Disclaimer: not mine

Summary: Rem knows. Will the witch punish her?

Bind

Rem entered Subaru's bedroom closing the door behind her. Sapphire eyes rested on his hunched over form sitting on the bed. He didn't turn to acknowledge her in anyway. That was a little unusual for him. "Are you alright?" His horrible position was hurtful not only to his spine but meant there was a lot on his mind weighing him down.

"I'm fi-" The words die in his mouth seeing the expression on the servant's face. The demi-human looked ready to call him out on his lie. "I'll be fine soon." The maid's expression lightens a tad. He had admitted there was a problem but didn't want to submit to it. She trotted over to the bed and sat near him.

"Can Rem help with anything?"

"I'm afraid not."

The twin's smile didn't falter as she expected this answer. They sat in simple silence with her eyes focused on his body language which hadn't changed. "Subaru, Subaru." She called happily. In response he turned his head at the happy sounding voice. The girl patted her soft thighs and held open her arms inviting him into her personal space.

His eyes widened at the sudden invitation of a lap pillow. One he's had before and felt like he thoroughly needed right now. Without hesitating too much he flopped down on his side and rested his head on her thighs. "What did I do to deserve this?" He asked feeling one of her hands caress his hair lovingly.

"It just looked like you needed it. Rem knows this is the only thing she can do for you."

"That's not true, you've done a lot."

"Have I?"

"You have." He responded with unwavering truth in his voice. One of her fingers playfully brushed up against the rim of his ear.

He shifted position to rest on his back in order to look up at her. His stern eyes held many emotions. Protection and admiration were the most recognizable to her. She also saw hurt and anguish but wasn't sure why. The woman stroked his cheek her thumb close to his lips. "Then Rem is happy. I wish I could remember actions I've done that make you look at me this way."

His eyes closed and he affectionately nuzzled into her palm. "Sorry, I know it must seem like I'm hiding a lot from you."

"Subaru has the best intentions. Rem is always watching after all. So I know about all the things the others have missed; all the clues."

"What?"

Her cerulean orbs reciprocated just as much love and admiration as his did. "The witch's hold on you is strong; but Rem's hold is much stronger."

Subaru swallowed hard. His voice shook in nervousness. "Rem...!? W-whatever are you talking about?"

"If you can't tell me than that's fine. Instead listen and Rem will tell you what she knows." The oni offered a smile and the human felt a shiver ran down his spine. He sat up feeling a death flag in his head go off. His blood was slowly going cold in dread.

"Sister says that the best thing about you is your timing. How is it realistically possible to have your timing correct all the time? Then Rem noticed when your timing is its best it's shortly after the witch's scent on you gets far too strong. Earlier when you had the fight with Emilia the stench became unbearable. Following this pattern you will have good luck later and do something really heroic." The maid smiled while he just looked away in shame.

Good luck? Really? He held in a scoff.

"How are you able to know things that have not happened? Rem was finally able to put it together." The human refocused his attention on her and whined her name in worry. "At first my theory was that you could see the future. A much more powerful version of clairvoyance then sister has. However, your metia proves that wrong."

"What?"

"Do you remember that day when I asked to inspect your metia? Rem found some interesting drawings on it." The cursed boy thought it was a sudden yet strange request. The oni one day after work had asked out of the blue to inspect his cell. Knowing no harm would come he handed it over. Bright blue eyes wide with awe and innocents. He remembered the childish expression and gasps she made as she pushed random buttons. A new screen would pop up or it would make some random noise. It was a cute moment that made him really feel like a time traveler.

The dark haired boy knew she meant pictures when she mentioned the drawings. The concept of instance pictures didn't really stick with her. Only paint and ink seemed to exist as an art medium here. He had explained it to her that it takes an instant 'drawing' from a model. "Rem found multiple artworks of herself with her weapon. I don't recall modeling for you." Pictures from when Rem wanted him dead. He had forgotten to delete them. "Then Rem thought if that's not from the future then maybe the past? This theory it's a bit more founded. In a sense, you're unafraid of death. You're much more reckless especially for being the weakest in the mansion. Sister calls it stupidity but Rem doesn't truly see it that way. You just don't fear death the same way Rem does. It's as if you have more personal experience with it...?"

She ended her statement more like a question she wanted to be confirmed or denied on. Still Subaru remained silent his body tensed. Just from that the demi-human really didn't need him to verbally answer to confirm it. She could tell from the picture of herself in the metia what Subaru had faced then. Pure unfettered hate was written on her face and the threat in her defensive posture. It was obvious to the maid that she was trying to attack in that moment. It was an inconceivable thought to the twin now. There was no way she would ever attack Subaru -presently. Even if she was being brained washed the oni would incapacitate herself first before ever laying a hand on her hero. Her past self however... The thought made her shiver.

"Subaru, because of the witch's touch, you've-" He quickly covered her mouth with his hand prevent the words from escaping. The sudden motion startled her as did the look in his eyes. There was extreme distress and wretchedness. Still the demi-human knew he didn't do it to be mean or to scold her. Her lips turn upwards as her tongue slipped out of her mouth to make contact with the palm of the butler's hand. He quickly pulled away getting the desired reaction she wanted.

"You really are Rem's hero. No, you're everyone's hero, it's just a shame no one knows it." Tears finally burst out quickly rolling down his cheeks. The cursed boy hasn't cried this much since the half elf had comforted him at the mansion. Once again he was making a scene in front of a girl he cared for. Tenderly he felt her wipe away some of his tears. It was a wasted motion since more just replaced them. "You're really strong." She opened her arms once again hoping he'll take the invitation again. "Rem is here for you. Rem will support you." The male wrapped his arms her and buried his face in her shoulder.

"The touch of the witch it teaches you something? How does she feed you infoma-"

The room disappears; all that surrounds them is a purplish black abyss. The couple tensed up; feeling the thick deadly miasma surround them. The human's blood turned cold looking around for the threat. His hands rested over his heart as if that could protect the organ from her touch. Satella's bodiless- yet still threatening- form stood far away from them.

Other than a glare the oni makes no other noticeable movements. Adrenaline started to flow throughout her body getting ready for a fight. Her first thought was to push Subaru behind her and shield him but for some reason she still didn't move. Was it the unnerving overpowering presences that stopped her in her tracks? Regardless the fighter was ready to pull out her morning star at the slightest of movements from the eerie form. It was likely that the single horned oni would easily be defeated by this opponent. The witch's lips move slightly while no voice came out.

Subaru fears the worse grabbing on to the maid tightly. He jerked her back into his broad chest. "Don't hurt her!" He's not above begging. There was no way he can just allow her to be killed in front of him. "Don't take her from me! Please not again! I'll do anything, just don't hurt her."

The twin was momentarily shocked at his sudden action and words. For a brief second she allowed herself the pleasure of basking in his affection. In his arms even she could forget that that Witch of Envy stood nearby. It wasn't often that she felt protected like this. The twin didn't want it to end. But then ghostly words echoed throughout the empty abyss.

'I love you.'

Rem pursed her lips feeling rage over the statement of love. She pulled away to turn her anger on the sorceress. Her body language became completely offensive. "Do you? Love that hurts someone isn't love!" The taller boy wrapped one arm around her waist while the other swung over her shoulder and down her chest like a car's seat belt. She struggles slightly but not too hard but doesn't really want to get free of his hold. "Just look at his reactions towards you; they truly say a lot. You are mentally destroying him." The maid didn't let up even when yin magic enclosed around them.

"Stop hurting Rem's hero! Rem knows she can't stop you, not in power or magic. But I won't just stand here and do nothing as he continues to suffer!" No matter how futile her horn still extended from the middle of her forehead. Her normally big bright blue eyes were narrowed and clouded with disdain. Subaru cried behind her still refusing to release her. Carefully she grabbed his wrists and pulled them opened. It felt weird to have her willingly brake out of his embrace. His shaking arms felt cold as her warmth moved away. He brought his arms back to his body trying to warm the goose bumped flesh.

Once free she took a few steps forward. "You're not in love with Subaru himself; you're in love with the idea of being in love."

'...'

The witch remained silent and unmoving. Conflicted? Reflecting on the twin's words perhaps? Or was the too hopeful? Rem frowned as she observed the 'expression' on the ghostly face. The elf looked as if she was fighting with herself. Her glowing eyes softened unexpectedly. The maid switched to defense and stepped back automatically unsure how to counter. It looked like the witch was a completely different person now. What was the deadly form thinking? How was she going to react? Should the twin try and push her point?

"Why are you isolating Subaru from others? I will stand by him regardless of what you want, that is Rem's love." The ghostly form remains quiet as if she's thinking about it. So the demi-human continues speaking. Satella frowned, the miasma around the oni getting larger. "Even if you kill Rem she will continue to stay by Subaru's side. As he improves getting over the next awaiting problem so will Rem."

At the mention of the 'k' word Subaru quivered in fear. The boy fell to his knees and clung to her desperately.

'Will bind your hearts together.'

