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.

33. Ch 26: And So, Another One Falls

And So, Bell Became a Hero Volume 2

DISCLAIMER: Danmachi belongs to its respective owners. Everything that occurs in this 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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Ch22: And So, Another One Falls

Part 36

A red maned Werewolf dragged her young white-haired lover throughout their new home; her puffy golden eyes and his apologetic crimson meeting often because she stopped several times to burrow her tears into his neck and to bite his shoulder as a reminder to never make her suffer again by keeping everything to himself.

Bell took it in stride; wincing when Rose's fangs pierced his skin, but never denying his beloved a single moment where she could find closure from his foolish actions.

He gave no resistance at any point, not when she tried to suck his soul out of his mouth and certainly not when she dragged him into the communal bathroom either.

Bell knew of Rose's intentions; Heck, Rose had even warned him that if he were to refuse bathing together with her and the others one more time then she would drag him along whether he wanted to or not. In an almost a repeat of the same events of his first night in Rose's apartment, his beloved stripped him down to his boxers before she left him to his own.

Only because she went ahead, passing through the sliding glass door in all her rosy, naked, glory and into where he could the voices of the other girls having their fair share of fun together.

"Heh…" Bell smiled at their voices, having some difficulty tugging off the last piece of cloth covering him, "I'm so lucky to have them, right Gramps?" The only thing left on his person were the bandages Airmid had wrapped around his shoulder.

Still, as intimate as Bell had become with the people inside, he searched for a towel to cover his lower half before prepping himself for whatever they had in store for him – His only hope being that he could remain conscious long enough to enjoy it all.

In the end, Rose had been waiting for him by the door, giving him no chance to slip away before she had taken off his towel and then dragged him to sit in one of the many stone seats by the side where she started to wash him; starting by his hair, which she scrubbed clean from all the filth of the day – Much to the amusement of the others watching from the closet thermal pool, or as Eden had once called them 'Slightly bigger Ofuros'.

"Bell, could you raise your arms, please?" Rose whispered into his ear from behind him; her perkiness poking him in the back – an action Bell knew was intentional.

"Hai." Bell tried, but no sooner had his bandaged shoulder rose over eye-level that his entire back throbbed painfully; he dropped it immediately.

Rose traced his bandages, somehow finding the spot where it hurt the most, "Does it still hurt?"

"Hai…" Bell confirmed, rolling his shoulder to alleviate the pain. "But it's a lot better than earlier." Or his sense of pain was too skewed already, he didn't know which.

"Sorry," Rose placed gentle kisses over his back and bandages, giving the only thing she could to help him in that moment. "I'll be more careful."

And she was, indeed, more careful.

Painfully so.

For entirely distinct reasons.

Rose showered him with loving care as she washed and cleansed his hair; her nails were gentle with his scalp - slow and delicate movements that almost put him to sleep, but…

When she applied the same love to the rest of his body, Bell found it hard - In the literal sense. His face matched his crimson gaze as it followed Rose shuffling on her knees around him, all the while gently lathering him with soap then rinsing him off.

Several times.

The coy smile on Rose's lips was glaringly obvious, especially once she was done with his back and limbs, leaving his front for last. She sat coyly, kneeled between his legs; her mischievous smile in full as Rose shuffled closer until her plumpness came into contact with his waist.

It was hell.

"Rose." Bell breathed heavily, fatigue fighting with need.

"Mmm?" Rose hummed, lathering her own breasts with soap before using them as a sponge for his chest and waist. "Yes?"

"What…" Bell gasped when Rose's perkiness teased him, "What are you doing?" He gasped out once she had lodged him entirely in her rounds' fullness.

"Cleaning you, what else?" Rose teased him further, pressing her bosom sides. "Though we could be doing something else… If you weren't so tired."

Because as lovingly, agonizingly, and lust-inducing as Rose loving care was, Bell hadn't risen entirely to the occasion. His usual stamina was nowhere to be found and it was no surprise to either considering that he had been fighting for half a day with a weakened body already.

"Please… Don't tease me so much…" Bell pleaded with a strained smile and taking Rose's hands into his own, where she could feel his trembling from both exhaustion and desire.

Rose almost ignored his plea, hunger and lust inflamed by the achievements of her mate, but his pain was much more important to her than appeasing her desires. "Sorry."

She backed off then focused entirely on getting Bell washed and cleaned up instead of teasing him any further lest he end up losing consciousness in her arms, all because she wanted to have some fun.

Still, Bell was not one to forget that relationships were a both-ways street, so he gathered every little bit of strength he had left in his exhausted body to swiftly switch who sat on the stone seat and who was being pampered.

He paid extra attention to Rose's red mane; much to her reluctance in receiving his exhausted care. He was delicately careful with her wolf's ears then paid due diligence when brushing her sensitive tail; fingers having their revenge by poking at the base were hair (or was it fur?) met skin.

He was slow due to his injury, or so he had convinced Rose who openly panted after her teasing had fired back on her.

By the time he was finished her back, limbs, and extra features, Rose barely restrained herself from pouncing him, though she did glare at Bell for leaving her so hot and bothered when he could do nothing to appease her.

"You…" Rose growled at her mate who cheekily smiled," You! -Ahn~ "

Bell wasn't done with his beloved, for her front still needed cleaning and he hadn't hesitated in grasping her fullness from the back, giving her the same treatment that she gave him moments earlier.

"So -nghmm- unfair!" Rose mewled; and soon, Bell turned her into putty under his care, making her release more mewls that were nothing short of erotica that could please even Aphrodite or Ishtar with his work – and for the innocent (hah) bystanders watching Bell and Rose by the thermal pools, mewls that were incredibly hard to ignore.

"… That…" Alicia murmured, bubbles popping from her half-submerged face. "… looks fun…"

"I'm certain it is." Eden replied from besides her; eyes closed, neck resting at the edge while her voluptuousness floated.

"Do you think…" Alicia emerged until the warm water level at her tender waist, hands gripping at her own bosom.

"No Alicia." Eden sighed as she made herself more comfortable, one golden iris bemusedly taking in Alicia pouting.

"W-wait, my mate, if you touch me there now– Ahn~"

"I know we said we should give them some time together but," Shakti looked on, unamused, soft bosom resting at the edge with her palm holding her chin. "She's really milking him for all he's worth, huh."

Eina was by Shakti's side; both hands holding her reddened cheeks while she peeked by the edge, her feet splashed with every mewl of Rose. "It looks more like Bell's milking her instead…"

"B-Bell, w-wait!" Rose screamed incoherent words next, before "Zey'll- grow too big! If you tug too haahhnnrd~"

"Do they really grow bigger…?" Alicia whispered again, cupping her own bosom that was nothing to scoff at. "Does Bell like them bigger?"

Eden stopped floating to appraise herself.

Shakti looked down.

Eina did too.

Hestia and Hekate were nowhere in sight, but even they…

"Most likely."

"Yep."

"Yeah…"

"Oh," Alicia giggled, having reached the same conclusion as the others. "I guess we've found another thing in common between us."

Collective sighs and laughs were shared before the mewls stopped not long after, and soon, the four women were joined by one dozy and wobbly werewolf barely keeping herself together with an equally exhausted Bell in tow.

Rose all but crumpled with her back against the wall; her severely kneaded weights splashing everywhere as a blissful sigh escaped her lips.

Bell, however, stared at the dreamy sight of one… two… three… four… five pairs floating – err, pair of eyes expectantly looking back at him before he settled in. Knees folded, the warm water came to his shoulder level and immediately soothed the accumulated weariness of his body.

"Haaa…" Bell said blissfully; his only wish at that moment being to take the bandage off to completely enjoy the immersion but not daring to go against Airmid's warning. "This is nice…"

"I bet it is." Shakti was by his side, and before he noticed it, trapped in her arms as she pulled. "And I bet this is even more so, right?" His neck and head went backwards, until both part of his body were welcomed in the soft valley of Shakti's bosom.

"…" Bell's tension left him completely. He sagged, breathing deeply as Shakti's indescribable softness cushioned him, "Yeah…."

His eyelids became heavy; his last vision before drifting off were the others surrounding him, arms getting buried between twin mountains, and thighs smothered between extreme softness.

Had he not been so tired, Bell was certain that his partners' closeness would've awakened something primal in him, but as it was, his overworked body gave in to their warmth – He dozed off with a content smile.

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- 0 - AsBBaH Vol 2 - 0 -

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Dark, darker than the nights without stars.

An ephemeral iris, slit and slanted, looked at him – No.

Looked through him.

"Oh, you have come again."

…

"You've certainly become stronger."

Her presence reeked of Death itself.

…

"I am on your side, my Broken King. Fear me not."

…

"Hm, conversation will be impossible in this form it seems."

Horns adorned a curtain of dazzling deep blue.

"Is this better?"

Azure slits peered into his very soul; unblinking, unwavering, unmoving.

Time meant nothing to her.

…

"Of course, you can see me more clearly; or have you forgotten your growth already?"

…

"You do not believe that to be growth? Then tell me, what is…?"

Ominous.

…

Overbearing.

…

Like claws ripping his entire body apart.

…

"See? It is growth after all! Hehe~"

He couldn't stay here any longer.

…

Death.

"… Wait, don't leave me ye-"

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- 0 - AsBBaH Vol 2 - 0 -

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Bell's awareness returned far too slow for his comfort, and no sooner was he aware of his own physical existence that he felt himself being smothered with magic. From head to toe, every pore in his body was clogged with magic that his disjointed awareness couldn't recognize.

Fear gripped his heart quickly, as disjointed memories of the previous day rushed to his brain.

If someone sought revenge for his actions yesterday while they slept-!

Bell's hand shot out, grasping the arm of the one casting magic over him; Pain surged from his back and shoulders at the brusque movement, but with the thought of his family being in danger, he withheld from screaming and continued his counterattack.

He pulled; a squeak coming from the person casting magic over him before Bell threw them down against where he slept seconds earlier.

His entire body exploded in pain, so much that his sight became a blurry mess when he tried to take in his surroundings though that didn't stop him from mounting the aggressor who kneed him in the stomach, but Bell ignored the pain to neutralize the target before they could cast magic again.

Bell's left knee pressed against one of his aggressors' thighs, and the other leg got locked over his shoulder when Bell pressed down; his fingers shoved into the magician's mouth to stop them from casting again and his remaining hand wound up around their neck with his elbow pressing against their chest.

His back burned fiercely, from both: pain and his blessing.

Heart beating a mile per minute, pain encasing his every thought, Bell forced himself to look past it all to the one that had cast magic on him while he slept.

Disheveled silver splayed out and porcelain white with an unhealthy dash of pink.

"… Dush ish vvun imtershting vvay tho vvake up."

Supple lips moved around his fingers; Her purple irises staring back at him; unblinking, unwavering, unmoving.

"Mishtr Kuranel."

"Ah."

Her small body twisted beneath him, making his eyes trail down to notice her wearing short white robes that he had never seen before… His future health screamed in peril as the incredibly short skirt riled up even further as she started moving again, the lacy white beneath in full display as it pressed against his boxers.

"Um," Bell squeaked, heart creeping up his throat. "Forgive me?"

The leg over his shoulder bent at the knee, an incredible feat of flexibility as it hooked around his neck and brought him down to where he could feel everything of the healer mirthlessly looking up at him.

"Nho."

Airmid bit down.

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- 0 - AsBBaH Vol 2 - 0 -

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"And what did we learn today?"

"To not assault our caretakers…" Bell aired his fingers that had Airmid's bite marks around them.

"Exactly," Airmid huffed; hands dancing around Bell's shoulders as she changed his bandages for the second time that day. "Good grief, Mister Cranel. I had just finished dressing the wound on your shoulder and now I have to do it all over again.

"I'm sorry…" Bell scratched his cheek, an apologetic grin on his face as he watched Airmid tie off his bandages before going about tossing the now bloodied ones in the trash.

It seemed that his Familia had gone out sometime in the morning, leaving him in the care of the captain of the Dian Cecht Familia who just so happened to have been visiting them at the same time as they left; hence, once again, Airmid had become his caretaker while he was unconscious.

In Airmid's own words, "The bill for the War Game's treatment can only be received by the Captain or the Goddess of the Familia," and since neither Bell nor his Goddesses were available when Airmid had arrived in the morning, she had accepted his Familia's petition to watch over him until he woke up.

Where did his Familia go? Airmid knew, didn't tell him, and told him not to worry since the Captain of the Ganesha Familia was with them and they all seemed to be in high spirits despite the stress of the last few days.

"Now, stay still. I will treat your nerves and muscles with my magic, and hopefully," Airmid gave him that blank-death stare again, "You won't assault me again."

She sat on a chair next to the bed where she leaned forward to place her uncovered palm against his chest.

"Hai…" Bell's face fell. "Sorry, again." His lap coming into view as Airmid started chanting again.

