Work Text:
The Gift
"Ta-da! HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!"
"Did you miss me, Subaru-kun?"
"Because I missed my favorite scrap of meat too! I know where you live. I'll come visit you soon!"
The sound of a water drop hitting the basin echoed throughout Roswaal’s manor, cutting the ominous silence.
Even though the place was rebuilt from the ground up, every last part of the layout was nearly identical; from the haunting squeaking chandelier at the far end of the hallway to the corners of garden hedge's outside. There was no shortage of resource on the mansion's reconstruction.
Natsuki Subaru found himself in a familiar situation in dangerous territory from where he faced several death loops time and time again. He was wide-awake at the horrors the night would bring.
He tossed and turned unable to get into a comfortable sleeping position. Subaru immediately went back to his prior spot when he involuntary laid on his cursed arm. It was his usual sleep habit he now had avoid.
Bare feet silently tiptoed on the carpet towards her anxious sleeping prey. His heart dropped when he felt the light but noticeable weight pouncing on the bed. The warm breath behind him made the back of his neck hair rise. He realized his previous assumptions were correct. Subaru dreadfully turned around.
The Archbishop of Lust, Capella was alive and well. She was laying on her side with zero regard to personal space, ready to torment Subaru further. Her petite yet curvy hips shined in the clandestine moonlight. It exhilarated her that she could such fearful look on the scrap of meat by doing literally nothing.
Her smile was growing brighter and brighter until it reached from ear to ear. The uncertainty of whether this was real or a nightmare blurring, as well as any of his remaining sanity. The Archbishop's beast arm was gradually salivating at the notion of tearing Subaru all over again.
Capella's mouth opened widely, the jaw extending inhumanly. She didn't make a sound. Suddenly, an army of flies flew out of her mouth, surrounding Subaru like a swarm of zoddas.
When they tried to climb into his ear, he hid under the bed cover, desperately searching for his whip. Capella laughed at Subaru's feeble attempt. The flies grew larger and larger, blocking the door. They were on the ceiling and windows. A blood red light painted his room.
Subaru tried to collect his bearings under the blanket, gripping on the leather handle of the trusty weapon. It was getting more claustrophobic and hard to breath. He couldn't find way his way out the endless bed cover. The space underneath was growing narrower, slowly suffocating him. Capella taunted him with ear bleeding shrieking laugh.
He screamed in terror, pushing himself off the bed as a last resort. Subaru landed hard on his abused leg, feeling every ounce of pain returning. The action was strong enough to knock him out of his dream. The blanket he had a one- sided battle with finally fell off his face.
To make things more embarrassing, the camp busted in the room.
Emilia ran ahead, half asleep. Her silver hair was a mess. Garfiel was already strapped with his gauntlets on his forearms, not taking any false alarms to be less prepared. Meanwhile, Otto took the nearest thing at his bed, the merchant's brown boot served to be better than nothing.
Petra followed her big sis still dressed in her pajamas too, battle ready with a pillow in hands as she scouted the room. The little girl checked under the bed for any intruders.
Ram with bloodshot red eyes looked like she was prepared to kill Subaru more than any imaginary intruder.
First he starred at Emilia as if he she was some skin walker dragon ready to show her disguise. Then he looked shell shocked at the small flying insect bouncing back and forth in the corner of his room, buzzing, searching for any means of escape.
Emilia opened the window, gently swatting the fly outside. Subaru was busy coming to his senses. She did the best thing she could have done within her power. Emilia held Subaru tightly in her hug, squeezing out any bad recurring nightmares.
"Subaru, it's me, Emilia, the real Emilia. You had a nightmare!" He clutched onto her indigo color cloth of her nightgown. His hammer beating heart slowly reached a normal rhythmic beat.
Subaru dropped his guard, however, this was only because of Emilia's reassurance. "Sorry it just...hits real close to home."
"Boss, you scared the absolute shit out of us!" Garfiel exclaimed. "Again!"
The brute boy didn't mean to make it harsh. The gorgeous tiger fully sympathized, they fought together, they bled together. He went through one hell with Elsa scrambling his brains and then a dual with an eight armed Kurgan the next. His body hasn't healed properly yet. He was exhausted. They all were.
