It started when Rem noticed Subaru had been rolling his shoulders more often.
He appeared to be sore and stiff all over, and it wasn't just that. Whenever he did something that would take even just a tiny bit of effort, he would wince and grimace as he did it. Whether it be washing dishes, moving furniture, or even his radio calisthenics, Subaru would appear to have trouble achieving all those tasks.
Truly, Rem felt guilty seeing Subaru strain himself so much when he assisted her or Ram. It made her frown seeing him constantly look saddened or depressed all by his lonesome, and how he hadn't been open about any of his problems.
Eventually, while she, her sister, and Subaru were sweeping the manor's halls, Rem had enough, and dropped her broom before walking over to Subaru.
"Subaru-kun," she said. "Let me give you a massage."
Subaru blinked. Not exactly sure what to make of her sentence. He chuckled first, thinking it to be a joke. "Okay Rem. What's up? Did Roswaal put you up to this?"
Ram stopped her cleaning as well. "Rem, please do not force yourself to touch Barusu. Look at him, he is perfectly fine."
The blue-haired maid frowned in response. "Sister, Subaru-kun is not fine! Do you not see him overwork himself day by day? Look how sore and tense he is!" Rem then gently patted Subaru's shoulders, making him hiss in pain.
"It's all right! I'm fine, Rem," Subaru groaned. Rem was not convinced.
"Subaru-kun, let me give you a massage," she restated.
Ram rolled her eyes. "If you want your hands to be touching the equivalent of moldy trash, then be my guest Rem. However Barusu, do not even attempt to spin this selfless act by my sister into anything degenerate," Ram warned.
Subaru gasped. "I would never! So wait, you're serious about this Rem?"
Rem nodded. "Of course, Subaru-kun. Let Rem massage you."
Ram again rolled her eyes and sighed. "Ram will be puking her guts out in the nearest toilet. You two have fun."
Rem then began to pull Subaru along to an empty room. Subaru was surprised at first. He wasn't necessarily expecting this. Rem soon entered the room with Subaru in tow, and gave a polite smile.
"All right Subaru-kun. Please take off your clothes."
Subaru blushed and he covered himself. "H-Hold on Rem! W-Wait a minute!"
Rem gave a lovely giggle. "Do not worry. Rem will go and collect some massage oil while you undress yourself. Also, use the blanket on the bed to cover yourself."
Subaru gave a nod, his face relaxing. "A-All right then." Rem then left to go to get some massage oil, and Subaru went to stripping.
"What did I do to deserve this?" he wondered. He pondered on getting rid of his underwear, but decided not as he knew if Ram found out she'd beat him to a pulp. Now lying on the bed face down with a blanket covering him, he awkwardly awaited Rem's return.
She came back shortly after he had just finished undressing, and shook a bottle in her hand.
"Hey Rem," Subaru said. "Why are you doing this?"
Rem smiled in response. "Because I want to, Subaru-kun. And you look like you need it." She poured the oil in her hands, then rubbed it between her palms to warm it up.
"It's just, this is all so sudden," Subaru said wryly. He then flinched suddenly as Rem's hands placed themselves upon his shoulders.
"Subaru-kun. Rem has noticed you have been struggling lately, and Rem wants to do anything to help," she said sentimentally. Subaru couldn't help but smile. It was hard to believe this was the same girl who had hated him for smelling like the witch in previous loops.
She started by rubbing her palms against his shoulder blades softly, seeking out the knots and tense muscles deep within the skin. The massage oil made his back slick and Rem's fingers glide along his skin. As she expected, Subaru was filled with knots and tight muscles. She frowned, knowing that this had probably been going on for a long time.
She then pressed her fingers gently into his shoulder blades, feeling Subaru tense beneath her. She was resting on top of his body but since she was so light, it didn't bother Subaru all that much. However the light pressure of her fingertips against his skin made him groan in discomfort.
"Sorry, but this will probably be a bit uncomfortable," Rem apologized. She rubbed her fingers in a circular motion, slowly undoing the tenseness in his shoulders. Subaru sighed at the action, feeling sore but also some relief wash over him.
Rem continued her ministrations, rubbing her fingers deep into his skin releasing the tension from his muscles. "Are you feeling better Subaru-kun?" she asked.
Subaru nodded. "Mmhm, that feels good," he groaned. A moan almost escaped him when Rem pressed her fingers deep into a particulary stubborn spot.
She then kneaded her fingers into the spot where Subaru's shoulders and neck met. Subaru sighed at the action, feeling himself relax and come undone by Rem's hands.
The blue-haired maid rubbed her palms along the top of his shoulders, squeezing lightly. She then dug her digits into his skin, prodding at the tense muscles making Subaru sigh again. She then moved a bit upwards to his neck and nape, and Subaru couldn't help but release a groan.
"Ohh…that's the spot," he smiled dreamily. "Keep—Keep doing that Rem," he requested.
Rem obliged with a smile, and worked on his nape and neck with her digits, pinching and pressing unleashing the tenseness in his muscles and causing the soreness to disappear.
She then moved along his arms, squeezing at his biceps and loosening the muscles. Subaru sighed as she dug her gentle digits into his palms, and rubbed small circles along his fingers and wrists. She continued this on both arms before moving back to his shoulders.
"Sorry if this is—Ah!—burdening you," Subaru murmured as Rem pressed her fists into his shoulders.
"It's no problem at all, Subaru-kun," Rem assured. She moved lower down his back. Using her fists to press into Subaru's back and knead at the sore muscles. She then used her fingertips to massage at Subaru's spine, making him hum in content.
"Honestly though, you're way too good at this," Subaru complimented. "Have you done this before?"
"Occassionally Roswaal-sama or Sister needed some assitance with their soreness, so Rem helped. However this is the first time I am doing so voluntarily," she explained. She then pressed her fists into the small of Subaru's back, releasing a satisfying pop sound.
"Oh wow!" Subaru exclaimed. "That felt good."
Rem giggled. "It sounded like it did. I'm going to massage your legs now, all right?"
Subaru nodded. "Go ahead."
Rem moved to his thighs first. Feeling the softness yet firmness of them, and molded them in her hands. She squeezed and rubbed at the muscles, feeling the knots and tension melt away. Subaru was fully relaxed now, practically sinking into the bed. Rem also massaged his hip bones, and made sure to get every last knot kneaded out.
She moved lower, squeezing at his legs and rubbing circles along his calf, before eventually reaching his feet where she squeezed gently. Pinching along his muscles, she felt Subaru loosen up and become less stiff as she molded him like clay.
Going over his body one final time, Rem saw that there were no more knots or tangles within his system of muscles, and smiled to herself at a job well done. Though she did decide to go one step further, and massage his jaw and cheekbones. Subaru's eyes were growing drowsy, and he yawned long as Rem rubbed at his forehead.
"Are you feeling better Subaru-kun? Was my massage successful?" Rem asked. Subaru however stayed lying on the bed, snoring softly.
Rem giggled before reaching down and softly kissing his temple. "I'll take that as a yes."
She got up off the bed, and gave one last loving look before leaving Subaru to nap, fully refreshed due to Rem's massage.