Chapter Text
"Ya really are a nerd, ya know that?" Mammon groans as he stares at the workbook in front of him. When he gazes up, Yuki is smiling at him.
"Well, yeah. I've always enjoyed academics, always enjoyed helping others with it too." Yuki looks back down to Mammon's work and points to one of his answers. "You may want to check that one again."
Mammon examines where Yuki points and lets out an exasperated sigh, "Ya already did this, yeah? Why not just gimme the answers!?"
"Then you won't understand the material for the exam. If you get good grades on the rest of the exams and turn in all the homework, you pass. The professor gave you a way out so take advantage of it." Yuki picks up Mammon's notebook and flips through a couple pages "I offered to tutor you because I'm taking this course too, and you need the help. Shit Mammon, you barely have any actual notes."
"What, think the Great Mammon is a fucking idiot? My notes are just short because I don't need 'em." Mammon crosses his arms and mutters, "Like a human can understand my notes."
"I don't think you're an idiot, Mammon, and I'm sorry if it sounded like that's what I meant." Yuki skims through a couple more pages of doodles and scribblings before setting the book back onto the table. "Of course you wouldn't have retained any of this, you lack the motivation for it. We're going to have to work on that first then- hm, I could re-teach the material for you. Would take longer, but you'd actually learn and it makes good review for me. I could easily go over chapter one and two today, but do I have to teach note taking techniques too or..."
Mammon glares as Yuki continues to ramble to himself. "Ya expect me to pay attention and take notes just because it's you?"
Yuki's eyes snap back to Mammon, "Right, figuring out motivation first." Yuki taps his chin as he takes a moment to think. "Ah! I actually have something for you. I was going to give it to you before this, but I forgot. That can be your reward for today."
"I ain't working unless I know what it is." Mammon huffs.
Yuki smirks in response, "It's a surprise, but don't worry. If you keep tutoring with me and get your grades up, I'll get you more rewards and better ones even."
Mammon pouts while Yuki just grins. It takes some time, but Yuki goes through the textbook and uses his own notes to help Mammon remeber the important information for the course. Yuki helps him finish his assignments for a few chapters and even quizzes Mammon. Mammon's frustration slowly fades away as Yuki and him figure out what methods work best for him. While he still has a mountain of work left, Mammon has made a good dent in it. Maybe Yuki tutoring him isn't all that bad.
Yuki scans over the last workbook page for the chapter and smiles. "This looks good! Now all you need to do is the unit report and you'll have these chapters done. Understanding the material makes it easier, doesn't it?"
"It wasn't like I didn't get it. Just didn't care enough to learn it." Mammon whines. "Now give me my reward."
Yuki taps on his phone, the time glows on the screen. "Oh damn, yeah it's getting late. Lets pack up."
"I ain't doing nothing else until I get my prize." Mammon lifts his hands away from his books and bag.
Yuki giggles, "Fine, fine. But, you have to make me a promise okay?"
"What?! I already did my work for the day!"
"I just want you to pick a report topic from one of the prompts by our next session. Promise me you'll do that?"
Mammon mopes for brief second but then nods, "Yeah fine, whatever. Gimme."
Yuki digs around in his pocket. "This isn't much, I know, but your rewards will get better over time." Yuki presents Mammon's prize in the palm of his hand.
"Is that... Is that a coin with some fancy string?" Mammon asks.
Yuki shrugs. "I mean yeah, it's human currency but every year there's different designs on the newly printed ones. I keep the ones I find that I think are cool. This one made me think of you so I decided to make it a little good luck charm for you. It has a little clasp and everything."
"Ya think the Great Mammon needs a good luck charm?" He tries to turn his head away to hide the heat rising in his cheeks.
"Do you not like it?" Yuki's eyebrows furrow.
Mammon immediately regrets his words. "No! Nah, I like it just fine. I just- The charm is nice, I'm just lucky as is it is. As the Great Mammon I'll show you some pity. Someone as lucky as me doesn't need a good luck charm, but you're obviously begging me to take it, so I will. I mean who doesn't want to give the Great Mammon a gift?"
Yuki looks over the charm in his hand and then brings it to his lips, planting a kiss on the coin. "There, I added a good luck kiss. Now it's even more lucky. Maybe even lucky enough for the Great Mammon?" He holds out the charm for Mammon to take.
Mammon stares briefly then snatches it. "Maybe it is."
Yuki waves. "Goodnight, Mammon." He says before he begins walking away towards his room.
"Wait, Yuki." Mammon pauses when Yuki turns, their eyes meeting. "I uh- shit." He rubs the back of his neck and his gaze falls to the floor. "Don't tell anyone I said this, but thanks. For helping me and for the charm, I... I really like it."
"I'm glad." Yuki smiles softly. "Hope you sleep well."
"I- You too." Mammon nods as he watches Yuki leave. Mammon stands for a moment, looking down at the charm. His cheeks shift into a deeper pink as he brings the charm closer to his face. He closes his eyes and his lips touch where Yuki's once were.