Bell arrived home just as dusk settled. Lights were already on inside, glowing against the fading orange sunlight that painted its walls.
He paused at the front gate. After a brief hesitation, he stepped forward and knocked softly.
No reply.
He waited a moment, then knocked again.
Silence.
Before his knuckles could meet wood a third time, a grumbling voice echoed from within.
"Geez... coming, coming."
Bell's lips twitched. He'd recognize that voice anywhere.
With a click, the door cracked open. A twin-tailed head peeked out, glancing left and right.
The moment her eyes landed on him, they went wide. Before he could utter a word, she threw the door open and launched herself at him, wrapping her arms and legs around his torso with surprising force.
Bell instinctively caught her, wrapping his arms around her back to steady her against his chest.
"Bell, you woke up... Waah... Do you have any idea how worried we were!?" She tightened her grip, burying her face in his chest.
He carried her inside, kicking the door shut behind them.
His steps faltered when he felt Hestia press her palm against his chest, her fingers digging into his skin through the tunic.
"Why do you always push yourself to the brink?" Her question was a whisper, barely reaching his ears, yet it stopped him dead in his tracks.
Bell looked down. Her trembling fingers were still digging into him, her choked voice a messy blend of helplessness and anger.
He knew her well enough to read her mind.
If I were a stronger goddess... If I could just protect him myself...
He slid a hand from her back up to her crown, ruffling her hair with enough force to make her head bob.
"Hey—Stop—Bell, don't—" Hestia pulled back, glaring up at him with a pout and bared teeth.
His fingers didn't stop, transforming her hair into a chaotic mess.
Finally fed up, she lunged straight for his neck and bit down.
"Ouch!"
Hestia jerked back, clapping a hand to her mouth. Her teeth ached from the impact; it felt more like biting into iron than flesh.
He brought a finger to her forehead, tapping it gently.
"Next time, don't try to bite off more than you can chew."
She glared at his smile, grinding her aching teeth.
"Grrrr..."
Bell's smile only widened, his finger continuing its gentle tapping despite her growling.
At least her fingers were no longer digging into his chest like a drowning person grasping for an anchor.
He resumed walking, carrying her into the living room accompanied by her continuous, muffled growls.
Just three steps inside and graceful fingers wrapped around the back of Hestia's neck, plucking her from his arms.
"Huh?" Hestia let out a bewildered yelp as she was pulled away, her own arms suddenly closing around empty air.
Bell only had a second to react before another body crashed into him. A familiar warmth, a familiar scent.
Astraea.
He caught her waist with practiced ease, resting his forehead against hers.
Indigo eyes met his, and for a moment, neither spoke.
"You woke up," Astraea murmured. Her shoulders sagged with those words, as though an unseen weight had just been lifted from her.
"Yeah..." He replied, tightening his hold on her waist.
"You don't feel pain anywhere, right?" She asked, letting her eyes fall shut. Not from fatigue, but to hide how blank they'd become—twin vortexes of pure obsession.
"No," Bell answered, taking in the dark circles still lingering under her eyes.
"Good." She slid her forehead from his and rested her head on his shoulder instead, letting her entire body weight collapse against him as she relaxed like an uncoiled spring.
He raised a hand, gently stroking her hair in soothing motions.
Soft footsteps approached. Haruhime rushed over, her tail swishing anxiously behind her.
"Bell-sama! You're awake." She circled them, eyes frantically scanning Bell for any lingering injuries. Her trembling fingers hovered over him, afraid to actually make contact.
"I'm fine, Haruhime." He reassured her.
"Let him sit down first." Hestia chimed in, shooting Astraea a pointed look.
Astraea finally let go, stepping back to sink into a nearby sofa. She patted the cushion beside her. "Sit."
Bell followed, but Hestia wasn't about to be left behind. She immediately claimed the spot on his other side, effectively sandwiching him between two Goddesses.
"Tell me now... Why did you fight Ares? No dancing around the topic. I want the truth." Hestia demanded, her fingers closing around his wrist.
Haruhime walked to the sofa's edge, her eyes locked on him, fox ears standing straight.
"Well..." Bell exchanged a glance with Astraea.
"He threatened you and Haruhime. I just... couldn't hold back after that." His voice dropped, his expression cooling for a fleeting instant.
Then, just as quickly, it vanished, replaced by his usual smile.
Hestia stared at him, color draining from her face. Her mouth opened, but no words came out.
Haruhime's tail stiffened, shock freezing her in place. Bell-sama... fought a God for us?
"Don't blame him, Hestia. Ares deserved it for his threats alone. I would have sent him back to Heaven myself if Bell hadn't told me to trust him and hold back." Astraea added from his other side, her hand softly resting over his.
Hestia remained quiet for a long moment. She looked down at her hands, curling them into fists in her lap, before striking his shoulder. It wasn't a light punch.
"You absolute fool." She choked out, voice cracking.
That snapped Haruhime out of her daze. A hand flew to her mouth.
"Bell-sama..."
"Alright, alright, don't make a big deal out of it. Ares had a very punchable face. I would've bashed it in even if he hadn't threatened you." Bell waved his free hand casually, downplaying the gravity of his decision.
Astraea gazed at him with tender eyes. Hestia punched his shoulder again, lighter this time. Haruhime's tail gave a sharp jerk.
"Goddesses, how about you both update my Falna now that we have the time?" He asked, eager to shift to a lighter topic.
"We should, right, Hestia?" Astraea caught his cue immediately.
"Don't take me for a fool. I know you're trying to change the subject." Hestia huffed, crossing her arms over her chest.
"So?" Bell and Astraea asked in unison.
Hestia glanced between the two of them before letting out an exasperated sigh.
"Fine."
"Alright, Bell, take off your tunic." Astraea said, her expression completely deadpan.
Bell glanced around, his gaze landing on Haruhime. She had her fingers covering her eyes—though she was peeking right through some gaps in between them.
He stood up, reaching for his tunic. Before he could pull it over his head—
The sound of heavy, deliberate footsteps from above stopped him.
A woman with white hair descended the stairs, each step making wood creak purposefully.
Alfia.
Bell felt his heart leap to his throat.
She tilted her head at him.
"Had your fun?"
Her words made goosebumps erupt across his skin.
"Uh... Aunt, I—"
He blinked, and suddenly she was right in front of him, fingers already clamped around his ankle.
Bell tried to yank his leg free, but her grip was solid. Without a word, she tugged him off balance and started dragging him away.
"Goddess Astraea! Save me!"
Astraea ignored him, simply closing her eyes and turning a deaf ear.
"Goddess Hestia!"
Hestia turned her head away with a huff.
"Hmph. Serves you right for acting all lovey-dovey with Astraea earlier."
Bell cast a desperate look at Haruhime.
"Haruhime!"
She looked at him, then at Alfia's back, her head shaking like a rattle drum.
"Sorry... Bell-sama. I can't."
And so, Alfia dragged Bell upstairs by his ankle.
A second later—
The entire house shook.
BAAM!
"I swear I won't run away again!"
BAAM!
"I promise—wait, no!"
BAAM!
"Aunt! Not the face!"
...
..
.
***
[300 Power Stones = 1 Bonus Chapter]
[8 chapters ahead on P@tr3on = [email protected]/Not_Aaryan]
...
[Authors Thoughts]
Alright everyone, I'm going to sleep.
Goodnight.
Sweet dreams.