Reinhard's feet ached with each of his steps. His heavy steel boots pressed themselves into the gravel and dirt streets of the shandy town, his fourteen-hour shift came to an end. Under regular circumstances, this wouldn't have been an issue. Od Laguna granted him countless Divine Protections to make such matters trivial. However, because of a special request from Subaru, Reinhard didn't make use of them today. For the first time in his life, he felt tired, worn out, even sleepy. Safeguarding the streets of the capital was far more taxing than he had originally anticipated. The fourteen hours of walking, fighting, and helping people took their toll on his body.
After finally ending his shift, Reinhard decided to visit the lush marketplace in the noble's quarters in search of a small gift. Stalls provided any sort of goods one desired, from rare fruits, overly designed and magnificently crafted weapons, lavish silk cloths, and mystical books which contained long-forgotten knowledge.
In a booth near the end of the stall, Reinhard discovered a little booklet full of beautiful illustrations of exotic landscapes. The shopkeeper, an elderly noble, happily recalled bits of his journey. In the end, a few gold coins exchanged hands, and the knight left a generous tip before hurrying back home.
With the gift under his arm, Reinhard crossed by the posh mansion gate, offering the stationed mansion guard a polite bow. The guardian of the mansion assisted the Astera family for the past decade, however, today he witnessed something nearly impossible. The [Sword Saint] was covered in sweat, a small yawn escaping his lips. Never had he seen Reinhard like this, not even after he arrived from Volcacia. Still, Reinhard appeared to be happy, the yawn was edged by a small smile.
After opening the grand door of the mansion, Reinhard was welcomed by a comfortable silence. He couldn't remember when he last faced his father, much less when he wasn't drunk. The red-haired man placed his cape on a silver coat rack before heading towards the mansion's kitchen.
A seductive smell reached him. The aroma of foreign spices tempted his nose, and clashed with the loud sound of chopping from the kitchen. In a few quick steps, Reinhard reached it.
After opening the door, he spotted him. A black-haired boy occupied the grand kitchen, diligently juggling multiple pots and pans. Reinhard continued to observe him as the boy continued in his efforts to prepare a meal. After a while, Reinhard harrumphed, and Subaru squealed in surprise.
Subaru: "Buenos Aires!"
Turning around, Subaru met an amused Reinhard, who's lips twitched upwards.
Subaru: "Jerk."
A deep sigh left his lips, before relaxing into a warm smile.
Subaru: "So your shift is done? Took you long enough, didn't it?"
Reinhard: "My apologies, I had something to… "
Subaru: "No. No. No. Rein, I was merely teasing you. You don't have to apologize for it."
Reinhard: "I am … "
This stunned Reinhard for a second, as a multitude of questions filled his brain. Why did Subaru accept him the way he was?
Subaru: "I said no apologies. Come help me set the table."
Lost in thought, he could feel a small kiss being placed on his cheek before being handed the majority of plates and other utensils. In response, Reinhard's eyes gleamed, but Subaru only puffed his cheeks in response. One day, he swore himself, he would make Reinhard blush no matter what.
Both of them sat themselves on the long wooden table in the dining hall. The Astera crest was engraved in silver,and red candles lit the room instead of magic crystals. The food steamed from the platters and Reinhard got a clear view of it. Tatoes from the western lands of the domain, prepared with a foreign dip containing a multitude of unknown spices. Beautiful pieces of meat sizzling in their own fat, decorated with colorful leaves. Vegetables from both the northern part of the domain and imported ones from Vollachia glorified the food with their taste. However, the best part for Reinhard remained the multitude of spices from the capital's merchant market.
Both servant and master dined together, talking about the day and other trivial matters. Reinhard's patrols mostly remained the same, no one dared to challenge the authority of the [Sword Saint], except for a few ignorant criminals. Subaru, who had become Reinhard's manservant, spoke about his day with his new grandparents. Both Carol and Grimm got along with him impeccably, and had formed a nearly inseparable bond with him. The grand estate of the Astera family possessed a lot of maids and butlers, but rather few of them actually interacted with the family itself. Since Subaru became the pupil of the elderly couple, he attempted to learn how to cook. After many failed attempts, he now offered Reinhard the most divine and exotic recipes, most of which Subaru himself created.
The atmosphere during the meal remained calm, only interrupted by occasional laughter from Subaru, which forced Reinhard's heart to skip a beat. Both of them chatted away until nothing of the once so vast dinner remained.
