Implied Rem/Machina

It was starting to get dark when the rain slowly got noticeable, spraying over the brown grayish leaves of the lone forest in the land that was once called Lorica. They held most of the raindrops away from the cadets who sought shelter in this abandoned area, yet the rain was getting more intense now as the time went on.

Seven held a hand out as she looked up to the crown of the trees, immediately turning her gaze to the ground again and rubbing her hand over her sleeve as the water hit her. She turned around to the group who sat around the camp fire to soak up some warmth at this chilly weather, seeing how they had the same reaction as her.

A low grumbling came from all of them as they rubbed over their hair and clothes, standing up then before most of them made their way right to the wooden house that was more broken and rotten than anything else. But it was the only safe spot they had, they had no choice, and it was way better than to get drenched in the rain.

Deuce waved to Seven after everyone vanished inside the shag, calling out to her as she made no move in following anytime soon.

"Don't you want to come with us?"

Seven returned the wave and set her gaze to the three people in the distance who were still outside with her. There were Sice and King at the end of the glade on night watch to alarm the rest in case Milites caught up to them – and there was Rem who didn't make any move in the quite cold rain, having her focus in the distance where Machina vanished earlier.

Ah. Machina.

Seven gestured to Deuce that she would follow later, making her way to the lone shivering girl who was left in the rain.

"Rem?" She called out as she approached her, "Don't you want to come with us? It's getting cold."

"Oh, Seven." Her gaze that was drawn to the distance met Seven's as the girl stood suddenly in front of her, her concerned eyes unavoidable. She put on her usual smile and shook her head. "I'll be fine, don't worry."

With a wave of her hand she summoned a little flame in her hand, keeping it close to her body to soak up this little warmth it radiated. "See?"

Her voice was shaken and Seven didn't miss the little goosebumps on her skin that was open to the chilly air.

The moment Rem averted her eyes from her they lingered in the distance again, deep in the dark forest where Sice and King had their eyes on, too. Seven could only tilt her head at the rejected invitation. She couldn't force her to come with her and if she rather stayed here in the cold rain with her little flame, then it was her decision where she had to face the consequences.

Nodding Seven let her, making her leave to the shag where the rest of them was.

Yet an uneasiness lingered.

Even as she took one last look at her on her way, Rem didn't make any move, not even when a cold breeze rushed through the glade and let even Seven twitch a bit from the cold.

She stood like this since Machina left with a boiling rage inside him and vanished in the dark forest without a trace, her eyes never leaving the direction to where he went.

Seven understood though, they were close and best friends, hung out together and shared laughs since they were children. Machina told them how he wanted to protect Rem forever, yet knowing that she was strong enough to do it on her own, but refusing to acknowledge it.

Or maybe Rem wasn't as good with hiding her illness as she thought so, neither Machina nor Seven didn't miss the fact that she was trying to hold in her coughs, saying how it isn't as bad as they thought it is.

There were times where Seven woke up in the middle of the night in Akademeia, hearing the faint sounds of her coughing through the walls of the dorm, torn between looking after her or just slide it – like always, because never had Rem said anything about her illness. It was like this since Seven knew her. It was a big lie Rem told them, not even trying to agree with the concern Machina had.

She must have her reasons, Seven thought as she heard her coughing the moment she reached the wooden house, turning her head again to the girl. She sighed at the sight.

The shivering of her didn't stop even with the fire magic in her hand and it tucked on Seven's heart, the concern was written all over her face as she watched Rem. The girl was teetering from one foot to another now, an attempt to keep her somewhat warm, too, but Seven could only take a deep breath at the shivering and coughing mess that Rem was.

There was no way she could leave her like this, her instinct clearly told her to stay and watch her, in case something happened to her.

An instinct Seven had since she could remember, always being their for everyone in case they needed a shoulder to lean on or someone to talk to. It was one of the things she adapted when she got under Arecia's supervision as the first child and watched everyone arriving after her – after a while she earned the title of big sister, sensing incoming problems and helping out if she gets asked.

And that was the current problem – Seven would help her if Rem made the first move. Without any initiative from Rem she couldn't do anything except wait and watch. She had to face the reality first, sorting out the problems she had before Seven could help her with anything.

Seven scratched the back of her hair as she placed one hand on the wooden door, her head still turned to Rem. But she shook her head then and sighed again, stepping away from the door and sat down on the small porch instead. Thankfully the huge wall behind her and the roof blocked incoming rain, yet not everything, but still enough to keep her from getting drenched.

She pulled her legs up to her chest and placed her chin on her knees, wrapping her arms around her legs to keep her body heat to herself and stared in Rem's direction. Here she had the perfect spot to give her space and still have an eye on her – the uneasiness still lingered, but this position felt way better anyways.

