Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ Seduction ❯ The Morning After ( Chapter 9 )

Darien woke up to the morning sun shining through a crack in his curtains. He pulled Serena a little closer and closed his eyes, determined to go back to sleep, but the feel of something sticky and damp between his legs stopped him. His eyes went wide as the events of last night caught up with him. They'd had sex without any form of protection. He looked down at her as she slept. What if she became pregnant? Oddly enough the prospect did not bother him as much as it should have. If anything it excited him. He smiled as he watched her sleep. Had she taken him seriously last night when he asked her to marry him? Did she know just how in love with her he was?

Serena's eyes fluttered open and she looked up at him, a soft smile on her face. She was sore, but this was probably the happiest moment of her life. She had never felt so content before, and the peace of spirit that washed over her in his presence soothed away the last vestiges of her dreams.

“Did you mean what you said last night?” She looked away, a blush on her cheeks. “I mean, I understand if you didn't, but…”

He touched her cheek, forcing her to look him in the eye. “I meant it. Will you marry me?”

Tears of joy burned in her eyes and she nodded. “Yes.”

He leaned over and kissed her gently. “Come on, we need a shower.”

He threw the covers off them and lifted her in his arms, carrying her into the bathroom. She started the water and stepped under the sheeting curtain, enjoying the feel of the hot water on her sore body. Darien stepped in with her and she blushed beautifully. He picked up a bar of soap and proceeded to wash her. Serena sighed softly as his large hands slid over her body. He pulled out the shampoo and began to work it through her hair.

“You have beautiful hair, you know that?”

She laughed softly. “You have no idea how many times I've thought of just chopping it all off. It's so much trouble sometimes.”

“Don't, I like it.” He chuckled softly. “In fact, that's why I make fun of it. I had to think up some reason to keep staring at it or you would think I was some sort of pervert.”

She rinsed then reached for the soap to perform the same service for him. Darien relaxed under her ministrations. For some reason he found this form of intimate contact soothing rather than arousing. He rinsed and grabbed the conditioner. Serena sighed with delight as he combed his fingers through her hair. She found the shampoo and massaged it gently into his hair, her fingers finding all the right places to put pressure. They both rinsed, then Darien conditioned his hair quickly and rinsed. He turned off the water and reached for her hair. Gently, he rang as much water from it as he could before wrapping it in a towel. They dried quickly and she dressed in her clothes from yesterday. He watched as she got her crutches and began moving toward the door.

“Leaving me already?”

“I have to get home.”

He reached for his keys. “I'll drive you.”

“No, I'll take the bus. My father pitched a fit the last time you drove me, I don't want a repeat of that.”

“Your father…he doesn't like me?”

She shrugged then sat to pull on her sandals, they were the only shoes she could wear with the air cast. “He doesn't like the idea of any boys being around me. He wants me to stay his little girl forever. It's not so bad most of the time, but last time he was manic, and that's when it's at its worst.”

She rose and he stepped in front of her. “Let me at least walk you to the bus stop.”

She shook her head, a knowing smile on her lips. “Go to work, Darien. I will not be responsible for you getting fired because you're late.”

He blushed and nodded. Then he reached down and removed a key from his ring, this he pressed into her hand. “This is the spare key to my apartment. Come here whenever you like. My home, is your home.”

She leaned forward and kissed him. With a soft sigh she stepped back and began to make her way toward the door, his key safely stowed in her purse. He walked her to the door and kissed her one last time before turning back to his bedroom to get dressed. Serena stared at the closed door for a moment before turning down the hall. She didn't get far before she heard a door open and quick footsteps over took her. Mariel touched the down button on the elevator. The doors slid open and they stepped in. She hit the button for the garage and gripped Serena's wrist before she could touch the one for the lobby.

“I'll drive you, Prince Endymion will be most vexed if his bride-to-be is forced to walk home.”

Serena felt her heart skip a beat. “Excuse me?”

Mariel's smile was soft and secretive. “Did you honestly think that Luna and Artemis were the only ones sent to watch over you?”

Serena gasped softly. “But…but…how?”

She laughed softly and the doors slid open. She guided them over to a dark sedan and opened the door for Serena before climbing in behind the steering wheel. She waited until they were on the street before explaining.

“In the court of Queen Serenity, all was not as peaceful as Luna and Artemis would have you think. Part of that is because they were sheltered from many of the court intrigues. The other planets were constantly wheedling for more power, and your mother had to perform a careful balancing act to keep everyone in line.”

“My mother?”

“I should think you would have figured out who you are by now.”

Serena nodded slightly. “The Moon Princess.”

“That's right. You were Serenity's only heir. As such many of the other planets sent their sons to win your hand. You however, were in love with a prince from Earth.”

“Endymion.”

“Yes. The very moment I saw you with Darien I knew you were the Moon Princess. You see, deep down, he can love no other. Your love transcended time again and again. Here, now, you will defeat this enemy with your love.”

“Where do you fit into all of this?”

“I was a Lady in your mother's court. I was also one of the few that was trusted with the knowledge that you were secretly seeing Endymion. I smuggled him into the palace a dozen times for you.”

“I remember, but at the same time, I don't.”

“It will all come back to you, with time. Darien is starting to remember too.”

They pulled up to her house and Serena smiled at her. “Please, come inside.”

“If I meet Luna…”

“I've played dumb before. Besides she won't say anything in front of my family. They don't know what she is.”

Mariel nodded and turned off the car. Where Darien had been met with cold stares and questions, Mariel was accepted instantly. Luna looked on in silent shock as they sat for a quick snack. At last Mariel made her excuses and Serena walked her to the door.

“You be careful. I don't want to find out you hurt yourself again.”

“I will try. Take good care of yourself. I'll see you later.”

Mariel inclined her head in a close approximation of a bow, then left. Serena went up to her room to change. Luna was already there, her tail twitching in irritation. She had not said anything about the battle or about what Rei had said, but this was too much.

“Serena, who was that?”

“Mariel.”

“Yes, but how do you know her?”

“She's Darien's neighbor.”

“But you stayed at Molly's last night…didn't you?”

“No, I didn't.”

She pulled out a new set of clothes and changed quickly. “You lied to me?”

“No, I lied to my parents, now we have a meeting, right? Let's get going.”

“Wait, what did you do at Darien's?”

She sighed softly. “That is none of your business.”