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i.
There were a lot of things Rin cared about, despite what she might want others to think. Rin loved deeply and wholly, in a special, holy kind of way. She loved Haru, she loved her hair, she even loved Kagura, for all her nagging. She loved horses, even after everything, and Master Kazuma in a quieter, more grateful kind of way. She'd loved her parents once too.
She loved Tohru.
Haru knew that better than anyone. He could read Rin like a book, and despite her trying to hide it he could tell — anyone could, really — that she adored Tohru Honda like a desperate child chasing after its mother.
Except Tohru didn't run, she didn't even walk fast, merely strolling and twirling along her path. She always stopped to let Rin catch up, and she never questioned why she was being followed in the first place.
Tohru was convinced that Rin was her best friend in the world — you could see it in her eyes, in her smile. Of course I have room for one more, she'd shrug, stubbornly refusing to let Arisa and Hanajima relinquish their places. Three best friends, she'd grinned once, I'm the luckiest girl in the world, aren't I? And Haru could tell that's when she had Rin eating out the palm of her hand. The girl was elated, and Haru was just proud — best friends with Tohru Honda, it was almost funny.
From the outside it would almost seem like it was Tohru that was pushing it, following Rin around like a lost puppy. That was never true, it had always been the other way around. But Tohru was kind and kept her mouth shut and Rin was proud, and just continued shrugging it off.
Haru was happier than ever.
It was why he'd decided to pull the trigger in the first place. It was slightly stupid, and slightly impulsive but he had decided as soon as he stepped foot on school ground in his third year — he was going to propose to Rin after high school. Finding himself in summer, barely a few months after graduation, in the Sohma vacation house all over again, all of them reunited for the first time after Tohru and Kyo had left he decided it was finally time.
The decision to ask Tohru Honda what she thought, though, was entirely impromptu. Something about it just felt right, like he was supposed to. He'd never done it: asking anyone for permission to see Rin. There was no promises to her parents of keeping out of trouble or flustered apologies to pick her up for a date, there certainly wasn't any pleading involved when he asked her out. It just happened, all of it, and Rin had no one to look out for her, to ask for Haru’s innocence or make him pay his penance if he were to mistreat her. Haru did all of that himself.
“Hey, Honda? Can we talk?”
She paused, stopped chopping her vegetables and turned. She always seemed to listen with everything in her, like listening was a task that required all of her attention. It was nice. “Yeah, sure. Is something wrong?”
He gestured to the table, and she followed serenely. He wondered when that had happened, growing up had been kind to her.
“Can I marry Rin?”
“What?!”
“You heard me.”
It was a strange cycle to break. A silly kind of inertia to get rid of, pointless almost. By the time it had come to it — a proposal — most people's parents needn't be involved, one already knew where they stood with them. But it felt important to Haru, to honor Rin like this. To acknowledge that there finally was someone who would care enough to want to deny him access to her. He knew Tohru wouldn't. But it was important for him to ask, anyway.
Silence stretched for a while before Tohru spoke again. “Um, Hatsuharu?”
“Yeah?”
“Not to be rude but… is there any particular reason you're asking me this?”
He just blinked, confused. That was not the direction he was expecting the conversation to go. Tohru had always been so docile, in a strange way. He'd never intended to take advantage of it but he hadn't really expected her to say no.
“Is that a no?”
“What?!” She yelped, shaking her hands frantically. “Of course it isn't.”
He tilted his head, unsure how to talk to her without Rin or Yuki present. “Then what? What's with all the questions, Honda?”
She pursed her lips, gathering what weak resolve she had. It came out looking more like a pout. “Actually, it's a no until you tell me what you're talking about.”
“Wow, standing your ground, huh?”
She just crossed her arms.
He huffed. “Kyo's rubbing off on you.”
He was almost glad to see the opposition, how she seemed ready to defend Rin so fiercely, to question his motives. Honda wouldn't have inserted herself if Haru hadn't gone to her, but once she was pulled in she assumed her role instantly and stubbornly. He was glad for that, despite the trouble it put him through.
“I just want your blessing, is that so hard to believe?”
“But why?”
“Listen,” he sighed, “you know how Rin’s family was. We never did the whole meet-the-parents or overprotective-father thing when we started dating. There was no one to do it with. It felt wrong not to do it now either.”
He hoped Honda was smart enough to read between the lines.
