Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Usagi Tsukino. 

Her name repeated in his head like a bright sun his thoughts happily orbited.

Former Prince Diamond, now just Diamond, was clad in a white suit and lavender tie, his silver hair cropped close to his head and slicked back stylishly. Tapping his fingers in a rhythm only he could hear on his crossed knee, he waited patiently for her to finish ordering for them. He ignored the admiring glances from a gaggle of women and men alike, only caring about her and what she thought about him.

He was sitting at a table at a quaint little outdoor café Usagi had introduced him to. It had become their spot, one which he knew she brought no one else . He loved having something be just theirs and couldn’t wait for more things to be theirs alone.

Soon , he promised himself, adjusting himself surreptitiously.

His goddess, an angelic pure soul that happened to inhabit a beautiful shell. She haunted his every thought, with every glance she bestowed upon him, acknowledging him as she never had in the future. Ever since she saved him from death’s icy embrace, he fell harder. First she had saved his brother from an attack by Wiseman that would have annihilated him, then himself in that crystal cave and he somehow found himself falling even harder. When she so graciously accepted him into her social circles, he had fallen for her past the point of any return.

Which is more than could be said for the others, but he didn’t care about them.

Just like with Sapphire, Sailor Moon had used the silver crystal to heal him from his life threatening injuries. Afterward, he and his brother had watched her battle Wiseman with a grace and strength that only managed to cement his need and obsession with her even deeper into his mind.

His heart and soul were hers, always, and she didn’t even know it. Whether she was aware of it or not, he was her servant, her whim was his command. 

He needed her with a passion that was frightening and exhilarating in equal measure.

It was hard for him to correlate the vivacious and incandescent young woman who was currently Sailor Moon to the coldly beautiful, but unapproachable Neo Queen Serenity of future Crystal Tokyo.

As his time here in the present-past?-continued he slowly but surely found himself wondering how the bouncy happy woman managed to become her future counterpart. 

He watched her bounce at the counter, her skirt flouncing around her knees, teasing him and taunting him. Her top rode up as she leant over the glass to get a closer look at the array of foods on display, making his mouth water and his mind race at how soft her skin must be. 

How soft all of her must be.

What happened to make her change so much in a thousand years? 

Was it alterable? Could he change the future? Did he dare such blasphemy?

He snorted delicately at the thought, because of course he would. 

Anything was worth having her.

Her golden hair shone and flowed with a life of its own, so long and luxurious it made him want to wrap it around his fists and use it to hold her to him. His hands weren’t the only parts of him he wanted to wrap with her or her hair. He had buried his hands in it when he had had her in his bed unconscious, he remembered its texture. 

How could he forget?

Brushing her fluffy bangs from her closed eyes, the twin tails trailing behind her head as he carried her and lifted her while putting her in the dress he had made for her future counterpart.

How had he ever thought the disapproving hate filled glare of icy grey eyes were in any way comparable to the unending love and joy that emanated from glittering blue the younger possessed?

Everything about her drew him in, her smile, her skin, her hair, ever since that kiss in his bedroom-coerced as it was-he found he wanted all of her no matter what he had to do to get it. 

He knew he would have to be careful about it though, surrounded by friends and family as she was, not to mention King Endymion, no, not King, not yet anyway.

Mamoru Chiba

He clenched his fist tightly at the memory of the other man. Rage bombarded his senses and he breathed evenly to calm himself before she could notice and be worried about him.

‘ What a boring name, for an even more boring human. ’ Diamond snarled at the thought. It disgusted him how plain, how utterly ordinary the other man was, the same man who dared to call himself partner to the effervescent Usagi. He could not understand how she came to lower herself to such mediocrity, but it didn’t matter.

She had him here, and he was infinitely better than any male. 

He just had to make her realize that now. 

Twisted thoughts continued to wander while he watched her speak to the person at the counter, using his card to purchase their lunch. It made him feel warm and tingly to see her using his money to purchase things, showing his ability to supply her with what she wanted. It was like a mark of ownership that had him salivating.

Just like the time that she had shown up to a small gathering wearing a lovely sundress, a blue and yellow flouncy thing that was covered in white lilies. When Mamoru had asked where she had gotten it, she blushed so beautifully before glancing at Diamond and telling her boyfriend that she had gotten it during a shopping trip funded by the other man. 

The darker man glared at him as if he wanted to murder him and it gave him the greatest thrill to see it. Mamoru was clearly incensed but refused to show it to the beaming young woman. However he had noticed the clenched jaw and narrowed gaze, the icing on the cake for him was when she had nonchalantly revealed it was directly picked out by him. 

What she hadn’t told her boyfriend was how there had been a version of that same dress covered in blooming red roses that she had wanted to get. However he had talked her into the white flower dress, stating that it looked better with her complexion, and it was true, but he would be damned if he let her wear the symbol of the other man if he could help it.

As it stood now though, he had to figure out what was wrong. Because she had called him to meet, sounding all but in tears, and he had to know who to find and kill for hurting her.

Usagi was putting on a brave face in the moment, but he could see the dark circles under her eyes and a tremble at the corners of her lush lips giving away her sadness. It was adorable that she thought she could hide it from him. If she knew how much he watched her, she would know that was a futile effort, but he let her pretend for the moment.

Sitting the tray laden with pastries- parfait and tea for her and a croissant with coffee for him in the middle of their table- with a small giggle, Usagi plopped down across from him.

“I love this place. They make the best parfait!“ She said, doing her best to ignore the way they touched as she handed his card back, the soft skin of his finger rubbed against hers making her gasp. As quiet as she tried to be, she knew the blush on her cheeks gave her away. She cleared her throat before taking a large bite of her parfait.

“I am so very glad you’re happy, my dear.” Diamond said smoothly, taking a drink of his coffee, smiling indulgently afterward.

“How has Sapphire been lately?” Usagi felt her mouth move quickly, her brain barely making sense of what she was babbling, “Luna has been riding me to apply for colleges, but I don’t want-” She hated how nervous he made her, and it wasn’t just that he was in love with her future Queen self, but his concentration on everything she said was all consuming. She wasn’t used to people paying so much attention to her.

Not even Mamo. She frowned at the absent though.

“Usagi.” Her name spoken so firmly stopped her rambling, and broke her out of her thoughts, “Sapphire is well, thank you for asking, he will be grateful to hear you asked after him. And I would like to hear more about whatever this ‘college’ is and why your familiar is being so pushy about it. But that’s not why you called me, is it sweetheart?” A soft hand slid across the table, cupping around hers squeezing comfortingly before he continued, “What’s happened to make you so sad? I will fix whatever it is.” 

Diamond’s sophisticated tone was laced with steel, smooth brow furrowed and Usagi had no doubt he would try. She shook her head though, and responded, “No, you’re right. I’m sorry.” She sighed despondently, “I-it’s…,” quietly, almost reluctantly she continued, “Mamoru.” Her eyes followed her finger as it traced along the rim of her rapidly liquifying parfait in the glass.

Of course it was. He thought spitefully, but also, gleefully. This wouldn’t be the first time she had come to him with complaints about the other man. Ever since her friends, the other Senshi, had become unavailable for one reason or another she had come to him more and more for everything.

All according to plan of course.

Over time she confided in him her confusion about her friends' increasing absences, and their seeming avoidance of her. They weren’t under any attacks, so the Senshi weren’t needed at the moment like usual, but she had lamented to him that they still saw each other in between those times.

Though now not so much for some reason.

What she didn’t know though was his part in fostering their necessary distance.

Sapphire was taking up most of Minako’s time, his younger brother had told him he found himself becoming infatuated with the blonde starlet. The two made a striking couple, and it worked to keep the guardian of Venus out of his hair for the moment, so he fostered the relationship for his brother. 

His darling Usagi was so happy for her friend finally finding a stable relationship she refused to interrupt the honeymoon phase and chose to keep her distance. If the other woman proved herself to be of a good influence to his Usagi, maybe she could be permitted to maintain contact, but he would have to see.

Ami and Makoto, Mercury and Jupiter, were both on vacation, unknown to them he had paid for their trips to places far away and they weren’t due back for quite some time. If he had used a bit of suggestion on them to get them to not answer their messages too much, well, that was for him to know and enjoy the fruits of. 

Sadly though, Usagi didn’t understand why the two friends weren’t responding as much to her, but she let them have their fun and stopped trying as much after a time. When she cried on his shoulder at feeling snubbed, he stated with a sympathetic tone that that was still no excuse for their negligence toward her, of course, and the downcast expression on her face almost made him feel bad about his part in her sadness. 

That was , until she proceeded to hug him tightly, head fitting so, so snugly into his chest. Her tiny but strong arms wrapped around his narrow waist. She sniffed softly that she was grateful for his support. After such an endearing, satisfying display, he couldn't find it in himself to regret anything.

The priestess, Rei, was another matter. She was a tougher nut to crack. Being spiritually powerful and headstrong, she was much more resistant to his powers. His third eye was all but useless against her.

Thankfully, her grandfather was much more susceptible which drew the priestess’ attention away from him, but she was still a weak link he had to keep an eye on. 

Thankfully, her and Usagi weren’t as close as the others, which helped.

None of them deserved her. 

They treated her like trash, instead of the angelic goddess she was and is. He would treat her the way she deserved though, his queen, his love. She would never want for anything with him.

Mamoru, future King Endymion, was the only piece of the puzzle that refused to get out of the way. Like a bur stuck to his pant leg, or a thorn under his nail, the man was an irritating reminder that Usagi continued to not be his. He was very aware that as long as the other man was a factor, she never would be. But the dark haired man remained untouchable, for the moment.

Though he was working on that.

So Diamond found himself intensely curious about what could have happened to make Usagi so melancholy, and tried to pay attention between imaginings of the many ways he could tear Mamoru apart both physically and emotionally. Now that he knew the group of warriors a bit better, he had a few ideas of how to get the pathetic excuse of a partner out of the way of the pursuit of his Queen, but he had yet to put any into action. 

“...he has been distant.” He came back to her from his thoughts just in time to hear the end of her sentence. Thankfully she continued, her tone melancholy, “I confronted him and he admitted that his college is sending him on a trip overseas to intern at a hospital. He said he didn’t want to hurt me, but pushing me away hurts me more than just being honest.” 

