And So, Bell Became a Hero

by IreJasmine

Bell's Grandfather had a more impactful role in the boy's early life until his disappearance. Bell, with his newfound morals and dreams, and the help of an unexpected Goddess, starts his own journey to become a Hero like the one in the stories of his gramps. Tags: Graphic, Mature, Action, Romance[Harem]. Adventure.

23. Ch 17: And So, the Curtain Closes P4

And So, Bell Became a Hero

DISCLAIMER: Danmachi belongs to its respective owners. Everything that occurs in this fanmade story is of my own creation and the characters abide by the fictional laws in the setting.

Author Note: If you'd like to support me, please consider joining the dis cord server (42SQENPj54) or supporting my Patron (IreJasmine)

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Volume 1 Epilogue, Chapter 17: And So, The Curtain Closes Part 4

Part 25

Time continues flowing, the world continues spinning, and live goes on with its never-ending cycle of small actions that mark the past, define the present and foretell the future.

Inside Rose's apartment, specifically in her bathroom, there's one Bell Cranel sitting inside the stone Ofuro with water up to his chest with Rose, his werewolf lover, sitting on his lap in all her naked glory and comforting him with her love as he tried to wrap his head around the numerous revelations she dropped on him minutes earlier.

To either of his sides were both new members of the Hestia Familia; The distant relative of Rose, and previous attendant of Lord Poseidon, Eden Voluptas, and the newly life-bound partner of Bell Cranel, the golden-haired sisterly elf of the Loki Familia, Alicia Forestlight.

Both women were lost in their own little world of thoughts, Eden with a blissful smile as she sank herself up to her mouth inside the steaming water of the Ofuro, her buxomness floating and serving as resting place for her hands. Alicia, on the other hand, had covered herself with the white towel again after showering and sat, coiled into herself, with an unreadable expression that shifted to the white-haired adventurer who was lost in his own thoughts.

The gentle caresses of Rose on Bell's cheeks and jaw served to keep his brain from overloading from the influx of information by balancing it between the pleasant sensations and the fleeting anxiousness that came and went in waves.

Bell embraced his mate's midsection and brought her closer, nuzzling his face on her chest as he wished for Time to stop for a single second just so he could enjoy the minuscule, fleeting, moment where all his troubles felt like a faraway concept.

But Time was a cruel mistress, and so was Fate.

Since mistress Time ignored Bell's plea, the young adventurer could do nothing but embrace Rose tighter, reminding himself she was one of the primary reasons he continued walking the thorny path he had set for himself, the path to become a hero.

Bell didn't even need to think whether he was walking the correct path, as there were not one, but two proofs around him that he was, in fact, already the hero he wished to become.

The selfish Hero that would save someone, anyone, in their time of need.

Rose, who believed in him and whom he saved, earning her heart and body which, now, belonged to him and the majority of his equally belonged to her.

Alicia, who initially hated him and whom he also saved, earning a life-debt from her. Something that weighed heavily on his mind, yet Bell had already promised himself, from the moment she had revealed the scar to him and cried in his arms about her loss, that he would try – No, he would make her life beside him the best one.

This, and several other thoughts, floated through Bell's head just as Eden's breast floated closer to his side, though Bell did his best effort to ignore both his rational and instinctual thoughts however the mind's a traitorous thing, and even as the boy tried his best to simply live in the moment, enjoy the comfort Rose's body gave his weary soul, the young adventurer couldn't help but still be preoccupied for what the future held in store for him.

Bell Cranel was not worried for himself, no.

Any challenge the cruel mistress Fate had in store for him would be very much welcomed, what Bell Cranel was worried for was the most important thing to him, and it was what defined the kind of hero he wanted to be, his family.

Lady Hekate, his beloved crimson-haired caretaker, and now secondary goddess of his Familia was an important part of his life and knowing there was more to her than met the eye was something he was not ready to accept just yet, perhaps it was part of his love for her that blinded him so much, but Bell couldn't help it.

Lady Hestia trusted Miss Kat too, and Bell had a found kindred soul in the Goddess of Hearth, a goddess with a loving heart twice as big as her physical assets. A Goddess who could be childish at times but worried like a true mother for each and every single one of her children, dotting over them in however way she could.

Eina Tulle, his lovely advisor, worrisome second lover, and overall, the shyest out of all women he'd met so far, was someone he cherished from the bottom of his heart for all the trouble she was willing to put up for his sake. Something he was quite certain went above and beyond what a normal Guild Advisor should for their assigned adventurer.

Shakti Varma, a mature woman who, despite her cold façade, was the most adorable and kind person he had the pleasure of meeting, forming a bond that had grown stronger in the span of days after continuous mishaps. The woman who made him realize that Bell Cranel was indeed one of the most selfish men on Earth.

And he was fine with that, he would even readily admit it to anyone from here on forward. Pseudo-charm on his back or not, Bell Cranel would reciprocate the honest feelings of those around him, whether they came from their affection for him, or their hatred.

Thus, unfortunately for Fate, Bell had become just as cruel to her as she was to him.

As Bell possessively embraced Rose whose breath hitched with the switch from tenderness to possessiveness, the white-haired adventurer vowed to himself to never let any of his past actions haunt him.

Bell Cranel would live in the present to its fullest and would not let anything scare him from the uncertain future.

The Future was his to mold, and mistress Fate would have to make peace with it.

Everything mistress Fate would throw at him, Bell Cranel would deal with it one step at a time.

If the Gods were angry and irritated for his differences to their Children, then let them be angry. None of those Gods and Goddesses had power over him, they had no say in any of his decisions, and unless Bell willed it, they had no place in the blooming future he would create for his family.

Even if some of them named him their champion, just as the arrogant Poseidon had done without his consent, Bell would not be a slave to any of their godly whims. If, and only if, their desires aligned would Bell act along with them, otherwise…

Well, he would deal with that if there ever came such a time.

So lost in his thoughts was the young adventurer that he did not notice the moment Eden stood up from the Ofuro, water alluringly dripping over her buxom body, and left the bathroom shortly before Alicia, who gave one last concerned look at the shifting face of her savior, followed after the voluptuous Voluptas leaving Bell and Rose alone.

Rose, amused and equally concerned as both women who just left, caressed Bell's jaw with her nail and whispered his name, "Bell?"

The actions had their desired effect as Bell's blinked several times and shocked his head, "Sorry, I was processing everything."

Rose giggled, a sound that always uplifted his heart, "We noticed, did you arrive at a conclusion?" she asked as she had seen firsthand, and felt up close, how his eyes brimmed with the determination she had come to love of him, and the possessiveness that sparked her instincts.

"Overwhelmed," Bell replied instantly with a determined smile that rivaled the feeling in his eyes. "My Grandfather always said that the life of a hero was never easy, and that I could always step back if I felt the challenges become too much, but to me, all these challenges are proof that I've been walking in the right direction all along." Bell steeled his will as he set his shoulders straight.

"My current, and only concern, after thinking everything through is that I don't want anything to happen to any of you, and because of that, I will become even stronger to become the Hero that will keep our family safe from the thorns spread ahead in the future." Bell added.

Rose shifted in his lap to straddle his hips and fully look at him in the eyes from above, his chin resting in the valley of her breast exactly the same way she did the first time they were in this bathroom, and while she couldn't help the raging hungriness in her heart at seeing firsthand another step in the growth of Bell Cranel, her chosen mate, as his lover, she needed to test if his resolve was the real deal.

"What will you do about Lady Hekate, then?" Rose asked, knowing that it was this topic the one that would truly test her mate's resolve. Bell Cranel became stronger for his Family, but what if it was this very same Family that could undo all his hard work.

Bell's face tightened the slightest bit, a long exhalation through his nose that tickled Rose's collarbone however the determination in his eyes returned hundredfold, "I will continue believing in Miss Kat, I will believe in the love she has for me, and after all she has done for me, I will wait until she's ready to tell me her secrets."

Rose held his gaze, challenging him for any hint of weakness yet after a minute of finding none, continued her test, "And what if she never does?"

Bell shocked his head, "She will." He said with a tone of finality, adding, "Lady Hekate may not, but I'm certain that my beloved Miss Kat will, eventually. I know it's hard to trust her with her carefree, whimsical, and sometimes confusing attitude, so instead, trust me who's been beside her since my first memory."

Rose narrowed her eyes, nails lightly scratching Bell's chest, as she tested his resolve one last time with her coldness, "You mean to say our Goddess will never tell you her secrets, but the woman who raised you, will?"

"Yes." Bell resolutely nodded, tightening his grip on Rose's thighs on either side of him.

Another minute of silence passed between them, and as Bell's indomitable will proved to be as unbending as the hardened rod poking her tail, Rose finally let out another one of her giggles that soothed Bell's soul as she kissed his forehead. "You're such a handful. Don't worry, my mate, you already had my trust, always have, and always will, no matter what."

Bell burned those words into his soul, reminding himself that it was for moments like this that he tried so hard, and he raised his hands above water to pull Rose's face until their lips were an inch away, "Thank you for always taking care of me, and for always believing in me. I will do my absolute best for all of us, for you, and for me."

"I know you will," Rose smiled, accepting the kiss that brought the two's souls even closer.

---

Bell and Rose didn't consummate their love as they usually would, instead the two spent a little more time happily enjoying each other's company until both of their hearts had their fill, and only then, did the two leave the bathroom.

That didn't stop Rose from teasing him in the bedroom as usual while she dressed herself, a more conservative night outfit of long pajama pants and a cotton white shirt with nothing beneath, something she made certain Bell was aware of before he found his own set of pajamas, another one of his black shirts and gray pants that had seen better days.

Once the two lovers joined the rest of the Hestia Familia, with Eden wearing a similar outfit to Rose's, Alicia with her blue gown, and both goddesses still in their usual ensembles, they all enjoyed a quiet, if simple, dinner. Unlike previous dinners, there was no topic to discuss since Rose had gotten Bell up to speed with most of the events that occurred during his recovery and anything she had forgotten could be discussed another time so as to not sour the hearty meal.

Hekate and Hestia had no problems agreeing to that, however, there still was one topic that was brought up before the meal was over and it was the most pressing issue they would need to deal with.

While Bell had already paid an entire month of rent in advance for Rose's apartment, that only covered the fee for four people of which neither Eden or Alicia was included and there was no way Bell was going to let his Familia be split apart over something like that, nor would he offer to live apart from them again.

Eden giggled, and with her velvety voice explained that she already had a solution to that and all they needed to wait was for the next morning where she would accompany Rose to the Guild and complete the necessary paperwork for her transfer into the Hestia Familia and return with some much-deserved good news for them.

With that out of the way, they were still left with the issue that they still did not have enough beds for all current members of the Familia to comfortably sleep in since there was only Rose's bed, and the two single beds each goddess used in the guest room.

Technically they could've tried to cram two people into each single bed but that would be awkward for all parties involved, and Bell insisted Alicia couldn't be put into that kind of uncomfortable position due to the chance that someone could turn in their sleep and hurt her in such close confinements.

The golden-haired elf's internal, and external, injuries may have been healed but that did not mean her body had stabilized yet, something made apparent by how she only drank the broth from the vegetable soup Hekate made for her and left behind all the veggies. Alicia insisted she would be fine but Rose joined Bell's vehemence, and after a single look between the two lovers, Bell gave the solution.

Rose's bed was big enough to host three people comfortably, something both knew from personal experience very well, and it was decided that Eden and Alicia would sleep together with Rose for the night so both women could properly rest, one after the long journey she went through Poseidon's side, and the other to continue recovering.

And that was how Bell ended up sitting on the L-shaped couch three hours later with the lights out with a mantle around his shoulders to keep himself warm, the streetlights reflecting a slight glow into the apartment's living room as he sipped warm milk from a cup, one he'd prepared minutes earlier to help himself back to sleep.

Sleeping on the couch wasn't such a big deal to him, and while both goddesses had offered room for him in their own beds, Bell rejected those offers because he wanted everyone else to be as comfortable as possible. Besides, he was used to sleeping in the dungeon, so sleeping on the couch was various steps up above that.

Though he did miss feeling Rose's arms, and body, in his arms but he could hold himself back for one night at least since Alicia's comfort took priority over his desires, especially since it was partially his own fault that she was still in such a state to begin with.

Bell didn't entertain the traitorous thoughts of whether if he had been faster, or if he had a proper elixir in his bag at the time, Alicia's condition would've been better since he knew he had done his absolute best to save her, and the proof of his achievement was sleeping upstairs with a content, if uncomfortable, smile.

Or so he hoped.

"Bell?" The quiet, vulnerable, voice of said golden-haired elf he'd been thinking about called out his name from behind him and Bell turned his head around to see Alicia awkwardly standing by the stairs wearing the same light blue gown with minor embroidery designs at the hem, one of the shoulders straps partly falling over her arm.

"Ali- ehem," Bell coughed, "Miss Alicia?"

"Did I wake you up?" Alicia quietly asked, keeping herself slightly hidden by the stair's rails as she shifted in place, the glow of the streetlights barely shining on her.

"No," Bell raised the cup in his hands, waving it in defeat. "Having trouble falling asleep too?" he asked.

Alicia gave a small nod that he barely noticed.

"I can heat more milk," Bell concernedly glanced at Alicia's covered stomach, "Or make tea if you can't stomach milk…"

Alicia gave another grateful small nod, "Milk is fine." She whispered, barely audible but Bell still heard it with how quiet the living room was.

"Hai," Bell set his cup down on the table, stood up and just as he passed by Alicia's position on the stairs towards the kitchen, softly added, "I'll have it ready in a minute, you should sit down meanwhile."

Alicia offered no response, or couldn't give one, as he'd already walked into the kitchen to procure the materials for the beverage, so she followed his offer and sat down on the adjacent spot on the L-shaped couch.

The moment she sat down she felt the coldness of the furniture seep through her gown, and she quickly scuttled to where Bell had been sitting moments earlier where it was still warm from his remaining body heat. It was there that she saw the cup he'd placed down moments earlier, no longer steaming and three fourths full.

…

"Here, I hope this will help you." Bell appeared besides her minutes later, another steaming cup in hand which he offered to her, a hand that was extended to the maximum length to give her as much personal space as he could.

Alicia took the cup with both her hands, careful to not spill any of its contents on her and was surprised to not feel the unpleasant hot sensation most ceramic had when they held warm liquids. When she brought the cup to her mouth, she saw it was steaming and yet when her tongue tasted the liquid it was neither cold, nor too hot.

It was at the perfect temperate, as if…

Bell sat where she had initially sat, away from her, and he grasped his own cup from which he took a sip, winced for a split second, and then chugged down the cold contents without another distortion in his face.

All these trivial details spoke more about his real character than what Alicia initially thought of him, and while it was true that he was a sinful man who already had two partners, possibly three, from what she was told, he was also an incredibly caring man.

The man that saved her life.

"Are you okay?" Bell asked before she could voice out her thoughts, most likely because she had stopped drinking and was staring at him in confusion.

"I, yes, no, maybe," Alicia replied, stumbling over her own answer as the care in his eyes made her feel all sorts of right, and wrong.

Bell fixed the mantle around his shoulders slightly tighter around him and gave her a smile that made her feel even more confused, "Is there anything I can do to help you be better?"

An offer without any hidden connotations, made of pure concern and care for her wellbeing, and proving once again he was not the kind of man she had originally thought.

"You're already doing enough."

And that was the truth.

Consoling her when she revealed her loss to him, offering to do a ritual from her Yggdrasil elven traditions, shielding her from Lord Poseidon's aura, giving her physical space and doing his best to make sure she was comfortable at all times, even during the awkward moment in the bathroom before Rose's dropped the numerous news.

"Then let me know if there's more I can do," Bell scratched his cheek as he said that.

So that's how he really was… so kind.

Maybe, just maybe, repaying her life debt to him wasn't going to be as bad as she thought. He'd already made the ultimate sacrifice for her, and lived through it, so maybe she could give him a chance?

"I will," Alicia gave him the first real smile since they met, one that left Bell fixated on how compassionate it made her look, the way her honey-colored eyes softened along with the slight wiggle of her elven ears made Bell renew his vow to always keep her happy.

"Is it too much to ask what kept you awake?" Bell quietly asked once he snapped out of his trance, "Your body's not hurting, right?" he added in concern, leaning forward.

"No, nothing of the sort," Alicia placed her empty mug down and caressed her left side at his words.

"I'm glad," Bell whispered, sagging in relief.

"I just had a lot to think," Alicia added, shivering slightly as the coldness of the night made itself known to her again.

"That makes two of us, here," Bell stood up, taking off his mantle, and placed it around Alicia's shoulders before she could protest, "This should help you stay warm."

Alicia grasped his hands as he fixed the mantle around her, feeling how cold his fingers were compared to hers, and she breathed a puff of air to warm them, "You're cold," she breathed out.

"Its fine," Bell shrugged though he didn't move his hands out of her grasp. "The dungeon is worse, right?" He quipped.

Alicia cracked a small smile, breathing some more heat into his hands, "Some floors but that's why we prepare for them."

"Ah, right, yes," Bell realized she didn't know about his time spent living in the dungeon, and he was not going to bring it up either, nope. "Feeling better?"

"Yes, thank you, Bell" Alicia nodded as she released his hands after she was satisfied with whatever she was looking for in them, the vulnerability in her voice long gone. "I'll try sleeping again."

"Hai, good night."

---

Bell woke up earlier than everyone else the next morning, and the first thing he did was stretch out the various kinks around his back after the slightly uncomfortable night's sleep. Satisfied with the numerous pops from his neck and back, the young adventurer went into the kitchen to prepare something for himself before he prepared breakfast for his Familia.

A loaf of bread with a cup of coffee later, Bell was ready to tackle the rest of the day, and he started it by preparing the first meal of the day for his Familia.

It was during such preparation that the first member of the Familia walked downstairs, and it was none other than his crimson-haired goddess who made her presence known by throwing her arms around Bell's back, pushing her bountiful chest against him, and yawned out a "Goood mooorniiiiiing~"

"Good morning, Miss Kat," Bell replied, very much used to her whimsical and lazy attitude, "Is there anything special you'd like?"

"Mmmm, no, I'm good with whatever you prepare." Hekate replied, still clinging to Bell's back as he moved around the kitchen.

"Miss Kat?" Bell called out her name as he placed the final set of items on the stove to slowly cook over time.

"Yes?"

"Are you hiding things from me?" Bell bluntly asked, though he already knew what her answer would be.

"Heh," Hekate giggled, "Yes, obviously. Did you even need ask?"

Bell shocked his head, a smile forming on his face, "Nope."

"Good," Hekate ruffled his hair and let go of his back, "Was that the only thing you wanted to ask? I'm sure there's more, right?"

"Yes," Bell made sure everything was in order on the stove before he turned around to give his attention to his crimson-haired Goddess whose eyes were slightly glowing, showing she was halfway into her Goddess mode.

"Then ask, my champion." Hekate's voice held an ethereal tone.

"Will you harm those I love?" Bell asked his first question, and the one that concerned him the most.

"I care not for others beside you, but they won't lack my blessing if you will it." Hekate's response was both something he didn't want to hear as it confirmed Rose's words, yet it was exactly what he wanted to hear, as it confirmed his own trust on the Goddess love for him was the real deal and something she valued enough to extend it to others he loved.

"Am I a toy to you?" Bell asked his second question, one that had been on his mind since his conversation with Eden about Gods and their whims, and how she viewed herself as a tool rather than a human.

"No, you're far more than that and any who tries to use you as one will face my entire wrath." Hekate crossed her arms as her hair also started glowing, impatiently tapping her feet.

"Do you have plans for me?" Bell asked his third, and final question.

"For you, no." Hekate denied with her head and with a wave of her hand.

"For me and those who wronged me, far too many, and they involve you. However, I will not force you into them. That is a choice for you to take, and for me to respect." Hekate smiled mournfully, "My actions are always done with your wellbeing in mind."

"Thank you, Hekate." Bell stepped forward to give the Goddess of Crossroads and Boundaries a hug that reassured both himself, and her. The Goddess's hair and eyes stopped glowing as she melted into the embrace, grasping a fistful of Bell's shirt as she tried to stop herself from blurting out more than necessary.

"Bell," Hekate's voice was soft, with an underlying tone of vulnerability, "I know what I'm about to tell you will go against everyone wishes but, would you continue blindly trusting me?"

Bell felt his back burn as he gave his response.

"I will never stop trusting you, Hekate."

---

More members of the Hestia Familia followed suit, appearing downstairs in different states of grogginess that left Bell chuckling to himself, his grandfather's voice approving of varying state of undress from each woman and Bell's brain burning the images into his mind as each woman mumbled out their own thanks after he served them breakfast and sat around the apartment to eat their share of breakfast in silence.

The only exception to that was Rose who made a beeline for him, her tail wagging happily from side to side once their eyes met and greeted him with an affectionate morning hug that she made sure to feel as much of Bell's body as she could before the two shared long kiss that eased Bell's, and Rose's, lack of physical attention for the previous night.

As the morning continued, it was time for each member of the Familia to do their own thing. Hestia was the first to leave, receiving a good luck hug from Bell before she left to work at the Jagamurkan stall, Hekate was the second to leave citing that she would be busy tending to private matters for the next couple of days. Just before Hekate disappeared, as she always did, she whispered to Bell that she wouldn't do anything drastic like the last time and her departure was more about tending her domains than anything else.

Bell was glad that Miss Kat decided to share more than she usually did about herself, however before he could thank her for that, the elusive crimson-haired goddess was already gone.

Rose and Eden were the next to leave, the werewolf dressed in her Guild uniform with the addition of her white shirt button undone so everyone could see the black choker, courtesy of Bell, around her neck whereas her distant relative was dressed in her provocative navy-blue bodysuit that displayed an ample amount of her cleavage and stomach,

Each mature women destination was the Guild, Rose for work and Eden to sort out her papers and prepare the promised surprise she had in store for the Hestia Familia. They didn't leave until Rose was satisfied with her 'see you later' kiss from Bell, and once they did, they shared stories about their lives for the past ten years as they walked to their destination.

That left Bell alone with Alicia who, for medical reasons, was not allowed to leave the apartment on her own. Bell, knowing this only recently, decided against leaving the apartment and instead decided to take it easy and give company to the golden-haired elf while he sorted out his own plan for the future.

One look at the numerous wooden boxes still beneath the stairs with Alicia belongings was enough to decide what the two would be doing for the rest of the day.

Thus, we find Bell dressed in his usual black shirt and gray pants with an addition of a white rag tied around his forehead, and Alicia dressed in a shorter, cream colored, one-piece dress that had ample cleavage on display with an incredibly short skirt.

"Bell, could you move this box upstairs, please?" Alicia asked, pointing at the biggest wooden box below the stairs as she wiped the sweat she had accumulated for the last hour from her forehead.

"On it," Bell replied, easily picking up the box that after a second of inspection revealed it contained the golden-haired elf's clothes. "Near Rose's wardrobe?"

"Yes," Alicia bent down to pick a much smaller box, giving Bell a momentary glimpse through the ample opening and he looked away once he realized there was nothing underneath the dress. "Yesterday she said I could use the left side."

"Left side, got it." Bell replied as the two moved their respective boxes upstairs and into Rose's (and Bell) bedroom.

"How long have you and Rose been together?" Alicia asked out of curiosity once Bell set his box down and she set hers on top.

Bell took a momentary pause to count the days before replying, "About three weeks I think?"

"Huh, from the way she spoke of you, I thought you two were together for a longer time." Alicia added and sat down for a moment to rest as she felt an annoying prickling sensation on the left side of her body.

"You alright?" Bell asked in concern when Alicia winced and placed both of her hands over the left side of her stomach.

"Just need a moment," Alicia replied with a grimace. She pointed at a box and said, "Could you pass me the green jar from that small box?"

Bell wasted no time, picking the jar from the aforementioned box and gave it to the grimacing elf.

"Are you sure you're alright?" Bell asked as Alicia opened the jar, dabbing two fingers with the transparent ointment in it.

"Yes, Airmid explained I would have this sensation for a few days more, and once I no longer felt it then I could return to my adventurer duties, just not as a vanguard." Alicia replied, lifting the left side of her dress, giving another momentary glimpse to Bell of her white underwear as she applied the ointment to herself.

Bell looked away to preserve her modesty, something she was silently grateful for, "Airmid?"

Alicia sighed blissfully once the ointment seeped in and numbed the scarred area, "Dian Cecht Captain, she will come after tomorrow for my next medical check-up."

"I see," Bell said and took the jar, carefully setting it back in its previous spot. "Would you like to lay down for a bit? I can finish moving the other boxes up here meanwhile."

Alicia gratefully nodded, then laid down on her right side on the edge of the bed, a position that made her feel at ease and gave her view of Bell who continued bringing her boxes upstairs, carefully setting them in a way that she could have ease of access to all without blocking the room's walk space.

"Bell?" Alicia's called him out and he stopped in his tracks, "What drives you?"

Bell scratched his cheek, hesitating for a moment as he said, "Um, it's a little bit embarrassing to say out loud again…" but he smiled childishly, and looked straight into her curious eyes.

"Initially, I became an adventurer because I believed it was the road that would lead me to becoming a hero like the one in fairy tales… but now, what drives me is my family of which you are a part of now." Bell gave her a bashful, yet honest smile that made her feel weird again, "My dream is becoming the hero that will protect my future family, and for that, I have to become stronger."

"A family huh…" Alicia repeated with a sad smile and sat up holding her left side.

Bell noted this and asked again, "Would you like to boil some water?"

Alicia frowned and just before she rejected his offer to follow her elven family traditions recalled the words spoken by Rose the previous day, "Actually… Yes, if you wouldn't mind?"

Bell instantly nodded and offered his hand for her to take.

Alicia hesitated for a moment before she took it, and once she did, the reassurance that she was truly alive and not in a feverish dream made itself known in the warmth that Bell shared with her through their linked hands, again.

The very same warmth that held, and comforted, her freezing and numb body when she was at Death doorsteps.

