Rezero:Hearts Entwined in a Fractured World

part 1

Hearts Entwined in a Fractured World

Part 1: Subaru's Restless Return

Subaru Natsuki lay back on the soft bed in the Roswaal mansion, finally having a moment to breathe after the latest of his grueling loops. His mind raced, thinking of all the challenges he had faced and the many people he had tried to protect. The constant pressure of saving everyone weighed heavily on his shoulders, but tonight, he felt something different—an aching loneliness.

As the moonlight streamed through the window, Subaru sighed. He had helped so many, yet he had also failed in more ways than he could count. The one constant through his suffering had been the support of those closest to him. But were they really just friends? He couldn’t deny that several of them had been growing closer to him in ways he hadn't expected.

His thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock at the door. Subaru sat up, a little startled. "Come in," he said, curious to see who would visit him so late.

The door creaked open to reveal Beatrice, her small frame nearly hidden by the long shadows of the room. She floated toward him, her usual pout plastered across her face, but there was a hint of softness in her eyes that Subaru hadn’t seen before.

"Barusu, what are you doing just sitting there, I suppose?" she asked, her arms crossed as she hovered beside his bed. "You have a way of making people worry without even trying."

Subaru chuckled. "I’m not trying to make anyone worry, Beako. I just…needed some time to think."

Beatrice raised an eyebrow, sitting on the edge of the bed. "You think too much, I suppose. You should focus on resting. After everything you’ve been through, it's a wonder you’re even still standing."

Subaru’s heart warmed at her concern. He leaned back, resting on his elbows as he looked at her. "I don’t know what I’d do without you, Beako."

Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she turned her head away, though she didn’t leave her spot. "You’d be utterly helpless, I suppose. But that’s not why I came here."

Subaru tilted his head. "Oh? Then why did you?"

Beatrice’s fingers played with the hem of her dress, and for a moment, her usual sharp tongue seemed to falter. "Barusu... I—" She bit her lip, struggling to find the words. "I don’t like to admit it, but... you’ve changed things for me. You’ve made me feel things I’ve long since forgotten."

Subaru sat up straight, sensing the gravity of the moment. "Beatrice..."

She turned to face him, her eyes glistening in the dim light. "You’re always so reckless, and you make the worst decisions. But… you’ve been there for me, even when I pushed you away." Her voice softened, trembling slightly. "I thought I didn’t need anyone. I thought it was better to be alone… but I was wrong, I suppose."

The air between them grew thick with unspoken emotion. Subaru’s heart pounded in his chest as he reached out, gently placing his hand on Beatrice’s. She didn’t pull away. Instead, she looked at him, her usual bravado replaced by vulnerability.

"I’m not going anywhere, Beatrice," Subaru said, his voice barely above a whisper. "No matter what happens, I’ll always be here for you."

Her eyes widened, and for a moment, it seemed like she might cry. But Beatrice being Beatrice, she quickly wiped her face and scowled. "Don’t say things like that so easily, Barusu. You’ll make me think you actually care."

Subaru laughed, but it was a warm laugh, one filled with affection. "Maybe I do care. More than you think."

Beatrice’s gaze softened once more, and in that moment, the distance between them seemed to disappear. She hesitated for just a second before leaning in, pressing her lips gently against his.

The kiss was soft and tentative, as if both were testing the waters of something they’d never experienced before. But as the warmth of the moment washed over them, Beatrice deepened the kiss, her small hands grasping Subaru’s shirt as if she feared he might vanish.

Subaru’s heart raced as he kissed her back, his hand gently cupping the back of her head. It was a moment of quiet passion, of two people finally letting down their walls.

When they finally pulled apart, both were breathless. Beatrice’s face was flushed, her usual composure completely undone.

"Don’t think this changes anything, I suppose," she muttered, though her voice lacked its usual bite. "I’m still going to boss you around, Barusu."

Subaru grinned, his heart light for the first time in what felt like forever. "I wouldn’t have it any other way, Beako."

As Beatrice left his room, the air still tingling with the electricity of their kiss, Subaru lay back down, his mind spinning. He couldn’t help but smile, knowing that, despite the endless challenges ahead, he wasn’t alone.

But as he closed his eyes, ready for a much-needed rest, he had a feeling this was only the beginning. There were others—others who had also grown close to him. And the journey to understand his feelings for each of them had just begun.

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To be continued…