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simply-trash5 · 3 months

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Found Forever

Had a sweet request from @twilightlover2007 for a Momiji little something and this was so cute. It's a little short but I hope you like it <3

Pairing: Momiji X Reader

CW: none--fluffy fluff fluff

Momiji knew the moment he saw you that he had found his forever.

That day in the park had started like any other for him, a nice warm day for him to run and clear his mind when he saw the sweet little bunny stuffie fly out of the stroller being pushed by what could only be described as an angel.

‘It must be fate…’ he thought to himself as he chuckled and plucked the small toy from the concrete. He jogged alongside the stroller pulling an earbud from his ear and tapped you on the shoulder, your sweet face stopping his heart.

“Excuse me, Miss…I believe this belongs to you…” Momiji said with an accent and smile that melted you on the spot. A blush bloomed across both of your cheeks as your hands brushed ever so slightly at the exchange of the plush toy. “T-thanks…” you stammered feeling like a teenager again.

At the loss of momentum of the stroller your baby began to stir, making a fuss in her bundle and wanting her presence to be known. Momiji’s eyes lit up pleasantly at the sound of the baby. “What a sweet little face! What is her name?” he cooed looking down at your brunette bundle of joy. You reached into the stroller to grab your fussy infant who seemed to calm at the sight of Momiji almost instantly. “Her name is Mika–she is only a year old…” you smiled and kissed her cheek while Momiji smiled at the two of you fondly.

You looked over at the tall blonde with a blush and a smirk. “Hey, I never got your name. How do I know you aren’t some creep who follows around young mothers in the park?” Momiji froze and began to stumble over his words. “I..I am so.. No my name is Momiji..” he stared at his feet suddenly feeling like a small child again who was caught sneaking a treat when he had been told ‘no more sweets’.

You laughed loudly and placed your daughter back into her stroller. Momiji relaxed at the sound of your laughter knowing that it was the most magical sound he had ever heard. “Well, Momiji my name is Y/N if you would like to keep walking with us you can…” you offered with a mischievous lilt to your voice. You began walking without hearing his response, leaving him completely dazed. ‘Wake up Momiji…follow her!’

You soon heard his footsteps as he jogged alongside you and fell in step with you. The two of you walked until late in the afternoon talking about your less than amicable split with Mika’s father and him about his tumultuous relationship with his family; honestly it was cathartic talking with someone who was practically a stranger about the most deep parts of yourself…but when he walked with you to your car and helped you pack the stroller you had to admit you didn’t want him to leave.

“Y/N…” Momiji began to speak in a hushed tone, making you regret that the end of your time together had come. You nodded acknowledging him, “Can I see you and Mika again? I know that we just met and that it wasn’t exactly a date bu-”

You placed a featherlight on his cheek.

“You talk too much. Of course I want to see you again.”

You grabbed his phone and put your number into it telling him ‘text me or else no more cheek kisses.’

Walking away from your car that night he knew, you and Mika were his forever.

#fruits basket #fruits basket x reader #momiji sohma #momiji sohma x reader #aged up characters #momiji aged up #anime #anons welcome #anime fanfic #fruits basket fanfic #send requests #anime fluff #anon asks #send me things #simplytrash writes

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once-upon-the-moon · 15 days

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Kyo Sohma x Gender Neutral Reader Who Does Physical Therapy (Headcanons)

As someone with cerebral palsy, I do physical therapy regularly, and I had a lot of fun writing about how Kyo would support someone throughout the process. <3<3

Warnings: Mentions of insecurity, mentions of exercising, suggestive content (written in orange text).

(The beautiful divider I used in this post was made by cafekitsune here on tumblr, and the image was found on Google).

- Kyo is very supportive of you and your journey with physical therapy. He wants nothing more than for it to be a positive, beneficial experience for you.

- It would upset him quite a bit if you were insecure about it. He wouldn’t be upset with you of course, it just makes him sad (and maybe even a bit angry) when you judge yourself. He has more than enough experience with that himself to know how painful it is.

- Still, he knows this isn’t about him, and that he can’t change your feelings for you, but he’ll damn sure be there for you as you work through them.

- If you do your physical therapy at appointments, he’ll go with you (if you want him to, that is).

