Blueeyeddevil06, thank you for being my beta!


Serena twitched in her sleep. Her nightmares were plaguing her, and she couldn't outrun them. Every time she fell asleep, youma preyed on her. She had been having awful dreams now for a week and a half. It was affecting her in the waking world too.

Earlier tonight at the battle in the park against three youma, she lost her concentration when she was taken off guard by a huge yawn. Tuxedo Mask had to whisk her out of the way before she was skewered by what looked like a licorice arm of the youma. She was mad that they were made of candy, and it would put her off sweets for a while.

Unbeknownst to her, Tuxedo Mask had been worried about her. She wasn't as careful making sure she didn't lead anyone to her place, and he tracked her. As soon as he saw her climb into her window, his world came to a crashing halt.

Serena was Sailor Moon.

No wonder she got terrible grades. He remembered when she sat in class near him, and she would take notes and turn in her homework. Her homework wasn't done all that well, but it was done. Now she fell asleep in class and seemed to misplace her assignments all the time.

How did he miss that something had changed with her?

Shit, and he taunted her about her bad grades. It had started as a way to get her attention, it worked so well he'd kept it up. Now he wanted someone to punch him in the face. He was an ass.

He quietly sat in the tree outside her window and watched her sleep. She looked troubled, and in the faint moonlight, the bags under her eyes looked even worse. He heard her whimper in her sleep and watched a tear roll down her cheek.

He'd be horrified by his behavior of spying on her if he wasn't so worried about her. He knew deep down that he was spying on her out of genuine concern. Not that it would matter to the casual observer. He needed to figure out how to help her, or he was afraid one day when a youma attacked, she would be too exhausted, and he wouldn't get to her in time. He needed her to stay alive.

He wasn't a fool. He knew he was in love with Serena. And now that he realized that the woman he was compelled to protect was her alter-ego, he believed it was related. He didn't believe in coincidences. He was drawn to her powerfully in both her forms. He'd protect her.

He walked into the arcade the next morning before school to buy coffee and talk to Andrew. He'd just put his apron down so he could walk with Darien to school and then handed over Darien's to-go coffee to him.

"All set to go," Andrew commented. "I heard about the… incident last night, so I added a shot of espresso in there."

"Thanks!" Darien took a tentative sip to see how hot it was. "This will help."

"What's bothering you?"

"That obvious?"

"Yeah, and it must be horrible if you're not able to hide it behind your walls."

"I'd already decided to talk to you about it. I don't have my walls up right now." Darien admitted.

"That's a first. I assume it's serious."

"Yeah. It's about Serena." Darien looked at Andrew out of the corner of his eye. He was trying to gauge his response.

Andrew just nodded, "Am I allowed to notice that you're in love with her, or should I still pretend that I have no idea?"

"Damn." Darien sighed, then changed his mind and shook his head. "Actually, that makes this easier. You can admit to knowing now."

"Great! I think she's perfect for you. Are you going to ask her out?"

"It's more complicated than that." As they walked down the sidewalk, Darien made sure they couldn't be overheard. "I just figured out that she's Sailor Moon."

Andrew came to a sudden halt. It was a good thing no one had been around them, or someone would have walked right into him. "That explains a lot. Crap, she's so sweet and innocent. That has to be so hard for her."

"She's been yawning a lot lately, even in battle. She almost got skewered last night because of it. I followed Sailor Moon home to check on her, and that's how I found out she was Serena. I know I'll sound like a creep, but you have to just set that aside for a moment. I watched her sleep, and she was having a nightmare. I'm worried that she's not resting well at night even when she does get to sleep between youma attacks. I'm worried she could get killed."

"Okay, focusing on the not creepy part. Seriously, you sound like a stalker -"

"I'm really worried about her." Darien cut in.

"I know. Back to her being tired. What are you going to do about it?"

"I can't -"

"Bullshit. Of course you can do something about it." Andrew rolled his eyes at him. "You're in love with her. Man up. Date her and take care of her. Get her to admit who she is and ask you for help."

"What? I can't date her!"

"And why the hell not?"

"She's perfect."

Andrew glared at him. "You're pissing me off." He huffed. "You know I'm friends with her, right?"

