It was a bright and sunny day, Rem thought as she finished trimming the last of many shrubs at Roswaal's Manor. As she clipped one last leaf off of a shrub, she raised her arm to block the rays of sunlight from reaching her eyes. Basking in the warmth and simply thinking.

Around four weeks had gone by since the day that the Wolgarms within the forest bordering Irlam Village were wiped out. The day that the children had been saved with the help of her sister and Subaru-kun.

It was also the day that her hero and the one who saved her - from bodily harm and falling into her guilt - had given another lifeline to cling on. A bright light in the vast, mental abyss she found herself in. One without nearly as much remorse and guilt as before.

A hand landed on Rem's shoulder, breaking her out of her mental reflection. Rem turned her head to the side the hand was on and- "Ah, nee-sama." Ram stood beside Rem with her normal and perfect disposition.

However, an undertone of a frown was present on her face. "Rem," her sister started, "have you seen Barusu today?" Rem paused, setting down the hedge trimmer to think.

Right. She had brushed it off earlier, but Subaru-kun notably was not present for breakfast today. She had thought that he was simply sleeping in and would eat later, along with continuing his part of the housework with Ram at that time. However, he hadn't been seen at all since yesterday?

How strange.

"Nee-sama, did you check his room?" Rem asked.

The pink-haired oni shook her head. "No, Roswaal-sama did. And he told me that something happened to Barusu." Eh? Something had happened to Subaru-kun?

It seemed that her concern had shown on her face, as Ram had a frown again, but it was far more prominent than before. Rem stared at Ram with concern, "What happened nee-sama? What happened to Subaru?"

Ram paused for a moment, thinking for a moment before solemnly saying, "Barusu is…"

How awful. Horrendous. Absolutely terrible. Nothing else was as bad as this. Rampant disease, unsettling unrest in towns, anarchy within the Kingdom, or the livelihoods of many hanging by loose thread wasn't as bad as what had happened. Frankly, it was the worst possible thing that Rem could ever imagine happening.

Well, witch cultists appearing and then destroying everything she loved would have been enough to incense her emotions to the same and quite possibly even a higher level, but that was another thing entirely and besides the point. What she had found out earlier was just plain horrible.

She stood outside Subaru's room, fidgeting with her pristine outfit. A veil of worry clouded her usually polite demeanor. Despite how she usually portrayed herself as a superficially courteous person, she was a maid of action first and foremost.

At this moment, however, she stood still. Wrapped up by her very own lack of action. Just thinking about what could have happened to her hero was enough to make her emotions spur into a frenzy. She wanted to go in and see if he was fine, but if he truly was- no!

She shouldn't think so negatively. With that thought in her mind, she turned to the one person she admired the most...

What, in this situation, would her sister do?

After a tense moment that seemed to last an eternity, she took in a deep breath and readied herself. She placed her hand on the door handle, and with the gentleness only a maiden could display, eased the door open. An impossibly loud creak echoed throughout the hall and filled her eardrums as she slowly entered the room.

It was then that her worry increased tenfold.

Subaru - her hero, savior, and the one she loved - laid in bed, stricken with a case of the common cold. His odd eyes had a watery sheen, even as he valiantly tried and failed to blink the liquid away while staring at the ceiling. His arms laid on his stomach as he rasped a cough out. Mucus dripped out of his nostrils, only for him to snort them back up and then groan morosely. Drool stuck to his chin in a disgusting fashion, a far cry from his usually enthusiastic mannerisms.

Despite these very prominent setbacks, Rem still found him to be rather charming. And that wasn't just her infatuation taking over her rationality. There was just something about the way the water in his eyes accentuated their cute shape even more...

When Subaru noticed the maid staring, he quickly wiped it away with a towel and flashed her a lazy, confident smile.

"Ah, Rem-rin," Subaru said with the energy of an Earth Dragon on its last legs, "I didn't see you come in. Did you finish the rest of the housework?" he asked.

Rem moved, closing the door behind with a soft nudge before nodding and quickly stating, "I rushed over here as soon as I finished your part of the workload, Subaru-kun."

"Ah." Subaru muttered in bewilderment. She blinked, slightly tilting her head to the side. Was he so surprised by her readiness to answer his question? Or the fact that she had completed the rest of the housework for the day? It wasn't much work, at least that was what she personally thought. The routine she had followed for the many years while working at the manor certainly helped with her efficiency, but it was honestly something she felt that anyone could do given enough time and error.

"Eh? What if you get sick, Rem-rin? I feel and look absolutely disgusting right now! Even a strong and unyielding maiden like yourself could get sick if you're not careful!" asked Subaru, looking at her blankly.

She pouted, putting her arms on her hips. "Mou, Subaru-kun. It would hurt me knowing that I wasn't by your side to help you while you're unwell. Besides, don't you know that the power of love defeats all sickness?"

Subaru blinked. "I appreciate your sentiment in these trying times, Rem-rin, but I don't think that's how defeating illness works..." He looked around the room with befuddlement. "Anyway, where is Emilia-tan? I haven't seen her since last night. I hope I didn't get her sick."

Rem's pout increased tenfold as she puffed her cheeks out. Of course Subaru-kun would be talking about another woman in the presence of a woman who loved him. Well, not that she couldn't blame him. As far as she knew, Emilia-sama had left early this morning to attend some Royal Candidate business. She could admit that Emilia-sama's interactions with him were cute, but she wanted to be in her place and experience them for herself-

A loud growl echoed throughout the room, breaking Rem out of her daydream and filling her with confusion. As trepidation filled her, she slowly brandished her Morningstar. Had a mabeast entered the room without either of them noticing? She hadn't smelled anything, so where did that noise come from?

What if it was a mabeast she couldn't smell? It was always a possibility, but she had never encountered such a thing. Was there even such a mabeast that she couldn't smell? Either way, she needed to get in front of Subaru-kun and protect him from it. Considering what had happened a few weeks back, he would definitely be attacked first!

"Erm, Rem-rin," Subaru said with a tinge of embarrassment, "I haven't had breakfast yet. Or lunch."

Ah. Yes. That would certainly explain it. With a small blush on her face, Rem put away her Morningstar. "I'll go to the kitchen and prepare a meal for you. You won't have to wait long, okay Subaru-kun?" she said with a smile.

Without seeing his reaction, she quickly left the room. Walking through the hall, she pondered. What would a sick Subaru-kun like to eat? Soup was a good start for any sick person, she found. However, she didn't think mayonnaise would combine well with that, despite his enjoyment of such a strange thing...

She'd have to consult the rest of the manor's inhabitants. Maybe they'd know something that could help her in her struggle.

After all, the battle for Subaru-kun's hunger and overall well-being was at stake!

As Rem left to go and prepare some food for him to eat, all Subaru could think of was how useless and pathetic he was.

He thought it was going to be a normal day when he woke up. Wake up, get dressed, eat breakfast, do housework, have banter with nee-sama, talk with Emilia-tan, and talk with Rem-rin. He didn't think he was so careless as to get sick. Now the rest of the manor was working while he was in this stuffy room. Sick, and feeling… sorry for himself. Sorry for the fact that he couldn't help and contribute, even though he desperately wanted to.

He tried to get up, but he couldn't even move his legs to get out of bed. Let alone any part of his body that weren't his arms or head. It was like when Beako had drained him of his mana to see if he was an intruder, but with the fatigue dialed up to eleven alongside an uncomfortably warm fever.

He truly felt terrible, more so than before when he was down at his lowest. He wasn't sure if Emilia-tan was here since she was away from the Manor for short periods at a time, but at least Rem-rin was here to keep him company.

For the moment, however, he was alone. There wasn't anything that he could do at the moment. No books to read, no T.V to watch anime on, no game consoles to play with, no magazines.

