Shades of Purple

Smiling Face

The skies were dark with clouds. I went to a downtown area on Earth with a shopping center to pick up some supplies that the queen requested. Coming back to the palace, sitting on the bus and looking through the window... I was happy. I closed my eyes and thought of his smiling face... that sweet smile reserved only for me. I couldn't wait to see him.

I got off at the stop closest to Endymion's palace and walked about a mile. Halfway there, it started to pour, as the dark skies suggested it would. I moved as quickly as I could until I got there, and stopped. The gardens were a different kind of beautiful in this weather. It was a summer afternoon, so I wasn't even cold. Standing in the rain, I thought of Kunzite and how I would love it if he was out here with me now, with that smiling face.

I opened the gate and made my way through the gardens towards the teleport chamber on the side. As I walked past the back of the building, I found Kunzite sitting out on the shaded porch. I ran up as soon as I caught sight of him, large bags in both hands.

"Venus? I didn't know you were coming today? Here, let me help you." He took the bags and set them down under the shaded roof. "You're soaked. Did you walk all the way here?"

"It was no big deal. It was actually kinda nice."

"I suppose the rain is a rare sight for you, as you don't get this kind of weather on the moon."

"True story. Earth has lots of qualities that the moon doesn't."

For some reason, that reminded of my conversation with Serenity over the tentative engagement coming up and the arrangements that would have to be made. Constant commuting from Earth and the moon... that got me thinking... what about us? If we got married in the future... would we have to do the same thing? And what about my home planet?

"Hey Kunzite, can I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"Well... this is completely hypothetical and I'm not trying to pressure you or anything, but I'm just curious... if we decided to get married in the future, would you... well, how would it work logistically? Would you be willing to commute with me between here, the moon and Venus? Or maybe even just staying on the moon if needed?" I stopped for a moment and tried to organize my thoughts. "I guess what I'm trying to say is... serving your prince would be different if we were married. Would you be okay with that and willing to embrace the changes?"

He went quiet for a moment, pondering. I wondered if he had ever even considered all of that before.

"We don't need to worry about that now." He wrapped his arms around me. "We can figure all of that out when the time comes."

"Yes, but..." I backed up a little to see his face. "When the time does come, how would we work it out? Would it work out at all, logistically? I mean, we both have kingdoms to serve and protect, and I have more than one... which means I'll probably have to spend most of my time away from Earth, and I wouldn't want to be away from you all the time. I guess my main question is... do you love me enough to make that kind of sacrifice?"

"You know I love you. We don't need to discuss this right now. I don't want this relationship to just be based on logistics. Come, let's get you inside and warmed up."

"Actually," I cut in. "It's really nice and warm out, even in the rain. Can we stay out here? We can be that couple being all intimate in the rain like in the movies. Please?" I made puppy dog eyes.

"Venus..."

"Come on, you're not afraid of a little water, are you?"

He sighed in an "I give in" sort of fashion. "All right. As you wish, Princess."

I took his hand and we speedily walked down the steps and into the depths of the forest-like garden. We were walking down a random path when I stopped.

"Wait. Let's go that way. I've never been over there before." I pointed to the left where a thin walkway led to somewhere unknown.

"This path leads to a giant maze. Literally. You could actually get lost in there."

"Challenge accepted!"

I took off running, leaving him trailing behind, and went random directions through the huge hedge labyrinth, not really paying attention to where I was going. Big adrenaline rush.

"Venus?" I heard him call out.

"You'll have to find me!" I teased.

We ran around for ages, basically playing a strange combination of tag and hide-and-seek. After so long I had no idea where I was or how to get out, and got a little worried. I decided to surrender.

"Okay, for real, Kunzite, where are you? I'm super lost."

"I told you that you would get lost," he shouted back.

"Ugh, come on, man!" I laughed. "You were right. Congratulations. I'd give you a trophy but I would need to find you first."

"It's your turn to find me now," he teased.

"You're merciless, you know that?" I teased back.

I ran around for ages more, still without a trace of him. After a while he called out, "I'm still waiting for that trophy."

"I still know that I'm never gonna find you," I called back. I heard some rustling behind me, so I stood there for a moment to listen.

"But I do believe... that you're standing right behind-" I quickly spun around and pointed where the sound was coming from. But nothing was there.

DANG IT. I'll never win at this game.

When I turned back around, I jumped in shock at the sight of him standing right there.

"I win."

He walked up and kissed me, both of us soaking wet from the rain by now.

"Mazes have never been my specialty. I'll beat you next time."

"Challenge accepted."

He looked at me with that smiling face that I love so much and pulled me into a hug. I wrapped my arms around him and just wondered... Will I ever get the answer to my question? Maybe I should just let it go for now. Life will go on. We'll address it at the right time.