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"C'mere." Subaru said, patting the spot next to him on the bed expectantly.
Reinhard stood in the doorway, looking on hesitantly. There was no noise but the faint commotion of the ballroom far down the hall. "I need to be—"
"You need to get some sleep." Subaru retorted with a scowl. "Don't make me drag you over here."
Reinhard knew he would try. He had done so before whenever Reinhard "got all obnoxious and stubborn," as he usually put it, hanging off his arm like a swing tied to a tree. He had a peculiar habit of combining earnest severity with the most petulant of actions. He wasn't sure why, but Reinhard himself probably reinforced the behavior when he would so often give into it regardless.
He didn't let it get to that point. He walked over and sat down next to Subaru. The bed creaked quietly with the added weight.
Subaru inched closer. "How long has it been this time?"
How long have you been awake? Reinhard inferred. It was a question that Subaru had been asking more lately ever since they started nesting together. When he started taking sharper notice of Reinhard's erratic sleep schedule.
Reinhard stared off into space, only half-taking in those words. He wouldn't allow himself to think much more on the subject even though he knew Subaru hated it when he was dismissive of the matter.
Subaru was expecting an answer. Leaning forward into his field of view, he stared relentlessly at Reinhard’s face.
The answer he wanted to give would be a lie.
So instead, Reinhard gave a wan smile in hopes of appeasing him before laying down on his back with a soft sigh. He knew he had to debrief with the Council after the social event. Reinhard's exhaustion was irrelevant, especially when he was technically still on active duty.
It's not like the sleeplessness was truly affecting him anyway. He was no different performance-wise than he was five days ago when he woke up from his light doze at Subaru's side back in their room in Hakuchuri.
He sensed Subaru shift closer to him and soon felt a finger poke at his cheek. It persisted in pushing at him. Amused, he allowed it to move his head to the side to look at Subaru.
Reinhard could sense through the touch that he wasn’t pleased, and it matched on Subaru’s face as he frowned down at him with narrowed eyes. At his questioning look, Subaru said, "Your thoughts are so loud. Didn't I bring you in here to relax?"
Subaru had bent over him to push on the opposite side of his face. Once he had his attention, he straightened up. Settling a hand on Reinhard's forehead, Subaru proceeded to scratch his nails along his scalp, pulling slightly on the strands in the way he knew Reinhard liked.
Reinhard closed his eyes and shamelessly leaned into the touch, angling his head to guide his fingers.
"You big ol' golden retriever." Subaru teased. The mirth in his voice told Reinhard he was successful in deflecting the matter, for now.
Or, perhaps, I'm not doing as effective of a job at hiding my fatigue as I had hoped.
This went on for a few more minutes until Subaru pulled away. Reinhard frowned slightly and opened his eyes.
"Don't give me those eyes." Subaru protested. "I think you'll like this better, anyway."
Subaru nudged Reinhard into sitting up. When he obliged, Subaru surprised him by scooting behind him, legs on either side of him. Subaru hastily leaned to the side and yanked on several pillows at the head of the bed, placing them behind him haphazardly.
Subaru hummed thoughtfully. "It's not like back home, but it'll do."
He leaned back a bit against the pillows, pulling Reinhard down with him. Subaru brushed his hand through his hair and cupped his hand over his ear, guiding him to rest his head further up on his chest.
Realizing what he was doing, Reinhard moved to lay on his side and tucked his legs onto the bed. A good portion of them dangled over the edge, but Reinhard wasn't bothered. It would be rude of him to set his boots on the bed anyway.
Ear pressed up to Subaru's chest, Reinhard could hear his heart beating even more clearly than he normally did. His eyes already felt heavier.
"Still not really used to this." Subaru muttered softly, trailing a finger over the shell of Reinhard's ear. Something in Reinhard burned at the touch. "So you gotta tell me if it sounds stupid."
Reinhard nodded gently, not wanting to dislodge Subaru's hand. Subaru started twirling a small lock of hair behind Reinhard's ear languidly.
Reinhard swallowed reflexively. His mouth was dry.
Subaru went still in concentration.