It seemed that after losing consciousness the previous day, the girls barely managed to get him dressed in his underwear before calling it a night, thus he sat with only his boxers at the edge of the bed… Not that it seemed to bother Airmid who sat across him.

At least not anymore.

For a few minutes after… disentangling themselves… Airmid's porcelain skin held a deep shade of pink that faded away when his bandages turned red. She seemingly forgot everything the moment he started bleeding and started treating him again, whereas Bell… Well, Insight would not let him forget anything about it anytime soon.

The lingering pain around his fingers wouldn't, either.

"Mend!"

Again, Airmid smothered Bell with her magic that he could finally recognize. The sensation of something coursing through his body felt weird, but a good kind of weird as it immediately soothed any discomfort or earlier pain.

If anything, Airmid's magic felt like a warm blanket covering his body on a wintry night – the sweet scent of flowers drifting over a pristine body of water surrounded him, allowing him to rest peacefully until he awakened, which –

"Mister Cranel."

Airmid's voice was far closer than earlier, the heavy hints of danger being what woke him up only to realize that he had sagged forward and had been resting his forehead on Airmid's shoulder, lips and nose barely touching her nape, for who knows how long.

"Sorry." Bell quickly straightened up only for his back to protest in pain, he winced.

"Haa…" Airmid sighed and rubbed her temples, "Did I not tell you to stay still?" Her magic stopped, "Are you, perhaps, that intent on always going against my orders?"

"No, no." Bell almost waved his hands peacefully, almost. "I'm just… tired, and your magic's really, um… comfortable?" - and her too, but Bell would die before he said that to her face.

Airmid hummed, "I did interrupt your sleep…" Then after some careful quiet consideration on her end, "Very well, Mister Cranel. Lay down on the bed."

"Huh?"

"Lay. Down. On. The. Bed"

"Yes ma'am!"

Bell moved quickly - or as quick as the soreness in his body allowed him. He laid down, face up, on the vast expanse of his new bed before he heard wood scrapping stone; curiously, he tilted his head just in time to see Airmid start climbing onto the bed, the short robes doing no help to either of them.

Then she was sitting seiza by his side, at chest level to be exact, before her small fingers came to rest over his heart again. Crimson unintentionally strayed when she leaned forward; short skirt riling up with a hint of lacy white before he was quick to look up and away.

"Mister Cranel."

Not fast enough, "I'm—"

"When did you become level 3?"

Bell breathed in relief, "The night before the War Game."

Airmid hummed monotonously, "I see."

"How did you…"

"Your Goddess has not hidden your Falna yet, Mister Cranel." Airmid fixed her hair over her shoulder, "As for when. I saw it yesterday during your treatment and today while I was cleaning your body in the morning."

"Oh, I see." Bell nodded.

—!

"You what!?" Bell sputtered, his upper body shot up, surprise and embarrassment flooding him.

Airmid glared at him, "Part of the treatment, Mister Cranel." She pinched his cheek, not with her fingers but by clinching it between her nails before bringing his body back down to the bed. "Do you, perhaps, find fun in getting me angry, Mister Cranel?"

"Um," Bell laughed nervously, not wanting to feel Airmid's nails on his cheek again. "Maybe a little bit?"

"Of course, you would." Airmid sighed heavily before seemingly making up her mind. She scuttled about, dragging Bell by clinching his cheek again, and after several turns, Bell found himself laying down with his head firmly nestled between Airmid's thighs.

… Huh, her magic felt exactly much warmer than her cold body did.

The healer's face came into view right above him, just over her chest -which was way bigger than her robes led to believe. She grasped him firmly by the shoulders, fitting him snug in between her thigh'ness comfort.

"M-Miss Airmid?"

"If you move one more time," Airmid pressed his cheeks with her thighs, "I will twist your neck to knock you out, Mister Cranel."

"Hai!"

"Good. Now," Airmid's magic flowed into him again, from both her hands and thighs. "I'm going to ask you a series of questions, ones which I hope will receive honest and truthful answers for both of our sakes, understood?"

"Yes ma'am."

"Who is your real patron God?"

"Hekate." His first response already left Airmid frowning. "I've accepted Hekate's True Blessing, accepted Goddess Hestia's Falna and… recently received Poseidon's True Blessing."

"Any others?"

"…" 'Others?'

"Mister Cranel."

"I…" He had thought once, in passing, of this. "I think I have other blessings, but neither of my Goddesses know whose…" -or told him whose…

Airmid bit her lips, "You most certainly possess more than three blessings currently, Mister Cranel."

"You can tell?" Bell asked; irises pleading for a direct response from the healer he decided to trust.

Airmid didn't disappoint him, "If my diagnosis is to be correct; you possess 5… no, 6 blessings."

Oh…

"Which Gods and Goddesses have you met so far?"

Bell would've scratched his cheek, but the comfortable pressure around his shoulders and cheeks reminded him not to move an inch. "Lord Miach, Lord Ganesha, Lady Loki, and… one God from the Guild when I was interrogated a while back."

Airmid stared.

"I, uh, saved Rose in the dungeon…"

"Oh, that was you. I heard about that incident." Airmid narrowed her eyes, "Why am I not surprised to learn that you were involved?" She rhetorically asked before shaking her head, "Regardless, none of your current Blessings match the Divinity of those Gods you mentioned."

Oh…

"Are you certain that there are no others?"

The fact that she was willing to go that far to search for answers… and was sharing them with him… Bell recalled some older thoughts, and only one possibility came to mind from them.

"I lived northwest of Orario, in Mylvia Village, my whole life… I… might have met other Gods there? I never knew Hekate was a Goddess until we met again in Orario, and I met a lot of people back then in the village…"

Airmid hummed monotonously again, "That must be the case. Three of your Blessings predate those of Lady Hekate and Lady Hestia."

So, his guess was right after all… There would be a lot that he needed to review from his memories if he wanted more answers, ones that Airmid could probably give him if… Miss Kat… didn't…

"Miss Airmid?" Bell called after a few minutes of thinking, bringing Airmid out of her reveres. Her purple irises caught his again and she hummed to show he gained her attention. "Thank you, for treating me and for… clearing some of my doubts about myself."

"So, you do know gratefulness," Airmid didn't exactly smile, "Good, I feared you were a lost cause with your penchant for disregarding orders and angering me." But he could still spot the mirth and trust in her eyes. "Let's move on to the next question, yes?"

"Hai!"

"Are you sexually active?"

Bell sputtered again, forcing Airmid to put more pressure into holding him down, thus nestling him deeper where her sweet scent dangerously emanated from.

"W-what!?" Bell, cautious of touching somewhere inappropriate continued wriggling, trying to get away again.

"Stay still!" Airmid growled angrily, doing her best effort to keep him down. The back and forth lasted for several seconds, with Bell doing his best imitation of a worm while trying to escape Airmid's talon-like clutches until the healer simply had enough.

"You- you can't just ask me that!"

"Stop!" Airmid grabbed his face by the sides and threw his head back down against the bed, but Bell was quick to try and rise up again, yet Airmid didn't give up. "I said stop!"

His sight was filled with lacy white for another second as Airmid's hips rose up; then everything went dark under a veil of a heavy, richly sweet, aroma - A second's breath inundated his brain with it, leaving Bell to realize that-

Airmid put her entire weight on him - his face to be precise.

Literally.

The bedroom door opened, then; Golden-hair fluttering as the owner of a vibrant smile ran inside, followed by someone with burnt-red tittering to herself.

"Bell! We are baaaaAAIRMID!?"

"Oh my."

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"You…" -poke - "Sinful…" -poke- "Man." Alicia muttered, pouting as she poked his cheek - several times, to which Bell could only laugh awkwardly as he sat with his back resting against the bed's headboard.

"Miss Teasanare has already said that it was a misunderstanding, Alicia." Eden tittered from one corner of the room. She was surrounded by bags upon bags of which she continuously pulled out clothes from and fit in one of the luxurious wardrobes.

"That it was." Airmid replied from Bell's side, still sitting seiza on the bed with one glowing hand resting against his bandaged shoulder that -thankfully- hadn't turned red again. "Mister Cranel has an inclination for disobeying orders, and you two arrived during one of those rebellious moments."

Bell laughed awkwardly again as he received more pokes, courtesy of the sulky Alicia. "I'm sorry…"

"Now, if you wouldn't mind answering my last question, Mister Cranel."

His irises widened comically; he barely turned to Airmid just in time for her to utter again.

"Are you sexually active?"

"Eh!?" Alicia was the one to sputter on his behalf; she was quick to jump to her feet, staring owlishly at her friend "A-a-Airmid!?"

However,

"He is," Eden responded from the corner; Three heads turned to her, "What? You should never hide anything from your doctor. Tsk tsk."

"Thank you for answering, Miss Voluptas." Airmid nodded in gratitude before death-staring Bell again, "You should be glad to have someone with some common sense in your Familia, Mister Cranel."

"R-right." Bell would've dragged his hands across his face, but he already had enough of Airmid… to… last him for a lifetime… maybe… "Next question, please!" he half-begged before his thoughts fully went elsewhere.

"Are you aware of your inability to bear children?"

Oh, right, there was that.

"Yes."

His immediate response left Airmid stunned, then she stared again.

"Uh, Hekate cursed me so that I don't have children before I'm old enough."

"Oh," Airmid recovered quickly, "That explains the foulness on a certain part of your body, then." Airmid nodded, satisfied, and she was about to make another question when Alicia harrumphed by his side again.

"That is not foul!" Alicia half-shouted; soft features lit red. "It may look very big and intimidating, but it is not foul!"

"Oh my," Eden tittered again from the corner of the room, "Miss Teasanare referred to Bell's curse, Alicia; not his body."

"Ah…" Alicia's face lit further, "Uhm…" Shoulders closed in. "Eh…" Alicia staggered with nothing under the blank stare of both Airmid and Bell, "I'll…. Go… help the others…"

Bell hid his face as Alicia left, many thoughts going a mile per minute until the door's closing shut them out.

"You haven't had any sexual relationships with Miss Alicia during the last few days either, or so I hope, right?" Airmid continued, as if her last few questions weren't embarrassing enough.

"No." Bell murmured, before giving Airmid a pleading look. "Can- Can we please stop talking about my sexual life?"

Airmid stared, and in those collected pools of purple, he finally noticed:

She was teasing him and having her revenge for what happened earlier.

"Sure." Airmid retracted her hand from his shoulder, not quite a smile on her face. "I've finished your treatment, Mister Cranel. Please, test your body and tell me if there's any remaining discomfort."

Bell was half-tempted to do something, anything, to get back at Airmid but… he probably deserved it for feeling more of her than anybody else had ever done… probably. In the end, he got up from the bed without much difficulty and tested his body's range of movements.

He winced a few times, mostly when it involved his back or shoulder muscles, "There's still some lingering pain, but it's nowhere near close to how it felt when I… woke up." He responded carefully; face bit warm; then he traced the new bandages over his shoulder. "How long should I keep these?"

"It's permeated with a salve that speeds up recovery, an hour more at most should be enough for it to seep into your skin and close the wound entirely." Airmid responded as she got down from the bed.

She started putting on her shoes while standing, one leg wobbling dangerously after sitting seiza for so long; a sudden pain spike behind the knee sent her tumbling forward.

"Ah, careful!"

Right into Bell's hands.

The door to the bedroom opened, then… again; Azure hair and irises dancing as the owner smiled widely while looking for her lover.

"Bell!" Shakti spoke joyously, "I heard you're awake alrea… Yeah, you're certainly awake."

"This—" Bell spluttered; hands cupping Airmid's heavy hidden assets while she gave him that death-stare again. "I-"

"Let me guess," Shakti crossed her arms, one eyebrow raised with a light grin on her lips. "You caught Airmid when she was falling."

"You would be indeed correct, Shakti." Eden laughed from another corner, having moved to fill another wardrobe with clothes. "Are the festivities underway already?"

"Yup." Shakti grinned, not in the least bothered by Bell having another 'lucky' troublesome moment. "Most of the guests are hanging outside already. Came to get you to help out there and greet Bell if he was really awake."

"Ah, I see." Eden pushed the bags against the wardrobes, so they didn't clutter the floor before unclipping the back-most button of her dress, allowing for her voluptuousness to spill. "We shan't keep our guests waiting then. If you wouldn't mind allowing me to choose today's apparels for us, Shakti?"

"Sure, but nothing too indecent for me. I don't have your assets or confidence." Shakti replied, accepting Eden's hand.

The two mature women left the room, leaving Bell extremely confused as to what the hell their conversation and actions had been about, until–

"How long do you plan on holding me, Mister Cranel."

Airmid reminded him of his plight, and he looked back to her to notice that she was done putting on her shoes, though had done nothing for his hands grasping at hers'. He immediately let go, half an apology already out of his mouth when Airmid cut him off with a simple, silent, stare.

She took one step forward; instincts dictated he take one backwards. Then she took another step forward, and he took two steps backwards instead.

She turned right, and away from him.

