Not sure what to write here xD
I don't really know how to feel about this chapter to be honest. I do think it's not that bad, but it also feels a little rush to me honestly... I hope you can still enjoy it!
It was barely a few days later when the incident of Apollo familia wreaking havoc in the city occurred, forcing Bell and his familia to accept Apollo's ridiculous invitation to a war game!
The news spread like a wildfire throughout the city and naturally, they reached Loki familia as well.
Almost immediately Finn had called for a meeting with Riveria, Gareth and Loki, knowing that they would eventually get involved in some way, considering that Aiz was quite likely to try and intervene.
"I don't care what happens to that shrimp! I don't see a reason to get involved in their business!", Loki voiced her opinion within the familia's library. It was a well-known fact that Loki had a bad relationship with Hestia, so that was to be expected… Of course she had not yet found out that Bell had been the boy who had helped Riveria with shopping, otherwise she would probably have been less teasing with Riveria after that incident and instead seriously concerned…
"While I do feel bad for Aiz and that boy, I don't think it would be a good idea to intervene either. It isn't our battle so they have to deal with it themselves. It wouldn't be good to get involved in the battles of others. In fact, we may even escalate it further don't you think?", Gareth followed, backing Loki's suggestion.
"Leaving Loki's subjective opinion aside, Gareth has a point. I also think that it might be a problem to directly interfere. What are your thoughts on the matter Riveria?", Finn shared his point of view, finally allowing Riveria to present her stance.
Riveria stayed silent for a moment, seemingly contemplating the matter, though really… that was only how it looked to the others. In truth, she had already decided to help Bell out the moment she had heard the news! She was simply trying to find a way to get the others to accept it…
"Well… I can see where you are coming from…", Riveria began, carefully choosing her words. "And while I agree that we can't get directly involved in this conflict… I…. Do you really think that Aiz would stay back and leave her little student alone? I think all of us know that she won't listen no matter what…"
Hearing those words, Gareth and Finn could only give her a wry smile, knowing fully well just how rebellious Aiz could be…
"So? What do you suggest we do then Riveria?", Finn asked, hoping she might have an answer ready since she knew Aiz best after all…
"I suggest that we allow her to train with him again. It isn't as bad as a direct interference in the battle and as long as we deny any involvement in this it can hardly be called allying us with them.", Riveria suggested. Of course she wasn't only thinking of Aiz here, after all she too had offered to train with Bell, so she was simply laying the groundwork for both options! Naturally though, she still denied holding any interest in Bell aside from him being a potential lover for Aiz in the future!
"Hm I see so we-", Finn began, however he was interrupted as Tione, Tiona and Aiz burst through the door, all of them shouting, trying to convey what was going on the doorstep of their home…
Getting the gist of what they were saying, which was impressive in its own way really, Finn decided to make a snap decision! He decided to trust Riveria's judgement and offer the Little Rookie some help!
Giving the others instructions, he made sure to create a situation that would appear as if they declined to help and thereby planned to stay neutral, while also giving Aiz and Tiona a chance to meet with Bell to train him…
Riveria for her part was glad that she had managed to convince them to help Bell, though obviously this wasn't nearly enough for her! Just minutes later, when Aiz and Tiona were about to leave to meet up with Bell in secret, she caught them and asked about the time and location of their training…
Having seen the commotion outside, Loki was now sitting in the library, seemingly deep in thought.
Seeing her like that, Finn tried to cheer her up by saying: "Don't worry about it. I doubt it will turn into a problem to have them train together."
Hearing her captain's voice, Loki snapped out of her seemingly philosophical thoughts.
Though… it didn't seem like that was what had her concerned! No, it was that she had recognized Bell, now that she had seen him again! She finally knew who that human was that had helped out Riveria a few days ago, who she seemed rather smitten with!
Once again she lost herself in her thoughts.
Blankly staring at the ceiling, Loki eventually asked Finn and Gareth in an emotionless voice: "Say, what do you think? How many kids can a rabbit and an elf make?"
Naturally hearing such a question only caused the two men to spit out their tea in surprise!
While Loki was having an existential crisis, the cause for her despair was currently being trained on top of the city wall.