An irregular rumble started up just below Reinhard's ear, rusty and unpracticed. It was one of Reinhard's favorite noises.
"Ugh, this still feels so weird." Reinhard could picture the grimace on his face at that. The purr caught on his voice at certain syllables, making it warble a tad. Reinhard held back a smile. He didn't want Subaru to think he was making fun of him. "S'okay, right?"
It's perfect. He said as much, "It's perfect."
Back when Reinhard was still getting to know Subaru better, he learned fairly quickly that Subaru had a bizarre disconnect with his subgender, even moreso than Reinhard’s own troubles. The gaps in his knowledge, his easily flustered nature around commonplace matters such as pack displays of affection, down to even his own simple biological features: all of them pointed towards a variety of concerning theories that had been the center of hours-long discussions in isolated settings, though Reinhard himself would often cut these conversations short after a while. He disapproved of speaking so lackadaisically about his dear friend behind his back, especially about something that, to him, was clearly a deeply personal and stressful matter.
But from what little he had heard, he could readily admit that many of these theories were more promising than Subaru’s own insistent claim that he actually wasn’t an omega at all. And that secondary genders weren’t real, back in his homeland.
It also didn’t explain how Subaru still seemed to be aware of their existence to some degree. It was a question Reinhard himself had asked him, and the resulting deep blush that would cover his face as he half-heartedly tried to explain his way around terms such as “manga” and some sort of abstract archival system called the “internet” only served to make him more confused.
And yet, Reinhard couldn’t help but believe him. There were other unbelievable things about Subaru that were tried and proven, after all.
Subaru breathed out a small chuckle. This close, he could hear the rush of air through his lungs, feel the stuttering motion of his diaphragm as it moved up and down.
"I should probably shut up then." Subaru said, tugging at a lock of Reinhard’s hair playfully before brushing through delicately.
"I like your voice too." Reinhard made sure to notify.
That triggered Subaru to give up entirely, ruffling his hair wildly. "Stop talking." He said, not unkindly. "You're supposed to be relaxing." Subaru leaned back further to emphasize this, causing Reinhard to recline further on top of him.
Reinhard's eyes had closed. He turned the edge of his nose into Subaru’s chest. Saying the words like a confession, he whispered, "I want to enjoy this. I don't know how long this next escort will last."
In addition to their usual detail of private missions the Council commanded of Reinhard, he had been acting as a representative of the Knight Order for foreign dignitaries visiting Lugunica. This latest visit included several influential Vollachian nobles, a sensitive matter that was always treated with the upmost wariness. All manners of diplomacy regarding Lugunican-Vollachian envoys were treated very seriously.
It was an honor to be involved in such a delicate matter, especially because Reinhard doesn't deserve it with how he acted last year.
Subaru had stopped messed with his hair. "...Waiting until I'm all dedicated to being lovey-dovey to say that is a dirty trick."
I'm aware. Reinhard thought guiltily. It's the reason why I did it.
Subaru continued, locking his hands low around Reinhard’s waist. "I take it back. You're no golden retriever. You're like some cat that acts all adorable even though they just shred the curtains a room over."
His voice was light and joking, but Reinhard knew what Subaru was going to ask next. He waited.
He didn't have to wait long."...Are they gonna make you wear that collar again?"
Reinhard was forbidden from going all the way up to the border, so it shouldn't be necessary for the Collar of Submission. The decision was largely up to the Vollachian nobles, however, and would be honored diplomatically if requested.
He didn't want to lie to him. "They might."
Subaru's purrs were hard to keep up while conversing and had stopped a while ago. But even without the quiet, Reinhard wouldn't have missed the brief growl building in Subaru's throat.
Subaru huffed out a breath, and the sound stopped. He was a lot better than he used to be with controlling his subvocalizations, but it was impossible to filter all of it. He was such an expressive, open person.
It was one of Reinhard's favorite things about him. Even when that strength was being used against him.
Before Subaru could speak, Reinhard shuffled upwards, pushing the side of his head into Subaru's neck and nuzzling into him in an attempt to soothe. The thin material of Subaru's decorative collar pressed into his cheek.
