Bell was fast asleep until he felt himself fall onto the floor. He felt himself start sweating when he saw an elf staring at him with a menacing glare.

Ryuu: Care to explain yourself?

If he wasn't scared, he would be confused. What was she even doing here? Not only that, but what was she so mad about?

Bell: Uh, I-I'm not sure what you mean.

Her glare only got more intense after hearing that.

Ryuu: You were sleeping next to me! Why?!

Now it was Bell's turn to voice himself.

Bell: What?! But this was an empty room!

Ryuu: This is my room! I'd like to know how you got in and why you were hugging me!

Bell: W-Wait, how many doors from the stairs is this?

Ryuu: This is the fourth door.

Bell: (Shoot! I was so tired I didn't count the doors right!!)

Ryuu: Well? I'm waiting!

Bell quickly got on his knees and apologized.

Bell: I'm so sorry! I miscounted the doors! Syr told me to stay the night since I was so tired last night! She said three doors for an empty one! Please forgive me!

Ryuu looked at him in surprise. She knew he wasn't lying, but that was preposterous. Three doors down was-

Ryuu: (Of course!! That's her room!)

Syr's plan to sleep with Bell had failed. Instead, he used the elf as a body pillow for the night.

Ryuu: Alright, I-I'll let this go this time. However, why did you have to stay the night to begin with?

Bell: W-Well, I-I...

Both of them had already been through a lot. The last thing Bell wanted to do was make her feel guilty for his lack of sleep.

Bell: It's nothing that bad, just had some sleep problems.

Ryuu: Sleep problems?

Her eyes widened when she recalled their last adventure together.

Ryuu: So, you're still having nightmares from what happened?

Bell: Y-Yeah, I'm sorry.

However, when looking closer, she saw how well rested Bell looked.

Ryuu: Are you feeling alright?

Bell: Actually, I feel great. I slept like a baby.

He noticed his body feeling much lighter than usual. The several sleepless nights he suffered had taken its toll. Now, he felt truly rested after a long time.

Ryuu: We can continue this in a bit. I need to get training in and then prepare for work.

Bell: Would you like me to join you?

Bell wanted to make up for his slip up last night, so helping her train was the least he could do. Ryuu was also fine with this. She now had a better grasp of her feelings for him, so she is going to make the most of the time she had with him. She changed into her training garments and grabbed some wooden swords for them. Since they were both level 4, they should be evenly matched, but Bell's stats made him a little bit stronger than her. As they clashed, a certain goddess was watching them from her tower.

Freya: Hm, that's odd?

She watched them spar with each other. As they did, she noticed their souls begin shining brightly, more brightly than usual. Bell's was picking up in luminosity, but Ryuu's was practically glowing. This made Freya sigh with a small smile on her face.

Freya: That settles it, she's fallen for him too.

She left the bar last night after finishing her chores. She saw that Bell hadn't gone to her room like she had planned, so she made her way back to her room in Babel after changing back into her original goddess form, unknown to them. Having watched Bell for months, she plotted how to make him hers. However, adding Ryuu to the mix complicates her plans. She very much considers the elf a dear friend. As such, she doesn't want to end up hurting her.

Freya: Hopefully she's willing to share. I'm not giving up on my Odr after all this time.

Not what she planned for, but a good fix for this complication. At the very least, this meant Bell was started to move away from that annoying doll that was getting in her way.

Freya: I'll just have to find a way into both of their hearts.

She began to bring a new plan together. Back at the Hostess, Bell and Ryuu had finished their training.

Ryuu: Incredible... I'm starting to have trouble keeping up with you.

Bell: Thanks... you taught me a lot before.

Both were busy catching their breathes before they went back inside to clean themselves. This time, they took turns in the bathroom. There was a spare set of clothes Bell was able to use. Everyone else was beginning to wake up after they finished and Syr had walked back inside in some casual clothes. Bell and Ryuu had made themselves a table to sit at while eating breakfast. Syr had decided to join in on their conversation.

Syr: Good morning, you guys.

Bell: Syr, good morning.

She took a good look at Bell and noticed the improvements on his face.

Syr: Well, someone looks like they had a good sleep.

This made Bell blush as he tried to find words for himself.

Bell: W-Well, I-I... Y-Yeah, it was good.

Syr: I'll bet it was. It's not everyday a guy and an elf share a bed together.

She gave the two a teasing smile as Ryuu joined Bell in their red faces.

Ryuu: S-Syr!!

Syr: Haha. I'm only teasing. It's good to see you looking better, Bell. You had me really worried last night, you know.

Bell: I'm sorry about that.

Ryuu: What was wrong with him last night? He mentioned something about sleep problems.

Syr: Well, he looked like he hadn't gotten any sleep at all. It wasn't good to put it lightly.

This made Ryuu look down, sadly. His condition was mostly her fault since they got stuck down there.

Syr: Well, you look much better now. Thanks for helping him, Ryuu.

Bell: Yeah, thank you very much. I'm sorry for troubling you like that.

The elf's face only got redder at this.

Ryuu: I-It's fine, I'm glad you're feeling better.

Syr: You know, if it's that bad you could sleep here. I'm sure Mama Mia won't mind as long as you pay rent.

Ryuu: Hang on! This is for his health, we can't expect him to pay!

Bell: N-No, I'm fine with that. I'd feel even worse if I trouble this whole restaurant with my sleeping problems.

Ryuu: Are you sure, Bell?

Bell: Positive. I'm just wondering if you're ok with this?

Ryuu: I-It's no bother. It can be part of paying you back for helping me.