Throughout that day, Bell would repeatedly fight with Aiz and Tiona, trying to sharpen his skills and prepare for the coming battles, in whatever form they may be…
It was only in the evening, when the sun was setting, that they finally stopped for today. Tiona and Aiz went home while Bell was still resting on the ground, his whole body aching and throbbing in pain due to the beating he had taken. He wasn't mad in the least though! Of course more than anything he was glad that they were doing their uttermost to train him into someone that had a shot at winning!
Still though, it didn't make it easier on his body… Naturally these two had been concerned about him! However, not wanting to appear even more uncool, he had told them to just go home on their own. He would simply rest a bit longer and then head home as well…
While still worried, they had decided to leave him be, just like he wanted… and as soon as they had left, he immediately pass out!
With a small groan, Bell opened his eyes. His whole body felt warm and he felt his head resting on something soft, almost like a pillow.
"Aiz…?", he weakly mumbled as he tried to start up his brain again, vaguely believing he could feel a hand stroke his hair with slow and tender motions.
"Sorry no. I am not Aiz. I hope you aren't too disappointed with me.", he heard a teasing yet gentle and kind voice, a voice that sounded rather familiar…
"Riveria!", Bell called out, his brain now starting up again and soon starting to overheat as he saw her beautiful green eyes gaze down at him, a gentle smile on her face as she stroked his hair…
"W-What are you doing?!", Bell asked as he reflexively tried to get up in a panic, just like he would have done with Aiz, though unlike Aiz, Riveria pressed one of her hands down onto his forehead to keep him in place! An easy feat for a high Level Six…
"Relax a bit would you? I am not done healing you.", Riveria said in a calm, yet stern voice, just like a healer trying to tell her patient he shouldn't push himself.
And truly, right now she really was a healer! She had placed Bell on her lap and proceeded to heal him using her magic after she had found him all beaten up and unconscious.
"O-Oh… sorry…", Bell said, giving up resistance after realizing that Riveria's magic was the reason why his beaten and bruised body was feeling so much better already…
He awkwardly laid on her lap, trying not to relax any more than necessary, feeling that he might doze off if he did. Since he always panicked when Aiz did it, he never realized but… a lap pillow felt incredibly relaxing! If he didn't take care, he might really fall asleep…
Trying to regain focus, he decided to strike up a conversation.
"So uhm… What are you doing here Riveria?", he asked. It was a question that naturally came to mind, considering that it were Tiona and Aiz training him, not her…
"Well I…", Riveria began, averting her eyes as she couldn't help but blush a little. "I said I would help you train and I figured that, considering the current situation you could use that training a lot right now. Well at least that's what I thought but… I doubt that you have any capacity left to train after Tiona and Aiz beat you up like that… so I thought it would be best to support you in other ways…"
"I… Thank you.", Bell said, glad that he had yet another woman that wanted to support him!
"But… you really don't need to go out of your way you know?", he added, not wanting to make Loki familia help him out even more…
"I-It's not such a big deal really! I can afford to spend a little time on healing you.", Riveria replied.
"Again thank you. But… you don't need to do it. I can't take up even your time as well!", Bell told her.
"It's fine! I- I am happy if I can support you as well in this way!", Riveria said, getting increasingly flustered…
"No really you-!", Bell began once again but…
"Shut up already and accept my help!", Riveria snapped at him, as she flicked his forehead while giving him a pout!
"Y-Y-Yes Miss!", Bell cried out. That outburst of hers was clearly unexpected!
"Good!", Riveria told him with a stern voice. Before long her face relaxed again though and soon her gentle voice resounded once again: "If I can't help you train right now, at least allow me to support you in this way…"
"You told me that… when I am feeling troubled I should come talk to you… so I want to do the same for you. When you are in trouble and don't know what do then… then come and see me. Rely on me. I… I want to help you in whatever way I can..", Riveria said, her face clearly getting redder and her heart beating faster and faster with each word…
She didn't know why she felt so weird while saying that or why she was so fixated on having Bell rely on her, why she wanted to help him so much. It was just… it was the same feeling she had felt when he had first washed her hair down at the 18th floor. He was just… different from everyone else he was… special…
Riveria really wasn't sure about what to do with those feelings. They were entirely new to her! She knew she shouldn't have them! She was getting in the way of Aiz! But… it just… it felt far more natural to embrace those feelings right now…
It's only because of a debt! I am really just doing this because he helped me so much already! Besides, I am just helping him since it will be beneficial to Aiz! Yes that's right!, Riveria tried to convince herself…
Bell for his part was taken aback, but clearly happy about Riveria's words. "Riveria…", he could only mumble as he gazed up into her flushed, yet still stunning face…
"A-Anyway I am done with your treatment! You can go home now!", Riveria said, trying to get rid of this weird mood!
