rayemma oneshots & other

Mama

• Oneshot

Spoiler warning for chapter #52 and onward - mentioned location

Emma lied still against Ray's chest. Her ear pressed to his heart. Her hands linked around his waist. He sat straight against a column connecting from the ceiling to the floor, and read his book silently atop her shoulders. He acted as her bed. And now that they'd grown older and garnered a height difference, she fit in the crook of his side like a teddy bear to a child.

It was time for her thirty-minute evening nap, which was an idea Ray had come up with recently so he wouldn't have to see her dozing off during research anymore.

It was normal and uneventful, really.

Don had found out they did this one day, and now constantly nudged Ray's side, sneering about what a romantic he was.

But this wasn't anything like that. The only times Ray might slightly intend for it to be like that is when he asks Emma to go on a hunt or do laundry with him alone.

This was something separate. This was just Ray giving Emma the solace that she needs but never asks for.

Emma lifted her head suddenly.

He looked down and met her stare. "Ready to get up?"

"Not yet," she replied. "I just noticed something."

Before he could ask what that would be, she placed her hands on either of his cheeks. She didn't squeeze or grip with them very hard, just used them to direct his face closer to hers. Then her eyes skimmed over his features for a few moments. She seemed to be examining him.

Ray furrowed his brow. He wondered if this was another one of her elaborate attempts to 'flirt' with him.

"Yeah," she murmured, as if confirming something.

"Yeah?" Ray echoed.

Emma leaned back and released his face. "Ray, can you smile for me? For just a second."

Now he was just confused. "...Why?"

"Just smile!" She urged with her voice rising.

He resigned and gave a reluctant, awkward smile. If he refused any more, she would get more stubborn, and louder. And he didn't want his ears ringing.

Emma stared at him long and hard, with those big, round, sparkling eyes of hers.

He had to hold that crooked smile so long his cheeks started to ache, and her intense gaze was anything but comforting.

Then, her pensive expression slowly melted into one of content.

"Yeah!" Emma chirped again.

"Are you going to explain your latest epiphany?" Ray gruffly asked.

"I realized something, and now I can't believe that I hadn't noticed it before!" Emma grinned. "You remind me of someone."

"Who?"

"Not telling!"

"Seriously?" Ray rolled his eyes. "You won't even tell me what it is about me that reminds you of this person?"

Emma giggled. "Nope~!"

"Then why'd you bother to tell me?!" Ray grumbled, which only made her laugh more.

Emma soon returned to his side and into the position she was before. Over time, her breath stilled, and she went silent. She'd finally decided to rest.