Work Text:
The smell of breakfast from the kitchen began to fill throughout the halls of the Sohma’s. Humming quietly as to not wake the others from their sleep, Tohru reaches for the plates from the counter to begin setting the table in the living room. Wiping a bit of sweat from her head and tightening the tie of her apron, she reaches for the sets of chopsticks and clumsily losing her footing, catches herself before she tumbles to the ground. Getting ahold of bearings after taking a deep breath, she smiles and returns to her morning routine.
As she finishes preparing the food, she takes out a plastic wrap from inside the drawer of the kitchen and pats her way back to the table, where she then wraps the meals to keep them warm. She wouldn’t want the breakfast getting cold, where everyone would be hungry of course.
‘I hope everyone enjoys breakfast this morning,’ she smiles to herself.
“Yo!”
She slightly jumps from the familiar voice.
“Oh Kyo, good morning! Uhm, why are you up so early this morning?
Tohru looks up, seeing Kyo wearing the same running outfit from the day of the marathon from school. He’s panting, casually wiping the sweat from his brows. She smiles up at him in greeting, not noticing the hinge of red forming on his cheeks.
Kyo reaches up to wipe a bead of sweat glistening down his forehead.
“I was just about to ask you the same thing. I was outside, training.”
Tohru places a set of tea cups on the table, and her hair spikes up in interest.
“Training? You mean training like how you do with your master?”
Kyo takes a moment to remove his running shoes before stepping inside on the tatami mats, joining her in the living room and taking a seat across the table.
“Yeah, master said that a good morning run can help build up strength in your lungs. I do this every morning when I wake up.”
“Oh, I see. What time do you wake up for your morning runs?”
There was a small pause of silence.
“About five in the morning.”
“...”
“Huh?! You wake up at exactly five in the morning every day?!”
Kyo watches her reaction from across the table, failing to hide a small smile from the corner of his lips.
“Calm down, jeez. When else would I do it? I prefer to do early instead of later, so I wouldn’t see that damn rats face when I come back!”
Tohru smiles at that.
“It just surprised me, that’s all.”
Kyo ultimately turns his eyes away from hers, blushing a bit more.
“A-Anyway, what about you?” He sighs out, leaning back on the heels of his palms, bringing his attention back to her. “Why are you up early?” He glances for a moment to look at the sets of plates placed on the table, glancing at different sets of rice balls and fried foods before blinking up at her.
“Oh! I was making breakfast! Since we don’t have school today, I thought I just make us a big meal of breakfast for the four of us. Are you hungry Kyo?”
“A little bit, but I can wait until-”
“Well good morning you two! Kyo, you sly dog, already up and making a move I see?”
Shigure walks up from behind the two throughout their conversation, casting a glance at Kyo with a wink and ultimately the living room begins to shake with furry.
“NOW WHAT GIVES YOU THE RIGHT TO CALL ME THAT, BASTARD?!”
“Oh! Good morning Shigure!” Tohru beams up at him. “Would you like some breakfast?”
“I will be delighted, Tohru!” Shigure beams back, stepping over to take a seat between the two at the table.
“HEY! I’M STILL HERE YOU KNOW!”
“Would you keep it down, stupid cat? It’s too early hearing your pathetic whining.”
Tohru smiles brightly in greeting as Yuki emerges from his slumber, covering a small yawn while taking a seat in the open spot from the table.
“WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY?! COME ON, SAY IT TO MY DAMN FACE!”
“Good morning Miss Honda, sleep well?”
“Kyo, maybe you should tone it down a bit? It’s quite early you know.”
Shigure teases, a slight smirk forming the corner of his lips from seeing Kyo’s outburst.
“YOU'RE THE ONE THAT STARTED IT! AND QUIT GIVING ME THAT DAMN LOOK!”
“Yes! Thank you for asking! What about you Sohma, did you sleep well?”
Yuki chuckles, brushing a strand of hair away from his eyes and smiles.
“I wouldn’t say it was the best sleep I’ve ever had, but it wasn’t bad either.”
Tohru giggles at that. “Right, of course.”
*
After breakfast once everyone finishes, Tohru excuses herself to begin cleaning up for the day. Gathering their plates while the Sohma’s say their thanks, Tohru makes her way back into the kitchen, rinsing the set of plates before placing them to dry inside the dish rack. She hums quietly to herself while scrubbing away the small stains of grease before placing a plate inside the rack, and repeats the process with the remaining dishes.
Kyo turns over to his side while lying down out in the middle of the porch, resting an arm behind his head as a breeze fills the room from the outside.
Yuki follows her into the kitchen, and lightly taps a shoulder. “May I help?”
“Of course!” Tohru smiles up at him, and steps to the side to give him room.
Shigure blinks as he reads todays paper. “Oh! That reminds me, Tohru? Isn’t your birthday coming up in a few days?”
Yuki pauses, and Kyo tilts his head back from the sudden news.
Tohru gasps, stepping away from the sink and begins waving her arms around frantically.
“Yes! May sixth, b-but you don’t have to get anything for me really! Staying here with the three of you is already enough, and I wouldn’t want to cause any trouble!”
