#yukyo

[cinderella-ish]

My evolving thoughts on who Yuki should've ended up with, and fanfic's role in changing my mind

So, I want to talk about Yuki Sohma.

Yuki is the member of the main trio in Fruits Basket with whom I most identify. I have little in common with both Tohru and Kyo, and it took me several watches and read-throughs to start to understand their characters/arcs. (I love them, don't get me wrong! I just didn't fully appreciate the depth of their characters/arcs until maybe my third time through the series.)

Yuki, on the other hand, not only had many external qualities in common with me, but the way he grew mirrored some of the ways I changed in early adulthood. His arc felt true to my life, and so he was my favorite character from my first exposure to Fruits Basket.

When I started reading fanfic, I initially limited myself to canon compliant or limited canon-divergence fics, but eventually, I dipped my toes into some alternate pairings. Interestingly, while I truly can't see Tohru with anyone but Kyo, and I can only see Kyo with someone other than Tohru in very specific circumstances, Yuki seems to work with almost everyone he gets paired with. I mean, Yuki and Machi are my OTP, yet I have probably read (and bookmarked) every Yuki/Kakeru fic on Ao3, and some of the most beautiful fanfic I've ever read is Yuki/Kyo.

This confused me at first. Deeply. If Yuchi is my OTP, why do I devour every Yukeru and Yukyo fic?

Well, I think that's because Yuki's arc is, among other things, one where he rejects compulsory romance. This is made explicit in the Cinderella-ish story (why yes this is my favorite part of Fruits Basket, why do you ask?), where he quite literally rejects the role of the prince - the role that's been put onto him by others through the series. I think his arc would have been complete without him ending up with Machi, but there are things about their relationship that make his ending so much more satisfying. In stories where he ends up with Kakeru or Kyo, Machi almost always appears as an important friend for him. I think, for him, having strong bonds outside the Sohmas that he forged on his own was the point, rather than ending up in a relationship.

Anyway, with that out of the way, here are my thoughts on the five most common Yuki pairings on Ao3!

Yuki/Machi

Yes. I love them. 1000/10.

Okay, so the one criticism I have of Yuki/Machi is that Yuki is strongly gay-coded throughout the series, and it would've been awesome to see that play out in the way it was set up. I think that's a huge part of why I connected with Yuki - his arc definitely reminded me of my own experience coming to terms with my own queerness. For more on this, see this exceptional post by @yunsoh

But there are so many moments between them that make me swoon. The chalk scene, first and foremost. I used that scene to talk to my partner about how to support me when my OCD or ADHD is bad. Then there's scene where Yuki figures out why Machi destroys things, then asks to make footprints in the snow together (and tells her he's proud of her! and sees how hard she's worked!). The way he bought her Mogeta memorabilia or figured out she likes red or understood her intent when she chased him around the school to give him a flower and just ended up getting angry at him. The way he understood she bought Tohru a bath set because it's what she would want, just because Kakeru made a similar remark. The way he lit up when he saw Machi's trashed apartment - "the sea of despair."

And the way Machi understood and empathized with Yuki. The way he lit up and started laughing when she called him an airhead. The way she said it took someone like him to notice someone like her. The way she opened up to him and always sought him out. The way Kakeru shipped them. The way he knew she would miss him if he were to disappear, and the way being a support to her was something he needed for himself. The way she accepted him as he actually was, and not the way he thought he was supposed to be. The way she broke the door down with a chair when Yuki was trapped in the storage room. The way he teased her!

They've both been put in seemingly desirable positions within their families, yet those positions are responsible for so much of their pain and trauma. They get each other at a deep level. There's a mutuality to their relationship that Yuki desperately needed. I love them so much!

PS: if you also love Yuki/Machi, come find me on Ao3! I'll be posting some Yuchi content later this week!

Yuki/Kakeru

They have a fantastic and fun dynamic, and they are always touching each other. Kakeru is Yuki's confidant and someone who makes Yuki feel safe in being himself, flaws and all. They help each other grow - Yuki helps Kakeru be more empathetic, and Kakeru helps Yuki become more comfortable with himself. I think this pairing would have also been a satisfying end for Yuki, full stop. I love them, and I will read all your Yukeru fics, please and thank you. (Also, lots of Yukeru writers are just really good writers, so there are some gorgeous works for them.)

Yuki/Kyo

So, I didn't get why this ship was so popular at first, but then I was reminded that Yuki's first thought when he met Kyo was "pretty!" They both secretly admired each other, they're written as foils for each other, and there's a reason enemies to lovers is so popular (and it's called sexual tension).

There's a Yuki/Kyo fic that I'd credit with showing me what fanfic can really do - especially in the ways it expanded the universe, found its own way of handling the curse, and developed the relationship between the two boys in a way that also grew their characters. That fic is The Pursuit of Repeating History by @mistergrass

I do think that Yuki ending up with someone outside the Sohmas is more satisfying for his character arc than someone from the Sohma clan, but his relationship with Kyo is such a key part of his arc that this could be satisfying in its own right.

Yuki/Haru

I absolutely love the relationship these two have in canon. I love how Haru looks out for Yuki, and I love how he drives Yuki a bit crazy. I love how Haru tells Yuki the things he needs to hear, like that it's okay for him to focus on himself for a while, and I love how Yuki braves the Sohma estate to check on Haru. I also love the way Haru can read Yuki like a book.

Haru's words to Yuki about finding someone who will appreciate his fragility and kindness are always so touching. Haru is almost a mentor to Yuki, in a way, or a fairy godmother. (Or a long lost sister?) The fact that he was the one who got Yuki out of isolation at the hands of Akito, or that he was the one person who would check on him just speaks to the strength of his loyalty to Yuki.

I take Haru's statement of "Yuki was my first love" seriously, because he tells Yuki he is serious when Yuki warns him people will take him seriously when he says that. I know there's an argument to be made that Haru is just being his weird self, but that gives me and they were roommates vibes.

Unfortunately, most of the Yuki/Haru fics are dubcon with Dark Haru, which is not something I enjoy reading. What I'd really love to read is an AU where they're together in high school or later, or something that explores Haru's early feelings for Yuki, or just something that explores interesting sides of their characters that are brought out when they're together.

I don't think this would be a terribly satisfying end for Yuki, but I do really love their dynamic.

Yuki/Tohru

Okay, so, full disclosure: I was #teamyuki when I first watched Fruits Basket. Yet now, they're the only pairing on this list that I don't like. Why? Well, as I said above, Yuki's arc is much about rejecting this specific compulsory romance.

Compulsory how? Well, from the beginning, the series seems like it's setting up a love triangle, but kind of tells us (more and more explicitly as the series goes on) that things are not what they seem.

I think the series does a phenomenal job of making the reader/viewer complicit in placing this compulsory romance onto Yuki. A brief aside, making the reader/viewer complicit in the thing a story is criticizing is one of the most effective ways to criticize something, IMO, because it doesn't let the reader/viewer off the hook. We don't get to say, "Look at them, they're so foolish!" We're forced to examine our own expectations and acknowledge that we were made a fool of, too.

I totally got tingles at the spa scene (pictured above), even though upon rewatch, it's obvious how much of an act it is on Yuki's part, and how uncomfortable it makes Tohru. In fact, many of their most "romantic" moments, where the shojo bubbles appear and everything, are when Tohru is acting in an explicitly motherly way to Yuki, and he awkwardly tries to flirt because he's either misinterpreting his feelings or in denial about them.

I also thought his line, "that isn't what I want!" when he tells Kakeru about his true feelings for Tohru is one of the most powerful moments in the series. It's the moment he's finally letting go of being the Princely character and choosing to be himself, for himself, because he deserves to be known and accepted - something he'd never fully believed until that moment.

I think part of why I was initially #teamyuki was because I came to Fruits Basket through the anime first, where much of the development of his relationship with Machi was cut. Also, as I said above, I didn't really get the characters of Kyo and Tohru right away, and I think that prevented me from seeing the power of their romance. The True Form arc was a key moment that I truly didn't understand until several viewings/readings later.

So, all of that is why I don't care for this pairing. I get why people do, but I do feel it undermines Yuki's agency and his character arc. It's a pairing that makes me sad when I see it, as if this character I love has taken a step backward.

(Incidentally, I've been wanting to write a fic where the True Form arc plays out differently and Yuki takes longer to realize the nature of his feelings for Tohru. I truly wonder how he would've come to that understanding without witnessing her running after Kyo. Would he have tried dating her? Would it have been a total disaster?)