"O-Oh yes! I feel a lot better! Thank you again Riveria!", Bell answered, snapping out of it as well!
Quickly he pushed himself off of the ground and Riveria's lap. She felt a little regret that this moment was over now, that she couldn't feel the weight of his head on her thighs anymore…
Anyway, Riveria was quick to stand up as well, telling Bell; "I- I will be going now! I… I will be here tomorrow as well. To take care of you. S-So don't you dare go home without me! I-I mean before I can heal you of course!"
Once again her face was getting red and even her words were becoming awkward now…
"Y-Yes! I will be waiting for you.", Bell told her as Riveria left him behind, they couldn't be seen going around town together after all…
Riveria for her part, while embarrassed, felt great after hearing Bell say he would be waiting for her…
Once Riveria had arrived back home, she was greeted by Finn, wearing a grim expression on his face.
Seeing his expression, Riveria immediately switched into serious mode as well, asking: "What's the matter Finn?"
"It's Loki.", he said with a grim tone as he turned around to guide Riveria to her.
Riveria was, understandably, quite anxious after seeing Finn's expression. Just what could have happened to Loki that would put him in such a mood?
Soon enough the two of them arrived in the library, where Gareth already awaited them. As they entered, Finn explained: "So far we have not let anyone else see her like this except Line, hoping she might be able to heal her, but we might need to contact Amid soon!"
Inside, they trio found Loki blankly staring at a wall ahead of her, a bottle of alcohol along with a glass right in front of her seat. But… the bottle was still closed and the glass unused! In other words… Riveria's drunkard of a goddess hadn't even been tempted by the wine right in front of her!
Riveria could hardly believe such a sight! Silently she looked at Finn, hoping he could provide her with further details…
However, her captain could only shake his head. He didn't have any information for her. He only told her: "She has been like that since you left the library after our meeting today. She doesn't react to anything we say and not even to wine!"
Riveria was seriously getting worried over her goddess now! This didn't seem like one of her pranks, this was serious!
"Anything else?", Riveria asked once more, hoping to find some sort of clue.
"Well…", Finn hesitantly began, seemingly a bit reluctant to tell her.
It was then that Gareth jumped in to speak out what Finn tried to avoid: "She keeps mumbling about some rabbit mating with an elf."
"Yes, that's right…", Finn said as he gave Riveria a wry smile. To be honest, he had tried to avoid giving Riveria this information since he believed she would get mad about it…
But that didn't seem to be the case! That was a relief to Finn really! Although… he hadn't expected her to… blush?
Before Finn could think about it much more though, Riveria told the two of them: "Actually… I might have an idea about why this happened."
Both Finn and Gareth opened their eyes wide in surprise, clearly not getting how THIS sort of information helped her figure this out!
Riveria let out a sigh, telling them: "Would you mind leaving me alone with her? I think I might be able to do something about this."
Finn and Gareth looked at each other in doubt… but decided to trust the elf anyway, soon leaving the room…
Once they were gone, Riveria let out yet another sigh and began to talk to Loki: "Loki? Are you listening?", as she walked up to her, finally stepping into her line of sight.
Loki didn't seem to respond to her words, though she DID respond to seeing her! With a monotone voice she asked: "Oh Riveria. How many kids did you make so far?"
Riveria was stunned for a moment by the way Loki had delivered such a line… but before long her fist met Loki's head anyway!
"Auw! That hurt mama!", Loki cried out, now back to her usual voice, gripping her head in pain.
