It was midday when the couple finished strolling around the village.
Hands holding each other, fingers intertwined, shoulders touching as they were slightly lean to each other...
Man, aren't they so in love with each other or what?
Effortlessly, their faces etched a bright smile as they bounced back and forth on different topics to one another. Despite some of them being so outrageously weird...
Like which comes first, the chicken or the egg? If you drink the dragon blood, would you become a part dragon? If we can't see air, can a fish see water? If you pat and scratch a demi-human on the chin, would it wag his/her tail?
What a sweet yet quirky couple. A bunch of lovable goofball.
Their "conversation" was interrupted when a stomach growl was heard, flustering the black-haired knight. Shion lightly laughed as she gently pokes at Subaru's stomach.
"I guess someone's hungry...How about we grab lunch before we go back? Really not in a mood to cook and you could use a break from your mayonnaise-addiction, Subaru..." she jested as she looked at him with a knowing smirk.
"Hey! It's delicious! I can't help it if it tastes great..."
"I love it too, but to put it on everything we eat, really love?"
...
"...not everything..." he pouts as he turns his head sideways and looked at the ground.
"Subaru, love. You know that I love you more than anything in this world, but certainly, there must be a limit to this mayo-obsession, is it there!? You even put it in your tea for crying out loud..."
The nasty-eyed boy just groaned as he couldn't disagree with her at that point. —while being slightly embarrassed by his lover pointing out his absurd use of said condiment.
"...would you love me more if I covered myself with mayonnaise?" she playfully retort as she raised one eyebrow and looked at him mischievously.
...
...
"I'd eat you till I'm satisfied..."
...
...
...wait, did he just say that?
Bright streaks of red splashed on his face as embarrassment and shame amplified into his being.
...
...
"...well, someone IS hungry..." a playful voice mused as its owner was busy internally calming herself as her blushes reached further to her elven ears.
"Not that I'm against it..."
...the couple continued to stroll along with red faces and hearts beating rapidly...
"...thanks for the food."
As both of their orders arrived, Shion and Subaru started to restart their conversation. Work was a bit lukewarm considering both of them are neophytes in business. Being fruit merchants, profit could either flip-flop to gain or to lose capital.
If it wasn't for the extra items they sell, being that of Subaru's mayonnaise and Shion's trinkets, then they wouldn't be so sure how to make ends meet.
Currently, they lived in a semi-secluded village with few neighbours and grew a bountiful garden. When harvest season comes—after securing enough for their stocks— they sell the crops to the farmer's market while looking for other fresh produce as well. Eggs, fresh milk, raw honey, some tender meat and the likes...
A simple and humbling life. One that is far from the hustle and bustle of city life. A place where he's truly at peace, together with his lover.
...and he won't trade it for anything.
As Subaru was eating his own order, a savoury pumpkin pie with cream, he couldn't help but feel lighthearted and giggle as Shion visually expressed her delight while eating the blueberry cheesecake. With each bite she took, she squealed and let out a cute moan as she slowly savored each bite.
"Well someone is happy with their order?" the black-haired knight inquired as soon as the green-haired elf finished swallowing a piece of the cake.
"It's s~o go~od, you should try it.." Shion enthusiastically said with stars in her eyes. She then proceeds to scoop a part of the cake and point the fork at him. "Say aaahhh..."
If it wasn't for the fact that they make out from time to time, he would've said that it was an indirect kiss. Shaking his random thoughts, Subaru gently approached and took a bite. "Man, when you're right, you're right. It is delicious, Shion-tan."
"See? Told you it tastes great...`` The elf lightly puffed her chest and lets out a smug look. "So, how's yours, Subaru? Does it taste good too?"
"Oh yeah! Wanna take a bite?" he offered as soon as he finished drinking some of his tea.
"Yeah! Aaaaahhhh..."
As Shion gleefully replied and closed her eyes while anticipating the food, Subaru was internally resisting himself from squealing and screaming at the sheer cuteness and innocence she's acting at the moment.
"Gaaaaaaahhhh, why are you so goddamn cute!?" his mind screeches as it echoes throughout the walls of his brain.
As soon as he delivered a piece of the pumpkin pie to her, she slowly chewed and savor every part of it. Slowly, she looked at him with bright eyes and smiled. "Yeah, it tasted great too! Maybe I should try that the next time we go on another date, Subaru..."
How many times does his heart skip a beat when she looks at him with that face? He doesn't know. But he does know that precious smile is worth fighting for...
"Yeah...let's do this another time. Maybe we could go fishing at the creek nearby or go hiking or maybe stargazing..." he effortlessly smiled at her as if it was natural to him as his thoughts starts to wander out and play different scenarios of them spending time together.
Shion's smile grew even further as she felt so full and content—and that's not because of the cake.
"Yeah, let's do this again...love."
Both slowly leaned towards each other and with that, their lips met one another...
...and time stood still for them for a few seconds...
It was starting to get dark when they approached their humble abode. As they walk hand in hand, they gaze along with the stars as both cherish their time with one another.
Even though silence filled the atmosphere, it added a magical aura to it as the cool and calming night breeze softly swirled on them.
"Welcome home, Subaru..." She looks at her lover with warm, sincere orange eyes which sparkles with love.
"I am home, Shion-tan..." he replied as his heart has finally anchored and his mind and soul are both at peace. All because of his love for Shion.
...and thus both lovers shared a passionate kiss to end their joyous date...
The next day, Subaru went out to buy some lacking spices and ingredients for dinner. As he passed by, he could hear some murmurs of the villagers and merchants chit-chatting and squabbling with one another.
"I heard that Vollachia will wage war against our Kingdom..."
"Yeah, man what an asshole the Emperor must be? Flexing and bullying us with his power."
"We should leave and evacuate at once! I have a relative in Kararagi, maybe I can move with her..."
"Why should we be scared of them? We have the Sword Saint. He can take them all down..."
"Yeah, but Reinhard is nothing compared to the Hero..."
They all nodded unanimously as they continued their conversation:
"If only the Hero will come back again..."
"The one that was forgotten? Heard rumours he was killed by his own friends..."
"I heard he was killed by the Witch Cult..."
"You guys are stupid. He is just buying his time, looking for the perfect opportunity to come back and save us..."
"Yeah, sure he can negotiate with the Vollachian to cease his threats..."
"If that's the case, then whe-"
"Uhhhmmm, excuse me? How much for the tray of eggs?" Subaru cleared his throat to get the attention of the gossiping merchants—both looked at him with clear annoyance since he cut off their "group discussion".
"That'll be five copper coins, sir. " one of them replied as he started to approach him to give his order—obviously ticked off. After the monetary exchange, the black-haired left them as they continued their conversation.
As he walked towards his house thoughts and speculations started to form on his mind:
"Man, Lugunica has it rough...it seems strange that Vincent suddenly wages war without any reason whatsoever...hope those guys can fix it somehow—considering that they are more capable and powerful than me.."
"...And who did they mean by 'Hero'?..."
Even though he has a strong suspicion of who it was, his mind denies the implications of it.
May it be?... that they finally re-...
"No, how arrogant of me to assume. Surely they meant someone else..."
...and with that, he goes back home with uneasiness and lingering suspicions.
After the nasty-eyed boy opened the door to his home the time seemingly stopped...
He didn't know what stunned him the most...
..the fact that Crusch and Reinhard tracked him down and found where he stayed?
...the tear-stained faces both the Duchess and Sword Saint are giving to him—despite not being the emotional individuals?
..or the fact that Shion was downtrodden and was frowning—staring at the wooden floor?
"Suba-"
"Wh-why.. are you here? H-how? H-how did you...found me? And... why is my Shion-tan sad?" he stuttered but asked the last one with a hint of remorse. He felt like his head was spinning as fear and despair started to cloud his mind...
"No..."
"No...no...no..."
"They'll...they'll take her away... from me too..."
"NO!"
Subaru stumbled back, dropping his groceries as he cradled his head with his hands. Negative thoughts flooded his vision as tears well down on his face. His breathing was hitched and his poor heart wanted to explode from his ribcage as his heartbeat sped up.
"Subaru...Subaru...love...calm down. Please...calm down...I'm here...I'm here..."
Shion repeatedly mumbled as she immediately dashed towards him—cradling him in her arms and consoling him. The poor maiden's eyes were also full of tears as it breaks her heart seeing him like this...
