a/n: This drabble is stupid. But I kinda like it. Reviews are greatly appreciated. 💙
Fictober Day 4: "I know you didn't ask for this."
Rin's feet pounded against the cement as the rain poured down on him in unforgiving, cold sheets. Each step splashed water all around him, and the logical part of his brain told him that he had a magic key in his pocket and it could have brought him back to his dorm in a matter of seconds.
But he needed to run. Needed to feel the burn in his lungs, needed to feel his legs move. And despite the heavy chill of the rain, Rin felt hot with shame. Like his flames had the capability of burning him from the inside.
It was stupid. Rin was stupid. He should have expected it to happen. He didn't, because he was naive and thought he could believe his friends when they said they cared about him.
But people who cared about you didn't just sit there while someone berated you. People who cared about you wouldn't just sit there while someone dug words deeper and deeper into your skin, sharper than any weapon, until blood was drawn.
"Then again, I didn't ask for the son of Satan to be in this class. I guess we all get what we don't ask for."
He could have ignored it, he knew. It would have been so easy. He was used to being hated, after all. It shouldn't have been any different. Or he could have fought back with an awful insult of his own.
But then Yukio would have gotten involved. And that stupid clown Mephisto. The last thing he needed was to cause any more trouble than he already did. It was easier to run, to get the attention off himself than to sit and quake in his desk while his classmates didn't say a damn word in his defense.
So he did. Grabbed his bag and booked out of the classroom, out of the school. Out into the courtyard. Across the campus. He was soaked within a minute but he kept running, crossing streets, leaping over fences, until he was standing, panting, on the first floor of the old boys' dormitory.
Rin didn't bother pausing to catch his breath. Just made his way the room. Sleep. He just wanted to sleep.
He was bringing a swamp into the dorm, but he didn't care. Each step was marked by a watery footprint, and by the time he reached the top of the stairs, he could hear Kuro's voice calling out to him.
"Rin?"
Yeah, buddy, he thought. It's me.
He opened the door then, and Kuro met his gaze instantly. He didn't ask why Rin was home from school so early. Didn't ask why he was out in the rain. Didn't ask what was wrong. Didn't have to.
He simply said, "You should change out of those wet clothes."
Clawed hands numbly pulled at his tie as he grunted in response. Shrugged off his blazer. He didn't remember actually shedding all of his clothes—nor did he remember finding new, fresh clothes—but when he crawled into bed his clothes were dry, and Kuro's purr was a loud, rumbling storm next to his ear.
"I'm sorry, Rin," he said, the words echoing within the confines of his mind. "I know you didn't ask for this."
He didn't. He didn't ask to be Satan's son, didn't ask for this volcanic demon side, didn't ask to be put on death row. The only reason he was at this stupid academy was so no one else would die or get hurt because of him—but no one was giving him a damn chance. They all took and took and gave empty promises and he was so fucking tired. He just wanted a break, but he knew it was long in coming.
The rain poured and poured outside the dorm. Kuro continued to purr until it lulled Rin to sleep.