Once the two were in the kitchen, Bell awkwardly scratched his cheek and admitted as he looked around, "I actually don't know what the process is…"

Alicia cracked a small smile, "It's very simple," she said as she gathered water in a pot, placed it on the stove at low fire, "Come, stand behind me."

Bell obeyed, standing various steps behind Alicia so she wouldn't feel uncomfortable with his presence.

Alicia glanced behind her and rolled her eyes before she pulled Bell closer until he was pressed against her back, she placed both of his hands on her hips and then tapped her right shoulder with her index finger. "There, like that. Put your chin on my shoulder."

Bell gulped, guiltily feeling the tenderness of the golden-haired elf with most of his body, the delicate shape of her hips and after a second of amazement, acquiesced to her orders by placing his chin on the pointed spot, a new honeyed fragrance coming from her collarbone seared into his mind and when the golden-haired elf took a deep breath, Bell reminded himself that this was an important tradition for her, and he was not going to ruin it with his youthful excitement.

Alicia shivered when she felt Bell's breath on her collarbone and started explaining, "We boil water because it's a symbolism of us, elves who follow the Yggdrasil traditions, casting away the impurities in our souls and then use the purified water, which will turn into something else, as nourishment for a plant of our selection." Alicia explained as she placed her hands above the boiling water, shivering again as Bell nodded into her collarbone, "N-Normally, we do it after a couple has already planted a seed which reflects their relationship but as barren land that can't bear fruit, that part of our tradition has no meaning to me anymore."

At her words, Bell tightened his grip on her tender waist, accidentally pressing himself into her as unfounded guilt racked his soul, "Couldn't we choose a tree that bears no fruit, then?"

Alicia cracked another small smile despite the closeness of his body she would normally abhor, "We could, but it would be another bitter reminder about my inability to bear children."

Bell nodded into her shoulder, clenching his teeth. "I understand."

Alicia turned off the stove once she felt the heat emanating from the boiling, bubbling, water in the pot. She held her emotions in check as she realized there was no turning back once she started the chant, the fear of what the water would turn into gripped her heart for a second but the warmth pressing against her back reassured her, and she took a leap of faith.

"Close your eyes."

Ashen tree, take my vanity and my indulgence.
To the Three Tree Maidens,
The wells have been filled,
In exchange, I seek prosperous providence.

A small gust of wind breezed over them, ruffling their clothes and hair before it died down, and once it did, Alicia knew it was time to face the reality of the world. "You can open your eyes," Alicia vulnerably whispered to Bell, something she also did herself and the two's sight fell to the contents of the pot.

Bell didn't know what to expect but judging from the way Alicia's face lit into a sad smile, it must've been something both good and bad.

What once was transparent water inside the pot had turned into a glistening and shimmering green substance with numerous speckles of golden dust swirling in it, which Alicia sunk one finger into the liquid in silence.

Bell waited for her response but as the seconds passed and there was none, he asked, "Is it…?"

"Good," Alicia smiled sadly, swirling the liquid with her finger, "The richer in green color, the better nourishment for the seed. I didn't expect for us to have such a rich c-color…" Alicia hiccupped but held strong "It's a shame we'll never see what kind of fruits our souls would bear with such excellent fertilizer."

…

"Alicia." Bell fully embraced Alicia's waist, feeling her body sag in his arms the slightest bit.

"Y-yes?" Alicia hiccupped again, painfully grasping one of Bell's forearms.

"I'll find a way."

…

'You're the proof he did the impossible once, maybe, just maybe….'

Knock knock knock

The knocking on the door interrupted their moment, yet Bell stayed holding Alicia for a moment longer until she was back on her own feet, only then did Bell leave her side to answer the door while Alicia went upstairs to lay down, all the while trying and failing to ignore the slight ray of hope cast by his words.

---

As Bell neared the door of the apartment, he could hear two distinct voices he easily recognized bickering back and forth, and once he opened his suspicions were confirmed when he found Riveria in her usual adventurer robes glaring at Shakti dressed in the outfit he first met her at the gates; A black short skirt, the sleeveless tight black tux over a long sleeved white shirt, black thighs with a creamy gap between her skirt and thighs.

"Erm," Bell cleared his throat, "Hello?" He awkwardly greeted them and at his words, the two mature women hmph'ed at one another at the same time and stood straighter as they greeted back in their own ways.

Riveria, fixing a strand of her long green hair behind her elven ear, saluted with an affectionate, "Hello Bell, it's nice to see you again."

"Good afternoon, Miss Riveria, it's nice to see you to-"

Shakti interrupted with her own greeting, which was embracing Bell and mushing his face onto her soft bosom as she smirked childishly at the Nine Hells whose eyebrow twitched in annoyance.

Bell extricated himself from Shakti's embrace, though he did kip her in his arms and gave her a curious glance before setting his eyes on Riveria again, "May I ask why are you two here?"

Riveria glared at the Ankusha for another second before replying, "I'm here to see Alicia, I'm still worried about her condition…"

"I'm here for you," Shakti rubbed salt into the wound by kissing Bell's cheek which surprised and left him flummoxed for a few seconds for the affectionate switch in Shakti's behavior, not that he was complaining.

"Oh," Bell oh'ed, "Please come inside, I think Alicia went upstairs." Bell replied, walking inside with the Ankusha clinging onto him and a twitchy Riveria following after, she still had the presence of mind to close the door behind her seeing as Bell's hands were full at the moment.

Riveria grinned in victory when Bell slipped away from Shakti's grasp and went upstairs to bring Alicia down, the minute it took him to do that was spent by the two women glaring daggers at one another. The animosity ended when hurried steps descended through the stairs, and Alicia appeared with a bounce in her steps that continued until she was a foot away from Riveria who greeted her with a motherly smile.

"Miss Riveria!" Alicia exclaimed happily, almost hugging the High Elf, but she stopped herself at the last moment.

"Hello Alicia, I'm glad to see you're looking better," Riveria surprised the golden-haired elf by bringing her into the motherly hug that she had been going for, something that left Alicia speechless even after the greeting ended and Riveria stepped back to regard the smiling Bell with her question, "Hestia's Captain, would it be fine for me to escort Miss Forestlight around the city for the rest of the day?"

Alicia's eyes widened and she spun on a dime to stare hopefully at Bell, which sworn that if Alicia had a tail, it would've started wagging happily like Rose's usually did.

"Hai, just be careful?" Bell gave his permission as the Captain of the Hestia Familia.

"I'll get ready!" Alicia shouted and bolted upstairs, her excitement leaving the three others downstairs sharing their laugh.

"Miss Alicia applied the medical ointment to her scar a while ago," Bell said to Riveria, giving a bit of information that Riveria would probably appreciate, and judging by how the brilliance of her eyes increase the slightest bit, knew he was correct to do so.

"Good, I feared she would forget about applying it. That child's a bit forgetful at times." Riveria replied, fixing her robes.

"I'm done!" Alicia appeared again, surprising the three with how short it took her to get dressed in her full adventurer outfit minus the armor sections.

"Very well," Riveria gave a minute bow of her head to Bell in dismissal, and then glanced at her elven friend, "You didn't forget your wallet this time, right?"

"No!" Alicia pouted, an expression Bell hadn't seen before, "I didn't!"

Bell laughed, catching the golden-haired elf's attention to which he told her, "Miss Alicia, have fun."

Alicia paused, uncertainty crossing her features for a second before she walked forward and grasped one of Bell's hands in between both of hers to the surprise of both Riveria and Shakti. Alicia brought Bell's hand to her face, pressing her forehead against it, letting the reassuring feeling coming from him fill her again, and whispered.

"… Thank you."

---

"How did you know I was here?" Bell asked Shakti after Riveria left with Alicia, the young adventurer had untied the rag around his forehead to clean his forehead and neck as best as he could from the sweat he gathered during the day.

"I met Rose at the Guild and asked her," Shakti replied, following behind Bell who went upstairs for a change of clothes since his current ones were dirty from cleaning, and moving, stuff around the apartment.

"Oh," Bell oh'ed, taking off his shirt and cringed at the smell.

"I'm surprised you're not in the dungeon today," Shakti added as Bell picked his third, and last, change of clothes which were… another set of tight gray pants and black shirt.

"I don't have any weapon to fight with," Bell replied, not that he actually needed anything beyond the guild dagger for the upper floor monsters, "Besides, I didn't want to leave Alicia alone in the apartment."

Shakti hummed, sitting at the edge of the bed, "And you said you weren't interested in her." She teased good naturedly.

Bell shocked his head in amusement as he grabbed his towel from the wardrobe, "This and that are different, and you know it."

"That I do," Shakti whispered.

"Is… everything okay?" Bell asked in concern when he noted Shakti anxiously fiddling with her hands in her lap.

"Yes, for the most part," Shakti replied honestly, yet did not add anything besides that which made Bell frown and press on.

"Rose said Lord Ganesha got in trouble?"

Shakti nodded, "That's putting it lightly, if we were of the same Familia I would tell you more, just know that the Ganesha Familia will be in a tight spot for a while."

"The Hestia Familia will support the Ganesha Familia however they can," Bell steeled his shoulders and, as captain of the Hestia Familia, declared the Hestia Familia's will.

Shakti was taken aback by the firm response, and after a moment, gratefully nodded, "The Ganesha Familia will accept the support and notify the Captain of the Hestia Familia of the support we'll be in need of in the following months."

Shakti realized something had changed in Bell since the last night, and she was glad it seemed to be for the better.

"Is there anything we could do for you now?" Bell asked again, referring to himself as the sole disponible member of the Familia.

Shakti bit her thumbnail as she thought over for a second, "There's one thing you could do for now."

Bell eagerly nodded, hoping to help Shakti, and by extent her Familia, in any possible way he could.

"You could fulfil your promise about inviting me to dinner?"

"Eh?"

Shakti laughed at Bell's expression, "You worry too much, Bell. Yes, we're in a bad spot but it's not like we haven't been in one before, for now we'll continue working as normal and slowly restore our coffers."

"Oh," Bell oh'ed again and his shoulders sagged in relief as one of his worries was laid to rest. "Sorry, there's been a lot in my mind lately."

Shakti hummed again, "I can see that, you still haven't given me your response by the way."

"Of course, I would love to take you to dinner," Bell replied, bashfully scratching his cheek. "We could go now… after I wash myself."

"I'll wait here then, maybe rest for a little bit…" Shakti replied, laying on her back on the bed with her hands coming to rest on her exposed belly.

Bell was surprised that the moment Shakti made herself comfortable, she instantly dozed off, head lulling to the side and her breathing evening.

It was very likely she downplayed how bad the situation in her Familia was for him, and while he was grateful for her consideration, he would've been happier if she confided a bit more in him.

Bell realized that those were very poisonous thoughts, as they had the potential to sour his feelings for the blue haired woman who slept contently. So, with an accustomed ease, Bell discarded them as he did the rest of his dirty clothes before taking a thorough shower to cleanse himself.

The young adventurer frowned at the only choice of clothing he owned, the last set of tight gray pants and black long-sleeved shirt, yet he could do nothing about it at the moment. At least this set was the one with less wear.

Small blessings.

When it became time to wake up the blue haired woman contently sleeping on the bed, Bell had several ideas pop into his head, and after sorting through them, went with the least offensive one.

"Shakti," Bell whispered, face inches away from Shakti's, "Wake up."

Shakti frowned in her sleep and tried to turn but Bell grabbed her shoulder to keep her from rolling and whispered her name again, closer this time. It had the desired effect as the blue haired captain eyelids blearily opened, "Bell?"

"Wake up kiss?" Bell teased to awakening Shakti whom in her torpidity nodded, grabbed Bell's face, and pressed their lips together.

"Mmm~" Shakti happily hummed during the kiss and when she released his face, her brain finally finished booting up. Her face flushed lightly, "I could get used to that."

Bell released the breath he'd been holding in through his nose, the desire that had not been satisfied the previous night with Rose returning in vengeance, yet he kept it caged, for now.

Didn't stop him from stealing another quick kiss which Shakti readily accepted and responded.

"Definitely getting used to that," Shakti smiled blissfully once they separated again, bedazzling Bell with her breathtaking smile that he loved so much. "I take it you're ready, then?"

"Hai, but I must admit I don't know where to take you or what do you even like." Bell replied as he helped Shakti off the bed.

"Don't worry, I already had a place in mind since you're somewhat famous at the moment," Shakti replied, straightening the wrinkles from her clothes, and made sure her accessories were set in place correctly.

"I am? I thought that was a joke…"

Shakti chuckled, "Do you have a cloak that can hide your hair and face?"

"It's a very old one…" Bell went back to the wardrobe and procured said cloak that had seen better days.

"That will do, the restaurant isn't that far from here." Shakti responded and waited for Bell to fix the cloak over him, hiding his features as best as he could.

The two left the apartment after that, Bell making sure he locked the door correctly before joining the side of the Ankusha on the streets, he was surprised when she grabbed onto his arm despite her being taller and mushed it between her breasts as the two started walking.

Unlike the last time that the two walked the streets of Orario together, there weren't any people that interrupted their journey and with such uneventfulness, they arrived at the restaurant Shakti had in mind in no time.

