Notes:

Tohru is an incredibly beautiful woman, pretty enough to catch the attention of people where ever she goes. And when Kobayashi and she take a trip to the shopping district, that's exactly what she does


Tohru never made any secret about her feelings for Kobayashi. From the first day they met, she made it known that she was in love with the human and every day since. It was equal parts endearing and kind of inconvenient. After all, Tohru was also a dragon and dragons could be a lot to handle sometimes. There was the fire, licking her clothes, sneaking into bed with her, and in addition to all that, dragons tended to be a bit possessive. That shouldn't surprise anyone really. Dragons were known for hoarding and taking over castles and stuff. However, Tohru must have taken some of Fafnir's advice to heart because between Takiya, Kanna, Elma, and most other people who crossed Kobayashi's path, Tohru was very loose with what she considered to be a threat. It was a bit ridiculous and, to Kobayashi, kind of nonsensical.

She understood that on a certain level that Tohru was fond of her, very explicit signs notwithstanding. Clearly, the dragoness thought very highly of her, but that view wasn't necessarily shared by the rest of the world. After all, the things that Tohru's complimented her on: being kind, being able to go to her job, understanding human things, weren't exactly very impressive to anything but the other worlder. Tohru might think it self-evident why anyone off the street should fall immediately in love with Kobayashi, but the women's bachelorette history proved not everyone felt the same. She didn't think poorly of herself or anything. She just wasn't as drop-dead gorgeous or charming as Tohru acted like she was. She'd put herself at a flat average at best so the idea that Takiya or Elma or anyone else would be so interested in her that Tohru would have to fight them… well, it didn't really add up. Honestly, if anyone might draw public attention, it would be Tohru. After all, she was beautiful.

Kobayashi didn't even feel nervous stating so, because it was more of a fact than a feeling. Tohru was tall and curvy with the softest of features. By proxy of being a dragon, she had the most striking eyes, only rivaled by how bright her smile was. Her long blond hair looked adorable in twin ponytails and the maid outfit may be inaccurate, but it was still cute. Beyond her looks, she was cheerful, hardworking, loving, and her laugh was the sweetest of melodies. Even without the horns and tail and other uncommon elements, Tohru wouldn't have any trouble turning heads and, although she didn't often notice, turn heads is what she did. That was how they ended up in this situation now.

On a whim, Kobayashi had decided to accompany Tohru on her errands today. It wasn't anything particularly exciting but sometimes she just liked to spend time with her. They visited a few miscellaneous stalls in the market, picking up groceries, purchasing extra supplies for Kanna, browsing interesting places. Kobayashi stepped away for a moment to check out a small bakery. She considered picking up a treat for her dragons but figured Tohru could probably make something better and cheaper. When she found Tohru again, she was at a produce stand, happily chatting with the clerk. Ordinarily, that wasn't a problem. Tohru was familiar with a lot of the shop keeps in the market. It was how she got the family extra fish and things without paying more. Kobayashi couldn't fault them for talking to her. Tohru was quite likable if you excuse the eccentricities. The problem was that this specific individual was absolutely hitting on her.

Tohru didn't seem aware this was the case. Social customs were still a tricky subject for someone of a different world and different species. Dragons seemed to do better with very explicit cues, so the subtleties of flirting were lost on her. However, to anyone watching, it was abundantly clear that the girl was very interested in her customer. She was leaning in over the counter, head tilted interestedly with a small smile and soft eyes. She asked Tohru questions about herself and found every opportunity to oh so casually compliment her. If you wanted to be dense, you might be able to argue that the woman was just being extra polite to make a sale. But then Kobayashi heard her laugh wholeheartedly at a joke of Tohru's that was even remotely funny, that sealed the deal. This chick was after her maid.

