Startled, Subaru's black eyes opened quickly as stormfront shook him.
"wake up, sweetheart We have finally arrived to our destination " She said sweetly looking down at him as he lays on her lap.
Subaru yawned, lifting his head from her lap and sitting up as he mumbled in satisfaction, "That was great. Maybe I should try sleeping more frequently."
Stormfront besid him smiled at his words, her expression turning from one of polite concern to a hint of mischievousness.
"I'm glad you've slept well," she said seductively. Her eyes twinkled with a certain knowing glint as she continued, "Perhaps this is the effect of my lap...Maybe I have other powers in them that I do not yet know about?." There was an insinuation behind her words or maybe just playfulness who knows.
But the sure thing is that Subaru totally fell for it as he felt his heart skip a beat and he blushed at the thoughts that had suddenly popped into his head.
His eyes darted around the interior of the car, unable to meet hers from embarrassment. Subaru took a breath, his gaze shifted back to, and away from Stormfront's, and he squeaked out the words.
"Maybe-- it's- just-- because...it's you "
"hmm? I didn't hear you. say it again this time a little louder~ ." She smiled wickedly in response and leaned further into him. His face turned tomato red as he tried to suppress a nervous chuckle at her shamelessness. Gathering his courage again, he attempted to say.
"M-maybe it's just b—
"Mrs. Stormfront, Mr Maverick," Subaru started at the sound of John's voice from outside the car, cutting through his unfinished words. He looked back to find John standing there with the door open, looking at them with a stern gaze.
Then he continued in a crisp and authoritative tone as he gestured for them both to alight from the car "People are waiting for us inside--we cannot afford to be late." His gaze did not waver as Subaru met it.
"Aww, come on John! You kill joy! Subaru was about to say something important. How dare you interrupt us like that?" Stormfront grumbled adorably, her pout deepened as she shot John a look full of disapproval.
And on the other hand Subaru smirked in amusement, his gaze softening and a newfound admiration emerging from behind those eyes when he gazed back at John.
In his thoughts he retracted what he had said before about hating him – on the contrary, this man in front of him was a real one for saving him in this moment of embarrassment even if he didn't mean it.
...
Suddenly John felt a chill run through his body as he observes the way Subaru's dark eyes are fixed firmly on him. He clears his throat and finds enough courage to ask, "Excuse me, Mr. Maverick, but... why are you looking at me like that?".
His voice emerges evenly and calmly despite how terrified he is internally; yet still he could see that there is no hint of hostility or aggression in Subaru's gaze - only an intensity that one rarely sees in ordinary people.
He responds immediately with a casual air: "Nothing specific. Just looking, and please just call me Subaru no need for formalities between us friends"
John's nausea nearly overwhelmed him as he heard Subaru refer to him as a friend. Because as a matter of facts he was painfully aware of the animalistic nature of Subaru's personality, how it had been formed by his upbringing – if you pleased this monster, he would befriend you; cross him in any way and risk his killing wrath.
In a perverse sense John felt worse because that implied the opposite – that Subaru liked him. But his gut told him otherwise––like all predators, they could turn on their prey at any moment without warning or remorse.
And oh boy, does John feel like a helpless prey before the monster called Subaru?.
Of course he is that's an undeniable facts since Despite his overwhelming strength in controlling heat and cold, he was 100% sure that this would not be of any help against him, why?.
Well, In the past, he had seen with his own eyes people stronger than him people he ordered their death, simply and easily being crushed within a few seconds or perhaps minutes that's if subaru decided to toy with them a little; so if they were unable to escape alive from his clutches then how could he?.
——Or am I just overreacting ?...NO I don't think so.
John shifted his gaze away from Subaru, the monster eagerly waiting for an answer, and instead looked towards Stormfront. He hoped she would understand that he wanted help only with a glance of his eyes.
And Sure enough it worked — and as expected after years of knowing each other all too well, Stormfront got the message loud and clear. Her face alight with understanding as she nodded slowly at him before turning her attention back to Subaru.
Stormfront, meeting Subaru's gaze, gently placed her hands on his shoulders and spoke softly. "Subaru," she murmured, "why don't we let John go inside first? You know, just to check the security of the area and stuff while we take our time to walk around this beautiful forest ~." She gave a little squeeze as if in an effort to coax him into agreeing while also buying time for little poor John.
