Moon

Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon.

Warnings: Self Harm, Angst, Emotional/Physical Abuse, Hurt/Comfort

Pairings: Tsukino Usagi (Chibiusa) x Tomoe Hotaru, Tenou Haruka x Kaiou Michiru

Plot: Tsukino begins a new life with Tomoe.

#MysticalWitchtober2023

10/04 - Moon


Tomoe parked as quickly as she possibly could, grabbing her keys and running across the parking lot to the train station, panting shakily as she looked around the platform with wide eyes. "I'm here! I'm here, Bun! Where are you?"

A muffled reply came from the phone pressed against her ear, and she turned to the left, then right, her brow pinched with worry.

"Bunny, I don't see you! Are you sure you're at the right stop?"

More muffled crying and stuttered words, and Tomoe took off running along the platforms, keeping her eyes peeled for her absolute closest friend, whom she'd never met before.

"I'm coming, Bun! I'm coming, I'm almost there!"

At the end of the farthest platform, there was a hooded figure huddled against a brick column, a backpack and duffel bag sitting beside them. Tomoe called out to them, and they looked up, reaching out with a choked sob. "H-Hotaru!"

"I'm here!" Tomoe sobbed, dropping to her knees and hugging her friend tightly, Tsukino clinging to her shoulders and sobbing against her neck. "I'm here, Bun. I've got you! Don't worry, everything will be alright-"

"I c-can never g-go back!" Tsukino wailed brokenly, Tomoe holding them tight. "T-They said they'll n-never speak t-to me again! I'm not-" Tsukino drew back, hiccuping wetly, on the verge of hyperventilating. "I-I'm not-!"

"Don't worry, you can stay with me." Tomoe whispered fiercely, cradling Tsukino's head, kissing their wet cheeks. "I promise things will be different now that you're here. You never have to see them again, you never have to hear anything hurtful from them ever again!"

Tsukino whimpered and nodded, drawing back to meet Tomoe's eyes. "I'm really sorry, t-to just show up like this-"

"I'm happy you're here." Tomoe whispered, smiling and laughing, tears dripping down her cheeks. "I love you, Bunny. I love you so much. You're safe with me."

Tsukino sniffed and laughed, nodding and hugging Tomoe tightly again. "I love you too, Hotaru! You're my best friend! I'm so happy to finally meet you!"

They huddled together for a little while longer, until Tsukino was breathing more easily and they both felt ready to walk along the platforms to reach the parking lot. They climbed into Tomoe's car, and together they picked out music to listen to, and decided on which drive-thru to swing by for food.

They made the trip back to Tomoe's hometown sharing fries and chicken nuggets, laughing and singing along to the radio, Tomoe's hand laced with Tsukino's.

It was just past 4am when they reached the house, and Tomoe unlocked the front door and stepped inside, glancing towards the kitchen where the light was on.

"Amma?" Tomoe called, dropping Tsukino's duffel from her shoulder, beckoning her friend to come inside before continuing down the hall. "Amma, are you awake?"

Tsukino looked around the floral wallpaper and various pictures hanging on the walls, dropping their backpack to rest beside the duffel before trailing after Tomoe's steps.

"Oh, Hotaru! Thank goodness! Where have you been?" Tsukino peeked around the corner carefully, their eyes falling on Tomoe and her guardian, who were hugging by the kitchen table. "Are you alright? I was worried!"

"I'm sorry, Amma. It was an emergency." Tomoe held her guardian's hands and smiled, looking to Tsukino, beckoning them closer. "You remember my friend? The one I spoke with you about, Usagi?"

"Your Bunny friend?" Meiou murmured curiously, watching Tsukino's hesitant approach. "What is she doing here?"

"They are here because…well…" Tomoe frowned a little, taking Tsukino's hand. "Their home wasn't safe for them anymore. I told Bun they could always come to me, no matter what, if they needed a safe place to stay."

Meiou frowned a little, putting things together, and then after a moment she reached out and wrapped her arms around Tsukino's shoulders, giving them a gentle hug.

"Oh, my precious one. Your family has been cruel to you, have they? Come now, come. Sit at the table, let Amma fix you something to eat-"

"We just ate Amma," Tomoe giggled softly, taking a seat beside Tsukino, lacing their fingers beneath the table while asking gently, "Would you like something to drink? There's coffee, or tea?"

