Day fourteen: stories

"Once upon a time, there was a beautiful merman named Haru. He liked to swim, especially with the dolphins. He also liked to spy on the humans and befriended one named Makoto one evening, who was kind and Haru wasn't scared of him. They would see each other every night, laughing and it made both of them really really happy. Makoto would tell him stories and Haru would eagerly listen, and in return he would bring him the prettiest seashells from the deep ocean.

But one day, while Makoto was sailing, a storm had hit and he had fallen off of the boat. Haru tried to get to him but as he sank he saw big 'ol mean shark Rin, who had Makoto in his arms saying that he was going to take him and there was nothing Haru could do about it.

Haru got really angry and punched the mean Rin in the face, making him let go of Makoto so he could go up back to the surface so the human could breathe.

Makoto was so happy that Haru saved his life that they got married and lived happily ever after and then Rin was so dumb that he died. The end!"

Rin blinked, staring at the blue crayon words written on the old sheets of paper.

"Why the hell don't I remember this?"

Makoto had been going through a few of his old things, and had found a book that Ren and Ran had made for him back when they were in school. His siblings at the time didn't really like Rin (a reason being that he was scary, mainly his teeth), and they had written the book one day while he and Haruka watched them while their parents were out.

Haruka shrugged, looking at the small drawings on the pages.

"I don't know, they sure drew you right," as he pointed to a very crude-drawn red and black figure, with distinguishable teeth and shark tail.

He scoffed, crossing his arms and sulking as Haruka and Makoto continued looking through more drawings.

"They...like me now, right?" Rin asked. It had been awhile since Makoto or his boyfriends had seen the twins, with their busy schedules and all, but he knew that when they were little, they always preferred Haruka over him.

"Ah, I'm sure they like you just fine," Makoto said, ruffling red hair with a smile. "We could call them, if you like? To set things straight."

Rin just nodded, sulking and staring at the pages.

"Ran! It's so nice to talk to you," Haruka and Rin could hear Makoto talk from the other room, as they sat on the couch, waiting. "Listen, I need to ask you something..."

"Don't worry about it so much," Haruka sighed, taking Rin's hand in his. "If they still don't like you, then they have a lot to deal with since you're someone that makes their big brother happy."

"Yeah, you're right, but..." he sighed. "It'd be nice if they actually liked me, though."

"At least his parents like you?"

"True..."

"Oi, stop biting your lip." Haruka flicked his forehead.

"Huh? Oh..." Rin stopped, not realizing that he had been doing that habit of his when he was nervous.

"Alright, thanks, you two!"

Rin tensed up and squeezed Haruka's hand as Makoto came into the room, a smile on his face.

"You have nothing to worry about," Makoto said, kissing Rin's forehead. "I told them the whole thing and they even apologized and that they're excited to see you during the next holiday break."

Sighing in relief, Rin relaxed.

"Thank you."

"They also said to not take it personally, that 'kids will be kids' and all."

"...looks like I'm gonna have to give them damn good presents when we see them next, then." Rin said, laughing and earning a nudge from Haruka.

"Hey, they might like you now but I'll always be their favorite," he jokingly teased.

"Not for long!"