“Isn't that a bit old fashioned, though?”
He just shrugged. “Like I said, it felt wrong not to. No one ever made sure I was good for her when we started out.”
“Better late than never, then.”
“Yeah, exactly. Glad you get it, Honda.”
Except Honda’s grin turned into something almost vicious, almost cunning. It was sharper than usual. He wondered whose influence that was, wondered if it was Rin’s herself.
“Okay, then.” He could tell she was going for sternness, but her soft voice and generally warm demeanor made it almost comedic. “What are your intentions with my Rin?”
“What?” He spluttered.
“You heard me,” she insisted, “you said you wanted to do this right. Well, I'm playing my part then.”
He almost smiled. “I love her. I want to make her happy.”
“For how long?”
“For… the rest of our lives?”
“Are you sure?” She pressed. “Are you ready to promise you'll be by her side forever?”
“Yeah.”
“Hatsuharu, you can't leave her. Ever. Marriage is a promise, okay? It's one you can't break. I've seen what it does to people when it breaks — I won't let you do that to Rin.”
“Well, geez, Honda, I can't exactly control it if I die, cut me some slack.”
“Haru, I mean it.”
He raised an eyebrow. “So do I.”
She sighed. “I was being silly, I don't actually believe that… But I'm serious about what I said. I mean it, Hatsuharu.”
“I know. You don't have to remind me.”
She relaxed slightly. “Good.”
Then, after a thorough look-over, she finally nodded, almost appreciatively and the Tohru Honda he'd grown accustomed to was back.
“Of course you can marry Rin!” She cheered, clasping her hands together. “Do you have a ring yet? Are you planning on proposing soon? Do you—. Wait, sorry, I'm rambling but it's just such wonderful news!”
“You think so?”
“Oh yes, I'm so excited!”
“Okay, let me show you the ring then.”
“Oh wow, really? Thank you!”
He wondered, relieved, if there was a small part of him that was even slightly concerned she'd say no at the relief filling his body. It was a stupid thought anyway — Haru would've married her regardless of what Honda said or thought. Yet something about the careful scrutiny and whole acceptance felt right, it felt like what he was looking for, what Rin had been looking for all those years prior to meeting Tohru.
He wondered how she'd feel if she heard the conversation that had transpired between them.
(Mortified. She felt completely mortified. Haru would make sure to tease her all he could — milk it for all it was worth, and torture her with it for days. She'd call him an idiot and a traitor and they'd laugh like kids at the park again.
She said yes.)
ii.
“Hey Yuki, who would you say is the most important person in your life?”
“Apart from you?”
Machi just hummed, methodically picking out her rice while she ate.
“Tohru. Any reason in particular you're asking?”
Lying had always come easy to Machi, and there was an understanding between them on late nights like these that few words were needed.
“Not really.”
Which is how she ended up in poor Tohru’s kitchen, all the way in southern Yamamoto. She'd given Yuki some excuse or another about having to spend the weekend away, and something in her voice had told him not to prod too far. She was so grateful for him, at times like those.
Machi was a determined girl, so getting up early and catching her train hadn't been a problem. The new city with the new people and unfamiliar roads hadn't been a problem. The strange looks for her clearly being an outsider in the small town and deep understanding that she was doing all of this on a hunch didn't deter her.
Yet she found that when she reached the tiny Honda-Sohma house she'd gotten the address for all the way back when they first moved she froze. Tohru wasn't expecting her, nor was Kyo for that matter. She'd just be showing up, unannounced and out of nowhere. No one would even know where she was. Maybe, she thought, this was a bad idea after all, maybe she should turn away and shake the silly thoughts from her head and just assume her fate but…
No.
Machi Kuragi was a lot of things, she was far from perfect, no one near it, really. But she wasn't a quitter, and she hadn't endured the last five hours just to quit when she was finally at the girl's doorstep. That would've been even more utterly shameful and ridiculous than showing up in the first place.
Which is how she found herself sitting in Tohru Honda’s charming kitchen playing with her nails, seated next to the slightly crooked table, contrasting with the neat look that reigned the rest of the kitchen. She clung to it gratefully.
Tohru cleared her throat, she'd been gentle enough to not ask any questions prior but well, there was only so much she could keep quiet.
“Um, Machi-san?”
“Yes?”