Why did all of this happen to them?
It was only yesterday when both of them showered each other with love and affection...
And now both of them are crying their hearts out, filled with remorse and hurt.
As both of them watched the lovers console and cling to one another, the green-haired noble and red-haired knight were filled with guilt and shame. The former eating itself within them for causing the couple such distress and sadness, while the latter drenching them as they can't look at Subaru in the eye for their incompetence to help and save him from his pain—and the audacity to ask such request.
After such time, Subaru began to be composed and calmed himself as Shion held his hand. He looks at his visitors—urging himself to face them and ask:
"What do you want?"
For the first time, Crusch was rendered speechless. They were given a mission by her Majesty to search and return the lost and mistreated knight back to their kingdom—and in a way both prevent a catastrophic war and save her dear friend from her self-loathing...
...so why can't she speak up to him?
The uneasiness made her palms sweat and her eyes focus on the floor, averting his gaze towards them. Shame and guilt overwhelm her in each passing second. She can't...she can't...
"..we want you to come with us to the Capital and help prevent a war with Vollachia," Reinhard stated as he too fought the urges of his shame and guilt. For his slothfulness, he didn't save the one that gave him his purpose, his liege, and a friendship he cherished.
...if such friendship still exists from all that happened to Subaru...
It was a conundrum really...
Subaru understood that he must go to save the countless innocent lives from said bloodshed—by being the peacekeeper and mediator of the two opposing countries...
..but at the same time, he doesn't want to return back. To the place where he was shamed. Beaten up in front of the Royal Knights. Abandoned. Forgotten. Castaway. Chased out.
Not even counting the failed loops of him being killed, betrayed, frozen, sliced, eaten alive, gutted, stabbed, and died over and over again.
Can you blame him? It's been almost two years since he last looped. Two peaceful and unconditional love years. It was the longest time he had both peaces of mind and heart.
It was as if Envy took a break in ruining his life for once...
That's why he was so wary about returning to that hellhole...
He must have been shaking which prompted Shion to gently squeeze her hand to his, signalling that she's here for him. Internally grateful for the sweet gesture, he forced himself to reply:
"...I'm...sorry. Really...but I don't want to go back to the place where I have so many bad memories...so...so many...painful memories...I really want to save them...I really do...but I'm scared...so scared...that as if I'm going to die if I go with you..."
"But that's no-"
"And how do you know how it feels!? To be abandoned, forgotten, chased away by those you cherished and cared for!? COULD YOU EVEN KNOW HOW I FELT WHEN I WAS RUNNING AWAY HALF-DEAD!? The pain and sadness...that I endured...I really wanted to die back then..."
"AND NOW YOU WANT ME TO GO BACK!? How sure am I that I won't be killed or beaten up again!? I know that it was Gluttony's fault but no one...no one was there for me..."
"Tell me Crusch-san and Reinhard-san...tell me how can I be so sure this isn't just a set-up for me to be arrested or worse, die!? Tell-"
"Emilia's constantly having emotional and mental breakdowns ever since she remembered..."
"...!..."
"Felt-sama won the Royal Election. Days before the selection, the Witch Cult attacked us and as we killed Gluttony, our memories of you came back...Roswaal-sama withdrew his sponsorship from Emilia, disbanding her camp. I took Garfiel-sama under my wing as Otto-sama returned to being a merchant." The red-haired knight described the events that followed the Emilia camp after the death of gluttony, with remorse filling his voice.
"And I took Emilia with me..." Crush quickly interjects as grief starts to bubble up inside of her.
"...and now the kingdom's under constant fear as a looming war fills them with unease. And the only person who could stop it is you...Subaru..." Reinhard added.
"..are you guys guilt-tripping Subaru!?" The green-elf asked with clear disbelief and disgust in her voice from the sheer audacity of the duo.
"No...but we'll be lying that...a part of us wants to. But...lives are at stake here...And we know how disgusting...and...shameless we're asking...no...begging him to come back to Luginica."
"So please...please Subaru...save them...I beg of you..." The dam broke as Crusch cried as she couldn't take the sadness, shame, and guilt in her heart.
How worthless she feels for not saving the one that shouldered her burden with the cursed dragon blood, who helped her fight the Great Whale, and her dear friend who constantly wants to end her life.