Usagi felt frustration and anger at Mamo rising as she explained the situation to Diamond. How he was doing it again. Pushing her away because he was worried about her reaction to something he thought would upset her. It was like he felt he couldn’t just talk to her like a partner, like she was someone who hadn’t saved the universe multiple times now. 

Saved him .

“My dear,” Diamond began, with Usagi doing her best to ignore the shiver his term of endearment gave her. His tone was soft and understanding in a way that had her muscles unconsciously loosening, because it wasn’t pity she heard there, but understanding and that was just what she needed. “He must be a bigger fool than I thought to not understand that you are strong and smart enough to deal with anything he could throw at you.”

Her first instinct was to defend her boyfriend, the man that would one day be her husband according to the future, “He’s not a fool, he’s just…” She paused, looking for the word, “protective,” she finished on a sigh, her eyes downcast, not needing to see Diamond’s raised skeptical brow at the pathetic defense.

“Either way, I just appreciate you being here for me and letting me ramble. I know it’s stupid but it’s just not something I feel I can talk to the others about.” She replied after a moment of silence, pulling her hand away from his firm hold and picking up her spoon again.

“I’m always on your side, Usagi. You’re my…” he paused, about to say love, but he thought better of it finished with a grimace she interpreted as a smile, “friend.” 

His eyes intensely tracked the spoon's trail from her lips, and her tongue's path to scoop the cream from their softness. Like a magnet, he couldn’t have looked away if he had wished.

Diamond came home after his lunch with his dear Usagi to see his brother typing away at his computer.

Sapphire twisted in his chair at the sound of the door opening. He closed his laptop with a snap and said, “So how is your little Moon Queen, brother?” He made sure his voice was soft and innocuous. Ever since his brother had engaged in this plan, Sapphire had learned quickly when bringing Usagi up in conversation, to be careful of his words and tone. 

Overall, Diamond really did seem to be doing much better than he had been when under the ‘guidance’ of Wiseman, but his intense fascination with the younger version of the Queen was stronger than ever.

Sapphire shifted as he remembered questioning his brother’s plans, his choices in regards to this, and decided quickly to abandon such pointless pursuits. Besides, as long as she doesn’t do anything to hurt Diamond, they would have no problems in his opinion.

Unlike the Neo Queen though, he didn’t see that being an issue. Usagi really was a sweet young woman, and if she could make his brother smile so brightly, well, that was something he supported his brother in.

“She is wonderful,” Diamond sighed like the lovesick fool he was, elegantly falling upon the sofa. His long legs crossed at the ankle, and he propped his elbow on the arm, his head tilting as he considered the ceiling. “I might not even need to call on that irritating woman to get him out of our hair, with how he is sabotaging himself.” He finished with a dark chuckle, remembering the anger in Usagi’s eyes when talking about her ‘boyfriend’.

Yes , he thought, his heart pounding a staccato rhythm that mirrored the syllables of her name against the inside of his chest, my love. I will never leave you or push you away.

Sapphire hummed and flicked a piece of lint from his lapel, “All the better. I wasn’t looking forward to having to interact with another Senshi. Except for my Venus, of course.”

Diamond chuckled at his brother’s attempt to look cool about his relationship with the energetic woman. He was almost as smitten with her as he was with Usagi.

Almost.

Chapter Text

“Mama! Where is my favorite skirt?!”

Usagi called from under her bed, her upper body buried beneath it as she searched for the pink flouncy skirt that had her favorite rabbit character on it.

“If you can’t find it under there then it’s probably in the wash, sweetie.”

The soft, patient voice of Ikuko was muffled but still clear enough for her to hear. She popped up and saw her mother standing in the doorway holding a clothes basket.

“Ugh!” Usagi sighed in frustration, grabbing a random skirt from the floor and pulling it on, not before sniffing it though. 

After she was finally dressed, her mother cupped her chin and looked at her softly, with understanding, “Sweetie, you are eighteen, if you want your laundry done, do it yourself. I taught you how.”

“But you washed HIS clothes!” The blonde - who had saved the world multiple times now - cried accusingly, pointing dramatically at the smirking demon she called brother, who leaned arrogantly against her doorframe.

“Yes, because Shingo’s still fourteen years old. Unlike you, an adult still living at home, who should be doing her own laundry.”

“I don’t have time to do the laundry. I have to meet Minako in like…” She glanced at her Sailor V bedside clock and she squealed in shock seeing the time, “five minutes!”

“Well then you’d better get a move on, shouldn’t you?”

Usagi pouted and her mother patted her on the head before promptly leaving. Trailing after the woman was Usagi's annoying little brother who stuck his tongue out at her. She scowled at his back, her reddened cheeks puffing with impotent rage and frustration. She raced from her room and out the door to make it to Minako on time. 

As she ran down the street, ignoring the stares and disapproving head shakes from older couples, she considered the fact that this wasn’t the first time something of hers had gone missing recently. 

First it was that shirt. Then a few pairs of underwear, even socks. The ones with the little pink bows on them -  her favourite pair even - weren't safe. She knew she could be absentminded, but this was getting ridiculous. 

Her thoughts on the missing items were scattered when she spotted the other blonde leaning against a window display, looking so cool and lovely, as usual.

“Minako!” She squealed happily.

Her fellow Senshi turned and waved at her with both arms, jumping in the air like a madwoman, completely breaking the illusion of the cool idol.

“Usagi!” Her friend squealed back, also ecstatic at seeing the other.

When they embraced, it was like home for Usagi. A bittersweet feeling lingered, however because the rest of them weren’t there. It felt like her friends were scattered to the four winds at times. All except Mina, and Rei who was still suspicious of their new friends, Diamond and Sapphire.

That was just her though. 

Rei didn’t trust anyone easily, let alone people that had been the leaders of an empire that had wanted to destroy their future. On more than one occasion, she and Rei had gotten into screaming matches about them. Which is why Usagi was truly grateful she hadn’t told the hotheaded woman about what Diamond had tried with her before he was redeemed. 

That would have had Rei accepting the brothers becoming part of their group even less than she did now, which is to say not at all.

“Is this a private affair, or can I steal my girlfriend from the Queen?”

Wait what? 

It was like the stray thoughts had summoned them, because there they were- the blue and silver haired brothers exiting the store Minako had been standing in front of, startling Usagi from the embrace. A confused chuckle escaped her, and a nervous one from Minako, with Sapphire just smirking at them.  

Diamond gently smiled, following behind his brother. He was so sophisticated in his slacks that didn’t have a single crease in them. Lean torso clad in a button up that had the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, exposing thick corded forearms that caused her cheeks to heat embarrassingly. His silver hair gleamed in the sunlight, reminding her of the moon she embodied. As shocked as she was to see them, they clearly weren’t experiencing the same, clearly having expected her there. 

All she could do was look at Venus for clarification, her arms crossed and her foot tapped imperiously. 

The way she inadvertently looked every inch like the Queen that Sapphire had called her-so regal, so much like a softer version of her future self- had Diamond’s slacks tightening in arousal. It reminded him that she was born, made to and meant to rule, to dominate the lesser human species, all she needed was the right circumstances for it to be revealed.

“Ummm, yeah, Usagi, I was thinking….”

Minako sheepishly explained to her about how she had been getting ready for their day out, about to leave, but Sapphire had looked so sad and lonely that she just couldn’t leave him alone. To avoid her feeling like a third wheel, Sapphire had suggested bringing Diamond along with them, to be her partner.

Usagi figured it made sense, especially since Mamo wasn’t available, he was busy with a shift at the hospital, as usual these days, but she felt a shiver of nerves run under her skin. An awareness of the tall man next to her, every step had him swaying nearer to her. 

Like he was a planet that was pulled into her orbit with every passing second.

They walked in silence after Minako had finished. Saphire walked with his arm wrapped around her shoulders and hers around his waist, seemingly attached by the hip. It looked sweet, but there was something…unsettling and dangerous about the look in Sapphire’s eyes as he gazed down at the Venus guardians head that she had to shake her head to dislodge it.

She was so busy considering the couple that she missed the gaze being bestowed on her by the man next to her, which made the look in his brother’s eyes seem like a boy with a crush. 

Possession, and growing obsession radiated from his lavender gaze, and she was completely oblivious to it.

However, there was something she just had to ask.

“Hey, Sapphire…”

“Yes?”

“Why did you call me ‘ Queen ’ earlier?”

Her innocent question shocked Sapphire, but when he glanced back, Diamond just smirked meanly at him and shrugged. His Venus was looking at him as if she just realized he had said it as well.

His brother’s choice of mate really was quite sharp when she wanted to be , he thought acerbically. Diamond liked to mention how smart she was during his frequent rants about her. However, it was hard to remember when the future Queen of Crystal Tokyo had trouble figuring out basic arithmetic without assistance, and sometimes with assistance.

“Just a slip of the tongue, my dear, I'm sure.”

Diamond answered for him, just as he opened his mouth, uncertain what excuse he would have given anyway, so he just nodded in silent apology to the blonde young woman. 

She was sheltered in his brother’s shadow, the darkness enveloping her like a lunar eclipse blocked the sun. The irony wasn’t lost on him.

“Oh,” Usagi responded, ruefully rubbing the back of her head with a grin, “That makes sense, sorry.”

“I don’t see what the problem is. You will be the Queen of Crystal Tokyo after all-hell, you’ll eventually be the full-on Empress of the whole Earth in a thousand years! With Mamoru as your King, no less!”

Minako said it so casually, with a flick of her wrist and everything, that it took Diamond a full few steps behind the canoodling couple before he realized what she had said. It was mostly Usagi tensing next to him that clued him in, making him lock up her steps. His back became stiff and unyielding as he worked to keep up a polite expression and not explode on the sidewalk. The third eye in the middle of his forehead was itching to come out and blast a hole in the head of the ditzy blonde his brother’s arm tensed protectively around. As if the blue haired man could feel the animosity aimed at his conquest. His restraint was being sorely tested, he ground his jaw and clenched his fists to reign in his temper.

To claim his Usagi for that fool , it was unforgivable.

Sapphire in fact, did feel the instantaneous murderous aura from his brother, a glance over his shoulder and Diamond’s cold laser-like stare confirmed as much. He had fucked up around his brother’s prey too many times today, and now this from his girl; he was going to hear about it when they got home.

