Hestia walked in the front door proclaiming her return. "I'M BACK".

"Bell, Artemis I'm back."

Hestia soon noticed Bell laid out on a bench.

'Hmm strange why isn't Artemis with him?'

"Hey, Bell sorry I've been gone so long how has she been?"

Hestia had seen them getting on earlier that day, but now she was curious.

"I don't know though, I don't think she's currently too happy with me."

Bell muttered the last part, but Hestia had heard him.

"Why would she not be happy with you? What did you do, Bell?"

Bell turned his face away from hers trying to avoid the redness from his face.

"I'm sure she'll let you know..."

Bell trailed off into silence, he felt tired all of a sudden and laid down to relax now that Hestia was back he contemplated going out to get something's.

"Well stay there until I've talked with her, then well discuss what I have to tell you."

'There goes, going out as an option.'

Bell sighed and went back to closing his eyes.

Hestia meanwhile made her way to the stairs and made her way downstairs.

She opened the door to the downstairs to find Artemis leaning against her arm. Her face was one she seen many times before.

"What did he do?"

Artemis turned her gaze to the door, surprised to see Hestia standing at the there.

"Hello, Hestia sorry I didn't realise you got back what was it you were saying?"

Hestia smiled at her before joining her at the table.

"Come on, tell me what he did?"

Artemis looked at her friend with a confused look but shook her head.

"It's nothing to concern yourself with."

Artemis wasn't sure what Hestia wanted to hear.

'No doubt she's already heard the story from him so what's the point in explaining it?'

Hestia looked at her again this time with a knowing glare.

"It's nothing Hestia."

She spoke in a much louder and firm tone, trying to get the point across.

'Why isn't she telling me, it's not like she's never told me anything in the past.'

'Could it be that she's embarrassed?'

Hestia felt a smile creeping onto her face as she realised why she needed to avoid the question. She was trying to keep a straight face while holding back her laughter.

"Come on how long have we known each other? I know when your trying to avoid something."

Artemis remained silent and looked away from her friend.

"Artemis you can tell me?"

She shook her head again. "Its nothing okay? If you want to know ask that child of yours."

"Ohhh so it involves Bell well that changes things! Come on what happened?"

Artemis kicked herself for mentioning him.

"It's nothing you should know by now I dislike being around men. Is it so hard to understand that being left alone with one is going to put me on edge?"

While Artemis was telling the truth, she had to admit she was comfortable around him, but the fact remained. Hestia, on the other hand, was being to lose patience.

"What if I tell you Bell has told me a different story?"

Hestia played a wildcard she just hoped she'd take the bait.

"Why what has he said?"

Artemis seemed to react to the news quite calmly no doubt she was expecting Hestia to have pried him for information.

'Finally, she has taken the bait.'

"Ohh ill keep that to myself I want to hear your side first."

Artemis knew one way or another Hestia would find out.

"Something's off Artemis what are you not telling me?"

Artemis just smiled her friend, who wasn't one just to leave matters as is.

"As I said before, suppose the whole situation is just getting to my head. After all being isolated for so long is not good for anyone."

"I suppose with little contact from men I've become on edge while being around them. I won't lie. I was quite harsh with him and may have given him the impression that I was angry."

Part of her felt sad for the reaction she had given him, and as much as she wanted to go upstairs and apologise she couldn't, the stubborn side of her refused to budge an inch, sticking to the high ground.

"So nothing happened while I was gone?"

Artemis wasn't sure if he told her about the mornings incident, she hoped that because they agreed to drop it, he wouldn't bring it up, but she didn't know what Hestia knew and would otherwise avoid telling her.

"Nope, I must say for the most part it has been quite pleasant."

Hestia smiled. She didn't seem to be hiding anything, so she let the matter go.

"Now if you don't mind me asking what did he tell you?"

Hestia chuckled to herself no point in hiding it any more she got the information she needed.

"Ohh nothing he just said you were upset with him and said he'd rather me hear it from your mouth."

Artemis looked a little shocked with her response.

'I was expecting him to tell a drastically different story that defends his honour and avoid any blame; instead, he allowed her to hear it from me. He must really regret what happened.'

"Expecting Bell to have told some wild story? I'm afraid not Bell is many things but a liar isn't one of them, He truly feels he's offended you in some way."

Artemis took a moment to think. Knowing what she did this morning, she could honestly say she agreed with that statement. But he was still a pervert.