Instead of getting help, Subaru stubbornly refused to do so.
Nevertheless, It was reaching a point where everyone's sleeping pattern was heavily affected. Next could possibly be the royal elections itself as a direct result.
She didn't think of that now. Emilia hugged him even tighter; Subaru was the only priority for her. "Shhhh don't worry I am here okay. I'll protect you. I'll chase away any bad dreams."
He laughed over the irony. "Please, Mili-tan, I'd be a pretty bad knight if I let you do the job."
"Mhhm say who!?" She smiled, resting her chin under his spikey black hair. Emilia continued hugging him. "Dummy, for now, you need to start taking care of yourself first. The rest of us are fine."
"A fly? All this over a fly. This is getting ridiculous..." Ram took her leave before a murder was going to take place.
A tense atmosphere surrounded the giant kitchen. An old kettle filled with water was placed. There was nothing more calming than tea. While she waited, the half elf's eyes had threatened to rest for a quick wink.
The pink haired Oni sat across the half elf by the kitchen counter, tapping her pink slipper impatiently on the tile floor. The dark circles around her eyes were evident and so were the crooks of her messy short bowl cut hair.
Ram crossed her arms. Who does Subaru think he is, denying her beauty sleep? It takes a lot of effort to look as good as she does. A lot of sleep to maintain this place in pristine condition too.
Slowly, Emilia's head donned sideways, resting on her own shoulder as a pillow. She pulled slightly back up and then her head slowly leaned back down again.
The kettle reached a boiling point and so did the maid's temper. The kitchen chair screeched back when she came to an ultimatum.
"That's it." Ram marched insincerely towards Subaru's room. The sudden motion made the half elf jolt awake from the power nap.
"Wait, Ram what are you going to do!?"
The demon was stopped by a worried Emilia.
Ram simply shrugged, as if it was no big deal. "What does it look like? I'm going to tell Barasu if he can't handle his night terrors, then he'll have to sleep at the dog house."
Emilia was shocked by the lack of empathy on the demon. She emphasized. "He saved us! We wouldn't be here if it wasn't for Subaru!
Ram gave a halfhearted salute. "And I commend him for it, but I am not going to jeopardize Roswaal's sleeping schedule. So unless you want to join Barasu outside, there better be a solution, pronto."
At first she was understanding of Barasu's condition. The maid's disposition was tough but fair. Now that it was between her health and the boy, she had to very tearfully throw Barasu to the wolves. Ram's expression remained blank.
Emilia's mind was already running rampant on possible solutions. Time was running out as well as everyone's temper. Her finger was on her chin, deep in thought. There was a concoction that will cure his ailment.
Subaru took a long yawn on his walk to the village. "Man, I'm bushed!"
"You really should have stayed in bed, Subaru." Emilia pleaded, looping her arm around his good arm. She would give side-glances, worried that he might fall over any second.
"Nonsense! I've been slacking of my radio calisthenics! This walk will make up for it!" Subaru made a few stretching motions, especially with his right arm as he flicked his wrist.
"And please don't do that either!" The half elf pulled on him, trying to get some sense into him. "Is your arm and leg feeling better?"
"Mmm" Subaru glanced at the blackened cursed paw. "I think so...it's just weird now, it feels like I have someone else's arm on me. Same with my leg. Like there's an extra layer of skin on them. Also, it's super gross when I touch paper it gives me goose bumps!"
Emilia frowned feeling hugely responsible for his state. Maybe if she hadn't dragged himself to Priestella he wouldn't have been hurt. She took full responsibility.
Sensing her distress, Subaru would playfully bump into her girl. "Quit sulking, Mili-tan! You're too cute for that! We're a step closer to helping Rem and Julius. We ate a lot of great food! Plus, I got to see you in a traditional yukata robe and wedding dress!"
He gave a look at his arm, not even wavering if it had to be done again. "The pros outweigh the con!"
Subaru smiled brightly. "And who knows, maybe can plan our next big date!"