The restaurant was a couple streets away from the Guild, the building was two stories tall made of marble and had a blue roof from which hung a sign that read, 'Doreams'. It had a patio with tables on the outside with all occupied by other adventurers, Shakti received some raised hands in salute as they passed through the front doors and the captain led him directly into the center of the restaurant.

The center was the bar of the restaurant made in a circular shape with the tables set in a circle around it, and directly opposite the entrance and behind the bar, there was a stair to the second floor with the kitchen, and presumably, warehouse rooms at either side of the stairs.

Shakti released her hold on his arm to hold his hand instead as she walked past the bar, waving at the bald dwarf cleaning a mug inside the bar area, said dwarf gave a wave of his own before he pulled out a key from under the counter and gave it to the captain.

Bell blinked curiously as other patrons waved at Shakti as she continued guiding him upstairs where the layout was entirely different from the main floor. The second floor was divided into one long hallway with private booths at either side until the end of the hallway, Shakti guided him towards the one at the very end on the right side, and she momentarily released his hand to open the booth door with the key she was given earlier.

The door slid open to the side, revealing an ample marble room with finely carved drawings on the stone walls, a semi-u-shaped sofa with a round table at the center, a small wooden plaque serving as the centerpiece, the wooden floor creaked slightly as Shakti pulled him inside and closed the door behind him.

Shakti sat on the leftmost seat of the sofa, one knee crossing above the other which made her short skirt rile up as she worked on taking off her greaves and boots.

"Ahhh, that's much better." Shakti muttered as she wiggled her toes hidden by her tights, she raised an eyebrow at Bell who was still standing at the door, "Something wrong?"

Bell blinked, "No, no I'm just taking this all in." He replied and was about to take the rightmost seat when Shakti pulled his arm, tripping him forward and cushioning his fall with her chest.

"I thought you wanted me?" Shakti teased, scuttling backwards and further into the sofa so Bell could sit beside her after he extricated himself off Shakti.

"Of course, I do," Bell replied once he was sitting properly, taking one of Shakti's hands and interlacing his fingers with hers.

"Then show me the same determination you had for me during the moment we shared in the Coliseum."

Bell recalled the memories of their first kiss, the sensation of her body in his arms, the feelings from that moment returning and he responded by bringing up their joined hands to kiss the back of hers, "I will."

Shakti eagerly smiled but before she could comment, there was a polite knock on the door before it slid open a few seconds later, revealing another dwarf, younger but equally bald as the one in the reception, who walked inside with two set of cutleries in hands.

"Ah, but if it ain't the drunk lass'" The dwarf grinned, looking at Shakti as he set the cutleries on the table.

"Shut it Doramir, I'm the only who uses this booth, and you know it." Shakti crossed her arms in annoyance.

"Aye, aye. So, what y'll have? The usual?" The dwarf, Doramir, asked as he inspected Bell's features hidden below the worn-out cloak he still wore.

"Yes," Shakti affirmed.

The dwarf nodded, still looking at Bell with a strange glint in his eyes, "Do I know ye?"

Bell blinked, "Probably."

The dwarf snorted, gave one look at the blue-haired captain and then back to Bell, and snorted again, "Yer' incredibly brave, or incredibly stupid, I can't tell which, brapid boy."

It was Bell's turn to snort in amusement, both at the implications and the nickname he earned from a dwarf, again. "Anything heavy with meat and potatoes, please."

"Aye, I hear ye'." The bald dwarf patted the boy's shoulder, something akin to pity in his eyes before he left, closing the door to the booth behind him.

Shakti huffed angrily, sinking into her seat with arms crossed.

If there was one cultural thing Bell liked about the dwarves' culture, it was their uncanny penchant for giving nicknames to the people around them until said people earned the dwarves trust, which only then, did they call others by their names.

His grandfather once said that dwarves created the nicknames by basing it from their first impression of someone and the feelings, or emotions, they evoked in them. The reason Bell had snorted was because, back in the village, whenever there was a merchant caravan with dwarves in it, they would give him the very same nickname the latest one had given.

So, that begged the question, why did Shakti earn herself such a nickname.

"So… Drunk Lass?" Bell asked with a grin.

Shakti groaned out loud, covering her face with her hands, as she rested her chest, and elbows, on the table. "This is my go-to place to unwind from my Familia duties, and… I… tend to drink a bit too much during the most stressful days."

Oh.

Was that the reason Rose said Shakti was sick the day before the arena event?

Bell hummed in understanding as he looked around the booth again, learning a little bit more about the Ankusha just from their surroundings. The way the booth was set up was the perfect balance between comfiness and privacy, and he could see how, hidden by the four marble walls with only the closed wooden window on one side, gave her the opportunity to forget the stress of her daily life by letting her be true to herself.

"We all have our own way of coping with stress…" Bell started, scratching his cheek as he said that. Bell became stupid when put under extremely stressful situations, like the time he decided to live in the dungeon. So, he was not going to judge her for drinking, that would be incredibly stupid. "Besides, it's not that bad of a nickname."

Shakti tilted her head in her hands so she could look at him, the worn-out cloak still covering his white hair and features, "Thanks, Brapid Boy."

Bell laughed lightly, "That's the fifth time I've been nicknamed like that by a dwarf."

Curiosity sparked, Shakti switched her position so she could hold her cheeks and stare directly at Bell, "Oh?"

Bell smiled fondly at the memories, finally taking off the cloak and fixing some stray of his white hair. "Back from where I come from, caravan of merchants would pass from time to time, and I met a lot of peddlers there. Unluckily for me, most dwarves always saw me when my gramps was training me, and they always said the same thing."

Bell made a stern face, frowning as he stroked his nonexistent beard and continued in a deeper voice, mimicking the one from the dwarf who attended them, "Aye boy, you're incredibly brave or incredibly stupid, Brapid Boy!"

Shakti tilted her head in her hands, "Why would they nickname you that just from training?"

Bell shocked his head in amusement, "My gramps always took my training to the extreme. Imagine me, nine-years-old, doing a handstand, balancing half-grown pigs on either foot, having an old, graying man, throwing pig fertilizer at me."

Shakti snorted at the mental image, hiding her grinning lips behind her fingers, "Pft, why would you even do that?"

It was Bell's turn to cover his face with his hands and mumble, "It's stupid."

"Oho?" Shakti leaned further into the table, mushing her chest with her forearms as she grinned at Bell through the gap between his fingers.

"My gramps said, and I quote, 'My boy, if you can't learn how to balance problems while life throws shit at you, how do you expect to balance the ladies temper when you form your harem!?'" Bell dragged his hand across his face in embarrassment at his gramps antics as Shakti exploded in laughter.

"Pfft, hahahaha!" The captain laughed, loudly, arms crossing over her exposed belly as she rocked back and forth for a few seconds, trying in vain to rein in her laughter to no avail.

Bell nursed his forehead, though he couldn't help but smile at how beautiful Shakti looked while she laughed, the way her eyes crinkled, her cheeks reddened the slightest bit with her lips trembling as she tried to herself back.

All these small details were things Bell hadn't seen before, and he dearly hoped, he would continue seeing many other new things about her.

There was another knock on the door again as Shakti continued trying to rein in her laughter, and a few seconds later the door slid open, and the younger dwarf made a surprised face as he saw the red-faced Shakti giggling to herself. The dwarf placed a bucket filled with ice and various alcoholic bottles Bell hadn't seen before, and he didn't pay attention to the names since the dwarf gained his attention by giving him a massive grin and a thumbs up.

Bell blinked twice and awkwardly returned the thumbs up, receiving a bigger grin in return before the dwarf left the booth.

"Ah… A harem?" Shakti breathed out, finally reining in her laughter, and looking at Bell through narrowed, playful, eyes.

Bell blew air from his nose in amusement, "My gramps was a bit of a pervert…"

Shakti snickered, picking one of the bottles from which she took a long sip directly. "Still, a harem? Is that why you came to Orario?"

Bell looked away, "It might've crossed my mind a few times but no," The adventurer crossed his arms with a huff, "I came to Orario because I wanted to become an adventurer, explore the world my gramps left behind, and make my dream true."

The blue-haired captain smirked, taking another sip before she added with a teasing smile, "Become an adventurer, get popular, get the ladies, yeah?"

"Already did the first two," Bell said, and playfully leaned forward until their noses were almost touching, something that Shakti grinned at. "I need some help with the third one."

Shakti hummed, playfully ghosting her lips over Bell's, and whispered, "I may know someone who could help you with that one…"

"Really?" Bell scuttled closer to Shakti until they were side by side again, "Would she happen to be named Drunk Lass?"

Shakti snorted, closing her eyes as she held back from laughing further, "You're not going to let that one go, will you?"

Bell grinned, not that she could see, "Nope."

Shakti huffed, lidding her azure gaze on him, "Two can play that game, Mister Brapid Boy."

Bell airily laughed, and as an act of vengeance for his actions, Shakti pulled on his shirt to shut him up with a kiss that before he could start enjoying it, she pulled back grinning at his unsatisfied face.

"Not laughing now, are we?" Shakti teased as Bell grumbled under his breath, and playfully pushed her shoulder with his own. The mature woman leaned back in her seat, taking another merry sip from her bottle as Bell brought his desires back under control.

"I'll get you back for that," Bell promised with a resolute face as Shakti finished her first bottle and merrily laughed.

"I'll hold you to that."

There was another knock at the door again, the door slid open and this time the dwarf appeared holding two plates, he moved in, placing one with mashed plantains and meat cut in fillets before Shakti's, then set the second plate of lamb, also cut in fillets, with mashed potatoes covered in red sauce before Bell.

"Thanks," Bell thanked him with an additional nod.

The dwarf grinned and leaned over Bell's shoulder to whisper in his ear, "Aye boy, whatever you're doing, keep at it. Drunk Lass hasn't laughed like that in years."

Bell stared back in surprise as the dwarf patted his shoulder, giving him another thumbs up before he left the room, humming a dwarven tune on his way out.

"Wha'did he say?" Shakti slurred out and Bell focused back on her to see the blue-haired woman place down her second empty bottle and go for a third one, cheeks slightly flushed already.

"To enjoy ourselves." Bell replied, gathering his utensils.

Shakti accepted his words at face value, she knew there was more to it but it was nothing she had to get worked up for, besides, her meal was waiting for her.

"Ohhh," Shakti moaned in delight at the first bite, the sound making Bell pause to look at her which she noticed, "Want a taste?" She asked, plucking one meat fillet, and holding it between her thumb and index finger for him.

Bell gulped hard, "Only if you'll have some too."

Shakti blessed him with another breathtaking smile as she tucked one knee and leg under herself so she could face Bell, the meat fillet hovering over her open palm as she presented it to him. "Here."

Bell, entranced, turned slightly so he could receive it with his own hands but the moment they closed in around the piece of food, she pulled it back. Bell blinked, and when he looked at her eyes, saw the slightest bit of disappointment.

"Oh, Ahhh~" Bell quickly rectified his previous actions, placing his chin over Shakti's open palm, her fingertips caressing his jaw as her expression lit up in approval. She diligently, but carefully, raised his face and plopped the fillet on his tongue.

Bell carefully chewed the offering while the Ankusha's fingertips continued caressing his jaw. "It's really good," Bell licked his lips once he was done and glanced at his plate, "My turn?"

Shakti, despite her age, grinned and nodded excitedly like a young kid.

Bell mimicked her offering position, though he was more careful with his food as it had sauce that dripped over his open palm as he offered it to Shakti.

"Ahh~" Shakti stuck out her tongue once her soft jaw rested on his fingertips, her gaze half lidded with reddened cheeks.

The sight tickled something in Bell, but he ignored it for the moment to spoil the Ankusha like she had done for him. He was just as careful as her when he placed the meal on her tongue, the slowness which he did so made many droplets of sauce fall on his palm as she carefully chewed it until there was nothing left.

"Good?" Bell asked once she was done, she gave him a small smile that made his heart flutter.

"Oh, your hand…" Shakti breathed out when she moved her head back, most of his open palm was drenched with sticky sauce and some clung around his fingers. The alcohol in her bloodstream did its job to give her an extra boost to her courage, which manifested in her actions of taking hold of Bell's wrist.

"Eh-" Bell's thoughts stopped for a full second as Shakti dragged her tongue across his palm, the soft, wet, tip of her muscle gathered the sauce into one spot and she closed her lips around it, sucking it clean. Bell gulped hard again as her half lidded azure gaze fell on him again as she dragged her lips, and tongue, across his palm and over to his fingers which still had some sauce.

"Ahmmm," Shakti loudly mumbled as her tongue lapped the sauce from between his fingers which she proceeded to suck into her mouth, one by one, until they were completely clean. "Der, better?"

Bell was left speechless, mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water as he processed what just happened

"Oh, fyu want more?"

He most definitely did.

And he was very disappointed when she presented another meat fillet of her plate, he still had the presence of mind to accept it under her cheerful gaze. Still, Bell would get her back for that!

When it was his turn again to feed her, Bell gripped her chin and just as she was about to bite the morsel, pulled it out of her reach.

"Aih didn't tease you!" Shakti puffed out, frowning and pouting at the same time. A deadly combination, Bell realized as she pulled her face away.

