[He really shouldn't be surprised anymore that there are people who see him as a person as opposed to what he can do and the sort of power he wields. The truth is, it will always be there, in the back of his mind like a tiny hornet trying to sting its way out of his mind. It hurts - much more than he will ever be willing to let on.

And then this little girl - she doesn't see him as a demon. Even though he knows it's okay now because she hasn't seen the fire or the horns or - gosh, anything else - he can't help but feel validated as a person. He can't help but feel that everything is going to be okay because she didn't think less of him. ...And that's already more than what he got back home.

He tries not to flinch or shy away from her study of him. Is she noticing how sharp his teeth really are? Is she unnerved by how his ears stick out from under his messy hair?

But...

Then she had to go and make a joke of it. Rin can't help the easy laugh that makes its way out of him. He relaxes, not realizing how tense he kept his shoulders.]

Oh yeah? And what've you seen that's so scary? I'm sure I've got way more fangs than any monster hiding under your bed!