Re:Zero FF Beatrice Heart Crossing

Chapter 18: A Resplendent Reunion

The rays of morning sun shimmered across the horizon as the quiet sounds of the forest rang out along the road from the village. One foreign sound echoed clearly above the others as a land dragon trudged along pulling a familiar cart from the village. Inside the cart a red faced Subaru replayed the events that led to his current situation. Subaru had woken up to the first stirring of life in the woods and found Kobe waiting for him. After saying his goodbyes to the village chief, Subaru found that the cart had been prepared for his early departure. The whole situation seemed like it was catered for him and he said as much to the cat girl attending the land dragon stable. The yawning cat girl answered with shimmering eyes as she informed him of her duty.

Stable Cat Girl: "Kobe came over last night and asked if I would get up early to see you off. He said it was clear after talking with you that this was a mission of love! How could I try to stand in the way of that?! Run to her! Go on!"

Meanwhile, back in the cart, Subaru slapped his cheeks and covered his face as he tried to block out the memories of both the morning and his sake-inspired fawning the night before. After some time passed, he decided to worry later on about the rumors that were undoubtedly started. His current thoughts were focused solely on Beatrice and the anticipation was making his hands tremble with excitement. He thought that maybe Adella was on to something when she suggested that absence would make the heart grow fonder. With his goal within reach, it wasn't long before the cart made its way up the hill and the castle came into view. The cart slowly pulled up out front of the castle doors and Subaru stood up and adjusted the tunic that he had borrowed from Kobe. Grabbing his bag, he dismounted the cart and approached the ground dragon to give a snack and his thanks. Suddenly, the wind carried a small sound past the castle doors.

?: "Su...ru…"

Subaru quickly turned around to see what the sound was but was greeted by the empty area in front of the castle. He scratched his head as he grabbed his bag and rushed towards the door of the castle. However, as he started to jog, a small gust of wind blew behind him and forced against his back causing him to lose his balance.

?: "Su…ru…"

As he came tumbling to the ground face first, Subaru thought he heard the sound again. He laid on the ground for a few moments trying to process what was happening. The sound along with the wind forcefully knocking him over reminded him of something he had experienced many times before. Standing up, he spoke as he wiped off his clothes.

Subaru: "Could it be?"

Subaru walked away from the castle and past the cart to face the hillside opposite of the castle. It was the same hill that he had created a trail on when he took Beatrice to forage for berries. He painted the area with his gaze while trying to determine the source of the sound. It wasn't long before he laid eyes on the culprit in the distance. Standing atop the hill among the tall grasses was none other than Beatrice. She was wearing a short sleeved frilly light yellow dress with white sashes pinned with small yellow bows wrapped around the skirt and a large white ribbon around her midsection that concluded in a large bow upon her back. She complimented her ensemble with yellow and white striped stockings, glossy yellow buckle shoes, white gloves, and a small sun parasol that was of the same material and pattern as her dress skirt. Her flaxen hair shimmered in the early morning light and was tied into her twin drills. She was looking slightly to the side and had her free hand loosely curled into a fist that she coyly rested in front of her lips. As he absorbed the scene in front of him, Subaru felt the strap of his bag fall from his hand. His legs propelled him forward before he realized it as his body scrambled up the hill towards Beatrice. The small spirit watched nervously as Subaru came to a halt a few feet in front of her and met her gaze. The tall grasses danced while a gust of wind blew across the area and the two lovers stood in silence. Beatrice slowly parted her lips to speak, but was pushed backwards as Subaru stepped forward and lifted her by her under arms. Beatrice stiffened as she let her parasol roll away out of surprise. Subaru stared deeply into her eyes and, although she was embarrassed, she could not avert her gaze. Sensing the time was right, Subaru leaned his head forward and greedily took her slightly parted lips with his own. The soft feeling along with the familiar scent from her hair filled his heart with a warmth that threatened to overwhelm his senses. Beatrice affirmed his actions through tightly squeezing him with her arms in a soft embrace around his neck. They stayed intimately locked in this position for a few minutes as they reacquainted themselves with the warmth of one another. It was Subaru who finally pulled back his face to catch his breath. Before he could try to speak, Beatrice placed her hands on his cheeks and looked at him with fiery determination in her eyes.

Beatrice: "Again."

Subaru: "Huh?"

Beatrice: "Not enough, I suppose. Do it again, in fact."

Subaru: "DDMU is it…"

Beatrice: "Hu-"

Interrupting her inquisition into his strange words, Subaru reconnected with her lips. Not wanting to be upstaged, this time it was Beatrice who fiercely and eagerly took control of the pace. The second kiss was just as intense than the first but ended much too soon for Beatrice, who proceeded to furrow her brow before speaking again.

Beatrice: "Again."

