Middle Finger

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So that face was my expression when I realized what happens next in the sequence of events for this story because it was like "oh shit" but also laughing so I looked like this ^ and my older brother was massively confused.

DEMONSDEMONSDEMONSDEMONSDEMONSDEMONSDEMONSDEMONS

It was just a simple assembly. But not even five minutes into Mephisto's part of the thing and there was a bullet in his forehead. Everyone gaped at what had just happened. On the TV, Mephisto fell backwards and Shura and Rin rushed forward.

Well, Shura rushed forward, obviously panicking. Rin walked to the microphone and gave his signature grin. "Sorry folks, we have a medical emergency, so that'll be all. Please go home." He said in a pleasant voice, then crouched next to Mephisto. The medics were coming with a stretcher, but it was not needed. Rin simply picked him up and carried him off stage.

They learned later that the Demon King's host would be fine and no one had caught the shooter, but the Time Lord had to let go of the Artificial Gehenna Gate if he wanted to recover, thus releasing demons upon the world.

§~•~§~•~§

"They're going to send me with Angel." Rin sighed. "Who's Angel again?" Godaiin wondered.

"The Paladin. My boss. Supposedly the strongest exorcist in the order." Rin reminded him.

"Ahhh, the tool. They'll send you with him....to take care of that Gate thing?" Godaiin guessed. Rin nodded. The way his shoulders were tensed.... Rin didn't want to go. He saw the hesitation in the half-demon's eyes when he turned to face Godaiin.

"It's your job, Rin. Besides, if anyone has a chance against hordes upon hordes of demons, it's you." Godaiin encouraged. A knife flew at his face like usual. He considered the shiny blade before raising an eyebrow at Rin.

"You don't know any other Exorcists except me and Yukio." The half-demon deadpanned. Despite the blank expression, the human saw Rin's internal struggle. He was really worrying about this.

Was he that afraid of not coming back? Rin's emotional development was going splendidly, but there were always things like this that brought out the more troublesome emotions. Especially worry, anxiety, and fear. Godaiin shivered to think of how lost Rin would be if he had to experience actual fear all alone in some unfair situation.

It would be horrible, no doubt. After hearing about Rin's recurring nightmares of whatever had happened when he was six, he knew Rin's insecurities were growing as he learned to feel again. As time went on, more and more pieces to the puzzle were added to the nightmares and Rin didn't like it one bit. He'd always hug himself and curl up and stay silent–just like he described he'd done when he was taken by whatever the hell his kidnappers had been.

Now, those habits began to show through and Rin put the knife down and he pressed his nails into his palm probably she'd enough to cut into skin in an effort to not wrap his arms around himself.

Godaiin gently grasped one of Rin's fists, wrapping his other arm around the half-demon. Rin didn't fight the embrace. He didn't pull his hand out of Godaiin's grip either.

"No, I don't know any other Exorcists." Godaiin agreed. "But I do know that everyone who knows you believes you can get the job done. We all know you're capable of taking care of yourself and others. It's why we trust you, despite your difficult personality."

Rin snorted at the description.

"You've got an army of Demons ready to fight with you and for you. Hell, you've got demons in your body that boost your power. You've learned how to control the fire. You know how to keep it from hurting humans too. You've mastered fighting with your sword." Godaiin continued. "So, use the flames as a trump card if you need to. Use all of your other utilities before them. If things get especially bad," Godaiin pulled away to look Rin in his deep, Sapphire-blue eyes.