Emilia smiled at Subaru's enthusiasm, still hugging his arm. His elbow was buried in between her warm cleavage, making his heart accelerate. He cleared his throat. "Besides, I have another errand to run anyways!"
"Oh, in that case, please tell me and I'll do it for you! It's the least I can do, Subaru!" The half elf saw this as an opportunity to rectify things.
However, Subaru shook his head. "Oh no, this is super top secret. Super confidential! I can't have Mili finding out!"
She gave him a suspicious look, a bit even offended that he wouldn't divulge. Nevertheless, Emilia reluctantly accepted his secrecy. Subaru's face had over eagerness written all over him despite the lack of sleep. Emilia wrote if off as Natsuki Subaru being...Natsuki Subaru.
Usually, they would be together, like two peas in a pod; not doing anything without the other. Heck, Subaru would nearly cause an accident trying to climb in the carriage after she once laughed at Otto's joke.
Once they've arrived at the village, Emilia went to the herbalist and Subaru went to wherever the hell he went. The villagers were up already bright and early. It seemed like Subaru's habits were rubbing off on everyone.
The villagers were practicing with wooden swords should they ever be ambushed by Witch Cultists or held against their will by the Sanctuary Guardian again. Even the children and elders partook in the lessons of self-defense. The half elf couldn't help but smile.
The front door bell chimed as Emilia entered the general shop. There was a wide assortment of accessories, charms and explosive green crystals to ward off mabeasts, including natural home remedies, which is exactly what she was looking for. The flowers and spices were grinded by a pestle and mortar into powder, giving the perfect sleeping broth.
Emilia waited at the center of the village for Subaru's return. Her early suspicions was coming back and gnawing on all her insecurities. She anxiously bit her bottom lip.
What if he did something special for her and now it came back to bite him back, like it always did for those who were close to her? He couldn't fight in his injured and fatigue state!
All the what if's and could have's played in her mind, each scenario worse than the last. Eventually, it became too much for the half elf. She found herself breaking that promise of just idly waiting.
Emilia was immediately set at ease seeing Subaru in the Blacksmith store. He was safe and sound and not in some dangerous predicament. He was honing his skills again. The silver haired finally crossed the t's and dotted the i's. Subaru and Garfiel were also hiding training course they've built.
Emilia smiled. An overwhelming sense of pride coursed through the half elf knowing Subaru was working hard to improve himself and impress her. But she insisted on giving him a strict talk about moderation being the key.
That was until she saw something she shouldn’t have. Her smile dropped. The conclusion she arrived at wasn't good.
The blonde blacksmith's daughter was the same age as Subaru and they were close, too close. She whispered in his ear before placing something in his tracksuit jacket. Their attempts to be discreet failed when the blacksmith's daughter snorted laughed and playfully smacked Subaru's shoulder, nearly having him trip over his feet.
The half elf quickly retreated back to the meeting spot before she could be ousted as a stalker. She didn't want to be seen as a bad, disobedient girl.
Emilia sat on a bench. She watched the villager’s children engage in a back and forth practice sword battle, giving each other nasty splinters. The half elf was in an inner battle with herself.
She fidgeted with her fingers, trying her best not to get jealous or that's what she assumed this feeling must be. It was the exact same when Subaru had told her that he likes Rem too or when Priscilla openly bragged to her how the royal opponent had Subaru so bedazzled that he kissed her foot. (not giving the full context to the half elf as a humiliation ritual for Subaru)
Emilia frowned. Was she making him wait too long? Was it remotely fair getting mad at him? Was she denying him a love live because of his knightly duties? The green eyed monster was showing and she didn't like it one bit.
A grey ragdoll cat elegantly walked past her, unfazed by the children's antics. The navy blue eyes looked in her general direction as the feline puffed out her white fluffy chest, going normally about the day.
Emilia sighed. She misses Puck. Whenever she'd have any conflicting thoughts, he would guide her. Now she was navigating all these newfound feelings by her own...
Her amethysts eyes were getting heavy. The children's voices were drowning out as the lack of sleep was busy getting to her.
"Oi, sleeping beauty did you miss me!" Subaru booped her nose with his gloved hand. He held onto a paper bag filled with cleaning items, obviously as a smokescreen to hide what he was originally doing.
"So...did um, Subaru get what he was looking for?" She sheepishly asked with a forced smile.
"I guess you can say that!" He smiled contently, but redacted the last second, doing his best to have an air of mystery hanging around him. "All I am going to say is, you're going to love it, Emilia-tan! Believe me!"
Emilia's eyes shifted away from Subaru. Since when was building his concubines to her benefit? At the very least, he could be upfront and say it. They owed each other that much honesty.
"Hmmm" She uttered, standing up. Subaru was a terrible liar.
"Everything okay?" Subaru followed. Her steps were way faster
Everything was relatively quiet when they returned. The sleep deprivation was busy getting to their daily activities. By the time the sun had set, everyone hoped that the third time was the charm.
For the most part, Emilia kept watch on Subaru, not that he didn't mind. That would be like complaining with a cake under his arm. He observed Emilia. Something seemed off. The half elf was trying her best to pay attention but she would be here and completely somewhere at the same time, absent mindlessly watching the cup filled with warm milk cooling down.
"You're not drinking your milk. Is everything okay, Emilia-tan?" He took a sip of his own hot drink. The natural sleeping medicine mixed in the milk was slowly doing its job.
She wouldn't keep eye contact. Her hands were digging into the bed. "Just tuckered out. That's all... I am fine."
There was an important talk his father had, especially regarding a woman's heart. If she told you that everything was fine but her body language said otherwise, then chances were that everything was far from fine. He should know her good enough to pin point where something had gone wrong but due to his lack of sleep, Subaru just couldn't for life of him say.
He had to surpass all that stubborn (albeit cute in Subaru's eyes) exterior. Either she wasn't telling because he was fighting his own hell or he colossally screwed up somewhere. Regardless, he intended to make things right.
Subaru moved so he could sit next to her. His hand cautiously hovered over hers. "I'm sorry for making you and everyone else worry. It's been...difficult the last couple of days for me to adjust."
Which made this thing frivolous to speak of in her eyes. Emilia may not be getting older but same couldn't be said about Subaru. Humans had a significantly shorter lifespan. And he was putting his on hold for her. She self critically thought. Living as a hermit in the frozen forest certainly didn't help her with her people's skills.
He squeezed her hand. "Believe me, I was cooped up in my own little safe space too before I met you. I'm new to this sort of thing!"
Emilia still kept her guard but opened the gate to her heart just a bit. How could she not when he spoke with such conviction? "I can see you're hurting, my Mili. I want you to tell me honestly where I screwed up so I can make things right."
Subaru gave a wink. "You can count on me."
She finally opened the Pandora's box over his recent secret activity. "I followed you to the blacksmith earlier..."
"Oh." Subaru looked a bit anxious but not for the reasons she actually believes. "You didn't see anything, right?"
Her face was somber. "I saw...enough."
It was her time to speak up. "I am sorry for making you wait, Subaru but frolicking around and collecting girls in your secret harem project isn't right."
Marrying for political reasons or having many partners wasn't a strange concept. Her rival had multiple husbands in fact. However, Emilia hoped that she would marry for love.
'It was that riff rafter, ne'er-do-well Regulus!' Emilia thought, whom had completely turned her off from such types of marriages. She wished she could pull him out of the ground and make him stub his toe.
She sighed. "Subaru, a marriage should be a sacred pact between two souls. I...don't feel comfortable sharing you with other girls."
"Wait, Emilia-tan!" That was a lot to process for him. Now Subaru was even more confused than before. "What secret harem?"
He raised his hands in defense. "Now I know this looks bad-but okay, I'll admit I was there. Just not for reasons my silly Mili thinks!
He really didn't want to throw the surprise away. There was months of planning in on this. "You know something important is happening in a few days right?"
Should she? Emilia only shook her head, not knowing where this was leading. All she knew was that Subaru wasn't being very convincing.