Most people that stayed at the Astera mansion acknowledged that its nucleus was the bath. Rustic wooden work, everywhere, masterfully crafted by unknown artists over four centuries ago. Rumors and legends passed down for generations attributed this masterpiece of architecture to have been commissioned by Reid van Astera himself. Paintings depicting many figures embellished the marble that made up the bath. Except for Reid and the divine dragon, all figures remained unidentified, likely companions of the [Heavenly Sword] himself. The Astera family spent a fortune each year on hiring the kingdom's best experts in yang magic to restore this ancient piece.
In the steamy bath, both Reinhard and Subaru floated in the water, akin to lotus blossoms. The hot water eased Reinhard's tense muscles, its warming properties healed his sore body. Neither he nor Subaru spoke any words as both of them simply leaned against the outside, enjoying their bath in the comforting silence that filled the bathhouse.
After a while, Reinhard sensed a soft touch on his feet. He opened one of his eyes and glanced at a blushing Subaru who held both of his feet in his own hands.
Subaru: "Don't look at me like that! It's embarrassing. I thought maybe your feet hurt after a long day."
Reinhard: "This is not…"
Subaru: "Yes it is, Rein. Now close your eyes. No peeking or I'll stop!"
Reinhard listened to the younger man's, he closed his eyes while letting Subaru work with his feet. His soft hand ran across the flesh, caressing each of the hardened spots. He merely laid his head on the railing, letting Subaru work with his feet however he wished to. A tingling sensation reached Reinhard's brain, his smile only grew the more time he spent with his lover.
After Subaru finished caressing Reinhard's feet both of them finished their bath, drying themselves down before changing into a new set of clothes. Subaru stole one of Reinhard's red pullovers, the fluffiest one, which he claimed as his own weeks prior. It didn't fit on his frame at all, Reinhard's muscular build and greater height made it nearly cross over his knees. Reinhard always believed that Subaru looked absolutely stunning, yet never told him as much.
Reinhard himself wore a reddish version of his knightly garb, missing the cape. Slowly, Reinhard embarrassed the youth from behind, causing the latter to let out a cute yelp and shy away with reddened cheeks.
The moon had changed its place with the sun a few hours ago, clouds concealed its cold glow. Both men lay on top of a flowery yellow armchair in Reinhard's sizable room. Like most days, Heikel had been absent, but neither of them concerned themselves with that anymore. Subaru rested inside Reinhard's arms, curled up into a fiery red blanket while silently snoring.
Outside a wild storm raged, heavy rain fell onto the panorama glass roof of the red-haired knight. Inside, the fireplace roared providing warmth for the occupants. It utilized the traditional fire crystals instead of wood, the fire burning in a colorful green opposed to the classic red. A multitude of drinks stood on the bluish table, proved by both Grimm and Carol. Most of the drinks were either a selection of lavish teas or different fruit juices, a rare good this time of the year. Additionally, some regional delicacies were provided by the elderly couple. The cookies and small cakes rested next to the drink, filling the room with a sweet scent.
With Subaru nuzzled in his arm, Reinhard tried his best to read with one hand while not waking up the youth. The black-haired boy fell asleep earlier, gently breathing and letting a few words of gibberish escape his lips now and then. Reinhard flipped through the pages of his gift, analyzing the different pages. His other hand busied itself gently stroking Subaru's hair. The pages were filled to the top with beautiful sights, Reinhard could never visit. The so-called Reinhard Law prevented him from ever leaving the country. Both he and Subaru flipped through the countless pages earlier, inspecting the many places the elderly man had traveled to. While Reinhard skimmed through the booklet, questions plagued his mind.
Why did Subaru choose him? Did he deserve to be happy? Why did Subaru do this for him? Why did anyone love him? Didn't he murder his grandmother and mother? Why?
Subaru: "I love you Rein."
His self-loathing was broken by none other than Subaru himself as he pressed himself deeper into Reinhard's chest, low snoring was audible after a few moments.
Reinhard: "I love you too, Subaru."
The crackling fireplace mixed with the low breaths of the men, Reinhard no longer fought against his fading concentration. Putting the book next to the empty tea, Reinhard slung both of his muscular arms around Subaru and pulled him close. He pressed his lips against his cheeks.
Soon both of them would fall asleep, the storm outside intensified, marking the end of another ordinary day in their lives.