There was nothing or anything that he could do. Again. Just like in his nightmares, where he couldn't do anything as they-

"No! Don't think like that, Subaru." He softly patted his cheeks with his hands, before taking in a small breath. He couldn't let himself get swallowed by that fear and uncertainty.

Not when he needed to be strong for Emilia-tan and all the others. Especially Rem-rin, after she had opened her heart out to him that one day.

"Was I the one who did this?" Subaru said, gesturing to their intertwined hands. "Like, I grabbed you and never let go?"

Rem looked to the side, before turning back to face him, "Uh, well, not exactly. It, uh…" she paused, as though she was finding the courage to say what she wanted, "It was me to be honest. I was watching you and it looked like you were in pain while you slept, so I…"

He gazed at her with surprise. "You held my hand?"

"It's always so confusing and overwhelming." She earnestly said, holding his hand as he stared her in the eyes. "So I did what would have made me happiest if I was in your place."

Subaru couldn't get that moment out of his head, no matter how hard he tried. Such earnestness and passion coming from Rem-rin as though it were natural. It was that moment which cemented in his memory how genuine she was in her actions.

It was also a reminder that Rem-rin loved him with the intensity of one of Ros-chi's Ul Goa's, despite his own fierce adoration of Emilia-tan.

God, love was truly a confusing thing that he wished he understood more.

A sudden voice whispered into his ear, "Subaru-kun, are you there?"

"Ahh!" Subaru half-yelled and half-rasped, startled by Rem's stealth. Geez, was he so out of it that he didn't notice her even enter and walk up to the side of his bed?

Rem had an apologetic expression as she placed the bowl and spoon on the wooden drawer beside his bed. "Sorry if I startled you, Subaru-kun, but I'm back with some soup." The fragrance of meat and other herbs filled his head as he felt his mouth open and start to drool.

She giggled when she saw his expression. "Well, I'm glad you like it, Subaru-kun. I asked others around the manor for some advice on what to do." Eh? The others helped with this too?

As he picked the bowl up, Subaru stared at the contents with slight apprehension. It looked fine at a glance, but... "Does that mean nee-sama too? Are there any… steamed potatoes here?" he asked, slowly sifting through the broth with his spoon.

No offense to Ram, but since she herself claimed that her best dish was steamed potatoes, he felt that he could be at least somewhat concerned by her contributing to it as well.

"No, sis didn't add anything in. She helped me make the soup." said Rem, shaking her head in understanding. Well, with that inquiry answered...

With slow movements, he lifted the spoon past his lips, into his mouth, and swallowed the broth. Smooth and rich. The familiar taste of meat touched his tongue and filled his vying stomach as he drank in more of the delectable soup.

All the while, Rem stared at him. Unflinching and unmoving as she watched him with rapt attention. Quickly, he felt his cheeks tinge as he fervently gulped down the rest of the soup.

He set down the empty bowl with a satisfied smile on his face. "Ah, that was great, Rem-rin! I'm sorry for doubting nee-sama for even a moment!" He patted his stomach with delight.

Rem smiled brightly, "I'm glad you enjoyed it, Subaru-kun. I'm sure the ones who helped me would be happy too. What else was there… right!" She pulled out a small flask from her skirt and held it out for him. "Roswaal-sama gave this potion to me on the way over here. He said that you need to take it after eating something so that the effects can take over faster."

"Oh. I see," Subaru said curiously. As she easily uncorked the lid, he examined the opaque, mysterious blue liquid inside. This would make him better? He didn't know how remedies and other things worked in this world yet beyond simple means, so he mentally shrugged. It was probably some magic concoction anyway.

"Say ah, Subaru-kun." Rem said. He complied, letting out a small "ahh" as the liquid flowed down his mouth and through his throat. It tasted bitter and sour, not unlike most of the other medicines that Subaru had taken back in his old world. Yet, it had a small undertone of… blueberry? It had been so long since he had eaten one but it definitely tasted fairly similar to it, at least.