Subaru playfully eyed the indignant girl who made her same demand over again from the safety of his arms. An afterglow of pink was spread across her face and Subaru guessed that his cheeks were no better. He softly smiled at Beatrice before answering her request once more. What the third kiss lacked in passion, it compensated for affection. The casual pace allowed the couple to sear the memory completely in their minds as their hearts syncopated to create a new sound altogether. After separating, Subaru looked into Beatrice's moistened eyes and could tell that she had been satiated for now. He lowered her slender frame to a seated position on the ground before retrieving her parasol and joining her. Sporting rare doe eyes, Beatrice observed the surrounding area and exhaled happily. After absorbing the moment, Subaru gently took her gloved hand in his own and nonchalantly brought up the question on his mind.

Subaru: "Beako, why are you out here? Not that I mind personally."

Beatrice: "Well, I wasn't sure if we would… kiss… and I wanted some privacy, I suppose."

The couple blushed as the word kiss emerged in conversation. Participating in the action was one thing, but now the passion was waning and leaving room for embarrassment. To prevent an awkward silence, Subaru forced a nervous response.

Subaru: "Erhem… Is that so? I guess Niki and Adie wouldn't be able to stay quiet if we kissed like that in the castle."

Beatrice: "Indeed. This is my favorite spot and proved quite convenient for catching you before you entered the castle, in fact."

His attention was brought to their location as Subaru surveyed the area. He quickly remembered the spot from the night he returned from the forest with Beatrice.

Subaru: "This is your favorite spot? This is where we watched fireworks, right? I carried you back while you dozed off."

Beatrice pursed her lips while she squeezed Subaru's hand. Instinctively looking down towards Beatrice, he was met with an extraordinarily pouty face.

Beatrice: "Betty does not 'doze off', I suppose. She is a lady, in fact."

Mustering his most apologetic tone, Subaru bowed his head and responded.

Subaru: "Sorry, I meant to say that I carried you while you rested. You were obviously exhausted after exerting yourself with your maidenly duties. Such as picking berries and chasing after wild animals."

Beatrice folded her arms and turned away from Subaru in response. The boy regretfully clenched the hand that had previously been held by hers. After a few moments, Beatrice muttered in a huff.

Beatrice: "So rude. To think, I let you put your filthy l-lips on me, I suppose."

Subaru: "Sorry about that, I missed you. A lot."

Beatrice: "Erk!?"

Taken by surprise at his honesty, Beatrice quickly unfolded her arms and turned to face Subaru. Without meeting her eyes, Subaru continued speaking.

Subaru: "I was worried about how you were going to handle being apart but when it came time to sleep alone, I couldn't stand to spend another moment away from you. Sorry for assuming that you'd be the weak one."

Shocked by his admission, Beatrice's face went a bright crimson up to her ears. She closed her eyes and grabbed his arm with her hands before leaning over and resting her head against him.

Beatrice: "You are an irredeemable idiot, I suppose. But I love you very much, in fact."

Now it was Subaru's turn to be surprised. Her words made his heart fill with heat but he decided to stay quiet and let Beatrice explain.

Beatrice: "Betty could not stand it either, in fact. She was quite the mess... I wanted to see you so badly that I came and waited out here as soon as I woke up, in fact. I was also mean to Niki and Adella…"

Subaru: "Did you apologize?"

Beatrice: "Of course. Niki and I are a little closer now, I suppose. She's quite the dependable individual. I learned something about Betty too, in fact."

Subaru: "Oh? What was that?"

Beatrice: "I don't want to spend time away from you, I suppose. At least not anytime soon, so can I make a selfish request, in fact?"

Subaru: "What is it?"

Beatrice: "Please don't leave my side ever again, in fact!"

The sudden yell startled Subaru as he jolted and turned to meet the wet eyes of his frazzled girlfriend.

Beatrice: "Maybe someday I'll be okay with it, but for now I must forbid it, in fact. I know it's supposed to make us stronger, but I love you too much, I suppose."

A warm smile was plastered on Subaru's face in contrast to Beatrice's expectations. While it helped to alleviate her worries, she waited restlessly for his response.

Subaru: "I love you too, Beako. I guess we're quite the pair… but I agree. If being apart is a strength, then it's a strength that I don't want to have. Let's be weak together."

The boy grinned as he spoke the last sentence and offered his hand out to the anxious spirit. Fighting back tears, Beatrice swatted his hand away and embraced him instead. Subaru sofly engulfed her with his arms and continued to speak.

Subaru: "I can't avoid going back to the village to help build our stage, but I promise to only be gone during the day and I'll take you with me when possible. Otherwise, I'm Betty's Subaru full time. Will you accept my terms?"

Her embrace unwavering, Beatrice whispered her answer into Subaru's ear.

Beatrice: "That will be acceptable, I suppose. On one condition, in fact."