"Since you're already awake and have enough energy to be moving about, I believe its best that you learn of what your Familia is doing for the day." Airmid continued walking to one of the wardrobes that Eden had filled earlier, then she searched something in it. "Mister Cranel, what colors do you like?"

Bell silently counted his blessings for Airmid being so benevolent and forgiving after all the mishaps, "I, uh… red, green, and gray are my favorites, maybe black, blue and white too?"

"Hmm. Then this will do," Airmid brought a bundle of clothes with those colors, which she brought up to him and set them on the bed.

Bell was further confused when she picked the topmost and spread it out, seeing it was a white shirt –No, a white undershirt if the seeming tightness of it led to believe.

"Raise your arms."

"Eh?"

"Raise. Your. Arms."

"Yes ma'am!" Bell put up both arms reflexively; conflict broiling in his stomach as Airmid slipped the undershirt over his arms and fit it over his person before she grabbed the next piece.

"Legs."

Then she was fitting him some white trunks, colored with various stripes and designs in blue and green at the sides and back; his breath hitched when she was tying the string on the front of his waist.

"Turn around, right arm out."

A vest? –No, a short sleeved shirt, white with black and red stripes, with no buttons at the front. It hung open, showing the white undershirt that clung to his body like a second skin. All the clothing materials were incredibly thin and felt much better than the roughness of his old clothes, including even the equipment that Welf crafted for him.

"You can turn around again."

Bell did, only now questioning why he hadn't put up a fight against Airmid who stared at him with her usual blank expression.

Then she looked away, coughing into her palm, "If you wouldn't mind me requesting this, but I would like to spend an evening with Miss Voluptas the next time that I go shopping, if possible."

Bell could only dumbly nod.

"Good, now follow me."

---

- 0 - AsBBaH Vol 2 - 0 -

---

Airmid didn't guide him outside immediately, instead the healer brought him to the manor's kitchen where she (almost) force-fed him a meal 'heavy in nutrients required for his recovery', which he later learned that she cooked herself.

All the while, she refused to respond to any questions he had as to the sounds and voices coming from the outside; thankfully, his appetite worked in his favor and in time, Bell was done with his meal and being guided again by Airmid.

Bell wasn't sure what to expect when Airmid took him outside of the Familia's manor, but it certainly wasn't the multitude of people, both known and unknown, playing around in the first and second levels of the Villa/Estate – Specifically, both levels that had pools, and now, beach chairs, tables, and more.

"W-what? Who…"

"Bell!"

Bell knew the owner of that voice by heart, and he turned to her, just for his brain to freeze as it registered Rose's clothes.

Her red mane was tied up in a high ponytail, the black chocker that he gifted her fitting snugly around her neck. Shoulders covered by a thin, translucent, shawl but covering none of the black, with red accents, top bikini that barely held back her fullness.

An equally translucent sarong was tied around her waist, hiding a good portion of her thighs, but still leaving an alluring look into the equally black bikini bottoms that dug into her skin.

And all pieces of clothes were extremely thin, as he immediately realized after Rose wrapped her arms around his midsection in one dangerous hug that he found himself returning with equal fervor just to feel more of his beloved werewolf.

"I'm so glad you're awake already." Rose whispered into his hair; inhaling deeply his scent while he technically did the same, just of her cleavage instead.

"Hey…." Bell replied rather lamely, as his coherence hadn't recovered from his beloved's body; not that she seemed to mind if her wagging tail grazing his forearms was anything to go by.

"Did you rest well?" Rose asked, retreating so she could take a good look at him from head to toe; she licked her lips, "You look good, really good. Appetizing, even."

Bell blushed under his lover's praise, "Y-yeah, I'm feeling much better." He gulped, taking another look at Rose which she purposefully delayed by doing a small spin to let him see everything. "You look… really good too…"

Rose giggled, then she was upon him again; stuffing her nose down his neck to kiss his neck, before she licked a spot, bit it, then sucked hard enough that he knew there would be a mark left over after she had pulled back up with a smirk in place instead. "That should be enough to get the message across."

Someone coughed besides them, making Bell purify his thoughts quickly. "I would appreciate it if you didn't add any more injuries to your partner and my patient, Rose."

"Sorry Airmid," Rose stuck out her tongue at the healer, possessively grasping at Bell's shoulders and waist. "I wouldn't need to if your treatment hadn't erased my marks on him."

"That's… true. My apologies." Airmid neutrally bowed before glancing at the pools with curiosity, "I take it that means that they are here?"

"Yes."

Airmid made quite the face; a shiver went up Bell's spine.

"I will go prepare too then. I trust you will take due care of your partner in the meanwhile." And Airmid was gone, reentering the manor, and leaving Bell to wonder what had brought that face out of Airmid… As if she wasn't scary enough already…

"Come, my mate." Rose pulled on his arm until it was firmly nestled between her spilling breasts, "I'm sure you're wondering what's happening, right?" She stared towards the nearest stairs towards the second level.

"Hai." Bell glanced about again, seeing the numerous people happily playing around the pools, open-buildings, and some of the set up tables around the pools on the lower levels.

He could recognize several faces, such as Lord Miach and Lady Loki, among a group of other possible Gods, to other more that he couldn't quite put a name to their faces just yet.

"Lady Hestia invited various Familias to celebrate our Familia's first win in a War Game." Rose summarized the presence of others, then continued. "We had to go out in the morning to prepare for the event, thankfully Eden had already made the orders for most of the furniture to be delivered today in the morning, but there were still missing things that Eden, Alicia, and Shakti went to get while Eina and I finalized some paperwork for our Familia at the guild."

"Oh," Bell felt his tongue become heavy, "Did… did we get penalized?"

After all, he had…

"No." Rose paused just as they were about to descend the stairs to the second level. "No, we did not get penalized."

Bell frowned, there was no way that he hadn't… "Really?"

Rose caressed his cheek, "Really." She confirmed before adding. "There were some other complications, but it has nothing to do with your actions during the War Game, my mate."

But… he had…

Rose kissed him, giving him no chance to continue his trail of thought before she whispered into his lips. "I promise you that there really is nothing to worry about, my mate. Please, trust me."

…

It took him a few seconds wherein in he reminded himself of what was most important to him before he kissed Rose back. "Okay… okay, but… can you tell me later what happened?"

"Yes." Rose smiled, "But for now, promise me you will focus on enjoying the festivities instead of thinking about it, alright?"

"Hai!"

Both hearts reassured, Bell was quick to hold Rose by the back of her waist, bringing her close to his side; she giggled, then leaned onto him, tail wrapping around his arm, before the couple descended the stairs towards the second level of the Villa/Estate –Precisely, towards the building that Bell faintly recalled Eden mentioned were her personal winery and an open air bar.

Again, Bell did not expect what he saw, for the ones working on the open air bar were not only Alicia and Eden, but the silver-haired werewolf from Alicia's former Familia along with another blonde elf –much younger than Alicia. With all of them wearing different kind of swimwear.

Alicia was the closest; her golden-hair completely cascaded down her back, the one-piece swimsuit of brownish color seemingly melded with her own skin-tone, the clasps over her shoulders slipping every so often and showing safe hints of her valley, whereas her entire legs and tender thighs were exposed.

He idly noted that Alicia's swimsuit hid the entirety of her scar while still presenting the cute maturity of her body. Eden was most likely the one to help Alicia choose that one, as the relative of Rose wore a match of both her relative and Alicia's choice.

Burnt-red hair tied in a ponytail, short strands framing her face; A skimpier version of Alicia's one-piece, with various cuts on the waist and sides to expose her skin, and a deeper cut in the middle of her bosom which her voluptuousness probably thanked her for with how tight it was on her.

Unlike Alicia, though, Eden had very short blue shorts riding low on her hips, the front button open and almost daring anyone to look twice to see if the brownish color was her skin or the one-piece.

"Sleeping beauty finally awakens, ehh!" The silver-haired Werewolf called out, being the first to spot him and Rose having come down and closer to the bar. He wore black trunks and an open gray shirt with coconuts prints; his abs on full display.

Bell pointed at himself at the guy's words; an annoyed snarl was his response.

"Who else!"

The commotion seemed to draw the attention of the others beyond the bar's counter which Bell recognized only four faces, to which he could only put name to two, but gave him a good guess as to which Familia they all belonged.

"They're all from the Loki Familia," Rose confirmed; the two fully making their way behind the bar where she left his side for a moment to speak with Eden, leaving him alone with the two former Familia members of Alicia and herself.

"Hello," Bell greeted them politely, receiving another scowling grin from the silver-haired werewolf and a rather perplexed one from the blonde elf that he didn't pay full attention just yet, "I'm Bell Cranel, though you might already know me. You are…?"

Bell's manners seemed to annoy the werewolf, but he was still given a gruff response of, "Bete Loga, and don't you dare forget it."

"Oi mutt! Where's my drink!" Someone called from the counter –A petite Amazon, Bell noted.

"Haa! Who do you think you're calling mutt!" Bete growled at her, before mumbling under his breath. "That's it, you're getting double the alcohol!" Then the guy went off, expertly juggling together several items to mix the aforementioned drink.

Alicia took Bell's attention by taking one of his hands in between both of hers.

"Bell," Alicia spoke softly, "Are you sure you're feeling well enough to be out here already?"

"Miss Airmid treated me well." Bell scratched his cheek as Alicia sulked at his choice of words, again if he might add. "If I feel unwell, you'll be the first that I'll tell, alright?"

Alicia's face lit up, "Yes my deaaa… uhm," She looked away from him.

"My deaaa?" Bell grinned; he couldn't help it.

Alicia huffed and stomped on his feet, causing him laugh. Then, she spotted her friend awkwardly watching their interaction, "Oh! Right." Alicia slipped away from him and his teasing to bring the blonde elf closer, "Bell, this is Lefiya Viridis, a good friend of mine."

"Hello." Lefiya curtsied; and he finally got a good look at her. Blonde hair tied in a neat ponytail, two bangs framing her deep-blue irises and covering her forehead. A simple necklace adorned her neck, with a sigil of an arrow pointing at her two piece frilly pink bikini.

For a moment he wondered if she didn't have most elves aversion to touch and being seen, but he chalked her exposedness to being surrounded by people she trusted.

"I'm Lefiya Viridis," Lefiya seemed to have finished seizing him up too, "I hear you are big sis' Alicia's huuu- Wait, Alicia, I wanted to ask him something!"

"Nooooo-"

Bell blinked, seeing Alicia drag Lefiya away before she could finish her question that he could take a good guess as to what it was…

"Hehe…" Bell silently snickered as Alicia smacked into Eden, sputtered something to the taller redhead before said redhead responded with something that made Alicia lit up further and for those around them to explode in laughter at Alicia's expense.

Eden caught his gaze from afar in that instant, a small wave of her hand before she blew him a kiss, then she was right back to teasing Alicia.

"Sorry about that, my mate." Rose quickly enveloped his arm within her breasts, "Had to make sure Eden wasn't having problems attending the bar."

"She isn't, right?" Bell glanced at Eden again, seeing her coerce more members of the Loki Familia to join her behind the bar and help with the drinks, all the while tittering to herself. "Never mind, she seems to have it under control."

Rose giggled, "She said she'll be fine since the Loki Familia will help her tend the bar."

They were off towards the pool closest to the bar, a few tables occupied by people Bell didn't know but waved in return as they passed by them, until at last, he spotted a certain azure-haired woman sitting at the pool's edge with her back against them.

Around Shakti were several other people that he hadn't met but had seen in passing at the coliseum; what gave away from which Familia they all belonged, however, was the God wearing an elephant mask swimming from one end of the pool to the other as if his life depended on it, all the while boisterously laughing.

The woman sitting right beside Shakti was the first to spot him; she had wild red hair, skin of darker complexion and well-built muscles – She pointed at him, causing Shakti to look behind her and for her breathtaking smile to blossom on her face as soon as she saw him.

He noted the eagerness in Shakti's eyes, and with a light pull that Rose didn't fight against, moved towards her.

Shakti stood up from the edge before he could get to her, giving him some good few seconds to admire her slightly wet attire: A navy blue halter top, simple and without details. Her slim, toned, midriff was exposed and wet from spending time by the pool; her lower half was covered by black boy shorts that dug into her supple thighs, with the lower piece's strings peeking and tied by the sides.

And wrapped firmly around her right thigh, digging into her supple flesh, was his gift: A black thigh-bracelet.

"Hey," Shakti said, "Finally escaped Airmid?" while looking him up and down.

"I wouldn't say 'escaped'" Bell laughed awkwardly before looking behind Shakti. "I'm not interrupting you, right?"

"No," Shakti rolled her eyes. In two steps she was within arm's length, and within the next step, she was hugging both him and Rose, though the short kiss that she delivered to his lips was reserved solely for him.

His free hand fell to her hip, lightly scratching at her wet skin before she withdrew for a single second, huffed out, "I really needed one of those," then kissed him again.

