The King's Little Black Book

O.O.O

A/N: So this one needs a little explanation. It's going to be a bit of an AU from my usual Crystal Tokyo stories. Thus one has no Shitennou in it. It was supposed to be part of a group effort showing the King and Queen working on repairing their marriage after they hit a rocky moment. No cheating, abuse or anything major just falling into the routine of being royals and Usagi believes Mamoru doesn't love her like he used to. The event would have featured different writers showcasing the couple going on different types of dates trying to work on repairing their marriage.

My story was supposed to be the middle in this event and features a more emotional moment. Angst with a happy ending and mentions of a struggling marriage. You've been warned.

O.O.O

"Have enough courage to trust love one more time and always one more time." - Maya Angelou

O.O.O

Mamoru groaned as he stood in line and looked at his watch for the fourth time to only be disappointed when he saw he still had 15 minutes before the store opened. He wished he had brought a data crystal to pass the time but had decided against it. He believed enduring the boredom would be a way of proving his love for his wife.

He didn't have to worry about being reached in an emergency as(since) Haruka was waiting in the car while he performed this errand. Haruka had been one of the few individuals who knew the struggle the couple was facing as they worked to try and save their marriage. Haruka insisted Mamoru was the only "man" in the universe who could make Usagi happy. Especially since Haruka had Michiru and couldn't step up to the task herself. Now to help mend the rift between the two of them, Haruka had suggested Mamoru personally obtain Usagi's favorite dessert, Triple Berry Chocolate Tiramisu from the only store in the world it was available.

Mamoru was going to return with the little treasure and present it to his wife. He would give anything for Usagi to take some frosting from the pastry, wipe it on her body, and demand he lick it off her. He knew this was unlikely, but for now Mamoru would settle for her to flash him her heartwarming "I'm in pure bliss" smile he missed seeing on her face.

Mamoru stretched again trying to get the cramp out of his neck. It had formed from sleeping on the sofa in his study. He missed sleeping in his bed with Usagi but since she had asked for the divorce and asked for some space he had done everything he could to honor her wishes and request.

Mamoru had developed this new pain in his neck and lost the one he regularly kept in his shoulder. The pain, commonly called "honeymoon palsy" came from keeping his arm in a static position as he lovingly spooned his wife every morning before starting the day. At times it had been annoying when his shoulder would tense up but now he'd give anything to get it back.

Mamoru's personal pity party was put on hold as he saw the line moving in front of him. The store finally opened and it was time to claim his prize. He brought his hand to his mouth and gave his wedding ring a kiss for good luck before he moved forward in the line.

O.O.O

"You seem nervous," Haruka commented as she and the King made their way through the palace. Haruka always saw Mamoru as stoic and confident with every action he took. Seeing him flustered and off-balance was amusing. She couldn't help but smile as Mamoru clutched the pastry box like it was a suitcase filled with codes for nuclear weapons. It was more than apparent Mamoru wanted nothing to happen to the pastry inside.

"I'll just feel better when I give this to her," Mamoru replied, his eyes dropping again to make sure the cake was still in his hand.

The pair made their way to the Queen's office, finding her going over documents on a display screen, giving them a pleasant smile as they walked in.

"Where have you two been?" Usagi wondered in a playful tone. She had become pleasant enough when Mamoru was around but for some reason, this gave him no comfort. Instead, it made him feel like this was the new normal. A daily routine where the two were no longer lovers, soulmates, or husband and wife. They would simply be co-workers who could be productive and work together for the good of serving the people. The thought chilled him to the bone. He wanted her to enjoy his presence and he longed for her to look at him like she used to with her eyes full of love and passion.

"I made a special trip to pick you up a little something," Mamoru announced, holding up the pastry box with pride. "A little something to have with a cup of tea."

"You didn't!" Usagi squealed as she recognized the bakery's box. "I thought all the assistants were busy getting ready for the charity banquet!"

"We didn't use any assistants," Haruka clarified, a coy smile on her face. "I drove, and Mamoru here waited in line in the cold hoping to get you a treat."

"Really?" Usagi asked, looking up at Mamoru with a glance that warmed his heart. It was the look he was working so hard to achieve more often. Usagi's eyes were filled with happiness and excitement, shining the way they used to when they first married. "Arigato, Mamoru."

