a/n: I know, I just did a Rin/Shura drabble, but in my defense, I wrote this one first, lol. Thank you for reading!
Fictober Day 13: "I never knew it could be this way."
Yukio stared off in the distance at his older brother who laughed so fully alongside most of his other students. Genuine contentment reflected in his eyes as he playfully ran away from an aggravated Suguro. As he ruffled Kamiki's hair and grinned innocently when she glared heatedly at him for doing so. As he loudly encouraged Konekomaru to join them in their game—whatever game that was, Yukio had no clue.
Rin had always hated school. Always got into fights. Always found an excuse not to go. Always walked to school under the pretense of going but flaked out at the last minute. Dropped out after middle school.
Now, well, now he looked like he was actually enjoying himself. Cram school had just drawn to a close, and rather than leaving right after class, his students were fooling around by the fountain. Yukio was leaning against the wall, hugging the shadows.
"Oi," Shura's voice said, sharp but quiet. "What're ya mopin' over here for?"
Yukio rolled his eyes unthinkingly. "I'm not moping."
"Yer just standin' there watchin' the other kids with a sad look on yer face," she said flatly, narrowing her eyes. "That sounds like mopin' to me."
He could have kept the argument going. Could have wiped all hints of emotion of his face—it was a technique he'd practiced to perfection since he was a child. But it wasn't worth the energy. Shura was Shura—she'd keep pressing until she got an answer she was satisfied with.
"I never knew it could be this way," he admitted quietly, eyes drifting back to his brother. "He's so much different than he used to be."
Shura blinked, following his gaze. Her lips pursed into a thin line as she found Rin. "Ya think so?"
"He was so... withdrawn from people, and it always ended violently when he talked to others because he was always picking fights," he continued. "He'd always come home with bruises, and Father would always get onto him. When he was home, he was himself, but everywhere else, he was just so angry. It's... I never thought I'd see him enjoy being around people."
Shura was quiet. Yukio did not turn to face her; kept his gaze on his brother. Finally, she said, "He's a lot different than I expected, that I'm sure of."
That got his attention. "Oh?"
"Don't think yer gonna get me to talk all soft about him," she added suddenly, now scowling at him. "I just meant... he doesn't act like a demon, let alone the son of Satan. He's more human than most humans I know."
"Yeah," Yukio murmured, a smile of his own curling his lips as he took in Rin's radiant grin. "He is."