Rin walked into his chemistry class. Jellie was invisible and clung closely to his head but it didn't soothe Rin any. Chemistry was his least favorite class. He was good at it and knew everything he needed to about safety, but the smells of chemicals gave him disturbing dreams.

In one of them, he was floating upside down over a dancing beaker with a fizzing blue liquid. Another one was where he was a judge presiding over a case of a erlenmeyer flask and a bunsen burner divorcing and who would get primary custody over their triplet test tube babies.

Oda(female teacher) - “Shizoku, try to stay awake this time, we are dealing with mixing chemicals today.”

Rin - “I'm exempt from work dealing with fire and caustic chemicals due to my narcolepsy.”

Rin brought his hand up to his neck and started tapping his fingers in a rhythmic pattern.

Oda - “That's just an excuse so you don't have to do any work. You just need some self discipline. And stop the thing with your hand, it's very distracting.”

Rin sighed. This was going to end badly.

<~>

And it did. When pouring hydrochloric acid into his partner's beaker,  he started swaying and to his partner's credit, he caught him before his head collided with the corner of their table, but the acid got all over his partner's left arm, Rin’s right arm and leg and the middle section of his tail. 

Akito - “I dropped the beaker when I prevented Shizoku’s head hitting the table corner. That's when the acid burned us. Our classmates rushed us into the decontamination shower and the burns aren't worse thanks to their quick thinking.”

Rin sat in Mephisto's office next to Yukimura Akito, Rin's chemistry partner. He had long light brown hair tied into a low ponytail and bright green eyes.  Because of the incident, Jellie stung Akito's hand when Rin was burned and thus gained a temptaint. He was, to put it mildly, a little frazzled when he saw little coal tars floating around, a floating blue jellyfish, and a creepy ass clock thing with a massive eye above the chalkboard. 

He was given an impromptu lecture on demonology, Gehenna, Assiah, and the Demon Kings. Rin was allowed to drop his glamor once they were alone in Mephisto's office, so he gently blew on his tail. The acid seared his fur off leaving an incredibly ugly blade patch with nasty, rashy, red skin in its wake.

Mephisto - “And where, pray tell, was Oda Chihiro, when this happened?”

Rin - “When the materials were distributed, she left the classroom.”

Akito - “She always goes to smoke after she tells us what to do.  Take roughly twenty minutes before she's back in the classroom.”

Mephisto - “I see…for now -”

Egyn - “Shizoku Varinius! What have I told you about being compliant to human nonsense?!”

Rin - “That I'm usually the injured party and to leave the manipulation, mansplaining, and manslaughter to Séan.”

Rin made grabby hands toward his father and Egyn felt his anger melting. Once he was in reach, Rin scooped him up and hugged him tightly.

Egyn - “Young man, I thank you personally for sparing my child from worse injuries. Break this pearl if you are in danger and I shall come to you. And I sincerely apologize for the temptaint you received in the process. Now, Samael, you have forbidden me from interfering with the human sections of your school. I agreed under your word that no harm shall befall my son and Séan. If you do not punish this woman to my liking, I will take matters into my own hands.”

Mephisto - “Yes brother, I understand. She will be fired from her position, blacklisted from teaching, sued for the harm to two children that were supposed to be under her watch, and more than likely arrested from criminal negligence.”

Egyn - “I would prefer her head on a spike, but human matters shall be dealt with by human means I suppose.”

Rin’s head fell lightly on top of Egyn’s and his breathing evened out.

Egyn - “Human child -”

Akito - “Akito is fine. “

Egyn - “Akito, have you any questions? I know learning of demons can be a culture shock for most humans.”

Akito - “A few, you're a demon king, right?”

Egyn - “Yes, Samael is the Demon King of Time, my immediate younger half brother, and I am the Demon King of Water. There are eight kings in total, our eldest brother Lucifer, our eldest sister Ilbis, our elder brother Azazel, my immediate older brother Astaroth -”

Mephisto - “My immediate older brother Egyn, myself, my immediate younger brother Amaimon, and our third youngest brother Beelzebub.”

