Chapter 10: Close Intimacy
Lyra walked up the stairs to her room. Pacing herself since she knew Rem was going to be waiting, Lyra tried to calm her nerves.
You know her, but she doesn't you. Just be considerate and nice and I'm sure we'll be right back to where we started.
Placing one hand on the doorknob, Lyra took one final breath and pushed away her anxious feelings as much as she could, forcing a more positive expression and voice.
Turning the knob and letting herself in, she found Rem standing by her desk already, books stacked neatly on one corner and parchment and ink ready on the other side.
Rem: Good evening Lyra.
Rem greeted Lyra in her static, nearly expressionless voice. Her heart sank hearing her talk to her in such an unfamiliar fashion.
Lyra smiled warmly at Rem and responded to Rem.
Lyra: Good evening, Rem. It's very nice to see you!
Rem: Likewise.
Rem was unsure why she had just said that, but she did, and she didn't really mind either, even if she didn't know what to think of Lyra just yet.
Taking her jacket off, Lyra hung it in her closet and went to sit down.
Strictly out of habit, she grabbed the quill and dunked it in the ink, and began writing her own name over and over again. Observing behavior that was odd to her, Rem simply continued to watch. After filling a few lines, Lyra put her quill down, and turned to Rem, who was still observing what Lyra was doing.
Seeing that she was done, Rem picked up the parchment and gave the words a look-over.
Rem: It appears you know how to write your own name at the very least. Was someone else teaching you before this? To write your name again and again as practice?
Lyra: Uhhh, well, you could say that.
Rem: Does Lyra know any other words?
Lyra: A few. Here I'll write them as best I can.
Jotting down a few dozen words, he tried to form a sentence.
She watched Rem's eyes trace the sentence over and over again.
Rem: Your grammar is also lacking it seems.
Lyra: Eheh...yeah...
That evening's tutoring session had turned into Rem trying to find where Lyra was skill-wise and begin teaching from there. After more or less seeing the extent of Lyra's literacy, Rem retired for the evening rather abruptly and earlier then normal. Lyra was slightly worried by Rem's continued coldness in her behavior toward her. With her worries filling her mind, Lyra rwent to sleep not long after Rem had departed.
Rising early in the morning, Lyra woke up and began the day's work.
Trimming more hedges and edging more walkways, Lyra finished even earlier than the last time she did, early enough that even Ram hadn't come to tell her that she was done for the day.
Lyra began to reflect on the previous third day that she experienced.
Lyra: If I seem to recall correctly, Rem and Ram were swamped with stuff to do today and dinner ended up being late because of it...
With an idea sprouting, Lyra placed her fist into her open palm. With a mission in mind, she searched the mansion for Rem. Lyra finally located her in the mansion's washroom, scrubbing the drained bathing area with Ram.
Lyra: Hey, Rem. Hey, Ram.
Looking up from her rather lazy scrubbing, Ram was the first to pay any attention to Lyra.
Ram: Are you having trouble finishing your tasks, Raly?
Lyra: Actually I finished them up early, and I know you guys are busy today, so would you like me to get more stuff taken care of for you so that you have more time to yourselves?
The twins looked at each other, then back to Lyra.
Ram: You've already clipped the lawn? Edged the—
Lyra: Edged the walkways? Yes. Trimmed the shrubs? Yes as well.
Feeling proud of herself due to seeing the surprised facial expression on Ram, it was a feeling quickly dulled by the slight scowl on Rem's face.
Lyra: Hmm? Something wrong Rem?
For a brief moment, there was silence between them all.
Finally breaking the almost half minute of silence, Ram spoke up.
Ram: Well, since she's willing to work more, I will get started on a few other things then.
Stepping on up out of the bathing area, Ram handed off the scrubbing broom to her and walked towards the door, but not before turning around and speaking to Rem.
Ram: Her hair. That's what you were staring at Raly for, right?
Rem: Yes. She has some split ends which desperately need to be trimmed off.
Hearing her older sister's question, Rem perked up slightly.
Lyra: T-thats what was bothering you?
Instinctively touching the tips of her hair, Lyra felt somewhat vulnerable.
She never mentioned anything about my appearance before…
Rem: Yes. It was bothering Rem a little. A little, a little-a-lot bothering Rem, yes. Immensely.
What?! Did it really bother her that much?!
Snapping Lyra out from her shocked thoughts, Ram spoke up once more.