Other pairings and larger relationship structures

Out of the other pairings I found, the only one I'm genuinely curious about is Yuki with Saki Hanajima. I'll have to go read those fics. They are each the "cold" half of a "hot/cold" duo (the "hot" halves being Kyo and Arisa, who are basically the same person). I'm very curious what led people to pair them in the handful of fics about them!

(Interestingly, I think it's possible to read Saki and Arisa both as having a bit of sexual tension with Kyo, but not with Yuki.)

The others include Akito, Ayame, Hatori, and Shigure - all pairings that would have a noncon/dubcon element due to Yuki's age, and that's before you get into the specific traumas that these characters have inflicted on Yuki, or the inherent power dynamics between them, or the close familial relationship with Ayame, etc...

The trio relationships are all intriguing and full of possibility. Yuki/Tohru/Kyo? Obviously. Yuki/Kakeru/Kimi? Potential for lots of wackiness. Yuki/Kyo/Haru? Could be the next Mabudachi trio.

(No shade to anyone who enjoys fics with the pairings or tropes I don't like! This blogger believes in "don't like, don't read.")

[fashionredalert]

Lmao something about a reluctant damsel in distress Kyo being locked away in a tower and an disgruntled prince charming Yuki who just wants a fucking nap going off to save him is so funny to me. And imagine the whole time Yuki is thinking Kyo is some far away princess in need of help

And like Kyo isn't the kind to sit around and wait for someone to rescue him but he can't move because of idk magic or something and Yuki somehow gets trapped with him and kyo is like wtf kind of rescue is this and Yuki is like wtf kind if princess is this? And now here comes tohru with her girlfriends, a witch and a badass lady knight (Hana and Uo respectfully) to save these two dumbasses.

[angeat]

loving you hurts

[ofoceansandtombsanew]

As Fruba fan, are you team Yuki/Kakeru or Yuki/Machi? Why?

I'm a multishipper at heart so I never feel the need to choose uwu (multishippers, we stay winning). But to be honest, Kakeru and Yuki's relationship feels more brotherly to me. Sorry YuKakeYu shippers, I personally don't see it but I can see why y'all do. Considering the canonical bi/pan characters we have like Ayame and Hatsuharu, I don't find it out of the realm of possibility to see Yuki as pan or demi (which I personally do).

Bro connects with who he connects with, gender and sexual orientation have little to do with it.

But if we're talking about who I ship Yuki with above all else? There is a character I firmly believe Yuki would have ended up romantically with if things in the story were different and Kakeru and Machi don't come close at all to being that other person.

It's Kyo.

I am deadass serious when I say it is Kyo.

This is not some toxic yaoi shipping bullshit, I have evidence to back up my claims!

No one will ever be able to convince me that Yuki's first crush wasn't Kyo. Yuki was literally smitten with Kyo and his hair upon their first meeting, the pink on his cheeks wasn't just coming from the snow. This is a hill I will 100% die on. It was Kyo but then Kyo's hostility and the complications with Akito and the entire zodiac curse got in the way of that.

Hell, I don't even really have to imagine what that relationship would have likely been like either because by extension of Hajime and Mutsuki, we get to see that.

Their sons who are literally so close that it is a joke-that-isn't-really-a-joke at the family functions that if they're even left alone together for one second, they'll start hanging all over one another. Their sons who, narratively, are supposed to represent what their fathers' relationship could have been if there had been no curse or any other sort of negative influence tainting it.

And with the very clear romantic overtones of Hajime and Mutsuki's relationship, I think it is subsequently clear where Yuki and Kyo's relationship would have headed if that night they met as kids went differently. Or had someone decided to intervene and get the two of them on more amicable terms as children.

Hajime and Mutsuki have adored each other since they were children, spent most of their time together which they continue doing in the present and they balance each other out by supplementing for each other what the other lacks. And, of course, their chemistry is extremely good.

Whatever happened in the past, we're just us, but… maybe it's really special for our dads to see you and me standing side by side like this. ー Mutsuki, Yuki's son to Hajime

(Like, they literally spend Valentine's Day together when they could easily just spend that day apart. I know they live together but they don't need to be that damn close to partake in the romance holiday goodies.)

And to me, Kyo and Yuki have some great chemistry not only when they're arguing with one another (which I say it's great chemistry because of the envy they feel towards one another, how they only see what is good in the other rather than the flaws. Ex, Yuki's great at everything in Kyo's mind while Yuki desires Kyo's ability to easily connect with people despite his social awkwardness) but during the moments they aren't at each other's throats as well.

