Title: Don't Save It All
Author: Mistic
Email: mistic@flash.net
Rating: G
Part 1/1

@)> ~ ~ > ~ ~

People of all ages rushed rashly down the crowded 
sidewalks of Tokyo's busy shopping district, barely noticing 
the heavy clouds and blistering wind. How could anyone 
notice something as trivial as the weather when their minds 
were busy going over lists of presents and chores? In all the 
confusion and merriment of the season, how could anyone 
notice the long figure of a brooding young man, left 
untouched by the spirit of Christmas?


~*~

Don't get so busy that you miss
Giving just a little kiss
To the ones you love

~*~


The young man trudged down the sidewalk, kicking up 
invisible snow as he went. He kept his sapphire eyes upon 
the ground, not wanting to see the happy faces of children 
and lovers as they found that perfect gift. It hurt far too 
much even to think of Christmas.


~*~

Don't even wait a little while
To give them just a little smile
A little is enough

~*~


"Why," the young man questioned the world silently, 
"Why am I always alone? Why can't I ever find someone..."


~*~

See how many people are crying 
Some people are dying
How many people are asking for love

~*~


"Hey, Darien," a young man of about 19 called to the 
long figure just entering the bustling arcade.

"Hey," Darien mumbled back, taking a seat at the 
crowded counter and immediately burying his head in his 
arms with a sigh.

"Okay, what's wrong," Andrew inquired, setting a cup of 
coffee in front of his dark haired friend.

No response came from Darien. Instead, he just lifted 
his head and took the warm mug in between numb hands. 
After a short time of just staring at the swirling black liquid, 
he took a quick sip, hissing gently at the heat of the bitter liquid. 
He had hoped it would warm his numb body; however, he 
only succeeded in burning his tongue.

"This just isn't my day," Darien muttered, pushing the 
mug away from him with a dejected sigh.

"What happened?" Andrew inquired gently, trying to 
get his best friend to be open with his feelings. He had a 
nagging suspicion that he knew what was wrong; however, 
he could not but hope his instincts were wrong.

"I just haven't had a very good day," Darien sighed, 
unable to meet the gaze of his life long friend, "You know 
how it is for me around this time of year. All those happy 
faces... I-I'm just tired... tired of being alone..."


~*~

So don't save it all for Christmas day
Find a way
To give a little love everyday

~*~


A short time later, Darien sighed dejectedly as he slid 
off the old fashion, red and chrome barstool. Even talking to 
his best friend did not seem to be helping today.

"I better be going," Darien sighed once more, offering a 
week smile to the blonde haired arcade owner, "See you 
around."

"Yeah, see ya," Andrew murmured, watching his friend 
with sad eyes. "Merry Christmas."


Andrew watched as Darien slowly wandered out the 
door. His shoulders were slumped in defeat, and his stride 
seemed almost labored. Where pride would have once 
shown in his stance and posture only wariness remained. 
Not even a small smile graced Darien's lips as he turned the 
corner out of Andrew's sight.


Poor guy. Andrew thought picking up Darien's nearly 
full coffee mug. He deserves so much more...especially at 
this time of year... God, if you're there, please help my 
friend. He really doesn't deserve to be alone all the time...


~*~

Don't save it all for Christmas day
Find a way
'Cause holiday's have come and gone
But love lives on
If you give on 
Love

~*~


"Oooo-I'm going to be sooo late!" A young girl of 
about sixteen cried as she ran headlong down the street, not 
paying much attention to what was ahead of her...


Less than a block away, Darien trudged slowly down 
the crowded sidewalk. His head was down, and his mind 
seemed to be among the clouds. He barely noticed anything 
at all, allowing his feet to take him anywhere they wanted. 
He just did not care anymore...


Within moments, the two unsuspecting teenagers 
collided, sending them both sprawling onto the ground in a 
heap of tangle limbs. Several onlookers did not even pause 
in their shopping as they passed the two stunned teens. To 
a casual observer, it seemed as though these two ran into 
each other often-literally.