Akito - “Third youngest? Who are the last two?”

Egyn - “Okumura Yukio and Shizoku Varinius. By your human standards, Rin and Yukio are our youngest brothers. However due to circumstances, I have taken Rin into my custody when he was a babe. I’ve raised him as my own since.”

 Akito - “Does he know?”

Egyn - “Of course. He was informed when he was ten years old. He was upset for a few days, but he made it clear that he was happy I removed him from the situation. He was most upset about the fact I didn’t take Yukio with him. I regret that I didn’t, however there is nothing I can do now.”

Rin - “It’s okay Dad, you most likely wouldn’t have been able to hold both of us.”

Rin’s tail curled around his father’s wrist.

Akito - “Cool, so is Gehenna like what christianity depicts as hell?”

Egyn - “No, humans can not even enter Gehenna and remain alive. Rin and Yukio’s birth mother, Egin Yuri, is rumored to be a drifting spirit there, however humans can be turned into nephilim through rituals, ingesting food grown or raised from the Gehennian continent, or receiving blood or organs from a demon or nephilim. The last option is a last resort option I have done to save some of my people’s human family members. 

Gehennian food is not so common a  commodity for a human to ingest it by accident. The rituals are unknown to most demons and humans. I have only performed it three times and I don’t plan to unless circumstances demand it. They require the death of three demons for one human and the loss of life is not worth it unless you are in battle where it would be a last resort.”

Akito - “You said your people, can you explain that a little bit?”

Egyn - “Perhaps at a later date child. I must speak more with Samael. Rin, take him to your cram class. Fujimoto is on a mission so you can tell Séan not to worry about them.”

Rin - “Okay Dad, see you later.”

Rin set his father on the chair after getting up and led Akito out of the room. 

Akito - “If this is a racist question, feel free to smack me upside the head, what kind of demon are you?”

Rin - “I'm not sure. I'm the spawn of Satan and a human so for all intents and purposes, me and Yukio are considered nephilim.”

Akito - “And Séan?”

Rin - “Séan is also a nephilim, but he is half siren.”

Akito - “Sick. Hey, what do you learn in cram classes?”

Rin - “Basic exorcist stuff. In order to be eligible for the class, you have to have a temptaint, so you'll most likely get an offer to join after the class ends. We get taught base demonology, Bible scriptures, and just how to become exorcists. I'm trying to decide between Doctor and Knight. There's also Dragoon, and a few others I'm forgetting right now. I think I would be classed as a tamer because I have Jellie, but I’d rather not make demons fight battles for me, feels ichy.”

Akito - “Sounds cool, hey before I forget, what’re your pronouns?”

Rin - “He/him. You?”

Akito - “She/her. If we’re around my dad or some of the human teachers, he/him.”

Rin - “Trans?”

Akito - “Yeah, my dad is transphobic as hell and the teachers would treat me like shit if they find out.”

Rin - “Do you have a preferred name?”

Akito - “It’s stupid, Akito is fine.”

Rin - “I’m not well versed in most social cues, but if something makes you happy, why should it be considered stupid?”

Akito - “Promise not to laugh?”

Rin - “I only laugh at corny jokes and bad sitcoms. I promise to laugh at you and your preferred name.”

Lusine - “Lusine. It’s Armenian for moon. I’m a huge astronomy nerd much to my dad’s disdain. He would’ve preferred me being into sports like his whole family. What do you like, wait where are we?”

Rin - “My dorm building. I assumed you would like different clothes. I have a few dresses that you can borrow. Was I wrong?”

Lusine - “No, that’d be awesome, but…”

Rin - “Why does a guy have dresses?”

Lusine - “Yup, yeah that.”

Rin - “My home is on a tropical island and I was raised without gender biases. I can wear shorts, dresses, skirts, anything I want so long as it won’t get me on a list.”

Egyn - “When he was a baby and toddler, keeping him in clothes at all was a challenge. I’d turn around for a single moment to tend to someone, mostly answering of of my people’s questions, he’d be crawling or gnawing on his foot without his diaper, and when he was a little older, I had to chase him and his best friend because they’d streak through the village.”

Egyn had a fond grin while reminiscing on his son’s baby days. Lusine snickered at Rin’s expense. They reached their floor fairly quickly. 

Egyn - “Why are you not at your cram class?”

Rin - “Do I have your permission?”

Lusine - “Sure, thanks for asking.”

Rin - “Lusine is trans and is living with an unsupportive family member so they’re stuck in the closet. I offered her one or more of my dresses or more femme outfits.”

Egyn - “I see. Give us a moment Rin.”

Rin - “Okay, I’ll be right back.”

Rin walked into the dorm room he primarily used as a large walk-in closet.

Egyn - “Miss Lusine, is your home a safe place for you to be? Are you in danger of physical, psychological, or emotional harm?”

Lusine - “No, at least for now. My dad is transphobic and goes on rants on how the gays and the “he-shes” are ruining the world. If I keep silent for a few years, I’ll be able to graduate, get a job, and save up every cent, until I’ll be able to move out.”

Egyn - “I can take you out of that environment and place you among my people. Akamaru is an island full of diversity and acceptance. Fitting in will be a non issue.”

Lusine - “Thank you, but I don't need you to do that for me. I've been able to make it to fifteen so far, what a few more years.”

Egyn - “While it displeases me, your choice will be respected. However, I insist you take this.”

He took a necklace made from blue and green threads with a pearl at the center and two shells next to it. 

Egyn - “This is a necklace from Akamaru. The pearl is enchanted to send a…sort of distress signal to me. If your situation takes a turn for the worse, break the pearl. I recommend ripping it off and stomping on it. Humans are too weak to crush it by hand. No offense meant by that.”

Lusine - “Eh, none taken. I really appreciate this, but what do I tell my dad? He doesn't let me wear anything that doesn't fit with the whole “cool guy” aesthetic.”

Egyn - “I swear, humans are so pedantic about trivial matters, I'm speaking of your father, child. I understand your worries of unwarranted rage from that of your father. I can place a glamor on the necklace to prevent everyone aside from myself, Rin, Séan, and your cram class from noticing its presence. This will not make the necklace invisible, but it will not draw any undue attention so long as you do not draw attention to it.”

Lusine - “So I act like it's not there?”

Rin - “Yeah, I forget I wear mine half the time. Séan is constantly having to take my crown off me, or I'll have indents in my forehead.”

Rin handed Lusine a bundle of dark fabric. He himself wore a knee length, dark blue, almost black skirt with electric blue heming and the top and bottom, a baby blue blouse with a faded sea turtle pattern, and a cute black and neon blue choker above his puka shell necklace. He wore the same open toed sandals he wore everyday.

Rin - “I felt like wearing this, is it good?”

Egyn - “Yes, you’re as adorable as you were when you were a babe, now Lusine, get changed so I can take you both to class before you’re late.”

Lusine took the offered clothes and stepped into the “closet” to change.

Rin - “Dad? Something’s up. Is Lusine okay?” 

Egyn - “It is not my place to say. She will tell you if she deems so. Now I, unfortunately, will not be in class today. I have business to attend to on Akamaru.”

Rin - “Okay. Tell the others I said hi.”

Rin hugged his father and took the cram class key. 

Egyn - “I'll return in the evening. Please don't put yourself in more danger. My heart can't take it.” 

Rin smiled and knelt on the ground in front of his dad.

Rin - “I promise. I won't say the same for Séan though.”

Egyn gave a weary chuckle and kissed his child's forehead.

Egyn - “Brat. I will see you later. And invite Lusine to dinner tonight.”

With that, he disappeared in a portal of water. 

Lusine - “Leaving so soon?”