As they made their way to the restaurant, the two brothers quietly listened to the two young women they loved talk animatedly to each other. About things the two men from the future barely understood.

Who was Queen Beryl and why was she a ginger witch?

What was a Jadeite?

Then they were arguing about who made a better Sailor Moon between the two of them. Apparently Venus had impersonated Usagi as Sailor Moon to trick an enemy when they got too close to her secret identity.

It was a smart plan, but Diamond doesn’t know how someone could be tricked like that. His Usagi is vibrant in a way that radiates through her Sailor form; he had known she was the younger Queen Serenity the second he had seen her.

He watched Usagi, unable to look away. She was so beautiful, so special, it made his chest ache. He grabbed where the persistent ache was, and as always, it was stationed right over his heart. Because of course, she was his heart, the only person it beat for anymore. 

Sapphire interrupted his musings, murmuring to him, “I apologize for Minako, brother. She didn’t know what she was saying.”

“We’ll talk about it at home, Saph. Not here.”

When they arrived, Diamond made sure to maneuver them so that he was sitting in the booth next to his moonbeam. Not that it took too much effort, with Sapphire keeping Minako’s attention so expertly. It was almost uncomfortable how familiar the look in his younger brother’s eyes was for the other blonde, because it was the same look he got when he looked at his Usagi.

For she truly was his, heart and soul, and he refused to let anyone say otherwise.

Even her.

He couldn’t wait until he could say that to her face, that he knew what was best, and how to take care of her better than anyone, to make her happy. Certainly better than Mamoru fucking Chiba.

Freely able to cup her cheek and kiss her, worship his Queen the way she deserved. This whole planet belonged to her, and none of them were worthy to even be in her presence.

Usagi’s sweet voice broke him out of his spiraling thoughts.

“Diamond?”

“Yes, my dear?” He turned toward her and looked to where one of her delicate fingers was pointing. Would she mind if he took that finger into his mouth and nibbled it, tasting her skin, rolling the flesh from her fingerpad on his tongue?

“May I take your order?”

“Yes of course, my apologies.” Diamond rested his long arm on the back of the booth over Usagi’s shoulder, very proprietary and intentional on his part. “I'll take whatever she’s having,” his head tilted in the direction of the woman next to him.

“Awww what a cute couple!” someone across from them muttered to their lunch partner, Usagi saw them looking over smiling at them. She could imagine what they saw, and though it made her uncomfortable, she didn’t know what to do about it. She wasn’t even sure what about it made her feel that way, he was pretty, and nice, but…he wasn't Mamo, her future...

“It’s better this way, don’t you think?” Diamond’s question came out of nowhere, her head turning toward him quickly, her thoughts cut off and scattered.

“What?” Usagi asked, shocked and trying to figure out what he meant.

“Better they think that I am a doting boyfriend than a neglectful one. Right?”

Diamond noticed her tense and removed the arm on the back of the booth, only to take her hand in his, cupping the smaller appendage tightly and securely. It was hard to push back the smirk that threatened to emerge, he knew his comment hit home the second she clenched her hand in his. Her gaze stubbornly refused to leave the menu on the table, but he was looking close enough that he saw the way her eyes started swimming with unshed tears. He wanted her to think about how he was here for her, when that damned Earth brat wasn’t.

Usagi wanted to scream and pull away from him, but she couldn’t, it wasn’t his fault Mamo couldn’t be here. His hospital job required him to be available at all times, and remembering that made her recall how he would be gone to another country for months. She would be unable to see him, talk to him, kiss him, on the rare moments he was available, then it would soon be nothing. She could feel the way Diamond was gazing at her and when she glanced at him finally, she saw eyes that were shining with mirth and so happy, unable to shoot that down, all she did was smile and nod silently.

Music blared from multiple arcade games, a multitude of neon lights glowed, and the sounds of laughter echoed, signifying the joy of the people playing. It was the plan the two blondes had made and hadn’t deviated from despite the impromptu guests that had accompanied them. 

Minako cheered, throwing up her customary victory V, after she knocked Usagi’s character out for the fourth time. Her smile fell, however, when instead of pouting and screaming shrilly about how she would beat her next time, all her friend did was scowl blankly at the screen. It was then that she realized something might be wrong. Then again, when she thought about it, the usually rambunctious blonde had been suspiciously quiet all day. Minako bit her lip, a creeping feeling of guilt surfaced due to the belief that she might have been inadvertently neglecting Usagi.

Sapphire and Diamond had stepped away to get them some drinks at the arcade’s refreshment stand, which gave her the privacy to ask, “Are you ok?”

Usagi looked at her worried friend and shook her head, with the noise of the games and laughing around them, knowing they wouldn’t be overheard, she finally felt alright enough to go into everything. It took all her willpower to hold back her tears -which was hard for a crybaby like her- but she managed. Only one measly tear dropped which Minako wiped away tenderly.

Finally being able to get everything off her chest, everything she’d been keeping inside, felt so good; the stress and anxiety of losing Mamoru again, the slow separation of their group, her mother being on her case about not going to college, a job, her thoughts about moving out but not knowing where she would go and how she would afford it. 

It had all been building up since the fall of Wise Man, it felt like.

“I’m supposed to be this powerful being,” she muttered thickly, her voice catching in her throat, “able to wield the Silver Crystal- an element of the cosmos itself- but I can’t even get my own life in order! Instead it feels like everything is slipping out of my grasp and I don’t know how to stop it!” She finished her speech with a heavy sigh, the weight that had been on her chest before getting all that out felt like it had lifted like magic.

“I’m sorry sweetie, I would totally offer to move in with you but I am moving in with Sapphire at the end of the month.”

Usagi’s jaw dropped.

“It’s too bad your mom and dad wouldn’t let you move in with Mamoru.”

The subsequent gasp she gave at that, on top of her mouth being open, had her hacking a cough as spittle went down the wrong tube.

After recovering she wheezed, “I couldn’t even if they would let me.” Minako’s blank look had her elaborating pointedly, “His apartment doesn’t allow cats.”

Minako’s face cleared from confusion, realizing that just like she had Artemis, Usagi had Luna to think of. She couldn’t abandon her advisor and friend.

“And where are you going that doesn’t allow cats?” His tone was chilly in a way that had the hairs on her arms raising in alarm. The crisp accented voice once again today managed to sneak up on her. A soft, warm hand landed heavily on her shoulder. Long fingers, the same ones that had once grasped her chin tightly and forced her lips to his, squeezed her shoulder, making her shiver. She did her best to shake off the nervous somersaulting of her stomach.

Her thoughts were so scrambled she hadn’t even realized what he said. Before she could think of responding, Minako went ahead and told the brothers everything.

“That would indeed be a problem.” Diamond said after Minako finished, not removing his hand from her. She was aware of him invading her space, it had her breathing heavier, and she wished he would take just a few steps away to allow her to regain her scattered thoughts.

Sapphire just kept quiet, raising a brow to his brother who nodded knowingly. Both actions were missed by the two distracted Senshi. He went on to offer to take Usagi’s place against Minako, and she nodded, embarrassed about how badly she’d been playing anyway.

Usagi talked Diamond’s ear off while she walked him through the arcade he had never been to before. He listened closely to every little piece of information she fed him, like a sumptuous feast. Usually he had to hunt this kind of morsel down on his own, but here it was, offered to him on a silver platter. Bestowed upon him by the very woman he desired more than anything or anyone.

It was his dream. To be with her. Just the two of them, forever. He adored her so much, more than he could ever attempt to express. 

He was so close to grabbing her tiny hand and dragging her into a secluded corner to finally show her how much he loved her, he felt his back teeth tingling with anticipation when he was bumped into. Even worse, Usagi was knocked into him, he grabbed her and marveled at her in his arms for all of a second before she let out a tiny squeak. 

It had his fists vibrating with barely suppressed rage. 

Between Usagi’s friend’s thoughtless comment about Chiba and now this, he was so close to the end of his rope with everybody who wasn’t his Moonbeam.

Diamond whipped his head to the side to glare menacingly at the interloper but the blonde man only had eyes for what was his.

“Usagi! How nice to see you!” The plain looking smiling man glanced at the way Diamond was holding Usagi and his mouth twisted in obvious confusion. He then stepped forward, with his arms open like he expected an embrace but the white haired man refused to let Usagi go to this stranger.

“Motoki, hi! How are you?” Usagi chuckled with embarrassment as her old crush and friend looked at her in the arms of Diamond with confusion. She was trying to get out of the constricting arms but she could feel the bands only get tighter the more she struggled. 

Of course he noticed her squirming but why wouldn’t he make sure to hold on just a touch longer than was polite? He needed to make sure that the new male who deigned to be so casual with his Usagi made the assumption he wanted him to make.

They didn’t look like two friends who got pushed together in a crowded arcade, they looked like a couple who had gotten caught enjoying each other’s embrace. It was perfect, but he needed Usagi to be calm, so he let her go. 

Her blush and refusal to look him in the eye had him smirking in amusement. 

He played with one of her twin tails possessively while he stood sentry at her shoulder as she exchanged pleasantries. She was so distracted she didn’t even notice the way he wrapped her silken sunshine colored hair around his fist, leashing them together, making sure to maintain eye contact with the other man the whole time.

Diamond was ecstatic when the bland blue eyes narrowed and awkwardly shifted away from them, never even making eye contact with Usagi, which he could tell had her utterly confused. 

Eventually she got a text from Minako saying they needed to go.

After managing to drop off Minako and his brother at Saph’s car, Diamond offered chivalrously to drive Usagi home. It totally wasn’t because he wanted more time with her in an enclosed space, with her scent filling up the inside of his car and soaking into the extremely expensive buttery upholstery.=

Upholstery that Usagi was trying her best not to run her hands over and marvel at, but she was sure she gave herself away by gasping at the feel under her fingers. There was a nagging feeling when she heard the deep chuckle fill the space between them. She was incredibly glad that the falling darkness managed to hide her reddened cheeks, but she had a sneaking suspicion that she wasn’t as discreet as she thought she was being.

Before she could embarrass herself further, they thankfully made it to her home. At her direction, the beautiful car rolled to a silent stop in front of her gate. 

