A War of Words

"That was amazing, Emiya. Thanks so much." Slumping in her chair, her belly full, Ria closed her eyes and enjoyed the contentment that had been missing from her life since Cú died.

"It wasn't a problem at all. I enjoyed making it." His voice was matter of fact but laced with pride.

Hearing him get up out of his chair and then the clanking of dishes, Ria peeked an eye open to see him taking them to to the sink, where he began washing them.

"I'll do that in a moment; you shouldn't cook and clean. Just let me rest a moment."

The faucet turned on, and the scrubbing sound could be heard, causing Ria to growl and sit up.

"Damnit, Em, you obnoxious ass, I know you can hear me. I said I would do it." Bracing against the table to get up, Ria found herself stalled as he materialized in front of her. Pinning her in her seat with his knee between her legs and a hand on the back of her chair, he left her cemented in place as he stared into her eyes.

"I heard you and chose to ignore you. When I want your help, I will let you know." He removed his knee from the chair before taking his hand away from the back though his eyes stayed locked on hers until he turned to head back to the kitchen.

"Why don't you be a good girl and go take a bath and relax, so you stay out of my hair."

Raising an eyebrow at him, she threw him similar sass. "I don't remember you being this sassy."

"I've never been in charge of your well-being before. Now go take a bath before I strip you myself and throw you in there with cold water."

Her eyes went wide. "So abusive. Maybe I should change spirits."

Her threats idly bouning off him, Emiya continued to wash the dishes. "I'd like to see you try. Besides, now that you have tasted my cooking, you would miss it if you got rid of me."

Refusing to admit that was a distinct possibility, Ria pushed more of his buttons instead. "I sense a challenge in that statement. It was pretty good, though. I quest I could keep you around long enough to see if it was just a fluke."

Unfazed, he scolded back, "How kind of you considering I have saved your life at least once."

The penetrating look of skepticism against his skull made Em stop washing and turn his head to glance at her confused face. "Wow, you don't even remember. That's harsh. Maybe I should look for a new Master instead." Trying not to let any hurt show, a minor irritation came out in his voice as he went back to cleaning the dishes.

Now curious, Ria pressed the issue. "Did you seriously? Save my life, I mean."

Stopping again, he sighed as he turned his head to look at her. "It was the first time I met you. You were fighting Assassins Master and were in a pretty bad state. After I beheaded him, you collapsed, and I picked you up to carry you to someplace safer. That's when...."

Emiya tried to turn his head back towards the dishes, so she didn't see him blush, but she still saw it as he went quiet.

"That's when what?" She teased.

"It doesn't matter if you don't remember anyway." A bitterness entering his tone making

the pout in his voice unmistakable causing Ria to get up and walk over to him, his face still focused on the dishes with a slight pink to his cheeks.

Tapping him on the shoulder, her voice is soft, "Let me tell you a secret." Her voice a whisper as she cupped the side of her face with her hand as if she was hiding her lips so no one could read them.

Turning to look at her with a curious stare, he reluctantly lowered his head so he could hear her.

"Thanks for saving me even if I don't remember." Then she kissed him on the cheek, and his face turned bright red, making Ria giggle. "I never noticed how cute you are Emiya." She winked and smiled. "Guess I'll go take a bath per your recommendation." Turning, she headed to her room, stopping at the door to call over her shoulder. "No peeking!" Smiling, she turned as her face flushed; the look on his face of flustered embarrassment as he dropped a plate into the sink and cursed under his breath, giving her a small high as it reminded her viscerally of the playful moments she had had a lifetime ago with Cú.

Trying not to let herself dwell on such thoughts, she turned on the water to hot before stepping inside the tub and allowing the heat to focus her mind on the present until the bath was full and she could lay within its warmth. With nothing left to focus on, her mind began to wander to the days Cú, and she used to spend "bathing" together. Much like she was now Ria would just start to relax when Cú would either enter mostly or completely undressed with his shit-eating grin or materialize naked on top of her kissing her neck if her eyes were closed. From there he would tell her how beautiful she was and exactly what he wanted to do to her before pulling her legs around his hips and sinking deep within her heat.

