Usagi looked up, into the most gorgeous blue eyes she had ever seen in her life.

"Hey Odango," Mamoru grinned, but it wasn't sarcastic as usual. It was genuine. Kind. He clambered to his feet, dusted his palms off on his jeans, and offered her a hand.

Blushing, Usagi took it in her own, and let him pull her up. She brushed her skirt off as best as she could, as Mamoru hadn't let go of her hand yet, though honestly, she didn't want him to.

This done, she chewed on her lip, trying to find a safe place to rest her gaze. She decided to study her Mary Janes, which were dusty and in need of a good scrub. What should she say to him, now that she had finally found him? What should she do?

Mamoru broke the deafening silence. "Ironic, isn't it, that this is the place where we first met?" he said, jerking his chin at the Osa-P Jewelry Store. "And now we . . . um . . . " he trailed off, an identical blush rising to his cheeks.

"I noticed that too," she murmured shyly.

Timidly looking into Mamoru's embarrassed features, she realized something. They had just spent half an hour trying to find each other. He obviously didn't hate her, as she'd feared, and definitely cared for her. There was a good chance he loved her even.

So Usagi finally stopped ignoring her heart, and threw herself into his arms. Mamoru was stiff with shock for a few moments, then started to relax, protectively wrapping his arms around her body.

Usagi could've stood there forever, his warmth soaking through her skin like the sun does a plant. She could detect a hint of his usual Mamoru scent, the spice of his cologne that drove her crazy, mostly obscured by the tang of sweat. Instead of grossing her out, it made her heart swell. He's been running around to find me, she thought contentedly.

Then Mamoru spoke softly in her ear. "What did you want to tell me, Usako?"

The pet name sent delicious shivers down her spine. She drew back just enough to look him in the eye.

His face was open. Warm. Happy. This is it, she thought, absolutely certain. Just like Sailor Moon. I'm going to tell him.

"Mamo," she breathed, tentatively placing her hands on his cheeks. He sank into her palms, a blissful look on his face. "I love you."

Mamoru's eyes drifted nearly shut, as if he were savoring the feeling of her love. A purr rumbled through his chest. "I love you, Usako," he murmured, pressing his forehead to hers. "My heart beats only for you."

Usagi's heart sang, freed at last from it's cage. Euphorically, she nuzzled his nose with hers, making Mamoru groan with longing.

And then, the moment she despaired would never arrive, the moment she had dreamed about for so long, finally came, in the form of a kiss from Mamoru. His lips brushed hers, the gesture as delicate and beautiful as a butterfly.

But it wasn't enough.

Their mouths came together again, needing each other like a flower does water. Desperate and hungry and passionate. Needing the touch they were starving for, the touch that made the world disappear. The touch that connected two people whose hearts beat as one.

In the end, there were no questions, just an answer.

Love.