Ram: Raly, why not let Rem trim your hair a bit and I'm sure she'll be happier with it. You'll be in heaven with her skilled hands and fingers.
Slightly blushing Lyra could only nervously smile.
Lyra: Well, how can I say no to that? Haha.
Gathering a more serious tone, Lyra continued sharing her thoughts.
Lyra: But uhh, I don't want to pile anything more on Rem, I know you both are already struggling to get stuff done today and prep for dinner.
The twins exchanged another quick look at each other before Ram departed.
With Ram gone, Lyra took off her shoes, pulled off her thigh-high socks, and stepped down into the drained bath with Rem. Going to where Ram had been scrubbing, Lyra set to it as well. Silence had fallen upon the bath while the two concentrated on their work.
After another hour of scrubbing, Rem finally decided to speak up.
Rem: Lyra, Rem is terribly sorry for the things she said earlier. As Emilia-sama's savior your position here far out ranks mine.
Stopping her scrubbing, Rem gave a slight bow in apology.
Lyra: Geez Rem, don't worry about it. Really. If I knew it upset you that much I'd have tried to do something about it myself earlier.
Stopping her own scrubbing, Lyra posed a question to Rem; a solution that might satisfy both of them.
Lyra How about a deal?
Rem: Yes? Rem will hear you out.
Lyra: How about you do whatever makes you happy with my hair? Cut it, trim it, style it, you name it. In exchange, I'll forget what you said.
Rem stared at Lyra in thought, long enough that he went back to scrubbing, just to prevent a would-be staring contest.
Rem: Rem doesn't quite understand. What is Lyra getting out of this?
Stopping mid scrub, Lyra responded, not looking directly at her, but instead choosing to keep her eyes where she was still looking.
Lyra: You've already helped me so much here, with the opportunity to be here, with the studying, your cooking... everything really.
She began to feel a yearning in her heart, a strong desire to wipe away any and all tensions between herself and Rem.
Lyra: I don't want to be off-putting towards you due to things I don't notice... I'm sorry that I was.
Rem: —!
Lyra didn't see it, but Rem's expression had a slight element of surprise to it.
She really has no clue that Rem can smell THAT on her, does she? Rem was beginning to think that Lyra suspected that Rem knew, but now... Rem doesn't even think Lyra knows he has that scent.
Lyra's sincere words had made a profound effect on Rem, causing her to double guess her own suspicions. With her previous feelings beginning to waver, a new one began to be fostered in her chest.
Rem: Okay then. Rem accepts.
A warm sensation, while faint, would build as she looked at or thought of Lyra. The blue-haired maid wanted desperately to cast aside these new emotions she was feeling, but she could not bring herself to.
Feeling a weight lifted off her shoulders, Lyra sighed and picked up her scrubbing broom.
Lyra: *sigh* Thank you. But uhh, wouldn't you say we're done in here now? We made this place pretty spotless.
Rem stopped and looked around.
Rem: Yes, this looks to be sufficient.
Lyra took one giant step to get up and out of the drained bath and took a few steps over to where Rem was, still standing down below.
Extending a hand down to Rem, she stared at it a moment before finally taking it, both of their hearts starting to flutter slightly and their cheeks turning slightly pink.
Going to hoist Rem up, she was surprised at how light she actually was. In an effort to keep from slinging her across the room behind her, she dramatically decreased the amount of strength mid hoist, causing her to come chest to chest with her.
With Rem pressed up against Lyra, they each could only give each other a surprised look, each with blushes on their faces. The two locked eyes for what seemed like a small eternity, but in reality was only a few seconds.
The emotion Rem felt in her chest began to swell dramatically. She could feel her heart begin to beat quicker and her face began to feel warm from the blush forming across her face.
Truth be told, neither wanted to really be the first to back away, out of consideration for the others perception of what that might possibly mean.
Lyra: ...You have such beautiful eyes...
Rem: S-so do you...W-wait!
Lyra: W-what...kyahh!!
Finally, with Rem and Lyra coming back to their un-surprised senses, Rem and Lyra both backed away from each other.
Rem: I-Im sorry! Rem didn't mean to—
Lyra: N-no you're fine! I'm the one who should be- R-Rem!! Watch out!
Expect while going to step back, Rem forgot the edge of the bath was still right behind her.
Losing her footing under the nervousness she was experiencing from her previous predicament, Rem was going to fall backward.
