Going on holiday so this'll be the last chapter for a while, enjoy. Thanks for the foll, for following
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"Ohoho...? So that's how it is huh? Hmmm... I see...I see...I get it, I understand…..Fascinating." he said, his tone filled with a mix of sarcasm and condescension.
Subaru felt a chill run down his spine as David whipped open the door. Turning up to meet the man mountain staring down at him, he froze, his heart beating faster as he met David's gaze, now a cold, piercing green. He couldn't help but feel unnerved as David towered over him, his gaze filled with animosity. The once cheerful atmosphere had suddenly disappeared as Rem left, replaced with one tense and ominous. Garfiel and Otto flanked behind, their expressions also darkened and stern.
However, the veil of intimidation quickly wore off, once Subaru and the others took in Garfiel and David's bloodied and battered states.
They were now more worried about the cuts and gashes riddled all over their bodies, with David's body and clothes being extra mottled, with even a bite mark on his arm. All three of them had trembled there, fighting to stay upright, their bodies out of strength and energy. Even David's nose was off kilter, likely broken.
As the room fell into a heavy silence, the three men's exhaustion was all too apparent. Emilia's eyes widened in horror as she took in the pair of protector's blood-stained clothes and torn skin. Particularly for David, who was covered in gashes and had even sustained a bite on his arm. The sight was so shocking that all words seemed to escape her, her mind racing to process the severity of their wounds. Petra was stuck staring in shock and worry as she took in the state of Garf and David's battered and bloody forms. It was a far cry from the odd fantasy she'd earlier conjured up in her head. Subaru was taken aback by their haggard appearances and David's dire predicament. His mind raced as he mentally kicked himself for the potential danger he had sent them into, having completely underestimated the threat lurking within the Arlam Forest.
"Well, haven't cha got anything ta say for ya selves?!" Garfiel chided, his voice full of irritation, yet his dull and dreary eyes spoke differently. Subaru couldn't help but wince at Garfiel's sharp tone. He knew it was likely due to the state they were in, covered in blood and wounds, but it still stung a bit.
"Eh?!" Garfiel pressed on. Subaru shook his head, concern etched on his face as he took in their battered appearance.
"Damn, what happened to you guys? You look like you've been through the wringer.." he mumbled, his eyes flickering over their injuries. David's false smile vanished as he listened to Subaru's words, his expression twisting into ire and maltreatment, stepping in gingerly,
"Yeah, we've been through the wringer alright, all because some inconsiderate i-"
"Here, Use these to clean yourselves up a bit. You must be feeling pretty sticky after your journey." Rem interjected, quickly cutting through the tension with her caring nature as she re-entered the room. She walked up to the trio, handing them each a flannel.
"Oh uh… thanks…"
"Ah, thanks Rem-san."
"Uh…sticky?"
David chopped the back of Garfiel's head as Rem slipped away, before they all took the time to cleanse themselves, Otto wiped the lingering sweat off his face, relishing in the cool, refreshing feeling it provided. Meanwhile David and Garfiel hastily wiped their whole bodies down, cleaning the mud, sweat and blood from their apparel, occasionally wincing from the stomach of the cloth, all whilst retaining their scowls. David slung the flannel he'd finished with over his shoulder
"Anyways, as I was saying, if someone wasn't so careless maybe-"
"Here," Rem cut in, gently placing a karnago powder jar in his hand. "This should help with the smell. Sprinkle some on your body and it should eliminate any odour."
She then turned to Otto and Garfiel, handing them each a jar as well.
"Thanks, Rem-san," Otto said appreciatively, turning to go to the bathroom to apply it in private.
However David seemed to freeze up, his hands cupping his chin in thought, as he stared down at the jar
"Uh…. Thanks but…. Where did you even get this from? Isn't this like… really rare and expensive?!"
Rem flinched, stiffening up, her heart skipping a beat as David asked her where the Karnago powder came from. She tensed, her mind racing to come up with an appropriate response.
"Um... It's from Rem's personal stockpile," Rem replied, her voice remaining steady despite her internal panic. That was a lie, the true reason was that she actually bought it in an attempt to remove the witches scent from Subaru, applying it in droves as he slept, yet it was entirely ineffective. But there was no way she was going to say that out loud. David bought the lie with relative ease, his logic and perception, as usual, flying out the window when it came to Rem.
