shield, Fruit Basket (Kyo/Tohru)
Title: shield Author/Artist: shiegra Rating: PG13
Prompt: Fruits Basket - Kyo/Tohru - protection - "Anyone who touches her answers to me."
He hated the fact that she could be afraid of anything.
She, who had faced down the Cat's form--the ugliest part of his soul--with barely flinching, bled and wept for him, shouldn't have to ever fear anything. If he had to break himself apart on anyone who gave it a try--or more likely, broke them open--he would do it, without hesitation.
Not to see her worry over him, not to see her concern or even gain her quiet kisses and the way she hugged. Just to see the fear fade away to that achingly quiet, brimming smile she gave him to tell him she loved him, the one he'd never relinquish.
He didn't think he'd survive losing her. He still had nightmares about it, woke to find her unflinching in the too-tight circle of his arms, cradling him, eyes wide with concern. And he always told her not to worry, and if he held her still a little too tight afterwards, she never seemed to mind. Sometimes she held him back just as fiercely, but her strength had long since ceased to surprise him.
And now she was coming down the walk, taking his hand in hers to examine his bruised knuckles with wide eyes. "Kyo," she said, tipping her face up--not quite a reproach--and he kissed her hello and flexed the last traces of adrenaline away. She soothed him with a single touch. "Welcome home," she said, her happiness at seeing him brushing aside all else as she lifted a hand to smooth though his hair.
"I'm home," he said, and nuzzled into her touch, closing his eyes.