"Seriously? That was all it took? Can't believe they didn't try that yet…", Riveria said as she wondered why no one had smacked Loki's head yet. Of course it made sense that no one had tried it yet, considering that from the people involved, Riveria was pretty much the only one so violent with Loki, but that thought didn't even occur to her since hitting Loki was basically a daily activity to her…
"Anyway, if you are better now then let's go out and meet Finn and Gareth. They were worried about you.", Riveria told her goddess as she slowly walked towards the door now…
"Hooooold on! We aren't finished yet!", Loki said, as she pointed at Riveria who turned back around towards her with a questioning look.
"What's the deal with you and that rabbit?! I didn't know your lover was part of that shrimp's familia! I don't consent! I don't! No getting married to him!", Loki sternly told her with an angry voice.
Riveria for her part was… at a loss for words. She could only stare at Loki with a blank expression.
Only after a few moments of silence did she finally start to process Loki's accusations, telling her: "What? THAT is why you were so lifeless before? You have no idea about my relation to Bell so how come you automatically assume it would be romantic? Did you get infected by Lefiya?"
However it didn't seem like Loki would have any of that! "Don't try to play innocent here! 'Bell' huh? Already on first name basis I see!", she said.
Almost immediately Riveria let out another sigh, already feeling another headache coming.
Though… this time things were a bit different. Unlike a few days ago, Riveria had now gotten a little more aware of her own feelings! She knew Loki would see right through her, no in fact she already had! After all, lying to a god was impossible!
And so, with a blush, Riveria finally admitted the truth though even so she wasn't totally honest to herself: "Well… ok maybe I do feel something for him… But I know that you wouldn't agree to it anyway! Besides, even if you wouldn't mind, my father and any other elves would! And even if those were taken care of somehow I…. I am practically old enough to be his ancestor! No way in hell he would want someone as old and unfeminine as me! I know it's impossible anyway!"
For now, Riveria chose to avoid the issue of Aiz perhaps holding feelings of affection towards Bell as well since that was a separate issue, instead only stating the cold truth of any sort of affection from Bell towards her being impossible. Riveria had already decided! She had no other way but to suppress any feelings she might hold towards Bell, even if it hurt!
Loki eyed her for a moment, clearly sensing that something was off. Though, rather than complain about this matter any further, she decided to give her follower a chance instead! After all, while Loki liked to joke about having dips on all the women of her familia, she still wished for Riveria to be happy! In fact, she wouldn't have had a single problem if Bell had been a part of her familia instead! "Well… while I don't know about that old man of yours, I suppose I wouldn't mind your little romance if that Bell were to convert to our familia… And you know, although I might joke about it a lot, you aren't really that old ok?", Loki told her, feeling a little guilty since it seemed that her frequent comments about Riveria age had left a bit of a scar after all…
Of course it was hardly possible that Bell would convert to Loki familia any time soon! After all he was prepared to fight a war game for Hestia! And even if he would want to convert, he wouldn't be able to do so unless he waited for a few months or Hestia went back to heaven…
Being the rational person she is, Riveria pointed that out as well: "I don't think that is going to happen any time soon."
Since she didn't want to argue with her goddess any further, she then told her: "Anyway, I don't play on trying to seduce him or anything so let's stop this discussion here."
This time, Loki couldn't find a lie in her words. The goddess let out a sigh, saying: "Good to hear."
Just before Riveria opened the door though, she turned around one last time and told Loki: "Oh and Loki? If you tell anyone about the contents of this talk or about my one-sided feelings I will personally send you back up to Heaven ok?", with a scary smile on her face that caused Loki to shiver in fear…
The next few days, until the last day of Bells training, Riveria continued to heal him every day after he had trained with Aiz and Tiona.
Bell would get beat up by them as he rapidly improved with each hit he took, fighting until sunset which is when they would finally call it a day. It was then that Riveria would come by and take care of Bell, gentle stroking his hair while he laid with his head in her lap as her healing magic soothed his bruises…
Truth be told, Riveria was getting more and more anxious with each passing day. It wasn't that she didn't believe in Bell but… still it was a grand task he had to fulfil… And so the only way for her to relief some of those worries was to talk with Bell.