She blurts out, a hinge of crimson forming at the base of her cheeks which begin traveling up her ears.
Shigure chuckles at that. “But Tohru, it’s your birthday! We wouldn’t want our sweet fair maiden to have to a glorious day of birth by cooking and cleaning!” Shigure folds the newspaper and places it back on the table. Turning his gaze to her, he calmly silences her with a wink and a finger to his lips.
“It’s important day for you, and I wouldn’t want you to have a birthday a day just like any other. So please, let us celebrate it when it arrives, yes?”
Tohru blushes more in defeat, but smiles kindly from the gesture.
“Yes, thank you.” She giggles.
Yuki smiles, returning to assist by cleaning the remaining dishes.
And Kyo turns his attention back to the outside, minding his own business.
While a small hint of red, begins to form at his cheeks.
*
Tohru finishes her shift from work, the nightly breeze hitting against her skin and is greeted from a familiar figure, waiting.
“Ah, Yuki! Thanks for waiting for me, I really do appreciate it.”
“Of course, Miss Honda, I don’t mind at all.” He smiles, walking with her the same direction they always take when arriving home. “How was work today?”
She beams up at him. “Oh, it was such a wonderful day! The ladies that worked with me actually came by and surprised me with a small birthday cake! It was a strawberry short cake, which is my favorite! I wish I could’ve saved some for you, though.”
“Nonsense,” Yuki beams back. “I’m just happy that you had a very enjoyable day, even though today was a school day.”
“Oh, it wasn’t an issue at all! Celebrating a birthday while being in school makes the day even more fun! Uotani and Hanajima said that during the weekend, they’re going to take me out to have some lunch, and maybe do a little bit of shopping. E-Even though they really didn’t have to do that for me, it still is a very kind gesture.”
Yuki smiles from the change of her tone, the two approaching the steps from home.
“Well, when the time comes, I hope that you have a good time.”
She smiles up at him. “Yes!”
Approaching the front door and sliding it open, the two step out of their shoes before stepping inside the house, Tohru closes the door and locking it behind her.
“We’re home!” She calls out.
“Yuki? Tohru? Is that you? Could you give me a hand please?” Shigure calls out, from what sounds like coming from in the living room.
“We’ll be right there!” Yuki calls out, before casting a quick smile to Tohru before taking the lead.
“Shigure?” Tohru calls out worriedly. “Is there something wrong-”
She turns around the corner.
“SURPRISE! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOHRU!”
A series of streamers pop open in the air, filling the room with bright shades of pink and white which leaves her completely silent. Looking up, she notices the sets of alphabets hanging up from the opening of the porch. Momiji and Hatsuharu appear as unexpected guests, wearing matching birthday hats of the colors surrounding the room. Shigure and Yuki joins them in the center of the table, yet Kyo is nowhere near to be found.
“Happy Birthday, Honda.” Haru calls out, in his casual calming voice.
“Happy Birthday, Tohru!” Momiji giggles, bounces with utter joy around the living room.
Tears begin to swell up in her vision as she looks around, noticing the grand finale of the dinner table.
A combination of different sweets takes her breath away from the surprise. Momiji gently tugs at the bottom of her shirt in worry.
“Tohru? What’s wrong? Do you not like it?” Momiji asks.
Tohru sniffs, wiping away the tears which began to fall down her cheeks.
“N-No,” she sniffs. “I-I love it. Thank you so much!” She whimpers, a huge smile forming her cheeks.
“Great! Then let's eat up!” Momiji bounces at her, pulling her inside the living room to join the others, thus beginning the birthday cake celebration.
*
Tohru replays the cherishing moment in her head as she heads upstairs, getting ready for bed.
“ Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you,” they all sang along.
Tohru blushes, wiping another shed of tears from her eyes while wearing the same matching birthday hat placed atop of her head.
“Happy Birthday dear Tohru,” Momiji takes her hand in hers, sticking his tongue out playfully.
Tohru giggles from the act.
“Happy Birthday to you.” And the room is surrounded with excited praise and laughter.
And blows out the candle.
Tohru smiles, placing a hand over her heart on her chest as she steps up at the foot of her bedroom door.
“Hey.”
Tohru jumps, turning around to meet a familiar set of eyes.
“Oh, Kyo! There you are! I was wondering where you were! I was beginning to worry about you.” She smiles up at him, interlacing her fingers behind her back, and squeezes.
Kyo shifts uncomfortably from side to side, before releasing a heavy sigh and scratches the back of his head. Blush forms at the base of his cheeks as he tears his gaze away from her.
“Yeah. I hope that you had a good time, you know, with the others. And um, I-I just,” he pauses for a second, releasing a huff. He grimaces. “Had a lot going on in my mind, lately.”
Tohru blinks up at him, noticing the way his demeanor changed, the way his voice appeared differently.
It’s as if, he’s apologizing.
“It’s alright Kyo, I understand.” She replies back, warmly.
Kyo’s stance is taken back, but he presses on.
“It is not okay! I-I should’ve been there! It’s your birthday-”
“Kyo,”
Tohru stops him, and he falls completely silent.