"But wouldn't it be better if I did it instead of John? It would obviously be safer please I *insist*!." Subaru couldn't help but think that it would be much safer if he were the one to do what needed done, and stubbornly he pressed his lips together and close up.
But no matter how hard he clenched, Stormfront had already managed to slip her finger into his mouth and silence him. She looked in his eyes with a playful smile.
" And another thing thought I wasn't supposed to tell you this now," she whispered, leaning in conspiratorially, her eyes twinkling with barely suppressed excitement. "But John has also been tasked with selecting a special gift for you - something that reflects your unique taste and fantasies. I know he's been working hard on it." She winked and grinned mischievously as she straightened up again.
Subaru's expression was one of pure amazement and excitement. When Stormfront revealed the news, his eyes widened and he exclaimed, "A gift for me?"
He turned around excitedly to look at John, as if seeking confirmation. "Is that true, John?"
——damn you stormfront Did you really have to make it worse for me?
John's brows furrowed in anger, his fists clenched tight at his sides as he tried to contain the wave of emotion that was rising within him. His jaw tightened and he felt tears begin to prick at his eyes. He could hardly stop himself from calling out a string of curses, but with all ounce of strength left in him he managed to keep them inside.
Then He breathed deeply and calmly trying to calm himself down while still maintaining a firm composure on his face which contained just hints of anger and fear betraying the battle waging within him.
John quickly knelt before them and spoke hurriedly.
"Right right... so please excuse me Mr. Maverick and Miss Stormfront, but I have to go," then he bolted from the scene with a burst of energy. He leapt into the shadows of the forest like a wildcat fleeing its prey.
...
"Well that was surprising," Subaru said to him wryly. "He was definitely eager for this reconnaissance mission, for some reason... right Stormfront?"
Subaru's brows rose in surprise as he glanced at Stormfront, who was standing silently next to him. To his shock, she was holding her stomach and shaking with suppressed laughter.
"Is it something I said?" He couldn't help but ask because if it something he said that made her laugh like this he really wanna know.
Stormfront laughed and paused as she looked at Subaru, her expression a combination of mischief and curiosity. "No... I mean maybe, well both actually," she finally said between bursts of laughter.
"now I am confused come on stormfront could you please stop and just tell me what its is ?" he said exasperated impatiently and eager to know.
She finally stopped then shaking her head She leaned in closer to him and lowered her voice conspiratorially. "What!? didn't you feel it when you asked John if he wanted to be your friend? How did he look ... _Inside?"_
Subaru felt himself pause, the word "inside?" echoing through him even though his gaze remained fixed on Stormfront. He thought on her words carefully and cautiously, the gears in his mind turning rapidly as he weighed them and all they could mean.
His eyes fluttered shut ever so briefly before reopening to meet hers again.
Subaru leaned against the car and slowly ran his fingertips along his jawline as he contemplated what to say. He stood motionless, lost in thought, for several moments before finally bringing up a hand to firmly cup his chin.
"Well His skin seemed almost translucent, his eyes shaking and bloodshed red, His lips were pursed together tightly as if he was holding back tears that threatened to burst forth at any given moment. And The color had drained from his face, leaving him looking paler than usual while every now and then I could see a tremble of emotion would grip him and the fragile state would be amplified shaking hands giving way to trembling fingers that could barely contain an erratic pulse a thunderous heartbeat echoing through that even a powerless little child can hear and ..."
Suddenly Subaru hit his hand to his forehead, as if an epiphany had suddenly dawned upon him. With a look of incredulity on his face, he asked in disbelief "wait! Why was he scared!?"
Stormfront smiled, her lips slightly curved upwards at the edges as she was about to answer him when suddenly a memory of Subaru's outburst that morning surfaced in her mind. She paused, thinking carefully over what words she should use to respond before saying wryly, "Well who knows? John's been a paranoid fool ever since I've known him - it doesn't bear any thought so just ignore him ... Let's go subaru it's about time"
Then Stormfront started walking away, her shoulders slumping in disappointment. The talk had grown much too tedious for her liking; she was beyond ready to move on . With a resigned sigh, she turned and started walking down the forest path, calling out for Subaru to follow her.