"Tea sounds nice…" Tsukino looked to Meiou then, adding with a shy smile, "…please?"

Meiou clucked with laughter and reached out to cup Tsukino's cheeks, stroking their cheeks for a moment before drawing back again, turning to set the kettle on the stove. "Lovely little Bunny. I see why you like them so."

Tsukino's face scrunched up and they sniffed quietly, ducking their head as slow tears dripped down their cheeks, Tomoe leaning in to hug them tightly.

After speaking with Meiou, it was agreed upon that Tsukino could stay with them, so long as Tomoe continued attending high-school, then college after graduation. Tsukino, on the other hand, took time to rest and heal after being disowned by their family.

Several weeks passed before Tsukino felt ready to start living their new life in Tomoe's coastal hometown. Their first trip to the beach felt like an entirely different world. To Tsukino, it truly was. They hadn't realized how different life could be.

Growing up in the country, closeted and socially outcast, not a single friend in their tiny bumpkin town, every day had been a brand new hell.

Here and now, finally free from the cage they'd been trapped in, Tsukino felt like they could finally breathe after drowning for nearly seventeen years. For the first time in maybe ever, they felt like they wanted to live.

It was a beautiful, heart-rending feeling, finally wanting to be alive.

Tomoe tugged their wrist excitedly as they ran along the beach, Tsukino smiling and chasing after her, their eyes wide as they took in the golden sands and bright blue waves as far as their eyes could see.

"Oh my gosh! This is so cool!" Tsukino cheered, splashing into the shallow waves alongside Tomoe, who turned towards them with bubbly laughter, reaching out to hug their neck tightly.

"I knew you'd like it!" She giggled, Tsukino hugging her back before skipping further into the waves, wading into deeper water, Tomoe holding her sun hat as she waded after them, shrieking as the waves splashed around their waists. "It's cold!"

"Yeah, it is." Tsukino breathed, inhaling deep to savor the salt in the air, their eyes wide as they looked to the fluffy white clouds drifting slowly overhead. Their gaze followed the passing gulls as a squabble flew towards sailboats out past the sandbar, then to the tall lighthouse standing guard at the edge of the coast. "This place is amazing. I never dreamed it would be like this."

"I sent you tons of pictures all the time!" Tomoe laughed, swatting their shoulder, Tsukino turning towards them with a sheepish grin.

"Yeah, well. A picture's one thing, experiencing it is another!"

"You like it?" Tomoe asked, searching Tsukino's eyes. "Really? Are you happy here?"

"I'm so happy." Tsukino murmured gently, their expression affectionate and soft. "Happier than I've ever been. Thank you so much for sharing your world with me."

Tomoe blushed and giggled, splashing Tsukino before darting back towards the beach, Tsukino shouting and chasing after her. They spent the day collecting shells and building castles, walking hand in hand along the warm sand until they reached a small boardwalk, popping in and out of the small shops here and there.

They sat at a picnic table overlooking the beach, lapping at their popsicles and sharing an oversized slushie between them, gulls screeching loudly as they begged for food, swooping low and gathering all around the table.

"We don't have anything!" Tsukino laughed, swatting one of the gulls away from their table, Tomoe giggling and glancing towards the food carts nearby. "Should we get them some popcorn? They were selling big bags at the red cart-"

A gull swooped down low with a shrill cry and they ducked with scattered laughter, and Tomoe's hat was swept away in the passing breeze, Tsukino giving chase while Tomoe called after them.

The hat swept around a corner between the shops, and as Tsukino rounded the corner they nearly bumped into an unsuspecting couple, apologizing quickly and dipping down to retrieve the hat.

Tsukino sighed and dusted sand from the brim, tensing only slightly when an unfamiliar voice asked in a curious tone, "You're the new kid, aren't you? Hotaru's friend?"

Tsukino turned to look at the couple, glancing between them before responding hesitantly, "Yes, I'm Hotaru's friend…"

The tall, slender boy that had spoken reached out and offered his hand with a friendly smile. "Nice to finally meet you. We've heard a lot about you." He paused for a moment, then asked, "It's Usagi, isn't it?"

"Bun is fine." Tsukino murmured, taking his hand and shaking lightly, the pretty girl watching their exchange stepping closer with a calm, gentle smile.