"It's nothing," Mamoru insisted, his heart tightening a bit when Usagi didn't call him "Mamo-chan." He set the cake box down on the desk in front of his wife. "I just thought you've been working so hard lately, you deserved something special."

"Well this is my…," Usagi stopped herself as she opened the cake box and looked inside. Her face fell and a clear expression of disappointment replaced the one of absolute delight she had a moment ago. "Carrot cake?"

"What?" No it's…," Mamoru leaned over and looked inside the box. Despite how the bakery's container clearly advertised it as being the triple berry chocolate tiramisu and the sticker sealing it confirmed the statement, the dessert inside was wrong. Instead of the tiramisu a fancy, yet horrifying slice of carrot cake was inside. Mamoru knew Usagi had the same affinity for the dessert she had for the vegetable of the same name. "It's supposed to be the tiramisu. I know it's your favorite. This can't be happening."

"It's alright. Carrot cake is Makoto's favorite so I'll just give it to her. Thanks for the sentiment though," Usagi commented as she stood up and gave Mamoru a double pat on the shoulder. It was the first physical contact the two shared in a week and it felt like what one co-worker would do for another when they had a bad day at work. "Speaking of Mako-chan, she and I are going to go over the guestlist for the banquet. You two better get back to your duties as well."

With these instructions, Usagi left the room. The moment the door closed behind her Mamoru's shoulders dropped as he felt defeated. The reaction was not lost on Haruka.

"It's not a total loss. You're about to get brownie points with Makoto. You know how great a cheerleader she can be," Haruka pointed out, trying to cheer Mamoru up. "I mean you tried."

"Do or do not," Mamoru snapped, slamming his hand down on the desk in frustration. "There is no try."

"Okay, Yoda," Haruka replied as she rolled her eyes. "A bit over dramatic don't you think? Stop being so hard on yourself."

"I'm serious Haruka," Mamoru stated, turning to look at Haruka. She couldn't help but notice how glassy the King's eyes were. "Usagi is an incredible person. The Queen of the entire damn planet for crying out loud. She deserves better than someone who "tries" to make her happy."

"You think you're the only one who's had their good intentions blow up in their face?" Haruka asked, trying to help Mamoru see the bright side of things. "Remember the Lucienne violin I gave Michiru?"

Mamoru remembered the incident well. Haruka had wrapped the violin upon arrival without checking the contents inside. Michiru opened the package with everyone around only to find the neck of the violin was broken and beyond repair. It was a disastrous incident to say the least.

"Yes well, I suppose we all have moments where we let our spouses down," Mamoru confirmed. "Did yours say she wanted a divorce?"

"Not verbally, but remember the photoshoot for the Super Formula Lights and Each racer pared off and posed with a different swimsuit car model?" Haruka explained, shaking her head. "I flirted a bit too much with Miss September and she made a move. She took me by surprise, whipped off her bikini top, wrapped it around my neck, and pulled me in for a kiss. That's just as when Michiru walked in and caught me in that compromising situation. She accepted and left for a two-month concert tour in Europe with a conductor known for being a womanizer without even saying goodbye. She made sure to be a regular in posts on his social media just to torture me." *

Haruka paused and rubbed the back of her head. Mamoru could tell if they had moved past it, the incident was still painful for Haruka to reflect on.

"But we were able to patch things up," Haruka continued. "I know deep down loved me, and I'm just glad I was able to remind her how much I love her and how she's the most important thing in my life. I know you two are going through a rough patch, and it feels like it won't end any time soon but...I'm certain you'll find a way to patch things up. I'm sure of it."

"I hope you're right," Mamoru replied. "I really do."

O.O.O

Hours later, with the obligations of being King done for the day, Mamoru found himself alone in his study. Thankfully Chibi-Usa was in her room playing some sort of game with Diana, so he was relieved of his fatherly duties for the evening and blessed with the gift of free time which he hadn't had in a very long while.

Unfortunately, it almost felt like a curse with all he had on his mind. He felt like any free time he could have had should've belonged to Usagi, but she had retired for the evening and they were still working on repairing their relationship. Mamoru didn't know how to deal with legitimate free time, and it filled him with anxiety. He had tried to get lost in a book, but a nagging voice in the back of his mind wouldn't let him relax; insisting he needed to be working on something.