- He’d gladly go just to wait outside the entire time. He just wants you to know he’s happy to be involved in the process if you’d like him to be.

- He may add some of your exercises to his usual training he does on his own.

- If your exercises are ones that you do at home, he’ll offer for you to come over and use his room as your workspace. It’s a way to spend time together that makes him feel very connected to you.

- He’d be counting for you and encouraging you as you go.

“That’s the first five done, you’re doing great. Take a break and let me know when you’re ready to finish the rest.”

- He thinks it’s adorable if you brag about how you’re improving over time. He loves seeing you be proud of yourself like he is of you.

“When did you get so cocky?” he’d ask with an amused scoff. “You’ve earned it though, I’ll give you that”.

- He sometimes worries about you accidentally pushing yourself too hard, even though he knows that’s not likely to happen.

“Hey, slow down, would you? You’re not on a time limit”.

- He loves it if you let him help you with actually doing any of your exercises, like if you let him hold you for balance. He’s so proud that you trust him with something so important.

- If you want him to, he’ll give you massages if you’re sore after your exercises.

- He may not want to admit it, but he also loves the way you look and sound after you’ve completed your exercises, with sweat clinging to your skin and you panting from the effort. He thinks you look amazing like that.

“Alright, we’re done for the day, good job. You did really well.” he’d say, smiling as he hands you your water bottle. “How are you feeling?”

Once you told him you were all good, he’d pounce, pinning you back down onto your mat, as his smile became a cocky smirk.

“How ‘bout I reward you for your hard work, then?”.

#kyo sohma x reader #kyo sohma x reader headcanons #kyo soma x reader #kyo soma x reader headcanons #fruits basket #fruits basket headcanons #fruits basket fanfic #fruits basket fanfiction #kyo sohma x gender neutral reader #kyo soma x gender neutral reader #kyo souma x reader #kyo souma x gender neutral reader #kyo souma x reader headcanons #kyo sohma x gn reader #kyo soma x gn reader #kyo souma x gn reader

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athena-theunicorn · 1 year

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💫A Mind of Works and WIPs🌠

All my works, all in one place. Have a look around, and enjoy the chaos✨

Social links 📍

Archive of Our Own Wattpad Twitter Spotify Pinterest

Full-length works📖

The Between Them series ⚔

Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, T rated

The Silence Between Them🗡Complete The first installment of the Between Them series. In which Link and Zelda meet, and try to get through the Great Calamity together.

The Distance Between Them🐎 Complete The second installment of the Between Them series. In which Link wakes up from a one-hundred-year-long slumber with no memories, confused feelings, and a quest left incomplete.

The Memories Between Them📝 Complete The third and final installment of the Between Them series. In which Link and Zelda try to navigate a life of peace.

Against All Gods 🐈

Fruits Basket 2019, M rated, incomplete

What would have happened if Akito locked Kyo up, despite Tohru's best efforts? He did lose the bet, after all...

You And Me Against The World, Mari🪀

Miraculous Ladybug, G rated, Incomplete

Marinette was careful. She double checked allies and alcoves before de-transforming. She checked to make sure she wasn't followed. She made sure press was distracted before sneaking away.

But all it takes is one mistake for disaster to strike.

And Marinette was so tired, and she was distracted, and she forgot to check that the press didn't follow her. She forgot to check the alley for cameras.

One-shot Collections📚

Legends of Zelda (and Link)🛡 Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild one-shots

Part of the Fruits Basket🍙 Fruits Basket 2019 anime one-shots

waiting games🏥 I Fell in Love with Hope by Lancali one-shot

I only like red roses if they're from you 🌹 Enola Holmes (movies) one-shots

From Ash to Fire🔥 Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas one-shot

How To Tame Your Viking 🐉 How To Train Your Dragon one-shots

Miraculous Heroes 🐞 Miraculous Ladybug one-shots

Fire, Hearts, and Starlight🏯 Howl's Moving Castle (Studio Ghibli film) one-shots

Tìshôk💧 Disney/Pixar Elemental

More Than A Princess 👑 Sofia the First

Challenges📓

Linktober 2023

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teleiapotami · 3 months

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Tumblr Games (Fruits Basket)

Fandom: Fruits Basket

Ship: Kyo/Tohru

Tags: Fluffy

#fruits basket #kyo sohma #tohru honda #kyo x tohru #fruits basket fanfic #creative writing #ao3 fanfic #archive of our own #ao3