"You do look rather like a bunny." She hummed softly, tucking some of her wavy teal hair behind an ear. "There aren't any albino students in our hometown, I'm sure you'll be popular at school once you start attending classes."

"What year are you?" The boy asked, resting his hands casually in his pockets, the girl linking her arm with one of his, both watching Tsukino expectantly.

Tsukino looked between them, worrying the brim of Tomoe's hat absently, their heart fluttering. This was new, speaking with strangers who seemed friendly, non-judgemental. Perhaps even open to becoming friends.

"Bunny?" Tomoe called as she came around the corner, and Tsukino exhaled a breath they hadn't realized they'd been holding, watching as Tomoe smiled wide and stepped closer to greet the couple with open arms. "Oh, you're here! I was hoping we could meet up soon so you could meet Bun!"

"Hey, Taru." The boy grinned as he hugged her, the girl taking one of Tomoe's hands and lacing their fingers, giggling softly.

Tsukino watched them curiously, taking a hesitant step closer and offering Tomoe her hat. "They're your friends?"

"This is Tenoh Haru," Tomoe introduced, the boy giving a little nod, "and this is Kaiou Michiru. We've been friends since middle-school!"

Tsukino relaxed a bit, offering them both an apologetic, shy little smile. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't realize…I-I mean, I've seen pictures of you before I think? But you looked…"

"Different, huh?" Tenoh laughed and nodded, carding fingers through his cropped fade. "Cut my hair again recently, and just had top surgery a few months ago. Feels great! This is our first trip to the beach since recovery!"

Tsukino's eyes widened and their breath hitched, and they looked to Tomoe curiously before meeting Tenoh's eyes again. "Y-You're…I mean, you're…?"

Tenoh chuckled and tilted his head a bit, holding Tsukino's eyes. "Trans? Yeah, I am. If you've seen pics of us from middle-school, I guess you weren't expecting it?"

Tsukino stepped closer, their heart hammering against their ribcage, "Could I…" They arched their brow a bit, trying to find the right words to say. "I've never…talked to anyone, about…"

"It's alright, Bun." Tomoe whispered gently, taking Tsukino's hand. "You can talk to Haru and Michiru about anything. This is a safe space. You can be yourself around us. Your true self."

Tsukino laughed wetly and nodded, reaching up to scrub their eyes. Tenoh reached out an arm, offering a hug, and Tsukino shifted closer to accept it.

"Welcome to the coast." He chuckled softly, giving Tsukino a little squeeze before gesturing towards the food carts. "Y'all already grab something to eat?"

"We were thinking about picking out a snack to feed the gulls!" Tomoe grinned, turning to walk with them along the boardwalk. "What about you two? Any plans today?"

"Just enjoying the sunshine!" Tenoh sighed happily, tilting his face up and closing his eyes. "Man, this is great! Being cooped up during recovery was driving me crazy!"

"He's been talking about the beach non-stop since last weekend!" Kaiou sighed, patting Tenoh's arm gently and resting her cheek against his shoulder. "What about you? Any exciting plans?"

Tomoe shook her head, then clapped her hands together excitedly. "Why don't we pick up some sparklers and a watermelon? We can stay and watch the sunset together!"

"Sounds good to me!" Tenoh chuckled, dipping down to press a kiss to Kaiou's forehead, Tsukino watching them with a curious little blush, Tomoe smiling as she tugged at Tsukino's hand lightly.

"Does that sound like fun, Bunny?"

Tsukino nodded, meeting Tomoe's eyes and smiling happily, Tomoe giggling and hugging them gently before tugging them along the boardwalk.

"C'mon! Let's get some popcorn!"

As friends chatted together, Tsukino's gaze drifted across the sea, lingering where sunkissed waves faded into the horizon. The sky was barely hinting at sunset colors; splashes of orange, pink, and gold that cast a warm glow across the coastline.

Beyond the horizon, the soft pale curve of a crescent moon peeked through cotton-candy clouds, surrounded by a dappling of stars.

Tsukino felt their chest twist, an awed little smile turning up their lips. Tomoe squeezed their fingers, and Tsukino squeezed back, their heart fluttering.

This was it, what they'd been searching for. They'd finally found their home.


Thanks for reading! More to come!