As if it was a moment for the first time, Reinhard kneeled down as his vision gradually blurred out.
...
...
...
What's this?
...
What's this strange feeling inside of him?
...
It hurts. It hurts his heart and soul so much...
...
Oh...it's regret.
Initially sympathizing with the duchess, the red-haired knight found himself tearing up and let out a sorrowful wail.
He couldn't...he couldn't save anybody...
Despite being the Sword Saint, he's pretty much useless...
Worthless.
He couldn't even save his friend...
Truly, how slothful he is...
The tables have turned as Subaru and Shion watched their visitors cry in front of them—Crusch covering her face with both of her hands while Reinhard initially leaning until kneeling in front of them.
Some time passed when both nobles finally composed themselves while the couple regained theirs as well. It was as if they're competing on who's crying the most...
"We're really, really sorry for intruding and causing such great distress. We'll take our leave now. We'll promise not to tell any soul that we found you nor your current location—as an act of repentance for our incompetence."
"It was great to see you again, Subaru Natsuki. Hope you can finally live the happy life you greatly deserve..." the verdant-haired dutches wished with a sincere tone.
"Farewell..."
Both walked with heavy shoulders and hung heads as their heavy footsteps echoed towards the exit...
...and the once warm and bright aura of the house turned to one of dullness and grey...
"Subaru?"
"Yes, Shion-tan?"
"You're still thinking about them, aren't you?"
Darkness fell as the stars and the moon oversee the village. As Shion was trying to sleep from such an emotionally-draining day, she noticed her love being quiet and contemplating. Even though it wasn't his "nightly habits" it still gave her unease and concern to him—especially since she knows what happened to him before she met him.
"..."
"...Subaru?"
"Yes?"
"...do you love me?"
Of all the questions he expected to be asked, THIS wasn't one of them. Stunned, he glanced at the green-haired elf next to him— who was starting to tear up and gazed back at him.
"What are you talking about Shion-tan!? Of course, I love you, so...so much." he fervently answered as he cups one hand to her cheek. As she places her over to his, she continued:
"Sorry...it's just that...I need to remind myself sometimes…" she looked downcast as a tinge of shame was painted on her face.
"Why? Do you doubt my love for you?" he softly pressed further as concern and fear laced on his voice.
"No...I'm just scared…"
"Scared?"
"I'm scared… of losing you…"
As she proceeded, tears and sobs escaped from the goofball as she laid out her anxiety...
"Don't get me wrong, I was so happy that I finally understood and got to know all about you...and that should have been the end of that…"
"But when Reinhard-san and Crusch-san came and told me all about the impending war...and you being a major factor in stopping it...I got so scared...my heart couldn't take it...imagining you going to the front lines...and getting hurt...or worse…"
At this point, Shion cried her heart out as Subaru abruptly sat up and wrapped the poor lass into his arms.
"...and then you broke down...you cannot fathom how it further broke my heart...seeing you like that...how you cried in anguish..."
"...and even when they left without having an answer from you...I know...that you want...save them nevertheless..."
"Can I...be a little selfish and tell you...to not go...and stay with me?"
At this point, Shion slowly pushed herself out from his loving embrace and cupped his face with her hands—with a pleading look, she voiced her selfish wish:
"Please love...just be with me..."
"Stay with me..."
"...and if they still insist on letting you go..."
"...then let's go to Kararagi..."
"Let's just go to Kararagi...and escape and leave all of these behind...and be together..."
"So, please...Subaru..."
"Don't go..."
Her moist orange eyes pierced through his soul as she begged him to not take his "friends'" offer. Sometimes, he internally curses his soft and altruistic nature—which caused him countless deaths just to save those he "used" to cherish.
As much as his entire being urges him to deny it, his logical mind and heart cannot overcome one simple fact: countless lives will perish if he'll do nothing, all because of Vincent's questionable motives...
"Shion-tan...I love you...more than anything...more than life itself. There is nothing I want more than anything but to run away with you..."
"I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Showering you all the love that I can give and then some..."
"I cherish you. Adore you. I am so enamoured by your presence alone. A simple touch sends shivers to my spine..."
"But..."
