The sun was up. The snow had covered everything during the last night. Rin wanted nothing more than to let himself stay wrapped in his warm blanket. He streched himself a little bit only to feel a small obstacle against his movement. Something was cuddling up against his back... he turned over a bit confused.

Young Mephisto was cuddling up against Rin's back. He had his small arms near his chest in order to warm himself up, since Rin had turned his back on him. It was such an unusual sight! Rin felt sorry for the little child that had possibly passed the night facing his back in the cold. He immediately unwrapped himself a bit in order to share the blanket with the anti-aged demon. Mephisto woke up and Rin got scared that he may be afraid of the unknown enviroment but he closed his green eyes again, since he recognized Rin's smell and the warmth of his hug. Rin smiled and kissed his forehead. Was it even possible for that flamboyant clown to be this lovable child?

Mephisto's hands worked their way on Rin's face. Rin closed his eyes. When he opened them again, Mephisto had opened his eyes too. They were both staring at each other. "Umm... hey buddy!" Rin faked a smile and waved his hand. He was a bit confused. Mephisto blinked his eyes "..." Rin hesitated a bit "do you know how to speak?" Mephisto lowered his head "y-yes..." Rin smiled. Well, that was a start. "Okay then, how are you feeling, little one?" Mephisto looked Rin in the eye "I... I'm... I'm okay" he lowered his head once again, shying away.

Rin exhaled "Well, if that's your 'okay' I don't wanna see your 'not okay' hahahaha..." Rin's eyes met Mephisto's teary ones. "..." He lowered his head more and placed it on Rin's chest. "Hey... talk to me, little one..." Rin closed his eyes and kissed Mephisto's head softly. Mephisto wrapped his small arms around Rin's torso "...I don't want to go back..." Rin was confused, he didn't know how to reply. "Back to where, buddy?" Mephisto didn't change his position, he kept his head low while hugging Rin. They were still in bed, cuddling together under the blanket.

"Back to him." Rin felt his T-shirt getting wet with Mephisto's tears. "Him who?... Talk to me, little one. I'm not gonna hurt you, you're safe with me" he locked his arms around the small, fragile body. Mephisto took a deep breath "Dad used to say that he would love me if I was the right son. As a punishment for being 'a mistake since birth' he used to beat and hit me. The thing is that I don't remember what I did to make him angry... Am I bad person..?"

Mephisto's green eyes looked up at Rin, who was in shock. Rin took him in his arms and held him close to his chest, over his heart. "No, little one. Don't you ever say that again! You're a good child. Don't let anyone persuade you otherwise!" Mephisto hid his face in Rin's T-shirt again "But if I'm a good child, why doesn't anyone love me?" Rin thought about his answer; That was a trap-question. Each answer could hurt the boy. They'll love you, just give them some time... they love you, you just can't see it... they love you, they're just busy with their jobs so they don't have the time to show you... Bullshit! He's a child for crying out loud! He deserves love without excuses!

"But I love you, little one!"

Leaf green eyes lit up. Small heart beating fast. The next thing Rin knew was that he couldn't breathe 'cause small arms were locked around his neck. He could feel the child's small body trembling, full of happiness, against his own. Hot tears were rolling down the boy's chubby cheeks ending their race on Rin's shoulder. I guess he could use some love... it was obvious that he needed love more than anything else.

Once Mephisto released Rin from that Headlock-of-Death, he sat happily on his lap. "You mean you love me like I love ice-cream?" Rin's forehead sweated a little "Hehe... not that kind of love, actually... more like love between two brothers. You know... brotherly love!" Mephisto was in awe. "Brothers?" Rin thumbed up smiling "What is a brother?" the curious little demon asked. "Umm... you know... a brother is a guy who has the same mom and/or dad with you and he loves you and cares about you. Like you and me!" Rin smiled and Mephisto looked at his hands "But we haven't got the same mom and dad" Rin turned his head away "I'm not sure about the dad-part..." Mephisto cocked his head to the left "Huh?" Rin turned to face him once again "You're asking way too many questions! Let's go and play with the snow. How do you like it?" Mephisto sat up in the bed "I'd love that! But, I'm hungry..."