Rin - “Had stuff to do back home. You look pretty.”

Lusine - “Thank you, I can't believe this dress has pockets!”

Lusine stuck her hand and forearms into the wonderful pockets. A knee length, off the shoulder, flowy dress with bubbles rising from the bottom of the skirt, and a sea foam colored belt around her waist. 

Rin - “It’s a favorite of mine, here, matching sandals.”

Rin passed her a pair of beige sandals with a cute sea form gem of the strap closest to her toes. 

Lusine - “This gem is so sparkly, it almost looks real.”

Rin - “It is real. Dad has a wide collection of Gehennian jewels and I incorporated a lot of them into room decor and my clothing and jewelry.”

Lusine - “And you’re fine giving these away?! These have to be more expensive than my life!”

Rin unlocked the dorm room door with the cram room key. 

Rin - “I don’t care for the cost of things. I like you so I gave you something nice. Besides, chances are you’ll be moving into my dorm room with Me, Séan, and Yukio anyway. You can use most of my closet. I don’t mind.”

The two walked into the room where Séan sat on top of his and Rin’s table. 

Séan - “Hello Lusi! Thanks for protecting RiRi in my stead!”

Lusine gave Rin a questioning glance. 

Rin - “He’s a seer. Don’t mind him.”

Lusine - “Hi, nice to, uh, meet you?”

Séan - “Yeup, I’m the one and only Séan Burke, lovely to meet you in the flesh and blood~”

Shima - “Hello gorgeous~”

Lusine - “I’m gay.”

Shima - “Dammit, well still, nice to meet’cha. Shima Renzo, Miwa Konekomaru, and Suguro Ryuji, but you can call him Bon.”

Bon - “Hey Rin, why are you wearing a skirt?”

Rin - “Felt like it. Séan, why are you staring at Lusine?”

Séan - “No reason, hey Lusi, can I talk to you for a sec? Yeah? Great.”

Séan stepped off the desk and carefully pulled Lusine out of the classroom, closing the door behind him. 

Lusine - “What’re you doing? I’m gay, I’m not looking for a boyfriend.”

Séan - “No worries there, I’m a fruitcake too. Listen, I have seer blood. I can sometimes see events in the near future or I can sense emotional states associated with events. Something bad will happen in your very near future. Something dangerous. I didn’t see exactly what it was, just red and fear and anger, so I’m giving you these.”

Séan held out a metallic, holographic ring and a matching pendant with a long chain. 

Séan - “The ring is a knife and the pendant is a chestplate. They’re both glamored to look the way they do. When you need them to become what they actually are, tap the ring to the pendant. They’re both made from my scales, so they’re incredibly durable and razor sharp. They’ll protect you when this event happens. I know Lord Egyn gave you the pearl necklace to summon him if anything happens with any…unpleasant…people around, but I’d feel better if you had an on hand way to protect yourself.”

 Lusine - “Slow the fuck down, what the hell are you talking about? What are you even giving these to me?”

Séan - “Rin likes you, and not in that way, he’s more fruity then I am, but he cares about you and wouldn’t want to see you hurt. He doesn’t let just anyone raid his personal closet.”

Lusine - “Thank you…I guess.”

She slipped the ring on her right index finger and looped the pendant chain around her neck twice before slipping the pendant to rest under her dress. Séan opened the door and gently nudged Lusine into the class. Rin was sitting on Bon’s lap with his head in the crook of his shoulder and neck.

Shima - “He just passed out, so we stuck him next to Bon, but he kept falling forward, so that was the best way to keep him from hitting his head on the desk. Then Bon fell asleep, and what friends would we be if we didn’t lovingly take pictures to lovingly bully him when he wakes up.”

Séan - “Why my dear Shima, you wouldn’t be that best of a friend. I do so approve of these hypothetical pictures and would love it if you send these photos to me.”

Yukio - “Sorry I’m late everyone…”

Séan and Shima froze while taking pictures and stared at Yukio.

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