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swan1song · 2 months

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masterlist.

jujustu kaisen | 呪術廻戦

twisted wonderland | ディズニーツイステッドワンダーランド

genshin impact | 原神

honkai : star rail | 本海：スターレール

alice in borderland | 今際の国のアリス

nijisanji en | にじさんじ

hazbin hotel | ハズビンホテル

fruits basket | フルーツバスケット

#🦢 | swan1song #🦢 | masterlist.#🦢 | directory.#jjk fanfic #jjk smut #twisted wonderland fanfic #twst smut #genshin impact fanfic #genshin smut #hsr fanfic #hsr smut #alice in borderland fanfic #alice in borderland smut #nijien fanfic #nijien smut #hazbin hotel fanfic #hazbin hotel smut #fruits basket fanfic #fruits basket smut

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creative-hanyou-girl · 2 years

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The struggle between reading original books or reading fanfiction is real.

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oathkeptroxas · 1 year

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now that i’m back on tumblr i should probably promote my piece for the Year of the Cat Kyoru Fanzine!! it was a scrapbook style zine focusing on kyoru and their immediate family post canon! it was my first zine, and i had such an incredible experience!! it was challenging to work with a word limit and convey everything i wanted to within that! seeing everybody’s creative process was so inspiring and i truly believe i’m a better writer now because of it.

so check out my little fic, it focuses on the insecurities that kyo experiences when he finds out he’s going to be a father! it’s an introspective piece with some soft and sweet kyoru!!

#kyoru #fruits basket #furuba #kyoru fanfic #fruits basket fanfic #my fic #tohru honda #kyo sohma #otp: let's stay together always

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kaygom · 2 years

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Kyoru Week 2022 Day 1 - The Future (@kyoruweekofficial)

Mature Audience (TW: Miscarriage) / AU - Angst - Kyo & Tohru (Kyoru) / Hajime, Yuki, Machi - 3.8k

Tohru found out that she's pregnant again.. But a bit too soon. Eight months after Hajime was born too soon.. She wasn't expecting this whatsoever. She's conflicted. She's scared. However, another unexpected event happens and in turn she worries about the future.

#fruits basket #fruits basket fanfic #kyo sohma #tohru honda #kyoru #kyoru fanfic #kyo x tohru #ao3 #[ ✿ kay's fics ]#kyoru week 2022

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simply-trash5 · 3 months

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Thank you so much for the last Momiji one you wrote it was so perfect!! If I may be so bold as to make another request!

I'd love to see Shigure meeting one of Yuki/Tohru/Kyo's assistant teachers-she's a recent graduate- and starts to flirt and she does flirt back a little but also keeps the kids-and him- in line but in a sweet way(not too harsh but still firm). No rush! I pray you're feeling better! <3

I LOVE THIS IDEA

I’m going to do it HC style:

🐾Shigure loathed the fact he would have to go to the school for Kyo knowing he probably got into some sort of shenanigans again.

🐾he walked into the classroom and sees the most beautiful woman he had ever seen…so he was ready to pounce.

🐾”oh I’ll handle my dear Kyo, but tell me Miss…maybe you would want to meet sometime next week to talk about his progress.”

🐾the teacher was floored at his forward approach…but she wasn’t giving in that easy.

🐾”nonsense Mr. Sohma…I’m sure he will behave from now on.”

🐾Kyo began laughing at Shigure being shut down which made the teacher give him a stern look…

🐾”Kyo, it would be an honor if you teach me some jokes since you’re so funny…”

🐾Now was Shigure’s turn to laugh…

🐾the teacher dismissed them both but was sure she would see Shigure again…so when he shows up about a week later for a “conference” she decides to go with him on that date…

#shigure sohma #Shigure fruits basket #Shigure x reader #fruits basket hc #fruits basket fanfic #anime HC #send me anons #send me things #simplytrash writes