That would make the occasion more special. Subaru was now more than ever determined to hold his cards close to his chest. "Listen all I am going to say is that you don't have to be jelly of the blacksmith's daughter stealing me. I'll be barking up the wrong tree. She swings for the other team."
"She swings for the...other team? So she's in an opposing team when you play games together? I don't see how that has to do with anything."
"No, silly! She's into girls!"
Emilia tilted her head, furrowing her eyebrows. The half elf looked utterly bewildered at the statement. "She's...into girls?"
He balled his dragon blood hand into a fist. Tears of joy overwhelmed Subaru that this girl was the personification of adorably pure but blissfull ignorance. The feeling wasn't mutual. Emilia digressed, raising an eyebrow and giving concern at Subaru's mental wellbeing.
Subaru started to explain. "You know how you said that marriage is between a man and a woman who love each other."
Subaru twirled his fingers around "Things are bit more...complicated for other folks."
He felt like he was explaining the birds and the bees to a child. He cursed Puck for leaving him with the responsibility. What was he doing with his parental duties? "You know..."
Perhaps it may not have been the best comparison. Emilia had no recollection of the Rem. "...How I said that Rem and Ram used to be close..."
She nods. "Mmm yes, Subaru said they were apparently close sisters before we all forgot..."
Subaru smiled. "It's kind of like that but with other women! Just.."
Emilia raised her eyebrow, trying her best to grasp the concept. "So the blacksmith's daughter has a sisterly love for other girls?"
"Almost like that but way more intense! Now think about how I feel about you. That's how she feels about a girl she likes."
Subaru could see the gears working upstairs. Suddenly, Emilia's face turned red upon the idea of two girls being intimate. The fact that she had to have this explained to her made her embarrassed. Now she was the butt of the joke again. "Ah, I see..."
So if the story is indeed the truth, and the blacksmith's daughter likes other girls, It still didn't cover up the whole secrecy in their meet up. "Then Subaru won't have any problem with me seeing what's in the drawer!"
She climbed over him to see what was in the nightstand cupboard. Subaru crawled fast on his stomach and was just in reach of the nightstand's drawer. Unfortunately, Emilia was faster.
In hopes to slow her down, Subaru grabbed a nice handful of her hip, playfully squeezing her. She stopped in her tracks, gasping, flustered beyond measure. He took that to his own advantage, crawling quicker to the nightstand drawer. He was within arm's reach. If only he can reach out a bit more...
'No, you don't!' Emilia grabbed the waistband of Subaru's tracksuit pants, only to lose balance and pull the pants down to his knees. She saw a whole different set of drawers she intended. Her face was burning redder than Priscilla's dress. He wore a pair of black boxers that matched the color scheme of his outfit.
Subaru laughed. "Chill Lia, I'm not that easy."
This didn't mean she was going to lose just cause she was a little embarrassed, far from it. As payback for being handsy, Emilia climbed on his back, carefully avoiding his bandaged leg and covered arm. She put his good arm bar lock. The punishment should fit the crime.
Good thing Ram wasn't here. He thought. Otherwise she would have branded him as a pervert again.
Subaru tapped out with his gloved hand. He negotiated. "Best and final offer, you can find out what's in the box in a few days. How does that sound?"
She showed reluctance but instead of taking the word of a big fat liar, Emilia flipped his thin frame over so he could lay on his back. Emilia straddled on top of Subaru, pinning his shoulders on the bed so he couldn't wiggle his way out. She took charge, reminiscent to when she and the others helped themselves with the stashed booze last year.
"Natsuki Subaru..."
The way she spoke was as if he flipped a switch. Her silver side ponytail was tickling his face. She tried to be as intimidating as possible. "I'm going to make you regret messing with me!"
"Oh no, Emilia-tan is going to punish me! My steak is too juicy and my lobster is all buttery!" He faked begrudgingly, aggravating her more.
"First you tell me you love me...and... then you tell you care about another girl...and then you kiss me. This is your fault, Subaru!"
"My fault!? I told you to pull away if you didn't want that smooch!"
Confronting Subaru didn't seem to help, quite the contrary. Any confusion may have been cleared, but her feelings grew exponentially. She tucked her silver hair behind her sharp ear. Her lips glimmering under the dimly lit room as she leaned in.