"Stop that." Subaru complained around his hair, twisting away slightly. "There's only so much you can act cute to distract me."
It tends to work regardless. Reinhard didn't dare say this out loud, but even thinking it made him feel guilty. "I'm sorry that I've upset you."
"S'not you I'm upset with. Quit acting like it's your fault." Subaru murmured tiredly. His sigh warmed the top of Reinhard’s head, but Reinhard felt a tinge of cold in his chest at the tone.
On top of that, there were other distractors. This was a serious conversation. Reinhard knew this, but Subaru's scent was so strong here, next to his neck, and this is the first substantial private moment they've had together in weeks. He forced his breathing to be even and calm.
Even after being romantically involved for around a year and officially paired for a while, it was still so readily intoxicating. Not for the first time, Reinhard wondered how much more lost in it he would be without his Divine Protections against mental effects. It was a thought as appealing and tempting as it was still unnerving to him, even if the unease was quieter now.
Od, his mind was already getting fuzzy. Lines of tension in his back that he hadn’t noticed were present before were melting away. Perhaps he was more tired than he thought. He moved to get up, twisting around to push off the bed with his arms. "Subaru—"
Subaru's arms moved upward to wrap around his shoulders. Reinhard paused, allowing himself to be stopped, face to face with Subaru with his arms on either side of him.
"You're okay staying here a little longer.” Subaru said confidently, his expression lax and unhurried. “I already talked to Felt about it."
Reinhard didn't notice this. "Lady Felt spoke with you about this?"
"Duh, it was her idea. She even told Miklotov to buzz off herself."
Reinhard sighed, sinking his head down against him to break eye contact. "Please don't encourage her." He said, but he was smiling into Subaru's collarbone.
His snickers jostled Reinhard. "I knew you found her funnier than you let on." Subaru replied slyly. "She'll be thrilled to know that."
Reinhard could feel a pinprick of dread even around his fondness. "I would appreciate you not saying so."
"Sometimes they have it coming, though." Subaru argued back, resting his chin on Reinhard’s head.
"Subaru."
He felt Subaru tilt his head to the side. "Just a teensy little sixty to eighty-five percent of the time."
"Subaru."
"People don't always need the Sword Saint as much as they think." Subaru mumbled lowly, a hand coming up to start playing with Reinhard's hair again.
Reinhard stayed quiet. Like he often did when Subaru got abruptly somber on his behalf. It was a lovely sentiment but unrealistic. Subaru was full of those. Reinhard wisely kept this to himself.
"...Not as much as I do, anyway!" Subaru declared cheekily, his arms going to encircle him further and hold him tighter.
Reinhard at least let himself laugh softly at that. It helped to lessen the heavy feeling in his chest, breaking the sensation up into something dissolvable, for now. “Are you certain that—”
“Nuh-uh. You can't trick me anymore.” Subaru interrupted sharply, pushing Reinhard back at the forehead with a finger. Once he had eye contact, he flicked his forehead. Reinhard knew better than to dodge. Otherwise, he wouldn’t hear the end of it. “This is naptime now. Felt's gonna knock on the door when the party's over in a few hours so you can still get to your stupid fucking meeting on time.”
Reinhard laughed softly. “There's no need for that kind of language.”
“And yet I somehow manage.” Subaru poked at his cheek. “Stop smiling at me and go to sleep!”
Subaru's finger retreated from the dip of his smile and wrapped back around him. He stretched luxuriously as he reclined backwards, pulling Reinhard down with him in a no-nonsense grip. He once again started purring.
Reinhard hesitated even as he let himself be moved. “Lady Felt will wake us up.” He reiterated. He had to be sure.
Subaru didn't reply.
“Subaru.”
He started purring louder.
“Subaru, please.”
Subaru groaned in annoyance. "Yes, Haruo. My god. Now go to sleep."
I believe I’ve reached the end of his patience. Reinhard thought humorously. “Very well then.”
Perhaps he could indulge for now. He didn’t want to displease Subaru after all.
He closed his eyes, and sleep came quickly under the steady cadence of his mate’s purr.