Shigure, Yuki, and Kyo were eating some ramen that Shigure had made. Tohru wasn't with them because she was watching a movie with Hana and Uo. Kyo couldn't bring himself to eat what was on his plate even though it looked positively delectable.

As he sat at the table with Shigure and Yuki, he couldn't help but feel like a bright spotlight was on him. He kept telling himself to just spit it out and get it over with, but his mouth wouldn't cooperate. Worst of all, he was getting jittery just preparing for the impending jeering he knew he'd have to endure. He could already hear shigures chortles in his head, making him wish for the thousandth time that he had normal relatives like other people.

He wanted to ask Yuki to help him pick out an engagement ring for Tohru. He felt that it was finally the right time to propose because there wasn't a doubt within him that she was the one and only girl he'd ever want like he did. He didn't necessarily need Yukis help, but he knew Tohru would want him to take the step forward in building a friendship with Yuki after all the hatred between them had finally dispersed.

Just say it. Just get it over with. Just —

"Why aren't you eating your food, Kyo?" Shigure asked, snapping Kyo out of his thoughts.

"I'm not hungry, I guess. You can have it." He hoped he wouldn't be questioned further. Unfortunately, Shigure didn't seem too pleased with his response.

"Kyo-Kyo, is my cooking that bad? Be honest."

The sing-song voice made Kyo cringe. And it was hard to resist the bait, even now. Shigure was as annoying as ever even after all they'd been through and with Tohru helping to finally break the curse. "If I say it looks nasty will you leave me alone?"

Yuki surprised him with his input.

"The hell is wrong with you, Kyo? Stop complaining when there are people who are starving out there."

It was mildly relieving to be criticized by Yuki. Sometimes the politeness they extended towards each other nowadays felt strangely embarrassing. He was also encouraged by his response with a surge of bravery and before he knew it, his lips moved of their own accord.

"I need your help, you ass—" okay so he'd not rehearsed this well enough in his head. He almost slapped a hand to his face wanting to run and hide. But Yuki didn't even seem to register that he'd spoken to him. Perhaps because Kyo had never gone to him for help before.

There was a brief heavy silence before Yuki finally looked up from his meal, eyes meeting Kyo's.

"Um, are you talking to me?" He looked confused and even a little uneasy.

Kyo tried to will himself with as much power as he could muster not to blush, but his body betrayed him as always. God, why was something so minor and normal so humiliating?

"Yes, you damn—I mean, yes I'm talking to you. I need help, alright? It's important, so listen."

Yuki just gaped at him like he'd grown another head.

"I'm gonna propose to Tohru."

Yuki and Shigure took a few seconds to register this information before they congratulated him.

"I'm happy for you," Yuki said.

Shigures eyes twinkled and for once he didn't tease him. "That's great, Kyo! Did you get her a ring yet? Let's see it."

"That's the thing. I haven't gotten her one yet. I actually want to get her one that's special and not typical or mass produced. I don't know where to look."

"So, how do you need my help?" Yuki asked, intrigued.

Kyo swallowed, though he felt markedly less nervous now after confiding in them.

"Just help me come up with ideas and find a place that specializes in unique rings? Maybe get one that's custom made. I don't know where to look, though. I thought two heads might be better than one."

Yuki seemed to process this, then slowly he smiled at Kyo.

"Yeah, I'll help out. Just as long as you don't make a scene wherever we end up going, you stupid cat."

Normally, Kyo would have gotten pissed at the familiar insult, but it was said in a much different tone than he was accustomed to. Strange as it was, all he could do was scratch the back of his neck sheepishly and chuckle. He almost forgot that he was as red as a tomato. He also wasn't sure why he'd been so afraid to ask him to begin with.

Just overthinking, maybe.