Their lips met in a clash. His eyes widened at Emilia's aggressiveness. It was something newly acquired. Something Subaru could only describe as EMT possessiveness. This wasn't a soft kiss like the trial but a desperate one. Almost like she was trying to tell him that he was her knight and hers alone.
Forgetting what they were brawling over in the first place, Subaru started to kiss back, closing his eyes. He tried to reach and cup her blushing cheek but Emilia had him fully pinned onto the bed. His only means of offense was to kiss back.
Subaru deepened the kiss, conveying just how much she means to him. All the pain and deaths he endured, made the kiss sweeter. Emilia responded in kindly, deepening the kiss too. She used this opportunity to her advantage.
Subaru finally shook himself out of the dazed kiss. He couldn't believe his eyes as they crept open. Emilia was sneakily reaching over him, trying to open the nightstand drawer. He smirked in the kiss not expecting the half elf to use such under handed tactics.
"Nice try, Emilia-tan." He spoke in between the kisses, doing his best to wiggle out underneath her. Unlimited kisses or not, there's no way he was going to spill the beans until the time was right.
During the struggle, Subaru kicked the silver tray with steaming milk. The mug fell and dropped directly onto Subaru's lap, burning him alive. The pain was so bad that he sprung upright, causing him and Emilia to accidentally head butt each other.
The half elf held her sore face. She quickly rushed to tend to Subaru's wounds first with a handkerchief. "Subaru, are you okay!? I'll heal you real quick!"
He jumped up and down, up and down in vain attempts to cool himself down. "It's hot! It's hot! It's freaking hot!"
Emilia knelt down trying to ease his burn wounds. The pain was subsiding when her handkerchief and cold ice covered his knee. His hazel color eyes widened when her hand moved upwards. The strong upper thighs never skipped legs day.
He completely forgot about his own pain. This was wildly inappropriate for her to do something like this. "Emilia, you can't touch near there!"
Subaru pulled the girl slightly away but she remained stubborn, only wanting to help. Emilia complained. "Geez, Subaru, stop fidgeting, you're like a little kid!"
At the worst of times, Ram barged into the room. "Well, Barasu, I take it that you've settled your affairs with all this commotion. Because if I wake up one more time-"
She literally forgot what she was about to say at the mere sight. Subaru was standing there with his tracksuit pants down, boxers soaked with milk while he held Emilia's silver locks in a strong passionate handgrip. The half elf was on her knees with a shocked expression. The shoulder strap of her lilac purple gown cascading down her arm. Her hand was trending dangerously close to his underwear.
"..."
Ram's eyes moved to the bed. And why was a part of the sheets wet?
"..."
Neither of the parties said anything, which wasn't helping their case. The atmosphere was so tense and awkward that a needle would have been heard dropping to the ground. After some time Subaru finally spoke. Ultimately, the best thing to say was the whole truth.
"I spilled my milk." Subaru explained.
"I mean Emilia's milk" Factually correct but it didn't make their case any better. "She was on top of me and I..."
His voice trailed off. "...It was accident."
Even the innocent Emilia grasped how bad this looked. She tried to salvage the situation. "Ram, I-I was trying to clean Subaru up! He got too excited and made a big mess!"
Ram scrunched up her face, raising her hand. She didn’t even want an answer. The Oni quick turned to face the doorway, blushing too. "Please Barasu and Emilia-sama, whatever little self respect you two have left, save it."
She continued. "I don't know anything. I didn't hear anything. I wasn't here. And if I was here, I was asleep."
The demon shuddered. "Frankly, I think I'll be the one with nightmares tonight."
Ram shut the door hard, making a mental note to knock next time. Emilia used this distraction to sneak to the bedstand drawer. Subaru, whose been caught with his pants down figuratively and literally, quickly caught on.
Subaru was frantically trying to pull his pants up and stop the girl at the same time. Instead he tripped over his own pants, falling head first onto the bed. It was too late.
Months of planning had gone down the drain. She opened the drawer finally discovering what Subaru has been hiding. A small jewelry box was inside.
