[D11MA] Keeping Promises (expecting)

[Usagi Rei]

Rei nodded, admiring her form. Swimming form. Well, okay, also her figure. "Nice." He said, approvingly, nodding as she kept trying. "Try to keep your hands close to your sides when you bring them up. That helps." He paddled along, staying fairly close. Partially for the conversation, partially in case something went terribly wrong. You never knew, with water.

At her question, Rei sighed. "I do. I like the nightlife, and the challenge, and the intrigue..." He flashed her a quick smirk. "For a while, I thought maybe it was bad for me, that I was... losing my way or something." Somewhat sheepishly, Rei shrugged, his broad shoulders rising and falling visibly. "But I think I've kept to who I am well enough."

The comment made Rei smile, but it was the blush that made him grin. "Mmm. I'll take a 'not terrible looking' from a pretty Lion like you over a handsome from any number of Scorpion. Reki-san." He tilted his head, looking at her. "So... do you like this world any better now, looking back on everything?"

[Akodo Reki]

Reki floated for a moment. "..."

She reached out and grabbed Rei's shoulder and used him to bring herself standing upright. It left her much closer to him then she intended.

"I thought coming here was a cruel joke. That fate had decided killing my wife was not enough and sought to shower insult onto that injury."

Her copper colored eyes watch the water dripping from his chest as they stood there. "I had resolved to just try and help the embassy and practice my martial skills...get out of this place as quickly as possible to go home and...well probably wallow in misery."

Reki places a hand on his chest. "Turns out Benten, or whoever had sent me where I needed to be even if it wasn't what I wanted." She chuckled, her voice cracks a bit, "I guess that shit in personnel gets to keep all his fingers after all."

Her finger traces the contours of Rei's chest. "Not just to help my clan mates save the galaxy from some fools folly. But..."

"The pain is... diminished," She smiles, "And that's your doing. I won't lie you also hurt me...but that was my own foolishness for not understanding sooner."

Reki looks up and meets Rei's eyes. "I love you Usagi Rei-san. And I'm glad to have met you, to realize I could love again with out diminishing Naomi's place in my heart. And even losing you too I have hope for the future. You did that." She emphasized the last three words.

[Usagi Rei]

Rei caught Reki's arm as she gripped his shoulder androse, helping to steady her. Perhaps that was part of why they ended up standing so close. And why his hand on her arm drifted down to her waist, resting there.

As she spoke, Rei's lips slowly parted, his pale eyes widened, just a little. "Reki...san..." He whispered. He took a deep breath as her hand traced the masculine lines of his chest. Acting on instinct, his other hand found its way to her waist as well, fingers pressing pleasantly against her skin. His eyes went from her lips to her eyes, a swirl of emotions showing in their pale depths. How easy it would be to draw her in, bring his lips to hers, and do his best to ease her pain with sweetness. It was extremely tempting, and he would have certainly done so, had he not made a promise to Mariko.

But he had.

His head had begun to dip towards hers, but only for a moment. "I'm very glad, Reki-san." Rei's voice was soft, just above a whisper. "Not just because I could help someone I care about very much to heal. But if someone like you can feel that way about someone like me, I must be blessed too. And a better person. You did that." He said, smiling, still holding her. But not stepping over that line.

[Akodo Reki]

They were close, a fraction more and they would...

Reki gently pushed him back, even though she wanted to pull him closer. What could have been indeed.

But she was proud of him... and herself. Both could have easily given in to their mutual feelings. And possibly hurt another, she murmured a prayer to Benten for Rei's happiness.

Even so...there was no harm in them staying like this for a moment. Was there?

"In the end...it seems we helped each other. I hope you want forget me, Rei-san."

[Usagi Rei]

Rei let out a breath as Reki gently pushed him back. It was for the best, really. After all, as dear as his word was to him, he knew it would be equally dear to an honorable soul like Reki.

That made Rei smile. "Never, Reki-san. I'll carry our connection always." His lips quirked. "Besides, it'll be hard to forget you when you come back in a year or two and show me up at the range, again. I can almost hear you saying 'looks like I win again, Rei-Rei-Daddy' now..."

Her hand felt nice on his chest. He enjoyed the shape of her slender waist in his hands. But it had to end. Biting his lip, Rei slowly brought his hands back to his side, stepping away.

A brief pause, and then he smiled at her once more. "C'mon. I brought some towels and an umbrella. You wanna go hang out on the beach for a while?" Rei offered.

[Akodo Reki]

Reki smiled at that, "Yeah... enjoy the sun. And I assume enjoy a few drinks... seems traditional we have some together at this point." She stepped back and turned walking past him to the beach. Partway there she stopped. Another memory...

Oh...Naomi, you cruel tease...

Looking back at the Usagi over her shoulder, her gentle smile framed by wet red-brown hair.

"I would not have called you Rei-Rei-Daddy...if Benten had blessed our feelings." Her smile turned surprisingly sinister, "My adorable little rabbit," before she kept going up the beach.

Rei couldn't see her supremely amused expression.

/Fade to beach/booze?