Admittedly it could just be my multishipper goggles, but there are 2 main character relationships/dynamics in Fruits Basket where I think 'if you didn't end up with A, you definitely would have ended up with B'. One is more subtle, the other is extremely obvious (I just think some people will be mad at me if I say it lmao, y'all can boo me all you want though I'm right!!!!).

YuKyo is one of those ships for me and it's the more subtle of the two.

Like it is there but it doesn't become obvious until you get to Furuba Another and get introduced to their sons. So I really don't think it is much of a stretch to say that had things been different, we would have seen Kyo and Yuki have an entirely different relationship.

"Adoration turned into envy"??? Yuki, my lad, you couldn't be more obvious that your crush on Kyo became something bitter.

Yuki wanted Kyo to like him, a fact he admits to Kakeru when we dive more into his past. There's a part of him that still wants Kyo to like him and have some sort of positive relationship with each other. And by the end of the main series, there's peace with one another. An acceptance that their relationship may never get to the 'what it could have been' but they have each other's back regardless.

Which I think is lovely. So even with my love of the canon ships we got, YuKyo is one of my favorite Fruits Basket ships that live rent-free in my head.

[armajestyy]

Dude I love Fruba I love YuKyo please never let this fandom die. Even if there's one new fic posted a year. Even if I have to carry it on my shoulders (I'm writing fanfic for the first time since the pandemic).

[ghostietea]

Card game I know nothing about let's GOOOO

Hanajima: If I don't touch Tohru's hair regularly I will die

(Also the little zodiac animals in the margins are so cute lol)

Hanajima's hair standing up presumably from the static generated by Uotani and Kyo's Sheer Competitive Vibes is great. If I keep pointing out every cute detail I'm going to be here forever shtejhcti

RANDOM BACKGROUND GIRL CALLS YUKI OUT ON HIS ISSUES WITH EMOTIONAL INTIMACY, MORE AT 11

Okay so I AM pretty spoiled on the roots of Kyo and Yuki's conflict but that just means watching them fight is. Uh. Sad. I am Sad.

SHRUDDTITDVYT THE OLD LADIES TOHRU WORKS WITH BEING LIKE "my word, that youth standing over there is gnc af 😊"

Oh ok so we're following up on the "Yuki has issues letting people in" thing. Yeah it makes sense he would feel isolated. Tbh the fact that he has a creepily devoted fanclub probably makes the alienation worse.

(On a side note. Does Akito know about the fanclub? Because that does NOT seem like something she'd be cool with.)

KYO GETS SLEEPY WHEN IT RAINS ❤

TOHRU WHAT THE F U C K DO YOU MEAN NO ONE'S EVER CALLED YOU KIND WHAT THE FUCK YOU ARE. THE SWEETEST???

Even when this manga is being wholesome and cute it makes me want to cry. Can't tell if this is a skill issue on my part or if Yuki's smile is just That Powerful

I'M NOT A YUKYO GIRLIE BUT TOHRU MIGHT BE

Ooh, Kagura Sighting followed by a cliffhanger

!!!

[utaoutauhito]

man consuming furuba canon I liked Yuki/Kakeru best among Yuki/boy ships and Yuki/Kyo was like my bottom pick but since reboot anime gave yukeru an actual fandom I've found I like yukyo fandom's take on Yuki characterization so much more that they're almost slowly switching places

Yuki/Haru fandom's take on Yuki is the least good of the three but they have so little content or discussion around them it does nothing to impact their standing in my heart

[mandorloinfiore]

Supposizioni: a mandorloinfiore potrebbero piacere, o piacciono, i romanzi di Yukyo Mishima; tra gli strumenti musicali in orchestra potrebbero piacerle il fagotto e lo xilofono.

Mishima non l'ho mai letto, credo che prenderò spunto da questa domanda grazie! Per lo strumento direi proprio che il fagotto ha la meglio sullo xilofono ^^

[nitsubonome]

清流の国ぎふ芸術祭　Art Award IN THE CUBE 2023 2023年4月22日～6月18日 https://art-award-gifu.jp/artists/

One room 山本 雄教 https://art-award-gifu.jp/artists/yamamoto-yukyo

[angelsspd2blog]

Yukyo No Hibiki Yusai

This is a hotel called yukyo no hibiki Yusai. It’s located in Minamioguni (Kurokawa Onsen) Japan, which is surrounded by nature and rivers. Their amenities include saunas and hot springs with beautiful scenery that’s incorporated with the nature outside the building. The materials mostly used for their saunas and hot springs are wood, stone and concrete.