“Not that I'm bothered by it or anything but why did you decide to come here? Is Yuki coming too? Oh my gosh, did I forget after our last phone call or something?” She looked so worried it was almost laughable to think the real reason she was there was because she'd freaked out after graduating.
“Not at all, Tohru-san. I'm sorry I didn't say I was coming.”
And at that, poor, sweet Tohru, bless her soul, just blinked at her, slightly confused but still with that kind, warm expression that made her squirm. “It's no trouble at all, Machi-san, I'm just a bit confused, is all.”
She at least understood that much, it was a weird situation to be in and she herself wasn't sure what she'd been thinking when she decided to show up all of a sudden. She found she wasn't quite sure what she was supposed to say next. Tohru was clearly too polite to prod further but Machi was the kind of person who relied on others’ prodding, she depended on everyone else wanting to engage instead of engaging herself. She was left floundering at Tohru’s silence.
“I kind of ran away. From Yuki.”
And at that, it was like she was like a tiny dolly wound up ready to spring in. “What?” She gasped. “Are you both fighting? He didn't say anything when we talked a few days ago…”
She shook her head, and pursed her lips as she looked down at the skirt she was rhythmically bundling up and smoothing over between her shaky fingers. She wasn't sure how to explain herself at all. “It's not that.”
“You can talk to me about whatever you need to, Machi. We're friends.”
At that, she nodded her head, a bit surprised. She and Tohru got along well when she wasn't showing up at her house two prefectures away, yes, but she wasn't sure if Tohru would actually call them friends. She found some foolish, silly part of her fluttering at the thought.
“We're going to move in together. For college.”
“Oh but that's wonderful news! I'm so happy for you. Though I'm sure Yuki already mentioned it over the phone, Machi-san.”
“He did,” she nodded, “it's just. Do you think it's a good idea, Tohru-san?”
At that, she finally seemed to let her full, unbridled shock through. “Excuse me?”
She rushed to correct herself, pulling herself up and internally spinning around excuses as to why she’d returned to Tokyo early. “Nevermind, I shouldn't have shown up.”
“Oh no, it's okay. Like I said, we're friends, Machi-san, please sit back down. Stay for lunch at least?”
And while she would've usually said something or put up a bit more of a fight, she was four hours away from home at best and the logistics and stress were making her head spin already.
“Yes, thank you, Tohru-san.”
Tohru just smiled. “Is there anything in particular you'd like? I can whip up just about anything but the fish here is really good.”
“No, anything's fine, thank you.”
She just continued beaming, settling on deciding what they would eat later. Kyo can be a bit pickier anyway so he can choose, she said, returning them to their awkward silence.
“So, what is this about not wanting to move in with Yuki? Is something the matter?”
And for all her nervous, excitable energy Machi had to applaud her for keeping quiet for so long, the Tohru she knew from school would've been bombarding her with all sorts of questions already. Then again, the Machi she herself was back when they first met in school wouldn't have gathered the courage to show up at all, so she supposed they'd both grown up since then.
“No, everything's fine.” She shook her head. “Yuki’s been great.”
“I'm sorry, Machi-san, I just can't understand what's wrong then? Is it me? Did I do something wrong? Oh god, are you uncomfortable with me and Yuki because he's like family to me, honestly, and I don't know how we gave off that impression, I'm so sorry—”
The dam broke.
“No, it's just that. You are like family to him, he loves you very much and I was just… worried, I suppose?” Then, quieter, “that you wouldn't approve of… me.”
“Oh did I give off that impression? I'm so sorry, really, it's not like that at all, I swear, I like you a lot Machi! Sorry, Machi-san—”
“No, it's not that. You've been perfectly welcoming, really.” Machi wasn't really used to speaking this much, she realized. It's why she liked Yuki so much, with all his teasing and bluntness, he riled her up, and filled the silences when he didn't. “I suppose that moving in together just sounded a bit too serious and I wanted your approval. I realize now how stupid that sounds, sorry.”
“As in… my blessing?”
“Yes.” It really did sound stupid said aloud. But it was important to her, for some reason. If Tohru Honda thought she was good enough to move in with Yuki, it almost felt like she was proving something, in a roundabout sort of way. She wondered if that was messed up within itself.
“Huh. That's weird.”
“Oh. I'm sorry.”
“Oh no, not at all!” She waved her away. “It's just strange, I was asked for something similar a few months ago, is all.”