"Ah, sorry, here." Bell apologetically offered again, and held back from laughing as the, supposedly mature, Ankusha gave him the stinky eye.

"You're going to tease me again." She replied, crossing her arms quite forcibly which made the top button of her inner shirt pop open.

Bell wiggled the slice over his palm, "I won't."

Shakti stared at him for ten seconds, "Promise?"

"Promise."

It took him a couple of seconds longer to regain her trust, and when he did, it was back to smooth sailing again as she gleefully accepted being fed again, humming happily with every additional morsel he offered.

Obviously, she too fed him, every so often taking another sip from bottle before continuing their back and forth.

As Bell's luck would have it, it was to this scene that the dwarf entered the booth again.

"Huh, ye don't see that ery'day." Doramir grunted with a fanged grin as he replaced the empty bucket on the table with another full one and gathered the empty plates from the table.

The Ankusha was so happy and lost in her little world that she didn't even notice the dwarf, yet Bell certainly did as the other man gave him a third thumb up and merrily guffawed on his way out.

Since Shakti was already on her sixth bottle, most of her inhibitions had loosened and she hadn't thought anything of it. Bell, on the other hand, knew it would come bite him on the ass at a later date, he could almost feel it on his bones.

Not that it mattered, as Bell had already decided to take care of things from the future as they came rather than needlessly worry over them before they even arrived.

Shakti leaned her head on his shoulder, contently sipping on her next bottle, and Bell reclined his cheek on her hair, content to just share the moment with her.

"Aih feel bad am the only one drinkin', have some?" Shakti brought another bottle closer, one meant for him, and Bell couldn't find it in himself to deny her.

It wouldn't be his first-time drinking. That feat went to his gramps who, more often than not, made Bell drink to build up his alcohol tolerance in case he ever needed to woo' a 'heavy drinker' into his harem.

In hindsight, his gramps probably wanted to share his vice with him and hid it under that excuse.

"It's bitter." Bell mumbled after taking his first sip, glancing at the bottle with no description whatsoever.

"Sowy, aih drink to forget." Shakti admitted, fixing her position so she could trap Bell's left arm in between her soft chest, and recline her cheek on his shoulder which she nuzzled happily.

"To forget?" Bell queried, focusing on her words rather than her body.

"Unh, had a sister, shrewd but kind like fyou." Shakti gulped half her bottle after those words left her mouth, face contorting slightly, "Iss one o' the reasons aih helped fyou."

Oh.

"Her name?" Bell quietly asked as he moved the hand trapped in her bosom until it found one of hers, which he was quick to take in his and interlace their fingers again.

Shakti painfully tightened her grip, "Ardi."

Bell closed his eyes, burning that name into his very soul. "Would you allow me to accompany you to see her the next time…?"

Shakti glanced up, surprised, yet once his words registered in her mind, the bittersweet smile she graced him with surpassed all other previous ones, "Yes… yes, she, she would like that."

Bell released the breath he didn't know he'd been holding in, only after he'd spoken the words had he realized how private his petition had been, and he feared for a moment that he had overstepped her boundaries.

"What about fyou?" Shakti slurred, changing topics to something less heavy as she reclined her cheek again on his shoulder, and Bell turned slightly so he could pull her body closer to his.

"Well…"

And so, Bell started counting the tales of his childhood. Tales of an innocent and naïve young boy learning of the world under a perverted grandfather and an eccentric red-haired older sister, which was his goddess now.

His most eccentric tales, like the time he was forced to fix the village altar after his grandfather had unleashed a herd of angry, and starving, pigs on him which rampaged through the small village for the better part of an evening as part of his training made Shakti laugh softly.

There were more common tales, yet none of those were the ones she had heard for the last twenty years of her life.

Many men courted the Ankusha, not just because of her regal beauty which she was perfectly aware of but because of the status she had earned for herself as the Captain of the Ganesha Familia. To those men, her rank came first before her person and it was always the same dance with them, the same exaggerated recounts of their dungeon feats, the same exaggerated recount of their prowess.

All to cozy up to the captain of the Ganesha Familia rather than Shakti Varma.

Yet here, enclosed in her little private space where she could truly be herself, Bell did not serenade her with those overused tales. No, he was a breath of fresh air, exactly like the one he'd breathed the first time they met at the gates.

His tales of a life outside of the city, a life of childish wonder, were extremely refreshing for someone who'd been living, trapped, in the city of Orario for an extensive amount of time. And as more tales of the little things that everyone took for granted in the city left his lips, Shakti found herself nuzzling deeper into his chest, all but forgetting the bottles that produced the same effect his voice had on her.

Peace.

Bell Cranel was young compared to her, yet with how many stupidities he'd faced under his grandfather's crazy shenanigans, it felt like he had lived a longer life than her monotonous one did.

The sound of his beating heart, the intake and release of his breath, his voice that turned lower and lower slowly lulled her, and she sought the warmth emanating from him which made her climb into his lap at one point, all but curling sideways into his chest as his arms closed around her, keeping her warm, safe, and her mind at peace.

Bell, even after learning of her vice, did not judge her.

Their friendship born of mishaps that seemingly followed the trouble magnet known as Bell Cranel was a twist of fate she never expected, but as his nose and lips nuzzled her hair, Shakti decided, it was one twist she would gleefully accept.

Her eyes felt heavy, and the words of Rose rang through her fleeting mind. 'He's different and when you realize it, you won't want to let him go. Fufu, I certainly won't let go, not for you or for anyone else, but I wouldn't mind sharing his love and when you receive it, you'll understand why.'

---

"Never thought I'd see the day Drunk Lass act like that," The dwarf exclaimed in surprise once he entered the booth almost an hour later, a massive grin formed on his lips as he stared at Bell holding a sleeping, smiling, Ankusha in his arms.

"She pushes herself through a lot, can't blame her." Bell replied, glancing up at the dwarf who cleaned the table, careful that none of the bottles in the bucket spilled their contents.

"Aye, that be true. Drunk Lass always comin' here, drinking herself stupid on her lonself. Worries me and Pa' every time," Doramir grunted, setting the bucket down.

"She won't be alone anymore," Bell cheekily added, looking at the sleeping Shakti as the dwarf airily laughed. "How much do we owe you?"

"Nah boy, ya' aint worry over that. Meals on house, just promise to live up to'em words!" Doramir opened the wooden window to let fresh air into the booth, the cool evening air refreshing the room.

"Oh, it's already night?" Bell blinked, looking through the window at the evening sun that faintly peeked beyond the horizon.

"Aye, that be the time." Doramir replied, not that he needed. "I came to warn ye', we be closing private booths."

Bell nodded, "Could you let her sleep a few minutes more?"

The dwarf sadly shocked his head, "Already left ye' for last."

Bell gave a grateful nod to the dwarf before he tried to coax Shakti awake to no avail, something that the dwarf snickered to. After a minute of trying, and failing, Bell decided to just carry her. The dwarf helped by moving the table to the side so Bell could set Shakti on his back.

"What's ye name?" Doramir asked giving Bell a bag with Shakti's footwear once Bell secured Shakti to his back.

"Bell Cranel." Bell replied, carefully taking the bag into his hand.

"Strong name," Doramir grunted, "Bell can take Drunk Lass home, we tell Familia she wanted day off, not the first time we do."

Bell oh'ed in surprise after the dwarf called him by name, "Thanks Doramir, I'll owe you one."

The dwarf grinned, "Ye return and spend more, and we be even!"

After that, Doramir helped Bell exit the restaurant through the backdoor so none of the other inebriated patrons, many that knew Shakti, saw him leave with the sleeping woman on his back. Bell bid goodbye to the grinning dwarf and hit the streets of Orario with the sleeping Ankusha on his back.

Bell's luck acted as a proper blessing for once as he walked back towards Rose's apartment, working in a roundabout way of somehow nobody in the streets recognizing him despite the supposed fame he earned, or the sleeping captain on his back.

Thankfully, the apartment wasn't that far, and once he made it there, he saw the lights were already on. He knocked on the door with his feet, and not a minute later Rose opened the door for him.

"Oho~" Rose giggled, grinning at Bell as he walked inside with the sleeping Ankusha on his back. "Should I ask?"

"Please don't tease me," Bell grumbled as he Rose tittered, he looked around the apartment before his sight fell on the werewolf dressed in black shorts and white t-shirt that left her belly exposed, "Where's everyone?"

Rose closed the apartment door, "Lady Hestia's staying over at Hephaestus tonight, Eden's with her to help her arrange the exchange of your dungeon loots for valis. I met Alicia and Miss Riveria at the Guild earlier, they will return later since the Loki Familia has a party going on tonight, and you already know of Lady Hekate's trip." Rose explained as Bell carefully laid down Shakti on the L-shaped couch, resting her face towards the inner corner of the furniture.

"I'm guessing she couldn't hold her liquor, again?" Rose asked, sliding her arms around Bell's waist, and kissing his neck as soon as he took a step back from the sleeping woman.

"Maybe. She didn't drink that much. I think she hasn't slept well the last few days." Bell shivered at the kisses, he turned around to properly greet the taller woman who was hungrily staring down at him. "How was your day?"

"Better now that you're back," Rose huskily whispered, greedily pulling on Bell's cheeks to receive her 'welcome back' kiss which quickly gained passionate traction as neither of the two had had their fill of physical attention for the last few days.

[Graphic Warning, Lemon. Tags: Threesome, Rough Sex, Cervical Penetration, Stomach Deformation, fictional sex (can't believe I have to add this tag), etc.]

Rose's kiss started slow, just a simple touch of their lips to show her affection which Bell replied by feeling with his fingertips the exposed skin of her belly. He felt her shiver under his touch, and she pushed him deeper into the valley of her breast, the fabric doing nothing to hide her excitement.

Encompassed by her mature charms, Bell could help but continue exploring the exposed skin over her waist and around her hips, Rose's breath hitched, and she bit his lips as her smoldering gaze met his.

"I've missed you," Rose needily breathed into the kiss, lightly scratching his jaw as Bell fingers toyed with the fabric covering her rump.

Rose's words stirred Bell's possessiveness, her smoldering gaze beseeching him to seek more of her love. His fingers sneaked past the boundaries of her shorts, below her thin underwear, and grasped her bubbly ass to bring her body closer to his.

The werewolf exhaled loudly through her nose, head trembling seconds before she smashed her lips against him in a frenzy to feel more of her mate, to stake her claim of his heart again with her physical devotion to him.

Bell's lip parted in surprise at her sudden attack and sank his fingers desperately on her rump as her rough tongue entered his mouth, seeking his tongue to scrap it with the roughness of hers.

"MmmM!" Rose moaned loudly, the sound stirring Bell further, and she grasped a fistful of his black shirt as her breathing quickened, emotions and desires spurring her to push him down against the couch and follow after him, straddling his lap which made the bulge in his pants hotly press against her covered core.

Bell wasn't sure how he ended up sitting one spot away from Shakti's head, nor was he sure when did Rose climb his lap, all he knew was that he wasn't having enough of the werewolf's body, and despite doing his best to mold her bubbly rump to his whims, the sensation wasn't enough to satiate the burning desires that hadn't been assuaged at all.

Rose bit his lower lip, pulling it back before releasing it to hungrily stare down at him, her nails painfully digging on his shoulders as she started grinding her core against the bulge of his pants.

"Wun murr." Shakti suddenly murmured in her sleep and Bell's alarmed gaze switched to her as she turned her body around, her face looking in their direction though she continued sleeping without a care in the world.

His momentary inspection was interrupted by something clicking before feeling his manhood being gripped through the waistband of his pants. Bell hissed as the werewolf delicately glided her fingers up and down his length as it hardened in her hands.

"Rose," Bell hoarsely whispered her name making the werewolf lean against him.

"Yes?" Rose huskily whispered into his ear before taking his earlobe into her mouth and gently sucking it as she used one thumb to gently circle over his growing head causing Bell to buckle his hips, bringing his face closer to the teasing werewolf.

"We can't." Bell trembled in her hands as the werewolf gripped him harder and sped up her teasing of his head, she gave one long smooch to his jaw, right below his ear, before she leaned back to seductively look down at him.

"Why not? She won't wake up" Rose whispered again, deftly unbuttoning his pants and fully pull his growing manhood out. Her gaze switched for a second from his eyes to her prize, and she saw the tip glistening with pre-cum that she gathered with her index finger and made a show of sticking the wet digit into her mouth, coyly and loudly sucking on the wet digit.

Bell wanted to deny her words, but her actions left him speechless, and desiring for even more, something she noticed in his reluctant gaze and granted by slowly skidding backwards from his lap until her toes touched the floor, there she slid down his legs, keeping herself steady by grasping his shirt until her knees touched the floor and her hands rested on his obliques.

Bell clenched his teeth as Rose caressed her cheek against his tip, her fingers ghosting over his vigor's enflamed skin, and she looked up to him with a deep hunger in her eyes. Her lips parted open deliriously slow, hot air blowing over his massive length all the while never taking her eyes off him.

"nnnothhherrr." Shakti talked in her sleep again and Bell whipped his head towards her again to see the captain smack her lips and slightly curl like a cat while she continued sleeping.

