[Fic] Just A Kiss Goodnight, Rated: T, Fandom: Sailor Moon, Chapter 9/120
Just A Kiss Goodnight
Set: Blue
Theme: Rain
By: Usagi Carter
Last Revised: September 24, 2011
Summary: After an argument, the powerful Crystal Queen attempts to overcome her fear…
Rating: T
Setting: Crystal Tokyo Post R
Character(s): Neo Queen Serenity / Neo King Endymion
Author's Notes: Come and visit the multi-fandom message forums that I run with my brother and sisters - Valhalla: Home Of Honored Heroes: www(dot)valhallaboard(dot)com/forum/index(dot)php
Author's Notes 2: I do apologize for the long wait between updates, but work has been busy and I went on a four day trip to Chicago and just had some relaxing time. I can't promise regular updates, but I am going to try.
Dedication: To Ang, Baine, Alicia Blade, Loki, and the countless other friends, fans and authors who've inspired me over the years.
"God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain, but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way."-anon.
She stood at the balcony doors, watching the rain drench the city in wetness. She always imagined that the city - the buildings, sidewalks, roadways, plants - everything - felt much cleaner after a good washing. Her crystal blue eyes closed tightly when she saw the flash of lightning in the gray nearly black clouds above. Her whole body clenched in a familiar spasm as thunder crackled seconds later, almost seemingly on top of the Crystal Palace. Her heartbeat had soared and panic rose in her chest and throat, but she fought them back down. Her childish, unnatural fear of lightning and thunder had caused her enough trouble over the years, particularly earlier that evening, and she was hell bent on getting over it once and for all.
It made no sense to her, it really didn't. One of her best friends and guardians controlled the element she was so terrified of, and when Mako-chan was near, she showed no fear; it was as if she knew the element couldn't hurt her so long as its mistress was in her presence. Eyes filling with incessant tears, she remembered her husband throwing that in her face during their argument earlier that night. She'd refused to step foot outside in the raging storm. Her, the all powerful Crystal Queen, frightened and sobbing because of the lightning; it was inconceivable, and yet, it was true.
Her beloved had never thrown it in her face before, not in the thousand years they'd been together. He'd always cuddled her and protected her, and yes teased her, but he'd never been angry about it before. Perhaps that's why her heart felt so utterly broken and why her pride beat at her to gather the courage to take this step.
She'd faced enemies much more terrifying than a bit of Mother Nature. By the Gods, she'd faced Galaxia and Chaos all on her own, with no one there to defend her. Why couldn't she get over her fear of lightning and thunder? With trembling hands, she pulled her robe tighter around her and then moved forward, pushing the balcony doors open. The wind and rain came rushing in at her, blowing the sheer curtains back away from the door. Taking a deep breath, she steeled herself and stepped through the doorway.
She had to be careful, as the balcony was slick with the torrential rain and she being a klutz, meant she could take a slide at any moment. Standing at the railing, her face turned to the sky, she felt the falling drops of water seemingly cleanse her. It felt good to be standing in the middle of the down pour. She made no sound when the thunder bellowed and the lightning flashed across the sky. No, she just bit her bottom lip and continued to stare up into the clouds.
A shiver ran through her, but she made no move to leave the balcony. Her nightgown and robe were soaked all the way through, and her skin was cooling so fast that she had goosebumps, but she was enjoying the rain. Reaching out a palm, she let the water drop into it, knowing that in each raindrop was an entire world separate from and yet apart of her own. The wind began to blow, a little harder than before, and as she closed her eyes and lifted her face to the rain, she caught the pull of a call that was soul deep; her beloved was standing in the doorway watching her.
"What are you doing out here in the rain?" he asked, stepping out from their room, and umbrella held above his head.
"Enjoying it," she murmured back, still hurt from their earlier argument. "I had to get over my fear of the lightning and thunder at some point, isn't that what you told me earlier?"
"Usako," he responded, his voice tight with remorse.
"You were right, I had to take this step, and I think I had to do it on my own," she announced, her voice wavering slightly as the thunder and lightning caught her off guard. Her whole body trembled as the water sluiced over her skin and clothes.
"Come inside, beloved," he reached for her, watching her jerk her shoulder away from him as she moved to grasp the balcony railing. "Usa, we've all got things we're afraid of. You took a huge step tonight, now come inside before you get sick, please," he dropped the umbrella, reached out and slid his arms around her waist, drawing her to him. "I'm sorry I got angry earlier."
She turned in his arms and stared at him, her own delicate limbs crossed over her chest. "You hurt my feelings. What's more, you made me feel as if what I was afraid of was petty compared to going out there in front of all those people and that I was embarrassing you. Do you have any idea how embarrassed I'd have been if I had to jump into your arms at dinner every time the thunder rolled?"
"Usa…"
"You know, I've done a lot of growing up in the last thousand years," she said through clenched teeth, watching his face darken. "I've gotten over being terrified of a lot of things, but this is the one that scared me almost as much as losing you or Small Lady scares me."
He leaned in, bringing one hand up to cup her face. As he stared deep into the eyes he loved so much, he saw exactly how much he'd hurt her. "You are the strongest person I know, in mind, heart, body and soul. There is nothing you can't overcome. I have watched you move mountains and create miracles, Usako. I just can't understand why this terrifies you so."
"I can't remember a time in this life when I wasn't scared of it," she murmured, unconsciously rubbing her cheek against his hand. "I have no problem with it when Mako-chan is near, or you're holding me, but by myself…."
Smiling, he tugged her against him, her soaked hair plastered to them both, her luscious curves visible through the nearly transparent robe and nightdress. "Come with me, I've got an idea how to get you past your fear," he whispered, leaning down so he could scoop her up into his arms, princess style. She gave a little gasp, not having expected his move, and wondered what his plan was as he carried her in out of the rain.