The hand that she still held that Lyra had pulled her up with was not going to be sufficient in catching her, if she yanked on that hand, she risked only making her fall at a different angle, possibly hurting her more then this initial fall would. Leaning forward, while maintaining a sure control over her own balance, Lyra swiftly extended and curved her free hand around Rem's back, catching her before her balance was completely lost.
The two stood there looking like a dancing couple with Rem in a backwards bow with Lyra's arm around her back and their shared hand-hold being held way up and above to make room as Lyra pulled Rem in.
Bringing Rem back in, arm still around her, Lyra side-stepped around her, keeping Rem away from the bath edge in case of another repeat fall, and dropped the hand from her back.
Her face was buried in Lyra's chest, and after a moment of her looking down at her, Rem dropped the hand that she was still holding and placed both of her hands on Lyra's shoulders before finally looking up at her.
Rem: T-thank you f-for saving Rem.
Finally with her saying those words, her face softened up and her voice had dropped its cold formality for the first time in this loop. As she looked at Lyra, the grip from the hands on Lyra's houlders slightly tightened, gripping the fabric of her groundskeeper uniform as if trying to reassure herself.
Smiling back at Rem, not because of the situation, but rather because she was relieved that Rem had finally dropped her superficial guard against her, Lyra nerviously replied to her thanks, blushing slightly and smiling.
Lyra: O-of course. Anything for you, Rem.
Acknowledging her thanks, Rem stepped back and bent down to pick up the scrubbing broom that she had dropped in the confusion, Lyra doing the same with her.
Putting the rest of the cleaning supplies away, the two took a final look at the now clean bath.
Lyra: Now, let's go see if we can go help Ram, okay?
With Rem nodding in agreement, the two fixed their uniforms, and headed out into the rest of the mansion.
Departing with Rem, the two walked down the hall together. Lyra had no real clue as to where the two of them were heading, but neither did Rem.
Rounding the corner to the foyer area, the two came across Ram scolding Subaru for what she was describing as a "poor work ethic".
Ram: Barusu, if you are able to complete tasks early, you will be expected to work on more things to free up time for me, and to let Rem work on things only SHE'S good at.
Subaru: But this is the normal workload!
No doubt, he's upset because he was able to do the same tasks in a much shorter time than in the last loop, but Ram isn't going to let him off early.
Deciding to propose a solution to the problem, Lyra nterjected.
Lyra: Hey I've got nothing better to do right now, I'll help Subaru with something. Some of the rugs and mats are due for a cleaning, aren't they?
Remembering one of the longer tasks that was set to take part of Rem's morning on the fourth day, it was ultimately passed onto Subaru as part of their deal. Lyra bought up a contending idea.
Ram: I will help Barusu with that, Raly, you already assisted Rem in cleaning the bath, which was already more than what Ram would have made you do.
Subaru: Why does SHE have such a light load but not me?!
Ram spun back to Subaru with daggers for eyes.
Ram: Because in accordance to Raly's agreement with Roswaal-sama, she is a 'part-time' worker, you are not. Allowing Raly to work more would be going against that agreement and against Roswaal-sama's wishes.
Lyra: Well, if I help, the two of you can start preparations for dinner, right? Seems at this rate, you two are worrying about it being late tonight.
In place of Ram agreeing or disagreeing, she simply gave Rem a rather obvious side glance.
Lyra: Well? Whaddaya say?
Ram nodded to Rem.
Ram: Very well, Rem and I shall depart to start dinner preparations.
With that, the twins left, leaving Subaru and Lyra to drag rugs to the back patio to beat the dirt and dust off them. It ended up being quite the task considering many of them were long hallway-type rugs.
After dinner was finished up, and after a bath of her own,Lyra retired to her room, waiting for Rem to begin their tutoring session.
Finally, albeit later then normal, Rem knocked on the door and let herself.
With that, a rather normal study session was underway, however, one thing had sent Lyra's heart down into her gut: Rem's cold, yet formal expression and tone had returned.
Lyra was shocked. She was certain that Rem had finally opened up to her after the falling incident. Her emotions were starting to get the better of her, which was beginning to show in her penmanship on the characters she was practicing.
Rem had taken notice at the slower and sloppier pace of her writing, and asked her about it out of concern.
Rem: Rem can see that Lyra is struggling tonight. Did Lyra strain her wrist today?
Stopping her writing, Lyra picked up her wrist and gave it a turn, taking a moment to respond.
