Re:Zero FF Beatrice Heart Crossing

Chapter 18: A Resplendent Reunion

The rays of morning sun shimmered across the horizon as the quiet sounds of the forest rang out along the road from the village. One foreign sound echoed clearly above the others as a land dragon trudged along pulling a familiar cart from the village. Inside the cart a red faced Subaru replayed the events that led to his current situation. Subaru had woken up to the first stirring of life in the woods and found Kobe waiting for him. After saying his goodbyes to the village chief, Subaru found that the cart had been prepared for his early departure. The whole situation seemed like it was catered for him and he said as much to the cat girl attending the land dragon stable. The yawning cat girl answered with shimmering eyes as she informed him of her duty.

Stable Cat Girl: "Kobe came over last night and asked if I would get up early to see you off. He said it was clear after talking with you that this was a mission of love! How could I try to stand in the way of that?! Run to her! Go on!"

Meanwhile, back in the cart, Subaru slapped his cheeks and covered his face as he tried to block out the memories of both the morning and his sake-inspired fawning the night before. After some time passed, he decided to worry later on about the rumors that were undoubtedly started. His current thoughts were focused solely on Beatrice and the anticipation was making his hands tremble with excitement. He thought that maybe Adella was on to something when she suggested that absence would make the heart grow fonder. With his goal within reach, it wasn't long before the cart made its way up the hill and the castle came into view. The cart slowly pulled up out front of the castle doors and Subaru stood up and adjusted the tunic that he had borrowed from Kobe. Grabbing his bag, he dismounted the cart and approached the ground dragon to give a snack and his thanks. Suddenly, the wind carried a small sound past the castle doors.

???: "Su...ru..."

Subaru quickly turned around to see what the sound was but was greeted by the empty area in front of the castle. He scratched his head as he grabbed his bag and rushed towards the door of the castle. However, as he started to jog, a small gust of wind blew behind him and forced against his back causing him to lose his balance.

???: "Su...ru..."

As he came tumbling to the ground face first, Subaru thought he heard the sound again. He laid on the ground for a few moments trying to process what was happening. The sound along with the wind forcefully knocking him over reminded him of something he had experienced many times before. Standing up, he spoke as he wiped off his clothes.

Subaru: "Could it be?"

Subaru walked away from the castle and past the cart to face the hillside opposite of the castle. It was the same hill that he had created a trail on when he took Beatrice to forage for berries. He painted the area with his gaze while trying to determine the source of the sound. It wasn't long before he laid eyes on the culprit in the distance. Standing atop the hill among the tall grasses was none other than Beatrice. She was wearing a short sleeved frilly light yellow dress with white sashes pinned with small yellow bows wrapped around the skirt and a large white ribbon around her midsection that concluded in a large bow upon her back. She complimented her ensemble with yellow and white striped stockings, glossy yellow buckle shoes, white gloves, and a small sun parasol that was of the same material and pattern as her dress skirt. Her flaxen hair shimmered in the early morning light and was tied into her twin drills. She was looking slightly to the side and had her free hand loosely curled into a fist that she coyly rested in front of her lips. As he absorbed the scene in front of him, Subaru felt the strap of his bag fall from his hand. His legs propelled him forward before he realized it as his body scrambled up the hill towards Beatrice. The small spirit watched nervously as Subaru came to a halt a few feet in front of her and met her gaze. The tall grasses danced while a gust of wind blew across the area and the two lovers stood in silence. Beatrice slowly parted her lips to speak, but was pushed backwards as Subaru stepped forward and lifted her by her under arms. Beatrice stiffened as she let her parasol roll away out of surprise. Subaru stared deeply into her eyes and, although she was embarrassed, she could not avert her gaze. Sensing the time was right, Subaru leaned his head forward and greedily took her slightly parted lips with his own. The soft feeling along with the familiar scent from her hair filled his heart with a warmth that threatened to overwhelm his senses. Beatrice affirmed his actions through tightly squeezing him with her arms in a soft embrace around his neck. They stayed intimately locked in this position for a few minutes as they reacquainted themselves with the warmth of one another. It was Subaru who finally pulled back his face to catch his breath. Before he could try to speak, Beatrice placed her hands on his cheeks and looked at him with fiery determination in her eyes.