AN: I meant to have this out a bit sooner, but real life has a habit of getting in the way of creative endeavors. You know how it is. On an unrelated note, I got a review the other day that I think brings up a need for clarification:
The kissing does not equal marriage. The whole bonding thing is brought on by choosing, to the depths of your soul, a future with this one person regardless of anything else. Endymion and Serenity, albeit unknowingly, both felt so strongly in that moment that they were able to create their bond through that desire for an eternity together. The kiss is basically just the physical contact needed for their respective powers to do the rest. The same would apply to any other soul bond in the series.
Hopefully, anonymous reviewer, that clarifies things a little. To everyone else, just a quick explanation that hopefully makes sense.
Disclaimer: Still not mine, aside from whatever little tidbits only exist in this universe.
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Kunzite was fairly certain the gods were punishing him for something. He didn't know what it might be, but it must have been heinous.
Everyone was working feverishly to smooth the Earth's path to the Silver Alliance, a task made even more daunting when Jadeite and Mars further complicated it. Jadeite had worn his usual unrepentant smirk when they broke the news that they had bonded as well. Mars had tried for haughty indifference, but the attempt had been promptly ruined by the other women squealing in glee as she flushed with embarrassment.
It made sense, given that it had been Venus' decision and that they were of similar rank, that they would be doing the bulk of the public work, aided by Venus' ability to share her love around. That did not make the situation any less uncomfortable.
The eldest general was, on the whole, a largely solitary creature. Aside from a small group of loved ones, he had no real fondness for people and did not enjoy social situations. He had always felt that his time was better spent accomplishing tasks others could not, and that there were any number of people in the Golden Court who could handle the more interpersonal concerns with greater efficiency and pleasure than he could. Being trotted out to countless public relations setups like a show pony was torturous.
That suffering was heightened by one other factor – Venus herself. She was an amazing person, and Kunzite was not afraid to admit that he quite admired her decisive leadership and her skills as a warrior. That said, the confounded woman would not stop flirting. With him, with assistants, with courtiers – anyone was fair game. Old, young, man, woman, Terran, Lunar, whoever caught her eye. Then the little minx would give him an appraising look as though she was grading her performance on his reactions.
It was utterly maddening.
Kunzite knew what he felt for the blonde goddess, and on a good day he thought she probably felt the same, but he continued to hold her at the same polite distance he always had, not wanting to risk a misunderstanding. The entire affair was complicated enough without him adding any additional dilemmas.
They were in his office discussing their next appointment, but they'd said everything that was needed on the subject, and Venus' attention wandered.
"I think we have covered everything of importance," Kunzite said, rising. "Would you like me to escort you out?"
Rather than responding immediately, she studied him through lowered lashes. The move immediately set him on edge. "Do you not like me?" she asked rather incongruously, in a tone so crushed he almost thought the walls would weep in sympathy.
"Do I – what?"
"You're always in such a hurry to get rid of me. Did I do something wrong?"
"No!" he blurted – too fast, too much emotion. He took a breath to center himself, then tried again. "No, of course not. I am simply attempting to be mindful of propriety."
Her response was a much-too-pretty pout. "Oh, propriety. That's no fun at all."
Venus as a seductress always unsettled him, and being confronted with that behavior so soon after what he suspected was feigned sadness left him off balance. "I do not know what you want from me," he admitted.
Her mood changed again, giving way to the calculating seriousness he knew ran deeper than she wanted most people to realize. "I think you know more than you're willing to admit," she observed coolly.
Before he could muster any sort of sensible response, she flounced out of the room, skirts swirling behind her.
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Endymion had to say his name several times before Kunzite realized he was being addressed.
"Are you all right?" the prince asked, concerned. "I don't think I've ever seen you so out of sorts."
The general studied the younger man, wondering if he should share his thoughts. Ultimately he decided against it, not wanting to cause further trouble. "I am merely out of sorts from all the events I have been required to attend," he said semi-truthfully. "It is nothing you need worry about."
"If you're that stressed, Nephrite could take this round," Endymion offered.
"No," he said immediately. As much as Venus' behavior discomfited him, he would not deny himself the pleasure of her company, nor was he willing to let her think her questions had driven him away. "That will not be necessary."
"If you're sure…" the prince said, frowning.
"I am." He got to his feet, exchanging his uniform for the appropriate formal regalia in the blink of an eye. "Zoisite is on duty this evening if you decide to go out. Please make sure you are accompanied at all times."
"I will," Endymion promised, knowing things were precarious enough that his desire for time alone with Princess Serenity would have to wait. Zoisite at least was not a cruel chaperone.
Kunzite thought of simply teleporting to the designated meeting place, but he found he needed those quiet minutes to set his mind in order and to fortify his ever-weakening resistance for his beautiful counterpart. He had known from their first meeting that she had an uncanny ability to get under his skin, but he'd thought it would pass as he grew more accustomed to her presence. Instead, he found that she became ever more skilled, and he worried about what would happen when she inevitably pushed him too far.
The smile Venus sent him as he approached was absolutely dazzling, and he felt another precious layer of reserve sloughing off in response. He feared she would break through it entirely far too soon.
"A garden party should put you close to enough of the nobility for us to ease off," Venus said lightly. Her face turned mischievous. "I'm sure you'll be sorry to see the end of this, since it will mean spending less time with me."
Kunzite frowned, not sure how to respond. "Of course your presence will always be welcome, Lady Venus."
Her expression shifted to what could only be described as a smirk. "Oh, I do so like to hear that."
He cleared his throat. "Shall we depart, then?"
Venus gathered up the skirts of her gauzy gold silk dress with one hand and laid the other on his arm. "We shall indeed."
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The party had been utter torment. Venus was flirting again, but she seemed to have decided on something Kunzite was unaware of, because all her attention and flirtation was focused on him, to the point the other guests were clearly noticing it. One Venusian lord even advised him while she was distracted to let her have her way before she had to play dirty. He wasn't entirely sure how to take that.
Their return to the palace was once again filled with her chatter and his reticence, which she gave no indication of noticing. Meanwhile, all his attention was on his ever-thinning mental armor, attempting to reinforce the walls she was so casually tearing down.
He led her back to his office so they could discuss their results and decide what further actions, if any, to take. After pulling back her chair for her, he took his own seat and waited.
Venus only sat for a moment before getting to her feet again and circling his desk. He turned to face her.
"Is something wrong?" he inquired solicitously.
"Yes," she said firmly. "I have been trying to get your attention since we met, but it doesn't seem to be working. I don't know how much clearer I can be."
"I would not want to do anything untoward," he said, averting his eyes. "You are a warrior and a princess, and it would not do to offer insult."
Venus scoffed. "I am more insulted that you haven't done anything, to be honest."
He could feel his last threads of restraint snapping, and he tried desperately to hold them together. Before he even had a chance of regaining some semblance of control, she grabbed the lapels of his jacket and hauled him into a searing kiss.
It was everything Kunzite had been trying not to want, and the stoicism he'd relied on for so long finally failed him. Unthinking, he shot to his feet and pulled Venus with him until he was holding her up, pinning her to the wall and practically ravishing her mouth. She made a self-satisfied sound as she returned the favor.
The pair did not leave his office for rather a long time after that.
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AN: I said a long time ago that Kunzite and Venus had feelings for each other first, and that the only real hold-up was Kunzite's unwillingness to reach out, so Venus had to seduce him. This is basically how I imagined that playing out even back then, although at the time there was no political intrigue involved. As always, I want to know what everyone thinks, so please drop a line and let me know. Till next time!