Subaru: "What can I do for you?"

Beatrice: "Kiss me… more often, I suppose! I am a maiden, but even I… want to do things like that from time to time, in fact…"

Subaru gulped as his face flushed at Beatrice's admission.

Subaru: "Have you been talking to Ricardo…"

Beatrice: "Huh?"

Subaru: "Nothing! I'll try to… kiss you more often. So let's get along!"

Subaru awkwardly bowed to Beatrice after he nervously forced out his words. The girl looked at him in confusion before giggling.

Beatrice: "Hehe!"

Subaru: "What's so funny?"

Beatrice: "Sometimes you sound so mature and it takes my breath away, I suppose. Then you bark like that and remind me of the animal that you are, in fact."

Although she was belittling him, her embrace tightened. They stayed sitting on the hilltop for a while longer and discussed the events that occurred while they were apart. Once they had caught up, they continued to sit and hold hands while the sun slowly moved to the center of the sky. Surmising it was about lunchtime, Subaru squeezed Beatrice's hand and proceeded to help her up. The two expressed their surprise at how fast the time had passed and made their way back to the castle doors. Subaru picked up his bag and gingerly pushed open the doors into the foyer with Beatrice in tow. He stopped and sorted through his bag before pulling out the axe that Ricardo had given him yesterday. Subaru unwrapped it and gently placed it on a shelf as if proudly displaying it. A small tug at his wrist drew his attention to Beatrice who had a puzzled look on her face. Anticipating her question, Subaru answered her preemptively.

Subaru: "Ricardo let me keep the axe I worked with. I'm a little proud of it."

Beatrice: "If you must have trophies, it's fine, I suppose."

Subaru: "Other trophies pale when compared to you, Beako."

Beatrice: "H-huh?"

Subaru innocently teased Beatrice, but the girl mistook his playful jeering for honest words and turned beet red. It was at this inopportune time, that Adella entered the foyer to offer her greetings. Upon seeing Beatrice, a devilish smile crossed the head maid's face as her cheeks turned pink.

Adella: "M-masters! I didn't mean to intrude!"

Subaru: "Adie! You know that's not what's happening! Since when do you stutter or blush?"

Adella: "Is this not the type of head maid you prefer whilst being caught in a romantic tryst?"

Subaru placed his palm over his face and exhaled deeply. They had only made it to the foyer before encountering their first misunderstanding. While he lamented Adella's keen sense for misreading the room, Niki poked her head into the room. Beatrice, who was silent for the initial encounter, decided to interject.

Beatrice: "T-tryst! You must mean what happened outside, I suppose!"

Subaru: "Beako! Stop talking!"

Adella: "Fufufu, please do tell! What happened outside, Lady Beatrice?"

Beatrice's eyes were spinning while Subaru prepared to interrupt her before she could answer. However, someone else spoke up before he could. The group turned to see Niki with her head tiled in confusion.

Niki: "Della, why are ya askin'? Ya were just upstairs looking out there with those binoculars."

Adella: "That's not-"

Beatrice: "GRRR!"

The room went silent as all eyes turned to Beatrice to see her reaction. Her face had contorted into a wry scowl as she gave Adella a death stare. Niki and Adella had long chipped away at her private moments, but this was too far. Subaru softly spoke to try and quell the impending storm.

Subaru: "Beako… stay calm."

The boy's words went unheard as the small spirit's hands began to glow with mana. Unable to get a word in, Adella bowed and swiftly ran from the room. Beatrice began to march forward but her path was blocked by Niki who put her arms out and confidently announced.

Niki: "Calm down, best friend. She didn't have no binoculars. Or at least she wasn't usin' em just now."

The mana evaporated from Beatrice's hands as the girl stood dumbfounded in front of the cat girl's toothy grin. Beatrice's pure rage was now targetless and she exhaled in exasperation and raised her inquiry with Niki.

Beatrice: "I don't understand, Niki, I suppose."

Niki: "Della was bullyin' ya again. So, Niki decided to pull a prank of her own! Maybe she'll think twice before meddlin' next time? How ya two decided to greet each other is yer business."

The cat girl casually winked at Beatrice and Subaru before skipping out towards the dining room. After seeing the situation resolved, Subaru addressed Beatrice.

Subaru: "That was… pure evil. Remind me to never make Niki want to prank me... But I can't believe she would be interested in privacy. Is this part of what happened between you two?"

It was then that Subaru noticed the change in Beatrice's demeanor. Despite her whirlwind of emotions since entering the castle, Beatrice now wore a beaming smile. She turned her head towards Subaru and giggled as she spoke.

Beatrice: "That's a secret between best friends, in fact!"

