389It was serene. The school just seemed like a brochure than an actual place. Everything was immaculately kept. Not a weed or discolored piece of foliage anywhere. There were no cracks in the walk ways, almost as though they were freshly paved and placed. A typical person would be impressed by the diligent work that must have been the grounds keepers. Rin knew it must be the work of the impish demon Samael. Keeping order where he desired, and igniting chaos as he pleased.
He didn't want to be here. But it was better here than with the Vatican now that his family knew that he could see demons like they could.
"We'll be sharing a dorm, along with other students," his brother explained in a rather rehearsed tone. Rin couldn't imagine why. He knew they would be in a dorm. And what kind of dorm would only have one or two people inside? A suspicious one.
"You say that like it's something odd. Don't worry, I'm sure they'll just stare at me like I'm some sort of trouble maker delinquent that you're supposed to "take care of"," Rin joked. His eyes twinkled with amusement and mischief. His younger brother tried to hide his own amusement under a layer of professionalism, but couldn't quite hide the slight upturn of his lips betraying the humor he also found in the situation.
"As long as you don't destroy the kitchen, I'm sure you'll win the others over soon enough."
Rin gasped, taking in mock offense.
"I haven't burned down a kitchen since I was five! I kept a fire extinguisher close by to stop any others," he joked. Yukio chuckled, knowing full well his brother's prowess in the kitchen was only noted as praise worthy back home. And that the fire wasn't exactly Rin's fault, even if he took the blame for it when they were little. Yukio was certain Shiro knew that Rin didn't cause the fire, but never mentioned it to either of the twins so for now, Rin was the fire starter.
"Sure you have," Yukio responded. Rin gave a dramatic gasp.
"Rude. Weren't you taught to respect your elders?"
Yukio opened his mouth, no doubt with a witty retort or "snide" comment that they would laugh about when they were interrupted.
"Okumura-san!"
The twins turned their heads at the call of their name. Rin noticed a group of enthusiastic girls approaching them. His eyes then went to his brother, who now looked oddly uncomfortable.
"Okumura-san, I made you a lunch!" one girl said holding out a bento.
"I made you a bento Okumura-san! I hope you like it!" another girl tried to push her bento into Yukio's arms. Rin couldn't hold back a snort, accidentally getting the girls' attention onto him.
"Hey, Yukio. Don't tell me they found out you can't cook. Oh, that's great."
"Okumura-san, who is this?" the third girl, also holding a bento, questioned.
Yukio looked over at his older brother who had a cocky and way too amused grin on his face. Rin knew his brother would remain professional. How he acted in public was slightly different than at home, and Rin had no fear of the professional Yukio. Maybe if he was bad in school he would be. Or maybe when they would work together in the future on certain exorcist jobs, but now? He had not one iota of fear.
"Kashino-san, Nishiwaki-san, Omoto-san, this is my brother, Rin."
"Hello," Rin greeted, his smile ever growing at his brother's misfortune of popularity. "May I say it is a pleasure to meet such wonderful individuals so concerned about my baby brother's health."
Oh he was going to be in so much trouble with his brother, but what kind of big brother would he be if he didn't take the time to mess with him a little?
"Nii-san," his brother spoke lowly, a minor sign of his displeasure in the teasing. But just as quickly as it came, it seemed to vanish. "That's why my brother is here actually."
Rin's smile evaporated from his face in favor of confusion. Where was he going with this?
"He was so worried, being a good big brother, he went through many hoops in order to be transferred here, to make sure I was doing well."
Rin knew his brother was smart, and abnormally cunning. He could not see where his brother was going with this.
"Baby... brother?"
"We're twins," Yukio explained.
"And he's the baby one," Rin added, not letting his title of big brother go away so easily. Still, he couldn't see where Yukio was going with this. He noticed a rare mischievous twinkle in his brother's eyes.
"He acquiesced our father's request to come here and make sure I remembered to eat between studying. So he'll be taking over making my lunch."
Oh that little-!
