Summary: The twins are five years old when Shiro Fujimoto reflects on what almost happened on the night of their birth.
Chapter 3- Almost
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"Otou-san! Otou-san!" The twins chime together, clambering towards the dining table with excited glee. The reverend shakes his head, a smile on his lips as Rin tugs impatiently at his coat.
"Can we blow out the candles now?"
Yukio nods in agreement, pushing up the rim of his glasses. "Please, otou-san?"
The silver-haired man makes a great show of pretending to ponder their request, at one point sticking a finger towards the frosting.
"No!" They squeal, pulling on his legs simultaneously.
"You have to blow out the candles first before you take a bite!" Yukio informs while Rin dives into the nearest chair. Fingers splayed across the table, he uses his other hand to help his twin up, both sharing the same seat. They twist impatiently, both gasping at the sight of their shared birthday cake.
"Wow!"
"Cool!"
Shiro grins wider, placing the white, strawberry-adorned cake in front of them. He then pulls out his camera, shuffling over to the opposite side of the table where the other clergy men watched the twins with similar looks of adoration. Everyone in the monastery loved Rin and Yukio, that much was obvious.
"Okay, okay, you two can blow out the candles now." He affirms, chuckling as the boys nod together.
"One." Rin starts, moving over slightly to give Yukio more space.
"Two." Yukio chirps, rubbing his nose in an attempt not to sneeze.
"Three!" They say simultaneously, both taking in a deep breath and blowing. At the same time, the priest takes the picture, capturing the heartwarming moment. The candles shake at the force of their combined breaths (which Shiro assumed was Rin's doing) but remain fixed in place until the pair is done.
There is clapping all around as Shiro moves back to the kitchen counter, picking up the sharp knife. He moves towards the cake, placing the edge of the blade over the creamy frosting before a small voice complains.
"I want to cut it!" Rin says, pouting at his adopted father. Yukio seems content in letting Shiro cut the cake, but nods anyway, pointing expectantly at Rin. With a sigh, the silver-haired man relents, steadying the knife into Rin's hands. He then places his own two hands over Rin's, guiding the boy to make smooth, precise cuts.
The piece of cake is moved onto a plate as the cobalt-eyed child grins, scooping it up.
"You first, otou-san!" Rin chirps, holding out the plate. The man, somewhat shocked, takes the cake with a warm smile. He then allows Rin to cut more slices with his help. The boy hands the slices out to Yukio and then the rest of the clergymen before taking a piece for his own.
The kitchen is filled with laughter and glee as the whole church celebrates their birthday. Rin gets cake all over Shiro's coat when he goes to give a hug, not that the priest really minded. Yukio wipes his hands clean before taking the dishes to the sink, also giving their father a quick hug.
"Thank you!" They say together, rushing out of the kitchen to play with their new toys. The clergymen follow, led by the boys to help them play.
It is when Shiro begins cleaning off the blade that he catches the twins' reflection behind him, of the pair sitting together and playing with their new plastic train. He pauses and thinks on what almost happened that day, five years ago.
The Kurikara weighed heavy in his hands, the sound of crying filling the air. He sees the twins, one covered in blue flames and the other deathly pale. He moves the blade over the squirming, blue-flamed baby's chest, crimson eyes narrowed in the effort to keep his hands from shaking.
He almost pushes down, but in the second before doing so the sword catches the reflection of a gurgling baby boy. The baby reaches out a chubby hand, giggling as his large, blue eyes gazed happily at him. It is then that he throws the sword towards Mephisto, shaking his head.
"They aren't monsters. They're children. They deserve a chance; I don't give a damn what the Vatican says."
The demon chuckles in response.
Returning to present time, Shiro Fujimoto just finishes up washing the dishes when the boys run up excitedly behind him.
"Guess what we found on the porch!" Rin cheers, both hands tucked suspiciously behind his back. Shiro turns to Yukio, who looks as excited as Rin.
"What?" He crouches down, holding out his hands. The boys push a stuffed animal into his awaiting arms.
And the priest has to stifle a laugh; it is a familiar white dog with green eyes, polka-dotted bow tied around his neck.
It seemed that Mephisto had fallen for the kids as well, in his own, unusual way.
A/N: Yay for cutesy child!Rin and child!Yukio fluff! Also, I can't imagine the twins not getting gifts from Mephy. I imagine Shiro explained it as gifts from their 'uncle' or something, lol :P
Review?
-Isis