"Wow! To give us something so expensive from your own personal property ….. So sweet! So generous! You really are… Remaaaaaaaarkable~!" He sang dramatically, his arms weakly outstretched, donning a warm smile on his face, eliciting a slightly awkward grimace from Subaru, rolled eyes from Petra, and causing Garfiel to physically cringe, his face scrunching slightly. He shot a weary look at Rem, almost as if silently apologising for David's foolishness. Emilia shot a sidelong glance at Subaru, as if asking him to help her understand the exchange, to which he gave a subtle nod in return, expressing that he'd explain later.
Rem felt a mix of relief and embarrassment wash over her as David bought her lie so easily. His theatrics caught her off guard, and a small blush crept up her cheeks at his cheesy pun.
"Ah, um... it's nothing," Rem mumbled, waving off his praise with a slight smile.
David, suddenly catching wind of the eyes that lay on him, suddenly squirmed a bit, before looking to Garf and then resuming his angered and aggrieved look, staring down Subaru as he hastily unbuttoned his shirt, before aggressively, yet extremely carefully applying the Karnago powder to his body. Garfiel, following suit, applied the Karnago powder as well, his movements aggressive yet a little more clumsy, yet he couldn't help but crack a small smile at the luxurious sensation the powder provided. But he quickly shook his head, forcing himself to focus, the tension still bubbling up inside him.
Despite the hanging malice in the air, Subaru couldn't resist a small smirk as he watched the comical sight of David and Garfiel apply the karnago powder so forcibly yet meticulously.
"Oi! Just what the hell are you smiling about?!"
David bristled, pointing at Subaru in indignation, glaring at him with blazing eyes, as he snarled through his clenched teeth. His body glowing a dim white as he recklessly, unconsciously activates flow state in his fury. Subaru calmly observed David's outburst, mentally chiding himself for his reaction, the tensions only rising. Realising he needed to take action, he cautiously intervened, his hands raised in mock surrender, with a disarming smile.
"Hey... Take it easy. There's no need to get upset over this,"
"No need to be u-"
David reeled in shock, before cutting himself off, even more riled up now.
"Don't screw around!" He started to step even further into the room towards Subaru shakily, still glowing ferociously, his fists clenched so tightly they began to pale.
"We're obviously owed an explanation as to wh-"
"Here, please take this and drink." Rem said authoritatively, appearing out of nowhere in front of him with a glass of water.
"Huh?" he froze up, scanning the room in confusion, his aura dissipating, only to become more baffled as he realised Rem had already distributed glasses of iced water to everyone.
"...When did you…?"
She placed the cup in his hand, halting his question.
"Please enjoy," Rem said, her voice quiet and reassuring. "It will help you cool down."
David stood there suspended, his mouth slightly agape in puzzlement, blinking repeatedly, before coming to his senses, and properly clutching the cup in his hands.
"Well... I guess I could use a drink... thanks..."
He took a quick sip, his whole body relaxing, causing him to slump slightly as he broke into a small smile, an involuntary 'coooool' slipping out of his mouth as he held the cup against his face. As Rem passed by Emilia and Petra again, Emilia whispered her gratitude for her diligence and charity, causing Rem's heart to swell with joy.
David, again, noticing the gazes of others, stiffened up again, his look now a frown of slight annoyance rather than confrontation.
"Well... Regardless... Subaru, I still need an explanation. Why did you sen-"
Rem interjected once more, now holding a bowl of the Barbaro Rabbit stir fry that she and Petra had prepared. Half jumping to a conclusion, she sought to quash all argument from David once and for all.
"David, please calm down and try the stir fry. Rem and Petra worked hard on it," Rem said, her voice gentle, slightly pleading yet firm, as she once again stood directly below him, staring up at him with her big round, sapphire eyes.
"We made it specifically for you… and the others…"
"Stir Fry... Rem and Petra... worked hard on it... specifically for me...?"
He repeated to himself slowly, processing the implications with a dumbstruck look, though his mind seemingly omitted the last part.
"Wait! Wait! Wait!"
He blurted out quickly, taking a step back, his face burning with a profound blush as he waved his hands frantically in panicked embarrassment, as he expressed his sudden flash flood of thoughts.
"Isn't this a bit much! I mean, it's not that I... Maybe you jumped to conclusions, wait, just how prepared were you too-"
With a mischievous twinkle in her eye, Rem stepped forward, gently guiding the paletted spoonful of stir fry towards his mouth.
"Now, say 'aaah'," she said, her voice laced with both amusement and a hint of playfulness.
As the spoon came closer he was left squirming in place again, his flustered state only worsening...
"...A-...Aaaah..." he bleated weakly, closing his eyes, caving in to Rem's smile.
