Subaru clicked his pen in a stressful rhythm as he sat on his desk gritting his teeth. He never knew homework can be this hard, especially since the subject is totally something he is actually interested in. Inch by inch he moved his pen towards the available options given on the paper, but he only hesitated before moving onto another without filling it out.
The homework was given by Prof. Port, the one that teaches Grimm Biology. The man was in his eyes, quite a try-hard at not being boring. Even his more naive self a couple of years ago was more exciting than him, even though he multiple times cringed at his past self.
He shortly after tries to think up things to clear some stress on his homework. Things that he could actually think about without being confused. He stopped his stressful attitude and immediately began to think, placing his hand on his chin while he placed down his pen on the desk.
For him, it has been four weeks, almost a month, since he was summoned here with Beatrice. They even have their own dorm now, complete with a bunk bed and other furniture inside a room the size of the previous dorm they stayed in, aka team RWBY's, of course they are not using the top bed, as Beatrice only wanted to sleep beside him. During his first days here, he was at first confused and sad, immediately knowing that for a while he may not be able to get back. But that thought was temporarily put down when they were suddenly attacked by Grimm, which he speculated would've come in the hundreds if he stayed there for too long. After that, a few shenanigans of his occurred, such as trying to self harm and then sobbing on Beatrice's chest. Ranting about how pathetic he is before being slapped by Blake. Then shortly after that a dance with Ruby Rose.
He internally laughed at those moments, smiling too. He genuinely felt warmth when they began to comfort him and actually try to help about his problems. It made him feel lighter now that he was learning to ask people for their help.
Now that he thought about it again, the friends he had made in his old world, back at the mansion, back in Lugunica, 'how are they doing now?' he thought.
Emilia, Garfiel, Otto, Petra, Frederica, Ram, Rem, heck even Roswaal himself. He's worried about them, wondering if they'll be alright without him in their lives. He assumed they would be, after all they're more capable than him, especially Otto, he is arguably the second smartest in the camp after Roswaal himself. But since he started to see his significance thanks to that talk on that night with Blake, he wondered again about their safety. Questions began popping up in his mind, and he tried to answer all of them all based on assumptions.
Will they be alright without him? Probably yes, but most likely no as well. The Witch Cult and most likely other forces he did not know would take this opportunity to possibly destroy them, but he knows that they can stand and work together if that time ever comes.
Would Emilia break down? Definitely in his eyes, but not as much as that dubbed "kiss of death" loop. He knows that she is stronger as a person now.
Would Ram care? In his mind, most definitely yes. Under that cold and savage persona of hers she truly does care for people around her, especially now that he and Beatrice suddenly disappeared and left them all alone.
Would Rem be saddened? After the events back at Vollachia, he had concluded that it would be impossible for the old Rem to be back, especially with Louis currently not wanting to cooperate and return her memories. But, he assumes that even though she acts cold, he knew that she does truly care for him. Even though the old Rem is lost, he is happy that at least she is growing to be more independent now.
Would Roswaal pick up a shut in life and isolate himself from others? Definitely a yes. He had assumed in the past that he essentially became his tome of wisdom now. Without him, he may not know what to do anymore.
Would Petra, Otto, Garfiel, and the rest be sad? Yes, they saw him as someone to look up to and as a friend. So the answer is definitely a yes.
Several drops of tears began trickling down across his face as he thought about them. But he kept on smiling, reassuring himself that everything is going to be alright. "Everything's going to be okay, right?" he said to himself, between tears and quiet sobs.
"If Subaru cries like that even Betty wouldn't know what would happen to them, I suppose. What a hopeless contractor you are, in fact."
Subaru turned his head around to look at the source of the voice. Beatrice was reading a book borrowed from Beacon's library, playing with her hair as she said those words. He smiled and slid his wheeled chair to her immediately, catching her attention.
"What, I suppose?"
