Chapter Text
It was a beautiful day outside, birds were singing, flowers were blooming, the sun was shining brightly.
on days like these.. Subaru wished to slothfully rest on his bed, alongside his dear contracted spirit, Beatrice, who was like a little sister to him for eternity
But however, all good things come to an end eventually
*Knock Knock Knock*
"Get up, lazy Barusu, it's time to wake up."
Subaru abruptly awoke, he rubbed his eyes and yawned- stretching while doing so. He took a look at his precious beako who was still sleeping, he was resisting the urge to pat her
He carefully got out of bed, as not to wake her up. He changed out of his pajamas into his work clothes, and opened the door to see Ram standing there, in her usual maid outfit and still wearing that bland expressionless look that stared into his soul, that looked like as if judging and belittling his every action
"Good morning, Ram-chi, the weather sure is beautiful today!" He said with his usual goofy smile and behaviour
Ram ignored what he said and went straight to the point "Roswaal sama has ordered you to come into his office 30 minutes after breakfast, sharp."
The smile fell off Subarus face "...what?" He was confused, had he done something wrong? It was unusual for Roswaal to do something out of the blue like this, not so suddenly
"Hmph, If Barusu has nothing to say, then he should go start doing his duties instead of standing there like a kicked puppy." Ram said with her usual insults
"That's harsh, nee-sama!" "Hmph."
Subaru immediately focused back and started preparing his duties for the day while bantering back and fourth with Ram
•••••
Subaru was walking across the halls of the Roswaal mansion
He was wearing his tracksuit, per Roswaals words just before he left the dining hall, telling him to wear his casual outfit since he wouldn't be doing any work anytime soon, which only made his suspicions grow.
He was quite nervous, and unsure of what Roswaal was planning or thinking, but he certainly didn't think it was anything good, after the events that happened during the sanctuary
He eventually reached the office doors, and he hesitantly stood there until he opened the door and-
.... His jaw dropped and his eyes widened in disbelief at what he saw
Roswaal was sitting on a chair opposite of a sofa, with a table in between, and on top of the table were 2 cups of tea and some biscuits. A single window and curtain was opened, so that the fresh air would enter, and so the sun could shine into the room,but that wasn't the surprising part
Roswaal wasn't wearing any makeup, and he was in his formal clothes, like that one time he left the mansion and left it in Subarus care the day of the mabeast attack on Arlam village, which was surprising since he only wore those for meetings with nobles and other high figures, and he was usually seen in his clown outfit.
He also had a note pad and pen in his hands
"Welcome~ Subaru-kun, why don't you~ take a seat?"
Subaru was caught off guard by the way he talked, he didn't talk in his usual accent and he didn't drag the words out as long as he usually did, infact, he talked in an oddly calm and soothing way 'is he trying to manipulate me?' Subaru thought
"What the hell is this?!" He frustratedly said, he was pretty confused and didn't have time for Roswaals schemes or plan
"That's pretty rude~ don't you think? After preparing our session, and you ungratefully deny it, you truly break my heart~ Subaru" Roswaal said exaggeratedly, feigning mock hurt
"Seriously, and why are you talking like that? And... Session?" Subaru repeated confusingly
"Of course~ my dear Subaru, this is a therapy session I've prepared between us!" Roswaal said excitedly
"...huh?!" Subaru was taken back "... and what made you think that this was nessecary?"
"Your self worth issues and self harm, of course~" Roswaal said with a creepy-looking smile, the mood and tension in the room becoming heavy
Subaru flinched "h-how did y-you.." Subaru felt emotionally naked and vulnerable to have his secrets revealed, had beako told him? No, there's no way she would break her promise, so how?!
"Do you truly think that I, as the court mage of the kingdom, someone with 400 years of experience can't see the mental battle and conflict within someone's eyes? Or the faint lingering of healing magic in your room and my domain? and the tiniest smell of iron, Subaruuuu Kun?" He said seriously with a calm tone,
"Of course, I talked to bea~trice on this topic beforehand, and she confirmed my suspicions and gave me the permission needed to conduct a therapy session."
"And if I refuse?" Subaru said weakly, clenching his fists and gazing downwards
"Then I can do nothing about that, the door is open at anytime for you to leave." Roswaal said bluntly
"But why..." Subaru said in a low voice, making Roswaal raise his eyebrow
"What do you mean *but why*?" Roswaal said questioningly
"Why would you do all of this for me?" Subaru said in a confused and suspicious tone
"We~ll, I can't have my ace be unsatisfied and mentally ill, no? And also.." the suspense grew before he suddenly spoke-
"For everything you've done and~ endured, Subaru kun. Against the bowel hunter, even when you had no obligation, you still decided to save lady Emilia. Against the mabeast attack, you decided to valiantly and bravely charge in without a second thought, and save the children. Against the white whale and the witches cult, just to protect Emilia. I'm doing this for everything you've done for~ this camp, for not giving up no matter what, even when you had no obligation, Subaru-kun. Because of you~ me and the camp are here today, You've done so much, that it would be impo~sible to repay every debt. Me and you are alike in the fact that we will do any~thing for the ones we love. I guess you can consider this... Repayment" Roswaal said with such profound sincerity that it shocked Subaru
Subaru was silent for a long time, it didn't seem like Roswaal was plotting something, but he couldn't fully trust him, but his sucpicons definitely decreased
And besides, with everything going on and that has happened before, death has taken a toll on his mind... Perhaps a therapy session could be nice, even if it's from a very ecentric mastermind clown
Then, he sighed and said "fine, I guess I'll listen to you just this once, Ros-chi!" The mood, which was melancholic and dreadful, was now joyful and light, bringing comfort and calm to those who were in the room
"But if this turns into a test or interrogation then I'm leaving!"
"I guess that's fair~" Roswaal said with a chuckle
"Why don't you sit down, Subaruuu— Subaru kun." He corrected himself, being a therapist was not his specialty, and he had to make sure his clown persona didn't get out too much.
Seeing this, Subaru chuckled himself, releasing some of the leftover tension in the air. Subaru was atleast appreciative of Roswaal for even trying. He now saw him in a better light than before, even if he was still a bit suspicious.
Subaru sat down on the sofa, and leaned back, sighing and releasing some of the stress in his body and mind
"You don't have to wo~rry about anyone hearing us, I have used some magic to make su~re that this room is silent from the outside." said Roswaal while sipping on his cup of tea "So... should we begin~?"