Old Minako/Kunzite one-shot I found that sort of fits the continuity of Tears of a Leader. Enjoy!

She smiled. It was always the first reaction she had when he entered the room. And it always would be. He handed her a bouquet of lilies before walking to the dresser, where he shed his cape. She took in the scent of the flowers before giving him a questioning look.

He smiled at her from his reflection in the mirror, "Just because," simply answering her posed question. He had always been able to interpret her looks, be they of irritation or love or whatever else she could come up with. "Picked them up on the way here."

She shifted on the bed, moving over so there was just enough space for him to lie out beside her. The bed groaned as he stretched out besides her.

"Really, Kunz," she said, rolling her eyes at him as he turned to look at her, "What's the occasion?" The flowers lay forgotten behind her as she cuddled up beside him, loving the warmth his body gave off.

"I can't bring home flowers for the woman I love?"

Her body froze, tingling sensations going down her spine and through every inch of her skin.

There was silence for what felt like millennia, her mouth opening and closing a few hundred times before she finally uttered a whispered "What?"

He had never said the words to her before, and she had never truly expected them. Kunzite wasn't one to speak words when he didn't need to. And she didn't know she had needed to hear the words till he had said them.

"I love you, Venus," he whispered quietly. His eyes met hers, sparkling with emotions she saw in his eyes only when he looked at her.

Shivering consumed her body as tears slipped from her eyes. His arms encircled her, and she rested her head against his chest, hearing the faint thumping of his heart. She didn't answer, knowing he didn't need her answer; all that was needed was the feeling of the other near them.

She had never felt safer, felt more content than she did in those minutes with him. It got harder and harder to let him leave; watching him sneak out the window broke her heart. And the only time it would feel a tiny bit better was watching him re-enter for a final kiss.

She wished she never had to leave from his embrace. Never had to leave this moment.

A breeze fluttered her face and she blinked confusingly. Minako's eyes opened to an empty bed, her limbs trapped within miles of blankets.

She tried grasping the dream that she had just had, her heart twisting as she failed to remember much else than the comfort she had felt. Knowing only the calm, but not the reason left her mind in confusion. She closed her eyes, hoping her dreams would cart her off to happiness at least one more time.

Miles away, a young man tossed and turned, the whisper of "I love you," lost in the silence of his room.

In his mind remained etched the beauty of the golden-haired angel he could only wish to see in reality. But till then, he thanked the heavens that he could see her in his dreams. At least he didn't have to remain without her.