She just hummed, nodding her head but keeping her eyes firmly glued to her hands. She chipped another one of her bright red nails.
“But of course you have my blessing, Machi-san. You make Yuki so happy, you know? I don't think I've ever seen him smile or tease someone like that.”
She just blinked, strangely shocked even as she had no expectations for the interaction. “Machi is fine.”
“Just call me Tohru then. But really, you bring out this carefree side of Yuki no one else does. It's like he gives up on being Prince Yuki with you, you know? I can tell.”
Her eyes turned strangely misty, she'd never thought it was that special. She didn't do anything, really, it was all Yuki. Still, hearing the praise, being praised by the most important person in her boyfriend's life…It felt strangely nice. She'd never quite gotten used to praise altogether, but Tohru’s just felt special in its own right.
“Thank you.”
“Of course! Do you have a place to stay tonight, then?”
She froze. She couldn't believe she hadn't thought of that, she was so idiotic. Really, a ryokan to spend the night was such a basic thing, what was she supposed to do? She could always catch another train back but she wasn't sure when it would even depart.
“I assume you don't?”
Tentatively, frantically, she shook her head, carefully keeping her head down.
“That's great!”
Her eyes shot up to meet Tohru’s excited smile. “You can stay here! It's been so long since I've had a sleepover, this is going to be so much fun, Machi-san— sorry, Machi. You and I can sleep on futons in the guest room if that's okay with you?”
And at Tohru’s elated gaze, she found it easy to understand why the Sohmas never seemed to deny her anything. She nodded, smiling slightly. The last time she'd had a sleepover was when Kakeru had gone over to her new apartment to help her unpack, after she'd been kicked out. It had been fun, and she found herself strangely excited at the idea.
“Sure.”
She squealed, excitedly, getting up, presumably to set up the guest room in question, leaving Machi strangely flustered in the kitchen.
“I'm so happy.” She called behind her.
“Eh? What happened?” A third, gruffer voice joined the conversation.
“Oh, Kyo, you're back! Welcome home! You'll never guess what happened. Machi’s staying for a sleepover, isn't it amazing?”
“Huh? Yuki's girlfriend?”
“Yup.”
As she turned around to say hi from the doorway, he found Tohru fluttering around her poor boyfriend, skipping excitedly as he tried to keep up. It was hard to feel unwelcome, then, and she understood why Yuki loved her so much. A small part of her hoped she and Tohru could grow closer too.
“But isn't the ratboy back in Tokyo?”
At that, she couldn't help herself, she snorted rather loudly, instantly covering her mouth. Kyo and her had never been close, exchanging only pleasantries here and there, but the damage was done, and Kyo was looking straight at her. He was grinning, and at the very least, she supposed they could poke fun at Yuki together.
Maybe visiting had been a good idea after all.
iii.
Tohru Honda was covering her mouth and laughing. It started as a giggle, really, but it built up into full, light-hearted laughter, shaking her shoulders to tears. Kyo would've described it as wind chimes or something equally as absurd, airy and pleasant.
Hiro bristled at the sound of it.
“Hey, you don't gotta make fun of me for it!”
She waved him away, “I'm sorry, I'm not! it's just, you want my blessing? To be Kisa’s boyfriend? I'm not her mother, you know.”
“Hey, just answer me! It was hard to get you alone at this goddam wedding, you know.”
She just giggled. “Well, it's been almost a year since Kyo and I saw all of you, and we're all excited for Rin and Haru.”
“I know that.” He grumbled, looking away in shame. It was strange, and sort of embarrassing, having to demand Tohru’s attention like this. He'd never known how to ask for someone's time without making a fool of himself, anyway.
Hiro Sohma was not a kind person, that much he was sure of. He wasn't a kind person in the same way he wasn't a nice person. In the same way Tohru Honda was. So really, it had always made sense that he'd resented her, jealousy about Kisa aside.
Something about her struck something deep and vulnerable within him he didn't like. The reminder that he was just a kid, smart as he was, and there was nothing he could do to change that. It made him seem small and powerless, insignificant. Here she was, not even that much bigger than him yet so much more powerful by force of existing alone. Just by being there. Resenting her was easy, for all that she represented and all that she reminded him of.
She was kind to him too, and Hiro thought that just made him worse. Forgiveness was worse than atonement, worse than damnation, and definitely worse than the anger he was looking for. Lashing out was easy but accepting the other person would stand their ground and not fight back, not kick and scream and claw — that was hard. It made him feel even smaller, even more childish.
