross...maybe sharing a room, will keep us from seeing all that."
"Someone sounds overly biter." Jadeite. muttered.
"Can it worm, I swear I will toast your ass." Rei snapped.
"Okay, okay no need to toast anyone." Serena said trying to keep the peace. She looked at Darien, who was just watching and waiting for her answer. "I mean I guess if it would be more comfortable for everyone..."
"Only if you are okay with it... or I can sleep out here."
"As the Prince, that is actually not allowed." Malachite interjected.
"What, because he is the prince, he is too good for the coach?"
The guards all obviously nodded.
"Well that's stupid," Lita blurted out. "You know how many times Serena, has fallen asleep on the coach? Floor?"
"Of the bathroom!" Rei added. The two looked at each other and just started laughing.
"Bathroom floor huh?" Darien tried not to laugh, as Serena gave and awkward chuckle.
"We can just share a room, no big deal." Serena said.
"Then it is settled." Rei got up. "Let's pick our rooms, so they guys know where to take our stuff."
"I want a room next to Ami!" Lita called walking past the guards, with Ami right behind her.
"I mean you could grab at least one of your bags." Nephrite insisted.
Half way up the stairs, Rei turned around. Looked at her bags and then back to the guards. "Nah..." She shook her head no.
"Besides, seeing you all sweat coming up the stairs...it is kinda hot." Mina explained walking following closely behind Rei.
Darien just chuckled to himself. Took one step towards Serena. "Really, I can stay out here." He whispered.
She turned to him. Gently placed her hand on his face. "It's fine. I will be okay." She quickly went on her tip toes and gave him a peck.
"Gross!" Jadeite screamed coming down the stairs, "At least wait until I am away!"
Serena rolled her eyes looked at her husband. "I swear your guards are like the male version of my scouts." She shook her head and walked away.
"I will get your bag." Darien advised. "Our room will be the one at the far end."
Serena nodded and headed up.
It took a minute for everyone to get settled in. Room doors kept opening and people were walking in and out each others rooms, trying to coordinate what they were going to do or wear. There was shouting down the hall, asking if someone packed what the other had left behind.
Darien laid on his beds. He listened as Serena got ready in their bathroom. He was overthinking. He didn't want her to come out and think that he had just been laying here waiting for her to come out, but there was not much he could really do. He put away all his things.
Serena finally stepped out of the bathroom, hair up in a twist, white bathing suit cover that stopped mid thigh, over what seemed to be a pink bathing suit.
Before she could say a word to Darien, there was knock on the door and it opened with Mina and Rei barging in.
"We need help, what do you think of these?" The two started to model their bathing suits in front of the mirror.
"Guys!" Serena yelled.
They both turned to see her pointing at Darien, who was just laying on the bed with an uncomfortable look on his face.
"Oh he doesn't mind I am sure!" Rei waved her hand disregarding him.
"And if he does, he needs to know this is how we are." Mina added. "So what are your thoughts on these suits. We just got them." Mina moved her hair to the side, turned around. "Is this showing too much butt?"
"I am going to step outside." Darien hooped off the beds as quick as his body would allow him.
"I am sorry." Serena said with guilt. "This is just something we always done."
"It's okay. I will go down stairs and decide on food." He put one hand on her back. Pulled her in closer to him and kissed her forehead.
Rei nudged Mina to peak. She just smiled at Rei.
As Darien walked out, the two pretended to be distracted by small things on their outfits.
"You two can stop acting weird now."
"What ever do you mean?" Rei putting her hand on her chest, trying to act innocent.
"Oh can it pyro! I really like this suit on you, but why didn't you go with signature red?" Serena asked adjusting one of the straps.
"Ehhh I just wanted to try something new...just like you with that cover."
"Yeah, Sere why are you wearing that cover." Mina asked.
Serena just shrugged. "Darien has never seen me with this little amount of clothes."
"Awww oh my god, she is shy..." Rei gushed.
"But why? Your body is banging." Mina tried to help boost her confidence.
"Banging is something Darien definitely wants to do." Rei pulling her hair back.
"Oh my god shut up!" Serena said help her friend tighten the tie.
"Thanks."
"Let's be serious here Sere...he is picturing you naked all day long. I can see it all over his face!" Mina inputted. "Can you help with this thing?" She pointed to the piece on the strap that makes the strings tighter.
Serena just nodded and moved over to her.
"Are you nervous spending the night with him?" Rei asked.
Serena didn't answer.
"Of course she is nervous!" Lita barged in. "I need help with tying this up, and I refuse to have lecture from Ami about how I would be able to do this myself if I got a bigger suit."
"Hey, hey, I resent that!" Ami defended herself as she followed close behind Lita.
"That suit looks cute on you." Serena complimented.
"Thanks, what does you suit look like, why are you so covered?"
"She is self conscious." Rei answered for her.
"Why? Did that pretty boy say something?!" Lita's hands balled into fists with little lighting sparks.
"Calm down, Lita!" Ami demanded. "You are going to cause a power surge."
"What Ami said." Mina agreed.
"He did not say anything." Serena finally answered. "I am just not sure how I look right now. You guys should see some of the girls he was supposedly linked too. Extremely slim."
"Like you." Rei answered.
"Amazing curves."
"Hmmm, sounds like you to me." Mina confirmed.
"Legs for days."
"Ehhhh, that department you are just a tad short on." Lita hesitantly answered. "No pun intended."
"But you have a gorgeous smile, eyes and heart!" Ami reassured. "That is what really matters."
"Right Ami... because to be the Prince's arm candy and trophy wife, inner beauty is all they care about." Serena just rolled her eyes and scoffed.
