This is a fan fiction of Haruhime x Bell that takes place sometime after the Xenos arc and before the Expedition. I feel like there isn't enough Haruhime and Bell shippers around. I ship this pair the most, even more than Ryu.

It had been days since the incident that took place in Daedalus District, where armored monsters' sudden appearance, combined with the shocking event that took place on the plaza. The Rabbit Foot that stood wide open against a monster to protect a certain half-elf guild employee, then the appearance of the wounded jet black minotaur and the battle that took place afterwards.

Every morning since that day, Bell had skipped his usual early morning training routine, and went to the high city wall that overlooked the still-sleeping city as morning dawns upon it. He had reconciled with Aiz on that same wall, where they trained together before. Further strengthened his resolve, the desire to become stronger, to one day become strong enough to bring about the necessary change and reforms that would realize and fulfill the Xenos' dreams – to see the setting sun and co-exist on the surface.

He had spent a short time with the half vouivre girl – Wiene, felt like one of the most fulfilling days of his life. With Wiene gone, an empty seat at the table, the missing scent and constant contact on the bed. Bell now feels something that he has never felt before. Emptiness. That something is missing. Hestia Familia has not been the same since Wiene was gone, it was incomplete. But the person who shares an equal amount of burden as Bell is Haruhime, for she had spent the most time with Wiene out of everyone here. If Bell was to be described as someone who took on the role of Wiene's father figure, then Haruhime is someone who took on the role of Wiene's mother figure. Thus she understood Bell more than anyone else, right at this moment.

Overlooking the still-sleeping city, on top of the high city walls, where Aiz had just left.

I should return…

I have returned to the manor. As I walked through the familiar hallway, I was looking out of the window that faces the backyard. There I saw a brilliantly and bright shade of golden beauty, sitting on the grass in seiza. She was wearing her usual red Eastern styled kimono, her ears were down and her tails sweeping across the grass depressingly. An elegant renart whom I have sworn to protect with my life – Haruhime. Her head stood low. Unusual for her to be out in the backyard at this hour, I decided to go to her.

"Haruhime"

At the sound of my calling, her ears twitched with the sudden jerk of her head, she immediately stood up and slightly bowed to me.

"G-Good morning, Master Cranel…"

"Good morning Haruhime…"

"…"

"…"

Upon seeing me, her tails were wagging a little faster. I sat down on the grass next to her, prompting her to sit down as well. We were sitting at a shoulder's touch. I gazed at her emerald eyes.

"I was worried. You looked sad."

"My apologies, it's just- this is where I- no, we spent time with Wiene here. When she accidentally hurt you, and when we played hide and seek…"

"I miss her too… but we made a promise, Haruhime. One day, we can share those moments together again, together."

"Yes…"

Haruhime suddenly leaned on my shoulder. I have known for a long time, when I carried her, that she was very light, so it felt like paper weight, but more than that, I know that she carries an emotional burden, that was what was resting on my shoulder.

"To be so close to a damsel in distress, once they lean on your shoulders, you must do what every man would in such a situation – extend your arm and held her over her waist!"

As I sat there, trying to figure out what to say to comfort her, Gramps' words of wisdom flashed through my head.

Should I do it?

She won't be offended right?

As I battled these thoughts in my mind. I realized that this was embarrassing, because I had already resolved myself, that I will not be indecisive again. I extended my right arm, my hands gripping her waist, and pulled her close.

"Master Cranel… is this alright?"

"Yes"

"Won't Hestia-sama be mad at you?"

"This is what I want"

Saying this, although I have no more indecisiveness, I was still a little flustered. Although it seems I do not grow beet red and embarrassed as to reject these feelings anymore. Haruhime on the other hand, seemed like she was on the verge of an emotional outburst. She turned and looked straight at me, the corner of her eyes were teary.

"W-what's wrong Haruhime? I-if this is not what you want, I'm sorry"

I thought to myself I shouldn't have taken Gramps' advice after all that time, that I had taken the wrong move, I was blaming myself and was letting my grip on her waist loose when she snuggled closer to me and wrapped me in an embrace, her face was buried at the base of my neck. She was sobbing.

"N-no. I just feel like I don't deserve this. I don't deserve your affection, Master Cranel. I am impure, someone like me is not fit to be with a hero…"

"Haruhime, you should not think of yourself so low. You probably did not know this, but Aisha had told me everything. Haruhime has never d-done i-i-it with anyone before. That Haruhime always passed out before anything happens, and I-I think I proved that…"

Upon hearing this, Haruhime suddenly looked up at me, her eyes widened, still teary, and stared deeply into my eyes as I did hers. Her mouth was opened in a surprise gesture and no words were left out. Her tail unmoving.

Feeling a little embarrassed, I broke the silence.

"It would have not mattered to me. After all, Haruhime is a kind and noble person, and I'd not have it any other way."

"M-Master Cranel…"

She finally uttered those words, her voice was wavering. Decided that I had already resolved myself and determined that I will not show indecisiveness. I pulled my face closer, my free left hand softly placed on one side of her slender neck. Our breaths became more soft and steady, as if adjusting in sync. Our eyes were fixated onto one another, with not even a blink. Our eyes closed, and our lips touched.

Her tail was now wagging uncontrollably, until she wrapped it around me when our lips met, we were still locked in an embrace. It was my first kiss. I imagine Gramps striking a victory pose in my heart.

"…"

After what seemed like a very brief moment, yet it must have been quite a while, as we were forced apart only because if we had not otherwise, we would have probably passed out due to the lack of breath. Our gazes met once again.

"Haruhime, I…"

"…"

She was gazing directly at my eyes, expectantly, as if she was trying to read me, but there was fear in her eyes, as if she was afraid that I will never say it, that I regretted it. To have done it with someone as lowly as her.

"I love you, Haruhime. Please, choose me."

"C-choose you?"

I said it. I can imagine Gramps striking the ultimate victory pose in my head again. If this was me a month ago, I think I would have grew beet red and so hot that I'd have burned to ash on the spot, that being said, I was still very flustered. But Haruhime replied in a joyous, yet confused tone.

"Y-yes, choose me! I want to be the lucky person that Haruhime wants to be with for the rest of her life."

That had done it. She stared at me in shock, her mouth was wide open. A deep shade of red on her cheeks. Her emerald eyes were fixated and unmoving. It was as if she froze on the spot.

"H-Haruhime?"

I wasn't sure what to do. Did I said something wrong? Was it not right? Her eyes were getting teary again and it was starting to leak.

"Y-you don't have to answer me now if you don't wa-"

"Yes!"

"Huh?"

"Yes!"

Her tears were practically pouring down mercilessly onto the patch of grass as she said those words happily. A most beautiful and truthful smile on her face. That was the smile that I fought for, that I had sworn with my life to protect.

"Oi oi, what are you doing to my little sister?"

TBC