Chapter Text
Ash had begun to rain down. He akwardly spat out a small piece of soot, all the while struggling to breathe. Were one to look back, which he did, of course, the source of the black particles falling down the forest becomes clear: The Roswaal Mansion, less than a month after having being renewed, was now burning down to a crisp once more.
'I probably cursed the poor thing to keep being toasted,' he both jested and berated himself, 'Guess Roswaal'll be couch-surfing at Annerose's again.'
Gunshots could be heard. His mind flashed back to the haughty boy and the anxious man, both of which he considered brothers. 'They'll be fine. They're stronger than you.' He assured himself. Yes, they wouldn't die here; Garfiel's fate was to become a larger-than-life hero, and Otto was a coward like himself, so they would both get through this.
That's right; Julius and Felix were there, as well as Old man Wilhelm and Crusch, Withholding their alliance even at such a moment, when no one would blame them for wanting nothing with him.
He had to do the same, as well, or them putting themselves at risk would have meant nothing. He was the one that needed to make sure he didn't fuck up.
So, stop thinking about it.
Don't think about how you're not sure you'll meet again.
Don't let that bitterness rising through your stomach get to you.
Yes, for now, focus on the warmth of the pale hand guiding you. Treasure it. Carve it onto your empty skull, you bastard.
_ _ _
They've reached a clearing. Far enough to smell fresh air. Although, the large smoke cloud could probably be seen for miles.
Her hands reluctantly part with his. He takes in his surroundings, looking at the full moon sitting comfortably in the skies, uncaring towards the hell that was engulfing his life at this very moment.
It was serene. a sort of melancholic acceptance. 'This is it', it seemed to say. He wished he was strong enough to say the same, but he damn well knew that would just be a lie. He couldn't leave her with a lie. He'd rather repeat this entire day again over doing that. That would be counterproductive, however, so he hoped he could find the right words to say without having to put a bullet through his head, for once.
"There," she pointed, before removing some bushes out of the way, revealing something he knew very well. His trusty steed, so to say.
"You guys brought Patrasche all the way here?" He questioned, not particularly interested in the details of the answer he would receive. He just needed to make this last, as long as he could. Selfishness. He hoped it could be allowed of him, for this moment.
"Mhmm." Her voice was sweet. It always made him so happy to hear it. But for some reason, he wanted to cry."She's a present from Wilhelm-san, after all.'She desires to go with you, so consider it a final gift from an old man. Though you've already owned it in all but formality.' That's what he said."
Subaru would miss him, too. The elder was someone he looked up to. He'd missed the chance to give back his ride, but hearing that it now officialy belonged to him left a bittersweet taste. He knew this one meant a lot to him, what with it being a gift from his late wife.
That just meant he'd have to treasure it as equally.
"Here," She said, fumbling through the Backpack she had been carrying. Out came a holster, and a piece of metal that reflected the moonlight. "Clind-san said that you've earned it."
He holds the weapon in his own hands, feeling the comfortably cold metal for himself. Even he, unitiated as he is, could recognize the gun he held; A Colt Single-action Revolver.
He believed Clind called it a '1851 Colt Revolving Navy Pistol'?
"...Or was it 'Revolving Belt Pistol of Navy Caliber'? No, wait, It was definely the first one." Either that, or he would have to come up with a nickname for it.
He put the Holster around his waist, opposite to his M1911, or as he liked to call it, 'Emmy'. Maybe he should name this one 'Lia' and complete the set?
...No. It would be called 'Rem', if anything else. It was decided.
"Welcome aboard, 'Rem'-rin!" He holstered the revolver, smiling at the small chuckle the Silver-haired beauty let out.
That being done, He asked something that had been on his mind for a while.
"-You said I would say goodbye to Beako here, but I'm not seeing her around?" He looked around, palm shielding his eyes from nonexistant sunlight.
"I said we'd meet her here," She paused, "And I've never said you would say goodbye to her, dunderhead." She moved her hands towards the jewel around her neck.
"Who even says 'Dunderhead' nowadays... W-Wait, wha?!" He flinched as she held her palm towards him, as if gifting the shining blue jewel.
"...Hey, now's not the time for joking around, you know?" He said, aware all the while he was 'joking around' just a few seconds ago himself.
"This isn't a joke." She left no room for denial.
"B-but, Puck." He stuttered. "You worked so hard to get him back, and now..." Trailing off, he wasn't sure of what he was trying to tell.
"Mhmm, I did. But, you've worked twice as hard as anyone else." Her smile left him riddled with guilt. "I talked with him, and we decided that I can eventually see him again. But you might never see Beatrice-chan again if we don't do this."
"That is correct, I suppose. Even this brat knows it, so surely Subaru isn't planning on leaving betty behind?" The drill loli's voice reverberated from the stone.
A bycicle that he 'borrowed' indefinely, now his to carry him away. A gun that would protect him for the foreseeable future, a gift from his master.
And now, the love of his life had sacrificed the jewel that allowed her to meet her family, so that Subaru wouldn't be alone.
He didn't have to ask wether he deserved all of this or not. He knew he didn't. Even now, he was taking more from them than he could return, like a parysite biting on a nerve.
And yet, although he felt guilty, although he felt like scum, he couldn't help but feel happy that they were doing all this for him.
He would never forget them, even if they one day forgot him.
"Thanks, Emilia." He proclaimed, unable to hide the crack of his voice. "I'll never forget this gift. Ever."
"That's not my gift to you." She proclaimed. And then she grabbed his shoulders...
...And kissed him.
They stood there, for what felt like minutes, even hours.
Neither wanted to let it end.
But the approaching yells and gunshots wouldn't allow for it to be so.
"...This is." She was crying. He had made her cry. Puck would be mad.
But he wouldn't care about a god damn thing Puck could say, right now.
He climbed his Bike.
"I love you." Emilia wanted to make sure that her response to his devotion was made clear.
"...Saying that, at this moment of all things. You sure are devilish today, Emilia-tan." He smiled, cleaning the tears falling down his face.
"I will always love you." Natsuki Subaru's parting words to her were finally spoken.