Kyo was thankful that the house was quiet. Momiji and the rest had all finally gone home. He didn't mind having them around… sometimes. Lately it felt like they were over more often than not. He bared it for Tohru's sake, because having them all there made her happy. If there was anything he could do to make Tohru happy, he'd do it, including putting up with the whole Sohma clan. Even the damn rat.
He sat in his room, long after the rest of the house had gone to sleep; worried that the guilt ridden nightmares would creep up on him kept him awake. For once, he was grateful for the nightmares because he heard Tohru call out for help.
Barreling out of his room with barely a thought, he raced to her and threw open the door. "Please, help…him…" She cried softly.
"Tohru! Are you okay?" Her face was wet and scrunched up, eyes still closed. It sounded like she was having trouble breathing. He gently shook her, pleading with her to wake up. Were you supposed to wake someone up when they were like this? He couldn't remember. All he knew was that Tohru was in distress and he needed to remove her from it.
Finally her warm brown eyes popped up and she whispered his name, looking up at him with those eyes he loved so much. She raised her arms, like her body instinctually sought him out. She was about to wrap her arms around him before remembering that the hug would last all of two seconds before he transformed.
"Ms. Honda, are you alright?" Yuki called out softly from the doorway.
"Y-yeah, I'm okay. I'm sorry I woke you up!" She squeaked out.
Kyo shook his head. Damn woman. She was always thinking of everyone else, even in a state like this.
"Would you like me to make you some tea?" He questioned, glancing at Kyo then Tohru. Not wanting to distress Tohru more than she already was, Kyo decided to keep his mouth shut when all he wanted to do was get rid of the damn rat.
"No, really I'm okay. You should go back to bed though!" She chirped, putting as much enthusiasm into her voice as she could. Kyo looked at her warmly as she put on the brave face she always wore.
Yuki nodded before finally leaving them alone again, shutting the door behind him.
Kyo was thankful when he heard the rat's footsteps fade away. Damn that rat. He should have thought of that. Instead he was always impulsive, acting before he even knew what he was doing. He should have offered to make her tea. He should have…
"Kyo?" She whispered, grabbing hold of his hand.
"You okay? Do you want to talk about it? You don't have to always put on a brave face you know. Especially with me."
She shivered. "I don't want to think about it right now, but thank you Kyo."
He reached up and wiped the tears from her face with his free hand. She leaned automatically into his palm.
"What can I do for you, Tohru?" He asked in a tone that was only ever reserved for her.
"I- um- well-"she stammered, face turning red as she looked away.
"Yes?" He asked with amusement in his voice. He secretly liked it when she was flustered. Not only did she look adorable, but he knew that she was about to be honest with him. No fake smiles, no fake cheer, no brave face, just Tohru.
"Will you, I mean would you-?"
"Tohru-" he breathed, cupping her face with both hands and forcing her to look at him. He was never good with expressing his feelings, usually resorting to anger, violence and running away. But with Tohru, he tried. With her, it was easier, even from the beginning. She had a way of making people be honest with her and themselves.
"You know I'd do just about anything for you right? You just have to ask."
Impossibly, her face turned even redder, and his heart swelled with affection. She turned away from him, unable to look him in the eyes as she asked, "Will you stay with me?" She stammered it out so quickly it sounded like it was one word. "I mean only if you really don't mind-"
"Of course," he said, affectionately ruffling her hair. He gently laid her back down and pulled her blanket up to cover her.
He laid down over the blanket, and turned to face her. His hand reached out and he began to stroke her hair.
"That feels nice," she murmured, almost humming in contentedness, leaning closer to him. It wasn't long before Tohru was softly snoring. Yet another thing about her that Kyo couldn't help but adore.
Kyo didn't think he had ever hated the curse more than he did at that moment. All he wanted to do was be able to do something as simple as hugging her and he couldn't. He wanted to pull her into his arms until the nightmare was somewhere far from her mind. He wanted to know what it was like to hold her in his arms without the threat of the curse. Not being able to comfort her the way he wanted tore him up inside, and the way she had reached out to him before remembering the curse broke his heart.
Even with those thoughts, Kyo soon followed her into a deep sleep. They both slept soundly for the rest of the night.