The silence that filled the interior was stifling and filled with anxiety to her, but was heaven for him.

Finally, having had enough of the agonizing silence, Usagi reached for the door handle but jumped in shock when a large hand grabbed hers before she could. Her questioning eyes met his, her breath caught at the intensity in his focused gaze, all on her. 

All for her.

Her eyes widened when Diamond started to lean forward, invading her space slowly. Very similar to before in his castle in the future Crystal Tokyo, her in that white dress, him trying to hypnotize her to his will. For some reason she felt more under his spell right now than  she ever had then, and he wasn’t even using his powers. Her head whirled like she was spinning too fast, but the grip he had on her tightened, reminding her that she was completely stuck in one spot.

What is happening to me?

She jumped once again when the door behind her was yanked open abruptly, breaking whatever spell she had been under. It also let her know just how much she had been leaning away from the encroaching Diamond, because she tumbled backwards out of the car at her brother’s feet. A blink and he was back on his side of the car making her wonder if she hadn't imagined him about to kiss her after all.

“Usa, mom said to come inside, you’ve been out here for like ten minutes and the neighbors are gonna think something weird is going on.” Shingo looked over her shoulder to the white haired man tightly gripping the wheel of the car.

Scrambling to stand, ignoring her brother’s snickering, she was about to say goodbye to Diamond when he opened his door and slid out of the car smoothly.

Jaw hanging open, her brother's brow raised in confusion, she started scrambling to keep up, in more than one way. She didn’t understand what was going on. 

What was Diamond doing? 

Why was this happening?

Which God had she pissed off to cause this?

Was this because she stole that pastry from Rei’s that one time? She had said something terrible would happen to her if she did. 

Shit.

Before she could gather her bearings Diamond was holding his hand out to her shitty younger brother. Like he was meeting someone exceptionally important. Shingo looked to her even more confused but took the hand that pumped his smaller hand firmly, with respect, but not aggressively. The taller elegant man’s skin glowed like alabaster in the golden dusk light.

“It is an honor to meet my girlfriend’s brother.”

“Girlfriend?”

Usagi grabbed Diamond’s arm with a desperate laugh,  “He means girl friend , as in friend that’s a girl. Right?!” Wide crystalline blue eyes dart back and forth, “Diamond is foreign, so he doesn’t know how some things are said.”

It sounded like the lamest excuse even to her, but how was she supposed to explain to her brother that Diamond came from a thousand years in the future. She’d be in the looney bin before the night ended.

Shingo looked between the two confusion as clear as glass. His hand still clasped by the other man's, uncertain. He seemed nice enough, an easy smile on his smooth face, but Shingo sensed a depth of danger under his civilized veneer. Despite this, the blonde teen felt his muscles loosening almost against his will. For as much danger as was rolling off of Diamond, there was something about the man that was calming. 

“Of course,” An amused smirk slithered across his face, she knew he had made the mistake on purpose, likely to annoy her, “I am not from your…country. Your lingo goes over my head a lot of the time.”

Diamond gave Shingo a conspiratorial wink over his sister’s head.

Usagi’s adorably puffed cheeks were worth any irritation she might feel toward him for his ‘faux pas’. Besides, all he needed was to plant the smallest seed of doubt in those around her about her ‘relationship’ with him. 

It was all part of the plan of course.

“I thought you were dating that plain looking dark haired guy.” Shingo whispered while miming how tall Mamoru was, both of them trailing behind Diamond for a semblance of privacy. 

Her face was already red with humiliation from her ungraceful exit from the car but at her brother’s question she covered her face with her hands. Just imagining how angry Mamo was going to be if he heard about this…

Wait !

“Mamo is not ‘plain looking’!” She whispered indignantly, punching Shingo’s shoulder. 

He just chuckled, rubbing his sore arm in response. 

Damn, Usagi really doesn’t know her own strength for a weak crybaby, Shingo thought bitterly, “Compared to him,” narrow chin thrown toward the broad back they followed, “your boytoy most definitely is the definition of plain.”

Walking behind him as they were they didn’t see how Diamond was smirking, their whispering not nearly as inconspicuous as they thought. He could hear them without much effort, thanks to his enhanced hearing. He enjoyed hearing how even his darling’s brother knew how awful Chiba was compared to him. Without her preconceived loyalty to her past with Endymion, even Usagi would acknowledge it. 

Diamond knew the biggest test would be maintaining patience as he worked her beyond their deplorable history and to the truth that he was the one for her, not Chiba.

He leaned against the window in his apartment thinking how the evening had gone. The view was second to none, on the top floor of a thirty story apartment complex he owned, it was magnificent of course and privacy was paramount for many reasons. 

Just as he liked it. 

In fact, when he considered it, the building very much reminded him of the Crystal Palace in the future. 

Speaking of the future, the second Diamond laid eyes on Ikuko Tsukino, he knew she would be crucial to his plans to obtain Usagi. It made sense, his girl was very attached to her family, and he loved that about her, as he loved so many things about her. So when the purple haired mother of his Queen invited him for lunch this week at the same home he had just left, well, he wasn’t going to say no. Usagi’s helpless expression watching it all go down made him giddy.

He sat in the dark, still as furniture, the only sound the ticking of the clock and the low hum of her voice from the tape. Her smile and the way her eyes lit up as he made a joke or did some magic for her, played through his thoughts as if recorded into his brain on a loop.

Over and over, assisted by the soft noises that came from his laptop.

Every night, he had the same ritual. He listened to her sweet voice recorded on more than one occasion,  while looking at one of the many photos of her he took when she didn’t know she was being watched. 

Perfect in those stolen moments, but they wouldn’t need to be stolen for long if his plan came to fruition. He scoffed internally, if implied there was a chance for failure, when was better..

She lived too far from him, emotionally, physically. Her world didn’t yet bend in his direction the way his did for her. Soon, it would. With the right pressure, everything would bend.

All he needed was to make her realize that he was what she needed. Make her realize he was the best person to stop all of the bad in her life.

The loneliness she felt despite being surrounded by people, he could cure it. He was the only one she needed, not the friends who never really knew her. He was the one who knew her routines and likes, not the family that consistently underestimated her.

She was a drifting sakura petal in the breeze, one that would eventually fall into his grasp. Wrap around her like a serpent coiled around prey that struggled less and less with each passing second.

Unlike how he had acted before, he realized now he didn’t need to force anything with her. Like a hunter,he just needed to be patient, persistent. Lay the trap, bait it, and wait.

He sat in a chair and leaned forward, hands clasped tightly in his lap, knuckles white around the silky fabric gripped tightly, eyes unblinking as he stared at the laptop, entranced.

“I could make you happy,” Diamond whispered to the video of Usagi as she danced around her room in her pajamas, his lips curled at the ends at the sight of the would-be Neo Queen Serenity acting so carefree. 

He liked it. 

“I could keep you.” He paused, caressing her face with a finger, before amending his statement to the darkness of the room, over the soft glow of the laptop, “I will .”

The bear he had given her weeks ago was still propped in just the right position for him to see everything he wanted. He hummed, a finger running across his lips as he considered the assortment of clothes she was tossing around haphazardly. 

Those shorts she had thrown into a corner would go wonderfully with that top he had gotten from her room the other day. 

Paired with those adorable pink bunny socks? 

Yes, they would do nicely.

The uncomfortable tightness in his slacks when he saw or thought of Usagi, somehow managed to become even more so when she began removing her clothes for bedtime. This was his favorite time of the day, unbuttonging his slacks along with her undressing, it was like he was there with her. 

Like they were preparing to end the long day together. 

Soft pink panties were summoned as without preamble he took his cock into his hand, hissing at the feel of the cold satin coming into contact with hot throbbing flesh.

The stroking began slowly, leisurely, his every thought dominated by Usagi. His hand gradually moved faster until his mind was near mush and he couldn't stop low, growling, needy moans from escaping his mouth. His aroused groans joined the chorus and echoed off of the high ceilings of his penthouse. 

His eyes never left the footage on the computer while he began to shamelessly thrust into his fist, unable to stop as he only thought about Usagi and how desperately he craved her touch, her lips brushing against his throat, his cock slipping in and out of her tight greedy hole, and his teeth sinking into her flesh to mark her as his. 

Claiming her for eternity.

The coiling heat at the base of his spine was released with a pained groan when her voice whispered a sleepy ‘good night’ he knew it was for her advisor Luna, but imagined it was just for him while spilling his seed into and onto his still squeezing hand. Hoarse panted worshipful repetitions of her name were the background noise that accompanied his fading orgasm. Such a lackluster thing, compared to how it would be with her, but he needed something to hold him over until she was here.

She just had to need him, and if she wouldn’t see it on her own, he’d help her.

All it would take was one opportunity.

Chapter Text

“Luna, what do I do!?” Usagi’s wailed cry was muffled into her pillow after she fell face first onto her stuffed animal infested pink bunny bedspread. Twin tails streamed and fluttered behind her like sad ribbons being cut.

“Usagi, are you alright?” Luna asked with concern, uncurling herself from her sun spot and padding over to her reclining Princess. She worried for the girl, the reincarnated daughter of the Queen of the Moon, the future Empress of their planet, entrusted to her over a thousand years ago to guide to her fullest potential. 

“You didn’t run into another monster did you?” she asked, ready to launch into research mode. Things had been very quiet lately for some reason, almost too quiet. Luna had discussed it with Artemis and they were both nervously awaiting the next catastrophe.

Could this be it?

Chaos had always seemed to follow Usagi, it was frustrating but amusing. At least when she wasn’t almost dying from some random beast or enemy popping up. Now however, there was something else, something more, to it. Uncertainty and conflict shadowed her normal glowing aura, and Luna had no idea what to do about it. She wanted so badly to help, not just because she was the former Princess of the Moon or Sailor Moon, but because she had grown to love Usagi. 

For all of the ditzy hero’s faults, Luna did love her, and wanted nothing more than for her to be happy.

“I don’t know. I just…” Usagi hesitated, her face still buried in the pillows and cloudlike fluffiness. 

Luna’s ears twitched trying to hear her through the obstruction, coming to sit next to her charge’s head.

“...mom told me Diamond is coming to dinner tonight, and I…”

The cat guardian’s sable fur rippled, her large amber eyes widening in surprise.