Syr: Then we're in agreement. I'll tell Mama Mia about this.

Bell: Thanks, and sorry for the trouble. I should be going now. I need to tell the others that I'm fine.

Ryuu: Ok, bye Bell.

Bell waved to them before heading back to his home. He opened the front door and saw everyone frantically running around looking for him. They saw him walk in and asked if he was okay.

Hestia: Bell!! Where were you?! We never saw you this morning and got worried!!

Lili: She's right, you're still not in your best condition!

Bell: Guys, I can take care of myself in the city.

Welf: He's not wrong, not many can take on a high level 4. Still, glad to see you're doing better.

Bell: Thanks, Welf.

Hestia: Then where were you?

Bell: I just needed to step out for a bit. Nothing bad happened to me.

The short goddess looked at him and saw no trace of lies. Bell didn't tell the whole truth, but it was partly true. Lili was still suspicious though.

Lili: And you're sure you weren't just out playing with girls?

Bell gave her a concerned look.

Bell: Why do you always assume that?!

Lili: That's always been the case with you! One way or another you always get tangled in the mess of some other girl!

Hestia: She's right, you need to be careful out there!

This had been a common thing in Bell's life, but after several months of this, it was starting to get old. Welf noticed his irritation and tried to stop the two.

Welf: Alright alright, let's just relax. Bell is back, and with no injuries. Let's just leave it at that.

Mikoto: Sir Welf is right, no use making a big fuss about it now.

Hestia: Oh fine, let's have breakfast at least. Haruhime finished shortly before you got here.

Bell: Sounds good to me.

They ate breakfast and went about their day.

Bell: I'll pay Miss Airmid a visit one last time for a check up.

Hestia: It better be for that only!

Bell: What else am I supposed to do there?

Hestia: Erm, um, nothing! I-I gotta go to work now, goodbye everyone!!

She bolted out the door leaving Bell with a tired expression. Bell sighed before Welf walked up to him.

Welf: You know, you don't have to deal with that if you don't want to.

Bell: I couldn't just ask for that. I know that everything they do is because they care about me.

Welf: (About your well being, or about keeping you for themselves?) Even so, it shouldn't be too much for you to ask for them to turn it down a bit. You already go through a lot with being pur captain.

Bell: I'll think about it. Well, I'm gonna a head out now.

Welf: Ok, see you Bell.

Bell made a trip to Dian's clinic and went to see if Airmid was available. He saw her at the front desk and went to talk to her.

Bell: Miss Airmid!

Airmid: Mr. Cranel, you're looking better.

Bell: Thanks.

Airmid: A final checkup I'm guessing?

Bell: Yes please.

Airmid: Alright, this way.

She performed one last inspection of the boy. It took some time, but she was able to see that he was healthy enough to return to the dungeon by the end.

Airmid: Good, you've made a fully recovery and can return to the dungeon starting tomorrow.

Bell: That's great, thank you.

Airmid: No need, I'm only doing my job.

Bell: I still appreciate what you've done for me.

Airmid: Well, if that's all, you're free to go now.

Bell: Ok, thanks for everything.

She nodded as the boy left the clinic. Bell then went to the guild to inform his advisor about his health condition.

Bell: Miss Eina!

Eina: Oh, Bell. What can I do for you?

Bell: Nothing really, I just wanted to tell you that I'm all good now. I can return to the dungeon starting tomorrow.

Eina: That's wonderful, but remember to be safe down there. Don't go looking for adventure.

Bell: I know.

Eina: Anyway, congratulations on your recovery.

Bell: Thank you.

The two waved goodbye and Bell went to check in with Welf to see if his gear was ready. He found the redhead in his forge hammering away.

Bell: Welf?

He turned for a second before turning back to his anvil.

Welf: Ah, one sec!

He hammered what looked to be a sword a few more times before finishing it by dipping it in some water. He took it out after and put in down on the anvil again before turning to Bell.

Welf: Sorry about that, so, what's up?

Bell: Just wanted to see how the gear is doing.

Welf: Oh that? You don't have to worry, I finished yours a few days ago. I just wanted to make this magic sword.

Bell: Really? But I thought-

Welf: I get it, but after what happened, I want to be more prepared. Plus, I wanted to make a more polished version of my unbreakable magic sword now that I have access to my forge again. We won't be using it all the time, just in emergencies.

Bell: As long as you're fine with it. Then again, it's nice to know we've got that to fall back on.

Welf: Oh yeah. I can't wait to see Lady Hephaestus' face when she sees this.

Bell: I'm sure she'll proud of you like the rest of us.

Welf: Thanks, Bell.

This day finished and the next day came, and Bell was ready to tackle the dungeon again. Their first dive after so long was a successful one. Everyone was able to get back into the flow of dungeon diving. It was also the third day Bell stayed at the Hostess. He would sneak out after everyone went to sleep and stay in one of their rooms. One time it was Ryuu's, and the other was Syr's until Ryuu came in and joined them. To Syr's annoyance, Bell would always have a pained expression when he was sleeping. That is, until the elf laid down next to him. It was annoying to say the least when she saw how peaceful Bell was next to Ryuu, but the two looked cute together in bed. Plus, Syr had no trouble sneaking in and finding herself a spot. Bell always had to make sure he returned before everyone woke up, but the waitresses were helping his sleep much more. This, however, would not last, and the rabbit would soon reach his breaking point.

AN: And that's it for this one. Hopefully Hestia and Lili tune down their overprotective sides. It would be a shame if something happened because of them.

As always, I hope you enjoyed this one. Thanks for reading, feel free to leave a star and a comment and I'll see you in the next one.