Another breeze must have hit Rem as the girl rubbed over her arms, trying to warm herself up with the friction of the fabric of her uniform. Seven sighed as she didn't stop rubbing and the teetering from her increased, seeming to have bigger problems with the coldness than she thought.

That didn't help with Seven's concern at all.

But her eyes widened as Rem suddenly turned around with her head tucked to the ground and crossed arms in front of her chest, still shivering and without the flame, but quick on her feet to the shag's direction. Only when she reached the stairs she finally looked up and locked eyes with Seven, halting her movements once she set foot on the porch.

"Seven? … Can I sit with you?"

"Yeah sure."

Seven lifted her head and turned to her when Rem stepped beside her and joined her side, mimicking her previous bent legs and wrapped around arms, obviously being affected by the cold rain. Her shivers weren't to miss and even when she rubbed over her legs, the goosebumps didn't vanish.

"Getting too cold, huh?" Seven faced her now when she was silent.

"Heh, yeah."

"Come here." She reached out an arm and pulled her a bit closer, so they both sat shoulder at shoulder together and huddled for warmth. On top of that she waved her hand in front of them and summed fire magic, like Rem did earlier before, and letting it dance on her hand for extra warmth. "Better?"

" ... Thank you."

A little smile played on Rem's face when she appreciated Seven's warmth, now glad that she chose to go back. Though Seven's concern didn't quite vanish, but at least she was sure that the poor girl didn't freeze now that she was close to her.

One problem solved.

Yet even when she sat here, her gaze never left the direction to where Machina vanished. The smile left her and sadness was written over her face now, she exhaled a deep sigh that was visible in the air and pressed her chin on her knees.

And that was exactly where the other problem lied. Since he left Rem wasn't …. like herself anymore. Distant and apart from the others around her, wouldn't speak to anyone or tried to make contact, all the while she looked in this direction – now she was here and still didn't let go of that, her concern about Machina was too big to think about anything else, and Seven could feel this turmoil. Being here out open didn't help Rem at all with face this, constantly being reminded that he was gone.

Seven nudged her when Rem's eyes were half way closed and a yawn slipped through, but it seemed like her shivering got less with each passing minute thanks to the provided heat.

"Rem, are you sure you don't want to go inside?" Seven tilted her head to her and rubbed over her side, "I know you are tired and I'm pretty sure it's way more comfortable inside."

There was a small pause, but Rem put on her smile again she had just a few moments ago and shook her head. "No I want to stay here."

"It's … about Machina, right?" Seven hit right the nerve at the mention of his name and Rem forcefully opened her eyes completely again. "I'm sure he comes back once he calmed down again. He won't leave you behind."

A shade of pink appeared on Rem's cheek and Seven had to bit back a chuckle at that reaction, seeing the hint of a smile on her face – but this time it was not that fake smile she set on like earlier, it was something that truly came from her heart.

Rem lifted her head up from her knees then and rubbed with both hands over her cheeks now as she realized that they grew hot at Seven's remark, trying to hide it with all she had.

"I hope he comes back."

"Well …" Seven grinned and tapped with her finger on Rem's shoulder, "you obviously wouldn't leave him behind, too, as it seems."

"S-Seven!" Now she broke out a heartily chuckle and covered her whole face with both hands, leaning in to Seven and places her head on her shoulder. "Don't … don't say that!"

"Just telling the truth here."

They both ended up in a laughter, Seven was way too amused by Rem's reaction to the topic about her and Machina – and seeing that Rem tried to hide her pink cheeks from her embarrassment and even chuckled at it, Seven's uneasiness slowly faded and her heart felt at ease now.

At least she was smiling again, her worried thoughts weren't current for this brief moment. And that was something at least.

" … Thanks, Seven." Rem's chuckle faded after a while, her more serious features appeared on her face again, yet the smile remained as she stared in the direction she looked the whole night again.

Seven turned her head to her and raised an eyebrow. "Hm? For what?"

"Just, for looking out for me. I … seriously needed that, I think."

"Hey, you're part of Class Zero now, I'm going to look out for you as much as I do for the others." She scratched her head. " … I'm always there if anyone needs help, just come to me and I'll try my best."

She nodded and placed her chin on top of her knees again, biting on her lip as her smile grew to a grin. "Say Seven …"

"Yes?"

"Do you have a special someone out there?"

"W-What?"

"Come on, you know what I mean."

"I – I uh."

Rem's grin was too bright on her face now and Seven was not prepared for that question. Of all the things she thought about, this was definitely not on the list.

Seven turned away from her and tried to avoid the question as much as she could, but Rem did not stop bothering her with it. She knew that eventually she would figured it out if she bored her with questions over questions, but Seven didn't go easy on her.

If that was what Rem made happy right now, then be it. A bit distraction from her thoughts definitely did good to her – even though Seven might need to reveal her secret to her, but that was a good price to pay.

For the sake of the happiness for her classmate. And friend.