Emilia's eyes widened when she opened the small box. It was a ring with the exact same flower pattern as her flower hair clipping. It was a memorabilia to remember her departed Fortuna.
"You ruined it!" Subaru groaned dramatically, lying sprawled out on his bed.
He stared at ceiling. All though, a part of him was thankful the jig was up. At least now she knew he wasn't planning on making some secret harem. "It was supposed to be a huge surprise in two days. Me and Beako had the entire thing planned out!"
Subaru could only sigh in defeat, adjusting his pants back up to avoid any more confusion. "You're an impatient girl, Lia!"
Emilia looked surprised, whether this was in a good or bad way remained to seen. Subaru could only pray that it was hopefully in a good way. She took the flower ring out of its case, inspecting it up close.
Subaru smiled. 'Oh, well might aswell celebrate it' earlier. He figured.
"Happy Birthday, Emilia-tan! I hope you love it!"
Her purple blue-ish eyes beamed as she put the ring on her finger. Subaru was worried there for a second, fearing that the more or less rough estimate for the ring size was dead wrong. (He couldn't measure it accurately without raising suspicion.)Fortune favored him just this moment because it actually fit.
"Are you sure I can take this, Subaru!? It looks very expensive! You shouldn't be wasting money on me!" Emilia exclaimed. Subaru chuckled from the typical EMT reaction.
"Pfft, don't be a silly Milly. It's not everyday your birthday. We are going to celebrate it properly from now on! I need to catch up on the ones I've already missed!"
"I...You..." She was left speechless for a moment, realizing that arguing with him would be like talking to a bricked wall. The idea of celebrating a birthday never crossed her mind. That was until he waltzed into her life. He was just filled with surprises. "Thank you Subaru for making me feel special."
Subaru shook his head, smiling brightly. "You don't need me for that. You're already special, Emilia-tan!"
She was turning red, so red that she couldn't hide it anymore. Her legs were kicking on the edge of the bed. She lifted her hand up, appreciating the craftsmanship on the flower ring. A green gem glimmer was shining on the silver. Maybe, just maybe this once she'll selfishly enjoy something just for herself.
All of a sudden Emilia felt guilty for assuming that he was secretly building some concubines behind her back. What a way to jump the gun!
"Well, Mili-tan, I am waiting." Subaru crossed his arm with a smirk. He felt an apology should be in order for this gross misinterpretation, borderline defamation of his character.
Emilia's pointy red half elf ears sulked along with her pout. The red on her face just wouldn't seem to go away. Her eyes stayed fixated on the ring.
"Hmmf. Dummy."
Later that night everyone fell asleep. When nightmares threatened to overtake Subaru again, he gently combed Emilia's silver hair to put him at ease.
The half elf stayed by his side, refusing to leave so she could chase away any bad dreams. Her night patrol didn't last long, however. Short after, the girl was in a deep slumber, her emerald flower ring shining in the pale moonlight.
Subaru closed his heavy eyelids, thinking of all those who are dear to him. Emilia, the birthday girl, who will soon become the Queen of Lugnica kingdom. Rem who was peacefully resting and will soon awaken. Beatrice, the cutest spirit he ever had the privilege of forming a contract with, was restoring mana with a good night's rest. Garfiel whom snored as he rested on his stomach, arm and foot hanging off the edge of the bed. Otto was peacefully sleeping with a smile all tucked in the bed covers.
And even Ram. The demon was laying on her back, staring blankly at the ceiling, unable to get over the horrors she had seen earlier. The image was stuck in her head.
'Everything will be just fine.' Subaru Natsuki smiled. The medicine did the rest of the work. Soon enough, he joined everyone in dreamland.
'One Emilia...Two Emilias...Three...'
Author's Note: Busy with two BIG Re Zero projects. One is already 22k words and the other is 50k words. I am about 30% and 70% done.
I am ironing out Fireflies Re;Write spelling/grammer mistakes. Also ten more other Re Zero stuff on the way too so stay tuned! Thank you for reading and all your support! I really appreciate you all.
Aidan.