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kyokunyouidiot · 2 years

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Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Fruits Basket, Fruits Basket - Takaya Natsuki (Manga), Fruits Basket (Anime 2019) Rating: Not Rated Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Sohma Hiro/Sohma Kisa, Honda Tohru/Sohma Kyou, Kuragi Machi/Sohma Yuki, Sohma Hatsuharu/Sohma Rin Characters: Sohma Kisa, Sohma Hiro, Sohma Kyou, Honda Tohru, Kuragi Machi, Sohma Hatsuharu, Sohma Momiji, Sohma Yuki, Sohma Rin Additional Tags: Pregnancy, Vacation, Beach House, Canon Relationships, Post-Canon, Established Relationship, Romance, Mystery, some of these people are stressed tf out, we love to see it, yes i was lowkey inspired by that one episode of parks and rec, kisa pov, hiro pov Summary:

"Kisa, though now a first-year university student, thankfully had little experience with these kinds of tests. This one, however, was very clear. Extremely clear. It made her heart jump in her throat. Someone in this vacation house had a secret, and the single word on the little digital screen just gave it away.

Someone was pregnant.

Someone who was downstairs this very minute."

While once again on vacation at the Sohma family beach house, Kisa discovers something she shouldn't.

#new fic in the year of our lord 2022 #i will never not love these idiots #fruits basket #fruits basket fanfic #fruits basket ff #kisa sohma #my post

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athena-theunicorn · 3 months

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Against All Gods🐈

Ao3 Wattpad

Summary

Tohru Honda woke up in a hospital bed. Kyo Sohma woke up in a desolate cottage. Akito Sohma woke up on a crumbling throne.

ᓚᘏᗢ

What would have happened if Akito locked Kyo up, despite Tohru's best efforts? He did lose the bet, after all...

Chapter 8

“I’m so sorry.”

Tohru was stunned.

Why would that be the first thing he says to her? What is he sorry for? God, he shouldn’t be the one apologizing, for crying out loud! How long had he been holding it in, waiting to tell her?

Before she could stop herself, she bowed at the waist and said, “No, I’m sorry!”

She heard chuckling behind her. She looked up from under her bangs to see Kyo’s baffled expression, just barely there under all the sorrow.

“You haven’t changed,” he said.

Tohru stood again and gazed at him once more. Was his hair always that dull? She remembered it being the color of fire, and it was soft and fluffy, especially after he washed it. Now it looked limp and dimmed. His eyes looked almost hollow, although he tried to smile at her. She appreciated the sentiment.

They stared at each other for what seemed like an eternity. Was it real? Where they truly there, back to each other? What was left unsaid between them? What assumptions from months of being apart were true? There were tears in his eyes, but he was refusing to let them fall.

“I really want to hug you,” Tohru said softly, without thinking about it.

The smile Kyo gave her might’ve been real, the way it made her heart beat faster. He held his arms out after a moment of contemplation. He was willing quicker than Yuki had been, barely giving it a few moments of thought. Tohru took the few steps between them and wrapped her arms around him, relishing those few precious seconds before...

Poof!

An orange cat appeared in her arms a moment later, but she didn’t let go. He didn’t try to squirm and escape like he would have before. He let her hold him against his chest, stroking his back gently. His clothes fell to the floor. The other Sohmas looked in in wonder, baffled. If their affection was a secret before, it wasn’t anymore.

#fruits basket #fanfic #fanfiction #fruits basket fanfic #fruits basket 2019 #fruits basket fanfiction #tohru honda #kyo sohma #kyoru #kyo x tohru #akito sohma

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chodzacaparodia · 1 year

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Me, when characters who are practically meant for each other destroy their relationship by a misunderstanding they could have avoided if they’d just been honest with each other:

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onceuponapuffin · 17 days

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Fanatic Intervention Part 4!!

Someone mentioned a play on Divine Intervention, and I thought that would make for a short, sweet, tag-able title. So here it is - Fanatic Intervention!

This poll came really close. Gosh. Please share this around. I want anyone who would like a chance to play to have the chance to play. This isn't about followers or activity, this is about letting people know they are welcome and invited :)

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The Metatron walked calmly through the halls of Heaven. Anyone who didn’t know any better would use a word more like “stalked” or “stomped.” Of course, no one in Heaven would ever use these words to describe the Metatron, even if his eyes were angry and his feet fell firmer than usual. No, the Metatron was the Voice of God – he merely walked with purpose, grace even.

At the end of a corridor that did not exist, he approached a door that opened at his touch and his touch alone, into a room that took up no space. It is in here that he stopped, the door closing behind him as it was right to do, and brought his hands together in Prayer.