While it was great that Shakti hadn't hesitated to shower him with affection, Bell couldn't help but feel that something was amiss from how horrified the members of her Familia were looking at her.

Shakti moved back again, huffing with quite the red face.

'Oh.'

Bell tasted his lips, "Shakti, have you drunk alcohol already?"

Shakti's cheeks heated slightly; she half-smirked, "Maybe?"

'Should've known'

"La-la-lady Varma!" Someone from Shakti's Familia shouted, "What are you doing!?"

Shakti didn't look at the guy in question, instead she looked at the stupefied red-haired woman who sat beside her earlier, "You didn't tell them, did you?"

The woman recovered, "Guilty as charged." She shrugged, smirking. "I hadn't met the guy yet, so could ye' blame me for not believing you?" Then she waved at him.

Shakti sighed, moving back from Bell to nurse her forehead as more members of her Familia panicked about her actions and whatnot. She glanced in Rose's direction, "Rose, could you lend me Bell for a minute?"

"Introductions?" Rose's ears wiggled and her eyes sparkled.

"Introductions." Shakti nodded.

Bell blinked, "Introductions?" but he was ignored as both Rose and Shakti shook hands. Rose pecked his cheek before stepping back, leaving him at the mercy of Shakti who dragged him closer to the pool where several members of her Familia watched them –No, watched him with curiosity, anger, and a fair bit of jealousy.

Shakti cleared her throat, "Listen well, members of the Ganesha Familia." She spoke firmly, "I'm certain that you have all heard of the Ganesha and Hestia Familia forming an official partnership. What you may not know is that the man besides me is responsible for this very same partnership."

Shakti held his hand and brought it to rest over her bosom, right over her heart which caused the anger and jealousy to increase, "To be more direct…"

'Oh, is she going to-'

"Bell Cranel and I have entered an official relationship as man and woman." Shakti blushed lightly after the words left her mouth, however she stayed firm while her Familia digested her words.

Then Rose cleared her throat behind them, making Shakti falter and blush brighter before she added in a less firm tone, "I… have accepted to become one of his… Rose, do I really need to say this!?"

Rose giggled, arms crossed and deviously enjoying how Shakti hesitated, "It would help with any possible misunderstanding."

Bell was far too curious to interrupt what was happening, even if he was being put on the spot and for so much anger to be directed at him. He couldn't blame them though; Shakti was an incredibly beautiful and strong woman. There must've been many who fancied her, but he was the one to attain her affection.

"Right." Shakti gathered herself; her grip on his hand tightened painfully, as she regarded her Familia again much to their apprehension and Bell's own, considering that Rose was involved in whatever she was about to say.

"I'll only say this once." Shakti breathed deeply, "I've accepted to become one of Bell Cranel's… pack mates… Oh Gods' I can't believe I said that."

"Did you call for me!" Ganesha boomed, scaring the living shit out of Bell from how close the God had gotten without Insight warning him. "Oh, Young Bell! We meet again!"

Bell held his racing heart, "Hello, Lord Ganesha." He greeted formally the God wearing only a speedo in… the shape of an elephant trunk.

"How have you been, Young Bell?" Ganesha clasped his hands on Bell's shoulders, "Has this Ganesha's Captain been treating you well?" And he squeezed, much to the dismay of Shakti who was barely recovering from her own words.

Bell winced – Airmid wasn't going to be happy with him for letting someone touch the bandages, "I am recovering as we speak, Lord Ganesha." He pulled at the neck of his undershirt to show the bandages, making the God hastily apologize before Bell continued:

"As for Shakti…" If she was going to be putting him on the spot, he might as well have some fun at her expense too. Bell used Shakti's grip on his hand to pull her; she wasn't prepared, stumbled, but Bell was twirling her around before setting his arms around her waist and bringing her into an embrace where he could put his chin over her head protectively.

"She's treated me incredibly well and I am overjoyed to be blessed with the love of someone so caring and strong." Bell winced as Shakti's nails dug into his chest, but he continued, "I only hope that I've been able to match her affection for me all this while."

"Gahahaha! Very well said, Young Bell!" Ganesha boomed, clapping at the masterful use of diplomatic words. Then the God turned to his Familia, thumb pointing at his own chest. "Hear this Ganesha's words, my young ones! I expect you all to treat Young Bell with the respect he's earned as the Captain of the Hestia Familia and the love partner chosen by our own Captain, understood!?"

"Yes Sir!"

"Now go along, Young Bell." Ganesha crossed his arms; smiling proudly, "This Ganesha nor his Familia won't take any more of your time together."

"Thank you, Lord Ganesha." Bell nodded his head; though inwardly, he was screaming because Shakti was now using more strength to dig her nails into his chest. "If you'll excuse us…" And he fled, with Shakti in his arms and Rose trailing after them, giggling madly all the while.

---

- 0 - AsBBaH Vol 2 - 0 -

---

"Cranel, I am so going to get you back for that!" Shakti bemoaned; red face hidden behind her hands by the bar's counter.

"You started it." Bell defended himself, "I didn't think you would introduce me to your Familia like that."

"Blame her!" Shakti pointed at Rose who continued giggling by his side at Shakti's expense. "That was entirely her idea!"

"I didn't think you would pull through with it, if am to be honest." Rose moved to hug Shakti from behind, the later groaning and barely trying to shake off the devious werewolf. "You can be so adorable at times, Shakti."

"That she can really be," The red-haired amazon spoke a little aways from them, waving as Bell watched her approach them. She wore the same kind of bikini top as Shakti, except red in color and with a bikini bottom instead of shorts. "You guys' don't mind me joining in on poking fun at her, right?"

Shakti glared at her vice-captain, "Don't you dare."

"The more, the merrier~" Rose pecked Shakti's cheek, "Come on, don't be like that~"

"Gah!" Shakti squirmed as Rose hands slipped under Shakti's armpits, leaving Bell to watch; amused, until the red-haired amazon offered a handshake.

"Hello handsome," She started, "The name's Ilta Farna, Vice-Captain of the Ganesha Familia."

"Bell Cranel," He replied, accepting the handshake, and felt Ilta put quite the strength into it. "Captain of the Hestia Familia." He easily matched her strength.

"R-Rose, stop!" Shakti finally managed to squirm away from Rose; the flustered captain was quick to hide behind Bell. "Bell! Keep her away from me!"

… Adorable – 'Note to self, make Shakti tipsy more often'.

"Rose, please?" Bell wasn't sure if Rose would even listen to him seeing how mischievous his werewolf was being. "Don't tease Shakti so much."

Rose processed his words then smiled devilishly again, "But I can still tease her, right?"

"Bell!" Shakti shook his arm.

"Yes."

"Traitor!" Shakti shouted and ran away, Rose hot on her trails.

"I… don't think I've ever seen Shakti run away from someone like that, ever." Ilta stared, stupefied again for a second time that day.

"Neither have I," Bell laughed, scratching his cheek. "It's probably the alcohol, Shakti's more relaxed after drinking." Or Rose was just that scary when she wanted something – Bell would know.

"For you to know that…" Ilta hummed, appreciating him. "You must've gotten quite close to Shakti already, huh!?"

"And I hope to grow even closer with her." Bell replied, making Ilta wince.

"Don't…" Iita shuddered, "You remind me of some of the men who courted us years ago, always with the flowers and the poems. Urgh."

"Not into the flowery type of men?" Bell laughed; glad to find someone that he could bother with his corny lines - well, not his. He inherited them from his gramps', after all.

"Not in the least." Iita flexed both of her arms, chest veins bulging. "I like burly men or those who can match my strength…"

'Uh-Oh.'

"I'm not burly," Bell awkwardly backed off, pointing at his slimmer frame.

"But you certainly matched my strength." Iita figuratively salivated, "Ufu, ufufu, ufufu."

He was about to run away from the amazon when-

"BELL!"

Something brown threw itself at him, arms and legs splayed wide for a tackle hug that he barely managed to respond by catching the person midair before her weight fell on him.

Weight that he recognized once her rump settled on his palms and the owner started nuzzling his cheek with hers.

"Naaza?"

"You really did it!"

"Huh?" Bell stumbled slightly as Naaza pressed her cheeks, both sets of them, harder against him. Insight (un)helpfully memorized even more of Naaza's shape before she pulled her face back to beam at him.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

Then settled her face right back into his shoulder, nuzzling him, her waggling tail all he could really see beyond the curtain of beige that were her ears and hair. At least, until Naaza's God appeared in Bell's peripheral vision.

"Hello Bell," Miach greeted with his cordial tone, albeit some embarrassment tinted it. "I see Naaza found you first." The God wore bluish trunks, with his abs and pectorals on display, and a hairclip holding his middle bang back, giving Miach a rather stylish aura with his drowsy yet attentive eyes.

Bell wordlessly nodded, and adjusted Naaza's weight so his fingers weren't digging under her swimwear. "Um, Lord Miach, a little help?"

"She'll get off in due time," Miach smiled, eyes closed.

"Right." Bell awkwardly replied. One look at Naaza who seemed far to content hugging him for all he was worth, and he wasn't quite sure the God was right. "Could you explain, at least?"

"Naaza didn't think that your Familia would send the money the day after we signed the transfer." Miach responded, then bowed his head lightly. "Neither did I, thank you for that. It truly helped us out of our problems back then."

And Bell could see it too, for there were no dark bags under Lord Miach's eyes, nor did his skin look as pale or beaten as the day Bell and Eden visited them… and if he was judging Naaza's weight properly too, then she gained a little bit of weight…

'Better not tell her that.'

"Oh, so I just have to run at you, and you'll catch me, noted." Iita ufu'ed besides him, leaving Bell to not feel so awkward with Naaza clinging to him if it meant keeping the amazon at bay. If only Naaza hadn't decided on wearing a two piece that was so thin, that is.

Well… So long as nobody from his Familia—

"You sinful man." Fingers poked him in the back of the head.

"Oh my, mfufu~ Someone's having too much fun today." And a velvety voice tittered from a little further back.

"I can explain." Bell turned around, seeing Alicia pouting again, dangerously leaning over the bar's counter to poke him, bust almost spilling from pressing down on the wooden surface, and Eden giggling behind her, keeping a careful eye and hands on Alicia's hips so that the elf didn't hurt herself.

"Really?" Alicia's honey-irises pleaded.

"… No." Bell lamented immediately. "Miss Naaza, can you, um, get off?"

"Thank you!"

Bell helplessly glanced at Alicia who hmph'ed and looked away, cheeks inflated. Eden wasn't of much help either, as she laughed demurely behind her hand.

"Ohoo! If it isn't the miracle boy!" A gruff call from nearby followed by a hearty laugh; The old dwarf that he met in Loki's manor approached Bell, along with a group of people of whom he only knew two in all honesty. "Ye' really be the talk all around again, boy!"

Muddy shorts, wooden mug in hand with the contents spilling; The blond Pallum beside the dwarf dressed similarly, except dark red shorts, and he held a glass with light yellow liquid.

Flanking both guys on either side were two amazons, one lacking what the other had in spades, and both showing it quite well with the blue and yellow tops with frilly skirt bottoms.

"Hello sir," Bell greeted as well as he could, what with Naaza still clinging to him. "It's been a while since we last met."

"That it has." The dwarf rose his mug, as if in cheers. "Ye' women's be having some splendid aged wine, my compliments for finding such a keeper."

A staff hit Gareth on the head, courtesy of the brilliant-eyed elf that Bell hadn't seen in a long time. Sadly, for him, she seemingly decided to not join the others in the pool festivities, as she wore her usual elven robes.

"Gareth, that is not how you should refer to those ladies." Riveria scolded her long-time friend.

"We don't mind, right Alicia?" Eden replied from behind the counter while helping Alicia get down from it. "We are Bell's, after all."

"That's…" Alicia bumbled off, hiding her face with her hair as best as she could. "I wouldn't say it like that…"

"Bahaha!, oh how little Alicia has grown up." Gareth guffawed, causing Alicia to hide behind Eden at being poked fun of again.

Riveria sighed before she regarded Bell, "Hello Bell, it's good to see you again and in better health this time." Her eyelids, however, hadn't ceased twitching from the moment they had fallen on the girl hanging off him.

"Um, hi Riveria." Bell awkwardly laughed, "I'm glad to see you again." And he meant it; Riveria's jade irises were so enchanting to look at that he wouldn't mind looking at them for hours on end.

"Hello…"

Right, she was also here.

"Hello."

White, simple two piece, golden-light hair freely fluttering.

"Have you gotten stronger?"

Golden blank stare with so many emotions wanting to be conveyed.

"I have."

Pale ivory moved as she smiled, one lithe fist air-pumped in victory.

"Good, can we spar sometime?"

It was hard to turn her down; not when her request was so innocently spoken.

"Of course, but I have to recover first."

Ais smiled wider again, satisfied. Then her golden eyes lit up as she watched Naaza switch her head from his right shoulder to his left. Ais tugged on his forearm; her eyes gleaming.

"Can I be carried like that too?"

"Oh my."

"Bwahaha!"

"Ais, no!"

"…"

Ais continued as if her request hadn't created enough chaos already. "It looks fun."

"I'll… think about it."

What?

His Gramps would neuter him if he rejected such a request.

Still, it was really becoming awkward being surrounded by so many people interested in talking with him at the same time and holding onto Naaza who had made herself far too comfortable in his arms.

"Erisuisu"

A shiver went up Bell's spine.

"Get off Cranel this instant."

Naaza's arms and legs tightened around him; his shoulder throbbed.

"He's injured."

Airmid hadn't even finished her words when Naaza was climbing off him, puppy-eyed and checking him up and down, "Why didn't you say anything!? Are you getting treated already? I didn't worsen it, right!?"

Bell breathed in relief, for a different reason than what Naaza probably thought, "Couldn't, yes, and no. It's alright." His shoulder throbbed, but not painful enough to bother him.

"It is not alright."

But probably enough to bother Airmid.

"Mister Cranel, a moment of your time."

Bell didn't even want to turn around to face Airmid because of the stricken looks of Eden, Alicia and the Loki Familia; whatever left them looking like that, Bell did not want to face on his own, and certainly not alone.

Alas, he was not given a choice.

Small fingers wound up around his wrist before he was turned around, and suddenly he wasn't so bothered by the thought of being alone with the healer.

Two long strands of silver hair framed her small face and fell over her bosom with the back neatly tied in a bun adorned and held together by two flower clips; There was so much porcelain skin on display with her clothes, a half-width tube top with floral patterns from which her bosom almost spilled— which yes, was as big as he felt earlier.

Wrapped around her delicate waist was a string woven in the shapes of chains with a cross hanging and covering her vertical bellybutton.

And below, a lilac see-through flower-patterned sarong tied by another flower pin; however, beneath is what probably left the others so stricken.

Airmid wore white, which was okay, just not when it was so… thin and small… as the triangle bottom hinted a lot of the healer delicateness.

"–think ever seen her wear something like that."

Bell idly heard someone behind him speak, not that he knew who or cared. He gathered his thoughts but all that came out was, "Miss Airmid?"

"If you're done," Airmid gripped his wrist tighter in warning, before letting go. "There is an issue that needs to be resolved, follow me." Then she started walking, ignoring the looks given to her by those that Bell had been speaking with earlier.

Still, "It's nice to meet you all, but I better see what that issue is." Bell bowed politely, "Um, continue having fun?"

"Mister Cranel."

"Hai! On my way!"

…

"Eden," Alicia stared as Airmid managed to get Bell to do what she wanted with just calling his name, "I want to learn how to do that too."

Eden, in response, laughed throatily. "Very well, let's add that to the list too, my dear."

…

"Riveria, where are you going?" Finn asked curiously.

"To the battlefield." Riveria firmly replied.

---

- 0 - AsBBaH Vol 2 - 0 -

---

"Um, Miss Airmid?" Bell didn't know where to look when glancing at the healer, mostly because the height difference made it easy to see down her barely covered porcelain valley when they walked side by side. "What was the problem you were speaking about?"

"There isn't one." Airmid responded, hands neatly folded together as they descended the stairs to the first level of the Villa/Estate. "I merely noticed that your partner had left you alone when you should be under supervision in case you suffer a seizure."

"A… seizure?" But he was feeling great?

"I meant it when I said that your muscles are extremely overworked, Mister Cranel." Airmid looked around the first level where various Gods were gathered together along with their chosen Familias' companions. "Had you put your body under even a little bit more stress yesterday and you would not be moving at all today, treatment or not."

"Oh…" Now he could suddenly understand why Airmid had been so adamant that he didn't move around so much. "Should… should I go back inside and rest, then?"

Airmid paused, one disbelieving look leveled up at him. "Would you?"

…

"If it's that bad, yes." Bell looked around, seeing how much fun people and Gods were having, "It may make my Familia sad that I can't participate in the party but I'd rather have a healthy body rather than fun in case…" he wandered off, trusting Airmid to understand what he meant.

Which she did, albeit a little surprised. "I see… No, it won't be necessary for you to miss out on the fun, Mister Cranel." Then she grabbed his wrist again, pulling him towards one empty table near the changing & bathing rooms. "As long as I am by your side, you needn't worry about your health."

Bell knew she didn't mean it the way he initially took it, but damn if Airmid's choice of words didn't get his heart racing.

"Thank you, again. Miss Airmid."

She didn't quite smile, but he still saw the gratefulness in her purple irises.

"You're welcome, Mister Cranel."

There was more people Bell didn't recognize while he followed Airmid towards the empty table they saw earlier, though it was more like she was actively dragging him by the wrist if anyone looked at them. He was curious as to who they were, especially once he spotted his Goddess Hestia chatting happily on a table with three other women.

Bell decided against making his way over there in case his Goddess was busy, and so he looked around, spotting more people he truly didn't recognize at all, but most were keeping a close eye to the interactions going on between his Goddess and the three women.

Some were so fixated with keeping a watching gaze that they didn't even react when the Captain of the Ganesha Familia ran, screaming incoherent words, through the lower level with a certain red-haired werewolf hot on her tail until the two disappeared into the changing rooms near him and Airmid.

Bell snickered to himself, happy to see that his loved ones were having fun, until his eyes fell on someone hanging around the changing rooms.

Namely, the side where Shakti and Rose had just gone into.

"Airmid."

Airmid paused, half a reproach at the tip of her tongue from Bell using her name without honorifics until she felt the quiet eeriness seeping off him.

"… Yes?"

"Who's that?"

Bell pointed; Airmid looked, took a deep breath, then exhaled quite disappointingly.

"Lord Hermes."

They both saw as Hermes casually walked across the changing room's entrance and casually glanced inside.

"He's known for doing things like this on the regular."

"Is that so?"

"Yes, that is s— Bell, wait!"

---

- 0 - AsBBaH Vol 2 - 0 -

---

Hermes hadn't thought that Hestia could be so accommodating but he should've known better; Hestia was the Goddess of the Hearth, it was in her nature to be homely and welcoming.

The short Goddess with boobs almost bigger than her head had gone as far as inviting the Gods and Goddesses who had caused her trouble not too long ago; namely, one dark-skinned woman who hadn't hesitated to take the offer if it meant seeing the hero in the flesh, and one vagabond-looking rascal that hadn't cared about his Familia until after the War Game was done and over.

They hadn't been the only ones to be invited; various others were, but once Freya had mentioned that she would be attending the event as one of Hestia's dear friends, the numbers of invitees went from three digits to barely ten.

Not including the Gods' companions, of course.

However, far as he looked, there was no hide nor hair of the one that he was looking for in the Hestia's Familia estate.

Which was a good thing, all things considered. Eternity wouldn't be close to enough to never see that one again; she was more trouble than she was worth.

He could also snoop around all he wanted; Hestia wouldn't get angry at him –she warned him to not do anything stupid, but Hermes believed that as long as he didn't bother the other Gods' companions, he was pretty damn sure that he would find something interesting and worthwhile without getting in trouble.

Besides meeting the Hero, of course.

Zeus was quite pleased with how the events around the Hero's life were happening, and so was Hermes. Keeping on an eye on him was fun in an of itself too, what with the hijinks that happened on the daily in the boy's life. The boy was fortunate, extremely fortunate.

Never in his life did Hermes think that young Bell would be living in such a fancy home, but with her involvement, it was to be expected, somewhat.

And Hermes was not one to sleep on another's one fortune; namely, the fact that young Bell's home was a natural resort with pools! Pools!

It was glorious!

Heaven's descended Earth and regaled the God with so much that he hadn't seen without having to risk his life and work his sweaty hands off.

Convincing Asfi to participate in the event, solely to grow closer with the Hero hadn't been hard either! Another blessing in disguise brought by young Bell, and no sooner had his captain gone into the changing rooms that Hermes was left to his own.

A greater world was waiting for him; And so, Hermes did what Hermes would usually do.

Until.

"Hey."

One hand gripped Hermes shoulder and brought the God to his knees.

"What do you think—"

Crimson, swirling with no depth nor sense of care.

"—you're doing?"

"Aha…" Hermes laughed awkwardly, "I'm just…"

"Just?"

Crimson; pupil-less and wide looked at him – No, looked through him.

Hermes gulped, "Well, you know… Doing what a man should do." Surely, he would understand. The same man raised them, after all, right?

"… That is?"

His presence reeked of Time and Death, never a good combination when it came to the Eternal palpitating heart racing within Hermes chest.

"Uh…" Hermes's winced as the hand tightened unbearably so, "I mean… you know…"

His face came closer; unblinking, unwavering, unmoving oceans of crimson threatening to end him where he was forced to kneel.

"I do."

Ominous pressure radiated off him; extremely ancient and unrecognizable.

"You are in my home."

Overbearing strictness; an adherence and discipline of hers.

"You are in my domain."

Zeus was wrong.

"The least you can do is—"

This was no Hero.

She was raising no Hero.

This was—

"To respect me."

Like claws, ripping him apart – The fingers on Hermes's shoulders dug deep, the God's voice escaped in but a whimper.

" ?"

He has—!

"Yes." A fear long forgotten brought Hermes plea to light, "Forgive me."

"Good." Bell patted Hermes shoulder, smiling as if he hadn't just reminded Hermes of long-forgotten scarring memories; "You're forgiven."

Just like back then — 'You did something bad, but you apologized… So, you're forgiven. Now leave, before I change my mind.' —

"Bell Cranel! What did I tell you about moving around!"

"Ah, sorry!"

"For goodness's sake, Bell Cranel! Will I have to bind you to me!? or —"

The Dea Saint dragged it away by the ear, reproaching him for things Hermes couldn't care long for; for he was alive, he had survived its encounter.

"I warned you against doing something stupid, Hermes."

Hestia's voice came from the side; he looked, she crouched by his side, a disappointed look on her face.

"I told you Bell was extremely overprotective of us." The short Goddess helped Hermes to his feet.

"Hestia, he's—"

"Hekate's Champion." Hestia's features hardened, "And my Child."

"…"

"Ganesha wanted to talk to you," Hestia pointed at the pool by the second level, "He's waiting over there."

"… right…" Hermes rubbed his sore shoulder, "right. Thank you, Hestia."

"Hermes."

"?"

"Bell does not hate you."

"I know."

Because if he did, Hermes would be dead.

---

- 0 - AsBBaH Vol 2 - 0 -

---

Airmid was not happy with him, whether it was because he exerted himself or threatened a God, Bell didn't know, but either way, Airmid had locked elbows with him, her nails threatening his skin every time he moved so much as a single step away from her side.

Despite the danger, Bell had to admit that Airmid's way to bind him to herself was… comfortable.

Halfway into getting dragged back to the table by Airmid, Hestia interrupted them by calling for him from afar, "Bell~!"

They stopped to watch as Hestia literally bounced with every step, Bell more than Airmid that is. His Goddess had decided to wear a high-neck one piece with a frilly skirt covering down to her mid thighs, of various whites and blues tones.

"Hello, Goddess." Bell patted Airmid's arm, to which she allowed him freedom to offer his Goddess a hug that she didn't hesitate on giving. "Sorry I couldn't be of help with the party preparations." He whispered into her arms.

"Nonono," Hestia chopped the back of Bell's head, "What kind of monster do you take me for!?" Hestia pulled back to scold him, "Your job was to rest after fighting yesterday, had you done anything else I would be angry with you instead!"

Bell rubbed the back of his head, "If you say so, Goddess."

"Hmph! I do say so," Hestia crossed her arms, before she smiled childishly and jumped into his arms again. "I'm so glad you're okay, Bell."

He laughed, "I'm glad too, Goddess."

Bell spun his Goddess around, silently enjoying her childish wonder and displaying how much he had recovered without words, regardless of Airmid possible anger. When he set his Goddess down, Hestia's face was the happiest of the three.

"My sweet Bell," Hestia giggled, "Would you mind accompanying your Goddess to meet her friends?"

Bell didn't miss the change in how his Goddess called him, though he'd leave the question as to why for later. Instead, he turned to Airmid, "If that would be alright with you?"

"Greetings, Lady Hestia." Airmid folded her hands together and bowed in greeting. "Tend to your Familia's business, Mister Cranel. I shall be watching over you from here."

"Thank you, Airmid." Bell gave the healer a smile that left made her look away and huff in exasperation before she went off to sit at an empty table.

"She's a strict one, isn't she?" Hestia murmured, fingers tugging at Bell's forearm.

"Hai," Bell laughed, then he was off – escorting his Goddess as the small (yet big) Hestia pointed at where Bell had seen her earlier, where several women amiably talked with one another and two men tactfully kept quiet, while their companions stayed either a bit further back or on the tables that he saw them earlier.

Insight warned him of the Gods' companions' gazes turning to him, some friendly and others not very much; but Bell was fine with that, if nobody had started trouble thus far, he doubted they would try now that he was present… right?

"Just so you know, my sweet Bell." Hestia used that unusual way of calling him again, "I wish for everyone who came here today to get along well and for them to learn that they can trust us, but if you feel it's needed, then…" Hestia leaned her head on his bicep, "I want them to respect us."

"Won't that put us in bad terms with them, Goddess?" Bell apprehensively asked.

"Don't mind the little things, Bell." Hestia patted his shoulder, "Today's a day for celebration!" She rose a fist high in the air to the others watching them from afar. "So, let's get this party started!"

"Hai!"

The closer they got to the Gods, the quieter their conversation became until at last, Bell was finally standing in their presence with his Goddess taking a step forward to be the one to present him to all of them.

"I finally found Bell and brought him with me this time!" Hestia cheered, waving at all the Gods who formed a half-moon around Bell and Hestia. "Who wants to talk to him first!"

Bell almost facepalmed; Had Miss Kat's carefreeness rubbed off of Goddess Hestia already?

"If none of you mind." One low and monotone voice spoke, coming from one of the male Gods. Unlike most of the others who were in their swimsuits, this one God wore what looked to be white rags and his unkempt hair left Bell finding a kindred soul. "I will keep our conversation short."

"Sure," Hestia shrugged, then with two light taps on Bell shoulder, it was the captain's turn to stand up to the God —while all the others watched, mind you.

"Um," Bell waited as the unkempt God waved at his companion, someone Bell faintly recognized before she stood awkwardly by her God's side too.

"Bell Cranel." The God held his open palm to his chest, "Before you know of my name, let it be known that you've inspired me to seek what I've lost."

Bell nodded and set his shoulders straight. "I'm honored to receive such words from you, God."

The unkempt God hummed, "I am Soma, a God of Wine."

Bell inhaled sharply.

"I held no ill-will for the actions you took against my Familia, as I am the one responsible for their actions against you." Soma continued, "It is in fact, your fight with my Familia and your devotion to yours that has shown me what I've lost in my search of perfection."

Bell frowned, "Excuse me, Lord Soma, but you are not responsible for the War Game. That… fight… was something that would've happened regardless of your involvement, Lord Soma."

Zanis could've been in any other Familia, and he would've still tried taking revenge for Bell killing his friend –Or so, Bell believed. Hence, his words.

"You are right." And Soma confirmed Bell's words, "But it is through my inaction that your Familia found itself threatened and challenged to a feud that should've been solved solely between you and my former Captain."

Which was also true –Bell realized only after the God pointed it out.

"I also have to thank you," Soma put his palm on top of his short companion's hair, much to her displeasure. "For sparing as many of my Children as you did. It is for this reason that I requested Hestia to allow me to meet you and to request something of you."

"My Children have lost their way, as did I; I can't undo the past, but I…" Soma looked upwards, hints of his onyx irises fervently shining. "I can make my Children's future a better one as long as I embrace the same devotion for them, and the determination to do what I believe is right, one that you've shown me."

'Truly, a kindred soul.'

Then Soma pushed his companion forward.

'Oh no—'

"Hence," Soma bowed his head, "Please give her a better future."

'—Not again!'

"—Eh?"

The girl followed her God's actions, bowing too. "Please treat me well, Lord Bell."

"—EH!?"

---

- 0 - AsBBaH Vol 2 - 0 -

---

Bell fretted, having so many questions and rebuttals that he wanted to say but in lieu of the other Gods waiting for their turn to speak with him, Bell simply gave up on trying to understand what went in Soma's head and accepted the God's request.

The girl who would be his new source of trouble was the demi-human that he had spared before killing Zanis, she presented herself as Liliruca Arde and vowed to be useful with her supportive role as gratitude for sparing her that day.

Again, there was so much Bell wanted to say, but he kept it to himself.

In the end, Soma left after confirming with Hestia of the girl's transfer, leaving Liliruca in the care of Bell. Bell was quick to give her something to do while he and Hestia finished his introduction to the other Gods, and that was for Liliruca to seek either Eden or Rose by the bar to learn of how she could be of help to them.

After Liliruca left, Hestia asked again who would be next, to which the other male God stepped forward with his entourage.

And for Bell's face to turn as red as the girl behind the God once their eyes met after so long.

"Yo' It's nice to finally meet the Child that Hestia speaks so much about," The God greeted him far more enthusiastic than Soma did and wore clothes that matched the occasion too.

Floral trunks, geta (sandals), and an equally floral patterned summer shirt accentuating his well-built body. Long hair looped and framing his face, with the back hair tied in a low ponytail.

"I am Takemikazuchi, an old friend of Hestia." Takemikazuchi presented himself with a handshake before he jabbed a thumb at the three adventurers behind him, "I believe you've already met these three before, right?"

That, Bell had. "Yes, Lord Takemikazuchi."

While many weeks had gone by since he last saw them, Bell still remembered their names thanks to the situation that happened with the girl that refused to meet his gaze. "Ouka, Chigusa, and… Mikoto, right?"

All three nodded in varied degrees of enthusiasm.

"Great! That means we can skip to the part where I thank you for helping them that time," Takemikazuchi slung an arm over Bell's shoulder, "But since you've got a little bit of a busy schedule right now, we can leave the pleasantries for later." And patted him on the back, several times, before letting go.

"Hai…" Bell winced and shivered; even from afar, he could feel the healer's gaze zeroing on his back. "Please… have fun until then."

The three adventurers waved again in varying degrees of enthusiasm before the God turned away with them; as they left, Mikoto turned around, meeting his gaze once again and doing some hand signals that he barely understood as 'talk, later'.

He nodded and before he realized it, Bell was half-surrounded by the half-circle of Goddesses.

All.

Wearing.

Swimsuits.

Huh, now that he took a second look at them, Loki wasn't among them. Bell was certain that he had seen the mischievous red-haired Goddess with them earlier…

The four Goddesses shared glances, then without words they decided who would be next; leaving Bell to wonder if Gods' could communicate through thoughts.

Then again, Bell couldn't keep his thoughts straight for longer either as the Goddesses before him casually made way for his next meeting. The first thing he noticed wasn't the swimsuit, nor was it the eyepatch, but the striking ruby color of her single iris that measured him with a single glance.

She didn't speak at first, merely settling for grasping her chin as her single iris swept over his features; Bell, in turn, took that moment to swept over hers.

Flaming red hair, short and wavy like flames dancing at low heat, with one long strand waving over her back as if it had a life of its own. A black eyepatch covered half her features, but did not conceal the rough yet sharp appeal of what remained.

The Goddess was as tall as him, with a slender and much more feminine build with hints of a hardworking woman denoted by the slight muscle visible around her shoulders and collarbone, while also accentuating more the wine-red tank top hiding quite the handful.

Her swimming trunks were as equally wine-red as her top, but she wore them low enough that her waistline remained visible as did the strings of the bottom piece hidden underneath. What made him look twice were her legs —her slender build made them look longer while also making her feel taller despite being his height.

"I see," She hummed positively, then offered her hand. "I am Hephaestus, I've heard a lot about you from Hestia and two of my Children."

'Oh!'

"It's an honor to finally meet you, Goddess!" Bell accepted the handshake, feeling some of the roughness to the Goddess palm. "You have my most heartfelt gratitude for everything you've done for my Goddesses and my Familia!" He even bowed his head with his words.

Hephaestus laughed, a sound that he would not mind hearing a lot more often.

"There's a lot we have to speak about," Hephaestus winked —or blinked, he couldn't be sure with the eyepatch— "But we'll leave that conversation for the night."

"Hai!" Bell giddily replied; just the thought that he would finally be able to get some answers as to the many unknowns adorning his back made his day so much better!

"I've also brought Tsubaki and Welf with me," Hephaestus waved to the side, making Bell take a look and spot both aforementioned Smiths on nearby table, talking —or more like discussing, if their body languages were anything to go by. "I'm sure they would both be happy to see you too."

"I'll make the time! Goddess!" Bell nodded giddily again, causing another shorter, but equally enchanting laugh from the Goddess before she moved aside, towards Hestia and leaving Bell in the presence of the other three Goddesses.

Bell couldn't wipe the smile off his face; if his next meeting with the other three Goddesses went as well as it did with Goddess Hephaestus, this this day would become one of his luckiest ones!

"Ara~ You are much cuter in person."

Bell blinked; he hadn't noticed when the next Goddess had approached him.

"Um, thank you, God—" Bell looked and instantly gulped, "—dess."

She was smaller than him by a small margin, but there was absolutely nothing small about her elsewhere and she had chosen a swimsuit that left it all visible.

Long wavy honey hair that fell to the small of her back, with a little fringe and curls framing her round face with features that looked as soft as the rest of her body. Irises that reminded him of the Sun in the morning, with full lips slightly parted with a blushing smile.

His face heated up to match her blush when she took another step closer towards him, giving him an even closer look at the bosom that rivaled —or possibly surpassed Hestia's. And he could see it quite well too because the Goddess was wearing a slingshot bikini, pink with cream accents on the most dangerous of places.

"You remind me so much of a rabbit…" The Goddess whispered, a sweet tone that made his heart race.

She was so close that there was no mistaking where her swimsuit ended and her creamy skin started, nor could he tear his eyes off from the literal button-tips almost popping from beneath the finicky cream thread covering them.

"Ah…" Bell gulped again as the Goddess approached him even closer than any other had so far, and that included Takemikazuchi.

"So cute~!"

Bell froze as the Goddess tucked his face in her vast expanse of cream skin, where her earthly scent of changing seasons permeated into his brain within a single breath. Her full lips touched his hair, her delicate hands touched his nape and lower back.

He was trapped, back heating and heart beating wildly.

His fingers grazed her subtle thickness spilling from the sides of her naughty swimsuit, on the weights that just begged to be gripped and used as handles.

"Mhmhm~"

She giggled directly into his ear; his right hand flexed involuntarily and clasped around her waistline, his fingers sunk into her divine flesh causing her to huff again and to tighten her arms around his neck, driving him even deeper.

He was sinking.

He was falling.

His back burned, seconds before–

"Demeter!"

Hestia pulled him away from the dangerous sweet trap. "You were asphyxiating him!"

"Ara, sorry." Demeter giggled sweetly, "My emotions got the best of me. Can you find it in your heart to forgive this excited Goddess?" Her heavy-lidded gaze befell him, threatening to swallow him whole with just a look again.

Bell gulped; not trusting his mouth to work after that, he nodded instead.

"Let's talk more later, okay?" Demeter winked and stepped away to speak with Goddess Hephaestus.

He gathered a lungful of air, remnants of the Goddess' scent still clung to his nose, but with his back burning like the Sun, it did not leave him a stricken mess, even when he looked at the unhidden rear-side of the Goddess as she spoke with Hephaestus.

Then she seemed to sense his eyes, tilting her head enough for their eyes to meet again and for the organ in his chest to speed up; he looked away, before the feeling coming from the Goddess could swallow him again.

Never before had he felt so helpless, and if his burning back was anything to go by, there was more at play than just his hormones reacting to the alluring sexuality of the honey-haired Goddess.

He didn't even notice the last two Goddess having a stare-off to choose who would speak to him first.

"Bell," Hestia tugged on his sleeve, "Are you okay?"

"… Hai," Bell made a smile that would ease his Goddess worries, "Sorry Goddess, I was just surprised by her… appearance."

Hestia side-glanced at Demeter, "Oh, yeah, I didn't think much of it but you're a guy, after all…"

He didn't try to correct his Goddess, mostly because she wasn't wrong at all, but also because he didn't want to worry her.

"Hey."

Bell glanced at the owner of the sultry voice, and immediately, the helpless sensation returned in full, and stronger. His eyes unwantedly strayed over her entirety; his sight swayed as if her chocolate skin was a rich liquor that his eyes drank for too long.

"Come closer."

His back hurt when his feet obeyed; her violet one-piece clung to her like a second skin and with the threads woven so far apart, it was easy to see through to her darker specialties –not that the scant one-piece did much to hide either.

A single string wove down from her neck, barely covered in triangles the tips of her breasts, with both sides cut to show her defined sides and waist, much as it did to her entire taught belly, and the unhealthy portion of her groin that peeked from between her chocolate thighs.

It hurt to look more, and Bell embraced that pain to tear his eyes away from her body to meet the Goddess's brown eyes which slightly shone.

"Hello, Goddess." Bell rasped out, pausing just outside of her arm's reach; back burning as his blessing warned him of how dangerous the woman before him was.

The chocolate Goddess gaped, frowned, but then smiled sweetly. "Well… color me surprised. Oh, where are my manners?"

She fanned herself, motions that Bell felt were fake and intended for his eyes to look at her swaying bosom, but he didn't.

The Goddess smiled wider, as if challenged. "I am Ishtar."

—!

"I'm sure you've heard of my desires. So, wouldn't you want to come with me?" Ishtar lulled out, one hand proffered and taunting him with Earthly desires as her brown gaze shone again.

His sight spun again; her body beckoned him, her fingers looking so easy to grasp.

—Nihil!

At once, the enchanting feeling disappeared, leaving Bell free from the Goddess's charm.

"Sorry, Ishtar." Bell grit his teeth, "But I'll decline."

Again, Ishtar gaped, her features that had been beckoning turned sour, "Hmph!" She turned away; arms crossed. "Your loss." Though she gave him one last glance, "I'll leave the offer open… if you change your mind."

And she was gone, strutting with all the sexuality that only a Goddess like her could radiate, but one that Bell had no problem looking away from.

Ishtar had confirmed the vague idea of why he reacted that way to both her, and Demeter, and while he was proud to have overcome the problem with the help of his blessing, the fact that it took him so long to do so bothered him greatly.

Still, he made it through and there was only one Goddess left for him to greet and meet before he could scamper away from them and deal with the heat growing on his back.

"Hello."

Insight and Nihil flared alive.

Silver —No, Gray —No, Violet.

Crimson swayed; Insight burned him.

Straight —No, wavy —No, curly.

Crimson strayed; Nihil scorched him.

Innocent –No, Obscene –No, Immaculate.

Crimson focused; DETERMINATION pooled behind them.

Taller by a small margin, milky white skin, exposed with a swimsuit that defied gravity and stuck in the pattern of green leaves over her three divine delicacies and seemingly bound around her Divine body as small vines.

Her shoulders were bare –weren't bare, a white scarf –a white piece of cloth, transparent was draped over her shoulders and upper arms; her exquisite arms, gloves covered them –nothing covered them as she offered her dainty hand.

"Would you mind giving me your hand?"

Insight and Nihil seared his very soul.

She was so soft to touch, so easy to hold; she smelt so well, felt so well from up close.

"I am Freya," Warm, inviting. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you."

Something smooth and subtly wet grazed the tip of his left ear; warmth enveloping him all around.

"I've missed you, my Odr."

He did too; having never met her –having spent a life beside her –No.

–No.

–No.

–It wasn't him.

–It was her vision of him.

It was his will to push her away –To embrace her, her lower back fit perfectly in his arms.

Her body melded perfectly with his.

–No.

–Stop.

"Please."

C? struck her.

"Freya, please stop." Bell whispered into the frozen Goddess's shoulder, "I don't want to hate you."

–!

Freya pushed him away; vexation and fear on her silver –no, violet gaze. "I—"

"Please," Bell tasted the blood in his mouth, "Never do that again, Goddess."

Freya wordlessly nodded and backed off him; fearing that she would falter again.

"I…" Bell took a deep breath, "I'm glad to have met you, Goddess Freya."

There was a moment of silence while Bell gathered himself, before he turned to his own Goddess. "Goddess Hestia," Bell took his concerned Goddess's hands, "Are there any other Gods that you want me to meet?"

"N-no," Hestia looking at him with eyes filled with concern, "Freya was the last one. A-are you okay, Bell?"

"Yes, Goddess." Bell crouched slightly to hug his own Goddess, basking in the warmth where he truly belonged for a second before moving away. "Is it alright if I leave now to rest for a bit?"

"Y-yes," Hestia nodded.

He left, quietly and holding his head.

Hestia watched her Child leave, thinking whether she had done the right thing with allowing her friends to meet with Bell without her interfering.

"Hestia," Demeter spoke to her, the petite Goddess found herself having the attention of the four Goddesses that last met Bell again. "Your Child is extraordinary."

"Huh?" Hestia put fist on her hips, "Of course he is, but why would you say so?"

Demeter continued with a guilty smile and sultry eyes following the adventurer from afar, "He shook off my Charm quite easily; try to not let go of him, yes?"

"You what!"

Ishtar and Freya's head swiveled to Demeter; then, realization struck them, the two glared at one another and realized that both had done the same as Demeter… not that they would tell Hestia.

---

- 0 - AsBBaH Vol 2 - 0 -

---

[Graphic Warning: Lime? Lemon? Who knows, read and find out~]

Ba-dump

He had to get away from everyone.

He had to run away.

Ba-dump

Where nobody could see him.

Where nobody could follow him.

Ba-dump

Where everyone would be safe from him.

Where everyone wouldn't be affected by his presence.

Ba-dump

Where the fires burning inside his soul, searing his body from within, weren't a danger to anyone else.

Where his Willpower wasn't a danger to anyone else but him, and him alone.

Ba-dump

Where his warmth turned scorched inferno didn't threaten anyone else.

Where he could bring his True Blessings back under his control.

Ba-dump

Why?

The answer was simple.

Freya had inadvertently shown him what his Skill could do if left unattended and unrestricted.

Hence, Bell fled, away from the party, away from the people curious of him, away from the people wanting to speak with him, away from the people's gaze, away from everyone in order to avoid affecting them with his Skill.

To a place where he could cool his body with nobody that could be affected by him.

Bell hid in one of the stalls in the bathing room, where the shower pelted his body with cool water that sizzled in contact with his feverish body; long discarded was his vest and shirt somewhere outside of the stall that he hid in.

Ba-dump

Minutes had already gone by after leaving the Goddesses presence, yet their effect still affected his body, heart, and soul.

Insight had kept him anchored to reality when their presence overwhelmed him, and Nihil had negated the initial effects of their presence on him.

However, neither Ability had dispelled the residual effects.

Ba-dump

Even now, all his mind could conjure were images of the Goddesses in their swimsuits, in poses that would have him smitten on the spot for how scandalous they were.

But he couldn't help it.

Not when it was their intention to have him become theirs under their spell.

Not when it was their intention to have him forget everything that he held dear in exchange for them.

Not when it was their intention to have his sanity slowly slip away until they could mold his distorted sense of self for themselves.

Ba-dump

In the end, all Bell could do was endure the raging emotions and desires of his mortal body, of the man made of dirt that he was, and hope, dearly hope, that he would not be engulfed by the increasing desires spawning in his revolting heart.

But could he be blamed?

Ba-dump

It had felt so good to feel Demeter's body rubbing against his.

To feel her creamy flesh that she exposed with her scandalous slingshot swimsuit, to have grazed her defined waistline and then grasped the fullness beneath; her abundant breasts that had suffocated him, her button-like nipples that had rubbed his cheeks.

—No.

The softness of her care as she had coiled around him, wanting to feel as much of him as he guiltily basked of hers. If only he could've grabbed even more of her, of the weights spilling of her, of the marks adorning her.

—No.

To have taken her somewhere he could've given proper worship to her alluring sexuality for days on end, until she couldn't live without him, nor him without her!

Ba-dump

It had felt so great to devour Ishtar's licorice body with his eyes.

The feeling of becoming drunk just by imagining his tongue running across the vast expanse of her chocolate skin, to have played with her emotions and desire for him and show her that he was more than she could handle.

—No.

To have crushed her pride with her inability to obtain him through mere words, to make her succumb and writhe even more by toying with her for something she could never obtain without putting her everything on the line.

—No.

To push her down where everyone could see her wanton desires become a reality while he gave her the most satisfying coitus of her life and turn her into his personal toy to satisfy his desires, exactly the same way she had tried to turn him into.

Ba-dump

It had felt so gratifying to embrace Freya and feel her desires for him.

To have embraced her divine exquisiteness—

—No!

—Stop!

—Don't take them away from me!

Ba-dump

But it was futile.

He wanted them.

He desired them.

They had made him desire them.

Ba-dump

He was losing it.

He was breaking apart from within.

No…

It was hopeless; he could feel it.

His heart was breaking apart.

No...

He had already lo—

"Mister Cranel."

A cold yet warm blanket –hand touched his burning cheek.

"Look at me."

Steam and granite surrounded them, with water cascading over both and gluing their clothes to their skin.

"Focus on my eyes."

Glazed crimson searched for dull purples and found them inches away.

"Don't look away."

The corrosion of his mind stopped with her pristine appearance; memories –images that shouldn't exist faded away, yet…

His desires continued increasing.

"Relax."

His hammering heart slowed down at her command as another cold hand touched his other cheek. He sagged forward, like a puppet with several strings cut, and placed his head on her shoulder for the second time that day.

"… Airmid?"

She moved his head away from her shoulders, her hands still holding him by the cheeks, until he could clearly see the healer's preoccupied face, wet from the shower over them.

Fear encompassed him, then; as his back had yet to cool down, as he had yet to regain control of his Skill.

"Airmid…" Bell rasped out her name, "I'm–"

"Charmed," Airmid cut him off, "I know."

–No!

"I'm here to help you."

"No…" Bell sobbed, hands involuntarily grasping Airmid's over his cheeks, "Airmid… you have to leave."

Before his hopelessness devoured them both.

Airmid shook her head, "No, Mister Cranel. You need help."

Before the darkness in his heart swallowed them both.

"Please…" Bell ground his teeth. "Airmid, I don't–" But it was futile, for even when he wished for her to leave, to stay safe and away from him, his heart called out, "Airmid, I need you."

–No…

"I know." Airmid smiled.

Bell trembled.

"I'm here for you." Airmid moved forward.

Bell panted.

"Let me take care of you." Airmid pressed her chest against his.

Relief flooded him immediately as the warm blanket covered him again –For Airmid's magic pierced his resistances and started suffocating his burning Blessings.

…

Yet did nothing for his revolting, charmed, heart.

"Airmid…" Bell sighed her name, barely holding on against the lust inflicted by the Goddesses charm. "… the charms… I…"

"I'm aware," Airmid glanced down to where his tent was firmly pressing against her bellybutton.

Bell gulped loudly, his hands tightening over Airmid's on his cheeks before sighing out her name again, "Airmid… I…"

"Mister Cranel," Airmid locked eyes with him, "Do you trust me?"

"I do…"

"Then focus all your emotions on me, Bell Cranel."

…

No… if she said it like that… he couldn't hole back, no he had to hold back… He had to remain silent, otherwise…

"Do you find me attractive?"

So much… from the moment he first saw her, he thought of her as a Goddess —doll that he wanted to play with… she held herself so Divinely –pristinely that just looking at her felt like his heart was being charmed –cleansed.

"Do you like the sound of my voice?"

He did, it was beckoning –cold and alluring –distant, but soothing… it was clinical and a bit scary at times, but he liked it, he liked it a lot, he liked it the most when she scolded him not because he was a masochist, but because it showed that she cared for his wellbeing.

"Do you like my eyes?"

Yes, because they never hid her emotions despite the Divine –clinical mask she wore. Their color, too, a shade that reminded of his favorite drink that he hadn't tasted since his grandfather's death.

"Do you like my nose?"

It was small, but fit her perfectly, and maybe she didn't or did know, but it was extremely cute when her nose twitched whenever she got angry.

"Do you like my lips?"

He had stared at them whenever she spoke, wondering if they would taste the same as her sweet flowery scent did…

"Would you like to taste my lips?"

… yes… if he could…

"What of my body, then? Is it to your likings?"

... Yes… Yes… It was small and flexible, giving him so many ideas of what he could do with her… both wholesome and perverted.

"Do you want to feel my body?"

He remained silent, but she could hear his unspoken words.

…

Airmid moved her hands away from his cheeks; crimson following their journey as his hands went along with hers until they settled on her lithe shoulders.

"Does it feel nice to touch?"

He nodded; She moved his hands, making them caress her from her delicate collarbone all the way down to her forearms before moving back up.

"Do you want to explore more?"

He nodded again; She moved his hands again, placing them on her waist and making them caress her delicate sides up and down.

"Do you want to see more?"

He gulped, his glazed eyes finding the light shining in the dark, and hesitantly nodded.

She moved his hands.

His fingers glided over her cold and delicate stomach, tracing the small indentations of her bones and muscles until his fingers reached the underside of her tube-top.

And she continued moving his hands.

His fingers went under the cloth, index first, then the rest.

And she continued.

Until his fingers lifted the cloth all the way over her arms and above her head.

The top fell, just as his less-glazed gaze fell on her.

"Do you like their color?"

Porcelain with cherry reds surrounded by coral, small just like her, but big just like them… They fit her so well…

"Do you want to feel them?"

His muscles twitched in her hands, and she moved his hands again.

To where it was soft, where it was malleable, where his fingers could trace over her and feel her cherries bump into his palms as they grew with her increased respirations.

"Do you want to explore even more?"

He opened his mouth, but no words came out yet; his even-less-glazed eyes, however, responded to her.

Then she was moving his hands again, away from her bosom towards her waist once more except his fingers went inside her sarong, and with a deft flick, the cloth fell; leaving her with only the thin and small bottom white piece that might as well be her second skin with how it dug into her.

"Do you like how it clings to me?"

She asked as she turned around, showing that it was digging equally between her lower cheeks which left her delicate rump exposed to his crimson gaze and the water falling over them, water that dripped from her porcelain skin and made him want to feel…

Only for her to walk backwards and press her entire back against him; his problematic tent digging into her back as she grabbed his hands and moved them once again, making one go over her right shoulder and the other below her left armpit before she settled both of his palms on her bosom again.