What does that mean? Their hearts would be connected? After a few seconds of thought the twin speaks up. "Like synesthesia?" The bond with her twin was soul sharing. As if part of her soul was transplanted into her sister and vice versa. She could feel the heartbeat of her sister; sharing her thoughts, feelings and five senses -if Ram allowed it. Would 'binding hearts' be different? The very idea of sharing such an intimate sounding connection with the person she loves. The thought made her happy even if it was from a sickening curse.

"Go ahead and bind us. If it will allow Rem to stay by Subaru's side to share in his problems, I'll gladly pay the price."

"Rem?! Wha-?!" The words fall as the logic part of his mind stopped. He stood and roughly twirled her around to make eye contact. She stumbled thankful of his hands tightly clenching her by the shoulders keeping her on her feet. "Now's who being the reckless one?! It's not worth it! Please reconsider!" The amount of mental stress he goes through he wouldn't wish on anyone. Especially on someone he cares for. No matter how lonely and hard it is, he just wouldn't allow this sacrifice to be made for him. She's already sacrificed so much.

"I love you. Please allow Rem to stay by your side through everything." The maid wanted to smile warmly at him. And he wanted to ask why she loves him so much. A sudden pain clenched at her heart making her face contort. Rem doubled over and clutched at her chest. Subaru noticed immediately, using his body to support her full weight. Frantically he called her name each time his voice got more anxious. There was a familiar throb in her heart. It felt as if something horrible had happen to Ram but instead of a flash of her showing up in her mind it was Subaru's form that appeared.

With a light creek of the mattress the exhausted girl sat. The bed? Where they back in the bedroom? Was the witch gone? She couldn't tell anything about her surrounds at the moment. Her eyes were still shut tightly trying to curb the remaining pain. What just happened? Did Satella squeeze her heart?

Then all of the sudden the pain was just magically gone. She breathed a sigh of relief her body felt normal again. Closing her eyes she pressed a hand to her chest and concentrated on her heartbeat. Inside her chest she felt the soft comforting beat of two other hearts. One was easily recognizable as Ram's heart and the other heartbeat was Subaru. "Rem?" The human questioned at the sudden smile that morphed on her face.

"Rem can feel you. Rem can hear your heart from inside her. Can you feel me back?" With a bit of confusion on his expression he closed his eyes and focused on her figure inside his brain. Other than the unexpected flutter of his heart when he thought about the demi-human Subaru didn't feel any differently. His face felt a bit hot and his heart pounded in his ears but that was normal for him when thinking about the maid. Yeah, totally normal.

Her hands rested on her lap as she gazed at the ground. "Truthfully, Rem was incredibly scared." The hero frowned. He didn't like hearing that but expected it. It was a bit uncommon for Rem not to attack first when facing an enemy. Especially if that enemy was a member of the witch's cult. He took note of the cautious way she acted around Satella. Till she got upset that is. Their shoulders brushed together as he took a hold of one of her hands. "What would you have done if the witch had actually murder me?"

"Run into the main road." Into oncoming traffic he thought but didn't add. The emotionless and fast response to her question made him tighten his hold on her hand. "Then I would have to prevent you from ever speaking your mind. I would have to run away from you whenever we were alone."

"So that's what happens-" Rem jerked her head in his direction when his hand pulled away to cover his mouth with an audible slap noise. He stared wide eye in her direction waiting for blood to dribble out of her mouth or something horrendous to happen. When nothing did his tensed shoulders began to slump and his hands fell to his side. The tensed maid just watched. "...Though I'm not sure I fully understand."

"Return by death." He whispered his voice sounded crack and dried with a hint of coldness added to it.

"So you can relive through situations in life?" She repeated rhetorical trying to understand. "If you redid this day over and avoided Rem instead of talking to her. I would be really upset with you, you know." She leaned over resting her head on her hero's shoulder sulking like a child. "I would like to say that I'll protect you to the death but that wouldn't make you happy, would it?" Right now the oni wanted to say something optimistic. Something that would make him beam in joy and put a loving smile on her face. Because of the witch's curse it wasn't even possible anymore. Six simple words had entered her mind though all the pain as the cursed was placed on her as well.

'One heart stops, other heart stops.'

"It never did. Seeing you hurt time and time again."

The twin frowned realizing that she unintentionally was partly to blame for his stress. "Then instead Rem will instead say that she will live for you. Rem vows to heal your soul, heart and mind; to provide companionship and loyalty when no one else will."

"Rem..."

The butler without hesitation pulled her into a secure hug. The oni's affection was completely overpowering the lingering aftermath of Satella's fear in him. She was really talented at getting him to relax. Rem abruptly tensed up in his hug. "What's wrong?" He loosened his hold upon seeing her frowning face but still kept his arms around her. "Are you in any pain?"