~*~

How could you wait another minute
A hug is warmer when you're in it
Oh, baby that's a fact.

~*~


"Uh, my head..."

So warm... Darien though unconsciously tightening his 
arms around the young girl's waist, unaware of their 
compromising position. So familiar...

Like I've been here before, the young girl though with a 
small smile, I could stay here forever...


"GET A ROOM, YOU TWO!!!"


"WHAA-"


And with that the couple hurriedly scrambled to their 
feet and jumped a good three feet away from each other. A 
blush covered her cheeks as Darien coughed uneasily, 
trying to hide a blush of his own. Both stood unspeaking 
before the other not sure what to say but knowing they 
needed to say something.


~*~

And saying I love you's always better
Seasons, reasons they don't matter
So don't hold back

~*~


"Serena-I-"

"Darien-I-"


A giggled erupted from the blonde, and a dazzling smile 
graced her light pink lips. A small smile tugged at the 
corners of Darien's mouth as he found himself lost within the 
charms of the nymph before him.


~*~

See how many people in this world
So needful in this world
How many people are praying for love

~*~


An uncomfortable silence fell upon the young couple as 
they gazed into each other's eyes. Neither one knew what 
to do or what to say next. Never before in their lives had 
either of them felt so complete and yet so lost all at once. 
Tension hung heavy in the air until finally Mother Nature 
stepped in, raining tiny white snowflakes upon the unsure 
couple.


~*~

So don't save it all for Christmas day
Find a way
To give a little love every day

~*~


"Serena-" Darien ventured taking a step forward, "are 
you all right? I-I didn't hurt you-did I?"

"Huh-oh, I'm fine," Serena replied softly, unable to 
meet Darien's sapphire gaze as she unconsciously babied 
her left hand, "Just a little sore."


Instantaneously, Darien moved to stand beside the 
shorter girl and took her hand in his. Slowly, he inspected it, 
searching for anything that might cause the girl to cradle it so 
carefully. What he found made Darien gasp in surprise. 
Because, there on her once perfect palm, was a nasty scrap 
that ran from the base of the thumb clear across her hand. It 
bled but not profusely, which offered Darien some relief but 
only a little. A little sliver of guilt blossomed with Darien's 
heart as he cringed.

"This is all my fault," Darien started trailing off. Slowly, 
he lifted his gaze to gather his bearings. When he saw a tall, 
grayish-white building a short ways a way, his face broke 
into a smile and he gently took Serena's uninjured hand in 
his own. He gave her a quick tug and stated, almost gruffly, 
"Come on; we need to get that cleaned up."

"Darien," Serena gasped, trying to wriggle her hand free 
as he tried to lead her down the street, "I can take care of it."

"Serena," Darien almost pleaded, his eyes begging for 
understanding, "I need to do this-to help you... I've been 
so awful..."

"But, Darien-" Serena started but trailed off as she 
gazed into pleading sapphire pools as deep as the ocean. 
"Okay, it's not like the girls are waiting for me, anyway... 
Umm, so where are we going?"

Darien just smiled as he held Serena's warm hand in 
his just a little tighter. "My apartment."


~*~

Don't save it all for Christmas day
Find a way

~*~


"Stay here for a moment," Darien commanded a short 
time later, pointing to the counter and offering a smile at 
Serena's slightly panicked look, "I'll be right back."

"Okay," Serena mumbled as she watched Darien slip 
down a hall off to the left side of the little kitchen in which 
she stood. After a few moments of quiet contemplation, 
Serena did as Darien had asked and hopped up onto the 
counter where she waited for him to return, rather 
impatiently.

How did I get myself into this situation? Serena asked 
herself silently, surveying the small immaculate kitchen. 
Everything, she noted, had a place. The sink was empty 
next to her and there were no dishes, pots, pans, silverware, 
etc. out on the counter to suggest a person even lived here. 
Serena sighed, Guess I'll just have to deal with it.