*in the kitchen*

"Good morning, Rin! Looks like school's staying closed today" Yukio met the two boys in the kitchen. He immediately noticed the purple headed toddler who was hiding behing Rin's leg. "Oh, I didn't see you there... good morning to you too, umm..." Yukio didn't know if calling him by his name was the right thing to do, so he decided to let him introduce himself. "umm... what's your name, young friend?" he finally said, smiling. The young child wasn't sure about his answer; Of course, his name, his real name was Samael... But Mephisto seemed to be the right choice. Ugh! That was hard! He didn't know what to say. But a voice in his head was telling him that his true family had known him all these years by the name Mephisto... "My name is Mephisto"

The twins grinned at each other, knowing the answer before the question was made. Then Yukio knelt down, leveling Mephisto's eyes. "Nice to meet you, Mephisto! I'm Yukio and this guy who took care of you last night is Rin" Mephisto wasn't paying attention to Yukio's face but to Rin's instead. He had that day dreaming gaze. "He's my brother..." he said to Yukio, smiling. Before Yukio say anything, he continued by explaining "We may not have the same mom and dad, but he loves me and he takes care of me... the funny thing is that I like being his brother because I like loving him too!" Those childish words left the twins speechless but Rin managed to say "Well said, Mephisto! Well said..." the purple headed demon turned over to face Yukio "Do you have a brother like I have Rin?" The twins exchanged glares "Ehh... let's leave that for an other time, shall we?"

The three of them ate their breakfast peacefully. Rin noticed that Mephisto didn't eat much of his breakfast and he was thin like a toothpick. "Mephisto, you should, at the very least, eat an apple or a banana" Mephisto had a puzzled look "But I'm not hungry anymore, I ate my cereals!" he smiled, showing the bowl to Rin. "Yeah... three spoonfuls of cereals... Like hell they count as breakfast" he said and ended his fifth bowl of rice. "So, what are your plans for today, Rin?" Yukio asked, hoping for Rin to include Mephisto in his plans so he could work undisturbed. "Well... I was thinking about going to the amusement park and play with the snow. Right, Mephi?" Mephisto's long demon ears perked up. "Aha!" he smiled happily back at him. He liked that new nickname. "Oh that's nice! Would you mind to visit Shiemi on your way back? I've ordered some special herbs and I need 'em for an experiment. Please?" Yukio smiled politely, while Rin exhaled. "Oh well... but she will find out about..." they both looked at Mephisto, who was playing billiards with three cherries. "Even if she finds out, we still can trust her. She's a loyal friend" said Yukio resting his hand on Rin's shoulder. Rin stood up from his chair. "Ready to go, Mephi?" the little one had a puzzled look on his face "But I need clothes first. I can't go outside like this" he said pointing at his attire which only included a blanket around his naked body. Rin thought about it...

A few minutes later, Mephisto was all nice and warm in an old-old-old Rin's red sweater and a pair of jeans that were kinda loose on him, and last but not least, an old pair of classic red all-stars. Rin made a few steps back in order to observe his creation. Well, he had to admit that it wasn't that bad, it had an 'attitude'. "How are you feeling, lil' fella?" "A bit warmer I think" Mephisto replied staring at himself in the mirror. Rin helped him wear an old brown coat and wrapped a warm red scarf around his fragile neck. "Ready to go, little one?" the young child hid his small hand inside Rin's larger hand. "Ready... brother!"

A whole new day was about to start!


It almost took me a YEAR to upload the second chapter of the story and I wasn't even sure if I was going to finish the story in the first place but some days ago I was observing the reviews on the first chapter and you were all saying that you really liked my story and that made me really happy! I can't describe with words my happiness! So, I decided to continue the story FOR YOU, GUYS! I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH! I'll upload the next chapter within the next week. AND THAT'S A PROMISE! :D

you're all amazing, thank you! :)

-Vins Meister-