Almost immediately after swallowing the rest of the potion, he let out a sigh of relief. "I already feel better, Rem-rin! I feel like my body's gone into overdrive! I might even be able to run laps around the manor," he paused, looking at his sleeping legs, "Well, if I could move them around."

"I'm happy you feel better already, Subaru-kun." She flashed him a small smile, before beginning to fidget with her dress nervously. Wait, Subaru thought. What was she doing? Did she want a reward? He cycled through multiple things in his mind, discarding idea after idea until...

Aha! Perfect. He had just the thing.

"Rem, come here next to me. I have something I want to give you, if you trust me." He motioned to his side with a smile. She looked up. and seeing his expression shuffled closer with excitement. "Ah, can you tilt your head a bit?" She nodded, tilting her head downwards.

He extended his hand out. He paused halfway towards her head. Did he really want to do this? An uncertain moment of silence passed. And then another. After mulling through his thoughts, he came to a conclusion. Fuck it, he thought to himself.

In a swift motion, the boy placed his hand on Rem's head and affectionately patted it. Something which she wholeheartedly accepted with a blush. His fingers ran through her blue locks of hair, delicately making sure to not mess with her red ribbon or maid headband. Small, barely audible noises left her as she voiced her satisfaction. She nuzzled up against his hand, enjoying his tender touch.

Sadly, the other effects of the potion began taking effect. Subaru withdrew his hand from her head, making sure to not mess with her hair any further, and she let out a sound of discontent.

"I'm feeling pretty sleepy." He stared at her with an expression of fatigue as he felt himself reclining into the bed further. Rem nodded, flashing him a smile. She stood up and dusted off her outfit before-

"Wait," he started, his cheeks flush with embarrassment as he met her eyes, "I have something that I want you to do, Rem-rin." She paused. Wordlessly and silently staring with understanding, waiting for him to say his request.

"Rem-rin," he shamelessly extended his hand out, "can you hold my hand until and while I sleep, if only for a little bit? Like you did that one night." He…

He didn't want to deal with the nightmares alone. At least, not physically.

It took a bit for the request to process in Rem's head. When it did though, she gave Subaru a gentle smile. "Of course, Subaru-kun. You don't even have to ask."

She intertwined her hands with his and a warm, content smile formed on his face. Her thumb ran over the back of his hand as he felt his eyes drifting away.

It didn't take long for Subaru to get taken away to dreamland soon after.

In a dimly lit room, Rem stared down at a peacefully sleeping Subaru. Sitting beside him like this, she felt like a guardian angel, watching over him. She felt happy to be in his presence. Happy that she could help Subaru relax and drift off to a great sleep.

And she stayed there like that for another hour or two, holding onto his hand and watching him sleep. He was so cute, she noted as his chest rose and fell from his soft breathing with a rhythm similar to clockwork.

She looked out of the window. Ah, it was almost dinner time. She turned to face Subaru one last time, the grip of uncertainty taking hold of her. With a pleased smile, she gave him a soft, chaste kiss on his forehead before silently exiting his room.

As she walked through the halls, she started a mental checklist. The first thing Rem would do, she noted, was check on him tomorrow. If Subaru was still sick, then she would take care of him like she did today, whether he fretted about it or not.

Because, as they had discussed many weeks before, the both of them needed to lean on each other as they moved forward in life together.

Sup, peeps. It's been a while since I've published a fic on any of the "main'' sites (FF/AO3/Wattpad/etc). I personally don't think the quality is all that great since I rarely - if ever - write these types of fics and I consider myself to be a wet blanket regarding this stuff, but who knows. I also went through five different drafts for this, but I found that they all fell flat on their fucking face so yeaaaah. At the very least, I know that I tried my damndest, so that's what matters in the end I guess

not really but whatever lmao

I hope you all enjoyed it.