“I beseech you,” he began, “Mother and Father both of All Creation, Commander of mine tongue, and through whose Grace I carry out Thine Will.” He paused, unsure exactly how to proceed with asking if someone new was supposed to be there. “In my best efforts to bring about the long-foretold Second Coming, I have come upon some trouble. A human was dropped into the path of my efforts* and has suggested that they are here at Your Will. If this is so, please instruct me so that I may step aside or aid them as appropriate. I wish only to serve You, Your Will, and Your Designs.” With this, the Metatron paused and waited. He waited for what felt like eternity, even though he kew all too well it wasn't. He was met with nothing but silence. With a sigh, he spoke now to himself (and if anyone had been around to hear, they might have – mistakenly, mind you – inferred his tone to be sad).

“I suppose I should have expected nothing less.”

He straightened himself. Well, clearly The Almighty trusted him to sort this trouble out for himself. Oh, how he adored the trust and love the Almighty had for him. Alright, so, given that he was sort out this trouble himself, he deigned to use all the knowledge and intelligence that the Almighty had granted him. He had other resources that he could consult.

Exiting the room, he walked once more (with purpose and trust in God – not with pride), to the Room of Records which held The Book of Life. If anyone saw him, they said nothing and let him pass. If he saw anyone, he paid them no mind. The Metatron approached The Book.

The Book of Life holds all the world’s stories, whether they are true or not. Every. Single. One.

He turned the pages to the one where he had seen the passage regarding The Second Coming, and the events leading up to it. His eyes widened in surprise (he was far too important to gawk). The lines that had carefully discussed Aziraphale returning to Heaven, and the Second Coming of Jesus, had all been painted over with what appeared to be a thin white tape. And overtop of this tape, new words were appearing, detailing the arrival of the strange human and their interference. The Metatron glared (not snarled) at the way in which their interaction was being recorded. After a moment, he experimentally scratched at the tape. Much to his relief, the white tape gave way, revealing the original words still lay underneath. Well now, that was good news. The original plan, writing, story, was still there – hidden just beneath the surface. No doubt, if he took the human out of the equation, so to speak, the Plan would continue as is had been written so many thousands of years ago. He smiled, closing his eyes, and thanking God for this insight. Now, all he had to do was find a way to get rid of that human.

Suddenly, the lights in Heaven started flashing red, and a siren began blaring. The Metatron rolled his eyes. WHAT, exactly, had happened now? He went to the room that contained the large rotating figure of Earth, and noticed a large red plume of smoke trailing from it. While all of the lesser angels were fussing with it, Metatron stayed near the door that didn’t exist. He had no need to inspect it closer. He knew precisely what it was.

*(not that kind)

It didn’t take you long to tell them about the Second Coming, and convince Aziraphale and Crowley to ward the bookshop. Well, there was some slight resistance, but you pointed out that if they did a Big Joint Miracle On Purpose, then there wasn’t likely to be anything that anyone could do about it, even when they did notice. And thus, it had gone without a hitch.

Now, Aziraphale was collecting stacks of Bibles that he felt would be helpful for research, Muriel was taking notes, and Crowley had gone to get some wine (something about needing a drink to deal with all this). You look to your phone, pointedly ignore the Lives Counter, and start toward Google to help with research.

BUT

Does your Good Omens playlist still work? You can’t help but wonder, and your curiosity has you distracted and opening the app. Oh, well, there it is. Honestly it’s impressive. But then again, you suppose, Good Omens exists in this world, and the songs in your playlist exist here too, it’s just the show (specifically the Final Fifteen) that doesn’t exist here. Not anymore anyway. Any songs related to the show are gone, but otherwise your playlist is still very much intact. You smirk, crank the volume up on your phone, and start blasting Mother Mother’s Problems.

Now, dear Reader, I will take you aside to reassure you that Hozier is on the list of music they must and will hear. I have merely chosen this one because I don’t know your playlists, but I know mine, and this song fits the mood I expect you must be feeling. You are on the other side of panic, having explained everything, and secured the bookshop, you are now feeling the glee of being in Aziraphale’s bookshop with your favourite characters. You need something upbeat to dance to, wouldn’t you say? And Take Me To Church, being the most upbeat Hozier song that I know of, doesn’t quite cut it.

