Standard disclaimer: Sailor Moon and all associated intellectual properties do NOT belong to me. That said, I WILL fight you if you steal my story. I'm scrappy. Don't be scared, homie.

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Pillow Talk

Eye of the Beholder

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"Thank you, Admiral Obvious."

"You mean 'Captain,' and you're very welcome."

"I'd appreciate a real answer now, unless you plan on sassing me all night?"

"I'm sure we both agree that you are the sassy one in this relationship."

"Stop deflecting and answer my question."

"It's a ridiculous question."

"Stop it. You promised."

The raven-haired miko exhales in a dramatic sigh. "Remind me never to promise you anything in the future."

"Only if you remind me to slap you in the face every time you break the promises you've already made to me. Now answer."

"Why do you want an answer to this? Your ego is big enough without me giving up embarrassing details."

"You promised to answer anything I asked, sweetheart, so if you'd like to keep my hand print off of your stunning cheeks, you'll give me a real answer. If it happens to build me up a little, well, what's so bad about that?" The idol grins here, feeling that she is close to getting what she wants.

"But precious, if your glorious fat head gets any bigger, you won't fit through the door."

"Money can always buy a bigger door, muffin."

"All your money won't buy back my dignity, angel food cake."

"That's why you've got money too, spicy pepper. Now answer my question before I turn you into lasagna."

Rei snorts derisively. "As if you could make lasagna."

"Before I pay someone to make you into lasagna. Less insulting, more answering!" Minako would feign injury if she wasn't so amused by the miko's current childish streak.

"I forgot what you even asked me. Would you look at the time. Let's just go to bed." Rei makes a big show of yawning and batting her eyes sleepily.

"Do you find me beautiful?" Minako ignores the acting and asks again - more forcefully this time, and in a more serious tone of voice. She wants an answer.

"I told you, you're the second 'Sexiest Woman Alive' according to People. That's a pretty high honor."

"And you're the first, I can definitely agree with People on that." Minako smiles when Rei's cheeks go pink. "But I'm not asking about People's opinion and it's nothing to do with being 'sexy.' Do you," she pauses for emphasis, pointing a finger into Rei's chest, "find me," pointing now at her own sternum, "beautiful?"

"Minako...!" Rei tucks the idol's head under her chin to hide her flush and her fluster.

The singer chuckles at how frustrated her new lover has become. "Why is this so hard for you, Reiko?" she wonders out loud. Her question is light and curious.

The miko is silent for a while, and simply strokes the golden strands of Minako's hair while she mulls over her answer to this one. She takes so long that she can feel the idol itching to reiterate and blurts out, "I'm trained in contempt, not compliments, Mina."

"Oh, Rei." The blonde's comfort washes over the miko immediately. The feelings are as real and tangible as the arms wrapping around her more snugly now and the lips that lift up to meet hers in a gentle kiss. Minako pulls away to make sure that violet eyes understand her intent, and Rei feels inexplicably better as she returns the meaningful gaze. A cheeky grin takes over the idol's face suddenly. "I can re-train you," the singer offers, waggling her eyebrows and dragging fingers over flesh in the most suggestive way possible.

Rei blushes brightly again but won't let the opportunity to indulge Minako a little get away. "More pet names. I can't wait," she deadpans.

The idol laughs honestly and easily - a worthwhile reward and exactly what the miko had in mind. "Max! Lucky! Spot!" Minako has herself nearly in tears. She is more than glad to be able to lift the miko's mood so quickly and continues imagining outrageous pet names for the stoic woman. "Fido! Or Fifi! Oh! How about Tanuki-chan!"

Minako's playfulness is ridiculously cute and Rei can't help but kiss the michievous mouth. The mutual pleasure in their intimate touch is palpable.

"I liked the food related names better," Rei murmurs moments later, smiling against Minako's lips.

They giggle together at this, and their connection substantial. The miko no longer hides her heart and the idol doesn't run - she's rather eager to share. Minako's gift mingles their emotions in the same way that their breathing mixes between them. The moment is powerful and incomparable.

Rei holds onto Minako tightly, feeling like there has never been anything more important than this in her life.

They kiss again, earnestly, with warm hearts and heated bodies. It's very late, but it hardly matters.

Out of the blue, the miko makes an admission. "Beautiful isn't a big enough word."

"What?"

"You are more than beautiful to me." Rei's eyes are slightly glazed as they move over Minako - taking her in, seeing her and seeing more. "Even if all you are looking for is a physical assessment, I'm not sure I could give you one. I will never see you like I see anyone else." Their eyes meet and the shared space is intense. "The way I look at you is completely different. I can hardly look away. You are so beyond beautiful Mina." Rei grasps Minako's hand tightly, willing the idol to feel the meaning. She brings the palm over her bare chest, holds it there; her heart pounds.

The singer melts and her heart swells. The words weren't necessarily romantic, but the implication is well understood. The miko is gruff, direct, and so, so sweet. Minako presses closer, gently caresses Rei's collarbone with the tips of her fingers. She's glowing, and there's something a little shy in her voice when she whispers reverently, "will it always feel this way?"

Rei replies without a second thought. "I've always felt this way for you. I just didn't know what to call it, back then."

Minako smiles, well pleased by the prompt answer, and quickly executes a plan to draw out more embarrassment from the miko. "You know now?"

"Yes."

"What do you call this?" The idol baits her.

"Sleep now Mina. I've said enough for one evening."

Minako chuckles at the childishness returned. "It's nearly morning now, darling. A whole new day."

"Exactly why we should sleep."

"Stick in the mud."

"If you want to keep your pretty face, you'll do as the stick in the mud says."

She feigns injury now. "Are you saying I'll be ugly? And after all the sweet words you just gave me. I thought I was 'beyond beau' -"

"Good night, Mina." Rei interrupts quickly and pushes her now, turning her over forcefully. The miko spoons behind her and effectively hides a beet red blush.

Minako laughs heartily while settling into Rei's warmth. The embrace somehow makes her sleepiness harder to fight. She reaches and takes a hand tenderly, kisses elegant fingers. The miko cuddles closer, and the idol can feel a smile pressed into the crook of her neck. Rei's even breathing is calming. "Good night, Reiko."

They sleep, very much looking forward to waking up together.

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AN: So, here's the start of a fluff series that I am trying my goddamn hardest to make into something not completely pointless. There ARE some themes here, as well as interpersonal relationship bits that I am attempting to explore. In a useless, fluffy way. -.- Sigh. I swear I am trying! This begins somewhere after Misappropriated Jealousy but by no means do you have to read MJ to understand PT - it should stand alone sufficiently well.

Personally, I rather enjoy pillow talk. I assume that I am a little unique in this (but feel free to jump into my ship anytime, because it sure sucks to feel alone!). My honey loves to tease me about it - we get into bed to go to bed and the last thing we do is actually go to bed, heh. We talk most every night about everything and nothing. Sometimes I feel like the words mean less than the time spent, connecting in the afterglow. Sometimes we have such profound conversations, I wonder how I got along before I had such a sensible, wise, wonderful, a-million-words-could-not-express honey to talk to, every night at my leisure. Most times though, what lingers with me into the morning is the smile I fell asleep with.

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