She was surprisingly honest with him by now. She could openly say that she was worried about him and that she wondered if there really wasn't a different way to resolve all of this, all of that naturally while blushing as that strange, yet by now familiar feeling in her chest returned…
She knew it was not meant to be. She shouldn't feel like this! But… feelings aren't something you can simply turn on and off…
Bell managed to help her relax a bit though. He was set on fighting at this point. There was no way to talk him out of it… but still he did his best to comfort Riveria. Truly a strange situation, considering that he should have been the one who worried the most right now…
Either way, it was now the last day, the final day before Bell would depart the city to go to the sight of the war game. Knowing fully well that this may be the last time she got to do this, Riveria felt really reluctant to allow Bell to leave. She wanted to stay like this, his head laying in her lap, for a little while longer. She wanted to keep stroking his hair, keep feeling his head in her lap, keep healing him with her magic… and yet she knew that was only wishful thinking…
Eventually, much to Riveria's regret, Bell pushed himself up. She didn't stop him, after all he had been fully healed at least half an hour ago…
"I should get going…", Bell said as he looked at Riveria one last time before turning around to take his leave…
"W-Wait!", Riveria called out, grabbing his arm.
Bell turned back around. He looked at her, a bit perplexed as to why she would stop him.
"I…", Riveria began, trying to find words to express herself. "I just… I want to…"
Sensing that she couldn't properly get across her worries and hopes through words, she finally said: "Close your eyes."
"Huh? Why should I…", he began, though seeing how she earnestly gazed at him with worry, he felt that he shouldn't question her right now…
Bell closed his eyes and… eventually he felt a pair of lips touch his own!
Almost immediately his eyes snapped open and in front of him he saw, just as to be expected, the closed eyes of the woman that had taken care of him every evening for the past few days!
Their kiss was only a chaste peck, nothing more. It was nothing compared to what a kiss between adults would be like, rather it was what you'd expect to see between two teens who had no experience in love whatsoever. In a sense that was true for both of them, considering that Riveria had lived a sheltered live until she had left the forest and even then had not engaged in any acts of love, yes in fact never even fallen in love!
Despite that she had kissed him! She knew it was wrong! She shouldn't have done this! She felt as if she was betraying Aiz! She didn't even know if Bell had wanted this!
But… still she had done it! She had wanted to convey just how worried she was about losing him and, as her words wouldn't be enough, she had done it through actions! It had just felt… natural to do it… She had simply been unable to hold back those feelings of anxiety and… and… love!
"Riveria…", the stunned boy whispered as he looked at her in astonishment.
The elf on the other hand wasn't able to face him right now, too embarrassed with herself for acting so impulsively! "Bell…. This wasn't a goodbye kiss! I-It was… a good luck charm! Win! Please…", she told him, her voice gradually getting smaller with each word…
Unable to bear the strange atmosphere any longer, Riveria dashed off, leaving behind a confused and stunned Bell…
Bell could only look after the elf's figure, quickly growing more and more distant until he eventually lost her in the crowds beneath the city wall.
Unbeknownst to him, he had been in incredible luck! Unlike most of the other times, a certain pervert had been busy collecting a charm to give to him, which was why she had not seen the kiss that had happened. If she had, her familia would probably have chased Riveria down to the ends of the earth…
Since he was blissfully unaware of his divine stalker, Bell instead tried to process what had happened and how to feel about it.
It was clear to him that he would choose Aiz! Or at least… it should have been clear! And yet… yet he had not pushed her away…
Bell knew that, if it had been Hestia or Lily trying to kiss him, he wouldn't have allowed it! He would have rejected them for Aiz! But Riveria… for some reason he had not pushed her away.
Kissing her had simply felt… natural, like it was the right thing to do. He didn't really want to admit it, but over the past few days, spending time with her, laughing with her, feeling her gentle, kind touch, he had grown attached to her. She felt like she was already part of his family, far more than Aiz even!
That was why he was so confused. Up until now he had assumed his feelings for her were like that of a child for his mother. He had assumed the feeling was mutual! He had assumed that Riveria saw him not as a man, but as a child to take care of!
But that illusion had been shattered now and Bell… he just didn't know how to feel about it! All he knew was… that he didn't want to see Riveria sad!
Finally, after a long internal struggle between Aiz and Riveria, he decided that he couldn't be bothered to sort out his feelings right now! He would try once all of this was over! He had a war game to win after all…