A few moments later, Darien returned holding a small 
first aid kit in his hands. A small smile lit his features, 
making Serena gasp a little bit. She had never seen this 
man smile so much and to have those smiles be directed at 
her nearly took her breath away.


~*~

'Cause holidays have come and gone
But love lives on

~*~


Gently, silently Darien took Serena's injured hand in his 
own and began to dab it carefully with a wet wash cloth. 
Shivers moved along Serena's spine at his touch and the 
tenderness in Darien's sapphire gaze as he worked on 
cleaning her cut. When the alcohol stung the wound, she 
could not help but hiss at the momentary shock of pain. 
However, the pain gave way moments later to more chills as 
Darien blew gently on the wound.

"Sorry," Darien mumbled as he started digging in the kit 
for the right size band-aide; however, Serena was not 
listening to him. Instead, she was concentrating on quieting 
her thundering heart. Never in her life had she felt such 
intense emotions from a simple touch. It scared her half to 
death and yet excited her at the same time...


~*~

If you give on
Love

~*~


"There, all done." Darien exclaimed moments later, 
breaking Serena's silent retrieve.

"Huh-oh," Serena started gently pulling her hand away, 
"Thank you."

"You're welcome." Darien murmured gently, another 
small smile toughing at the corners of his mouth.


Silence fell upon the couple as they stared into each 
other's eyes for the longest moment. Again, for the second 
time that day, they found themselves at a loss for words. 
There was so much to be said, yet neither knew how to 
begin.


"Umm.... I better be going," Serena whispered after a 
time, dragging her eyes from Darien's intense gaze to stare 
at the floor. "My mother will be worried," she started trailing 
off.

"I-I'll-you're probably right." Darien stammered in 
defeat.

"Thank you."

"Huh-"

"For being so kind to me," Serena stated awkwardly, 
dragging her eyes back to meet Darien's sad gaze.

"You're welcome."

"Well, I best be on my way." 

"Do you have to?" Darien asked, his eyes silently 
begging Serena to stay.

"My mother's waiting..." Serena started but faltered at 
the look of sadness in Darien's eyes.

"I-I understand." Darien sighed dejectedly.


~*~

So let all the children know
Everywhere that they go
Their whole life long
Let them know love

~*~


"How about you come with me?" Serena inquired 
gently as inspiration struck, "That way you won't have to be 
alone... I'm sure she wouldn't mind having company for 
tonight."

"But-"

"No buts, Darien. I owe you one," Serena giggled, 
"besides my mother always complains that no one ever 
comes over, and I know she would like to meet you. 
Especially, after all that I have told her..." Suddenly, Serena 
stopped mid-sentence and blushed profusely. Almost let my 
secret out, she thought, her cheeks still burning. I can't let 
him know I like him...


A small smile tugged at Serena's slight blush; how 
could he refuse this girl anything? Darien nodded slightly as 
he took Serena's other hand and helped her off the counter.

"In that case, I would be delighted."


Serena just smiled as she and Darien left the apartment 
arm in arm. A growing sense of peace and love budding 
within both of their hearts. Maybe, just maybe, Christmas 
wouldn't be so bad after all...


~*~

So don't save it all for Christmas day
Find a way
To give a little love everyday
Don't save it all for Christmas day
Find a way
'Cause holiday's have come and gone
But love lives on
If you give on 
Love

~*~

~Fin~

Hope you liked it. 

Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon are 
(c) Naoko Takeuchi, Bandai, Kodansha, 
Toei Animation, etc. 

The song "Don't save it all for Christmas" 
is owned by Avalon and (c) 1998 WB Music 
Corp., Make it Rock, Annotation Music, ASCAP, 
Warnertamerlane Publishing, Connotation Music, 
Pez Music, BMI, Sony, ATV Songs, SACAP