"Emilia-tan. You know you don't have to do this."
Sitting on the floor, cross-legged, Subaru held his hands in his lap as Emilia sat behind him. Using her delicate fingers, she rubbed and kneaded the raven-haired man's shoulder muscles.
"But you've looked soooo tense recently! You look like you reeeaaally need it," Emilia argued. She then pressed her thumb deep into the base of Subaru's neck, causing him to wince.
"Hah! M-Me? Tense? Not a chance! I'm doing just fine, Emilia-tan. There's nothing wrong at all. You worry too much." Subaru continued to deflect Emilia's concerns. Just like yesterday.
And the day before that. And the day before that. And the day before that. Every day for the past month Emilia had asked Subaru if everything was all right, and the boy would respond with a cheerful smile and a thumbs up before boisterously declaring that everything was fine.
Emilia bought it for the moment, but recently, Subaru's behavior had only increased her worries. How he would often shut himself off from everyone else. How he would barely show any emotion. It frightened and saddened Emilia. But it also made her angry.
Angry at herself for not doing anything about it sooner.
"Subaru, you can tell me anything," Emilia assured, right as she pinched the underside of Subaru's neck. "I won't make fun of you or laugh at you. I'll support you all the way."
Subaru opened his mouth to speak. Even though nothing came out, he could practically hear himself.
"I wish I could tell everything to you," is what he wished to say.
Subaru wished he could be honest. He wished he could tell her all that was bothering him. About Return By Death. About the times he died. About all of the struggles and obstacles he had to face.
But he couldn't. He had to stay silent for all of it. Stay silent during his suffering.
Emilia frowned when she felt Subaru tense in her hold. Deciding to take action, Emilia without warning wrapped her arms around Subaru's torso. Subaru was surprised by this act. He was surprised by most physical affection nowadays. Most of the time worrying if the person doing so would suddenly stab him in the back or strangle the life out of him. But this was Emilia. He shouldn't be scared of her.
Yet when she wrapped her arms around him, he flinched. Trying to get away from her which shocked Emilia, making her gasp. A pang of guilt struck his heart. A faint tear leaked out of the corner of his eye. But Emilia didn't hold it against him one bit. As she wrapped her arms around him again. Gentler this time.
"I-I'm sorry," Subaru stuttered, voice shaky. "I-I didn't mean—"
"Sshh…" Emilia hushed. She tightened her hold. But not in a rough manner. No, this was more like a warm hug one would receive from their parent. She nuzzled her face into the back of Subaru's neck. He could feel her breath tickle his skin, sending goosebumps all over his body. "It's all right. You're safe now. You don't have to be scared."
Subaru's lips quivered. He hung his head low, gulping and taking a deep breath. "W-What are you talking about, Emilia-tan? I'm not scared. What gave you tha—"
"Sshh…" Emilia hushed again. "You don't need to hide what you're feeling, Subaru. Come here."
Maneuvering herself to his side, Emilia gave an angelic smile. "I'll be here for you. Always. Like you've been there for me." She beamed at him. Expressing her gratitude towards her compassionate knight.
Subaru blushed as she stared at him. It appeared as though her pupils were piercing into his soul. It took all Subaru had to not burst into tears right then and there. His heart's shivering coldness was replaced with a delightful warmth. And it reminded Subaru that he had someone to lean on. Someone he could rely on. Someone who could help him. Maybe not with everything, but she would still try her best to assist him. No matter what.
And it wasn't just Emilia. There was Beatrice too. And Ram, Otto, Garfiel, Petra, Frederica. They adored Subaru. And he adored them.
Remembering all those who gave him a kind smile, Subaru couldn't help but smile as well. Seeing this, Emilia took the opportunity to press her palm on the back of Subaru's head, guiding him gently to her lap.
"Eh? Emilia-tan?" Subaru was confused as his cheek landed against her soft thighs. Emilia only giggled.
"Don't you like having your head on my lap? You've said before you love having this as a reward…" she said. Her fingers stroked Subaru's thick locks. Gliding through the hair as if it were butter.
"B-But I haven't done anything to deserve it…" Subaru murmured. His brows furrowed as he thought back to all he's done recently.
"You don't need to," Emilia said softly. "I'm doing this because I want to. So please…"
Emilia leaned down so that her lips were just barely touching Subaru's ear. Subaru looked up to see her gentle face peer down at him. Anticipating what she would say next.
"Let me help you, as you've helped me."
And with those final words spoken, the dam finally broke.
Warm, salty tears flowed from Subaru's eyes. He grit his teeth together as he finally let loose the emotional baggage he had been hiding for so long.
"That's it. Let it alllll out," Emilia cooed. Subaru continued to sob into her lap, just like he did when he first arrived at this mansion, after dying so many times.
"I-I'm sorry!" he cried. "I-I'm so sorry!"
"There's nothing to apologize for," Emilia whispered. "You did nothing wrong."
Those comforting words only made Subaru cry more. He hugged Emilia as tight as he could, never wanting to let go.
Subaru continued to wail into her lap. His tears staining her clothes as he buried his face in them. He expressed his fears and worries to her, and Emilia listened to each and every one. And responded with a calming reassurance shortly after.
Soon, Subaru was close to falling asleep. Eyes drained of all their tears. Emilia felt happy. Happy that Subaru opened up to her, and that she could comfort him.
She gave him a soft kiss to the temple, before whispering one last thing to his ear before she let him rest.
"Good night, Subaru. Sleep well. I love you."
His lips curved into a smile, before he finally let himself succumb to a peaceful slumber.