Subaru was left chocked to the core because of Stormfront sudden mood change. It seemed as if a switch had been flipped. The warmth of laughter was replaced by the coolness of disappointment, and then the indifference of boredom that seemed to flow from Stormfront's eyes like icicles dripping down her cheeks. Subaru felt some responsibility for this sudden change but quickly tried to convince himself otherwise, knowing deep within himself that he really did play some part in it all —nevertheless, he could never be sure just what it was.
"Really subaru again!? What's wrong with you today ?"
He shook his head, muttering scornfully under his breath. and then started out after Stormfront, hoping not to disappoint her again. His stride was deliberate and careful - perhaps even little bit more careful as he tried hard to keep up with her as she made her way through the green forest.
...
The path was well maintained Although it is located in a dense forest , it was flat path smoothed down, boardwalk over rough areas... even If Subaru got the permission to fly he doubt himself that he would since he kinda liked it here ... at least it's better then being chained inside his room for months.
"Were here," suddenly stormfront voiced out. Then turning to him she continued with a growl of excitement, "This is the place Subaru!"
"This is it? ... because a mountain is all I can see"
Subaru stopped dead in his tracks, confusion stringing across his face at stormfront words. Before them lay an enormous mountain wall – brown granite stretching as far as the eye could see and blocking the path of their walk like an impassable barrier. He searched for any crevice or opening that might provide access but none appeared to exist: they would have to either fly or go around it.
"Yes, it is Subaru," Stormfront answered with a smile that was anything but good-natured that sends the shivers to Subaru's spine. " and It seems John didn't leave the door open for us." She paused before making her next statement, as if this were some kind of revenge "Subaru," she said determinedly, gesturing towards the wall in front of them. "Destroy this wall."
Subaru walked closer to the mountain wall, his chest tight with nervousness as he felt the weight of her gaze burning into him. He stopped just a few inches from it and put his open left palm on its cool surface. Inching closer still, he pushed himself back slowly with that palm before raising his other arm and clinching his right fist in, ready to strike.
"What are you waiting for, Subaru?" She suddenly asked from behind.
"This stone wall is not stone at all." Subaru replayed "Please wait just a minute."
Subaru closed his eyes and the air around him seemed to crackle with energy. An orange glow began to form in his right clenched fist, then subsided.
And Without warning he threw a massive punch at the mountain wall in front of him— as if it had been struck by lightning, a sound filled which shook everything within reach – Stormfront behind him even pinning herself against the ground so as not to be knocked off her feet.
"Subaru! Isn't that too much po—
"No, it's not like that," he said slowly – "the wall didn't broke yes...but I can't say the same thing about my clothes." Subaru still standing in front of the mountain wall, but now with less clothes His leather jacket was reduced to just one sleeve, a few threads barely holding it on. It revealed his toned teenage muscles beneath; his black jeans at least hadn't been damaged — He lifted a flap of leathersentimentally and mournfully– before letting go with a sigh.
"Please, Stormfront, tell me you didn't know about this! Tell me this wasn't some kind of test!" He looked intently at the woman before him as he awaited an answer, and for a moment there was only silence in the forest.
" sorry Subaru.." Then Stormfront finally spoke up slowly and softly: " i really am But I had to make sure the wall was secure and that it would last –"
Stormfront stepped closer to Subaru, her hand gently brushing against his young and strong body. Her lips moved in a faint smile of appreciation as she murmured, " and thankfully your heart did not stop. It was all due to you; you were the right person for this test—stronger than we can imagine that is you." She looked into his eyes warmly before turning away, leaving him with her words echoing in his mind.
——stronger than we can imagine ?
"B-but, but I could have died," he muttered. Stormfront stopped in her place with her back turned and Subaru raised his volume slightly and continued. "I know that, because that door returns blows to its owners directly to their hearts...and I felt my blow in my heart." He paused for a moment before continuing more emphatically this time: "Maybe it wasn't enough, but if I used a hundred percent of my strength; I'm sure - absolutely sure-that I would have been hurt or even died ... would that please you?".
...