didn't really want to shit your pants, you wanted to make him feel at ease.

You didn't know the relationship he had with his brother, but if this could make him relax, it was worth pissing yourself for.

"Holy shit, this person is dumb as hell? Why do they always have to check whenever something feels off?" you were irritated.

Ai was sleeping on your lap as you and Rin sat on the floor together.

"Right?" Rin agrees, not taking his eyes off the screen.

Moments later, a jumpscare caught you off guard. You flinched violently, curling your legs inwards. Startled, Ai shot up from your lap, adding to the chaos. Instinctively, you buried your face into Rin's shoulder, clutching the fabric of his shirt tightly.

"Hey, dumbass," Rin muttered, awkwardly trying to pry your grip away, "It's fake. You're fine."

"Oh my goodness, I never want to watch movies like these again!"

"I'll walk you home, but you have to walk me home because I'm scared!" you tell Rin as you walked with him under the street lights.

"That's so stupid."

You laughed, your voice echoing softly in the quiet night. 

The sound faded, leaving the two of you in comfortable silence. After a moment, you glanced up at him, his face was calm, his gaze fixed forward, but there was a weight in his eyes you couldn't ignore.

"Hey," you spoke gently, "If you ever feel like you need to get out of your house... just message me, okay? We can always hang out."

Rin turned his head slightly, his expression briefly softening before he looked away again. "I don't want to be a bother," he said, not in a way that sought pity, just as if it were a fact.

"You'll never be," you insisted firmly. "I don't know how things are with your brother, but just so you know, I'm one call away."

The air hung still between you for a few moments. Finally, Rin spoke, his voice low, almost hesitant. "It's... complicated," he muttered. "We just... don't see eye to eye."

You didn't speak, it seemed like this was going to be one of those moments where Rin would finally show a vulnerable side of him.

"He's always been like this," he continued, his gaze fixed on the pavement ahead. "Well... not always." He paused, exhaling deeply. "He used to be different, someone I could actually look up to. But now... now he's just this cold, emotionless asshole who acts like he's better than everyone." His voice tightened, frustration creeping in. "I don't think I can ever surpass him."

You glanced at him, watching the tension in his jaw, the way his fingers curled into fists at his sides.

"Do you want me to just listen," you asked softly, "Or would you rather hear what I think?"

Rin's eyes flicked to you, "Go ahead."

"I don't know everything about you, or him, or what your relationship used to be like." You chose your words carefully, wanting to be honest without pushing too hard. "But... I hope you know that you're not supposed to be him. The two of you are different people. You'll always be better than him at something. Whether it's football or just... the way you are as a person."

Rin stopped walking then, turning to face you.

 "But he'll be better than you at something too," you added gently. "That doesn't make you any less. Don't be so hard on yourself."

His expression softened, not entirely, but enough for you to see the weight he'd been carrying start to ease, even if just a little. What you said wouldn't fix things overnight, but you could tell it gave him something he needed, comfort.

"And honestly?" You smiled, tilting your head playfully. "I'm better than you at something too."

"Yeah? Like what?"

"I don't know, making bear-shaped cookies with strawberry fillings?"

Rin doesn't say anything, he could throw a sarcastic remark in, but instead, something you'd never think you'd see flashed before you.

A genuine, small smile from him.

"Sure you are."

i hope this chapter wasn't such a

lengthy read!! i love writing about rin
LMAO also look at this picture i edited guys

BAHWHWAHWAHAWHAHAH STOPP
RIGHT NEOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWW