He sat there, head drooping. He spoke only when he could get a word in, and since Yuki and Kyo were bickering over who finished off the milk, that wasn't very often.
"I've been sleeping all day!" Kyo insisted, squeezing his spoon in his fist.
Hatori sighed.
Yuki snorted.
"What a surprise," he said sarcastically, holding his own utensil properly.
Hatori rubbed his head and sighed again.
"Stop your damn sighing, Hatori!" Kyo snapped.
Tohru tried her best to soothe their anger.
"I'll by more later," she assured them.
"You don't have to!" They chorused.
Kyo scowled.
Yuki glared.
Hatori, who needed some peace and quiet, followed Tohru over to the sink.
"Thank you, it was delicious," he said quietly, setting his bowl on the counter. Tohru beamed.
"You are very welcome to come over for dinner tonight!" She said cheerfully. Hatori watch silently for a moment as she began washing the dishes, then gave his answer.
"...okay," he said with a smile. After that, he got his coat, insisted that he could walk himself out, and then left.
When he was gone, Tohru lowered her head, eyes sad. Because she was sure his smile hadn't been real.
Hatori kept his façade up constantly. Even when he was alone, and he wished so desperately to break down, he kept that impassive look on his face. Because if he didn't, who knows if he could ever regain that expression?
He was sitting, eating dinner silently.
Kyo and Yuki were arguing again, as per usual.
Shigure was eating his food sleepily, like a child who had played all day and was eager for bed. Only this child had actually been writing for a change.
Tohru was smiling cheerfully, talking about what had happened at school that day, how Yuki had won the race, or how Kyo had aced the math test.
She never once talked about herself, even though Hatori was sure she had done at least something.
Finally, everyone had finished, and Tohru gathered up the bowls and plates and utensils. Balancing them precariously, she wobbled over the sink. Since nobody else seemed prepared to help her, Hatori decided he would do it.
He walked over to her, hands stuffed in his pockets. But instead of being bent over the sink washing the dishes, she was standing with her hands clasped.
"Hatori, are you okay?" Tohru asked, eyes shining with concern. Usually, Hatori would have laughed it off. I'm fine, he would have said, even though he wasn't. Usually he would have acted like an adult. But in this moment, Hatori felt his Façade slipping. The moment a tear fell from his eye, it broke completely.
Tohru didn't seem all that surprised at the sight. She only hurried forward, and held his hands in hers. She could not hold him, because of the curse. But Hatori didn't mind. This was enough.
He dropped his head, and buried his face in her hair. How long had it been since someone had comforted him? Kana had. Then she had been taken from him. But now...
In the end, he wiped his tears and regained his composure.
Hatori found that his face could go back to looking emotionless.
Maybe because Hatori knew he had someone to be emotional in front of. Maybe next time, he would comfort her, let her weep in front of him. Maybe he could even...kiss her. For now, he was content with having a lighter heart, and lighter feet.
And when he got to his car, he smiled a smile that was bright...happy...and real.