For a second time his inspection was interrupted by something extremely wet, warm, and tight coil around half his length and Bell groaned out loud, looking down to the innocently smiling werewolf with half of his member in her mouth. Rose's tongue lolled out and licked his underside as her throat massaged his head.

Bell curled forward when her hands started pumping at his base, and she sloppily slurped his length out of her mouth until only his bulbous head remained trapped between her lips, Bell buckled again when her rough tongue swirled around his head and she sucked, hard.

"Rose" He hoarsely called out her name which spurred her further, the werewolf sloppily sucked his head, gently pressing it against the inner side of her soft cheeks which bulged.

"Yeshhh?" She hummed, innocently gazing at him with her cheek bulging, her tongue lolling out as she licked wherever it could reach.

Bell grunted again, exhaling loudly as her acts kept pushing him further over the edge.

Rose smiled coquettishly, releasing his wet head with a loud pop before using the saliva she'd already lathered over him to start pumping his entire length with both of her hands, twisting around his head, and continuing to blow hot air right over his throbbing head.

Bell hissed again, shaking his head as he tried to hold himself back while her hands torqued around him, his own hunger starting to overpower his reasoning, yet he held on.

Only for a second longer.

Rose smacked her hands against his base, making his member stand excitedly and she gulped his entire length down her throat which bulged from his size and constricted pleasurably around him.

He lost it.

Bell bundled up the werewolf's hair and pushed her head down until her nose pressed against his base, her throat rumbled in excitement and felt even tighter around him.

Rose gurgled loudly when Bell reached deeper down her throat than before, 'Is he bigger? She wondered when she felt she could barely breathe with him lodged down so far, air became precious, and her throat squeezed him as she tried to gather oxygen into her lungs.

"Rose!" Bell groaned out her name in need as she squeezed his vigor, tightening his hold of her hair as his hips buckled upwards again.

Rose choked as Bell's member pushed further down her throat, closing all air pathways to her burning lungs yet she could do nothing to fight back as his stronger body kept her firmly pressed against his base. She tried shaking her head desperately but all it did was incense Bell further as her gurgles grew in strength and spittle flew out of her lips, and nose.

Spots started appearing in her vision as her consciousness started fading, hands lifelessly hitting, and Bell finally pulled her head back.

"Ehk," Rose coughed loudly as soon as he was out of her mouth, taking deep gulps of air. Her face felt extremely hot, and she could feel the tears that had gathered on her lids from the lack of air.

Bell gave her a second to gather herself before pulling her head and pushing his length down her throat again.

Rose gurgled again as her mate's forcefully had his way with her throat, he groaned in pleasure every time her throat constricted around him as her body sought air. She was torn between loving how rough he was becoming with every loving session between them and fearful for others that would try to satisfy him.

One hand released his hold on her hair, and Rose managed to twist her head to look up at him only to see him curl forward as his fingers ferociously traveled down her back, scratching her t-shirt, her eyes widened as she realized what he was looking for, yet it was too late for her to react.

Bell gripped the base of her tail and pulled.

"MMMMGH!" Rose gurgled loudly as all strength left her body, her scream rumbled in her throat and coaxed Bell's manhood. Her eyes rolled upward as the sudden electrical shock fried her brain and her body trembled as an unexpected climax soaked through her underwear and shorts, drenching the floor as Bell thrusted his hip upwards again.

Then Bell swelled in her abused throat and her consciousness went black.

Bell groaned painfully as he ground his hips against the whimpering werewolf's mouth as he came directly down her esophagus, his balls churned painfully, and Bell groaned louder again in pain as the pleasure wasn't enough.

The sound reached the unconscious werewolf and her body acted on instincts, the werewolf left hand pinched her own rose-colored nipple while the other sneaked inside her drenched panties and fingered herself causing her throat to constrict around him painfully and milked his length as thick gallops spurted to her stomach, there was a throaty moan that vibrated the muscles and Bell felt in heaven as the churning eased up with the werewolf fervently gulping down his release until it went the wrong way.

The werewolf coughed as her mate's release was too much to take, cum spilled from her lips sealed around his base and the next spurt made her cough again causing the liquid to go up her nose and spill from her nostrils, creating white bubbles. She gurgled loudly as she tried to continue drinking her mate's copious seed but failed, her failure turned into bulging cheeks filled with his batter and more of his seed dribbling down her nose and lips.

Bell grunted, falling back on the couch, and slipping out of the unconscious werewolf mouth. His member still spewed ropes that fell on the werewolf's red mane, face, down the V-neck of her t-shirt and stained her top.

"Ahak," The werewolf continued coughing, her head angled upwards to try and make gravity help push her mate's thick sperm down her throat, yet her coughs only made her spew globs of seed that fell on her face.

Bell stared as Rose's body trembled while she continued to pleasure herself even though her breathing was impaired, giant snots of cum and bubbles blowing from her nostrils as her coughs continued. There was another gurgled moan as the werewolf suddenly hips raised from the floor, her entire body shook while she squirted through her shorts, the juices running down her thighs and dripping to the floor in a constant stream.

Her hips buckled before falling back down, her body fell forward and her face ended up nuzzling against his throbbing manhood where Bell's fingers caressed her hair while the werewolf moaned out the rest of her release as she regained consciousness.

Rose blinked several times, her body feeling heavy and unresponsive. Her eyes locked onto her mate's coated member standing proudly in front of her nose which tried to gather air into her burning lungs. All that did was make his heavy, musky, scent overwhelm her sense of smell from the cum snot in her nostrils.

Her body shuddered, eyes finally finding her mate's as he played with her hair, a satisfied smile on his face that made the pain in her body fade away and leave only an accomplished lover.

She tried to speak but a gurgle was all that sounded as her mouth was still packed with his thick batter, she chewed several times as she gulped down the seed which made her feel hot again. His member twitched at her show, her tongue lolled out and sloppily licked the side closest to her clean, Bell moved her head around as she continued sloppily licking him clean before swallowing his head and slurped the vestiges of his climax.

Unknown to the two, blue eyes had been watching in stunned silence from the moment the werewolf tail was pulled.

In all her 38 years of being alive, Shakti had seen and experienced many things, yet none came close to the impressive display by the Guild lady and her object of affection.

The captain was no virgin, she knew very well what pleasure felt like, but the way those two had acted with such carnal lust trying to satisfy themselves, and each other, left her feeling incredibly bothered and judging by how sticky her groin felt, wet.

And then Bell had gone ahead and literally showered with his seed the Guild lady to the point her face was almost unrecognizable under the batter sticking to her hair, and face.

Yet, as she watched how content the red-haired werewolf continued to slurp on Bell's impossible length, Shakti curiosity was piqued, her own desires prickled, and she knew Bell wanted her, so he wouldn't reject if she finally staked her own claim of him too, right?

The Ankusha's body acted before she could fully process her thoughts, the slight remaining alcohol in her blood granting her the liquid courage she needed to change the outcome of what Fate originally planned for her.

Bell felt his back burn exactly when he rested Rose's head to his left thigh, when suddenly a black-gloved hand gingerly wrapped around the base of his tool and his head snapped to the right in alarm.

The white-haired adventurer felt his soul leave his body for a second as the flushed face of the mature level 5 appeared in his vision, inches away from his member that she gazed on as Rose furiously slurped his head. The captain dragged herself closer until her chin rested on his right thigh with his manhood casting a shadow over her flushed face.

Shakti's warm breath tickled him, her hesitation was palpable as her lips trembled, her lips parted slightly, barely enough for the tip of her tongue to slide out its cave, yet it stopped just short of touching his tool.

Bell anxiously watched for a full minute as the level 5 hesitated that last inch, all the while Rose continued loudly slurping his bulbous, and sensitive, head. The werewolf's saliva dribbled from her lips from how sloppy she was, the glistening liquid coating his shaft thoroughly which Shakti, despite not advancing that last inch, used as lubricant to stroke Bell's length with her fingers.

Bell's breathing became labored under their caresses, his fingers toyed with both mature women hair until the pressure started building up, his balls churned in warning and his nails lightly scratched their scalp as his member started throbbing painfully in their hands.

Both women sensed his release seconds before it began, and they moved their faces even closer in anticipation. Rose locked her lips around his pulsing head and sucked even harder and Bell lost it when Shakti's soft tongue finally advanced that last inch, giving his throbbing vigor a long, loud, wet, lick with her lips nibbling his enflamed skin.

His back burned as he erupted for a second time, eyes going cross-eyed as the first spurt hit the back of Rose's throat, clogging it from the sudden increase in amount. The second spurt made the werewolf's cheek bulge as she tried to selfishly contain his release in her sinful mouth, but it was not to be as the third spurt almost overwhelmed her, and his head pulsed yet again.

Rose lost the battle against his blessing, his fourth spurt forced itself out of her through her nose as her eyes rolled up and the next two pulses easily escaped her lips' seal on his pulsing head. His tepid batter cascaded down his shaft to where the blue-haired woman lapped it with her tongue and smooched her way up and down his engorged length.

Bell's back continued burning as Shakti smooched her way up, devouring any seed that found her way to her, until her lips met Rose's whom failed to keep Bell's head to herself. The werewolf, already overwhelmed and no longer able to contain any more of her mate's precious seed in her mouth, relented and traded spots with the awaiting captain.

The young adventurer trembled in excitement at the switch, the different sensation of Shakti's incredibly soft lips locking around his pulsing head made him spurt out even more of his essence which, unlike Rose who was accustomed to his unusual lengthy release, instantly overwhelmed Shakti. The mature captain's cheek's inflated from the copious amount and she tried to gulp it down, her throat visibly bulging as she tried, but another pulse released even more and clogged her airways.

Rose wasn't surprised when Shakti suddenly coughed and her face ended exactly like hers, with her mate's cum escaping through the captain's nose and lips. The werewolf looked up in alarm as Bell suddenly grasped Shakti's head and forced his entire length down her unexpecting throat even as the woman was already having a hard time.

The werewolf stared for a moment in wonder as Shakti's nose pressed against her mate's base, gurgling as her throat expanded to accommodate for his girth that pulsed and made her throat bulge with his final spurts. Bubbles formed on the captain's nose with more cum dribbling out as her throat reflexively tightened at the lack of air in her burning lungs, tears started trailing down her cheeks as her object of affection continued feeding her his batter and Rose intervened when the captain eyes started rolling up when she no longer could hold onto her consciousness.

Bell didn't fight back as Rose forcefully pulled Shakti's head away from his erection, realizing the mistake he committed as Rose crashed her mouth onto the Ankusha's and inhaled the seed clogging the older woman's throat, the two separated for a moment for the Ankusha to gather a lungful of air before Rose brought her into another kiss, one more passionate and gentler as she returned what she had taken.

The young adventurer throbbed as the two contrasting-hair-colored women traded his thick seed back and forth, and he wasn't surprised when Rose moved his recovering vigor between their lips, gently stroking his length as both women continued their sloppy, open-tongued kiss with his head trapped in between their mouths.

It was no surprise to him that their contrasting tongues, one extremely rough and the other extremely soft, rekindled his hunger in no time.

Rose was the first to pull away from the kiss, giggling as she collected with her index finger Bell's spunk from her face, "Hello there~"

Shakti hummed and waved one gloved hand in response, taking Bell's tip into her own mouth, and teasing it with the inside of her cheek just as Rose's had done when she awakened.

Rose giggled again after sucking her fingers clean under Bell's smoldering gaze. She leaned down until her breath was hot on the level 5 ear, "Staking your claim too?"

Shakti cheekily smiled before bobbing her head up and down Bell's renewed length.

"Then you know what's next~" Rose huskily whispered, nibbling Shakti's earlobe, and making her shiver with the sensation, and expectations.

Shakti glanced up at Bell whose gaze locked with hers, his fingers gently played with her hair, teasing the back of her ears like she did to him during their first kiss. She could see in his eyes the desire he had for her, the same desire that he'd shown the werewolf seconds earlier and made her feel no less than Rose who worked on taking Bell's pants, and underwear, off before the werewolf sat back, content to watch her mate claim another member for his pack.

The Ankusha knew their relationship was moving too fast, but after seeing, and feeling, Bell almost die in her arms, she discarded the idea of taking it slow with him as she knew both were living a dangerous life that could make them unexpectedly disappear from the other's life in an instant.

They already had strong feelings for one another, he'd been honest with her, and it was her turn to be honest with him.

Shakti Varma wanted Bell Cranel, and tonight, she would get a piece of him. A piece that would forever belong to her, and in turn, she would give a piece of herself to him.

Her core was lit, her body was ready, her curiosity was roused, and her heart took the final decision that defied Fate.

Bell cupped Shakti's cheek as she slurped him one last time before withdrawing back, lifting herself off the couch to sit properly and lean onto Bell's side just as she had done in the restaurant.

"Sorry about earlier…" Bell started, cleaning Shakti's face from the tears he caused and his own secretions.

Shakti snorted before nuzzling into his palm, "My mistake for surprising you."

It was Bell's turn to snort, "You scared me half to death."

Shakti giggled, glancing down at his throbbing erection with a raised eyebrow, "That doesn't seem to be half-dead to me."

Bell shocked his head in amusement, "I thought I was the one that made the jokes?"