To this end, he had decided to go through old paperwork he had not finished scanning into the crystal database to save for prosperity. Most of it was old documents and notes he had kept during his college years and his time as a doctor. Some of it was still worth keeping and other bits were disposed of.

"Hmm, I forgot about this. The materials I wanted to write that research paper. I could probably still release it under a pseudonym," Mamoru announced to himself, as he looked through a folder. A bitter thought crossed his mind and he closed the folder in disgust. "And spend more time away from Usagi. Yeah, great idea. Idiot."

Mamoru shook his head, slapped the folder on the desk, and continued to sort through the last box containing old papers. He shifted through the stacks of documents until he came upon something familiar. A small black book with a worn and faded cover. He picked it up and began to flip through its contents.

With each turn of the page, Mamoru's expression grew darker and full of torment. Finally, after a few minutes, he slammed the book shut and cradled it against his head. The hot tears burned in the corners of his eyes as he felt the feeling of hope he held tight since Usagi had uttered the word divorce shatter from the bitter truth he once again discovered.

O.O.O

"Finally all the preparations for the dinner are complete," Usagi announced to herself as she finished looking over the details for the charity event for the third time since she came into the office. It had taken all morning, but she finally felt everything was as ready as it was going to be. A knock came at her door, making her wonder if her assistant had brought her some lunch early. "Perfect timing. I just finished. I'm starving."

"Sorry I don't have anything on hand," Haruka replied as she came in with a serious expression on her face. "Usagi, did you talk with Mamoru yesterday?"

"No," Usagi replied as she continued to recline in her office chair. She wasn't worried about Haruka coming in with a serious expression. Haruka often was annoyed after business meanings. "Why?" *

"He seems…defeated," Haruka confessed, a sad smile on her face. "I joined him for a meeting with the ambassador of the European Union and he seemed to have a look in his eyes like he had given up. I asked him what was wrong but he only said "I'm wrestling with the truth."

"He's not defeated," Usagi insisted as she stopped reclining in the chair. She was a bit worried but she tried to keep herself centered. "I'm sure he just had a bad night's sleep. He'll bounce back."

"Usagi he's hurting," Haruka expressed, trying her best to explain to Usagi what was happening. "You should have seen him when you left the room yesterday. He felt terrible he wasn't able to get you what you wanted and took it as a personal failure."

"He'll bounce back," Usagi repeated, shaking her head. Mamoru was a rock. One of the strongest people she had ever met. There was no way he would ever give up. "I know he will."

"My Queen!" Haruka snapped, causing Usagi's heart to skip a beat by the surprise. "With all due respect, I'm afraid you are letting your judgment cloud you in the wrong way. Mamoru is suffering, and when a leader suffers the entire Kingdom can suffer as well."

"But…," Usagi tried to protest. "He's…"

"I know. I know you see him as your protector, a practical ruler, and a strong individual," Haruka spelled out, trying to rationally explain the situation to Usagi. Haruka knew Usagi was living under the delusion that despite what happened in their marriage Mamoru would be absolutely fine, but that misconception needed to be corrected immediately. "But let me tell you what I see. I see a person. I see a person who is exhausted, physically and emotionally. Someone who is on the verge of collapse because he believes there is no hope for getting you back."

Haruka walked forward and took a seat on the edge of the Queen's desk. "I know you think you are just going to walk in, find him struggling, and understand what needs to be done because frankly, that's how you have operated for years. You see the pain in people and immediately know you can give them comfort. Let me say flat out though, the King isn't the kind of individual who wears his emotions on his sleeve. He grew up not allowing himself to show his pain because he had no one to teach him it wasn't a sign of weakness. I know you're his wife and you believe he is a rock, but trust me when I say what I saw today was a man on the verge of collapse."

Usagi's eyes got wide and her heart tightened with every word Haruka spoke.

Haruka continued. "I know your marriage is your business but the King's fortitude is mine. If he isn't in the right state of mind, then he has no business being a King at all. Either break his heart or remind him you are willing to work on this marriage because this in the middle area is doing nothing but causing him to suffer. More than anything right now…he needs his wife."