Leaving Subaru behind, Beatrice chased after Niki. Subaru thought that the girls definitely seemed closer, but shuddered as he considered the potential trouble that they could cause as a team. The thought left him feeling slightly sorry for Adella. Nevertheless, he made his way to join the girls in the dining room for lunch. Adella eventually returned to serve them and while her initial attitude was standoffish, the childish pestering from Niki and Beatrice soon won her over. The head maid joined in the normal teasing and it seemed that all was forgiven. The group spent the afternoon in the bedroom showing their costumes to Subaru. With the exception of Adella who, much to Beatrice and Subaru's confusion, had been forbidden from presenting her costume by Niki. The events filled the bedroom with cheerful laughter and chatter as things returned to normal. As the sunlight started to disappear from the windows, Subaru and Beatrice leaned against each other on the bed. The two lovers, who had woken up early in order to see each other as soon as possible, started to yawn as they nodded off. Smug laughter from Adella stirred them from their sleepiness as the head maid addressed them.

Adella: "Masters, it would appear that you are once again comfortable… Perhaps it is time for a bath?"

Subaru: "Oh… is it that late already?"

Niki: "Yup! I gotta get goin' anyway, but I'll be back so we can get these lines down! Ya better get some rest."

Beatrice slowly opened her eyes with a slight yawn, but did not pull herself away from Subaru. Upon seeing Niki's intentions to leave, the spirit proceeded to say her farewell.

Beatrice: "Ahhn… Goodbye, Niki, I suppose. Please… come back soon, in fact."

Niki: "Huuu! Aww Bea! Yer so cute when ya ain't bitin' my head off."

Beatrice: "Don't make me regret my choice of words, in fact…"

Niki: "I know whatcha mean, Bea. I'll see ya soon. Ya be good to her mister! I'm outta here!"

Subaru: "Bye, Niki! Say 'Hi' to Mina for me."

Niki: "Can do!"

Niki smiled as she exited the bedroom while Adella left to prepare the bath. Soon after, Beatrice was the first to use the bath and quickly followed by Subaru. Once they had changed into their night clothes, the couple retired to their bed and faced each other while under the blankets. Subaru watched as the cool light fell over Beatrice's tender smile as their eyes met. Although he was still sore from his time working, his elation from being home melted his stress away. Beatrice also felt lighter, as if the weight of anxiety had been removed and she could breathe easier. The girl moved her hand and intertwined her fingers with Subaru's as his eyes became less focused and a dopey grin spread across his face. A similar face that would have once angered her, now was causing her chest to fill with warmth. Her face became flushed as she became self conscious of how close she had become with her contractor. She began to fidget from embarrassment and turn her gaze away. As if reading her thoughts, Subaru leaned his head towards her and pressed his lips delicately against her cheek. Beatrice went rigid as she looked back at the boy wide eyed and noticed that he also had flushed cheeks. After an awkward silence, Subaru tried to explain himself.

Subaru: "You looked like you were starting to overthink things again…"

Beatrice: "That… may have been so, I suppose."

Subaru: "You did say you wanted me to… kiss you more!"

Beatrice: "Betty did indeed say that, in fact."

Subaru: "..."

Beatrice: "..."

Subaru: "Err… Beako?"

Beatrice exhaled lightly before bursting into a quiet giggle. Subaru was speechless as he had rarely heard the girl laugh in such a childish manner. His flushed cheeks slowly became crimson as Beatrice calmed herself and resumed eye contact before speaking.

Beatrice: "Hehe… you are quite the idiot today, I suppose."

Subaru: "Sorry to disappoint you… Jeez."

Beatrice: "Don't be mistaken, I am not disappointed, in fact. I appreciate your effort, it was almost suave. Yet, when one… kisses and becomes more embarrassed than the maiden… the charm becomes laughable, I suppose. Hehe…"

Subaru: "Well I'm still not used to this! Stop laughing! It's hurting my pride as a man!"

Beatrice continued to giggle as Subaru sulked but, to his surprise, Beatrice rolled towards him and began to softly nuzzle his chest. Her actions confused him, but he embraced her nonetheless. After staying connected for a while, Subaru felt her breathing soften and the small spirit whispered to him.

Beatrice: "I love you."

Subaru: "Beako? I love you too."

Beatrice: "Please don't stop trying to... kiss me in the future, I suppose… zzz…"

Subaru: "O-okay…"

Beatrice: "Ahhn… I'll be expecting better attempts though, in fact… zzz…"

With that, Beatrice drifted off to sleep while the sound of her quiet exhaling filled the room. Instead of the usual dejection he felt when being teased, Subaru's heart was left pounding. This side of Beatrice both confused and interested him. While his thoughts replayed visions of the day's events in his head, a placid smile emerged as fatigue steadily took hold of him. And so, the pair of lovers ended their day entangled with one another, both of them anticipating what adventures the next day would bring.

Chapter 18 End