“They did what now? Tonight? Why?”

Usagi twisted her body to stare at the ceiling despondently, “That’s what I asked, not that I’m not happy to have my friend over, but they haven’t even asked Mamo over for dinner yet. Now this after just one meeting!”

She wasn’t sure how to explain this to Luna, to describe this dreadful, uneasy, confused desire that haunted her waking moments and dreams.

All centered around a certain white haired sexy menace of a man. 

Luna pondered anxiously while Usagi rambled. About how and why her father hated Mamoru, about other things she tuned out but nodded to seem like she was listening, used to these rants the Moon princess would go into occasionally. She managed to pick up that Ikuko had explained how they had all been so charmed by Diamond when they met him the other night that they wanted him to visit again. 

In fact, her father had insisted.

Luna’s little nose twitched with irritation, it all smelled fishy personally, and not in a good way. 

Then again, she had never been overly fond of the Black Moon brothers, for obvious reasons. Though Usagi insisted they were changed now. Luna found she couldn’t refute her claim that other former enemies had changed sides and become good, but there was something about Diamond in particular that made her hackles raise. 

Sapphire too, but him especially, and Usagi claimed them as friends so she couldn’t stop it. She’d tried that before and it never worked, just pushed the headstrong young woman harder into doing what she advised against. So she resolved to sit back and keep the closest eye she could on them, but it didn’t help the uneasiness she continued to sense.

It was in the way he stared a little too intensely at Usagi, like Artemis when he saw a plump mouse with a broken leg.

There was frightening feral hunger, a dark yearning that gleamed from his lavender eyes only when they beheld Usagi. 

She’d seen enemies gaze at the Silver Crystal similarly before, but never a person...until now.

Needless to say, it was unsettling. She’d had more than a few chats with Rei and Ami about it. Now with Ami off with Makoto, who knows where, and Rei taking care of her ailing grandfather, it was up to her to keep an eye on things.

Him being seemingly embraced by Usagi’s family was suspicious, but Luna didn’t want to say anything before she had more evidence.

The moon cat’s attention was brought back in time to hear Usagi finish while sitting up, “...and I have no idea what to wear!”

Resting her chin on top of her paws Luna smiled fondly at how comfortably predictable Usagi could be sometimes.

“I will help you of course, my dear.”

Usagi sighed in relief, and Luna swore to make sure to keep an ear and an eye out for any suspicious activity from the former enemy this evening.

A small paw cupped her chin, her long tail swishing restlessly with thought.

I’ll have to keep an eye on Diamond tonight and see if he’s really up to any funny business.

Usagi’s certain she had to be hallucinating what she was seeing, or that someone was playing a prank on her. Maybe she was being psychically attacked by a particularly strong monster. Any of those were more likely than her father and Diamond laughing over some nerdy computer programming software. 

Yet there they were, and she couldn’t help but marvel at it, hovering behind them trying to comprehend the mystifying scene.

All evening, from the moment he arrived, Diamond had managed to charm her father and mother just as he did the other night when he dropped her off. He’d started the evening by being the ideal guest, bringing a dish for dinner, bowing just the right way, he even shook her brother’s hand.

All in all he had been the perfect gentleman.

She was also having a wonderful time, and it made her feel vaguely uncomfortable.

The only thing she couldn’t pin down was why she felt that way. 

Why did every secret smile he sent her, each peal of musical laughter at her dumb jokes, and the warm hand he placed on her lower back to escort her into her seat, make her feel like she was betraying Mamoru somehow.

That was ridiculous though, right?

He was just a friend that’s come for dinner, nothing more. Yet, it somehow felt like more, as she watched her father patting Diamond’s broad shoulder in approval like she always imagined him doing to Mamoru. Her mother handed him his tea as she leaned over the table and he thanked her gallantly, causing a light blush on the older woman’s face. Her no nonsense mother simpering at the compliments he freely shared about her taste in decor.

They were treating him like a member of the family.

Lost in thought as she was, she jolted when she realized she was staring like a weirdo at the man next to her. Diamond suddenly glanced over at her causing her to blush like a moron, his smile spreading even more showing his straight white teeth, causing his eyes to sparkle like his namesake when he caught her.

Oh lord, how mortifying. Why can’t a monster attack right now?

She stared daggers at her communicator praying for it to beep, anything, to save her from this humiliation. When the small device continued its refusal to submit to her burning glare she lowered her head and started digging into her food to distract herself from the awkwardness.

“Don’t you think, Usagi?”

Diamond observed with concealed amusement how her head shot up, looking at them adorably confused, but when she glanced over at him a nervous energy radiated from her. She looked hunted, like prey, and it made him want to grab her and force that look onto her face for all of eternity. She was just so beautiful, so tempting. Everything about her, everything she did drove him that much more crazy for her. 

Clenching his hands tightly around the cutlery, he took a deep breath to remain calm and waited for her to swallow her large mouthful of food. 

He chuckled deeply when she asked what the question was.

Massaging the back of her head with a sheepish grin she said, “I...wasn’t paying attention,” she admitted, cringing in her seat before apologizing contritely, “sorry.” She wasn’t about to explain that she’d been admiring the pretty profile next to her, thinking about how right this all felt in the weirdest way.

Ikuko just sighed and said, “Usagi, you need to pay attention. It’s rude to your guest.”

Usagi bit her tongue against the urge to snark back that she wasn’t the one to invite Diamond over in the first place. Jolting in her seat when he placed a hand on hers, cupping it on the table. It was an intimate thing but so simple it caused that flush that had started to fade to pop right back onto her cheeks.

“Truly it’s alright ma’am.” Diamond soothed, continuing as her mother simpered about polite young men, “I know Usagi is a very special woman and has a lot going on in her pretty head. It can be hard to keep everything straight sometimes.”

Usagi burned with an uncontrollable blush of flattery at him calling her pretty. They shared a wry grin both knowing her secret identity and her believing that that must be what he was referring to. Then almost choked on a gasp feeling a gentle thumb rub over the back of her knuckles soothingly.

“That’s very understanding of you. Usagi is very special,” Her mother smiled at him, his charm calming the situation like a pro, and patiently continued, "he was saying that he is looking for a new secretary, but hasn’t found anyone yet.”

Usagi calmed herself down so she could listen to her mother, not wanting to get scolded again. He was defending her to her parents, against her own air headedness, it was a sweet thing. 

Nothing more.

Yet his hand lingered, now switching to rub the soft pad of his thumb against her palm. She felt it, but it wasn’t noticed by her parents. It made her insides twist and dance like she was being electrocuted.

Holding his Empress’ hand was like coming home, and he vowed to do everything in his power to keep this feeling. Tightening his grip, he ignored the way she tried to politely pull away. Hiding his smile, he took a bite of his food with the other hand.

“Usagi here is looking for a job now that she’s graduated high school, maybe she could apply for the position?”

Finally letting Usagi pull away, Diamond veiled his devious smile behind a napkin under the guise of surprise. It was almost ridiculous how well this was going. At this rate he didn't even think he’d have to hypnotize anyone to get what he wanted, but the option was not off the table.

What!? 

Usagi squeaked in indignation, “Dad!”

“What, it’s true. You’re growing up Usagi. If you’re not going to college, you need to find a way to support yourself especially if you don’t have a partner to help you,” he continued, speaking over her argument that she had Mamoru, “and one day you will need to move out too. You’ll need money for that.”

It was a discussion they’d had before but Usagi looked at her mom in shock at what her father was saying, him suggesting she needed to move out was new. Even Ikuko looked taken aback at the sudden, out of the blue suggestion.

“Daddy! You know I applied to work at the arcade.”

“Yes, and how did that go again?”

“I-I mean, he turned me down…” It had been weird, just weeks before she’d applied Motoki had complained about needing help at the arcade. Yet he had turned her down, saying she didn’t have enough experience. She hadn’t wanted to pry or demand an answer, especially since he had seemed very distracted and spaced out at the time, barely glancing in her direction as he droned his reasons, “but I was gonna reapply later, I swear! O-or find another job…”

Diamond hummed and tilted his head, a strand of pearlescent hair falling in front of an eye, “You told me you were going to apply, but you didn’t tell me he didn’t hire you. How rude…” he trailed off while narrowing his eyes.

That’s right, she recalled how he’d even helped her with her application because Mamoru was too busy, and since she’d never filled one out before.

“Yeah, sorry. I was gonna tell you but I guess it slipped my mind. Besides, Motoki’s a good guy, I just need to find some job experience first.”

“Speaking of experience…”

Usagi’s gut churned nervously at the spark of light in her father’s eyes at Diamond’s words. Why did she feel swept away on a tide she didn’t have a hope of stopping?

Luna watched through the rail of the second floor as Usagi attempted to defend herself. It wasn’t going well, the young woman was so flustered and the cat couldn’t help her charge. It was frustrating, because as airheaded as she was, Usagi was continuing to try to do better. Her father was being much more blatant about these issues then he usually was though, it made her hackles raise in the need to defend the princess. Swallowing down the guilt and knowledge of  how she’d said some of the same words to Usagi on more than one occasion.

For all of her watching, so far Diamond hadn’t done anything out of line that she could put a paw on. Pointing out that Usagi needed to be more mature and using his vast resources to help her wasn’t a villain thing to do. 

So why was she still getting bad vibes?

Somehow, someway, she’d ended up picking at her cake and listening helplessly as her father and Diamond talked out her now upcoming job. Hours, time off, pay, admittedly she would have been completely lost to all of it but it was the fact that she wasn’t sure how to keep up. Unable to take charge of the situation, though Diamond did include her, asking her opinion on things. Like how big a desk she wanted, the color and style of computer she liked, never once asking if she wanted the job to begin with. Though the money did sound nice, she never had any, or wasted her allowance too quickly to appreciate it so maybe overlooking the weirdness wasn’t a bad thing.

Besides, working for her friend wouldn’t be a bad thing. It might even be fun!

Right as she was getting comfortable with the idea of this secretary job, and the cake was finished, they made their way to the lounge for some after dinner coffee. The discussion rolled from talk of jobs and money into moving and apartments. The cost of living in Tokyo and the benefits of apartment living over buying a house.

It was all moving so fast, her head was spinning. She tried to interject but her lips wouldn’t form words.