Groaning as the memories flitted past, Ria realized there were few genuinely relaxing moments with Cú, most turned sexual or involved him teasing and pestering her, especially if he was bored. It made her ability to enjoy a quiet bath now seem weird now that she knew someone of the opposite sex was one room over but respected her space. It felt odd, but not in the wrong way.

After twenty minutes in the tub, she got out and dried off, feeling significantly more relaxed. Finally dry, she stepped out of the bathroom and into her adjacent bedroom, where she put on an oversized nightshirt and a pair of short jamma shorts before heading back into the living area.

To her surprise but not concern, Emiya wasn't there, but the dishes were all done and put away. Inspecting further, she also found the counter and stovetop had been cleaned and the table wiped down, causing her to look around in awe. "I'm not used to a productive companion." More said to herself than anyone.

"I'll take that as a compliment."

Jumping as his unexpected voice responded behind her, Ria turned to smack his shoulder. "Don't scare me like that! Defeats the purpose of the bath." She scowled at him.

"Careful, or your ever so pleasant face will stay like that." His tone was teasing but slightly severe as there was no smile, causing her to look at him skeptically before sticking her tongue out at him.

"There's that petulant child I remember. I knew your maturity was a facade." He walked over to the couch and turned around to face her while leaning on it. There was a minuscule smirk as his eyes danced with mischief.

"Better start enjoying that couch because that's where you are gonna stay with that mouth of yours," she clapped back at him.

"You say that as if I have even the slightest desire to sleep with you." He crossed his arms in front of his chest, still looking at her but now with a smoldering intensity.

"Your little blush in the kitchen tells me you might." Smiling as his face turned red, Ria could feel her body become aroused by their exchange. Cursing that she would be so desperate for a simple exchange, she did her best not to show how affected she was.

"That's only because you have no sense of personal boundaries. Did you even ask if I minded you being that close?" He was flustered and trying to backpedal, which made her laugh.

"Awwww, poor Em. Do you like me just a little?"

He turned to face the sliding glass door that led to the balcony. "I have never disliked you. Although being stuck with you now may change that perspective."

Ria gave a sharp laugh. "I bet I ditch you for your lack of life-changing cooking long before you leave me for my personality."

"Is that what you think?" He turned with a devilish look in his eye. "Don't be sad when I win. All I have to do is make bad food."

Her eyes go wide. "YOU WOULDN'T DARE!!!!

"Oh, I would. I won't poison you just make it so you don't want me around anymore or at least not cooking."

"If you do that, I will turn into the most HEINOUS cunt you have ever met." Her threats became grandiose as they lost traction.

Amusement rippled across his face. "I'm a master at ignoring people. Besides, you can't make me do anything I don't want to, and you won't use command seals to force me to do anything because you aren't that type of person. It's part of why I have so much admiration for you."

Now it was her turn to blush. "I had no idea you thought highly of me."

"To be honest? You never paid attention to much other than Cú. Not that I fault you for that. It's important in a solid Master, Servant relationship, but anyone with eyes could see you were in love with him." His cheekiness fizzled to a sort of sad jealousy as his eyes got sad for a second, which she found confusing. Before Ria could ask about it, he spoke up.

"Since the day I saved you, I have thought highly of you. You are fearless, selfless, filled with deep emotions, even beautiful. Any servant with brains would want to be paired with you."

Her blush overcomes her face, ears, and neck, causing Ria to become unnaturally shy. "Don't be stupid, Emiya. I treat you with the respect you deserve. To me, you are a person, not a Servant."

"Well, whatever I am to you, I hope you never regret summoning me." The look in his eyes filled with steel determination and what seemed to be anxiety, but it was hard to pin as he turned to position himself on the couch where he lay down and closed his eyes, putting his arms behind his head. "I'll be here if you need me. Get some sleep; we have training in the morning."

Staring at him a moment longer in confusion, Ria was at a loss for words. Wondering if there was more to come, she hesitated but eventually turned to head into her room.