I don't own Re:Zero or any of the characters. A.N. I don't actually know for sure how spirits or Spirit Arts really works, at least in full, but I'll make it as close as I can. Anyone with a thorough understanding feel free to message me to explain. For example, do spirits have a form other than a ball of light, or is that only Great Spirits, Puck, and Beatrice, or are they balls of light like Minor and Lesser spirits? Or are micro or lesser spirits stronger, since the wiki says "minute" and "Quasi" so I'm not sure which is which. Also, is there a difference besides strength? Or how do the contracts actually work? Is it telepathic/verbal, or like Roswaal and Subaru sealing their contract?

Training

Ian sighed as he lifted Roswaal out of the snow. Garfiel, and then Frederica, had just taken a single swing at Roswaal each as repayment for his actions. Roswaal had agreed to it, Ram had agreed to it, and Ian wanted to take his swing so bad it nearly hurt. However, for the sake of sticking to Echidna's instructions to win Ram over, he had stayed his hand. Slowly, almost all of the others made their rounds to show Roswaal their dissatisfaction, including Petra. Though, to Petra's credit, she only slapped him with a wet cloth rather than actually hitting him. And next to last in line, just before Subaru, making Ian infinitely proud, was Rem. Finally, once the gauntlet had ended, Beatrice and Emilia healed him before they all headed to the Cathedral to discuss what to do next, Roswaal being set in a corner and left to fend for himself, Ram standing with Ian and Rem, surprising everyone.

"You're sure you want to do this?" Emilia asked.

"Beatrice said I had an affinity," Ian shrugged. "It's not a lot, but I figure having one more ace up my sleeve couldn't hurt."

Emilia nodded. "Alright. Remember what I told you and be patient. It'll take a while."

He nodded, sitting down cross legged and focusing. He dragged the memory of the feeling of the connection he'd briefly had with Beatrice. He wasn't sure how useful his affinity would be, since he wasn't sure how strong his affinity was, but according to Emilia, if he could get four lesser spirits or eight micro spirits to form a contract with him, that should be enough to use his wind magic as long as it was purely for his usual cloak and not for Crusch's attack or for the more standard wind magic spells. They could handle Fura and, to a lesser extent, El Fura, but Ul and Al would be sealed to him. However, if by some miracle he could get a full-fledged Spirit to contract with him, he'd be able to use Spirit Arts to the same level as his own magic. But, of course, that wouldn't happen. Emilia herself had only met a handful of full spirits besides Puck and the previous Great Spirit of Fire, and hadn't made a contract with them. Not to mention that the terms of the contract would get stricter the stronger the spirit. Micro Spirit contracts were apparently little more than asking for help, by her description. Lesser Spirits usually had actual requirements but not ones that were necessarily hard to keep. Full-fledged spirits would be strict, however.

After an hour, Rem joined him, not to try and make contact with spirits, but to keep him company. Slowly, time crawled past. At first it was a few hours, then several. Finally, after twelve hours, he sensed the first. Then there was another ten minutes later. Then another. Once he could sense six, he opened his eyes just as Emilia knelt down beside him.

"Micro Spirits," Emilia said, staring at the floating balls of white light that had answered his call. "Can you understand them? Or at least sense their intentions?"

"Sort of," Ian said. "It's a bit...confused? Basic?"

Emilia nodded. "Micro and Lesser spirits can't speak, but after a while, you start to be able to understand them. It takes time for most people."

"Considering you said you picked it up by accident, I'm kind of jealous," Ian said.

Emilia's face darkened slightly, so one of the spirits flew over and circled her head a few times, Emilia laughing. "Come get something to eat, then rest before you keep trying. You'll get the hang of it."

Ian nodded, pushing himself up and following Emilia back into the mansion. They were planning to move to the Roswaal Family's main home after before much longer, and in the mean time had moved to a separate mansion, having decided that staying at the one where they'd already suffered three massive attacks, if the Wolgarm incident was included, was probably not the best idea. Ian had been shocked to learn that the house he'd been living in for over a year was only a spare home Roswaal owned. He'd have never guessed that. Or the fact that not only did Roswaal own two mansions, but several. He shouldn't have been surprised, but he still was. And in addition to having a theoretically more safe place to stay and rest, Rem, Ram, Petra, and Frederica had all been given time off from their maid duties until they reached the main house. Rem and Ram were taking full advantage of the break, but Frederica was struggling to adapt to being a guest and not a maid. She also was having trouble getting used to being with Garfiel, but that was a problem for another time.

After they'd eaten, he and Rem headed to bed for the night, Rem choosing to stay with him for the night rather than Ram, though Ram had told them that it would be fine for her to stay with him as much as she liked. Coupled with her having been so frantic to keep him alive when he'd saved her, that was basically as good as her telling him he had her full blessing to be with Rem, rather than just a grudging acceptance.

Ian sighed as he lay down in the bed, Rem lying with her head on his chest, wrapping her arms around him. "I like it here."

Rem nodded. "It's nice to have time off. I get to spend as much time as I like with you and Sister without having to clean or cook."

Ian smiled. "That's probably the best part."

Rem smiled, looking up at him before reaching up and kissing him. Ian sighed, kissing her back instantly, holding her tighter against him. As they both opened their mouths, their tongues joining in the middle, his pulse began to race. Something was different than usual. He could feel it in the way her lips pressed to his, the way they closed around his lower one, sucking it firmly, the way her tongue slid agitatedly against his, the way she subconsciously pressed her full breasts tighter against him and her hips against his thigh. He had a feeling this was the result of the fight against Elsa, but he wasn't sure. This was their first time alone together at night since they'd reached the mansion, so it made sense. However, the thought of "Why?" only barely managed to register before cycling out of his head again. He held her tightly against him, raising his leg slightly to increase the presser against the apex of her thighs and Rem let out a low whimper of appreciation. However, after another moment, Ian forced himself to pull away, resting his forehead against hers as he struggled to slow his racing heartrate and control his breathing.

"Keep that up and I'll do something that'll piss Ram off," Ian smiled.

Rem also smiled, kissing him again, though not as passionately as before, then set her head on his chest again, over his heart. "I was so scared."

"I know," Ian said. "But I'm alright. I'm not going anywhere."

Rem nodded, closing her eyes as she listened to his heartbeat. "I'm going to hold you to that."

Ian smiled, kissing the top of her head before closing his eyes. He felt Rem settle into sleep before following suit.

Ian kicked Subaru backward, Subaru stumbling before catching himself, then readied his sword again. They'd progressed to using their actual swords now that Subaru had gotten better. Both were being careful, and just in case they had Beatrice and Emilia on standby to fix any mistakes.

Ian grinned, glancing down, only to stop. He was standing in a clover patch, but just as he looked down, he caught sight of a pair of what looked like four-leaf clovers. He stabbed his sword into the ground and knelt down, double-checking that he was right before picking them both.

"You're in the middle of training, and you stop to pick weeds, I suppose?" Beatrice asked.

"Not weeds," Ian said. "Four-leaf clovers. Two of them."

"Oh wow!" Subaru said. "I've never even seen one of them!"

Ian smiled, passing them to Rem. "Mind holding these while I whoop Subaru's ass real quick?"

"Sure," Rem beamed.

"You know, that hurts," Subaru said as Ian pulled his sword out of the ground.

"Not as much as this," Ian grinned, charging.

Subaru raised his sword, blocking two strikes before Ian flipped his sword around and drilled the butt of it into his gut. Subaru groaned out a complaint, but Ian just chuckled and helped him up before returning to Rem, accepting the plants. He walked over to Beatrice and held them out.

"I don't suppose you know a type of magic to keep them from ever dying, do you?" Ian asked.

Beatrice scowled at him. "What a pointless request, I suppose." Despite her argument, however, she held out her hand, white mana shining from her hand for a moment before fading.

Ian thanked her and headed inside with Rem, both heading to his room where he pulled out a pair of gold lockets. Both of them were circles, the type that would normally have a small picture in them. However, both were also the perfect size to put a four-leaf clover in. He carefully stored the clovers in them, then held one out to Rem. She accepted it, staring at it for a moment before looking up at him questioningly.

He chuckled, nodding. "Where I used to live, four-leaf clovers were considered lucky. When my sister and I were little, there was an...accident. The things we rode in instead of Dragon Carriages crashed. We were terrified all the time, so our mom spent days going from one clover patch to the next until she found two four-leaf clovers and put them in lockets like these. She told us that as long as we wore them and never opened them, the clovers would be alive and would protect us. Once I grew up, I realized that it wasn't true, but it made us feel better as kids, so I didn't mind that when I eventually opened it is was dead. These ones will actually stay alive. I know that the luck and them protecting you isn't real, but it'll make me feel better if you wear it."

Rem nodded, unhooking the chain and slipping it around her neck under her detachable collar. Once it was fastened and situated comfortably, the pendant hung perfectly to rest at the top of her cleavage. Some part of his brain registered that it was a perfect excuse to look, but he ignored that part.

"Is the other one for you?" Rem asked.

Ian hesitated for a moment before shaking his head. "It's for Ram. I don't want her to die, either, so I want to give this to her."

Rem smiled widely and nodded. "That's an excellent idea!"

Ian smiled in relief and wrapped his arms around her, giving her a light squeeze and a kiss. "I'll meet you for our usual lunch in a few minutes."

Rem smiled and nodded, kissing him again before they left the room, heading in separate directions. Ian headed to Roswaal's office and stopped outside as he heard Ram's voice from inside.

"-not sure if my feelings for you have changed," Ram said. "I was in love with you, I still am, but what you did is unforgiveable. Though not a part of our contract, we agreed long ago that my sister was off limits."

"Yoooouuuuu seemed almost equally upset about me endaaaaangering Ian," Roswaal replied.

"He...He's...important to my sister," Ram said.

Roswaal hummed thoughtfully. "Thaaaat's true. But is that truly all? Or is it something a bit more peeeersonal to you?"

Ian held his breath, remaining dead silent as he waited to hear her answer. Finally, someone sniffed before a soft noise like the beginnings of a sob broke the silence.

"I don't...know what to do," Ram said, her voice thick and wavering with emotion and tears. "I still...I still love you...and yet I still..." her voice broke and she stopped, crying for a moment. "And he is with Rem. How can I...What kind of sister...falls in love with the man...their precious little sister loves?"

Ian couldn't help but smile, staring at the necklace. It was earlier than the Gospel had said. The Gospel said that the necklace would be the catalyst. Or, at least, the one that made her realize it.

"I did not believe that feelings could change," Roswaal said. "I believed that if feelings were true, they would never change. But now, I'm not so sure. You taught me that I may have been wrong. Perhaps not everyone's feelings remain as unchanging as mine. I was so sure you wanted to kill me as revenge, and yet you love me." He paused for a long moment. "And yet, now, because he was willing to give his life for you, twice, you have fallen in love with Ian. You tried to deny it, and tried not to because of your younger sister's feelings, but in the end, it only made them stronger." He hummed again. "I may not be the best judge, but if I were to say, it seems to me that your love for Ian is more pure than your love for me. Compared to your love for me, which was born of hatred and a desire for revenge, your love of him is more true."

Ram broke down, beginning to sob, and Ian waited nearly a full minute before knocking on the door.

"Roswaal, Ram, it's Ian," he called through the door.

"Juuuust a moment," Roswaal called back.

Ian waited for a minute before Roswaal called him into the room. "I'm sorry for the intrusion. I just came to check on Ram. You were in pretty bad shape after we beat Roswaal. Are you alright?"

"That seems liiiiike an unnecessary jaaaaab," Roswaal said.

"I'm fine, Ian," Ram said. "Your worry is unwarranted."

Ian smiled, shrugging. "You'll have to excuse a man his needless concern."