Shakti shut him up by gently stroking his length again, grinning as he clenched his teeth, "You are, and I'll be the one taking revenge for them every time."

Bell retaliated to her actions by pulling her into a quick, soft, kiss, something that surprised her since she had him in her mouth moments earlier.

"I really like you," Bell whispered, confirming his feelings for her again.

Shakti realized then, that just as her, he wasn't waiting to fall in love with her to push their relationship into the next stage, and as she searched deep within his eyes for any trace of deceit in his words one last time, she found none. Their decision made; Shakti leaned in for another chaste kiss which Bell eagerly responded to.

Butterflies fluttered in her stomach as she accepted Bell's tongue into her mouth, forgetting everything that existed around them except the sensations coming from their tongues as they slowly danced over the other before she pulled back with a string of saliva connecting their lips.

Bell's face was glowing with eagerness as he awaited her response, his crimson gaze burned with hunger held back by the barest of margins, and she decided to get him back for the times he'd touched her ass by making him wait more for her response.

She did say she would get her revenge for that time in the Coliseum.

Shakti rose from his side, their gazes locked as she moved to stand in front of him. The Ankusha deliriously slowly started unbuttoning her tux, but she didn't take it off just yet, she continued by unbuttoning her white inner shirt and only then did she take off both pieces of clothing at once, letting it fall to the floor. She continued by unzipping the tight black skirt from the side which slid down her long legs and revealed to Bell she was wearing his gift.

The mature captain stepped forward dressed in nothing but her black lingerie that contrasted with her creamy white skin. On her right thigh, and digging into her supple skin, was the black thigh bracelet Bell had gifted her, she stepped forward again, standing right in front of Bell who hadn't taken his eyes off from her the second she stood up, eyes that never strayed from her even as she unclipped her bra and she granted him permission to look again by cupping her naked chest and presenting it him.

Bell gulped as he let his eyes travel down her body, once again seeing how the mature woman body was the perfect balance between soft and toned. Her breast was nowhere near Rose's or Eina's impressive size but they more than made up for it with their perkiness, her creamy areolas in full display with her puffy nipples, a slightly darker shade.

Her midriff was slim, soft looking yet the V-shape of her waist was clearly defined and accentuated her wide hips that widened further into the perfect pear shape connecting to strong, yet supple looking, thighs. Her black tights dug into her skin, giving another contrast between the dark color of her accessories, underwear, and creamy skin.

And despite the dark color of her underwear, Bell could clearly see the wetness that had built in her crotch. His member gave a standing ovation to her breath taking figured and Shakti's face glowed in slight embarrassment at his approval, she turned around to avoid his worshipping gaze and Bell gazed at the part of Shakti he'd felt several times but never seen from up close.

Her unblemished back greeted him and her pear-shaped rear jiggled lightly when she shifted her weight, her rump looked as extremely soft as it had felt in his hands, and when Shakti sat down on his lap, trapping his member between her thighs, his memories held true to the real deal.

Bell exhaled loudly as Shakti's rear literally melded against his lower body, her back pressed against his chest as she let her head rest beside him while her fingers stroked the visible length between her legs, rubbing it against wet, still clothed, core.

"You're… so… soft," Bell complimented as he felt Shakti's softness enveloped him, consciously this time, and he traced the firm and invitingly soft skin of her hips and thighs which shivered under his touch.

"And you're big." Shakti replied with a light laugh as she pressed Bell's member to her crotch, seeing it reach above her bellybutton despite a sizable part being hidden by her thighs. It throbbed in her hands, and she gulped in anticipation.

Shakti raised her hips, lifting herself enough for his head to firmly press against her clothed, wet, entrance and she pulled aside the garment to let his head slowly slid inside.

Her flower squelched audibly from her wetness as more of his length steadily slid inside her, the mature captain bit her lips as his head scrapped all the right placed as it continued sliding further inside until she felt his bulbous head firmly press against her cervix. She gulped again and glanced down to see there was more she hadn't taken inside, and her flower dribbled her apprehension, coating the rest of his member with her glistening liquids.

Bell bit the inside of his cheek to hold himself back, if her outsides were soft, then her insides were twice that. She was just… so soft!

Her walls squished him so comfortably and he could perfectly feel every fold tickle his sensitive rod, even her barrier protecting her core meld around him rather than forcefully prevent him from going deeper into her, which he noted made her hesitate.

"Don't force yourself," Bell whispered, kissing her soft shoulders, and moved so she reclined on his chest so she could control her movements properly, his hands coming to rest on her soft thighs.

Shakti relished in the sensation of Bell stuffing her whole with his vigor, his massiveness leaving on shame all her previous trysts. His manhood throbbed inside her and she felt his nails lightly scratch her thighs, she could hear, and feel, his ragged breath as he waited for her to move and Shakti couldn't deny him, or herself, the pleasure any longer.

Her hips raised, her walls fiercely clung to him, and she bit her lips to contain her moan from how his head had scrapped her folds on the way out. She took a deep breath before sitting back down and her eyes went white for a second as his head impacted her cervix.

"Ooooooohhh," Shakti drawled out a long throaty moan that continued as she gyrated her hips, grinding Bell's head against her core entrance. Her movements picked up speed just as her breathing quickened, her hands held onto Bell's thighs as she started bouncing on his massive length, her nails digging into his skin every time his tip kissed her cervix.

Bell groaned through clenched teeth as he watched, mesmerized, how Shakti's ass rippled with every bounce, tantalizing him with its incredible softness that he couldn't help himself to. His fingers clawed at her softness, sinking deeply into her suppleness which spilled between his fingers. With his hands grabbing her backside so desperately, Shakti couldn't bounce anymore so instead she pressed him as far as she could, his tip dug more into her sacred entrance as she ground him there while Bell continued to mold her bottom to his whims.

So enthralled by her softness was Bell that it wasn't until Shakti groaned in frustration that he realized he was the only one being satisfied, frowning he gave himself a mental slap to the back of his head and gathered his resolve to rectify his mistake.

Bell fingers sank into Shakti's hip as his other hand had his thumb rest on her nape and his fingers grasp her shoulder.

Shakti recognized the hold, "Waiioooooooghh, yes, yesss!" The Ankusha's words were lost in her sea of moans as Bell started to roughly pound into her. He knew, with their level difference, that he could be rougher with her than he normally was with Rose, or gods forbids Eina, and he was not afraid to use his full strength to screw her insides.

"Harrrrder Craa~aaaarghhneel!" Shakti drawled out loud through the sound of her asscheeks clapping whenever his manhood impacted her cervix, her fingers painfully tightened around his knees as Bell raised his hips to meet her plunging body. "Morhh!"

Bell responded to her desires, forgetting any semblance of gentleness to meet her demands and fucked her harder and harder, and as his thrusts strengthened, her moans pitched louder and louder. His vigorous punishment slowly, but surely, battered at her inner core's entrance until one powerful thrust finally broke through the mushy barrier protecting her sacred chamber from his engorged head.

Shakti released a silent scream as her eyes went white again, the sound of her ass smacking against his thighs echoed in the living room as her legs trembled in ecstasy. His massiveness, lodged completely in her, pushed the roof of her womb mixing pain and pleasure from the impossibility and her coils wailed in painful bliss as she relished in the never before experience sensation.

And then Bell slapped her ass, hard.

"Hya!" Shakti wailed in surprised, head whirling to look at the smoldering crimson gaze of her partner who delivered another stinging blow to her rear that rippled from impact. "Mmhhh" Her throaty moan eclipsed the spank's sound and when Bell raised her to plunge into her again, the mature woman completely lost her voice again.

Her slim belly deformed into the shape of his tip that stuffed her whole, one of her hands felt the place where his massiveness completely bottomed inside her while the other held onto his knee for dear life as he continued screwing and molding her insides to his shape.

Shakti gasped as her calves and thighs tensed, both hands clutched at Bell's knees as her toes curled and the sudden wave of her release crashed down on her. Her insides, once soft and squishy around him, suddenly strangled him firmly as her flower squirted her first release.

Sadly, for her, Bell was a man on a self-imposed mission, one that he had yet to complete.

Her panicked gaze turned on him again as Bell raised her climaxing body and pulled her down, his manhood plunged into her again, pushing the air out of her lungs as the bulge on her belly returned.

"Ohhhh gooooodss!" Shakti moan pitched higher as Bell continued his previous intense pace, literally screwing her climax, prolonging it, and making her squirt the remaining of it with every powerful thrust.

As if his brutal assault on her womb wasn't enough, the hand in her hip slid to her thighs, snapping the band of her black lingerie, and sneaked between her crotch with his middle fingertip which started playing with her bundle of nerves.

Shakti hips buckled inward closing her thighs in reflex but only made her insides snugger for Bell, his fingers continued flicking her bundle of nerves, her voice went hoarse as Bell kept his punishment of her womb with his powerful thrusts which built another wave of pressure within her, the first one barely finishing when she felt his already wide girth swell even more.

Her insides clenched tighter as the pressure became unbearable and she had to snap her legs apart, over Bell's knees, to relieve the pressure that made her claw at Bell's knees until her nails drew blood.

Switching to that position was a massive mistake that Bell took instant advantage of.

Bell released her shoulder to clutch her waist, holding her lower body steady while the other had easier access to her squelching flower, and the sensitive bundle of nerves.

Shakti collapsed on his chest as her second orgasm overwhelmed her, meeting with the end of the first one. Her entire body convulsed in pleasure as Bell continued flicking her bundle through her orgasm, making her secretions audibly squirt from her squelching flower as he hammered the last thrusts into her before he ground his hips against her soft ass and erupted directly into her battered womb.

His scalding seed powerfully shot into her womb, each spurt knocking the air out of her lungs making her body become heavy as more and more of his thick release flooded her insides, her tormented womb inflating to accommodate for the copious amount to no avail.

Shakti felt his arms embrace her, one right below her heaving chest and the other below her heavy belly and her world exploded again as Bell continued to brutally pound into her despite his own release still continuing. Every thrust made her abused flower wetly squelch and spew his sperm through their connection, her slim belly became no more as Bell's impossibly thick cum continued inflating her despite the copiousness squelching out of her from his thrusts, loudly dripping to the floor.

Seconds that felt like hours finally ended with Bell firmly grinding his hips against her soft rear, her legs trembling with his sperm oozing in thick globs down her supple thighs. Bell's sperm swished in her inflated stomach whenever she twitched in the afterglow of her potent climax.

Three deep breathes was all Shakti could gather before Bell twitched inside of her, his strong embrace tightened around her, and Bell heaved upwards.

Shakti entire body trembled as jolts of electricity overloaded her entire body, then Bell withdrew until his tip was the only thing inside and brutally plunged into her again, his sperm sloshed audibly in her belly and squelched when it spewed out of her rosy petals.

And then he did it again.

And again.

And again.

Shakti's world became a mix of pain, pleasure, euphoria, heaviness and burning desire as Bell continued ramming into her, her moans ascended to incoherent screams as every thrust brought her closer and closer, her entire being numbing to focus solely on the jolts caused by his brutal way of claiming her as his own.

Her core was burning once more, overtaking all her common sense with her release nearing closer.

Bell started swelling inside her again, her words became a jumbled mess without the ability to properly think and only feel.

And feel she did.

Bell erupted again, keeping his thrusts at a steady pace that made her entire body convulse erratically in his hands as her climax hit her with his warmth flooding her again.

Her eyes rolled up, tongue escaping out in a silent scream as she lost complete control. Her belly inflated further with Bell's new release that kept pushing more of his tepid seed inside her, Shakti's snug insides gently coaxing more from him.

Shakti went limp on his chest, arms lifelessly falling to either side and smacking hard against the couch as her lower body trembled atop him, her final climax exploded in a strong arc that tapered off in into a steady stream that trailed down between her thighs, drenching her black tights, and mixed in the poodle of combined juices at their feet.

Bell grunted, giving one last thrust before fully withdrawing from her abused flower, her petals refused to close allowing his thick batter to steadily drip in a thin, steady, string.

He had barely taken a deep breath after accomplishing his mission when his sensitive was trapped in another warm and wet cavern. Face snapping down he saw his werewolf greedily looking up at him from between Shakti's thighs and his own legs with his head firmly sealed in her lips.

Rose hands gripped his base tight and pumped him as fast as she could, her mouth audibly slurping as she cleaned the remaining seed trapped in his manhood, an effort spoiled by Shakti's gaping flower above his member continuously dripping globs on his shaft.

Still, Rose didn't give up and continued until Bell felt his balls churn again painfully, Rose doubled her efforts, the noises she made, and suction being rewarded as Bell groaned and bucked his hips upwards with a new release.

Rose kept pumping his shaft rapidly, her mouth opening as far as she could with her tongue firmly pressing the underside of his head. His first spurt painted her entire tongue white and his second quickly filled her mouth, Rose let her inner werewolf take control but unlike previous times she kept her conscience awake.

Bell's manhood was gulped down her throat, the rest that she could not fit due to his position was stroked with her fingers as her mate continued blasting his release down her gullet. Every spurt made his cum dribble from her mouth, bubbles to form on her blocked nostrils, her throat to visibly bulge from the overwhelming amount yet none of it affected her ability to please her mate, and herself.