"Yes, I do."

"Why would you think I'd just stand aside and let her suffer? You do something, or I will."

"What would you do?" Darien asked, interested in what Andrew believed he could do to help.

"Tell her you're in love with her and that you're too much of a pussy to ask her out."

"You wouldn't." He looked horrified.

"Try me." Andrew quipped.

Darien grew dejected, "She turns everyone down. She'd say no."

"You turn everyone down."

"Because I'm in love with Serena!" He shouted and grew quiet immediately, hoping no one overheard him.

Andrew gave him a smug smile, "And it didn't dawn on you that she might be doing the same thing? She might be turning down guys that aren't you."

"Not once," Darien admitted.

"Grow a pair and take care of the woman you love. Do it before she's dead, and all you have is regret." He knew he was harsh, but he wanted to get Darien to act on his desire to protect her. She was like a sister to him, and he was worried about her. He did trust Darien to protect her once he actually decided to act on his feelings.

Darien sat in his first-hour class and tried to take notes. His eyes kept drifting to Serena. She looked tired. Beautiful, but tired. He wanted to wrap her up in his arms and hold her close. Maybe she could sleep then and not have nightmares.

He glanced over at Andrew, he was diligently taking notes. He almost laughed out loud when it dawned on him that he let him copy his notes for so many years that Andrew now took them very similarly to how Darien did. He let his mind wander to figure out what he was going to do about Serena. He'd borrow Andrew's notes this one time.

His mind kept coming back to Andrew's comment about not waiting until it was too late and she was dead. He knew Andrew was trying to shock him with that comment. The truth was, it worked, even though he knew it was a ploy. Just because it was didn't mean it couldn't happen. He was genuinely worried for her safety.

He almost growled out in frustration when he realized he would have to risk his pride and heart and ask her out. Not just on a date, but to be his girlfriend. He was all in with her. He loved her already.

Damn, she was gorgeous too. Even absolutely exhausted, she was the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen.

When the bell rang to end the class, he looked at Andrew and grabbed his notebook. "I need to copy these."

"Did you come to a decision during class?" Andrew fisted his notebook in both hands, not letting Darien snatch it away from him.

"I'm going to ask her out."

Andrew released the notebook immediately and nodded, "Good, then be my guest."

Darien thought to comment that after all these years, Andrew owed him this but let it drop. He knew Andrew was worried about her and would need some reassurance something was going to be done.

"Serena, um… will you go out on a date with me?" A very nervous Mark asked her in a near shout from halfway across the room. She had been just about to leave class with Amy.

She stopped and looked back at him. She shook her head and blushed. It was apparent she was embarrassed he'd asked her out so publicly. "Sorry. I can't."

"That's all I get?" He pressed. "You can't?"

She turned beet red and fidgeted with her school bag. Her gaze dropped to her feet, and she said, "There's someone else I'm interested in. It wouldn't be fair to you."

"That won't bother me." He pressed. "You'll get over him. It's not like he's interested in you."

Amy shot back, "How would you know?" She looked furious.

"He'd ask her out if he was interested." Mark pressed again, "You'll get over him. Go out with me, and I'll take your mind off of him."

Everyone watched Amy grab Serena's arm and glare at Mark. "You're not helping!" She then quickly pulled Serena from the room as she yelled, "She said no!"

Darien watched her go in concern. He looked at Andrew and asked, "What was that about? Amy was…"

"Irate? She's only that fierce when she's defending Serena. It seems you need to ask her out soon before you completely break her heart."

"What makes you think it was me she was talking about?"

"While you were watching Amy get angry, I was watching Serena. She glanced at you and teared up when Mark said that the guy she liked wasn't interested in her."

Darien smiled, "That shouldn't make me so happy, but it does."

After school, Darien ran up to Serena and looked at Amy, "Can I talk to her in private?"

Amy nodded, walked away, and said, "I'm off to cram school."

Darien gently placed his hand on Serena's elbow and got her to stop walking and look at him. Damn, now that he had her attention, he didn't know what to say. He wasn't good with words, he admitted. He thought about what Tuxedo Mask would do. He realized that wouldn't work. He would just get her out of trouble and disappear into the night. He was a man of action, not words.