Shion looked at him with bated breath as the black-haired knight struggled to formulate the next set of words that could make or break their lives forever.
"...we can't let those lives die...not if we can help it..."
"...I really...really...don't want to go...to go back to hell...and be around people that forgotten me..."
"..I'm really sorry Shion-tan...but we have to save them..."
Shion cried and wailed even further as she clung to the nasty-eyed boy tightly—as though he would disappear at that point.
"I know...but I can't bear imagining you getting hurt again...it reminds me of the time when I first met you..."
"All alone...being a bloody mess...barely alive...my heart could not take it seeing you in that state again, my love...I can't...I just can't..."
As he rubbed circles at her back and softly kissed her cheek repeatedly, his guilt amplified as he remembered that fateful day...that day where everything that he worked so hard was thrown away by Louis Arneb...
...and how Shion saved him.
True...Subaru was erased from the annals of history...
...but from what was lost from him, he gained something precious, something so valuable that even the kingdom's treasury could not even equal up to...
He found LOVE. Pure, unadulterated, and sincere love.
And he'll be damned if it will be taken away from him.
Slowly, he lift himself and looked at the distraught elf with warm and sincere eyes—hoping his message will come across to her.
"...but it was at that moment, you came into my life, with no warning, like a flash of light. When you saved me, I watched as my future rewrote itself. Little by little, my shattered heart and soul slowly healed itself and learned to love again..."
"So please Shion...please don't think that I'm doing this because of them...I'm doing this for you..."
Confusion was etched on the green-haired elf as soon as he said that. As she was about to ask him what he meant, Subaru simply smiled and rubbed his thumbs across her cheeks—in order to wipe her tears.
"I don't want to leave our 'safe haven' and go to another country...I want to fight for the peace and love that I have now because it is worth fighting for..."
"...even if we do travel to Kararagi or even Gusteko, my horrible past will keep on following me until I'll settle it once and for all..."
"Besides..."
"...I always want to show off my 'lovable goofball' of a girlfriend. I'm so lucky to be in love, over and over again..."
"I can't hide from my past for long...so it's better to face it and close that chapter once and for all...so I can focus my love and attention to our future together, Shion-tan..."
"So, I'll save them...but I'm not doing it for honour, fame, or any great title...I'm doing it so that we'll be safe to live the rest of our lives together..."
"...so please, don't fret, my love...just like you said...we're a team..."
"As you are here for me, I'm always here for you too, forever and ever..."
"I am yours, and yours alone..."
As it was a perfect moment, Subaru kissed the elf, softly and sensually—taking great care as to not to be too rough on her. As soon as he finished, he gazed upon her—as she was rendered speechless and started to well-up again, but this time, with tears of pure happiness.
"...Thank you...thank you for loving me...Subaru...I can't...I can't..." Shion stuttered as Subaru kept on kissing her to show his affection and care towards her.
"What a silly girl, doubting my love for her like that...she must have been so scared that I might leave her for Emilia and the others..." Subaru thought as he continued to shower her with kisses and hug her tight.
No way in hell that he'll leave this great life he had now and return to that accursed fate...
Finally, he gently raised her chin with his hand and gazed upon those serene orange eyes that sparkled with the rays of the moonlight.
Awestruck and left him momentarily speechless, Subaru delivered the final blow to break her doubts away...
...
...
"I love you...Shion Natsuki..."
...
...
...
...and they kissed...
...
...
...
...and kissed...
...
...
...
...and kissed...
...
...
...
...
...
...that night...two hearts became one...as the couple danced under the moonlight...
Subaru looked at his own reflection—surveying his own body and tracing it with his fingers...
He was covered in bruises and scratches...all over his body.
Normally, he would grimace and felt so ashamed on what happened that caused it to appear and mark all over his body, resulting him to hate himself ever further. As disgusted as he was with these "marks", he would hide them under his shirt and jacket. Then he'll go on with his day either concealing it or loathing himself even more..
...
...
...
So...
...
...
...
...why was he blushing and lightly squealing like an idiot in front of the mirror!?
...
...
...
Indeed, he was ridden with scars and bruises, but this time, for different reasons...
As he traced red bite marks on his neck and chest, the black-haired boy could see the light scratches on different places on his back: above and on his shoulder blades, his upper back, and his waist.
