A/N: Written for the UsaMamo Week 2021 tumblr challenge. The theme for Day 7 was 'Hugs'.
Technically this could take place almost anywhere in canon. But to me, it happens in between the Hell Tree and Black Moon arcs of the Anime.
I'd like to thank SinJazz1327 for beta reading this for me! You can find her on Instagram under the same username!
Also check out everyone else's amazing contributions to UsaMamo week on tumblr via the 'UsaMamoWeek2021' tag.
Prince Endymion, heir to the throne of Earth.
Tuxedo Mask, the protector of the innocent.
Moonlight Knight, the adversary of evil.
No matter what he'd called himself, Mamoru Chiba had faced no end of trying times. Amnesia. Impalement. Death. Rebirth. He'd lived through them all and emerged from the other side stronger for it.
And yet, today he faced a challenge that was pushing him to his absolute limits…
"Alright Mamo-chan… explain it to me just oooooooooone more time, 'kay? "
…helping Usagi with her physics homework.
It took all his resilience to not outwardly wince in pain. This was… what? The twelfth time he'd tried explaining things… in the last hour? He subtly inhaled, steeling himself for attempt number thirteen.
"So… gravity is a natural phenomenon by which all things with mass or energy, like planets, stars and satellites like Moons or asteroids, are attracted to one another. The gravitational attraction of the original gaseous matter present in the Universe caused it to begin coalescing and forming stars and caused the stars to group together into galaxies, so gravity is responsible for many of the large-scale structures in the Universe. Do… Do you understand now , Usako?"
Usagi stared at Mamoru intently for a moment, tapping her pencil to her chin. He leaned forwards slightly. Could it be that this time she…
" Ummmm… " his heart sank at the confusion behind her eyes.
Then it broke as they welled with tears. She got up from the floor, dropping her pen on the desk as she fled for the kitchen area. Within seconds, she was rapidly working her way through his paper towels, the apartment resounding with her cries.
" I'm never gonna get this! " She wailed, blowing her nose loudly.
Mamoru's second hand embarrassment was only outweighed by his concern for his girlfriend. He wasn't the best at social skills, but even he knew some kind words or mere platitudes weren't going to cut it at the moment.
He racked his brain for what to do, trying desperately to put himself in Usagi's shoes. The task was eminently difficult since in most respects Usagi was nothing like him. Hell, that was part of why he loved her. He was always so reserved , so in control. Meanwhile, Usagi was the single most outgoing person he'd met in his whole life (and his past one now he thought about it). She was all emotion almost all the time.
As his mind raced through options, a part of him wondered what she saw in him in the first place. Then again, she'd first fallen for Tuxedo Mask, the side of himself that wasn't quite as reserved. Sure, his words had helped encourage Usagi, but only after he'd thrown a rose her way, showing her he cared by saving her life and risking his own. His actions were what-
Mamoru tilted his head and narrowed his eyes.
Maybe… Maybe that could work?
As Usagi's wailing increased in volume, Mamoru decided it was worth a shot.
Usagi blew her nose into the fifth paper towel. She was too ashamed to face Mamoru and so had completely turned her back on the living room area. She sniffled and reached out, preparing to grab towel number six.
Before her fingertips had even brushed the towel though she stopped, having spotted the shadows shift on the counter. Her cheeks flushed red with embarrassment.
"Maybe if we try something a little more practical?"
She sniffled, having only partially paid attention.
"I'm the Earth."
She paid more attention when a pair of hands tenderly clasped her around the shoulders.
"And you're the Moon."
She rolled her eyes but was too demotivated to pull away when the hands manoeuvred her around. Nevertheless, she kept her tear-stained eyes averted downwards.
"And gravity…"
She internally groaned.
"…works kind of…"
Couldn't he understand?
"…like this."
She really wasn't in the mood for another round of humil-
His arms wrapped around her waist and gently pulled her towards him until there was barely any space between them.
"Does that help Usako?" He whispered.
Her cheeks flushed red. But not from embarrassment.
"Yeah, I… I think so."
He gave her a small smile. "Good… Although… you know… the Moon has its own gravity too. That means…"
She moved her hands up his chest and hooked them around his neck, closing the gap between them.
"I got it."
Just for once, Usagi rather enjoyed her homework.
A/N: I hope you enjoyed my contributions to UsaMamo Week 2021, it was a total blast/stressful getting these out but also incredibly rewarding. In particular I'd like to give another thank you to Antigone02 for hosting and everyone who's left such lovely replies to these seven fics.
Just a heads up, if you enjoyed any of my fics I'm also (hopefully) putting out stories throughout this year and the next in my 'Anniversary Anthology' series.
There're already six fics in that series and (barring any complications) the next update for that will be on August 3rd. That's when I will be publishing SIX fics throughout the day to celebrate both Mamoru's birthday and the 30th anniversaries of both Minako and Artemis.