Usagi's mouth became dry as she tried and failed to come up with any type of argument. Haruka's statements were true but some part of her still didn't want to believe them. Mamoru was a strong man. One who rarely needed the help of others. A leader who was able to break down situations and take a commanding lead in order to make the best of even the worst situation. Mamoru had taken to being royalty like a duck took to water. Usagi assumed no matter what the situation he would be fine. Even as they were having the separation she felt whatever happened Mamoru would find a way to bounce back.

"He needs me?" Usagi murmured, taken back by such a statement. "By needs me you don't mean…"

"Kitten, I wish this was about sex," Haruka groaned, a bit annoyed that the Queen still had such a naive personality after all these years. "I really wish you two could just bed one another and it would fix everything but…trust me when I say something is going on, and you need to check on your man."

Without another word, Haruka got up and left the Queen's office. Usagi reached into a drawer on her desk and pulled out a picture. It was a picture of her and Mamoru getting married. She had taken it off the desk since the two had begun the trial separation as it just haunted her. In the photo, Mamoru looked so strong and stoic in his white suit with a glow in his eyes. As she stared at the picture, she couldn't remember the last time she had seen Mamoru with a look of light in his eyes. A sad smile formed on her face as she put the picture back in the drawer, got up, and exited her office.

O.O.O

"Mamoru?" Usagi called out as she entered her husband's study. She found him with his head down, sitting at his desk. He didn't react to her presence, but she didn't find it at all odd. Often, she'd sneak up on him while he was lost in a book and take him by surprise; but this time she decided it was better to approach slowly and try again. "Mamoru!"

Mamoru's head popped up, startled by Usagi's unexpected appearance. He slammed the book he was reading shut, slid it away, and tried to cover it with some papers. When he turned back to her, she couldn't help but notice her husband's eyes were red and glassy.

"Usagi I…," Mamoru stammered as he worked to compose himself. "Greetings. Um…did you need something?"

"Haruka…" Usagi began, her eyes falling towards the book Mamoru had tried to hide. Mamoru had never tried to hide anything from her. At least nothing of major importance. He would often try to hide a gift or some treat, but he had never tried to hide anything he would be embarrassed of for her to discover him reading. It didn't look like it was any gift he intended to give to her in the near future. "She mentioned you were acting funny during the meeting with the ambassador. You seemed…distracted."

"Yes…I've had a lot on my mind," Mamoru acknowledged, folding his hands together and sighing deeply. If Usagi didn't know better, she would have sworn Mamoru was praying. "I've come to a conclusion. You were right. We should…get a divorce."

"What?" Usagi gasped, her eyes grew wide at Mamoru's suggestion. When she first suggested the divorce Mamoru had been the one to counter with the trial separation to try and repair their relationship. To think he was willing to give up sent a chill down her spine she hadn't felt in a long time. "What are you talking about?"

"Have the lawyers or Ami draw up whatever kind of agreement or deal," Mamoru continued, his hands still folded in front of him. Again it looked like Usagi was upset. Now she wasn't even wearing the polite forced smile she forced herself to use so often during the time they were together. It hurt him knowing he wasn't able to fill her with the joy and love he used to be able to create. "Whatever is easiest for you and Chibi-Usa. I'll do whatever you need, and sign anything you want me to. Just…let's make things easier."

"I um…," Usagi struggled to find the right words for the situation. The divorce was supposed to grant both of them a fresh beginning. She had thought it would give Mamoru a feeling of renewal as they tried a different approach to their relationship. Instead, looking at Mamoru sitting at the desk, he didn't look invigorated. He looked like a man who wished death would take him because living was too hard. "I'm surprised. You were the ones who insisted we at least try to patch things up."

"I've just realized some things will never change," Mamoru whispered, his voice low and overflowing with pain. His eyes fell towards the book he had covered under his desk.

"What?" Usagi wondered as she noticed where Mamoru was looking. The book he had hidden was old and worn. He had obviously kept it for a long while. Usagi wondered if the book was in fact a "little black book" and Mamoru was deciding to end their marriage in hopes of sowing some wild oats. "What is that book?"

"It's…," Mamoru struggled to find the words. "It's nothing."

"If it's nothing, then you won't mind if I read it."

Before Mamoru could react Usagi lunged forward and grabbed the book. She began to flip through the pages. They were filled with Mamoru's handwriting, but it was sloppier than she had ever seen it. As if he was only learning how to write. She wondered how old it was briefly before flipping to a random page and gazing over what was written…

May 5th. Mr. and Mrs. Yamato.