She takes a step forward, and smiles up at him with the same smiles like she always has.
Bright, like a ray of sunshine.
“I understand what you may be going through, because being in the same room as Yuki would probably make things a bit difficult,” she giggles out. “But if you’re going through something you’re struggling with, and you need some time to yourself to think, don’t apologize! After all,”
Kyo remains still, his mouth open in a slight ajar.
“You can pay me back by helping me with breakfast tomorrow!”
Kyo stands in silence, and slowly a small smile begins creeping up his cheeks.
“You really are something, you know that?”
Tohru giggles, releasing her fingers from behind.
“Hey so, I have something I’d like to give you.” Kyo’s fist tightens from his side.
Kyo rubs the back of his neck, the blush from earlier still present.
Tohru's attention piques with interest.
“Give me? But Kyo, what are you-”
Kyo reaches down, grasping her hand in his.
He turns, and begins pulling her hand. His eye brows knitting together.
“Come on, I’m not going to wait for you all night.”
A small grin forms the corner of his lips, the tension releasing a bit, tugging and urging her to follow him.
The blush remains on his face.
*
As the two passed by into Kyo’s bedroom, and outside where the ladder stands, Kyo leads Tohru up on top of the roof of the Sohma house. A slight breeze from the night air brings a shiver up her spine, and as she gathers her footing atop of the roof, Kyo calls after her.
“Just wait here for a bit, I'm gonna grab us something to wear. I’ll be right back!”
Tohru beams at him, taking a seat at their usual spot from the roof “Okay!”
Sitting quietly to herself, Tohru begins running her hands up and down her arms to help warm herself up. Even though the nice weather has been nothing but warmth and sunshine, at times the nights are still a bit chilly.
Tohru muses to herself. ‘Maybe a storm is coming soon. I hope it doesn’t rain too harshly.’
She looks up at the sky, and takes in awe of the twinkling view of the starts above her. She smiles to herself, as a childhood memory begins to play in her mind. She took a deep breath in, and exhales.
“ Mommy, mommy look! Do you see the stars?”
Kyoko smiles, reaching around to wrap her daughter in her favorite fuzzy pink blanket, and pulls her close.
“Yes dear! Aren’t they so pretty?”
“Yeah!” Tohru giggles. “Mommy? Did you and daddy watch the stars too?”
Kyoko falls silent for a bit, reaching up and begins to caress the small locks of hair of her five-year-old daughter’s head. She recalls the memory, so many years ago before the incident of her beloved husband.
“As a matter in fact Tohru, we did. And do you know what we did?” She pulls her daughter close, nuzzling against the top of her head.
“What mommy?”
A feathery light kiss was placed atop of her forehead. She looks up at the sky with her daughter in her arms, watching the stars from just outside of their apartment and on the grass. Wrapped in a blanket where both mother and daughter sat, Kyoko whispered,
“We sat atop of the roof, and watched the stars from above.”
“ Tohru?”
Tohru gasps, looking up at Kyo wearing his green coat, with a blanket thrown over his shoulder, and a look of concern written on his face.
“What’s wrong? Why, are you crying?”
She reaches up with her fingers and presses them against her cheeks, realizing that her cheeks art wet and stained from tears.
“I-I just remembered something,” she sniffs, clumsily wiping them away.
“Oh?” He takes a seat next to her, removing the blanket from his shoulders and placing it around her, while she whispers a silent thanks. “Was it about your mom?”
She pauses, and quickly turns her gaze to him, her eyes widened from his guess.
Instead of questioning him, she smiles at him instead, brushing away her tears with her fingers that falls down her cheeks.
“Yes! When I was little, she and I would sit outside from our apartment on the grass to watch the stars. Sitting up here and looking up at the sky brought back the memory.”
Kyo hums. “So, I’m guessing that those were happy tears?”
Tohru giggles, smiling at him. “Of course!”
Kyo nods, and takes a moment to view her as she focuses her gaze back up at the sky, watching as the stars twinkled throughout the night, and spreading onwards towards the city miles away. The wind picks up just a bit for her hair to gently sway in the air, then slowly inches to a stop right next to her shoulder.
And then Kyo remembers the reasoning as to why he brought her up here in the first place.
“Hey, so um...”
Tohru turns her attention back to Kyo, who pulls out a small cubed sized plastic container, while removing the top. It’s a small strawberry shortcake, with small handwriting decorated on the top of the whipped cream icing. A small candle stood just below the wording.
‘Happy Birthday, Tohru’
Tohru softly gasps, watching as Kyo then reaches the side of his pocket to pull out a small lighter, igniting it and presenting her with the cake.
He blushes as he holds it out to her.
“I know it’s not much as an official birthday cake, and it took me the whole day to pick it up and wait until everyone left. I wanted to at least make it up to you.”
He places the cake in the palm of her hands, and ultimately tears begin clouding her vision.
Kyo smiles, and it’s the first smile she’s ever seen that comes across his face.
“Happy Birthday, Tohru.”
Silent, she closes her eyes with a warm smile,
And makes a wish.
‘Thank you, so much.’