Tohru Honda was everything he wasn't wrapped in a neat little bow. The perfect exemplification of why he couldn't help Kisa in the first place. She'd even stood her ground with Akito. He'd been far too small and far too scared for that, and it was easier to face someone willing to take his vitriol so gracefully than facing himself.
There was, of course, the jealousy. He wasn't oblivious to it. He knew about it and so did she. Really, only Kisa herself was oblivious to it. He found it almost funny, how she either didn't know or didn't care. There was something about her, meek and shy as she was, that was easygoing, relaxed. He thought it was special, different from anyone else he'd ever known.
That was one thing he could find common ground on. With Tohru. She saw it too. She understood that Kisa was special, precious. They both saw her as precious. Maybe that was the most threatening thing of all — when someone else sees the value in what you have they'll want to take it for themselves.
Or that's what Hiro thought, what he'd grown accustomed to, in the zodiac, where everything was a game of wits, and any personal possession was something to be fought tooth and nail for. Anything precious was to be taken away or punished. It went against what the zodiac curse stood for.
It was hard to realize that wasn't how the real world worked; that kind people existed and they didn't want to steal anything away from him. It was hard to understand that Tohru saw how special Kisa was but had no desire in locking her away.
The real world wasn't the zodiac curse. Which was so unfair. How was Hiro supposed to live in it? He hadn't been raised for it — made for it. Hiro had been made for the fighting, the clawing, the screaming. Spiraling in insecurities and barking like a feral dog was what Hiro was meant for. Gentleness didn't come easy for him, and the very concept seemed idiotic, when he met Tohru.
Kisa spending time away from him didn't mean she was running away from him, his mom once said. He scoffed it off but ultimately, she'd been right. Hiro was a silly, immature kid trying to play the zodiac’s game with an outsider. He should've known it wouldn't work at all.
Tohru had taken it all with an artful, practiced grace Hiro was sure no amount of rehearsing would ever get him near to. Hiro wasn't made for forgiveness, but at that moment, in front of Tohru Honda it was like he was begging for it, even years later. He wasn't even sure for what sin.
He clenched his fists, bowed his head. “Just… Please?”
Thru stopped laughing, rubbing her eyes. He looked at him kindly, warmly, though she looked at everyone like that. “Hiro, what is this about?”
He looked away, avoiding her gaze. He wasn't really sure, and he didn't want to think about it too hard for free of what answer he'd come to.
“Why won't you just give me an answer?” He whined, albeit childishly, he hated that she had that effect on him somehow, “I thought you and I were good.”
She just blinked owlishly. “Of course we are.”
“Then why won't you just tell me to go for it?” He insisted. “I'm trying so hard to be the prince to protect her. Just like you said I'd be.”
He'd been doing so good. He'd changed so much. He was no longer the jealous, insecure kid he had been, controlled by his impulses and his cruelty. He'd grown so much, hadn't he? Desperately he hoped he had (knew he had).
Her gaze softened.
“You know, Hiro, I can't remember where but I once heard that to be loved is to rest.”
“What? What are you talking about now? You're so weird.”
She just giggled again, that soft, airy sound.
“I just wanted you to remember that, silly.”
“You're making no sense.” He insisted.
“Hiro, you know Kisa wouldn't want all of this trouble, don't you? She likes you. I know what I said but you don't need to be a grand savior to protect her. Just being you is enough, just loving her is enough.”
“But I'm finally her prince, aren't I? I worked so hard for this, please say I am. Please.” He wasn't sure what he was begging for, just that desperately needed to be reassured, to be right.
To be loved is to rest.
“You are.” It sounded like forgiveness. “But she loves you just as much, let her be your prince too okay?”
“Huh?”
“I mean let her protect you a bit too, silly. Let your guard down around her. You can both be princes. Isn't that the whole point?” She seemed almost lost in thought, then. “Being the real you, the ugly parts too, the selfish parts, the ones you're not particularly proud of.”
“Um.”
And just like that she snapped out of it. “Oh, I'm sorry. I said more than I should've, didn't I? Forget I said anything, it was a silly metaphor anyway—”
“No, it made sense.” He sighed. “I hate it when you're right, you know that, Tohru?”
“I can't believe you're finally calling me that.” She smiled. “I'm so happy.”