Almost a full minute passed with the werewolf greedily gulping his seed without respite, her lungs burned but the pleasure and need was a greater need than air. Even as she snorted cum in thick strings, her throat continued coaxing her mate until he was fully satisfied, and Rose stomach was full.

As per usual, with his release over the werewolf diligently and sloppily slurped his member clean before keeping his head trapped in her lips and gently nibbling on it, coaxing him for eve more.

Shakti shuddered on top of him and gulped a big chunk of air, her head tilted down to look at her heavy, and sloshing, belly that made her look like she was pregnant before giving Bell an incredulous stare.

Bell used that moment to give her a chaste kiss that made her forget any protest she had; her eyes fluttered closed to simply enjoy the very well-deserved afterglow.

While Bell really wanted to give her time to enjoy herself, there was a certain greedy werewolf still playing with the embers of his fire and was slowly but surely reigniting it. Trapped between the couch and an incredibly soft body, Bell couldn't do anything other than get hard.

Again.

Shakti eyes snapped open when Bell's hardened length poked her ravished nether and she found the reason for his regained strength in the hungrily and thoroughly smeared red-haired werewolf between her own thighs.

The woman must've sensed her stunned gaze as her eyes switched from Bell's to hers, a devious grin much too wide forming as she released Bell's renewed vigor, which smacked against her sensitive crotch and made her shudder, with a loud pop.

"Satisfied?" Rose giggled, resting her forearms on the Ankusha's supple thighs.

"Very." Shakti hoarsely replied, fingers tracing her sperm-inflated stomach.

"Good!" Rose stared at her for a few seconds longer before taking the soaked tights off the Ankusha before finally standing. "I would love nothing more than to have my turn now but there's many things we have to do…"

Bell sighed in relief; his body may be willing, but his mind was spent. Skill or not, he also needed a moment to rest and think things properly.

Shakti nodded and with Bell's help she sat comfortably on his lap with his teased vigor trapped between her supple thighs once more. The level 5 blushed bright red when she beheld the massive puddle between her feet, the strong scent of their mixed juices wafting around them.

Rose giggled again, "Don't worry, half of that is you and the other half is me. I believe a bath is in due order."

The mortified level 5 shyly nodded. Sex experience she may have but being thoroughly pleased until she made such a mess? Never! Add to that not being able to put any strength to her legs despite being a level 5 mortified her further– If anyone ever heard of this, she would lose all face.

Rose giggled again, "Bell, dear?"

Bell smiled, sometimes being quiet had its own merits, especially when it involved women sorting their feelings and emotions. There was no need to add another burden while they thought things through. Source: his gramps.

The level 5 captain adorably eep'ed when Bell lifted her up in a princess carry and followed behind the tittering werewolf to the bathroom where he placed the stuffed captain on the edge of the tub, he kissed both women before walking out of the bathroom with a mop and bucket.

Left alone with the tittering werewolf who prepared the Ofuro was a silent blessing for Shakti as she reviewed her hazy memories.

"Shakti, have you finally decided or?" Rose asked, sitting beside the stuffed captain.

"Yes, I don't need more time. Thank you," Shakti responded, sitting up and squirmed as the batter in her belly swished again.

Rose beamed, "Should I count you in, then?"

Shakti looked away and gave a slow nod which made the werewolf clap happily, "Are you always this shrewd?"

Rose giggled, "Only when it involves him," she winked, poking her belly which made her flower squelch "Amazing, right?"

Shakti squirmed again, it was one thing being honest to Bell, it was another thing altogether being honest with the devious werewolf he had for a partner, "Yes, it was as incredible as you described… I will need to take at least three cups of anti-conceptive with how much Bell filled me."

Rose hummed negatively, "Our goddess knows of Bell's and I relationship and with how thick and copious his sperm is, a single release would be enough to knock anyone up, so, our Goddess placed a seal on his virility until we're ready."

The panic that had set in when told pregnancy was unavoidable was quickly washed away by the reveal of the seal, a bulb went off in the captain's head. "So, he can do this… as many times as he wants without worries or restraints?"

The werewolf positively beamed at her, the glint of hunger in her eyes flashing for a second, and Shakti knew where Bell had gained it from, "Yes and if you stir him just right, he takes over and mmmhh~" Rose moaned, shaking her head to dispel the memories.

Shakti nodded again, knowing from personal experience just how right her words were. The stinging sensation on her rear could attest to that.

"How do you deal with this…?" Shakti asked, gingerly palming her swollen stomach.

The werewolf grinned caringly, "Push it out in bits but I was thinking we could do something special between you and me to deepen our own new bond…"

Shakti raised a cool eyebrow; She didn't fight back as the werewolf gently pushed her backwards until she was laying on her back again on the edge on the ofuro.

"There's only thing I love equally to my mate and that's his seed." Rose told her, pressing a chaste kiss on the amused level 5 who was starting to guess where things were going, "It would be such a shame to let so much go to waste," Rose tittered, kissing the level 5 bellybutton and trailed more kisses downwards until she was right in front of her ravished lips that leaked Bell's seed.

The moans that echoed in the bathroom as Rose meticulously ate everything that was released from Shakti's flower were easily in the top ten of most sensual things Bell heard in his entire life as he walked in on the scene.

He would've joined the two from the start but as the person responsible for creating the mess downstairs, he was also responsible for cleaning it. Either way he had joined the two mature women while they shared a very sensual moment, the embers Rose had fanned earlier ignited into a full-blown fire that neither noticed.

That was until Bell surprised Rose by raising her hips, setting her doggystyle and plunged the renewed vigor she had caused all the way to the hilt in one go.

Rose moaned loudly into the equally moaning Shakti's petals as Bell screwed the werewolf intensively from the get-go, the werewolf's happily wagging tail smacking against his stomach gave him an idea and he acted upon it to 'spice things up' as Rose so often incentivized him with.

An echoing smack against her bubbly rump made Rose's insides momentarily strangle him, and Bell delivered another smack that left its red mark on her ass and caused her walls to positively squeeze him again, tighter than the last time, and he almost lost it to the increased wriggling of Rose's folds massage.

With every new slap that befell on her bubbly rump, Rose's tail wiggled happier and happier as she panted directly into the Ankusha's petals, her whimpers of pain and pleasure rumbling in her mouth and sending the vibrations into the sensitive blue-haired women nether.

Soon enough Rose's creamy skin was red from abuse and only inflamed further when Bell picked up his pace by grabbing the werewolf hips and plunged into her with reckless abandon as her flower steadily splashed her approval.

Bell wanted, no needed, to absolutely satisfy his mate hence when balls churned warning him of his imminent release, both of his hands gripped the base of his werewolf's tail and pulled.

Rose screamed his name as her insides strangled him, her body shuddered while going limp, for the second time that night the werewolf came so hard to the point she lost control of her bladder, her liquids steadily flowed down her thighs as Bell exploded inside her.

Bell kept his grip on the werewolf tail while he came, and he was none too gentle about it from the way her whimpering increased in tone, he trudged through her strangling insides with great force and rode the rest of his release which made the werewolf's belly greatly distend from his abundant climax.

When his orgasm tapered off Bell released the shuddering werewolf tail, causing her to fall with her full weight on her expanded belly and even with his girth being strangled, his sperm still found the way to gush from the applied pressure past their connection.

Bell sighed blissfully once he'd taken care of Rose who he knew would ask for more in a minute, his gaze fell on the more normal looking slim midriff of the level 5 who was biting her lips as she looked back at him.

"Quite the performance," Shakti breathed out, sitting up and leaning over the shuddering werewolf back, pressing her panting tongue further into her still sensitive petals, until her face was inches away from the recovering Bell, "Any chances I could get a repeat?"

Bell's back burned and he kissed her in response, the werewolf trapped between them whimpered as Bell's member enlarged inside her as him and Shakti fought another battle with their tongues.

It would be another two long hours spent in the bathroom where Bell would leave both mature women unable to whimper anything besides his name, and unable to walk on their own until blissful unconsciousness granted them respite from the absurd blessings on his back.

-0- Graphic Warning Over -0-

---

Bell raised the covers up to the shoulders of the sleeping Rose and Shakti whom he had laid on the werewolf's bed after cleaning them up, he'd skipped dressing them as he was certain that if either of the two woke up, they would try and continue taking turns at him.

Watching them sleep peacefully, with serene smiles on their lips as they held one another in warmth left Bell feeling fuzzy and content, and he knew that if he joined them, they would welcome him with open arms and shower him with more love than he could positively reply to.

Didn't mean he wouldn't do his absolute best to respond to their feelings.

Rose had already granted him her everything, and he would forever treasure her no matter what. From the moment he'd stumbled into her caring bosom, she was nothing if not supportive of his dreams, the short time it took for their feelings to blossom into what it was now was something Bell didn't take for granted, and he vowed as he kissed her cheek to always try to keep her happy, even if it meant abusing his stupid blessing to satisfy her desires.

She was not the only one he thought of in his vow. Eina, whom he owed a visit, an apology, and a date, in that order, was also in that vow. The blue-haired Shakti that slept contently besides Rose was also in it.

And every single member of his Familia, new like Eden and Alicia, or old like Hestia and Miss Kat, were also in that vow.

Bell Cranel would make them happy, would protect them no matter what, and, if possible, grant their wishes with his own, mortal, power.

The young adventurer returned downstairs to wait for the eventual return of the last member of his Familia, a loaf of bread half-eaten as she knocked on the door and he opened to greet her inside with a warm smile.

"Welc- Alicia?" Bell stopped his warm greeting as he noticed the despairing look in the golden-haired elf's soft face.

"I-I'm sorry!" Alicia half-shouted, half-sobbed as she crashed into his chest, embracing him as her face wetly pressed against his last black shirt, mumbling something he couldn't discern at all.

Bell didn't hesitate to envelop her in the safety of his arms which made her sag, and sob, harder into his chest, "Alicia what happened?"

"Some dickheads made fun of her condition," A gruff, snarky, voice echoed from beyond the apartment entrance and Bell looked down the steps to see a silver-haired man – no, werewolf, crossing his arms with a face of disgust.

Bell blinked, trying to remember where he had seen the silver-haired werewolf before.

"We sent'em packing but bastards had the last laugh. Ya' got a war game to win next week."

At the silver-haired werewolf gruff words, the golden-haired elf sobbed another 'I'm sorry' into his chest, one that stemmed from guilt and not misery.

…

And so, Fate closed the curtains of Bell's adventure first act, prepared the actors for the next play, and eagerly awaited how the mortal that had defied her far too many times would respond to the new challenges she had set in store for him.

-0- Volume 1 End -0-

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Author's Note: (insert Th*nos voice here) It nearly killed me, but the work is done. It always will be. The HORNY is inevitable!

I'll kindly ask you all to review your thoughts on Volume 1 of the story so far, you can be as critical/optimistic/pessimistic as you want! I'd also like to know what you would like to see for next volume! I'm not taking breaks btw, so you don't have to worry about the next update taking a long time to come! You can also ask me any question, if it doesn't involve spoiler, and I'll reply it in the next update (possibly tomorrow/after tomorrow) which will be the final side-stories commissioned for volume 1 of AsBBaH.

I had planned on writing a loooong author's note thanking you all for the support, but it felt way too final considering there's a lot more to this story!

There's been so many changes to the original draft for this final part that my head spins just recalling how many there were x_x. I originally planned on focusing more on Shakti, Riveria, Rose and Eina this chapter but felt that, with how much love and support Alicia received, that she deserved her scenes to be moved earlier into the story and considering how I planned to end this volume, made more sense to the story overall.

Fear not, all current girls in Bell's (official) harem will have their date in the next volume and even more will join! Heads up~ Next volume we'll see the addition of (at least) 4 beastkin girls, 4 goddesses, and 3 female humans, oh and two more elves, never can't have enough of those!

Sadly, for them, Rose's still the topdog o'the harem. Haha, geddit, werewolf, dog… Sorry, bad pun.

As of now, there's barely 20k words drafted for next volume but an abundance of one-line sentences that direct the pace of the story so there's no need to fret over 'when' the next update will be or fearing over 'me losing the spark' as I really, really, really want to complete this story.

And no, those drafts don't include lemons, yet. I do know what each girl in the harem special kink will be, and I hope you'll enjoy the ones I choose for them when they debut it! Rose, as the recipient of all of Bell's love, will eventually obtain them all too (insert Th*nos laugh here).

Also, no status update for readers about Bell's update after the coliseum event, that's a mystery you'll have to deal with until the start of next volume~ Did he level up? Did he gain another skill? Did his skills change again? Ufufufu~

At least you can be certain that, with his back burning, the increases in luck keep coming!

Oh yeah, I also have to announce: The work for the novel version of AsBBaH (which include amateur sketches) is about 40% done so far. I've already improved one third of the story, correcting many grammatical mistakes and breathing more life with a show, don't tell, type of description for some scenes that deserved it. There's NO additional content besides the sketches, so no need to re-read the story unless you want to experience it all again ^^.

Once I release the novel version to the discord (free), I will upload the changes here to , so you don't have to come join the server if you don't want to at all, all you'll be missing out on are the sketches.

- Jas / Shiiva