Nine Hours Until we Die

Endymion. Serenity. Lying on a bed. Falling on a bed. Being on a pillowy vessel of heaven. Living on a soft place of dreams. Confessing and conversing. Divulging and dissallusioned. Respecting and reversing all the terrible hurts lain in the last days.

"Serenity? Would you ever run away from me?" Endymion asked, all the vulernability in the world aching his words to their core.

"Endymion, why would you even ask such a thing? That's. . . that's an outrageous question, really."

"Darling, it isnt so outrageous, when it's happened." Endymion stated flatly, maybe a little offended.

"Well then, in that case, I suppose I could dain to answer this question." and at that, Serenity stuck her tongue out to show she was being funny and lighthearted. "I suppose, if you ever angered me enough, I probably wouldnt want to talk with you for a long while, a few hours or so. But I don't think there's ever an instance where I would run away from you. I mean, unless you lied really big again, or something insane of that ilk."

"Oh, Serenity." Endymion could only sigh in ecstasy. Serenity was indeed, completely unlike Tranquility.

"Alright, how about this. Would you ever move the Imperial Capitol of Earth to a place where it rained nearly every day, year-round?" Serenity had enjoyed the rain so deeply, that once upon a time that seemed so long ago.

"Why in the World would I do that?! Do you know how much mayhem and energy, not to mention resources that would cost? And don't get me started on the man hours. . ." Endymion was heading into another one of his aggravated tyrades he seemed to be rather prone to.

Serenity quickly cut him off with a peck on the lips, and began to explain. "I loved it, when it rained the once while I was staying at your palace. I've never experienced such wheather before. It only snows or shines on the Moon, as Mother likes it. Something about the monochromatic environment and all that suchnot. But, when I was standing there in the rain, I felt the strongest desire to sing my heart out at the relief I felt while being washed by the tears of the Earth. It was quite possibly the most exquisite thing I have ever experienced in the entirety of my life."

"You? You were the one. . . singing outside in the courtyard. Haha" Endymion couldn't help but chuckle at the coincidence of it all.

"Aye, I was. What of it, Terran Prince?"

"I fell in love with you in that moment, without even knowing it."

"Endymion. . . you fell in love with me? Do you really think you love me, though? I mean, I certainly feel strongly for you, but I feel like we're terming it love for lack of a better word."

"Maybe this is the case. Whatever the word for it is, I'm in it with you."

"I certainly, however, wouldn't mind about becoming in love with you. I don't think I'd mind it at all, really."

"Well, what do we plan to do, to accomplish this?"

"What do you mean?"

"We obviously can't fall in love if we have to be apart all of the time, as our courtship laws dictate."

"Endymion, you aren't suggesting we begin meeting secretly, are you? That's ludicrous! And it would anger my mother deeply, for even though she would like to see me wed sooner rather than later, she would like to see it done properly, and with my virginity intact." Serenity gave Endymion an incredulous look.

"Oh what? Like I'm the only one who's given into their loins, in this room. What a laugh!"

"Bah! I havent a half so much as you have my Prince! You're like to rule your entire planet on what your phallus wills!"

"Why is this entire story centered around my LOINS?! Gosh, every time the narrator talks about me, my netherparts are involved, Tranquility was aleays onning about my phallus being the ruler of my life, Cleomedes, I believe, made a reference about it sometime back, even MARS brought it up, and now you too? HEAVENS? CAN'T A GUY GET A BREAK AROUND HERE?!"

"No, not when your netherparts bothered yor life up so bad as they did."

"UGH. Can I just go back home and say to hell with women?"

"No! You have to finish out the story with a happy ending, the least you could do is admit you messed up and then stop listening to your mini-endy."

"Okay, okay alredy. I bothered it up and my phallus is stupid. I wont listen to him anymore."

"Alright, now, back to the original buisiness, of you suggesting we meet in secret? Are you mad? How, exactly, do you propose to go about this?"

"I'll just come to the Moon every so often and meet you somewhere private. My father never really delves very deep into where I'm going or what I'm doing."

"We'll really have to discuss this some other time, because I just. . .ugh, Endymion."

"Ugh, what, Serenity? I want to see you all the time! And obviously, that just won't be happening. Especially with the damnable laws, and Moon-court propriety, and the recent kidnapping of a Moon Princess.

Above all other things, I dont want you to ever, ever second-guess our marriage. I don't want you to look back on your life twenty years from now and think 'I could have had Cleomedes, or anyone else. I could be happy right now.' you know? I mean, until seven this morning, Cleomedes is still an available option, and even until we marry, I'm sure he'll still want you. He seems rather obsessive, really. . ." Endymion trailed off dumbly.

Serenity was awed. She had never, in all of her courtships, been extended any sort of option. She didn't even reallyknow how to respond to that. So she opted for attacking Endymion's face with a kiss.

"I could get into this" Endymion though to himself, smugly.

"Endymion. . . you're great." Serenity said after ending the kiss a little soon.

"Whaddya say that for?"

"I've never. . . ever been given an option before. I mean, except for what I would like to eat, I never get to choose anything for myself, especially when it comes to matters of the heart. And for that, I am eternally greatful to you."

"So, I suppose, you would like to choose someone else?"

"No! Of course not! I stand firm on announcing our courtship, and growing in friendship, trust, and love with you. I want to be with you, Endymion. You're everything I've ever dreamed of."