Crowley enters the room with a bottle of wine and two glasses (only two? How dare he. Doesn’t he know you’re...well...not going to deny a demon the temptation of a glass of red?). Aziraphale sighs the word “Bebop,” and you begin an elaborate sort of bouncing while singing the lyrics and pointing at them in turn.

“So,” Crowley says quietly to Aziraphale, “Any idea what’s actually happening here?”

You, dear Reader, are lost in your dancing. You are having the time of your life making up dance moves and trying to convince Muriel to at least bob in time with the music. You notice none of this.

Aziraphale sighs. “Honestly,” he replies to Crowley, “I can’t say I do. But given what we have to work with, I rather think that trusting them is our best option. Besides,” Aziraphale glances at you, then back to Crowley, “They don’t feel like the bad sort. I may not always be the best judge of character when it comes to angels, but I’m certain that this human is, well, rather the good sort.”

“Mm,” Crowley replies. He pauses, watching for a moment as you try to convince Muriel to stand and take your hands. “And, what about...you know, the thing that Nina and Maggie erm...talked to us about?” He notices Aziraphale’s cheeks turn pink.

“I think that we had best leave that for when the world is safe,” but the angel sounds resigned when he says it. Crowley suspects that “the world,” is actually meant to mean “we and the humans.” He doesn’t mention this, he only nods. The demon pauses.

“Wait a minute, wait, is this song about…”

You had finally convinced Muriel to walk in a twirl under your arm when Crowley finally notices that you had been trying to make it clear as bloody daylight that the song’s lyrics fit them to a T. Now that you have their attention, your smirk grows into a full mischievous smile.

“If you think this is impressive, just wait,” You say. And NOW you turn on Hozier.

❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ 🖤

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cinderella-ish · 28 days

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Momiji, Kyo, and what it means to protect the ones we love (part 5 of 5)

From the beach arc onward, we see Kyo intentionally spending more time with Tohru. He asks her to hang out in Kyoto, he eventually agrees to be in the play, they spend the New Year together, and he does little nice things for her when he can, like washing her scarf, or giving her the paper flower when he sees how upset she is.

This isn't wildly different from S1 Kyo, of course. He's done little nice things for her right from the beginning, like going to pick her up from work in E2. But he's more intentional with it now, and he's aware of his feelings for Tohru and desire to spend time with her. He may still feel unworthy of her, but he finally accepts that his presence makes her happy, so he's willing to quash his self-hatred enough to spend time with her, for her sake.

And we see Momiji work at protecting Tohru, most notably in Ask Him For Me, when he tries to accompany her on her mission to find Kureno, and when she insists on going alone, he draws her a map, tells her to stick to the bushes and give his name if she's caught, and tails her to make sure she doesn't get into trouble as she searches for Kureno. (Just look how worried he is! And look at him getting Tohru out of there!) He sees that Tohru feels very strongly about being involved, so he does absolutely everything he can to make sure she can do so as safely as possible. We even see his memory of the night Akito scratched Tohru's cheek, just to make his worries crystal clear.

He also doesn't try to distract or manipulate Tohru when he realizes she's upset. He asks her what's wrong and listens, and he even cries with her.

Takaya also connects Momiji and Kyo in the structure of Ask Him For Me/manga chapters 74 and 75. Momiji's section of this episode is almost bookended by two appearances from Kyo.

Near the beginning, Tohru asks Kyo about Kureno, and he warns her not to go looking for trouble. And at the end, we have that rooftop conversation.

Tohru: It's only natural to want to be with the person you love, to want to be by their side, right? Kyo: What is it? Are you in love with some guy? Tohru: N-n-n-no! It's not about me! Kyo: Don't worry. When you do fall in love, you'll have my full support.

So, in this episode, we have Momiji trying to protect Tohru, and Kyo trying to cheer her up and spend time with her, a complete reversal from where they started relative to each other.

And then, Momiji grows up.

After Golden Week, a bunch of the kids gather at Shigure's house for dinner, and when Tohru notices that Kyo isn't with them, Momiji volunteers to go get him (Momiji really is always the one to invite Kyo to join everyone). In the manga, Tohru starts crying when she notices that Kyo's not with them, no doubt thinking of Kyo's upcoming confinement.