And then it dawned on him. He was horrible with words, but maybe, if he was lucky, he didn't need them. Well, many of them.

He cupped her cheek with his hand and looked into her eyes. "Serena, if you don't want me to kiss you, now is the time to say something." He watched the shock register on her face. What he didn't see was rejection. He didn't hear one either.

He leaned down and gave her a chaste kiss. That was all he had intended to do to get his feelings across, especially since they were standing in front of the school. Yet, once he felt her soft lips, all his good intentions were tossed to the wind. He moaned deep in his throat and nibbled her bottom lip. It got her to open her mouth to him, and he slid his tongue in. Once he tasted her, he was lost. He loved her before, but now she owned him. She kissed him back as passionately as he kissed her and her arms went around his neck. His arms snaked around her waist and pulled her close. She pressed into his body, and he groaned.

When they parted, he rested his forehead on hers as they panted for breath. She didn't take a step back, and he wouldn't have let her if she tried. His whole world centered around her, and he couldn't let her go.

"Serena. Please tell me I'm the guy."

"You're the guy," she admitted.

He sighed in relief, "Thank goodness. It would have killed me if I wasn't." He kissed her nose. "I'd ask if you'd be my girlfriend, but I can't risk rejection. My heart can't take it, Serena. You're mine."

She gave him a sweet smile, "Okay."

"Would you have said yes if I asked?"

"I would have, but this works for me too."

He was shocked by that admission, "It does?"

"Yup. I got what I wanted, after all. A win's a win." She ran her fingers through the hair at the nape of his neck.

"Will you come to my apartment with me to study?"

She gave him a skeptical look. "You just asked me out, and you want to go study?"

"No, I wanted to kiss you again in the privacy of my apartment." He smirked. "I asked about studying to get you to agree to come."

Serena burst out laughing so hard tears came to her eyes. Once she got herself under control, she said, "Then don't ask me to study. You really thought you'd get me to come over that way? I thought you knew me better than that." She teased.

"Fair point." He then whispered, "Want to come over to my place to cuddle on the couch and kiss a lot?"

"Hell, yes!" She agreed excitedly. "Next time, lead with that."

He had her in his apartment with their book bags discarded by the front door along with their shoes. He then brought her to his couch, sat her down, and kissed her desperately. He pulled on one of her streamers of hair gently to get her to tip her head back then kissed down her exposed throat.

He fisted his hands and pressed them into the couch to keep his hands from wandering. He didn't want to push her too far. She was letting him kiss her, and it was more than he thought he'd ever get. Although now he realized he was greedy and he wanted more of her.

She then straddled his lap and kissed him, using her tongue to drive him to the brink of his sanity. He loved to taste her, and her little gasps and moans were making him feel like he was a king. He felt like he'd gained the whole world when he realized how much he pleased her. His hand went to the back of her head, holding her against his mouth. The other one stayed fisted.

She pulled back, and her eyes dilated with desire. "Darien, you have no idea how much I wanted this." She nibbled at his jawline. "I can't believe this is really happening right now. Amy was right. You do have feelings for me."

"I knew she was smart," Darien commented. "I'm glad she encouraged you not to give up on me. I assume that's what she did."

"Yes." She nibbled at his lower lip. "She told me that you watched me when you didn't think people were looking. She told me not to give up and go out with someone else."

"I'll have to thank her later." He looked at her with such sincerity.

"Why did you always turn down everyone who asked you out?"

"Because they weren't you."

She leaned her whole body on him and laid her head on his shoulder. "This has to be a dream. You're saying everything I most wanted you to tell me."

"It's real, and it's true. You're the only one I ever had feelings for, Serena. It's you or no one for me."

That admission clicked something in place in her heart. Suddenly her heart now felt whole. He felt like the answer to a question she didn't know she was asking. Everything seemed possible with him now.

She kissed his lips chastely and looked him in the eyes, "I should feel like it's a bigger deal telling you this, but I don't. Somehow it just feels right." She paused, felt no anxiousness, and said, "I'm Sailor Moon, and I can prove it."

"I know. I found out last night." He admitted. "I followed you home. Before that creeps you out too much, know that I was worried about you. You were yawning and almost skewered by a youma. I'm Tuxedo Mask."