It wasn't like he minded. He loved cooking. But he could feel the jealous rage simmer from the girls before him.
"Well, lunch yes. Shame I will have no time to make you your favorite treats, what with my own studying and all," Rin replied. The eyes of the girls lit up. Yukio's jaw tightened. He would have to work hard to keep his brother away from this trio if he wanted to keep his sanity. He did not need Rin giving them "information" that might make him more inclined to date them.
"Well, look at the time, I need to show Rin to our dorm. I hope you have a good day," Yukio dismissed himself and Rin, pushing his shorter, older brother towards their dorm.
"See you later!" Rin waved goodbye. Once they were a fair distance away, Rin burst out laughing.
"You never told me you had fans! Yukio, you dog!"
"I am not seeing them! I am not dating anyone."
"I know. Because you have fans!" he howled with laughter.
"Nii-san," Yukio whined. "I'm surprised you're not jealous."
Rin stopped laughing.
"I mean. They are pretty. But who am I to hit on a girl who clearly is into you. If they're into both of us then we have a problem."
The green hue his brother took on was all that needed to be said regarding that.
Metatron stood in the den of hell spawn, glowering at the ruler of the small domain he and his brother stood in to protect their charges.
"Won't you have a cup of tea?" Samael offered the two.
"No thank you," Sandalphon responded.
"Not on your life," Metatron gave his answer with far more hostility.
"Shame. It's good tea. Maybe later," Samael said with his usual smile as he froze the time around the tea, keeping it at its peak condition.
"Why did you call this meeting? Isn't it enough that you got Rin here?" Metatron spat out at the demon king.
Metatron's smile only seemed to grow. The quirk of his lips were uncomfortably similar to Rin's at his most mischievous. The eyes and teeth thankfully kept their smiles far apart in Metatron's mind.
"Why would you think that?"
Metatron's jaw tightened. He wanted to punch this demon. How his brother was able to stand being near him was beyond him. It probably had to do with his immense patience that allowed him to ascend from humanity to functioning angel.
"Why wouldn't we?" Sandalphon inquired.
A knock on the door interrupted them. Both angels gave a disapproving look to Samael but said nothing.
"Come in! Come in!"
Metatron kept his eyes on Samael, searching for answers or deceit. Sandalphon turned to face the door, watching as Shiro walked in. His gaze softened as the man who raised the spawn of Satan, the children that he and his brother protected, entered the room.
"Mephisto," Shiro spoke in a smooth yet edged tone. A tightness only used when alone with his fellow coconspirator in saving the twins lives.
"Shiro. We have some things to discuss," Mephisto said sounding particularly smug.
Shiro walked forward, unafraid, but wary.
"About Rin attending True Cross."
"Well, that too... Tea?"
Shiro rubbed his eyes. He opened his mouth to decline but the demon king had already poured two glasses worth of tea, sliding Shiro his own cup. Mephisto took a sip, slightly reassuring Shiro. His unique entry into the world, and what his body was made for could survive whatever was in the tea, even if it did have a little nasty surprise. He took a sip. It was pleasant, soothing from the inside out as he swallowed the beverage.
"What did you need to talk to me about?" Shiro stated more than asked. He wanted to be out of there as soon as possible. Mephisto said nothing, but held up three fingers. He dropped one.
"What is in this-" he dropped another one- "tea Mephisto?!"
He dropped the last finger. In the corner of his eyes, something seemed to manifest out of nothing. No smell, no uneasy aura, no aura at all as a precursor of whatever it was that appeared. He pulled out a gun and aimed it at one of the beings that appeared. They looked nothing like any demon he had seen before. In fact, if he had to give them a moniker, they looked just about angelic.
They looked surprised as well. One looked like they had a loss of words. The other-
"What have you done!?" the other yelled. "Samael!?"
Samael looked extra pleased. "What? Can't handle another person playing games between demons and angels Sandalphon?"
Yo everyone. A little earlier here than on AO3 because my phone does not like posting on this site for whatever reason. So a little early birthday present from me. I hope everyone enjoyed!