When Momiji arrives in Kyo's room, they have this exchange:

Kyo: You guys are gonna eat here, too? Momiji: It's okay, we settled on curry. Kyo: Whatever. You grew a lot, huh? Momiji: Right? Pretty soon I might be taller than you, and better looking! And then, and then... maybe Tohru will accept my proposal? Do you get that if you give up, something like that might happen? So you shouldn't give up. I'm gonna stop going, 'There's no point in thinking about this,' and giving up. Wouldn't it sting if some other guy took Tohru from you? Well, look at the time! We better go help make curry! Come on!

In the manga, it's made clear that Kyo is horrified that everyone knows he loves Tohru. He stands separate from the rest of the group at the barbecue. In the manga, he and Tohru share a cute moment of blushing eye contact.

I love how Momiji says he'll stop thinking it's pointless, too, after he encourages Kyo not to give up. In a conversation where he could have focused on the fact that Kyo is his romantic rival, he instead focuses on the fact that they both might have futures worth fighting for. They're fighting beside each other, even if they can't both be the one Tohru loves romantically.

Later that episode (or a few chapters later), Momiji's curse breaks. He now has a real future ahead of him, but he sees how Tohru looks at Kyo, and he knows that his own future won't be at her side like he wants.

Kyo: Momiji? Jeez, you're here of all places. Tohru and them are inside looking for you, so- Momiji: What? Kyo: Huh? Uh, nothing. Did something happen? Momiji: My curse is broken. Would it surprise you if I said that? Kyo: What? Listen, you- Momiji: Yours breaking would make Tohru happier than mine breaking. I'm sure she'd be happy. I mean... you know, right? I'm the one this stings. Kyo: Shut up. I don't wanna realize that. It's too...

Gosh, this scene breaks my heart every time. On both of their behalves. Momiji is dealing with his first real heartbreak, and Kyo is dealing with his extremely complicated feelings about loving Tohru, his guilt over Kyoko's death, and his upcoming confinement in the Cat's House.

It's clear Kyo cares for Momiji in this scene, and Momiji really tries to put on a happy face for Kyo, but he can't. Megumi Han does an outstanding job as Momiji in this scene. The way her voice breaks when Momiji smiles and says, "Would it surprise you if I said that?" is just crushing.

The visual storytelling is stunning, too. The wide shots, emphasizing how lonely both Momiji and Kyo are. The way the scene is composed to emphasize the distance between them. The close-ups on their faces when they're each grappling with the thing that's gutting them. The way Momiji's smiles are always immediately followed by the saddest looks. The way their solo shots mirror each other's, at the beginning, middle, and end. We also don't see Kyo's eyes between the moment Momiji says his curse is broken and when Kyo is saying, "I don't wanna realize that."

Before the beach arc, I don't think Momiji would have watched that sort of interaction from a distance, and I don't think he would have let it stop him from making plans with Tohru. He would've just wanted to make her smile and spend as much time with her as possible, even if that meant ignoring her feelings. And he definitely wouldn't have let himself feel sad. Momiji's pain in this scene is evidence of his growth.

That night, Momiji goes to speak to Akito, after having dismissed her the night before. His speech to her might be my favorite moment of the whole series. It's the climax of Momiji's arc, at the very least.

Momiji: I'm sorry I sent you home alone yesterday. I spent the whole day thinking. Wondering why my curse is gone... only mine. I couldn't think of anything that would cause it. But I can say this: Akito, I can't stay by your side for the rest of my life. And you can't tie me down anymore. [Akito slaps Momiji] Akito: Monster! Traitor. Traitor! [Akito beats her fists against Momiji's chest] Akito: If you leave here, leave me, you've got no place to go! Your mother and father won't just welcome you back! No one will! You'll never be happy! Momiji: I know. I've become so free, and so lonely. The curse breaking doesn't mean I'll get the girl I want. And the bonds that unconditionally connected me to everyone are gone. It's too late. I can't go back to before things were broken. But... but don't tell me that not having those things means I can't be happy! Don't just decide that! I feel vulnerable being free, but a happiness might exist for me! It might be somewhere in the future, waiting for me to catch up! I'm going to finally start walking along my own life's path. What about you? How long will you stay here? The person most afraid that if they leave this place, they'll have no home and no happiness... Akito: Shut up. Just shut up. Get lost. Momiji: Okay.