"...Aaaahm!" As soon as his mouth captured the spoon he flinched, his eyes bursting wide open, before his face melted into a state of pure bliss.
"Yummy~!"
Rem couldn't help but chuckle at David's sudden and adorable shift in expression.
She took a mental note of David's reaction, finding his cuteness endearing, though it was contrasted by his current state of well-being.
"I take it you like it?" Rem inquired, slowly removing the spoon from his lips, a soft smile tugging at the corners of hers.
"Mmmhmmm…." David affirmed, finding his words.
"It's so rich and tender, a perfect mix between sweet and savoury, a harmonious blend of flavours which dance on the tongue…"
Garfiel spoke over his impassioned prattling, with a dissatisfied groan.
"Ergh… now he's acting like he's some sort of food specialist…. I kinda want some…"
"Yeah, he almost sounds like Gordon Ramsay… And believe me… I'm jealous too…"
"Wait, he sounds like who..?"
"...You've totally outdone yourselves, Petra, Rem-rin!" He finally concluded with an all too satisfied smile. Petra beamed with pride as David praised their cooking, his glowing review bringing a warm smile to her face. She couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment hearing his words of praise, knowing that all of their hard work had paid off.
"It was a team effort! Rem-nee-sama and I worked together to make it as delectable as possible!"
Petra replied with enthusiasm. She was just glad to see everyone enjoying themselves and getting along so amicably, despite the recent tension that had transpired.
"Now, now," Rem coaxed whimsically, her eyes twinkling with playful teasing, as she walked off to the side of the room, sitting on the floor, as the sofa was occupied with crafts materials.
"Come, David, sit down and relax. You need to enjoy every bite of our hard work!"
"Yes ma'am! With pleasure!" He affirmed eagerly, quickly yet carefully settling himself next to her, loosely cross-legged. Rem's eyes glimmered with satisfaction as he dutifully obeyed her,
"Good boy."
With a gentle touch, she guided the spoon towards his mouth once again, her voice gentle yet firm.
"Now, say 'aah'. Enjoy every bite!"
"Aaaaa~ahm! Mmmmm! Each bite is so different but just as amazing as the last!"
"Right~?!" Rem beamed triumphantly, revelling in David's obvious and expressive delight as he blathered on about the marvellously exquisite quality of the food, her own joy growing with each contented squeal he made.
Subaru couldn't help but feel a mixture of emotions as he watched the scene unfold: a little jealousy, mixed with amusement at the comical nature of the situation. It was undeniable that David's expressions were quite adorable as he sampled the stir fry. Yet, at the same time, Subaru knew deep down that Rem loved him the most, even if it sometimes felt like David may have a special place in her heart as well. Despite the conflicting feelings, seeing how happy and satisfied David was with the meal that Rem and Petra had prepared with love, brought him a little relief from the previously building pressure.
"That's one less person I have to deal with at least…" He muttered to himself with a slight smile. As Garfiel watched in disbelief, witnessing as the formerly fuming and confrontational David, was so easily swayed and pacified by Rem's coddling, before his face contorted again, his brows knitting together, his indignation resuming as he turned to Subaru, his finger pointed in challenge.
"Well his words may be 'flimsy as a feather' but I won't back down that easily!"
"Gen?!"
"Huh?!"
"No, wait, like, as in, genuinely," Subaru stuttered, waving both his hands out to pacify, before speaking with sincerity, his look becoming stern.
"I understand your frustration, Garfiel… But… would you mind explaining to me what happened out there?"
Garfiel's initial anger cooled slightly as Subaru's serious demeanour cut through the air. He crossed his arms, his muscular build tensing slightly, before loosening under fatigue.
"What happened? Are ya seriously askin' me that? We almost got killed, damn it! All for some damn materials for a dumb game!"
He clenched his jaws, his frustration clearly etched on his face, before spreading his arms in protest.
"I mean just look at me. Do I seriously look alright to you?! Just look at him!" He raged, his voice going up a note as he pointed to David, who was even worse off, though you wouldn't know it from his overly gratified expression.
Emilia interjected, hoping to prevent the situation from escalating.
"Garfiel, I understand how frustrated and upset you must be. The situation was incredibly dangerous and you and David almost lost your lives. But lashing out isn't going to solve anything. We need to remain calm and discuss what happened so we can learn from it."
She stepped closer, her voice sincere and soothing.
"Please, try to calm down. Let's talk about what went wrong and how we can prevent it from happening again."
Subaru glanced at Garfiel's seething yet sorry state before stealing a sight at David, who was still sat savouring Rem's succulent stir-fry, before swivelling round to see Emilia, smiling slightly at her speech.