" If an ultraviolet-ray scanner exists on this world, I wonder what my face would looked like..." he chuckled and blushed furiously as he remembered the "nightly excursion" they did last night...
As he let his fingers trace upon his chest, his vision focused on the jewelry that's strapped on his right ring finger. It was the only thing he brought with him when he was running away for his life from Garfiel and Ram.
The Vollachian ring sparkled with the rays of sunlight as it shimmered at the mirror—a gift from Vincent once they successfully 're-throned' him back.
It's very lucky that he had this piece of jewelry, as it solved his problems of mana sickness. Even more than now that his 'contract' with Beatrice was broken due to Gluttony.
"Still, knowing him...it really doesn't make sense as to why he instigated a war against Lugunica without any logical explanation..."
"Su~baru, breakfast's ready! Get in here, you slowpoke..."
...as if he wasn't grinning like a doofus, his smile grew as he heard her calling him to come—breaking off from his thought process.
"I wonder what's she looks like after THAT..." he mumbled as he descended and approaches to the dining area to greet Shion...
...said elf was almost finished preparing the table as she sets plates of pancakes on each side of the table. Subaru observes her as she was wearing his shirt while finishing the bacon and toast. He can see the hickeies he gave to her across her neck—which was emphasized due to her glowing complexion.
Slowly, he cast down his eyes towards her lower side as he stared at her long white legs. Moments later he starts to noticed that she's slightly limping as she walked from the table and counter.
...I wonder why?
Furiously blushing as he knows the answer to it, he must have been staring at her intently as she turned around and gave him a bright smile that shines all around the kitchen/dining area.
"Go~od morning love...What took you so long? Still need to release something?" she playfully winked as she enjoyed watching him blushed faster like a appa.
Biting his lower lip and exhaling slowly, the nasty-eyed boy prevented himself from gushing and squealing at her. "It's early in the morning and we're starting with the surprise attacks?" he slightly groaned as her sweet affection was really addicting and too overwhelming for his poor heart. "Not that I hate it..."
"Well, to be fair, you we're a little too rough last night... Man, you really 'ate me until you're satisfied', huh?" she pursed her lips and batted her eyes at him—further making him a blushing mush.
Speechless against her flirting, the "red"-faced knight slowly stumbled his way to his seat and calm his raging heartbeat.
"Man, someone finally at par on me on the teasing department...it's really weird to be teased and flirted at.." he muttered as he desperately continued to appease his pulse.
She was a beautiful mess. An abstract of different colors turbulently meshing into something so amazing that words don't do justice to even describe her.
Warm. Sweet. Goofy. Beautiful. Affectionate.
He can go on and on, but in summary, one thought stood above with his mind and heart:
" I love her, so much..."
"So...what's the plan, Subaru?" she tilted her head as she focused her attention to him. "How'll my hero show how awesome he in saving the citizens? Would you come dashing down on a ground dragon? Or maybe beat the Emperor all by himself? Or maybe..."
"Stop! stop! You're making me sound like Reinhard! I'm not some main character in a fantasy world..." he frantically dismissed her as she continued teasing him. "My heart can't take so much sweetness and affection...I think I'm going to burst..."
"Hehehe...but really, how'll will we stop Vincent? He seriously ruined our date the day before..." she pouted as she remembered how dull and depressing the mood was yesterday.
"Honestly, I don't know. But, I think we can think of something once we arrived at the Capital.." he sheepishly replied as he mustered enough courage to look at her in the eye.
"After all...we have each other, and that's what matters to keep moving forward..."
And with that, he leaned and took her lips with his own. Even for a brief moment, everything feels to be okay..
...the affectionate and warm aura returned and continued in the little home as the lovers continued their breakfast...
Author's note:
...and I'm done! Man, such sweetness...my heart can't take it...
Again, thank you for Dorugi and James Sider for beta-reading and editing for me. You guys are awesome. Thank you for your input and the brainstorming session as well.
Thank you guys for constantly supporting this story. Please leave a like and comment on what you think of it so far. I hope you'll continue supporting me...
Lastly, I'll be on a short hiatus again...since I'll be busy with work...really don't know when I'll be back...hopefully not too long :)
And so, see you in the next chapter. Take care...