Lyra: T-thats... not quite it.
There was brief but noticeable silence after that.
Rem walked just behind where she sat at her desk and placed her hands on her shoulders.
Rem: You're tense. Let Rem rub your shoulders.
Lyra: Th-thanks for the offer, but I-i'm fine. Really! No need to-
Ignoring Lyra's protest, Rem started working her fingers on the outer part of Lyra's shoulder.
The feeling of Rem's shoulder-rub was most relaxing to Lyra. Despite the return of her cold tone, she seemed to be acting... friendlier, regardless.
Her hands slowly moved more inward on her shoulder, making Lyra feel more and more relaxed.
As nice as it was, it was all part of her plan.
Rem: Rem has a question, Lyra.
Feeling better now, Lyra was eager to speak with Rem more in the hopes that her kind voice would return. Letting out a sigh of relaxation and relief, Lyra responded.
Lyra *Sigh* Yeah? What is it?
Rem: Does Lyra know what we're doing tomorrow?
Getting ever more relaxed, Lyra began to get slightly drowsy, letting out a yawn.
Lyra: *yawn* Yeah... I think we're... going to the... the village... right?
It wasn't until she said it that Lyra realized what she'd said.
Wait a minute. She never mentioned the village. Not yet at least. She fished for that, didn't she? She knew that I knew... D-did she just test me and I failed? Regardless, how did I fall for something so obvious? Why can't I think straight...
Rem moved her hands further in, working the same massaging motion, almost halfway on Lyra's neck.
Rem: I see.
Leaning in and down, Rem spoke another soft question right into her ear.
Rem: Just how did Lyra know that?
Lyra's drowsy mind had begun to spin, she couldn't think straight, she was slipping up, and she was getting awfully tired.
Lyra: I just... I just... We... I knew of...
Rem moved her hands to cover Lyra's neck completely, yet she wasn't squeezing it. She WAS looking for a reason to, however.
Rem: Won't you please tell Rem how you knew? Lyra-chan?
Rem whispered more words into her ear.
Just as she did, she was out. Lyra had quickly fallen into a deep sleep.
Rem had miscalculated. Having tried to manipulate Lyra in a state of vulnerability by taking mana from her, something had gone wrong. She had intended to get information from hef in this vulnerable state. The right information to let her wring her neck and cjoke her out to death, yet0000 she just couldn't for some reason.
Standing back up straight, she kept her hands over Lyra's neck. She had searched so hard for a reason to let herself tighten her grip. She was frustrated. Lyra had let out information, but nothing concrete enough to issue her own guilty verdict.
Rem stood for a moment more, dwelling on her own frustrations. With her emotions getting the best of her, Rem let her grip tighten ever so softly, digging her fingers into Lyra's neck and her thumbs into the back of it. She could hear her breathing slightly wheeze. She wanted nothing more then to hear Lyra croak as she continued to squeeze tighter.
But as she started to hear her breathing become more labored, she saw the still peaceful expression on her face. Letting her grip go, Rem was struck with a remorseful feeling.
She knew this was wrong. She knew she had no reason enough to be doing this. She knew why she felt suspicious of her, the things she'd said, the things she knew, and let be known. But mostly—
That stench… Rem thought to herself.
What she didn't know, was why she had felt that she was innocent. Deep down, she had felt something wrong about all this suspicion, that feeling only starting to grow stronger over time. It grew so strongly that she had dropped her hands from her neck all together, and walked back towards the door.
Taking her final step back into the hallway, she took one final look of guilt and regret at the sleeping Lyra that she had placed in her bed.
Rem: I'm sorry, Lyra-chan... Please forgive Rem...
Shutting the door, Rem slumped against the door, tears of regret flowing down her face.
Why did Rem do that to her? How could Rem be so hostile?
A/N: Hey there!! I would like to let you know that I have decided to upload at least 1-2 chapters per week depending on how busy I am in real life. I would also like to give a special shoutout to Kaip0 ("_kaip0" on Discord) for writing the original fanfic (Re:Reader-Male Reader x Rem) that I had based this fanfic (Re:Lyra-Female OC x Rem) off of. I highly reccomend checking out his fanfic if you have been enjoying mine so far! I would also like to give a shoutout to Thanette on Discord for helping me out with proofreading and formatting. As always, I hope that you enjoy my fanfic as well as Kaip0's original work! Have a nice day/evening/night!! _