Fictober Day 3: "Now? Now you listen to me?"

Rin was going to be the death of him. That much was for sure.

"This test is going to be worth fifteen percent of your grade, Nii-san," Yukio persisted, fighting the urge to pinch the bridge of his nose. "Please tell me you plan on studying for it."

"Of course I do," Rin said distractedly as he set the freshly-rinsed veggies on the counter. "I'll get to it, ok? I'm working on something important right now."

"Supper can wait," Yukio argued, lips pursing into a thin line. "If you're really worried, Ukobach probably won't mind—"

"Nope," Rin interrupted with an airy smile, "this is something that calls for both of us."

Yukio rolled his eyes. It wasn't like this was anything new. Yukio told his brother to do something, Rin dismissed him, and then one way or another, they both ended up paying the price of Rin's actions.

So he sighed. He could try again in a little bit, he supposed. Rin did love to cook, and maybe once he was done, and that distraction was out of the way, he'd get through to him. Maybe. Hopefully.

A few minutes later had him at his desk, tapping his pen rhythmically on his desk as he tried to focus on the menial task of grading his students' assignments. It didn't take long to fall into his usual routine, and he was on the last quiz—Miwa's—when their dorm door opened.

"It's ready," Rin said, grinning toothily. "Come down and see it!"

Yukio quirked a brow. "That look on your face scares me a little."

Immediately, the excitement died. Rin actually seemed offended. "Ha, ha. I'm serious. I think you'll like it!"

"Fine, fine. I'm going."

With a quiet sigh, Yukio pushed himself to his feet, watching his brother out of the corner of his eye, and raising his brows again when Rin didn't budge in his place by the doorway even after Yukio exited the room.

"Aren't you coming?"

"Nah," Rin said flippantly, tail curling and uncurling as he offered a wave of dismissal. "I've got a test to study for. I'll eat when I get some progress."

Now? Yukio wondered silently, frowning. Now you listen to me?

Despite the annoyance that tinged his thoughts, Yukio went back down the stairs, where the promise of a hot meal awaited him. His stomach decided to growl at that moment, and suddenly he felt very guilty for giving Rin such a hard time when the meal he prepared smelled and looked so amazing.

He blinked slowly, instantly zeroing in on the small demon familiar jumping around on the counter. "What?"

A series of indecipherable squeaks. Ukobach was pointing ecstatically at a piece of paper taped to the table next to the display of food. (Really, Rin putting off eating to study for a test was so out of character, but Yukio supposed he shouldn't be complaining. Rin's attention span was incredibly short, anyway.)

"Oh," he murmured suddenly.

It was a note that read: Hey, I know your missions are draining you, and it must not help that you always feel like you're babysitting me. So I made this dinner for you. Eat up. I know it's your favorite. You need to take care of yourself, bro.

Rin.

The guilt for reprimanding his brother doubled in size.