[jujywrites]

Eerie Impulse

written and posted in 20 minutes in a last-ditch attempt to finish another Dick or Treat “gym” before the deadline— and I succeeded WOOOOOOOO i forgot how much fun writing by the seat of my pants can be hehehe, especially when it’s about my bestest beans. Partly inspired by the Yukyo fic I’ve Never, by Siyah_Kedi.

~~~

Tohru woke with a start, head fuzzy.

Her tongue felt thick, she was too hot, and really if she didn’t get air or water she might actually die.

With a labored groan she heaved herself up from bed and left her room, plodding down the hallway to the staircase.

She thought she’d have more tolerance by now, but she really didn’t think she’d get hit by so many truths. Or that she’d want to do so many Dares. A blush warmed her face even more, the memory of her brief kiss with Machi running through her mind.

Yuki-kun and Kyo-kun got very involved too…

No, no, don’t think about that. Don’t think about how Kyo was the one who’d moved close to Yuki first when Momiji had dared them to kiss. Don’t think about how it was like watching them fight, the way they tried to one up each other and the way that everyone else in the room disappeared.

Don’t think about being between them—oh god she was thinking about it—

The blush got worse, and she tripped on one of the steps, stifling a gasp as she narrowly avoided falling down the last few to the floor by clinging to the railing.

As she clung for dear life to the railing, willing her heart to believe that death was not, in fact, imminent, a distant noise caught her. Something muffled. Something…

She shook her head, releasing her grip on the railing, and walked softly down the hallway.

“Oh, f-fuck…”

Tohru gasped so sharply she nearly started a coughing jag. That was Kyo’s voice. Unbidden, she following his voice, a strange warm shiver settling over her.

She turned the corner, saw the moonlight illuminating Kyo. And Yuki. And they were…

Her only thought before thinking got obliterated was, how did they end up in the kitchen?

They were kissing again, and their hips were rutting against each other, but now Yuki was dropping to his knees, and, and—

She didn’t need full light to know what Yuki was doing. Kyo groaned loudly, his head hitting the wall. “Knew you had to be good at that, with those lips, you fucking pretty boy.”

It was like her body didn't belong to her anymore. Legs moving without her consent, ears straining to listen, heart beating faster the more she tried to calm it. All her nerves, every inch of her skin hummed with energy; whatever rational part of her brain still existed was muffled by the heavy ceaseless drumbeat of want. (splice in this) Surely her heart would pop out of her mouth. That is, if she didn’t faint from dehydration, or was it lack of oxygen? She felt like she was at the height of fever just hearing their voices, never mind seeing them.

A whimper nearly slipped out of her, and she realized with a shock that she’d put a hand into her panties, but it felt so good, she couldn’t stop, and Kyo, Kyo…

“Fuck, oh fuck!” he cried, back arching.

Yuki gave a muffled moan.

Tohru’s knees gave out. She yelped from the pain of hitting the floor, but even if she hadn’t the clatter would have been enough. Hurriedly, she pulled her hand from her panties.

When she could next see through the pain-induced tears in her eyes, the light was on and the boys were staring at her, Yuki on his feet now, red-faced and wide eyed.

The false smile felt awful on her face. "K-K-Kyo-kun. Yuki-kun. Why, why are you awake...?" Then she stood, wobbling, feeling sick and dazed and dirty. "I am so, so sorry!" she half-shouted, turning tail and running.

She thought she heard one or both of them calling after her but she couldn't tell, with her footsteps so loud on the stairs and her blood rushing in her ears. She ran all the way to her room, nearly forgetting to shut the door before she belly-flopped onto her bed, legs burning, panties humiliatingly damp.

All she could do was concentrate on breathing properly.

[melypeira]

Another ship dynamic I used to like a lot (and still do)~

[starmakesart]

"Who would ever want to be friends with you, Yusei? All you do is betray them."

[fashionredalert]

Okay guys, now hear me put for a sec okay?

Toe beans.

More specifically Kyo’s toe beans.

That is all.

[anime-wow]

i simp for all three

[ot3heaven]

Been feeling like this lately lads!

+bonus: