"B-Bell…"

The name echoed through-out the chamber, barely a whisper. Any louder would attract much unwanted attention.

"P-please, keep going…."

A simple command. Though it was given timidly, it drove the young man mad with arousal.

The white-haired hero repositioned himself over the beautiful fox girl below him. No sudden movements. Anticipation was the game, and he was learning to master it.

"Lady Haruhime," Bell breathed quietly, momentarily pausing. "What if someone hears?"

His voiced was lined with anxiety.

The damsel gave a soft chuckle, reaching up to graze his cheek with her hands.

"You still worry about that? How many times has this happened? How long has this been going on for now?" She teased.

Bell sheepishly rolled his eyes.

It's true, being anxious about something like this is silly. For weeks now, Bell and Lady Haruhime have been having rather….intimate rendezvous in the deep of the night.

It hasn't entirely been Bell's fault. Though he seemed to initiate said advances, Haruhime simply gave him the tools to make the moves. He's been so stressed with trying to become the best hero in all of Orario, it was bringing a negative impact on the Hestia familia's morale. Haruhime decided to find a way for him to dispel of this stress.

Bell leaned forward, fervently capturing Haruhime in a heated kiss. With no warning, he picked up right where he left off moments before.

Euphoria washed through the golden-haired girl.

Through all her past experiences, she has never been driven to such heights.

She gripped tight against the man and used all her willpower to keep quiet. Every time they meet up like this, he seems to get more skilled at lovemaking. Right when she thinks she can prepare herself for what's coming, he throws her for a loop.

Not that she minded one bit.

She felt Bell's hands softly grip her throat and her heart skipped a beat.

Gods bless this young man.

Her eyes rolled back as Bell relentlessly continued. Hard enough to quench the hunger they so desperately had, but soft enough to keep this secret affair hidden.

She felt him start to become sporadic, unpredictable. She knew he was close.

Carefully, she brought her lips up to his ear.

"Release into me, M-Master Bell, please."

Six words. A simple plea. Extremely potent.

He grunted softly against the crown of her head, moaning ever so quietly. He was squeezing her so tight she feared they'd be stuck that way forever, though that wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing.

His quivering ebbed and he simply laid himself on her, spent entirely. She could feel the warmth of his love, causing her whole body to tingle.

This was one of her favorite parts, the climax. No matter how many times they meet like this, the finishing act is blissful.

A warm silence encumbered them. Although they knew better than to be caught in each other chambers come morning light, they couldn't help but test the waters for a bit.

The very first time, Bell was so flustered he had her leave immediately. As these activities continued, he'd fallen comfortable to basking in the aftermath of their love.

A finger softly prodded at the man's forehead, jerking him out of his euphoric daydream.

"It's that time again, you know."

Bell let out a melancholy sigh.

Haruhime smiled and nuzzled her face onto his cheek, laying soft kisses along his face.

"Trust me, I know. I want nothing more than for you to stay here with me all night. But, as lovely as that would be, I don't think the others would find that as elating."

Bell pushed himself into a sitting position.

"I know, I know…" He let out quietly.

The fox girl giggled at him and softly ran a finger along his arm.

"If I didn't know any better, I'd say you're falling victim to love."

Bell gasped and looked away, embarrassed.

There was no denying that the more they met up like this, the more enamored he felt.

He always pushed away the others when it came to reciprocating feelings. In order to keep the peace within the familia, he had to. Lili was very open for her feelings, as well as their own goddess.

Oh, if Hestia were to find out, Bell shameless thought. She'd freak on a whole other level.

As guilty as he felt, it was sort of elating for the young man. Sure, he was no stranger to everyone's beauty. But acting on it? Letting animalistic instinct take over in an act of pleasure? It was all so intoxicating.

He often thought back to how these rendezvous started. He was constantly lost in thought, constantly coming home battered and bruised, all for the goal of being the strongest. Noble, sure, but plenty foolhardy.

Lady Haruhime took gracious care of Bell, tending to his wounds each and every day. He's known for quite some time that she was smitten for him. The closer they got to each other, the more she seemed to let it show.

Then, one fateful night, she appeared in his room. Innocently enough, it was for a routine check-up that was overlooked during daylight due to a Hestia-Loki debacle that required their attention.

Bell earned a nasty wound on his chest, compliments of soloing on a lower floor. Though some healing magic managed to cleanse most of the pain, a light scar still remained. All Haruhime desired was to make sure it wasn't re-opening.

She simply grazed his chest scar, nothing devious. But the shudder that flowed through him piqued her interest. The way he tensed up when ran her fingers along the wound made her heart slam against her chest.

Acting on her instincts, she placed a soft kiss on the mark. A hungry look in his eyes was not lost on her. She was all too aware of the situation they were in. A handsome hero, a beautiful young lady, together in a dark, enclosed space. She'd be lying if she said she didn't imagine these scenarios frequently.

She slowly kissed her way across his chest until their faces were mere inches apart. A simple move was all it would take. To push away, or to give in.

The air was still. Heartbeats pounded in either party's ear.

An electrifying sensation was flowing through the Hero. Time slowed, clouding his reasonable judgment in the process.

He made the first move. A simple curt kiss. He hadn't meant for it to happen. His heart stopped.

Faster than he could express his feelings of regret, she reacted. Loving kisses turned passionate, the girl straddling the young man.

They ventured further into their desires until Bell expelled his innocence.

The start of a craving, a primal urge.

Now, he can't go a day or two without the thought crossing his mind.

He constantly was worried that he was out of line. A boy on the cusp of adulthood, pushing unwanted advances on a beautiful girl.

These thoughts tortured him every time, until said girl showed him just how silly he was for berating himself.

A finger once again prodded at Bell's head, jerking his attention downward.

"You were doing that thing again, where you space out."

He rubbed his hand on the back of his neck.

"Er-Yeah, sorry, Lady Haruhime. I was just thinking…"

A mirthful smirk tugged at the girl's lips.

"Thinking? Dare I ask of what?"

The curtains of shadow could only hide so much of a mad blush that Bell had.

"Well, I-er, was just thinking about this, or us, I guess."

Her green eyes studied his handsome face.

Embarrassment. Pride. Confidence. Each emotion displayed one at a time. She found it marvelous.

She leaned up until she was sitting in Bell's lap, cupping his flushed face between her palms.

She placed a loving kiss to his lips, feeling him melt into her.

She couldn't help but smile.

"I love you, Master Bell."

She felt him hesitate. This should've killed her. Instead, she pulled away and placed a finger to his lips.

"Don't say a word. I know what you're thinking and it's okay."

Bell tried to look away, but her hands urged him to stay focused on her.

"Don't feel guilty. Don't feel obligated. I know you have a love for me somewhere in there, but I also know you don't understand which one is which."

His expression softened. She knew all too well how to bring him back to serenity.

"I do love you, though. I just feel like I'm wrong if it's still not entirely up to what your love is."

She took initiative once more and kissed the man.

"Don't you worry about any of that, Master Bell. The time will come when you can fully understand what you have going on up here."

She prods at his dome several times, eliciting a smirk from him.

"For now, we'll just continuing being us. You being the Hero with Master Welf and Master Mikoto, and me keeping the home up and running."

She placed a loving kiss on his forehead.

"Of course, when we need to tend to our….needs, I'll be ready for that too."

She giggled as she noticed Bell's face burn from the comment.

He sighed and carefully stood up, moving Haruhime to a comfortable position on her bed.

"I appreciate you, Lady Haruhime, I truly do."

She beamed at the Hero and sighed.

"Go get some rest. I'll see you in the morning."

This time it was Bell who took the initiative for a good night kiss. As timid as he usually is, his confidence has been rising.

Careful to keep quiet footing, he exited her chambers.

…..

The sun was hanging high overhead. A cool breeze brought life to the nature that was around the Hestia manor. The grass danced in tandem with the soft winds.

The clear blue skies spanned as far as the eye could see.

Bell was laying under the shade of a beautiful, multi-colored tree in the courtyard, accompanied by the goddess herself.

A simple, innocent engagement that made the goddess all too happy.

She always complained that her and Bell didn't spend enough time together anymore, so when she ordered he take a day off, the loyal boy could do nothing to refuse.

Of course, she thought she was all too sneaky.

She tried her best to be as close to the man as humanly possible.

Bell decided not to notice.

"So Bell, tell me.." Hestia starts. "…where did you go last night?"

A shock shot through the white-haired man, his red eyes wide with fear. He knew better than to look like he was caught red-handed, so he dawned a mask.

"W-what do you mean?"

She pointed an accusatory finger at him.

"I got up in the middle of the night to get some water and I saw your door cracked open. Naturally, I thought it was an invitation for yours truly to accompany you, but you were nowhere to be seen!"

Bell silently berated himself.

How could he be so careless?

He hesitated, trying to buy himself some time. Hestia's piercing stare made it hard to focus on an alibi.

"Well, you see…. I uh…went for a walk."

She exaggeratingly recoiled.

"A stroll? That late into the night? What gives Bell, you could've died!"

Leave it up to the Goddess to blow things out of proportion.

"Goddess, what do you mean!? You know that's not true! I just…. couldn't sleep."

Hestia huffed and crossed her arms, turning slightly away from him to prove her point of disdain.

"If you couldn't sleep, you know my room is open. I'll gladly help you sleep."

Bell awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck. This was encroaching on dangerous territory. A white lie is better than nothing, he decided.

"Well, I didn't want to bother anyone. Besides, it was a just for a little while. I was fine afterwards."

Hestia shot to her feet.

"Nonsense, Bell. If you truly can't get rest after pushing yourself so much, I have no choice but to enforce Mandatory Sleeping With Your Goddess."

Bell shot her a horrified look.

"W-what does that mean?"

She crossed her arms triumphantly.

"It means that from now on, I'm going to be sleeping in your room with you until you're better."

Although she looked like she solved the problem with her smug face, Bell was mortified.

No, this can't happen!, he thought. What about Lady Haruhime..?

"Goddess, I don't think-"

She reached down and grabbed Bell's arm, jerking him to his feet.

"I'm not taking no as an answer!"

Drowning out his protests with off-key humming, she dragged him across the courtyard into the manor, ignoring any and all pleas that erupted from the man.

They barged into the main living area, startling Welf and Lili from their conversation.

"Wha-geez, Hestia." Welf complained. "Gave me a heart attack."

Bell wrestled himself free from Hestia's grasp, while she gave her best 'oopsie' face.

"Sorry about that, I was just telling Bell about a new mission that I'm instating to help him out while he is working his butt off."

The red-haired blacksmith raised his eyebrow. He knows all too well to be skeptical of the Goddess's plans.

"And that is..?"

Hestia clapped her hands together.

"Operation Sleeping With Your Goddess."

Lili immediately revolted the idea.

"Oh, nuh-uh! No, you don't!"

Belt sank into a seat on the couch, defeated.

Him and Welf made eye contact, sending a single, silent message.

Here we go...

Hestia defiantly huffed and slammed herself right next to Bell, diminishing all forms of personal space.

"That's too bad. Goddess's overrules all other opinions."

Lili shot to her feet, eyes shooting daggers at the goddess.

"You are forbidden from stealing Bell's innocence before me!"

A shockwave shook the room, but the Goddess shot her an accusatory glare.

"Oh, yeah? And what made you think I was up to anything like that, Miss Supporter? Sounds like you are the one with an ulterior motive!"

Lili threw her hands into the hair.

"Oh, please. None of us are immune to your stupid plans. You're not as smart as you think, you know!"

Footsteps sounded from the nearby all. The main door opens, with Mikoto and Haruhime appearing into the space.

"What is all the commotion, Goddess Hestia?" Mikoto inquires.

Welf goes to explain before he's abruptly cut off.

"Goddess skank over here is trying to steal Bell's innocence right under our noses!"

Bell's face heats up, mortified.

He was powerless in this situation.

"Now hold on there, Lili…"

Goddess Hestia recoils, performing faux disgust.

"You're the one who brought up the topic as is! I just innocently wanted to help sweet, little Bell here get some rest!"

Hestia makes an innocent show of rubbing Bell's cheek, causing him to stiffen from embarrassment.

His eyes lock with Haruhime, who makes a good show of hiding her immediate concern.

"Poor Bell has been working himself to the bone, I just want to make sure he's taken care of."

Lili steps forward, jabbing a finger at Hestia.

"There are other ways of taking care of him, you know. Like maybe just supporting him."

The Goddess shot her a piercing glare.

"Actually, Miss Supporter, that's your job."

A retort got cause in Lili's throat.

"You know that's not what I meant! I –" She began before she was cut off by an interjecting Mikoto.

"I think we should all just consider what Bell thinks." She says, trying to break up the feud.

Bless her soul.

Bell could not want to be anywhere else more right now if he tried.

All this topic has done is drive a deep guilt into him about his secret affair with Haruhime. Given her facial expressions, she's painfully masking emotions as well.

"I don't need to think about this." Hestia defiantly states. "I make the rules around here with my familia, so that's that."

"That is so not how that works!"

Hestia shrugs.

"Too bad. Bell doesn't seem to mind."

"Er-actually, Goddess-"

A hand covers his mouth before he can deny the allegations.

The Goddess whistles nonchalantly.

It was hopeless for Bell to save himself. All he could do was pray that the two would storm off to different locations, which happened most of the time. The problem was how long it would take to get to that point.

Thankfully, Welf decided to upgrade his status from bystander to interjector.

"You know that opposite sexes in the same room in the dark hours are forbidden."

Hestia huffed and averted her eyes.

"That rule doesn't make sense."

The blacksmith raises an eyebrow at her.

"You made that rule, you know."

Checkmate.

The goddess recoiled, throwing her hands up in defense.

"I would never!"

Lili crossed her arms and smirked.

"Too bad, you did. Anyone caught sneaking around was to be severely punished. Your words."

Bell felt a wash of anxiety flow through him.

What if they found out about him and Lady Haruhime? It is anything but innocent at this point…

Sweat beaded Bell's forehead. He tried for a relaxed look. It didn't work.

"Fine, I take it back then! Everyone can be in anyone's room at all times!"

Lili viciously shook her head.

"Nope! Majority rule in this familia!"

Hestia attempted to protest before scanning the room, seeing no one was entirely backing her up.

She balled her fists in irritation.

"Fine! You wanna play that way? Doesn't matter to me! If anyone is caught in anyone else's room-No-if anyone is cause outside of their room period without any proper authorization will be banned from the familia!"

"What!? You can't-"

"And that's final!"

In one swift move, she appeared at the door. If her head could steam, the room would be filled with it.

"I mean it, too!"

And like that, she disappeared. Her grumbles echoed as she stomped down the hall.

Bell sighed a shaky breath. She can't be serious, could she?

"I think we all know she's overexaggerating." Lili huffs.

Welf grunted and leaned forward in his seat.

"Eh, we all know how she is. But you, Little Bit." She prodded an accusatory finger at Lili, causing her to flinch in place. "You aren't any better."

She goes to complain but decides against it and storms out of the room as well.

Welf lets out an annoyed sigh.

"I got things to take care of anyways. Thanks for the amusement, Bell."

After a few moments, it was just Bell and Lady Haruhime in the room.

A stillness hung in the room. Bell occupied his hands in his lap, unsure of what to do or say.

His mind was flooding with every action he's been doing behind closed doors for the last few months.

He's never heard Goddess Hestia be that mad before.

What if she was serious? What if, out of jealousy or anger, she kicked out someone dear to him? At his negligence?

Bell felt the seat beside him shift as Haruhime rested herself next to him. She carefully clasped his hand in her own.

His burning guilt ate away at him. All he desired was peace for everybody, but all he was doing recently was putting Lady Haruhime in jeopardy.

It was as if she could read his mind. She took pride in being able to read him.

"Don't be too harsh on yourself. If this was something that wasn't desired, it wouldn't be a regular occurrence."

All Bell did was sink his shoulders.

"That's not the point though, Lady Haruhime. I don't want the others to treat us different. I don't want you to be punished."

The fox gave a soft chuckle.

This boy was so caring. It warmed her beating heart.

"It won't get to that. And if it does…..we'll figure it out."

A simple statement. Bell wasn't so sure of his ability to get out of a situation like that, if he were to be caught.

Hestia would be mortified. The whole familia would be altered.

His crimson eyes bore into her green, searching for an ounce of courage he could borrow. In the dungeon, he was heroic, valiant. Here, in the common room, caught in between a love affair and cataclysmic consequences, he was weak. Decorous.

Where is his intrepid resolve when he needs it?

"What if…we hold off? For a little while I mean?"

Hold off on the meetings. Hold off on his beating heart.

That sentence hung in the air. He wishes he could pluck it out of the air and stuff it into his pocket so didn't have to hear it echo in his head.

"Goddess Hestia is bound to be on high alert right now, and I wouldn't want to place you in any trouble that you shouldn't be in. It's wrong of me to abuse your heart like this."

His heart ached. Why did this hurt so much?

Haruhime just stayed quiet, letting Bell vent his concerns. Her hand never left his.

"To keep us-I mean, you, safe…I just think.." He pinches his eyes shut, inhaling deeply. "…I think we should stop. Stop us. Stop…this."

Glass breaks.

He realizes that he's shaking. Hot tears steam down his face.

He dares a glance at Haruhime. A soft smile never left her face.

"Your love and protective nature never cease to amaze me, Master Bell."

She leans forward and places a kiss on his cheek, standing up with his hand still in hers.

He didn't want to let go.

"I understand where you are coming from. If this is what you wish, then so be it."

It's not what I wish. He thought. All I want is to continue….this. It's just….so dangerous.

She starts for the door, stopping at the hallway's threshold.

"When you desire such frivolities once more, I shall be ready. I'll always be ready for you, Master Bell."

She took her leave.

Despite the beautiful, sunny day outside, dark shadows seemed to cover the room.

Bell couldn't stop shaking.

All of his energy left him as he lay pathetically on the couch, wearing his heart on his sleeve.

The day passed by as he lay alone, sobbing into the empty grave that he created from his aching heart.

….

Tap…tap…..tap.

A branch tickled at the windowpane, the soft breeze encouraging its behavior.

The moon hung high overhead, shining down its melancholy beams.

Bell lay motionless against his bed, eyes fixated on his pale ceiling.

Days.

It's been days since he told Haruhime that they shouldn't continue their secret meetings.

At the time, it was a surefire way to keep them in check, prevent a target from being placed on either of them.

As the nights went on, he regretted that decision more and more.

The way her eyes lit up when he kissed her.

How warm she was when she held him.

How soft her voice was when she would tell him stories or things she liked about him.

They just kept adding up, a tornado of lamentation swirling in his head.

His tear ducts seemed to be empty. His face steamed from salted streams.

How pathetic. A boy, yearning to be a hero, the savior of the world, brought down to tears because of an aching heart.

His grandfather would've resented him for this.

The thought caused his heart to wrench once more, perishing any ounce of dignity he might've still harbored.

No more, he cried inwardly, No more, I need to move on. I need to fight this.

A soft creaking jarred him from his self-deprecations.

Flickering candlelight entered his barren room, shadow puppets dancing images on the walls.

Oh great, I really am losing it.

As his eyes adjusted to the newfound sense, his breathing hitched.

Standing before him was Lady Haruhime herself. A sweet smile blessed her face as she stared down on her crestfallen hero.

Bell didn't even know what to say.

She slowly strode towards him, carefully placing the light source on his bedside table.

Her eyes sparkled and never left his face. It caused his heart to pound.

He sat up, throwing his legs over the sides of his bed.

"Lady Haruhime, I'm so sorry-"

He was silenced by Haruhime straddling him, placing a cold finger to his lips.

His heart slammed against his ribs.

A burning fire raged in his soul.

Bell felt a hand cup his chin as Haruhime dipped her face inward, speaking so soft it was almost lost to him.

"Forgive me, Master Bell. Allow me this one moment of utter weakness."

His brain shut off completely.

She captured his lips in a feverish kiss, warming his whole body to the core.

He didn't realize he was squeezing her tight until they parted. Her hot breath stung on his face.

He wanted more of it.

She seemed to read his mind.

A swish of fabric later and they both laid comfortable at the head rest, Lady Haruhime straddling him, her body bare for him to see.

The soft candlelight gave her an amber glow. She seemed angelic, her green eyes filled with lust and love.

It drove Bell crazy.

The beautiful fox bit her lip as she pivoted her hips, feeling just how much Bell has missed her over the past few nights.

All he could do was allow his head to fall uselessly against his pillow, squeezing her hips as if to hold her in place.

She softly giggled at his reactions, adoring his facial expressions when she teases him.

He always donned a worried expression in these intimate exchanges, but she knew deep underneath there was an animal that needed tending to.

He felt her hand snake up his shirt, a quiet demand.

In seconds, he lay completely bare under her, anticipation burning his skin.

He was so hungry. The only this that could satiate this pain in his soul sat on top of him, the tools needed just mere centimeters away.

They locked eyes, burning red to shining emerald.

She knew what to do. No words needed to be exchanged.

In one swift move, she took the leap to cure their carnal desires.

Bell's eyes rolled back as he felt her warmth.

Her haggard breaths resonated in his ears. He was in heaven.

She didn't show any signs of slowing down. Animalistic lust, clawing its way out of their bodies, ready to explode.

Bell was tempted to lose control. The others would hear, no doubt. A shred of carelessness dared him to.

The damsel's movements were mesmerizing to Bell, watching her rise and fall to beat of her own heart.

She seemed to be holding back, afraid to let out a cry that could be heard from across the manor.

He wanted to hear her sounds of pleasure. His body ached for control.

In a heartbeat's time, he pushed himself up and forward, laying comfortably between her legs all without losing the rhythm to the song they've created.

His dominance forced some moans from the girl, louder than they've ever been.

His mind blanked.

That melody, that beautiful poem, a mixture of breath and a sob. He wanted to hear more of it.

He grounded Haruhime in place and strummed once more, desperate to hear that trembling note again.

She obliged.

This time, the room echoed her melodious pleasure.

He loved it.

He dipped his face down and captured her curved skin in his mouth.

Sucking, biting, kissing.

Multi-tasking to the point of overstimulation.

He wanted to see how far their senses could go.

The girl pulsated beneath his weight. Her fingers clawed on his back, raking against his steaming skin.

Her mouth opened, but words were overtaken by pleasure.

Never has she reached her peak this quick.

The hero showed no signs of slowing down and she adored it.

Time seemed to slow. Nothing else around them mattered. Just Bell, Haruhime, and a deep carnal desire to quench a roaring fire in their hearts.

For days they have built up this intense lust, and now the dam is breaking loose.

Bell's head was swimming, no coherent thought entering or exiting. His eyes locked with Haruhime and she said the one thing he needed to hear most.

"P-please, give it all to me."

His mind blanked. A euphoric hurricane surrounded the loving duo. An explosion of warmth enveloped Haruhime. She couldn't control the pitiful sounds that left her lips.

He seemed to subconsciously mimic her, emitting sounds that he would've otherwise been embarrassed to admit if he wasn't caught up in reciprocating his love.

Bell didn't begin to slow until he was spent entirely, gasping into the crown of her head.

They lay motionless as the high from their climax begin to wane.

The air was still.

Heavy breathing permeated the air.

After what felt like an eternity, the soft sounds of moving sheets was heard as Bell pulled Haruhime up to him. Comfortably tucked at the headrest, daring anyone to come in to see their immodesty melting together.

She hummed and nuzzled her face into his chest.

Bell was the first to break their comfortable silence.

"I love you, Lady Haruhime."

She placed several warm kisses around his chest.

An intimate gesture worth a thousand words.

"I hope they all heard us. I want them all to know."

His words caused her to look up, slightly shocked.

"Master Bell, what are you saying?"

He sighed and held her tight, not taking his gaze off the ceiling above them.

"I just…this is what I want right now. I shouldn't have to hide or fight how I feel. The others need to learn to accept that."

Haruhime stared at his handsome, determined face with awe. This confidence was very attractive to her.

"And what you feel right now..?"

He let out a soft chuckle, as if anticipating her wanting him to explain further.

"I feel like I love you and only you. I want this forever. You're the only one that has succeeded in keeping this…serenity in my soul, even through all the bad times. I love you, Lady Haruhime, I truly love you."

Happy tears welled up in the fox girl's eyes.

She lay her head on his chest, mesmerized by the soft beat of his loving heart.

"Then, this is how it's going to be, then." She whispers.

He held onto her a little tighter, her warmth causing his strength to wane.

Content with his decision, he let sleep take over. They could tackle any and everything, as long as they were together.