He waited for her reaction to everything he told her. He worried over her response.

"You asked me out only after you figured out I'm Sailor Moon too?"

"Absolutely yes. You can't think I could date you, Serena, and rescue Sailor Moon at night. I wouldn't have been able to tell you, and it would feel dishonest. Even if I did tell you, how would it sound? I'm drawn to protect Sailor Moon, and there are four more Senshi, but I'm only drawn to protect her and no one else. It could have destroyed our relationship."

She looked at him thoughtfully. "That's fair. I get what you're saying." She smiled at him. "As soon as you knew we were the same, you asked me out."

"Well, I really just told you that you were my girlfriend." He teased and brushed his fingers over her cheek. "I'm also worried about you, Serena. You've been so exhausted, and it looks like you had a nightmare last night."

"Youma have been chasing me for a week and a half in my dreams." She saw his concern and shook her head. "No, it's not anything malicious. I had Am... Sailor Mercury check. It's just regular nightmares." She tried to pout and then ended up smiling. "It's been difficult to have candy chase me in my bad dreams. It's ruining sweets for me."

"At least there wasn't a milkshake there."

She looked wide-eyed at that, "Oh. My. Gosh! So true." She shuddered. "That would be awful."

He kissed her again. She was just so sweet. He found he couldn't help himself.

He then went back to his worry for her. "I'm worried about you. Can I hold you here while you sleep?"

"As much as I hate studying, I'm sure you need to. I should probably go and let you get to it."

He nodded. "I thought that you could rest on my left side with my arm wrapped around you, and I could use my right hand to turn the pages in the book I need to read."

"Then I have to stop straddling you." She gave him a saucy look.

"Yes, but you need to anyway. As wonderful as this is, I'm about to combust with desire. All I can think about right now is laying you on my floor and burying myself inside you."

"And that's a problem?" She teased.

"No, but I'd like to take you on a date at least first."

She smirked and climbed off him. "Saving my life, time after time, doesn't count?"

"Nope." He said with conviction. "When I make love to you, it won't be because you're grateful. It will be because you desire me and love me."

She kissed his chin. "When you love me, let me know."

"I already told you I love you, Serena." He looked at her like she was crazy.

She raised one eyebrow at him, "No, you didn't."

"Yes. I said it when -" he cut himself off. He hadn't said it. It was just so much a part of him he thought she knew. It was just so obvious, right?

"Serena, I love you. I have for a while now." He kissed her forehead.

She beamed at him. She was so happy. "I love you too!" She wrapped her arms around him, "I love you so much."

He was glad she was hugging him so she couldn't see him tear up. He was finally loved. That meant so much to him.

She whispered in his ear. "Do you want to have sex now?"

He groaned. "I want you to get some sleep. I'm so worried about you."

"Fine." She pouted playfully. "But, I'm going to tempt you soon." She then cuddled into his left side after he retrieved his book.

"It's taking a lot of willpower. If I didn't almost watch you get horribly injured last night, you'd be on your back with your legs in the air right now."

She chuckled. "I don't think that's helping my desire for you. That sounds exciting."

"Sleep, Serena."

"Okay, but if you don't take advantage of me while I'm sleeping, I'll be angry." She gave him a sultry look.

"What?!"

"You can touch my breasts. You do like my breasts, right?"

"You don't even want to know how much. I'll come off as a lecher."

She closed her eyes. "I'll sleep now."

Three minutes later, she was sleeping on him. He started reading his book for class. He didn't get too far before he looked at her breasts. He set his book down after ten minutes and brushed his right hand over the swell of her breast. He groaned. They were perfect. He then gently grabbed one, and it was so big and soft. He couldn't believe how hard he was just touching her over her shirt.

Then it dawned on him. She was part evil. She knew it would drive him crazy. She slept peacefully while he was rigid with desire for her. She was torturing him even in her sleep.

He told her he wanted her, but he wouldn't take her. She was getting back at him.

He moved his left arm up so his hand could cup her breast, and he picked his book back up with the other one. He then had the most erotic reading experience of his life so far. He fondled her breast as he read. It took a lot longer to make it through the material, but it was worth it.