Ikuko suddenly stood from the couch, her movements jerky with irritation, words clipped, “Kenji, darling, we discussed this and agreed Usagi could live here as long as she got a job,” gesturing to them with her free hand, “and look, now she has a job.”

Having said her peace, she decisively turned and swept away into the kitchen.

Kenji stood up with an apology to Diamond and said he would talk with his wife, following her. 

Diamond casually sipped at his after dessert coffee, “I upset your mother.”

He looked so upset about it she rushed to reassure him, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder, “It’s ok, she’s just...”

Diamond peered at her, finishing her sentence, “Protective. I can relate.” His voice was deep, and pleasant, and she gulped at a flash of something dark in his eyes. An emotion she was unfamiliar with, that had chills chased by fire racing along her skin. 

Shaking it off, she cleared her throat and said, “I’m sorry about my dad, I know he can be a bit much.”

“Say no more, my dear. It’s the least I can do, after all...”  Diamond cupped the side of her face so softly, like she was made of crystal, it was so gentle. Then he had to go and whisper, “You are my savior. My Moon. I want to help you, but if you don’t want to, then…” 

Diamond’s breath stuttered with anticipation as he watched her struggle. Playing on her need to make him feel better as a person she cared about was a gamble. His blood thrummed with the refusal to accept anything other than her agreement, power pulsed like lightning under his skin.

Time to drive the dagger home.

He pulled his hand away from her face, strategically averted his eyes downward and let out a shuddering breath, “...I will of course, accept that you don’t want to work for me or live near me. I know I must still earn your trust, because of my past actions…”

However judging by the slump of her shoulders, the glitter of tears in her eyes, and her grasping his knee, it was a bet that had worked in his favor. The heat of her palm seeped through the fabric of his slacks quickly causing all sorts of problems to arise, he crossed his legs to hide the evidence her proximity was having on him.

“Diamond!” She cried, and oh, her saying his name like that was intoxicating. What wouldn’t he give to hear her cry his name in so many different ways? His rigid cock bucked eagerly to meet her, but he squeezed his thighs to relieve some of the pressure. The sting of pain was lovely and helped to keep him focused.

Their eyes met and she emphatically continued once he met her gaze, “Of course I trust you! I’m sorry if you thought I didn’t. I was just nervous, this is all so sudden and living in your apartment complex and working for you…I would have to explain it to Mamoru…”

It was a close thing, but he managed to hold his instinctive growl to her, bringing him up pushed down, instead he grasped her wrists tightly. Keeping her shackled to him. Instead he averted his eyes so she wouldn’t be able to see the rage flare in them.

She interpreted the movement as sadness and sniffled, certain she had caused him some distress somehow.

Diamond tilted her head up to look at him, with a finger crooked under her chin, “You should accept because it would help you secure a future, and make you a more mature lady. Isn’t that what you said you wanted? If Mamoru can’t accept you becoming independent, then I don’t know how much he really loves you.”

Judging by her indignant gasp and narrowed eyes he was pushing his luck by saying that, but she was making him angry as well now and he lashed out.

“That’s not fair, Diamond. He does love me, and I love him.” She clenched her hands in her lap.

“But he’s not here for you, to take care of you the way you deserve.”

A fiery inferno of rage was coursing through him but he attempted the breathing exercises Sapphire taught him to keep calm, thankful when it subsided to a simmering burn. He would take it out on someone later, but right now, he had a princess to secure in his tower.

She didn’t know how to respond to him pointing out Mamoru’s absence, and how it still hurt, but the reminder wormed its way into her brain just enough, “I just, don’t want to…” she faltered, almost saying ‘cause a fight’. Knowing the minute Mamo found out about all of this, he would not be happy. 

Usagi didn’t want to admit how Mamoru might actually demand she refuse only because it was Diamond offering all of what she’d been secretly wanting, and on a silver platter none the less. The money, experience, security, and independence to be on her own, all provided by someone that Mamo hated for reasons that were in the past.

Her thoughts whirled, Was Diamond right? Would Mamo’s jealous insecurity make him want her to refuse this wonderful opportunity for his own pride?

But he wasn’t here, and couldn’t do anything until he got back, if she even told him. If she was able to be successful enough by the time he got back, maybe it would all be ok.

She’d be a fool to refuse such a generous offer, and they both knew it.

“...but you’re right. I guess I do need to spread my wings, and thanks to your offer I will be able to.”

Checkmate, Diamond inwardly patted himself on the back.

‘Spread my wings’ implied her freedom, but with this agreement she was as trapped as a fox in a snare, she just couldn’t see it yet. He was springing the trap with her own consent, that’s what made it sweeter. There would have been no other option of course, because he wouldn’t have let it go any other way. 

Let her believe it had been her choice if it made her happy.

The ends justified the means after all, and if he had to resort to harsher methods he was more than prepared to do so later, but getting her to agree to her own captivity was infinitely preferable.

“Let’s tell your parents the good news then, my dear.”

Luna was stunned. Things had moved so fast, her head was still spinning. Usagi had a job, which was great. Especially getting a job with someone who knew of her duties and secret, it was a dream, but…but moving out? 

Her Usagi?

Chapter Text

Usagi couldn’t believe it, but she was waking up in her own apartment. Not just any apartment either, the nicest place she’s ever been in aside from the Crystal Tokyo palace. Laying in bed she considered the last few days while anxiously waiting for her alarm to go off, signaling her need to get up and get ready for her first day on the job.

Diamond said he would drive them there, and would introduce her to the building and her new duties as his secretary.

The ‘apartment’ he introduced to her and her parents had all of their jaws hanging open in shock, because it was much closer to the entire floor of a skyrise penthouse than a regular downtown Tokyo apartment. There was so much space she was certain she could hear an echo when she spoke. Sure, she had been expecting a nicer flat but still cramped the way most of the inner city places could be, but this was bigger than her entire house. It felt plain and barren but stylish and modern. 

Diamond assured her she could decorate it to her preferences though. He even left stacks of decor magazines for her to look through and pick furniture, curtains, whatever she wanted.

He assured her that it would all be on him, even though she’d insisted he let her help with some of it when she got her paychecks. A cheer of success echoed through the barren room when he’d agreed. Even though he was the one technically paying her, she wanted to pull her own weight and help. 

As he smirked at her knowingly, all she heard in the back of her head was Rei calling her a ‘mooch’ and she didn’t want Diamond to think that about her too. 

He was already doing so much for her, the least the Moon princess felt like she could do was try to pay for her own comfort objects. Thankfully her knick knacks, posters, and books were here now, but she still had to get most of them out of their boxes and onto shelves. She was sure that would help to make the place feel a little bit like home.

Shock infused her as she’d entered the bedroom, while it was so much unlike her childhood room, she somehow felt more mature just walking through the door.

Usagi let out a resigned sigh, finally starting to rise from the largest bed ever when the familiar trill of her phone’s alarm started. Her pink bunny twin sized bedspread barely took up a quarter of the bed’s space. Petting the sheet, she wondered how many people could actually fit in it. The four poster bed was made of white wood, with gauzy pearlescent sheets hanging from the pillars. It eerily reminded her of the moon palace but was lovely nonetheless.

Opening the closet to pick out her outfit, Usagi nearly squealed in joy. That’s right, Diamond had also provided her with an entirely new wardrobe of the most adorable and wonderful clothes. 

Fancy name brand suits in a multitude of colors that she always saw people rushing around town on their cellphones wearing. Dresses that screamed professional but sophisticated, and casual outfits all filled the closet ready for her to attack the day.

Opening the dressers she couldn’t help looking away, remembering what happened when she explored these drawers the first time yesterday.

Diamond had laughed in amusement, while rubbing the back of his head when she’d held up the tiniest scrap of fabric that surely couldn’t be meant to cover any part of the body. 

Lightly touching the first thing that caught her eye, her face had scrunched up in confusion.

Is this an eye patch?

Touching a pink piece of fabric that looked like it was made of cotton candy more than something you would wear. She had nearly choked on spit when she realized that it was underwear filling the dresser and like a balloon popping, her face flamed in embarrassment. The urge to hide under the bed and never leave again was paramount but his shy explanation broke through her thoughts.

“I’m afraid I may have gone a little overboard, but you deserve only the best. I wasn’t sure what you would need, and the shop people insisted.” Reasoning, he continued, “I figured it would be better to be overprepared for your arrival.” He’d paused looking away like he was the one embarrassed, “If it bothers you I can return all of it. The last thing I wanted was to make you uncomfortable.”

Of course she waved him off wildly, because while it was odd to have a man who wasn’t Mamo picking out her intimates-which he’d never done before-she didn’t want to make him think she was ungrateful. She insisted to herself it wasn’t a big deal, she just would have to try her best to not think about the fact that he would have a good idea of what was under her clothes at any moment.

Easier said than done, but she would keep trying.

Aside from the plain white walls and lack of decoration, soft plush, multi cushioned couches littered the living room and a large television that looked more like a theater screen filled a wall with the latest game consoles connected to it. 

The kitchen was intimidating, with its marble counters, electronic refrigerator, and enough pots and pans to fill a three star restaurant. There was what seemed like outer space cooking technology all over, it would have Makoto drooling with envy. She could just imagine her tall friend cooking herself into a frenzy in here, all the cakes and dinners she could serve. Usagi was afraid to touch anything for fear it would erupt into flames. 

She hoped she could show it to her friends soon, and would love to have them over to have a girls night. 

In fact maybe she could see about that this weekend.

According to Diamond, all of it was to help her transition and feel more comfortable with being away from home. While it definitely was wonderful, and more than she could have dreamed of, it felt…off. Like something was wrong, but she couldn’t figure out what. 

With determination, she shook off the odd feelings and chose an outfit— a light blue skirt and jacket set that fit her perfectly. Then she made herself a simple bowl of cereal, the one with the little marshmallows that she liked and ate it while looking out the large living room window. Watching the tiny cars and even tinier people from at least thirty stories above the city. It almost felt like she should be able to touch the clouds from up here, but the fact that there were floors above hers was even more mind boggling.

It made her feel like a little kid again, and probably looked ridiculous with the way she looked, but it also provided a sense of comfort as well. 