They called me Mamoru-kun right away. They brought a dog to see if I'd get along with it. I forgot to ask what the name of the dog was. The more I rubbed the dog's stomach and told Mr. and Mrs. Yamoto about myself, the more it seemed the dog liked me more than they did.

Usagi flipped to another page.

August 14th. Mr. and Mrs. Miyazaki.

Mr. Miyazaki played catch with me. Mrs. Miyazaki asked me if I knew how to read. I told her how I recently finished a book called "The History of Ancient Babylonian Culture." Mrs. Miyazaki looked like she didn't know what I was talking about and I think she felt embarrassed. I don't anticipate them coming back.

"Is this…," Usagi speculated as she kept flipping through pages. "Is this what I think it is?'

"It's the journal of all the families who came to meet me at the orphanage," Mamoru answered, turning the desk chair away from Usagi. "Everyone who didn't want to adopt me."

Usagi's became wide with concern. It was no wonder Mamoru felt defeated. This book was filled with some extremely painful memories. Usagi turned to another page and read the entry.

October 23rd. Mr. and Mrs. Igeta.

Miss Riyouko the social worker told me the joke about "What's a panda's favorite food?" again.

"Wait…what is a panda's favorite food?" Usagi asked, curious about the punchline.

"Pan (bread)-duh," Mamoru grunted. "It made me smile once and she kept using it. I really didn't like her jokes, but I wanted to be polite."

Usagi turned back to the book.

Mr. and Mrs. Igeta arrived in tracksuits and immediately insisted we go on a run. We ran for about three miles. I did my best to keep up but I eventually fell down. Mr. Igata stood over me as I worked to recover and proclaimed "If you can't keep up you'll be a loser and others will leave you in the dust." I got up and nodded that I understood him, but I didn't really like him at all. I hope they don't come back for a second interview.

"He really told you that?" Usagi roared, after reading the entry. The idea anyone would torment such a boy when he was trying their best filled Usagi with a deep feeling of rage. "What a jerk!"

"That's not the worst of it," Mamoru sighed, he stood up. He took the book from Usagi, flipped to a particular page, and handed it back to her. "Read this."

Usagi did as instructed.

June 9th. Mrs. Yaiba.

Today's interview was one of the rare times when I only met one person instead of both parents. Mrs. Yaiba explained her husband was often away for business so he didn't have time to come for the interview. She repeated over and over how they were a very wealthy family and I would get whatever I wished for. I didn't know how to respond as I was more focused on the live ferret she kept carrying around the entire time. She must have noticed I kept looking at the animal because she suggested I hold it. Before I had a chance to refuse she shoved, "Lacey" the ferret at me. I tried to hold her gently but Lacey bit my cheek. In pain, I dropped Lacey and felt a few droplets of blood on my right cheek. I looked at Mrs. Yaiba who was holding Lacey again. She raised her hand and slapped my left cheek. She called me a "little heathen" and walked away.

"My God," Usagi seethed. Her anger was building with every page she read as she thought about how horrible Mamoru had been treated.

"Reading that helped me realize what I knew a long time ago," Mamoru confessed. "Usagi…I'm no good. I don't deserve to be loved."

"That's not true," Usagi trembled, her heart hurting as heard Mamoru berate himself. "You're a good man."

"I'm a good king, a good doctor, and I'm a good father," Mamoru acknowledged as if knowing what his wife would use in her argument. "And most of that is because of you."

"How exactly were you a good doctor because of me?" Usagi asked, confused. "It's not like I helped you with any of your patients."

"I was a decent doctor through my medical knowledge but my bedside manner was terrible," Mamoru explained. "My supervising doctors were two seconds away from throwing me out during my internship. It wasn't until I thought about 'What would Usagi do?' that I was able to be called a good doctor by anyone. You helped me without even realizing it."

"I am a good king because I know you are in my corner," Mamoru continued. "Because I know I can do all the litigation and planning and your compassion will be there to show we have the citizen's best interest in mind. And I'm a good father because I just think about the affection I wanted to receive growing up and give it to Chibi-Usa. Also, I mirror what you do with her. You are so kind and gentle it puts me to shame."