It's almost the credo of the whole series, isn't it? That it's better to make your own way, with no guarantee of love or happiness, than to cling to bonds that have become a burden and wish for things to never change. What Momiji's saying is what Akito needs to accept in order to be free herself.

And Momiji, despite all the loss he's suffered, despite having his heart broken that very afternoon, he's still determined to keep going.

I love this as the climax for Momiji's arc because it showcases the ways he's grown while also showing us the things that have always made him such a special character. He's standing up for himself and his future, not afraid to make Akito angry or say things she doesn't want to hear. He's acknowledging that it hurts, and that he might never have the family he so desires. But he also might.

It's a waste of time to think about loss or life getting harder. The traveler never thought about that stuff.

He still has hope, even as everything seems so dark. And he still tries to help Akito, even after everything she's done to him.

The parallels between Kyo and Akito in this episode/chapter are so well done. For both of them, the pain of moving forward is just too much right now, but Momiji still wants to see them both move forward anyway, and he's telling them this in a straightforward, mature way, rather than manipulating them.

And Momiji's not done affecting Kyo's arc.

After Kyo asks Tohru if she loves him, we see Momiji's face and hear him say, "I mean... you know, right?" Once more, it's Momiji whose voice Kyo hears at such a crucial moment.

It's painful for Kyo to finally accept that Tohru loves him. He doesn't know she already knows about his confinement, and worse still, he knows he has to tell her about the day of her mother's death.

But again, it was Momiji who led Kyo to realize that he loves Tohru in S2, and now it's Momiji leading Kyo to realize that Tohru loves him, too.

After Kyo unloads his guilt on Tohru, and Tohru falls from the cliff, it's really Yuki who gets Kyo to take the final step toward accepting Tohru's love, so I won't say much about that except to point out that Yuki says making Tohru smile was protecting her, and that only Kyo could make her smile like that.

I think this scene, where Momiji and Kagura team up to tease Kyo, is the last time we see Kyo and Momiji together. But they're still affecting each other's arcs all the way to the end.

After Kyo and Tohru get together, they visit Kyoko's grave, and Kyo asks Tohru to move away with him.

It's selfish, and it's going to take Tohru away from everyone else, but he still asks anyway. It's a very Momiji-like thing for him to do.

And then, he says this:

I'm taking her with me. You good with that? I'll keep my promise. I know I'm really late, but... I'll protect her for life. So, we're good, right?

He's taking her with him, and he'll protect her for life. He's learned from Momiji, but he's still Kyo.

As they get ready to leave, Tohru starts reminiscing and starts to cry because she'll miss everyone so much.

Kyo: Clearly you don't get it. Listen up: everyone loves you more than you think they do. So it'll be okay. This isn't the last time you'll ever see them. It's the start of a new banquet, right?

In his last appearance, Kyo hugs her and cheers her up and offers a healthy dose of optimism for their future.

And the last time we see Momiji, he's sitting at the dojo with Haru and Rin.

Momiji: More importantly, how dare Kyo take Tohru with him! I bet he just wants her all to himself. I wanna pinch him! Really hard! Haru: Why not pinch him tomorrow? Momiji: Nah, I can't do it in front of Tohru. Oh, but thanks to him, I have another dream. I'm going to find an amazing significant other, and we're gonna go visit them just to show off! So Tohru had better stay happy. She'd better keep on smiling, or I'll be disappointed.

He's complaining and getting annoyed at Kyo (and threatening light physical violence!), but he's still dreaming of a bright future for himself. And he's trusting Kyo to keep cheering Tohru up in their new home.

When I started thinking about writing this series, the point I thought I'd be making was that Momiji functioned as Kyo's mentor in Fruits Basket. But after putting these posts together, I really think it'd be more accurate to say they were each other's mentors. Their relationship has a mutuality from the start. I hope they remained close as adults.

And I really hope Momiji found an amazing partner.

Momiji and Kyo: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

Here's a plug for my fic, Bloom Within Us. It's a canon-divergent AU where Tohru dies after falling from the cliff. I've really enjoyed exploring Momiji and Kyo's relationship in that story. If you've enjoyed this series, I hope you'll check it out!

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