"Yeah," he agreed. "Let's figure out what went wrong. Maybe we underestimated the risk in Arlam forest this time."
Garfiel took a deep breath, forcibly calming himself under Emilia's reasoning. He knew she was right. His anger wouldn't solve anything.
"Tch. I get it." he muttered, his shoulders slumping slightly.
"Hmph, it wasn't about underestimating... It was more about overestimating. We were just so damn exhausted... So we went in with a more cautious approach, though that only invited them to surround us, and then it all snowballed." He admitted, his voice now a calmer but still disgruntled tone.
Emilia smiled gently at Garfiel's response, appreciating his efforts to calm down and explain the situation in a more levelheaded manner.
She nodded as he spoke, acknowledging his reasoning and understanding the difficulty they faced in the forest due to their earlier training.
"I see. It sounds like a combination of exhaustion and being caught off guard led to the situation spiralling out of control,"
Emilia rephrased, benevolent as usual, glossing over his question about the reasoning behind such a task.
"It's understandable that you guys would have difficulty fending off such a large number of enemies while exhausted."
Garfiel nodded in agreement with Emilia's summary. It succinctly encapsulated the situation they had faced.
"Yeah, I guess so," he admitted again.
"It's just... Frustrating, y'know. We were pushing ourselves so hard, exhausted to the bone, all for those damn materials, and then we had to go and get attacked by those damn mabeasts. It all just feels so stupid. We're basically risking our lives for some silly game."
"Hey, don't call it a silly game," Subaru chimed in defensively.
"Soccer is much more than that. It's a game of strategy, skill, and teamwork. It's not just about kicking a ball into a net. It's about bringing people together, inspiring them, making them feel something." His expression softened, breaking into a warm smile.
"In fact, out of everyone here, I reckon you'll enjoy it, and benefit from it the most!"
Garfiel bristled at Subaru's defence of the game. It felt like a dismissal of their suffering. He raised an eyebrow at Subaru's comment about him being the one to benefit the most.
"Heh! Well we're real damn lucky that I even get to try it!"
"Calm down, Calm down, Garfiel…" David quipped, lay back slightly, waving one hand, half lidded, looking far too relaxed now.
"None of that even matters now, just take a look around, see the way they've prepared for us…. just bathe in the luxurious feel and let it go….."
"Say 'aaaah'!"
"Aaaaa~ahm!"
Garfiel fumed for a moment before turning on his axis.
"Oh, Shut up you!" He shouted, pointing the finger at David as he bristled once again, his frustration mounting, especially at his friends' laidback, almost careless, demeanour.
"You've had way too many lines! And are you really that content with being pampered like a baby!"
That usually would have got a rise out of David but he was too deep in paradise to bother responding.
"Well, they really have all gone above and beyond preparing stuff for you all," Subaru smiled, naturally asserting himself into the conversation as usual.
"But that's how things should be. You guys risked your lives for our sake and got roughed up. You deserve to be treated like royalty for that. And you should enjoy it, the girls did slave away to prepare for you after all, so the least you can do is be indulgent!" He flashed a thumbs up along with his wink and movie-star smile.
"Yeah, Subaru-sama is right. You need to be a bit more indulgent," Petra chimed in, her voice firm and resolute. "We did a lot of work to get everything ready and to prepare the food. You should let us spoil you a little and treat you like royalty, especially after you risked your lives for us."
Garfiel's face scrunched as Subaru and Petra chimed in. He begrudgingly, and reluctantly, gave in to their insistence.
"Argh! Fine!" he huffed, throwing up his arms in surrender. "I'll let you pamper me or whatever. But just this once! Don't expect me to act all soft like that other one over there!"
He pointed accusingly at David, who simply gave him a peace sign with a smug grin. David then stared up to the ceiling, stroking his chin in thought…
"Come to think of it, food and water for the dragons, cooled flannels, karnago powder, ice cold water, this beautiful stir-fry… just how much did you guys prepare for us…"
Subaru chuckled as Garfiel finally relented to the treatment, and his chuckle grew more pronounced with David's comment, he shrugged stating.
"Hmm... well, I was engaged in alternate activities... so not even I know the depths of their preparatory measures,"
"We wanted to ensure you all felt comfortable and well cared-for after your difficult journey through the forest," Rem replied, her voice gentle.
"Though we may have gone a little overboard with the preparations… just a little."
Subaru's smile broadened.
"Hmm…'Just a little'...?"
"No, I bet it was waaaay more than 'just a little'." David added dryly…