He did make a mental note, though, for the future. He wouldn't turn her on and then tell her to go to sleep. She fought really dirty.

Two hours later, she woke up and found his left hand still grasping her breast. She moaned. "I like waking up like this."

He smiled down at her and pinched her nipple. "That's good because I'm quite fond of your breasts. I'm going to want to touch them a lot. If you let me."

"You have two hands," she commented.

He dropped his book, moved her to sit facing away from him on his lap, and grabbed both breasts from behind. "Better?"

"Much better." She then arched her back. "It feels so good to have you finally touching me. I've wanted this for so long."

There was a knock on the front door, and Darien moved her off his lap.

"What's that?" She asked.

"Dinner. I ordered it while you were sleeping." He smirked after he returned with the food. "I'm buying dinner, so this is our first date."

"You want me."

"I've been playing with your breasts for two hours. You win. I'm waving the white flag. The only thing I'll insist on is that you eat before I make love to you."

Darien smiled down at her and pulled out the chopsticks and the food. He then had an idea. He opened the container and fed her a bite, and then fed himself.

"Sit back. I want to feed you."

She smiled and did as he said. "It just goes to show you how much I trust you. I take food very seriously."

He caught her lower lip between his chopsticks and gently tugged playfully. He then leaned forward and nibbled on her lip. "Yup. You taste better."

Her eyes grew darker with desire, and she moaned as he went back to nibbling on her. He pulled back and fed her again. He then took a bite too.

Once she swallowed, she cocked her head and said, "I'm so happy right now."

"That's because you're eating."

"True!" She laughed. "And you make me happy."

Darien blushed. He was overwhelmed by the fact that he could bring happiness to Serena. He knew if he dated her, she'd bring joy into his life. He didn't expect to have the same effect on the woman who was always happy. It humbled him. To cover up his shock at his revelation, he fed her again.

He then brought up Mark directly. "I almost had a heart attack when Mark asked you out in class today."

It was Serena's turn to blush. "So did I! It was so embarrassing. On top of that, I admitted to feelings for you while you were in the same room."

"I didn't know you were talking about me at the time." He countered. "Although Andrew was sure you were."

"Seems like we both have some pretty smart friends."

"I didn't know how smart until today. I had decided to finally admit to him that I loved you on the way to school, and before I could, he asked if he could stop pretending that he didn't notice. He already knew I was in love."

"I'm glad you have such a great friend. You're really hard to read. It shows how much he cares about you to take the time to figure you out."

Darien nodded. "I'm lucky he decided to be my friend. You can imagine he was the one to put in the effort. I'm not exactly one to open up."

"It just goes back to him being so smart. He realized you were worth it."

He blushed again. "I don't feel like I am."

"So what? It doesn't change the facts." She opened her mouth, and he fed her more food.

"Even if I don't feel it, I should just accept it?"

She finished chewing. "Yup! Just think of it as one of the facts you have to memorize."

He took a bite and thought about what she had said. He could do that. Not only that, but she really did understand him. He was so used to assimilating facts instead of feeling that he would be able to process it that way.

They finished their food. Serena had started rubbing his leg with her foot towards the end, and he was as hard as a rock and aching for her.

He set the food and the chopsticks down on the table and pulled her up on top of him as he laid on the couch. "There, much better." He then kissed her. As he did, his hands slid to her bare thighs and up under her skirt and played with her panties. "I'm so curious what color your panties are."

"I guess you'll just have to look and find out for yourself."

"Serena, I want to hear your consent before I do anything." He looked her in the eyes seriously.

She rolled her eyes at him. "I'm throwing myself at you, Darien. Or maybe I'm not doing it right. This is a first for me." She nibbled his ear and whispered. "I want you. I'm willing to seduce you if I have to. I want to take your virtue."

Darien swallowed hard and nodded. "I…" He took a deep breath. "Damn. I need condoms."

"I'm on birth control. We're covered since this is both of our first times."

He grabbed her ass in both hands and squeezed. He then pressed her down against his erection. "As far as consent goes, I'm figuring I'm covered." He smirked at her.

He then slid his hands under her panties and felt her bare ass. "Your skin is so smooth."