"No, Rem smells bad, like the witch." She grimaced; her words spit fire at the mention of the sorceress. The scent was to be expected sure. But still she didn't think it was going to bother her so much. Now the horrible stench was coming from two sources. And the very thought of all the suffering that being caused made the demi-human scowl. Why was the scent so much worse on her? Or maybe she was just use to smelling it on him that it didn't bother her.

Subaru smiled. "No you don't, you smell fine." To prove his point he pressed their foreheads together and nuzzled their noses lovingly. A sweet giggle escaped her throat. A light flush illuminated her cheeks at his actions.

"How embarrassing, I think I'm blushing. Are you flirting with Rem?" Her hands flew to her cheeks trying to hide her cheerful blush. Sniffing was sign that you were in to another. And she relished the self-proclaimed right to sniff him. "Then Rem is yours to sniff." The light teasing mood loitered in the air.

"Rem?" He called out sounding a little unsure.

"Yes?"

"Can I...can we?" Subaru blushed and averted his eyes. Gently she urges him on patiently. She won't force him to speak before he is comfortable. Whatever desires he wanted she would fulfill. "Will you lay with me? Sorry, I know that's not really appropriate." By the time he had finished his sentenced she had already kicked off her shoes. Scooting to the middle of the bed she held out her arms. He pressed up against her holding her around the middle and resting his head on her arm.

"This curse ties us together just as intimately as marriage does. You don't need to hesitate when asking for something." He didn't comment while basking in the warmth of the girl who was always by his side. Her arms made him want to forget everything that has happened.

"Say Rem...? Do you... Do you know what happened? All those times…?"

All the times he awoke with the twins in his room? All the times she has sacrificed herself for him? All the times he's failed horrible? It floated in the front of his mind haunting him. One person shouldn't be allowed to fail so many times.

"No, will you tell Rem about it?" There was a fast flash of relief in his eyes. Pain and fear were prominent emotions in his amber eyes. She sighed a little unhappy about his hesitance. Still it was understandable.

"We have the witch's blessing. Do you trust me to help shoulder your pain?"

"I do but…Sorry. I really don't want you to feel any of the pain or despair I've felt."

"It's alright; Rem won't bring it up again then. I'll just remember what happens from here on out."

The dark haired boy sighed. He didn't want her to remember anything. No one should have to remember. "It's been so hard and stressful. I really want to take your hand and run away from it all. I can't save anyone. I'm completely powerless and useless. Where is the good luck that you think is going to come going to happen?"

"That's not true; nor is Subaru a quitter. You're stronger then all of us." Without feeling reserved she buried his head close to her breasts. The beat of her heart was strong and uplifting. "Though, that is an extremely tempting idea. When this is all over Rem would love to run away with you."

"When this is all over there would be no point in running away then." He chuckled for the first time in days. Music to the demi-human's ears she wanted to hear more of it. A small distraction; it was something his heart needed right now.

"Were would you like to go? What would you like in your future with Rem?"

"Hm...I'd be happy with just a normal simple modest life."

The smaller girl pouted her cheeks were noticeable puffed up more than normal. "That's a boring unfulfilling answer. There's nothing wrong with a 'simple modest life.' However, you can't just ask a lady to run away with you and not bring up the idea of eventually starting a family with her. It's really cruel thing to do. Do you intend to waste Rem's fertility?"

"Well, sorry no. So, you want a family then I take it?"

"It would be nice; it's a childhood dream most girls have, after all."

A wryly smile she couldn't see grew on his face. "And what do you want?"

Rem giggled. "Twins obviously. Maybe triplets."

"Aiming big?"

"Of course, do you have a problem with twins?" She eyed him smugly poking his cheek with her finger. She was daring him to say something bad about twins. Honestly she couldn't imagine only having one child. She wanted to share the joy of having a sibling with her own child.

"Not at all. I'm quite fond of twins myself. Speaking of twins, Ram... You can't tell her any of this, you know that right?"

"I didn't plan too. Nevertheless, my sister is smart. She may not tell what it is but she probably will notice there is something off with Rem."

"If we're able to get pasted the White Whale. We'll need to evacuate everyone in the town. Would you be able to convince Ram?"

"Yes, but she lacks authority. She might not be able to convince the villagers or Emilia to leave."

Subaru grunted in aggravation. "Well, I guess I'll worry about that if we get there. White whale will have to come first." After a few minutes of silence he lifted his head wearing a calm expression. "Alright Rem, this is the plan..."

A/N: I'm assuming that when Subaru resets, his cellphone doesn't because it's a part of his world and not there's. I could just end it here or I could add a chapter of RBD focusing on Rem's thoughts and feelings. But then I would probably have to rewrite the ending of the anime. I haven't decided on what I feel like doing yet.