Chapter Text
“I say we figure it out with rock, paper, scissors.” Haruka held out her fist. With a look of determination, began to slam her fist against her palm.
“Haruka, you cannot be seri-”
Before Michiru stopped herself from speaking another word. Her fist shot out and followed along to Haruka’s beat. The competitive streak in Michiru lit like a fire, she wasn’t going to lose. Not this time.
Setsuna rolled her eyes. This was becoming a common theme when it came to who tackled what chore in the house. At first, she was competitive. But after the fifteenth round of Rock, Paper, Scissors, best thirteen out of fifteen to just clean the dishes. It was a bit much. Haruka looked directly at Setsuna. Her brow furrowed as she held from saying the last word to complete the competition. She needed Setsuna’s participation. Every game of Rock, Paper, Scissors was important. No matter how many times they played.
When it came to Michiru, Haruka knew her like the back of her hand and knew she did not want to lose. Setsuna, however, was far more of an adult in this situation. A far more cynical and jaded one. With an act of total flippancy, she held out her fist and lazily shook it up and down. Intentionally going against the beat Haruka set.
For Setsuna, it was about the little victories.
“GO!”
Dramatically, as if they were charging their respective Senshi attacks, Haruka and Michiru showed their hands.
Haruka? Rock.
Michiru? Paper.
Shit. Haruka chided herself. Why do I always pick rock? Haven’t I learned already?
Michiru’s posture straightened up as she smiled at her lover. Her poor, poor, blonde love. For the years they’ve settled disputes with the classic game, Haruka always chose rock. For some reason. It surprised Michiru how Haruka always went straight for rock. From time to time, there were exceptions. Michiru would calculate about 5-10% of the time Haruka would pick anything other than rock. And in rare cases, Michiru considered letting Haruka win.
But that was never going to happen. Ever.
Setsuna was the last one to lay her fist out. Paper too. Haruka bemoaned Setsuna’s defiance of the sacred game of Rock, Paper, Scissors.
“C’mon Setsuna. Humor us a bit?”
Setsuna found herself rubbing her eyes in frustration. “You know there are better ways to divide tasks around the house.
“Ok, but, like, you haven’t suggested anything. So, I went with what I know best.” Haruka responded, almost partly offended by Setsuna’s refusal of participation.
“But this isn’t ANY task.” Haruka’s eyes narrowed.
“She’s right, you know.” Michiru glared at Setsuna.
Setsuna refused to acknowledge either.
“This is about who gets to change Hotaru’s diapers for the next week.”
“Then why don’t we rotate?”
“NO!” yelled the couple in unison at Setsuna. Her eyes widened at the two’s defiance. Was changing a baby’s diaper that serious? Setsuna remembered the moments when she stepped away from the time gate to change both Usagi’s AND small lady’s diapers. It wasn’t a big deal. It’s a normal function of babies until they get old enough to handle their own business.
“Then why don’t I just take over the diaper duties.”
Haruka shook her head at the suggestion, “That would not be fair. If you solely handled diaper duties…” Michiru finished, “That would mean you’d have a bargaining chip over us because we weren't pulling our weight around the house.”
“What. What are you…” Setsuna felt flabbergasted. These two were shallow, ridiculously shallow. It was just a basic chore.
“Going back to my suggestion, let’s rotate. It makes the most sense. It’s equal. And fair. We don't have to deal with the suspense of ‘Will Haruka choose anything other than Rock?’”
“Hey!” Haruka gawked. Michiru raised her hand and softly rubbed Haruka's shoulder. The soothing touch helped to calm down Haruka's shock.
“Haruka, darling, Setsuna’s right. I got so caught up in the show of it all and forgot that we all contribute equally. Let’s do rotations.”
Haruka slumped her shoulders forward. The defeat setting in. Both women allowed Haruka to sulk for a moment. It did not take long for Haruka long to come around to the idea. They were right. She knew it.
She nodded at the two, “Let's Rock, Paper, Scissors to see who starts the rotation.”
Setsuna covered her face with her hands and groaned. She set a reminder to herself to scream into the void later. Setsuna tried to get a word out and suggest she start the rotation, it was too late. The other two started another round of the dreaded game.
“Rock. Paper. Scissors…”
A vicious cycle.