“What, your name? You make me sound like a real brat.”
The effect was instant and frantic. “I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that at all, I just—”
He snorted, starting to cackle, she'd barely changed at all. “I was just messing with you. I was a total brat. Sorry about that, you're kinda okay, I guess.”
The blinding smile he got in return made him almost sure she understood, and he wondered if she had space for one more little brother in her life, late as he was. He kept his mouth shut.
“It's fine, Hiro. I always understood, you know that.”
“Yeah,” he sighed, “you did.”
It was weird, the feeling of letting go of the fight. The thought that he'd just be forgiven, just like that; that his past crimes didn't matter all that much — didn't matter at all. Facing Tohru Honda now, years later, he thought he was just a kid, and for once, he was alright with it.
It was okay.
Kisa would think it was okay too.
To be loved is to rest.
“So I take it you approve of me and Kisa then, right?”
“Like I said, I don't think I have any say over it but yes, I do.”
And Hiro wasn't sure why, but he wasn't expecting the soaring feeling in his chest when he heard those words. He wasn't sure what it was about them but after him, Tohru was probably the person who looked out for Kisa more in the world, so her approval had to mean something.
“Thank you.”
She just laughed for what felt like the millionth time. “You've gotten so polite, Hiro… Now, you just started high school, right? You both have grown up so much, oh my gosh, tell me everything.”
So he did. With a minimal amount of snark and bite, because some things never changed and he could never avoid at least bickering with Tohru, no matter how much he matured. He was pretty sure that she'd grown to find it funny, anyway, with age. He was glad.
When he told Kisa about it later she giggled, just like Tohru had, and Hiro wondered if he should tell her about how she was just like her beloved big sister.
“Hiro, you're so silly.” Maybe she'd taken a bit too much to her. “You're not like him anymore.”
“Huh?”
“You made a promise when Hinata was born. You said you'd be different. You are now. You can let it go already.”
To be loved is to rest.
He blinked, trying to push down the tears pooling at his eyes. He wondered how she managed to see right through him every time. “Yeah.”
He laid his head on her shoulder, and wondered how long he'd take to tell her the full story — when he’d finally confess for real.
To be loved is to rest.
Soon.
Resting sounded nice.
+ i.
If Tohru Honda was one thing it was loved. She hadn't spent a single second of her life anything less than adored, and Kyo desperately, achingly wanted to make sure she never had to. She wouldn't as long as he was around, that he was sure of.
It was harder convincing the people around her of that fact.
It had been almost four years since they'd moved away, and Tohru’s family hadn't forgotten that fact for a second (well, Kyo's fellow former zodiacs, but half the time he felt like he was the one who'd married into their lives, not her). This made it a bit hard to inform them they were doing another move, instead of moving back in like they'd all thought would happen.
At least this time it was Tohru begging them to move, he supposed.
What he wasn't sure about was why he was supposed to break the news to these people. Tohru hadn't asked per se, but it almost felt like he had to ask for their permission, which was strange, because they were leaving no matter what.
Rin, Yuki and Kisa he expected, they were all close to Tohru. It made sense for them to be grueling him about their move, they were basically Tohru’s younger siblings, just like how Hanajima and Uotani were basically her surrogate mothers and would flame him on their weekly call. What he didn't expect, however, was Haru, Machi, and Hiro sitting down and glaring at him.
God, he was not made for this shit.
He sighed. Might as well get this done with. “Tohru and I aren't moving back to Tokyo.”
The reaction was instant.
“What?!”
“Why?!”
“Stupid cat.”
“Hey, why the hell am I getting shit for this?! It was Tohru’s decision too ya know”
“Why are you even moving?” Hiro grumbled, looking a lot more pissed off than Kyo thought was reasonable for a kid that spent half his time arguing with her.
“Well, Tohru changed her mind on the whole schooling stuff and wants to be a preschool teacher. It's not like I'm calling the shots here!”
“Well, what about Tokyo University, Kyo?!”
At that, he has to begrudgingly grumble out the real reason they were moving all the way to Osaka, and not somewhere closer. “Master knows a dojo I can train at back in Osaka. It'll be another four years there, at least.” He sighed.
Again, why was even asking permission in the first place? Tohru had already been accepted and he'd already talked to the dojo master.
“And then?”
“And then we're not sure, okay? Tohru will start working, probably but we don't know where yet.”