Unfortunately Luna wasn’t here, she could really use her snooty opinion on if what she’d picked out was acceptable or not. Her mother had asked to keep the cat, as a way of keeping a part of Usagi close and Shingo responsible for taking care of her. Her mother and Shingo both was strangely adamant about it when she tried to argue, but she stopped when Luna just shook her head.

They’d spoken before her last boxes were taken out of the house, with the moon cat whispering to her, “It’s ok, I’ll see you later at the temple. I’ve gotten word that Makoto and Ami are heading back home soon. So a meeting is in order.”

The sound of a sharp series of  knocks had her perking up curiously, breaking her out of her melancholy ruminations. Setting her empty cereal bowl in the sink she straightened her bunny pajamas and padded to the door.

“Who is it?”

“It’s your servant, here to escort you to your chariot, my Princess.”

Usagi opened the door, rolling her eyes and smirking at the bowing white haired man.

“Ha ha, you’re so funny.”

Diamond stood up, eyes widening when he saw the adorably pajama-clad woman. Her long calf length blonde hair was unbound and free, not yet up in her twin tails and buns. Fresh faced and rested despite the dark circles under her eyes which made sense. He had noticed sleep hadn’t come to her for hours last night, watching through the screen as she tossed and turned for hours. 

In this moment however, she truly looked like one of the princesses from a hologram book his mother read to him as a child. In that time, they were surrounded by the darkness of the planet they ran to to escape persecution for disagreeing with the regime of Empress Serenity and the Sailor Scouts. His tired mother did her best to comfort him and his brother in the freezing deadness of unknown space. 

In the books the princess waited patiently for her prince to rescue her, but that would never happen here, because his Usagi belonged to him now and forever. He was the only prince she would ever need, her greedy dragon prince. 

“I know, I’m not ready yet, sorry. I got distracted by the awesome view and breakfast.”

Of course Usagi misinterpreted his surprise.

Having just finished watching her on the cameras installed around the apartment right under his, he was already aware she wasn’t ready. In fact he was an hour early so she had more than enough time to get dressed and for them to get to work. His surprise came from how utterly enchanting she was.

Grabbing the suit she left on the couch, Usagi stared contemplating it for a long moment before holding it up against her front.

“What do you think?”

Oh, she is so sweet. 

“Anything you wear will be all the more lovely because it is you wearing it, Usagi.” Her disbelieving scoff was belied by the charming blush spreading across her cheeks at his praise, before he continued taking a casual step toward her, “Though…if I may make a suggestion…,” he pushed a stray strand of hair behind her ear, her large blue eyes gazing up at him so trustingly, “While the blue matches your breathtaking eyes, I think the pink would suit you much better.”

Usagi looked at the suit she was holding up, and tilted her head. She’d thought the blue was nicer, but…

“However, that’s just my opinion, sweetheart, what do I know? Wear whatever makes you comfortable, and I’m sure it’ll be-”

“No that’s..,” Usagi interrupted, waving her hands wildly, before clearing her throat, “that’s ok. You know this stuff better anyway, and I don’t want to make you look bad so..”

Forcing a smile at him, trying to portray reassurance she turned around and rushed to go get and put on the pink skirt suit.

While waiting, Diamond walked around picking up things around her space, running his fingers over them reverently. Examining each item carefully before placing them down.

Just a few centimeters off though or turned to the side a smidge, just enough to make her wonder.

He made his way into the kitchen and saw the bowl she had been using sitting in the sink with just a bit of milk still settled in the bottom. Glancing down the hall to her closed door he could hear her rummaging around in there. Picking up her spoon he popped it into his mouth, groaning as he pictured her using it just moments before, sliding it between her luscious lips and scraping it with her pearly teeth. 

Now he had that same spoon in his mouth too, sharing her saliva, using it to nourish himself, but instead of cereal and milk he was sustaining himself off of her. Unlike the other items he carefully placed the spoon back down, and sighed while licking his lips savoring her on his lips.

“Is this better?” Usagi asked nervously, patting down the jacket but stopped in confusion when coming out seeing him standing at the sink. Just leaning against the counter she figured he must have been getting a glass of water or something, so she shrugged it off.

Turning, he saw her, and his mouth went bone dry because she was ephemeral. A ray of unending sunshine in the dark, that he needed to hold in his fist all for himself. Nobody else deserved to see her, or bathe in her presence, only him. 

Only for him. 

She was standing in the hallway entrance, fully dressed with the tights, and matching kitten heels on. 

The blue suit she picked out would’ve been pretty on her as he’d said any of them would have been, they were literally made for her afterall, but he’d wanted to naysay whatever she picked to facilitate her putting even more value to his words. However, the pink was truly something else on her, in fact, it might be too pretty. He suddenly didn’t want to let her out in public looking so beautiful, she would draw too much attention, and he might have to kill someone if their gaze lingered too long. 

He would deal with them if it became an issue, of course. 

The way he always had.

She twirled in place blissfully unaware of his thoughts, though his regard weighed heavily on her at the thought that he might not approve. The thought that she would embarrass him after he was so nice caused her to tremble with apprehension as she waited on tenterhooks for his assessment. Shifting uncomfortably, she watched him just stand there, staring, his face flat but his eyes darted over her from head to toe.

Usagi couldn’t decide which was making her more nervous, and clenched her hands together to stop them from shaking.

“Oh my dear, you’re magnificent.”

She breathed a sigh of relief until...

“...but there’s just one thing.”

“Huh?” Usagi gaped, her brain still working to catch up to what he could mean.

Looking down at herself she wasn’t able to pick out what could be wrong. 

Had she picked out the wrong pink suit? Were her tights snagged or ripped? She was sure she must look utterly ridiculous, she clearly wasn’t meant for such a nice adult outfit.

Her head lowered as her thoughts continued to torment her until she noticed two shiny black shoes step in front of her. Slowly she lifted her head, taking in the sight of his black slacks and up past his narrow waist the up even further to broad shoulders looming above her and finally to him gazing down at her with a gentle expression.

Usagi’s heart raced, thudding quickly as Diamond guided her with large firm hands on hunched shoulders to sit in one of the kitchen chairs. Slowly dragging his fingers along her upper back he stepped behind her without a word while her mind whirled at what he was doing.

“Ummm,” she murmured, unable to deny how comforted she was feeling right now. Her boneless body was warring with the gnawing guilt of knowing that Mamo wouldn’t be happy if he knew what was happening, “what are you…?”

Gasping in surprise, her eyes rolled in delight as her hair was suddenly gathered into a ponytail by two strong hands. Confidently he twisted the golden strands into plaits which were then folded upon each other, and she realized what he was doing. 

Diamond couldn’t help the thrill rushing through his body as she sat there so complacently letting him run his fingers through her hair, her head lolling in his grasp. Sure that she wasn’t even aware of the little noises she was making when his hands massaged up her nape, curling strands of silk around his fingers, leashing her to him by it. 

He imagined doing this for her for the rest of their long, immortal lives together, worshipping her as she deserved. Even better would be if he could get her to do the same for him, he stopped himself before a groan of ecstasy escaped him at the thought of his head in her lap, her nails scraping his scalp as he soaked up her attention like a love starved cat.

He didn’t want the moment to end, but the clock was ticking and as he summoned one more pin to secure the final piece into place he had no excuse to keep going, though he kept petting the top of her head anyway. Partly to prolong her allowing him such liberties, but also because he needed a moment to calm himself.

His slacks were able to hide only so much after all.

After he was certain she wouldn’t notice anything,  Diamond prompted her, “Look at yourself.”

Usagi shook off the fog that had taken over her head and nodded, standing and making her way to the front of the reflective fridge to see what he had done.

“Oh…oh Diamond. This is…” she was at a loss for words when she saw what he’d done to her hair. The long strands shone brilliantly where the light touched and were coiffed elegantly into an artful crown around her head. It looked like a team of stylists had worked on her hair for hours, not one man in a few minutes.

“How did you do this?” She asked, wanting to feel but was too afraid to touch so she just kind of hovered around it, turning her head side to side to admire the unique style.

“My mother was a lovely woman who had an abundance of hair, sort of like you,” Diamond stepped behind, framing them both in the reflection, her blush flaring back up at his words, “most of the time took her a lot of energy to fix. So I learned to help her to make things easier on her.”

“That’s…so special.” Usagi whispered, enchanted and choked up by the way he spoke and the love that filled his eyes while he spoke of his mother. Someone who probably hadn’t even been born yet, she wondered if he’d considered finding anyone from the future here in the past.

All she said was, “I wish I could have met her.”

Every muscle in his body tenses, for much different reasons than last time now, closing off all of a sudden. The topic hit a little too close to home, but he smiled at her masking the pain and said, “Yes, me too, my dear. Come, our driver is waiting.”

He escorted her to the car with a hand on her lower back, with Usagi hoping she hadn’t said anything stupid. Instead she focused on what she might encounter on her first day at her very first job.

Somehow the work building they pulled up to seemed even larger, but that might have just been the absolute nerves that were curdling in her guts making it feel that way.

Could she go back and face Wiseman again? 

Hell, even Beryl would be more preferable at this point.

“Are you alright, Usagi?” Diamond inquired, when she stopped walking at the foot of the stairs. He watched her curiously as her head was tilted back, staring up and unmoving.

“Oh just super nervous, hoping I don’t make an absolute fool of myself, and show everyone what a fraud I am. That my friend is the boss and was too nice and gave me this job when it should have gone to someone who...” She continued to ramble without looking at him, all of her fears coming out in a word jumble 

Ah, he thought that might be it. 

She was scared, which made sense, despite her not actually having anything to fear, not while she was with him anyway. So young in so many ways both emotionally and mentally, he couldn’t deny how intoxicating it was having her in a place where she would only have him to lean on. 

“Sweetheart, you’re going to do great. I believe in you, and if anyone gives you any problems you just let me know and I will take care of the-” he paused before saying he would take care of ‘them’, second guessing his words for her peace of mind. 

“I will take care of it.” He soothed as she let out a sigh, and they entered the building.

Usagi couldn’t believe how well the day was going. She was exhausted, but she made it to lunch time without dying, she was learning the job and she wasn’t fucking it up. Taking a seat at the table in the break room, she opened her rainbow lunch box that contained a sandwich, oranges and gummy bears that she’d prepared the night before. Before she could lose her nerve she pulled out her phone and typed a message in the Sailor Scout group chat.