Kobayashi's eyes narrowed resentfully. The sight of this girl holding Tohru's attention irked her. She wasn't going to start a fight in public or anything. That wouldn't be appropriate, but it wasn't for a lack of willingness. This office worker had stood up to the Emperor of Chaos after being threatened with death. She wasn't afraid of a cashier. Even still, she'd have to put a stop to this. She didn't want someone else pursuing Tohru when she wasn't with her. Tohru probably didn't have it in her to ever be disloyal, or as disloyal as she could be in as unclear of a relationship as they were in. But even still, she just couldn't bear the idea of once again coming home and finding that Tohru wasn't there. She'd already tried to live without her and she didn't want to do it again.

Feelings bubbling to the surface, Kobayashi approached the two with an uncommon fire in her dead fish eyes. She put a hand on the small of Tohru's back and stood beside her with a gentle smile, "Hey, there you are."

It was already more affection than Kobayashi typically showed in public, as could be read in Tohru's surprise. "O-Oh, were you looking for me?" That wasn't to say she wasn't enjoying it of course. Given the invitation, she was happy to lean in closer to her beloved and Kobayashi let her.

"Yeah, I thought I lost you for a bit." She spoke with a special softness to her voice. There was nothing but pure adoration in her eyes. "I had to make sure I got you back." As petty as she was being, there was genuine emotion behind her words and worry at the root of her actions. Perhaps she couldn't necessarily name the exact things she was feeling right now, but anxiety and a sense of panic were certainly part of them. Although, it was just a bit shocking to hear such an admittance of dedication in the context of getting lost at the shopping district.

She was coming on very strong out the gate. Tohru was having a bit of trouble processing it honestly. Right now all she seemed able to do was stare back, wide-eyed and blushing. Any response she tried to formulate couldn't make it pass flustered stuttering. Kobayashi played innocent and pretended not to notice before turning her attention towards her competition with a distinctly less friendly look.

She was a young girl in her 20s with light brown hair cut into a short, curly bob that framed her face nicely. A small pair of glasses sat on her nose and freckles decorated her cheeks. Her uniform was a short-sleeved V-neck that flattered her well. There was no denying, she was cute, a soft butch that could melt the hearts of many. She may not be Kobayashi's type but she was someone's. Did Tohru have a type? She should ask later but right now she wasn't taking any chances.

The clerk looked confused. With her conversation being interrupted, she'd drawn back a bit and closed her body language. Nevertheless, she continued to smile politely at the newcomer, even as she was scowled at. "Hi there, can I help you find anything?"

Kobayashi looked over the grocer's wares: tiered baskets full of fresh heads of lettuce, carrots, green onions, and other veggies. They looked delicious actually, probably homegrown with love. Even so, Kobayashi pretended to be discontent with them, as if they weren't quite good enough for her. After a small amount of unhappy humming, someone finally took the bait.

"Is something the matter, miss?" the clerk asked nervously.

In a tired voice, almost as if she were annoyed by the question, Kobayashi responded, "I don't know… I'm not sure if I want a salad tonight"

Hearing her mistress unsatisfied, Tohru snapped out of her trace and jumped to accommodate Kobayashi. "You're not? Is there something else I can make you instead?"

Kobayashi took Tohru's hands into hers and faced her. "You know what would be perfect?" she asked, drawing her maid's desperate desire to please. "What about Omurice? It was the first dish we had together." And it didn't involve any veggies. "Everything you make is always amazing, but you've always been especially good at that."

Tohru's heart felt as if it might beat out of her chest. She hadn't the slightest idea where all of this had come from, but it was wonderful. Kobayashi had become more open ever since she returned to this world, but this was something else entirely. She couldn't help but break into the silliest grin. "Yeah, we can do that!"

Meanwhile, Kobayashi couldn't help but smirk to herself. Tohru was a simple woman with simple interests and it was nice having a girlfriend who was so easy to please. She'd probably already done enough to secure her position as Tohru's significant other, but she threw in one last reminder just to be as clear as possible to everyone around them. She squeezed Tohru's hands comfortingly and cooed at her, "Let's go home, dear.~"

For the second time in her life Torhu, the magic fire-breathing dragon, princess of the chaos faction, had been slain by human hands. "O-Ok…" Sometimes Kobayashi could still hear her voice.