“Do you people hate Tokyo or something?” Hiro asked, like it was even normal to be having this conversation at all.
“Stupid cat.” Yuki mumbled again.
“Okay, first of all fuck you. And secondly, you people are starting to piss me off. What's with all the nagging?”
“We just like having Tohru around.” Kisa explained mildly. Kyo wished all of them were more like her, and then sent a silent thanks for Momiji being all the way in Germany and unable to give him an earful himself.
“We have to make sure you won't hurt her or make her follow your every whim.” Rin added seriously, like Kyo was anything short of completely smitten with Tohru.
Hiro just snorted. “Oh please, like he'd ever deny her anything.”
He wasn't sure if it was supposed to be a defense when it sounded like so much of an insult, but he'd take what he could get.
“Listen, she's just been around for all of us okay?” Hiro rushed out.
“She has given us her blessings multiple times,” Machi added, “we're just returning the favor.”
“It's about time someone started looking out for Honda,” Haru nodded seriously, “you seem like a terrible influence.”
“Okay fuck you too, then.”
But reluctantly, Kyo could see their point. It was almost nice, how intent they were on looking out for her. It was sweet in the slightly unhinged, out-of-place way the zodiacs expressed kindness. He knew Tohru would value it, at least, and that was enough for him.
At their worried glares, he softened, just a bit. “You guys know I love Tohru more than anything. I'd never let anything happen to her. I promised.”
“Just,” Yuki sighed, “just take care of her, you stupid cat.” It sounded like a blessing, almost, and vaguely, Kyo wondered when the insult had started sounding like an endearment.
“We’ll know if you won't.” Rin added.
He was reminded then of Kyoko, and wondered if she'd be proud, if she'd be happy, if she'd be glad that so many people understood how precious her little girl was. He wondered if she'd be proud of how well he was keeping his promise.
Look, he’d say, now there are even more people that share my promise. Isn't it cool?
She'd probably laugh, but Kyo would sense it was born out of joy, not amusement, and he found he'd share it, despite all the grief these people gave him.
“Thanks, ratboy.”
At that, Machi snorted, covering her mouth, seemingly never growing tired of that nickname and Kyo grinned right back at her as they delved into light hearted banter again.
The others mostly kept quiet and kept their teasing to a minimum, so he assumed he had their tolerance, at least, if not their blessing.
It was Kisa that found him later on and confirmed it with him, tugging on his shirt and looking up at him with her big, honest eyes. Even after all those years and her growth spurt, Kyo always felt an overprotective surge over the kid, even if she was far from one.
“What is it, kid?”
And while Hiro or even Hinata or any other zodiac member would've gotten pissed off and difficult — they were in high school already —, Kisa just stared at him with that strange determination she seemed to have when she spoke to people she wasn't fully comfortable with. It was endearing, really, the lengths she'd go for Tohru.
“I know you just asked for our approval to be nice but thank you.”
“Huh?”
“Well, when Haru married Rin he asked Tohru for her blessing, and Machi made sure Tohru thought moving in with Yuki was a good idea and Hiro asked if he could be my boyfriend.”
Kyo, unfortunately, had heard about seven reiterations of those tales from everyone involved. Frankly, he found it a bit funny, how everyone seemed to flock to his girlfriend like he could somehow bless their relationships.
He hummed.
“Well, Tohru-nee’s always protecting us. We just thought it would be nice to protect her, I guess. She's like my big sister”
At that, he softened. “Sure kid, thanks for trusting me.”
At that, the girl beamed and nodded up at him, running off to find Tohru or Hiro, having completely changed her demeanor.
He told Tohru about the whole interaction that night, and she just laughed, much more amused at their quasi-family’s antics than he was.
“They're so sweet. Like you'd ever do anything against my will, Kyo.”
“That's what I was tryna tell them! When have I ever gone against you?!”
She snorted, climbing into bed with him. “It's still cute. Especially Kisa. She's so grown up now! Oh, I love her so much.”
“Yeah, we've all gotten pretty old, huh?”
“Oh, don't be silly, we still have so much to do. I'm excited.”
“Yeah?” And Kyo felt that soft, adoring look return to him as he looked at her. She was gorgeous like this, laying next to him and laughing at his dramatics, intimate and quiet and strictly between them. She was always gorgeous.
“Of course, silly.”