"Serenity. . .I vow to be everything you have ever, and will ever dream of. I have given to you, all that is in my heart in hopes that will take it and keep it in you forever. I have respected your virginity, and wishes to keep itm because your purity is so good and beautiful. You are the most loving person I have ever met in all of my days, and for that, I owe you a great deal. That last time we spent the night together, I asked you what you would do, if you were Moon Queen.

Your response brought tears to my eyes.

I want to learn these things from you. I want you to rule at my side as Earth Queen, along with being the Queen Moon.

I promise to be yoir dream, forever, if you will it."

"I do." Was all Serenity could say.

For a long while, they just lay together. Serenity was snuggled close, next to Endymion. He had removed his armour, and the underlying clothing, to reveal his muscled chest. Serenity loved being this close to him. She stroked his abdomen softly, and soon, Endymion was snoring heavily.

Serenity was very awake, at this point. Her mind was analyzing what had fallen betwixt them.

"I can't believe it. What a vow. What a promise! I have always hoped such a thing would happen, like in the love stories I read in my childhood about the Princess meeting the Prince, and then getting kidnapped or transformed, and the Princes rescuing her and riding off into the sunset only to live happily ever after. This is much like that. . . save for the part where we still have to defeat my captor, and 'ride' off into the sunset.

And what about this whole 'secret meeting' business? I havent and idea what I want to do about it. It's terribly romantic, if albeit a little cliche`. I would love to be able to see Endymion often, but he makes a valid point: after we return home, life will be much different than it was before. My kidnapping changes everything. Mother will be disappointed that Endymion let it happen in the first place. She might even forbid my being courted by him at all, due to his poor skill at defending me.

That would be unbearable, to be forbade to see Endymion. I've been courted by nearly every other available suitor in the solar system, so I would have to remain alone until someone new came from somewhere, or until Cleomedes figured out another way to capture me, I suppose. Thankfully, he has bothered his chances of properly courting me, having been my captor, and all.

Which makes me wonder, what fell out between Endymion and Tranquility?

This night is just too much to take in. I feel so backwards. I want to say I love Endymion, cause he's done so many wonderous things for me, let alone coming to rescue me at all, but in turn, I want to say that I'm letting my emotions (and maybe my loins, even) rule my heart and thoughts. I feel like my rationality has been tossed out the window multiple times in the course of this evening.

UGH." Serenity couldn't take it anymore. She sat up a little, trying not to disturb a sleeping Earth Prince, and began looking at the dress at the foot of the bed.

It had been pushed aside in their hormonal frenzy. It was truly, a beautiful gown.

"I can't believe I was really going to do it. Endymion would have had to kill Cleomedes to unbind our marriage, which is treasonous and punishable by death itself. What a freaking-well pickle that would have been.

I nearly lost it, all-right. God. But it hurt. I would have killed myself, but at least Cleomedes was a good companion. He sought to make my life bearable, though for his benefit. But he tried at all, and to me, that counts for a little bit." The Princess went on thinking thusly, entering into another reverie.

Presently, Endymion awoke, wondering where his Princess' hand was. He looked up to find her staring at the gown, once more.

"Serenity," he said softly "I'm sorry. I can't stress that enough."

"Endymion, I know. I'm just sorry I nearly did this thing. It's terrible, and would have been awful, had I any second thoughts down the line. I'm certain I would have, too, you know."

"Serenity. . ."

"Endymion."

"I'm glad you would have."

"Have what?"

"Second thoughts. About Cleomedes. I want to be the one. Serenity, I will be the one. I'm here for you, so please, don't run away. Can you promise me you'll always stay, and I'll fight gor you, forever. I will never, ever, let you go. Ever again."

"Endymion. . ."

"Look, in truth, your face and smile bring tears to my eyes. I want to protect you, I want to prove to you that I am good, at night, you're the one I want to sleep next to. In the morning, it's your face I'd kill to see. Your presence soothes my anger. Your goodness guides my heart. I want to be with you, always. If you'll let me, I will. I will be there for you whenever you need me. I will make you the happiest woman in the universe, Serenity."

"Oh, Endymion. I want you to be by my side, always."

Endymion held Serenity tight. He felt so full of joy and happiness, and what felt like love. He truly meant these things, that he was saying. It felt good, too, to truly mean them. He hadn't wanted to make the vow to Tranquility, looming over him like a threat. But Serenity was so vulnerable, so special. . .

"How do I tell you you're special, in your language? I want to be able to say it always in a way you'll never misunderstand."

"Anata wa boku no taisetsuna takara mono. 'You are my special treasure'."

"Then that is how I will say it, everytime from now until we die. So that way, you'll always know."

"Endymion. . . you really are great."

"Serenity, it's only for you that I feel compelled to be great. I have never treated another woman in my life with this much care, and such a lack of coital pressure.

You really bring out the best I can be."

"Then I suppose I have to stay with you, don't I?" Serenity put her tongue out again.

Eventually, the two snuggled in together. The duvet atop them warm and comforting, it was a perfect end, to a perfect evening.

a/n: So then. SerexEndy in excess, as promised. At least this time I didn't have them acting like horny teenagers. I dunno, as prior stated, I'm pretty awful at the lovey crap.

Anyways, next chapter previews

Cleomedes discovers Endymion in Serenity's bed, unawares (i.e. he wakes them up)

Sword clash ftw!

Possibly the end. . . I dunno yet lol