"As much as I love this, and I really do. Can we move this into your bedroom, and can we be naked? I have desires, and I'm really wet for you right now."

She didn't have to ask a second time. They were up and moving into his room. He was glad he was such a neat freak. Everything looked perfect, and his bed was made. That was until Serena took a running jump and bounced on it.

"I love this bed. Wow!" She smiled up at him and yanked off her shirt, and tossed it. It fell to the floor, and suddenly his room was looking so much better to him. He wanted it messy, with her clothes thrown around.

He moved forward, pulled off her skirt, and tossed it over his shoulder. "Pink bra and panties. Now I know. I'm a big fan of them, by the way." He gave her a heated look. He then pulled his shirt off over his head and tossed it on the floor too.

"If you like them so much, I could leave them on."

"Hell no!" He objected. "Those come off." He then pulled off his pants and let them drop to the floor.

"So, you're a boxers guy."

"They give me room to move around in." He crawled on the bed towards her. He pulled on her ankle, and she ended up flat on her back. He then kissed up her leg.

She moaned, "I'm going to combust."

"Good, I want you as wild and hot for me as I am for you."

She moaned as she wiggled out of her panties, bearing herself to him. "That won't be a problem. Please, Darien, I want you." She then removed her bra.

Darien stared at her in awe. "You're so beautiful. I can't believe I'm here right now with you." He then removed his boxers.

He then ran his fingers between the silken folds of her womanhood. He moaned. She was so wet and perfect. "Serena, I want to make it feel so good."

She arched her back when he touched her. "It already does. I… touch me more. Please."

He tasted and explored her body. He growled with satisfaction when he got her to orgasm with his mouth. She was delicious.

Darien then moved up over her and thrust into her warm, tight, welcoming heat. She cried out in pain, and he stilled. Once she was used to the invasion of his hard cock, he made sweet love to her. He watched her face as he did, and it almost had him completely undone. She looked like she was experiencing pure bliss. It made him grow impossibly harder inside of her.

He made sure he brought her to orgasm before he reached his completion. Three thrusts later and he spilled himself deep inside of her. He collapsed half on her and was panting for breath. His first conscious thought was that if he died right now, he'd die a happy man.

He turned his head to look at her. "Serena, you're everything to me. That was… I don't even have words."

She flushed under his praise. For Darien to not be able to come up with the right word was incredible. He had the most extensive vocabulary of anyone she knew. She kissed his cheek. "I have the right word, 'again.' We need to do that again, soon."

He nodded. "Hell yes, we do. Give me a bit of time, and I'll be ready to go again."

He rolled onto his back and pulled her into his arms, and kissed her head. "I love you."

"I love you too."

Soon she was asleep in his arms, and he laid awake and held her. He had made sure to cover them up so she wouldn't get cold while she rested. Once she woke up, he made love to her again before she had to go home that night.

At one o'clock in the morning, Darien was dragged out of bed by the pull of Sailor Moon. He followed her to the shopping district where there was a youma attack. He took one look at her face and knew it would be alright. The bags under her eyes were gone. She quickly dusted the youma, and everyone was able to go home to bed.

He stepped back into the shadows, and Serena followed him. She kissed him passionately and smiled. "Thank you for taking care of me at your place. I feel so much more rested. And now, when I sleep, I'm not plagued by nightmares. You've given me wonderful dreams."

He held her close and whispered into her ear, "I'm so glad I helped, my love."

The next day in his first-hour class, Darien was staring at Serena. He'd already told Andrew they were together, and he thought he'd be able to concentrate and take notes now.

He was wrong.

All he could think about was her naked underneath him on his bed. The picture in his head was of her with her head thrown back with her mouth in the shape of an "o," and she looked blissed out. He couldn't drag his eyes away from her. Damn, she was a welcome distraction.

After, the bell rang and his attention was drawn to Andrew who was laughing at him. He then tossed his notebook at Darien and said, "I'm figuring you need to copy my notes again. You weren't being subtle."

Darien shrugged. He was okay with getting caught. "Thanks. I may need to borrow them for a few more days." He knew he wouldn't be able to keep his mind and his eyes off the woman he loved.