It was quiet on the grounds. The windows had been opened up to allow the cool summer night air to circulate through the Royal Palace. One or two guards could be seen guarding the gates as another patrolled the halls, always on alert for any hint of danger that they might keep their queens safe from harm. Down the senshi quarter at the end of the hall behind closed doors, Neo-Queen Celestia and Neo-Queen Serenity were busy unwinding from their long day in the best way they knew how.

Soft Cruelty Side Stories

By: LowFlyer1080

Conception

The hot water rolled off of Serenity's shoulders and down over her breasts as Celestia scooped up handfuls of it from the bath they were taking together and poured it gently onto her wife of over a hundred years. Serenity's head tilted to the side as Celestia blew gently on her neck before kissing a love mark she had left there not thirty minutes previous when they had entered the bathroom. Serenity moaned a little and squirmed, cuddling back into Celestia's embrace a little more and pulling her wife's arms around her tighter. The glow of their lovemaking was all but physically tangible, anyone gifted with sight however would have that sight blinded for well over double the two weeks Venus had been affected when she had made the mistake of taking a peek all those years ago.

"Do we have to get out yet?" Serenity whispered into the near darkness, split apart only by the light of a hundred candles lit and sitting about the royal bedroom's attached master bathroom.

"Not yet, but soon. Or we'll prune even more than what we are now." Came the quiet reply.

Hands slowly wandered, arms slid across overheated and oversensitive skin. Moans and sighs were let out in the dim candlelight. Breaths began to come in shorter, quicker gasps as the two lovers built their fire up once again. And as the feelings built higher and higher, Celestia wrapped her arms tightly around her wife and picked her up out of the bath, earning a surprised gasp from Serenity which she quickly devoured in a hungry kiss. Not wanting to break the exchange for anything and knowing full well her wife's state of body and mind as it matched her own equally, she stepped out of the bath.

Serenity's mind barely registered the minor flare in power and the flash of turquoise-blue light from behind closed eyelids. However, it did register the fact that she was now fully dried off and being carried boldly out into their bedroom toward the bed. She smiled into the kiss, pulling back a hairsbreadth.

"I love it when you get impatient."

"You're not the only one with a few tricks to expedite things like this." Came the reply before she was gently lowered to the bed.

They barely took time to slide into the covers and come together once again, a naked Celestia spooning her equally naked wife from behind, before something happened.

The full moon peeked out through the cloudy skies they had been having most of the day as the storm front Crystal Tokyo had been experiencing finally passed. Beams of blue-white illumination streamed down through the large windows to fall softly on the bed. And as they struck the couple, Serenity's body went slightly rigid. Celestia took no notice because this frequently happened when they hadn't been able to be with each other for over a week. It had been going on two weeks. However, a crystalline tone made her stop and open her eyes. And what she saw dazzled all rational thought out of her head.

Serenity's whole body was glowing white. The symbol of the moon shone a bright silver upon her forehead and Celestia felt her power activate of its own will in response, the symbol of Neptune flaring into life upon her own forehead shining with a soft teal light. Serenity turned a slightly fearful look toward Celestia who now noticed herself glowing as well, a turquoise-blue color mingling freely with the pure white emanating from Serenity. She tried to speak but no word would come out. She could barely move a shaking hand up to cup Serenity's face.

'What's happening to us?' Serenity's eyes cried out.

'I don't know but I will protect you, love.' Celestia's own gaze replied.

And as the two seemingly paralyzed women drew strength from the eyes of each other, the unthinkable happened.

Rising softly out of Serenity's chest, shining with the combined auras of Moon and Neptune, the Silver Imperial Crystal made itself visible to the shocked queens. A warm sensation, calming and comforting filled their bodies as the light of the crystal grew brighter. A small glowing spark slowly phased out of the crystal as the two women looked on, floating down over Serenity's body before sinking into her abdomen, filling her with an unmistakable feeling of happiness and contentment that left her confused. She looked up at Celestia who looked at her. And as they did, copies of their respective symbols appeared in the air between them. The glowing runes touched, fusing together before floating down and resting upon Serenity's stomach. It flashed a pale aqua upon contact, held firm for a few moments and then faded into her. The soft humming tone of the Silver Crystal faded as the light surrounding them faded away, the crystal once again floating gently back to join with Serenity.

The two queens were left lying there, curled up against each other back-to-front, as their own glows slowly faded away as well, their symbols disappearing. Strength flowed into them once again and shaky breaths were drawn.

"What was…?" Serenity's confused whisper fell off as realization began to dawn upon her.

"Do you think…?" Celestia's simultaneous words died upon her own lips the same as her wife's as it hit her as well.

A small smile graced Serenity's lips as a matching one appeared on Celestia's own. Their night activities completely forgotten, they pulled the silken sheets up over their bodies, Celestia once again curling up around Serenity, a hand finding its way to rest upon Serenity's stomach as Serenity's hand covered Celestia's, resting over the spark of life now growing within. The others could wait until morning to hear the news.

And with that, the two soon-to-be mothers drifted off to sleep, the moonlight silently standing watch over them as it always had.

End

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Sailor Moon.

A/N – Happy St. Patrick's Day. If you're old enough, go out, get hammered, have a barrel (or mug, or stein, or bottle, or can) of fun with your friends. But please be smart. Bring a designated driver, or have someone call you a cab. Enjoy spring break!