The human slowly started to guide her gitty girlfriend away from the produce stand but not before throwing a dirty look behind her. The clerk was chuckling to herself. She threw up her hands to symbolize an admittance of defeat. She must have thought the situation kind of silly, if still sweet in a way. Perhaps Kobayashi's posturing had been a bit unnecessary. She was willing to admit she was being overprotective, but Tohru was important to her. As she held the woman's hand and pulled her along, she caught a look into her eyes. She still wore a wide, fanged smile. Her fiery hair was sparkling in the sunlight. She was practically glowing with excitement just to get home and make a nice meal for her family. It filled Kobayashi's chest with warmth. Her lingering anger faded from her mind and was replaced with an overwhelming fondness. Sometimes she found herself thinking of Tohru so much she didn't even know what to do about it. She was already bad at handling her emotions. It made falling in love kind of an intimidating process.

Yet even despite her hesitation, there was one thing that was abundantly clear to her. It was what brought her to the shopping district with Tohru today, what forced her to put her life on the line to argue with Tohru's father, and what made her pick a fight with a stranger today. She wanted Tohru to stay with her for as long as possible. She needed her to. She didn't know what she'd do without her. And so long as that was true, she supposed the rest would follow. Right now, she was just relieved to have her girlfriend back by her side. She promised that she wouldn't let anything come between them again.


Kobayashi reclined on the living room couch, absentmindedly looking at her phone. She found herself lost in thought, staring past her screen while she scrolled without actually consuming anything she saw. She paused to glance back at Tohru washing dishes in the sink after tonight's dinner. She watched for a moment before speaking up. "Hey Tohru, do you go to that one produce stand often? The one we visited today?"
Without putting down the plate she was scrubbing, Tohru perked up. "I suppose so. Why do you ask?"

Kobayashi nonchalantly looked back down at her phone. "I don't think you should shop there anymore."
"Hm? Why not?"

There was silence for a beat before Kobayashi responded. "I just think they're overcharging you a bit is all…"

"Really? But that store has some of the lowest prices in the shopping district."

"That probably means that the food is lower quality."
Tohru wore a look of puzzlement on her face. She was about to argue but was interrupted by Kanna doing her homework at the coffee table a small ways away. "Kobayashi is jealous of the vegetable lady." Despite being the youngest of the family, Kanna was the most emotionally intelligent of the family. Not that she made much competition in the room. Still, she didn't have to put her own mother on blast like that, ice cold.

"What? No, I'm not. I'm just… worried about our budget and health and things…"
Tohru's eyes widened in the kitchen. Kobayashi could hear a delighted gasp behind her. "Oh my goodness you are jealous, aren't you!"

Kobayashi let herself slide further down on the sofa, conveniently hiding her face. "I don't know what you're talking about"

"Aw, Miss Kobayashi~" Tohru teased eagerly. She bounced up behind her and leaned over the armrest to look at her shy girlfriend. Her tail twitched happily. "You don't have to hide your feelings.

Kobayashi stared back with a thoroughly unamused face that only betrayed the truth.

Tohru continued to grin over her, completely undeterred. "You have nothing to worry about. I promise that you're the only human for me~" She reassured lovingly

Kobayashi averted her eyes. "I think you give me a lot to worry about actually" but her girlfriend simply pretended not to hear and bend down to kiss the top of her head, only giggling to herself a little

Kanna looked on blankly. She was a difficult little girl to read, but one could infer that she was probably content with the mischief that she'd wrought. Even still, she muttered a derogatory "perverts" under her breath before returning to her intense coloring assignment


Notes:

This is probably one of the worst titles for anything I've ever come up with but as soon as I thought of it there was no going back.

Possessiveness is a bad trait but protectiveness can be very attractive. The threat of losing Tohru seems to be just about the inly thing that inspires Kobayashi to actually do anything so I figured it would probably rear it's head onna day to day basis too. Plus we have that panel in the manga whete Kobayashi tells Tohrubthat people look at hrr because she's beautiful and I thought that was a lot of fun. Idk what stage of their relationship they're supposed to be in rn but there are feelings making themselves known and that's all the probably matters. Consistency? Who's she