"Can you feel my heart?"

It was beating fast, extremely fast, almost as fast as she was breathing.

Just like his own heart was; just like his own ragged breathing was.

"Can you feel my heat?"

With nothing to cover her, with the water contrasting with their bodies' temperature, he could easily feel her heat in his palms, in his chest, in his groin; everywhere his body was connected to her.

"Can you hold me tighter?"

His chin came to rest on her left shoulder, his own warmth encompassing her small body with as much of himself as he could; an attempt to imitate how her magic made him feel.

"Tell me… Bell Cranel, what's in your heart?"

It was not the Goddesses anymore…

It was not the broken and scattered pieces of his mind…

It was not his fear of getting close with others, nor was it his desire to be alone…

Crimson no longer glazed responded; for she had fixed what was broken.

"You."

Airmid smiled, "Are you feeling better now, Mister Cranel?"

Bell nodded; his mind finally clear. "A lot… What… what did you do?"

"Overwrote the Goddesses' charm."

…

"You can do that?" Bell wondrously breathed out.

"Only because you trusted me," Airmid breathed deeply and sagged in his arms. "I wasn't sure how far I would have to go before you regained your sense of self."

"Airmid… I… Why would you go so far?"

"Do I need a reason to save someone in need of help?"

Bell inhaled sharply.

"We may not have known each other for long, Mister Cranel, but…" Airmid pulled on his arms around her, to which he held her even tighter in fear that she would leave, "I'm certain that if our positions had been reversed, you would have done the same."

His knees buckled under the weight of Airmid's trust. His back slid across the wall before both Adventurer and Healer sat on the floor, with Bell holding onto the lifeline that Airmid had created with her body and warmth.

"Also…" Airmid hid her face in his arms, "Does… does my nose really twitch when I get angry?"

–!

Bell's face lit up, "I– I said all that out loud?"

Airmid nodded. "Un…"

…

"It… it does," Bell hid his reddened face on her pristine shoulder before hugging Airmid tighter. "…thank you…"

Airmid shook her head, "Don't thank me yet, Mister Cranel."

She shuffled around in his arms, twisting enough for her small body to sit sideways between his legs and where they could look at each other's reddened faces again.

"We're not done with your treatment," Airmid sighed heavily; her fingers trailed his face before she settled her palm on his chest, right over his heart that was beating in tandem with hers. "I've only managed to return your sense of self so far…"

Her hand glided lower, her lukewarm touch trailing over his feverish skin that he had ignored until now, until her fingers reached the place where all his pent-up emotions had built up.

"We need to expunge your… desires… otherwise, the charms will take hold of you again." Airmid locked eyes with him again; tenacity and care clear in her purple gaze, "Would you… trust me again, Mister Cranel?"

The answer was obvious before Airmid even asked.

"Don't."

Bell shut his eyes and took a deep breath.

"You don't have to go that far for me, Airmid."

It was his weakness that he ended up like this.

"I don't deserve anymore of your help than this."

It was his Skill affecting her, he believed.

"—

Extreme sweetness filled his mouth, shutting him down with the flowery feeling of Airmid's lips. Her tongue grazed his lower lips; instincts dictated he part them open, then she was tasting his tongue just as much as he was tasting hers.

One set of fingers and nails traced his jaw and collar, finding minimal purchase at the base of his neck to pull him deeper into the kiss; deeper into the wintry breath of the healer. Airmid was fervent, as much as her passion for healing was, with the way her lips moved to the point that Bell felt like she would drown him with how much effort she was putting into it.

And somewhere at the back of his mind –No, everywhere in his mind, the idea that he wouldn't care if she drowned him in the depths of her mouth resonated about.

But she didn't drown him; for she pulled back with an unhealthy blush dusting her porcelain cheeks, her tongue still peeking from her parted lips with viscous liquid clinging to it –his, or hers, he didn't know, but he liked how it looked, a lot.

"So," Airmid licked her lips, "Do my lips taste the same as my scent?"

Bell worked his silent mouth for a few seconds, "… they do… Airmid… why?"

"Because" Airmid placed her palm against his chest again, right over his beating heart, "I can feel your heart too, Mister Cranel."

Her unblinking purple eyes threatened to swallow him.

"I can feel how you're scared of getting close to others."

Her unwavering purple gaze crushed his fear of the Unknown on his back.

"I can feel how you fear hurting those around you."

Her unmoving purple irises looked beyond the darkness harboring in his heart.

"Even if you remain silent, you can't hide your pain from me, Mister Cranel." Airmid caressed his cheek, "Allow me to fix these wounds ailing your soul."

Her devotion was palpable, "Will you trust me, Bell Cranel?"

After all her words… her emotions… her intentions…

The answer was obvious before Airmid even asked.

"Please…" Bell's Blessings stopped burning. "Help me, Airmid."

Airmid moved in response.

Her fingers found the base of his neck and his left obliques as her lips ascended to meet his again; descending him back into the wintry and flowery taste of Airmid's passion, but this time… He replied.

His fingers caressed her nape before burrowing inside her silvery curtains to hold and bring her closer to where he could savor more of her panting breaths; while at the same time exploring her delicate sides that had become cold without his touch.

With every twist, nip, and graze of their mouths, lips, and teeth, Airmid extracted his fear and replaced it with confidence that this moment was real, that her emotions were real.

Time meant nothing to them in that moment where their devotion was overlapping over one another's, where their actions continued to fix what should remain unbroken.

She dictated his actions then, by moving his hand on her side again to her bosom without leaving his lips; no sooner had his warm hand touched her colder skin that she shivered and sighed blissfully into his lips, then she pressed his hand and he grasped her tighter in response.

A small sound seeped between their lips from her, before another escaped as his hands explored her delicate breasts and learned by handfuls her every swell. His mind hadn't been entirely there when she guided him earlier to feel her, but this time he made sure to remember every little detail of her.

How her undersides made her suck in her breath, how the sides made her shiver, how the top made her exhale loudly, and how her cherry tips made her squeak with every flick.

Then he learned, as he squeezed, that Airmid wasn't one to hold back when being on the receiving end because both her hands moved, again, to undo the knot on his trunks that she herself had tied, to then bring out the problem that most males had under the spell of a woman's charm.

It was his turn to suck in his breath as her small fingers trapped him, snaring around the only remaining place in his body that seemingly burned within and responded with a life of its own by throbbing when she squeezed and caused him to be the one to release a small sound into the kiss.

And she parted away, barely, to where her wintry breath met with his, and where she could speak.

"Mis– Bell," Airmid whispered his name, "Focus… all your emotions on me."

He searched in her eyes for any hesitation or doubt, and once he found none, commended his entire self to Airmid.

She moved, to lay on her side in between his legs, and where breath fogged against his desire. She fixed her hair behind her ear as her lips approached him from the side; wide crimson eyes unblinking as she descended.

Her lips touched him causing a shiver to run his entire spine, then she nibbled that spot as his toes twitched, before separating to blow her cold breath over that same place; he finally blinked, a cruel hard shut of the eyes as his entire body trembled just from those three actions of her.

His eyes went wide then, as her cold tongue lathered one entire side of him with her saliva, from bottom to the top, and stopped just short of reaching the very top.

Her purple eyes searched his, "Don't look away from me."

Her tongue flicked out again, but she did not start slow nor gentle. In one fell swoop, his head lodged in the recess of her small mouth, where her inner cheeks were warm along with her saliva, yet his underside succumbed under her cold tongue.

His knees buckled again as the sound and sensation of Airmid sucking on his tip reached him, a steady and diligent pull that made several pops when her lips parted to ease him more.

She was unlike any other so far, striking at his vital from the very start, and bringing him so close to the end that his legs folded to help retain control over the crushing desire to just let go.

Her eyes searched his again, words mumbling over him, "Dun huff buck, Beru."

She ordered; instincts dictated he followed.

Like uncorking a bottle of shaken wine, his desire erupted into Airmid's mouth within a second of her command. A splurge that befit his size took her by surprise only momentarily before an unknown expertise of hers took Bell by surprise.

Her tongue laid flat as her small mouth took him in just deep enough to where his splurging tip touched the back of her throat and instead of her mouth coaxing his release, her small fingers circled around his base and pumped him.

For a moment, his sight blurred as his body buckled again under Airmid's treatment as she steadily drunk his release without spilling a single drop, even with his Blessing augmenting both the time and quantity it took for him to finish.

Then his final spurts came out, but Airmid circled his base again and painfully squeezed all the way to the top where her tongue pressed against and licked the very last dollop forced out.

"You…" Airmid licked her lips again, "Taste sweeter than I expected."

Bell twitched at the compliment(?), "I do?"

Airmid hummed, "Indeed, and it seems we're nowhere near done…" Her thumb deftly caressed the tip of his still hardened problem, one eagerly awaiting the next phase of Airmid's treatment.

And it was indeed, as Airmid mentioned, for Bell still felt something clawing at him from within, trying to take back his attention away from the Healer laying between his folded legs and currently moving to start anew.

Then again, Bell wasn't sure if it was the three Charms afflicting him or because Airmid was a Healer who knew better than anyone else how the body worked that she had him throbbing and releasing a second time in the span of a minute deep inside the back of her throat, with her fingers steadily pumping out all she could from him.

Were he not sitting with his back against the wall, with his legs folded and Airmid essentially trapping him hardened in place, he would've been squirming around like a worm for the second time that day as Airmid extracted his emotions with her dedicated service.

But even after the second release was over and done, with Airmid licking her lips clean again under his unmoving and aroused crimson gaze, his member all but poked her in the cheek as it begged for more of her care, to which she stared at him, unamused yet amused.

"You truly intend on going against my orders until the very end, huh?" Airmid huffed, index finger pressing down against his coated tip and swaying it side to side.

Bell laughed awkwardly, though it sounded more like the heaves of a dying man after seeing the light at the end of the tunnel from being sucked dry twice within five minutes.

"Bell." Airmid moved again as she whispered his name, her body slid closer until he slid in between her delicate bosom and proudly jutted from above, "Focus."

The she pressed her breasts together, where the coldness of her skin fought against his inflamed desire, and moved their softness up and down along his wet length from her previous service and the water falling over them.

"Bell."

She muttered his name again, his crimson gaze locking with hers.

"Let it all out."

Airmid whispered, lips grazing his tip.

"Pour it all out."

Airmid ordered, tongue flicking out to lick the warning pre-essence.

"Lay it all on me, Bell."

In his defense, there was no sane straight man out there who wouldn't falter when ordered around like that with a voice like hers; a voice that he had explicitly told her that he liked the most when she scolded him.

It was unfair.

And Bell would take the sound he made when he climaxed for a third time that day to the grave.

Then again, if making sounds like that meant that he could see Airmid pump with her breasts his inflamed desire, her lips diligently locked around his tip and steadily drinking everything that was coming from within, all the while her unwavering purple gaze shone with care for him… He would make it many more times.

When it was over, or both believed for it to be over, Airmid licked him clean before licking clean her lips, and as if just to spite and make her angry one last time, his drying and satisfied problem spurted one last time before waving the white flag and leaving Airmid's forehead, tip of her twitching nose, lower lip coated with his viscous seed.

Airmid glared for that.

Bell laughed unrepentantly.

And the door to the stall opened then, brilliant jade eyes shining with fury and jealousy.

"What are you doing!?"

And while Bell felt like the world was about to end for a third time that day, Airmid merely gathered the thick coating on her nose with her index finger, "What, you ask?"

The healer's unwavering gaze bore down on the intruder.

"I am merely taking care of…" Then put that finger at the tip of her tongue, "my patient."

And so, another one fell victim to seeing Bell in a situation that he could not explain; and it was all Airmid's fault… or so he decided.

---

- 0 - Part 36 End - 0 -

---

Author's Note: Play Can you Feel my Heart and Insert Chad Airmid Gif here, oooohhh yeaaaaaah! Airmid skipping the queue into Bell's love life like the girl boss that she is, hell yeah.

P.S: Pool Party isn't over yet! More hijinks to come on next chapter, with more characters that didn't get to interact with Bell in this one…

I'll write the updated Status next chapter too. Also, this chapter technically has put forth in motion a lot of things for Arc 2 of Volume 2. If you think you've spotted them, I'd be happy to see you mention it in the reviews! They really make me happy to read and reread whenever I'm doubting myself, lol.

OH YEAH, BEFORE I FORGET! I've been commissioned to write 2 more Danmachi stories! You should see both prologues before the end of the month, along with updates for the other stories too~ And, that's not all: Part 36 comes with an Interlude before the next arc starts, so... Commissioned Omake time! There's 3, one that I'll upload right along with this chapter and the other 2 a few days later so you have time to review and I can respond to your reviews in the Interlude section!

- Jas / Shiiva