𝐀 𝐓𝐖𝐈𝐒𝐓 𝐎𝐅 𝐅𝐀𝐓𝐄 | FRUITS BASKET

24 | Kyo

An alternate ending in which (Y/N) ends up with Kyo.

Sometimes (Y/N) wondered if the others still had nightmares about the curse.

It had been a long time since it was broken, but that curse had been with her since she was born. It was a part of her soul, a part of who she was, and the pain she had suffered because of it? That was part of her too. Maybe, (Y/N) feared, it would be with her for the rest of her life.

She hoped it was different for the other former Zodiacs.

Still, (Y/N) liked to think that she had gotten better at handling it. Gone was the dread and discomfort she used to feel when she looked back at past memories. Now, she willingly relived them with an eagerness to learn from their past mistakes to ensure that they would never happen again.

The others seemed to have recovered as well, from Yuki actively searching for his own happiness, Momiji making new, joyful memories, Ayame filling his life with newfound love and sincerity, Kisa and Hiro freeing themselves from the weight of their past suffering, Ritsu learning to overcome his fears, Haru and Rin starting a new life together somewhere, Hatori letting himself grow attached to someone, and everyone else–even Akito and Shigure, were now free from the influence of the ties that used to bind them together.

Still, there were some things she just couldn't forget, things she just couldn't accept. These things manifested themselves in the form of nightmares, creeping in at night as (Y/N) slept and wreaking havoc until she jolted awake, heart racing and hands shaking.

This was one of those nights.

Opening her eyes wearily, the former Fox took deep, calming breaths as the memory of the horrid dream she had ebbed away. She was thankful it wasn't that bad, for she had an important event tomorrow and needed some rest. 

It's okay. You're okay, he's okay. Everything is okay.

It may not have been that bad, but it was frightening  enough to rattle her.

Stifling a yawn, (Y/N) reached out for her lover, yearning for comfort. Yearning for reassurance that he was fine, that he hadn't abandoned her, that he was still there.

He was not.

"Kyo?" She murmured questioningly, feeling dismayed when her fingers felt nothing but the cold pillows beside her. "Where are you?"

A million scenarios ran through her brilliant head, each more absurdly worrying than the last. She was about to get up and check the kitchen when—

"I'm here." She heard him reply, her lips forming a relieved smile at his words.

See? He's okay.

A part of the bed dipped, and through the darkness she could see an outline of his figure seated near the edge, paused in hesitation.

"What's wrong, Kyo?" (Y/N) yawned, patting the empty space beside her. "Will you... come back here?"

Kyo relaxed, obliging as he crawled across the bed and lay next to her. With a contented hum, she pulled him closer and tugged the blanket up to cover the both of them, gently taking hold of his hand.

"What happened?" She whispered again, concern in her tone. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," The former Cat sighed, though the tired expression on his face said otherwise. "Just had a bad dream, that's all. Dreamt that I was locked up in that room, y'know? Don't worry, it's... it's nothing."

(Y/N) squeezed his hand. "That must've been really bad, are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm good." Kyo murmured, wrapping an arm around her in a loose embrace. "I know it won't happen. It's not real, it won't be. I'm here, and you're here, and everyone's fine... And if anything does happen, we'll get through it together, right?"

"Of course... darling."

"We'll be fine," He repeated softly, before chuckling, "What's with that pet name though–"

"Okay that's it." (Y/N) snipped, feeling her face heat up. She moved away from him to fluff up her pillows, trying to hide her embarrassment. "Good night, Kyo."

"No, come back!" He laughed, pressing a kiss to the side of her head. His eyes were alight with amusement and adoration. "Honestly, it's kinda cute, darling."

"Oh hush, you tangerine-head." She retorted, glad to see him smile. Leaning against her pillows, she smiled, letting herself wallow in the surge of affection filling her heart. "Now, go back to sleep. The others are coming tomorrow morning and we've still have a few things to prepare, okay?"

Kyo nodded, a grin on his face as he rested his head against her shoulder. "Yeah, yeah. Good night, (Y/N)."

"Sleep well, Kyo."

For a while, they were silent. If Kyo listened hard enough, he could hear his lover's relaxed heartbeat as she drifted back to sleep. Reassured and comforted by the sound, he closed his eyes, adjusting their position so he could be closer to her.

He was nearly asleep, floating between consciousness and unconsciousness when he heard her faint whisper.

"I love you."

Kyo smiled.

"I love you too."

They were finally together, and there was nothing else they could ever want.