Roswaal smiled. "Iiiiit's only natural."

Ian nodded. "I have something for you, Ram." He held out the locket.

She accepted it and opened it, then frowned, staring at the clover. "You gave Ram a plain necklace with a leaf inside. Are you trying to be stupid, or does it come naturally?"

Ian smiled, shaking his head. "In my old home, four-leaf clovers are lucky, and wearing them in a necklace like that is like a protection charm. It keeps the wearer safe."

"That's a childish superstition," Ram said.

"Yes, it is," Ian agreed. "But even though it's just a superstition, it'd make me feel better if you wore it. If you did, I wouldn't be as worried about you being hurt."

Ram's eyes widened before tears began to leak from her eyes again. She closed the locket, her hand tightening around it as she tried and failed to control herself. Ian hesitated for a moment before reaching out to pull her into a hug, only for her to press her face into his chest on her own, the locket pressed to her chest subconsciously. He wrapped his arms around her, stroking his hand over her hair as she cried for a few moments before Ram began to settle.

"Ram," Roswaal called gently. "Would you mind leaving the room for a moment? I'd like to speak with Ian. As I did go out of my way to try to kill him, I'm sure there are a number of things he'd like to say to me, as well."

Ram pulled back from Ian's chest, wiping her eyes and nodding. She left the room, and Ian turned on Roswaal once the door was closed.

"You helped steer her toward accepting her feelings for me," Ian said. "Actually, if I had to guess, you've been guiding her toward falling for me at the very least since the Sanctuary, haven't you? Why?"

Roswaal considered for a few moments before responding. "It was a part of our original agreement. I understand that you cannot help me follow my Gospel's writ, but I did agree to lend you a hand. After all I did to you, and tried to do, it was honestly the least I could do."

Ian nodded. "Thank you. I'm not sorry we destroyed your Gospel, but I am grateful to you."

Roswaal nodded. "And now that both sisters are in love with you, what will you do?"

Ian hesitated. "I know what I want to do, but I'm not sure if it's possible. Whatever I choose, I'm not leaving Rem, even for Ram."

Roswaal nodded. "Weeeell, I'll just say 'Good luuuuck,' then."

Ian nodded and turned to leave, only to stop with his hand on the door. "If you ever do anything to endanger Rem, Ram, or myself again, I will not hesitate to kill you, then return to the Tomb and put my sword through Echidna's face. Assuming that you don't, I'm happy to have you as an ally. I still hate you for what you've done, but what you just did...you've earned my respect, if only a little."

Roswaal merely nodded, and Ian headed outside, finding Rem and Ram both waiting in the lawn where Ian and Rem had been having picnic-style lunches since they arrived. Ram had also put her necklace on now, and it hung just above the top of her dress's neckline. Ram's chest may not be as big as Rem's, but the same part of his brain that was overjoyed for an excuse to stare at Rem's breasts was just as happy for one to stare at Ram's.

"It looks beautiful on you, Ram," Ian smiled as he joined them on the grass.

Ram's gaze dropped to the ground. "Thank you."

Rem passed Ian his plate, and he ate in silence, enjoying the beautiful temperature and his vastly more beautiful company. As he was eating, he focused and within a minute, there were several Minor Spirits floating around him. The connection was a little clearer now, and he could more or less make sense of what the spirits were saying the majority of the time. Rem and Ram watched in interest as a few more spirits appeared around him. He held his hand out with his palm up, and a couple of the spirits flew forward to hover over his palm.

"You're making progress," Ram said. "It took you less time to get them to appear this time."

"You've been watching?" Ian asked, raising an eyebrow.

Ram's cheeks tinted slightly. "Ram has seen you in passing glances only. You're still utterly hopeless, but with one more passable ability, assuming you've formed contracts with them and can use Spirit Arts."

"Not yet," Ian said. "Still trying to learn to actually understand them." He smiled. "And thank you."

Ram nodded. After a few more minutes, they all headed inside to find something to do.

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