A Little Twist

Six

Risa can breathe again and realizes that someone is gently rubbing her belly. It's calming and she turns to see Subaru. 

'Finally.' Subaru is relieved that she reacts again. 'The baby seems to be calm.' 

She finds herself in her bedroom and on her bed. 'Subaru?' 

'Were you expecting someone else?' This took ten minutes, dammit! But it's good to see her breathe normally again. 'What happened? What did Kanato say to you?' 

Immediately, she's taken back and her eyes burn. Tearing up, she moves closer to him. 'He... he thinks... I'm lying...' 

'About what?' Give me a reason and I'll do something to that devil. 'Risa, breathe.' 

She swallows and sobs. 'He said that... if I lied about the father... he would kill us both.' She hides in his arms. 'I was scared... he would kill me... right there...' 

If Reiji doesn't kill him, I will! Threatening a woman and a baby. 'Ssh, if that was true, you wouldn't be here. Our father noticed something from us on you and brought you back to us.' He rubs her belly. 'Just calm down, I won't let him hurt you both.' It takes him another ten minutes before Risa falls asleep. I promise I won't let anyone hurt you or the baby. Then he teleports to Kanato and Reiji. 

'Do you know what he did to her?' Reiji knew Subaru would come back. 

Subaru keeps his eyes on Kanato. 'He said he would kill Risa and the baby if she lied about the father.' 

She ran me out to Subaru! Kanato can't believe it. Maybe I should just get rid of her. 

'Don't even think about it.' Reiji pushes his glasses up. 'And what makes you think that she would lie about who the father is? Until now, she has been honest with me and asked me something before doing anything. Does that mean you convinced yourself that even our father would lie?' 

'Touch her one more time and I'll turn you into a doll!' Subaru raises his fists. 

Reiji turns to him. 'Normally, I wouldn't conduct such violence but I would let you destroy his dolls first and make him watch.' I have the potion to paralyze him for a while and it has the desired outcome. 'Is she asleep?' 

'Yes, although it took me ten minutes.' Subaru takes a lighter from his pocket. 'This is for threatening Risa and the baby.' That baby is my nephew and I will not let you kill them. He sets one doll on fire. 

'I will consider that enough punishment. It will suffice for the rest of us.' Reiji's eyes land back on Kanato. 'There is one thing you should know, Kanato,' he continues, 'Risa won't do anything without consulting me first. If there is a problem, you come to me first.' That will do. He won't be doing something like this again. 

Subaru sees the doll's clothes disappear in flames. 'Don't you ever come that close to her again!' He goes to the garden and picks two white roses. It seems actions speak louder than words. He removes the thorns and goes back to find Risa still sleeping. Silently, he puts both roses in a glass with some water. 

✽✽✽

Coming from the bathroom, Risa's eyes are drawn to her nightstand. Where two white roses are, which she found when she woke up earlier. I feel better, thank you, Subaru. Thinking about how she fell asleep in his arms, she blushes. Get a grip! He was comforting me from Kanato and the fake contractions. I just wish I knew why Kanato behaves like this. Feeling the baby kick, she rubs it gently. Of course, I'll go get something to eat. Maybe their monthly family dinner comes up soon. I'll ask when I get the chance. Reiji would know that, but the others might not. In the kitchen, she opens the fridge. Oh, the groceries are done. Thanks, Reiji. She gets started on a light salad with tuna. Followed by soup and a glass of water.