"I'm not…," Usagi tried to object.

"You. Are. Amazing," Mamoru spelled out. "But for you…as a husband…companion and lover…I'm terrible."

"Lover isn't a problem," Usagi interjected, attempting to think of anything to brighten the situation. "I've never had a complaint in the bedroom."

"You know what I mean," Mamoru insisted but couldn't help but notice Usagi had made a joke. Whenever she made a small joke during discussions it usually meant the talk had gone too deep and he needed to pull up. Unfortunately, Mamoru's despair was not simply fixed by a single joke. "I'm not what you need Usagi. If I were, you wouldn't have asked for a divorce in the first place."

"Mamoru…," Usagi whimpered, feeling her throat tighten with every word her husband uttered. He was suffering. He had been suffering for a long time and she had not realized it until now. "That's not true."

"Isn't it Usagi? I've made you, the most generous and caring person in the entire world, feel unloved. If that isn't a sign, I don't know what is. I want you to read one more," Mamoru imparted taking the book once more. He turned to a specific page, handed it back to her, and turned away. Usagi swore she saw tears on Mamoru's face.

Usagi began to read the page Mamoru had turned towards her.

June 1st. The Shimazu Family.

Mr. Shizamu and Mrs. Shizamu brought their daughter Isami with them. We all went for ice cream. Isami dropped hers and I offered her mine. She replied, "I don't want yours. I am a princess and your trash. A princess would never want something that's been touched by trash." I got angry with her and told her "I don't care what you think. There is a princess who wants my help and will reward me. She'll give me the family I want." Isami laughed, took my ice cream anyway, and threw it on the ground. Her parents saw and they did yell at her but I don't think it matters. I'll find the Princess and I know she'll use her powers to give me a family."

"You…," Usagi began after reading the passage. Part of her had always believed and feared Mamoru only loved her because she was once Serenity. When he told her about his dreams and her past self sending him on his mission to find the Silver Crystal, she had always assumed it was because he wanted the Princess's love. Instead, his desire was much simpler. "You wanted a family?"

"It's all I ever wanted. To have you as my wife and build a future together as a family," Mamoru confessed, his voice wavering with every word out of his mouth. "And I failed to make you feel secure in our marriage. If my 9-year-old self saw me now he'd want to punch me in the groin."

"Please…," Usagi asked so softly she was almost mouthing the words. She had never seen him like this before. Mamoru was composed and confident. He was always willing to be there for her as an advisor and confidant. He had been her rock and emotional support so many times in the past it was commonplace to think he could handle anything. "...stop."

"I don't deserve you," Mamoru continued, the tears running down his face as he fell to his knees. "I never have and now I finally see that."

"Stop," Usagi begged, her body becoming tense as she watched Mamoru torture himself. She could count on one hand the number of times she had seen her husband cry throughout their entire time together. It broke her heart watching Mamoru weep bitter tears. "Please stop."

"I release you Usagi," Mamoru grieved, looking at his wife with a look of absolute defeat. He pulled his wedding ring off his finger and let it drop to the floor. "Go find someone who makes you happy."

"Stop it!" Usagi demanded, dropping the book, falling to her knees, wrapping her arms around Mamoru's neck, and pulling him to her chest. She held him close, feeling her own tears slip from her eyes as she tried to comfort Mamoru. Reacting to the contact, Mamoru wrapped his arms around Usagi's waist and held her close. Both began crying so hard and violently they fell to the ground still clutching each other close. Together the King and Queen of Crystal Tokyo wept together on the floor of Mamoru's study, allowing themselves to be vulnerable together for the first time in a while.

After crying for several minutes, the pair shifted positions. Usagi had her back against the wall and Mamoru's head was in her lap. She gently stroked her husband's hair, humming gently as the two sat together, and enjoyed the first comfortable silence the pair had shared in months.

"I want you to know something," Usagi began, breaking the silence. "Those people were wrong. Wrong for not adopting you. Wrong for making you feel like you were worthless. Wrong for not making you feel like the incredible individual you are."

"I want to believe you," Mamoru sighed in defeat. "But it's so hard. No matter how hard I try to do better, the more I seem to just mess things up. I get such tunnel vision focusing on a task and it makes you feel like you don't matter to me."