"You are way more than that." Mina turned around to see Serena's deflated ego. "Serena, the prince is so in love with you. You are so much more to him than any of those ladies he was associated with."
"I don't know ladies."
"Stop overthinking Serena," Rei jumped in. "That boy is so in love with you it is borderline gross."
"Again Rei, please don't sound so bitter." Lita teased.
Rei's face went straight.
"Take the cover off Serena." Mina said pulling it. "You are 1000 times hotter than those ladies, and believe me, you got it!"
Serena sighed.
"Just do it!" Rei demanded.
"Fine. Fine. But please stop yelling." Serena pulled off the cover, to show off her pink bikini.
"Oh my gosh those slashes in the middle of the top. I like it." Lita hyped her friend.
Serena just observed herself in the mirror.
"Come on let's go!" Ami said holding the door for everyone. "I want to lay out and read this book."
"Ami, we are going to need to you tone down the craziness, okay you are getting too wild." Mina mocked sticking her tongue out.
Serena just laughed as they exited the room and headed to the pool.
Outside Molly set up all the food. "So you're telling me you can pick up the phone and call people to bring you food?!" Trying to understand the process that just occurred before her.
"Well you can't call just anyone..." Malachite specified. "You usually call a restaurant and ask if they deliver."
"And they just bring you whatever you want?! That is amazing!" Molly said with excitement.
"It is nice to have." Darien grabbing a chip.
"But really sire, I would have made the food." Molly acknowledged.
"Then we would have had to go to the store...this is easier...and we are all taking a break." Darien answered.
"Sire," Nephrite whispered. "Please do not hate me." He coughed. "But that bathing suit on your wife..." He refused to make eye contact.
Darien put up his hand up. "Complete that sentence Neph and I will have your eyes burned out by the dark haired feisty one." He ordered...voice dropping as he took watched as Serena walked towards them at the table. The suit fit her perfectly, hugged her every curve, leaving little to the imagination. He could feel the other his guards staring over him. He turned around, "If you guys do not take your eyes off my wife."
"Pshhhh I was looking at the house behind her." Jadeite answered acting innocent.
"And I was looking at Mina..." Mal started. "Not that that your wife is not gorgeous. She...she looks great in that suit..."
Darien frowned.
"But I...I wasn't really looking. She just happened to step in the way of my view." He continued.
"Shut up Mal..."
"What a spread we have here." Ami acknowledge as she approached the table. "Molly you did all this?"
"No! It is called delivery. You call someone and they come bring you food!" She explained with excitement.
"Well not anyone." Malachite interrupted.
"The spread is not the only thing looking amazing." Mina flirted.
"Trust me, if you like what you see here, I can always..."
"You wish." She interrupted Malachite and turned away.
"Ooooh believe me I do wish."
"Stop drooling Mal." Zoisite ordered. "You are head of Darien's guards, and she is the leader of the scouts, no doable."
Malachite just nodded.
Darien slowly approached Serena as she laid out her towel.
"You took your cover off.."
She turned around to have him inches away from her. "You think I need it?" She looked up at him.
"N...No. Not at all." He took one half step. "You look amazing... so much my guards have taken notice." He shook his head hands balled into a fist.
She giggled, put her hands on each of his fist, causing them to relax. "Kinda cute when you get jealous and defensive." She ran her hands up and down his arms, stopping at his bicep. She bit her lower lip.
"Hey would you two stop!" A voice called. "Or go upstairs!"
"Yeah we are trying to eat over here!"
The two looked over to the table to see the guards and scouts looking at them. The just looked at each other and laughed. Darien leaned down to kiss her.
"There goes my lunch!" Another voice yelled.
Darien turned around. "I swear I am going to fire you all!"
"You can't do that! We work for the Queen!" Mina teasingly disputed.
"And I work for her!" Molly said pointing at Serena.
They just shook their heads and headed to the table, Darien holding on to Serena hands.
The remainder of the afternoon the group swam and ate. They played pool volleyball, and some rounds of chicken. Every now and then a girl would go out to lay out, only to return. Darien kept a watchful eye on his wife. The guards got the hint to keep their distance. A few times Darien carried Serena around the pool giving her kisses, along the way.
When they were done swimming Serena stayed behind with Molly until everything was cleaned up. Once she was done, she went to her room, as everyone else did to clean up for dinner. She heard the sound of the shower, as she entered. Mist came out into the room from little opened Darien had left. Unsure if it was an accident, she was going to close the door, but through the crack she was able to see a reflection of him in the shower, and she could not help but keep staring. She watched as the water round down his perfectly sculpted arms.
He bent over to pick up the soap, causing her to quickly turn around. She had to use her hand to fan herself. Her breathing was rapid and her heart was pounding. She had no idea what was coming over her. She looked over her shoulder and slowly turned to peak again. He was lathering soap on his body, back still towards her. Her mind told her she should have closed the door. She should have walked away, but instead did opposite of all that.
Darien lost in his own thought did not hear the shower door open. He ran his hands over, wiping the water off. Then splashed quickly ran his fingers through his hair to get the soap out. He felt two hands softly caress his back. He turned around, to see Serena standing there with her hands moving up and down his chest. She was just staring while biting her lower lip. He brought his hand up to her chin, slightly tilted her head up to look at him.
"I am not sure...what I am even doing..." She whispered with an exhale before he pressed his lips against hers.
She encircled her arms around his neck. He dropped his hands to her waste, pulling her in as close as he could. He broke away for a second to catch his breath and observe her. "You can to tell me when to stop, at anytime." He whispered resting his forehead on hers.
She just nodded, standing on her tip toes to kiss Darien once more.