SM-Hey girlz! Started new job today! It’s goin good!

Pressing send she placed the phone face down so that she could eat, before picking it back up and opening her neglected chat with Mamoru.

Usako <3-I miss youuuu! <3 <3

Scoffing, she deleted that with angry presses on the phone, before sending a different text.

Usako <3-How are you? I hope you are having a good time in America and things aren’t too boring there!

There, that was better, it didn’t sound nearly as childish.

Her shoulders slumped while sighing deeply. Why was that so weird to write and send? Talking with Mamo was usually so easy, but ever since he left he’s been so distant. She understood that he was busy, college was hard, but she figured that he might make some time for her too.

“How are you doing, sweetie? Messaging some friends?”

The familiar voice came from above her, and she smiled widely at the exceptionally gorgeous brunette woman who was training her.

“Koan!” Usagi smiled and respectfully stood to pull out a chair. The older woman sat down next to her with a gentle smile on her well made up face. “I’m doing ok!” Usagi continued, then paused before grimacing, closing one eye and peering at Koan hopefully, “I think…?” perking up she held a teapot and said, “And yeah, I wanted to let my friends and Mamo know how I was doing on my first day. By the way, I made tea! Would you like some?”

“I’d love some, darling.” Koan smiled, holding out her cup waiting for the future Empress to serve her, “Have they not been responding?”

Usagi caught her up on what had been happening while preparing her cup.

“Well,” Koan pursed her lips, “that all seems quite rude of them don’t you think? If my boyfriend valued something more than me, well, I would be finding one that valued me more than anything.”

Usagi felt awful that she secretly agreed with Koan on that.

“I thought maybe you had broken up.”

“What? Why would you think that?” Usagi asked, shocked.

“Well, you and Diamond arrived together, looking like a power couple that could squash the world under their stylish shoes if they wished. So comfortable and adorable together, you seemed happy, and him…well…” Koan giggled, teasing and light, “that goodbye said it all, sweetheart.”

It made Usagi roll her eyes dismissively, but she couldn’t help but think about what Koan was saying and how fluttery it made her feel to think there might be some truth in the older woman’s words.

Usagi had been shocked when Diamond reintroduced them in front of his office. Then he’d gotten a call to go to a meeting nearly right away so she’d been left with Koan, one of the former Spectre Sisters, warriors of the Black Moon Kingdom. 

“Remember, you’ve got this. I will see you soon sweetheart.” Diamond assured her before kissing her forehead gently. 

By the time she’d gathered enough brain power back to register what had just happened he was halfway down the hall, his long legs carrying him further away with an almost skipping jaunty step.

“Well now, that’s just disgustingly adorable.” Koan had purred, her smile devious beholding the scene of the befuddled young woman. 

When Usagi managed to gather enough of her wits back she desperately changed the topic from the confusing goodbye. Inquiring what happened to her and her sister’s cosmetics business for Koan to end up here. Hoped that they hadn’t had a falling out or something, but she had laughed that off. Then explained that when they’d needed a loan to keep their business afloat Diamond and Sapphire had helped them out so she came in to work for them as needed to help pay that off.

It just so happened that she was why Diamond had called his old friend in yesterday, because in his words, “You’re the only one I trust to not fuck it up.”

She didn’t tell Usagi what he’d really said, he wouldn’t like that, and she didn’t want to incur his wrath. Besides, she was more than aware that out of everyone, Usagi was the least in danger from Diamond.

That brought them back to now, with Koan responding to her with a waved hand, wordlessly dismissing the hesitance and unconfident words into the ether, “The job is whatever, you could set the building on fire and Diamond wouldn’t give two cares as long as you had fun doing it.”

Usagi picked at her sandwich with a nervous laugh, “I don’t think he would like me setting his building on fire.”

The other woman just raised a skeptical brow, knowing that aside from leaving there is very little her prince wouldn’t allow his beloved to do. 

She knew Usagi wasn’t ready to hear that yet however.

Shortly after lunch, Koan was in the middle of teaching Usagi the computer system in Diamond’s office. A large open windowed room, that overlooked a bullpen of cubicles and computers manned by what felt like an army of professional people. She had walked through it on her way to the bathroom. 

None of them met her eye despite trying to wave at and greet more than a few of them. “They must be working very hard.” She had muttered to herself, determined to do the same and keep her head up. To show them that she could do the same, and wouldn’t drag them down.

In the middle of an explanation about schedules and managing the phones she was barely managing to comprehend they were interrupted. Both of their heads shot up when Diamond walked through the double doors talking on his phone and followed by a black haired man who was a few inches shorter than him.

Koan stood up startling Usagi who did the same, not wanting to be rude or unprofessional.

“Usagi dear, what are you doing? Sit down, there’s no need for you to stand.” Diamond waved her down, but she frowned and noticed that he hadn’t included Koan in that. She was clueless about the etiquette, and didn’t want to cause a blow up over something that might not even be an issue but it felt weird to her.

Her mouth stayed shut though and dutifully lowered back into her seat causing Diamond to smile proudly at her, which caused a curious flutter in her chest. Then she felt Koan stiffen next to her as her new boss introduced the man at his side with a hand on his broad shoulder, “This is Onyx, an associate and bodyguard.” 

While Diamond talked about his day, which went right over her head, Usagi observed Onyx. His face was beautifully unreadable with eyes as dark as his namesake, somehow his skin was even paler than even Diamond’s. He reminded Usagi of a vampire from one of her secret romance novels. She also noticed that he wouldn’t look at her no matter how hard she stared at him. If his gaze slid to her he was always just right over her head, or to the side of her face toward her ear.

She glanced up at Koan and noticed the tense form of her tutor was gazing at the newcomer with stars in her deep purple eyes.

“Koan, you can go now,” he dismissed offhandedly, and Usagi looked back and forth in confusion. She made to stand up but was gently pushed back down by Diamond’s palm settling heavily on her shoulder. Her mouth opened but he continued before she could say anything, “I can help Usagi for the rest of the day. I cleared out the rest of my schedule just for her.”

When he moved behind her she saw him looking down at her through the computer screen.

“Onyx, we’ll talk about the parameters of your new assignment later.”

Weird. What does that mean? Usagi couldn’t help wondering.

With a silent nod, Onyx held the door open and waited for Koan who gathered her purse and coat before smiling at Usagi and hugging her goodbye.

“If you need anything I put my number in your phone,” she waved as she left, the silent shadow Onyx nodded at them, his gaze still diverted following.

When they were alone, she turned to Diamond and tilted her head, “Want your seat back?”

“It’s quite alright,” he smirked, pulling a chair up next to her and sitting down, “what’s mine is yours now.”

She choked on a sip of her tea and he chuckled in amusement, patting her back before elaborating, “As my secretary of course.”

Of course.

“How has everything been going on your first day?” Diamond asked, resting his right elbow on the glass top desk, then his head in his hand. His left went around the back of the chair, playing idly with the ends of her hair that were escaping from the braids. 

She was so distracted she didn’t even notice.

Bringing Koan in to help her was a stroke of genius on Sapphire’s part, because in his words, “You wouldn’t be able to focus long enough to actually teach her anything for the job she thinks she’s supposed to be doing.”

His brother was right, but he didn’t have to be a dick about it. Though he wasn’t totally sure Saph knew how to not be a dick to anyone except for maybe Minako. 

He watched his sweet Usagi blossom like a flower under his attention as she described her day. Despite already knowing everything already since he had a feed of cameras through the building that he’s been following her movements on, he loved hearing it in her own excited words. 

After that they finished the rest of the day with him teaching her how to use the calendar, the phone, and then how he liked his papers filed. She took to it all like a champ, because she was so much smarter than anyone else gave her credit for. 

He knew Usagi Tsukino didn’t become Empress of Crystal Tokyo just because she was the bearer of the Silver Crystal. All of those other fools, Wiseman, Beryl, they assumed it was the crystal that gave Sailor Moon her power, but really it was the other way around.

He knew that none of them, not her friends, and definitely not Chiba, understood that Usagi was more than the crystal.

She was everything and more, and now she was his.

On their way out of the building, Usagi and Diamond were stopped by a voice from behind them calling out for their attention.

“Usagi!” 

Turning to face the familiar man jogging up to them she gasped in amazement when she saw what he was holding. 

“My lunchbox!” Usagi cried while taking the offered box gratefully, “Thank you Taru! You’re a lifesaver.”

Diamond stood silent and still as a statue when the man, this Taru, blushed at the way Usagi sparkled as she hugged her beloved lunchbox to her chest.

Stepping between them smoothly, he faced his employee, “Yes, Taru, thank you for your service to my…” he paused, sending a dangerous, deadly look to the young man, “special friend and secretary.” Apparently the unassuming man was smarter than he looked because he scrambled away with a stuttered sweaty response.

Maybe having her work in his building was a problem, “Usagi, how would you feel about working from home?” He cursed himself for not accounting for her natural charm and beauty affecting others around her, but he should have because that’s how she changed him and most of his people. She drew the undeserving masses to her side, and he started debating the merits and logistics of having her work from home if she insisted on working.

“Huh?” Broken from her joy at getting her box back she tilted her head up at him confused by his weird question.

He murmured, “Nothing, never mind my dear. Just a hypothetical question.” Before he opened the door to the car home for her. 

“If you say so.” Usagi side-eyed him, but turned away before seeing the hard way Diamond stared after the quickly retreating man, he held a hand out to her causing her to blush at the gentlemanly action. Their palms rubbed against each other smooth and soft like puzzle pieces interlocking into place, it was a satisfying feeling that terrified her.

Usagi slapped herself mentally, annoyed at how just touching his hand made her act like a ridiculous teenager. He was just helping her into a car, not proposing, which would be stupid because she still had a boyfriend.

As they pulled out of the parking lot, he leaned forward, clasping his hands between his knees and declared, “Let’s get some dinner my dear. To celebrate your first successful day as a full fledged adult.” 

“I-I don’t have any money.” Self-consciously Usagi rubbed her elbow.

“You wound me Usagi,” Diamond placed his hand over hers on the leather seat between them, again she had to fight the instinct to turn her hand over and interlace their fingers, “it’s my treat of course.”