Suddenly, Subaru pounced onto her and gave her a tight hug. It earned him a squeal from Beatrice, who was begging for him to get off of her, hitting his back as she resisted. "Thank you, Beako. I know everything's going to be okay now because of you." He said as he released her from the hug, smiling as he wiped his tears away.
"What did Betty do to earn a surprise hug from her Subaru, I suppose? Betty only said so to comfort you, in fact. Betty does not know of their livelihoods even if Subaru did not cry." She responded.
"I know Beako, I know. But thanks anyways!" He replied, cheerfully smiling while giving a thumbs up, making her smile a little at his antics.
"Betty's Subaru is easily swayed by minor words of encouragement, I suppose." She remarked
"That is pretty much correct, yes." He said before looking towards the window, the sun shining bright on a beautiful Sunday morning, Beatrice focused on her book. His expression calmed, face relaxed with a small smile, "Time sure flies fast huh. It's been a month or so right?"
"Betty guesses so too, in fact. Subaru has made new friends that Betty does not even care about except for that Ruby girl and her gang of friends, I suppose"
"It's quite a different life for us huh? With these classes and an almost post apocalyptic world setting, it's honestly surprising how drastic the differences are!"
"Betty agrees. Though these creatures of Grimm are no match for Betty and her contractor, in fact!"
He chuckled, head patting her before responding. "If you say so, Beako."
As he released his hand from her, she asked a question, her head down and tone of voice softened. "Are you sure that you are alright now?"
"That's quite sudden of you to ask! But, yeah, I'm pretty OK! If you're by my side, we can face anything just like you said!"
"You haven't experienced any of these panic attacks?"
Subaru quiet down after hearing those words. His explanation of his trauma to her was somewhat of a half-truth. But, he felt glad that at least she understood him.
"N-no, and I wish I didn't in the first place! But no, not yet, I'll sign you if I did"
"Betty will hold your hand if you are afraid, I suppose. Don't be afraid to ask for Betty and other's help, in fact"
"I know Beako, I'm trying really hard now!" He shouted, fakingly distressed as he did a little bow at her. He can see her legs swaying happily like a little girl, "Speaking of asking for help, Beako, can you help me with my homework?"
Before she could answer, a knock on the door was then heard by both of them. The two turned towards it, and Subaru immediately stood up to answer with a reply, "Who is it? Please don't disturb Subaru and his Beako's time if it's not important!"
"U-uh, it's me Subaru! Ruby Rose, the team of leader RWBY?"
"How did you mess that up!?"
"W-what!? I meant the leader of team RWBY, sorry! Please open up, it's important!" She yelled behind the door, clearly embarrassed from her tone. Subaru swore that she's always this way when she's around him.
Subaru slyly smiled, clearly having fun teasing her, "what kind of important?"
"Speaking about your new weapon kind of important! Please just open up! There are others here too!"
"Yeah please open up or I bust that door as payment for teasing my cute little sister!" The voice that sounded like Yang interjected, Beatrice immediately froze.
"Subaru, could you please be quick and open the door? And Ruby, we can talk about his new weapon when we're on the Bullhead! Now we're going to miss it because of both of you!" Weiss interjected as well.
"Relax Ice Queen, the Bullhead will stay there for 30 more minutes" Blake responded, "besides, you're being impatient, she's in lo-"
"EEEEEKKKK STOPTHATSTOPTHAT!" Ruby yelled, "Don't tell him that!"
Subaru is clearly having fun hearing them talk. But, after hearing Blake's response and cringed at Ruby's yell, he immediately turned the knob and pulled away as he opened the door. It revealed a scenery similar to something out of a slice of life anime he used to watch alone in his room. Ruby's face being tomato red while Yang was in the middle of snickering, and Weiss and Blake being startled by her yell. The four of them then looked at him simultaneously, and quickly got into their composure, before Ruby started again with a-
"Ahem! Subaru and Beako! Want to come to Vale with us?" She said with a cheerful smile.
Beatrice turned her head towards the four girls. "Who dared to use Subaru's personal nickname for Betty, I suppose!?" She shouted.