"I want to apologize," Usagi added with a sad look in her eyes. It made Mamoru's heart sink seeing her depressed. "I haven't been a good wife."

"What are you talking about?" Mamoru asked as he sniffled loudly. He looked up at Usagi with red eyes and managed a half-smile. "You've been incredible."

"Have I?" Usagi wondered, moving Mamoru's hair off his forehead. "I've been ignorant to just how much pain you have been carrying. I always thought there was nothing you couldn't handle, and I didn't take the time to make sure you weren't pushing yourself too hard."

"Yeah I can carry the world on my shoulders," Mamoru grunted in disgust before closing his eyes and enjoying Usagi's touch. "And look what it got me. I closed myself off so much to get the job done you believed I didn't love you and I didn't need you in my life. When that's the exact opposite. I need you more than I need air in my lungs."

"Maybe…," Usagi began as a half-smile formed on her own face. "Maybe…we should keep trying with our date nights and working on repairing our marriage."

"Are you sure?" Mamoru asked, opening his eyes and looking up at his wife with a glimmer of hope in her eyes. "I still haven't learned how to be a good husband."

"But you want to, right?" Usagi guessed, her small smile staying strong. "You want to be a good companion and husband?"

He lifted his hand and cradled her cheek. "With all of my soul."

"Then we can keep trying," Usagi proposed, using her hand to keep Mamoru's in place. A deeper, more cynical part of her believed Mamoru wasn't trying his hardest and was simply phoning it in on the previous dates. Yet after seeing how much pain Mamoru had been experiencing lately without even having a single clue, she knew she owed him the benefit of the doubt. "I believe we need to help each other. To grow stronger without trying to hide the pain we experience. That way we don't have to bear the pain alone."

"Really?" Mamoru whispered, his breath stolen in surprise.

"Now, I won't shred the divorce papers," Usagi admitted as she took Mamoru's hand off her face. He was worried by the gesture until Usagi leaned down and kissed his forehead. "But let's put a pin in it and work on some stuff together."

"I'd like that," Mamoru sang, surprised he was able to sound so happy. He pulled himself up off the floor before helping Usagi to her feet. Usagi walked away, knelt down, retrieved Mamoru's wedding ring, and slipped it back on his hand. Afterward, the married couple stood in front of each other, with a feeling of awkwardness the pair hadn't experienced since their teenage years. The tension was broken as Mamoru cleared his throat and looked at the clock hanging on the wall. "Wow, it's almost time for dinner. We've been crying for a while. I guess we should clean up and go eat with Chibi-Usa."

"Yeah, I suppose you're right," Usagi agreed, her own eyes wandering to the couch in the study where Mamoru had been spending his nights since the proposed separation. "Um…after dinner, why don't you come back to bed. Our bed…at least for tonight."

"A-Are you sure?" Mamoru stammered, his eyes wide at the proposal. He didn't know if it would be best to proclaim how much he wanted such an opportunity.

"No sex…" Usagi explained, holding up her hands in protest. "It's just…I think we need to hold each other tonight."

Mamoru nodded in agreement with his wife before both excused themselves to separate bathrooms to try to hide the fact they had both cried for hours. As the pair sat down at the dinner table, Chibi-Usa noticed both of her parents seemed happier than they had been in weeks. It made Chibi-Usa ecstatic too as she swore she noticed her mom blushing a bit when her father commented, "Someday you'll grow up to be as stunning and kind as your mother." When dinner was done, Chibi-Usa was even more excited when she saw her parents go into their bedroom for the evening.

The next day, Mamoru woke up without pain in his neck but found the honeymoon palsy had returned to his shoulder. It was the sweetest pain he had experienced in a long time.

O.O.O

A/N: Mamoru in so many stories is a workaholic which I agree with but so many Seiya/Usagi shippers use this as an element to justify Usagi cheating on him. This is why I think having the Shitennou around would make for the best ending. They would make sure to keep Mamoru from ever getting lost in his work and neglecting his Queen.

This will be the only story in this storyline. I will repost separately if the writing project with other writers ever does become a reality. I make no promises though. I mean this thing was on my shelf for at least two years untouched. I just finally wanted to share it with others.

Thanks to Heavyheartedprinceofearth for helping to Beta this. Reviews are love and they keep me going.