I Have Always Loved You (Kyo x Tohru)

Chapter-7: So Awkward

All night Tohru couldn't sleep. She kept tossing and turning, hugging her pillow, trying to muffle her squeals. She had been riding her high. It had been nice.

Until morning arrived in all its glory, announcing that she has to freshen up, go make breakfast for everyone, and eat it with them. Which means, facing Kyo.

How is she supposed to face Kyo and be normal after last night? No idea.

She is setting the breakfast table when Kyo appears in the living room with a half-awake zombie called Yuki.

"Gud monin', Tohru," Yuki wishes, his voice mostly unclear but she gets it.

"Good morning, Yuki! I hope you had a nice sleep!" Tohru chirps like she always does, desperate to act normal.

"I couldn't," Yuki mumbles, throwing an annoyed look at Kyo. Kyo just shrugs.

She shudders when she feels Kyo eyeing her but doesn't say anything. She wonders if she just made it more awkward by not greeting Kyo at all. But it's too late as the three of them settle down at their regular places at the low table.

Yuki tries hard not to land his face in the piping hot rice in front of him while Kyo and Tohru intently eat their food. Yet, no amount of chewing makes it possible for her to swallow. Her mouth feels dryer than a sandbox in summer.

For the first half of the breakfast, the air was so brittle, it could snap with a drop of a chopstick, and if it didn't, Tohru might.

If this is where one kiss, or two kisses, gets her, then she doesn't want it. The last thing she wants is for Kyo to be uncomfortable around her.

She's about to start a conversation with Kyo when the sliding door to Shigure's room opens up. "Oh, my! Am I late for this delicious breakfast? My bad, my sleeping hiatus extended longer than expected!" Shigure sits down at his place to eat as Tohru rushes to bring in his rice.

Once she is settled again, Shigure speaks up, "Oh! I was just talking to the Good Doc yesterday, and he mentioned something that got me thinking." He got a mischievous glint in his eyes. "I hope none of you boys aren't getting too indulgent now that we have a beautiful maiden sharing a roof with us."

Kyo promptly chokes on his rice and Tohru flushes red, but she's quick to wordlessly pass the water to Kyo. He mumbles thanks and chugs it down before hollering, "What's your goddamn problem, you dirty old man?"

Shigure smirks at Kyo. "Why, hit a nerve, dear Kyo?"

"Ugh, you're annoying!" Kyo growls and gets up. "I'm done."

"Kyo, you're not finished—"

"I fucking said I'm done! Didn't you hear it?" Kyo yells, and Tohru flinches. Kyo was already upset and now... She looks down, trying hard not to cry. It's been a while since he raised his voice at her. She doesn't even know why it hurts so much more. "Ah, no, I—" Kyo panics, "I—I am so sorry, Tohru. I didn't mean to... yell at you..."

"Stupid," Yuki mutters under his breath, now more awake and functional.

"How rude, Kyo! You should not raise your voice at such a beautiful maiden such as dear Tohru—"

"It's your damn fault, old man!" Kyo growls at Shigure.

"My, my, the tyrant always putting the blame on the innocent commoner." Shigure shakes his head with a heave.

Kyo turns his attention back to Tohru. "I, uhm, Tohru, I'll sit back down. I'll finish the food," he says and sits back in his place.

Tohru blinks back her tears and tries to smile as she looks up. "That will be great, Kyo. Thank you." She's still hurt from his earlier behavior, but it's alright. He sincerely apologized and is even eating the rest of the food. She shouldn't be upset.