"So enough about that what has my favourite Familia member done to make you have such a pleasant stay?"

Artemis smiled and explained that mornings events leaving out any details from before they agreed to start fresh.

"We ended up chatting a while after that, and I suppose part of me just couldn't get used to the situation."

Hestia was surprised she expected the two to get along, but besides this minor hiccup, the two seemed on good terms.

"I'm glad to see you to getting along, in all fairness I was worried at first."

Hestia rubbed the back of her neck. She was worried about how Artemis would react with being alone with Bell.

"I'd have thought he'd walk into you changing or something, to come back to him beaten and with broken bones glad I didn't".

Hestia laughed at her joke but didn't realise how accurately she was describing that morning's events.

Artemis felt a small blush of embarrassment coming through she continued to try to forget that morning's image from her head.

"No he was quite the gentleman still I should apologise for not speaking to him."

Hestia had a better idea.

"No."

Artemis looked to her friend still confused about why to reply with such a response.

"I'm sorry Hestia I'm confused why shouldn't I make amends?"

Hestia just looked at her confused face she had just found an excellent excuse to get the two closer.

'Damn I'm starting to act like Hermes.'

Hestia turned to the door and left her friend at the table.

"Bell can cause trouble from time to time, so he needs to be taught a lesson once in a while. Its the only way he'll learn."

Artemis just sat confused.

"Look let me deal with Bell, for now, think of a way to thank him for the meal properly."

Artemis sat confused she hadn't the foggiest of ideas what was going on, but she just sat down and agreed.

'Hmm I suppose she's right he didn't have to make the meal and I have taken up a large part of his day, I guess its only fair. And I'll have to apologise at some point as well.'

Bell could hear the footsteps coming upstairs he was fully prepared to listen to a lecture from Hestia on what he'd done.

"Okay, Bell is there anything you want to tell me?"

Bell looked away, trying to avoid her gaze. It was a very effective way of getting him to talk.

"Nope, nothing she hasn't already."

Hestia knows something's up and while she couldn't get Artemis to fess up she could get Bell to.

"Come on Bell I'm not angry but I will be if you don't start talking."

She stood in front of him no matter what he did he couldn't avoid her.

"Talk!"

Bell had lost an uphill battle at this point no way he was avoiding this.

"It was an accident."

'Finally something' Hestia thought Artemis may have convinced her that nothing happened but like she said Bell couldn't lie to her.

"What was an accident, Bell?"

"I...I." Bell found it hard to get his words out it would have been one thing if it was someone else but this was his goddess and her friend.

"Bell spit it out." Hestia's tone became more stern in an attempt to get him to hurry up.

"I walked into her while she was asleep and barely clothed." He muttered the last part to avoid becoming embarrassed.

Hestia just sat in disbelief.

'So this is what she's been hiding. I'm surprised your alive Bell, but I'm more speechless at her side of this.'

"Hmmm okay, Bell ill admit that was rude of you I thought you'd be better than that however I suppose you did make it up to her which I'm thankful for however your still in the wrong."

'She's forgiven you Bell that much is certain. Why? I'm not sure, but you are lucky Bell.'

Bell on the other hand, just sat in shame he hoped Hestia wouldn't find out, but it was fools errand.

"I suppose you need to be punished."

Bell just nodded in agreement he wouldn't try to get out of it he just wanted to make amends.

"No dungeon for a week." Hestia could think of two things Bell enjoyed the most helping others and getting stronger she needed one of those to make her plan work but the other was a problem and she just got it out the picture.

"But goddess isn't that a bit extreme?"

Bell was fully expecting a punishment but not this one.

"I stick by my decision Bell. Your minds tainted by Hermes. I need you to see the error of your ways."

Bell just stood in shock. He enjoyed his time in the dungeons he wanted to keep improving his skill.

"But if I'm not in the dungeon how will I..."

Hestia raised her hand to Bell, causing him to stop mid-sentence.

"It's only for a week and beside you need to make it up to someone."

Bell looked to his goddess her

'Wow this is easier then I thought even without the confession.'

"Right now I've still got to go to work and deal with a variety of other things I can't keep an eye on Artemis all the time which is why you're going to help me."

"What do you have in mind, goddess?"

"That I will explain tomorrow, for now, I think you need to make it up to our guest, especially since tomorrow you are going to be taking care of her."

Bell looked dumbfounded.

"I suggest you give her a tour of the city it may be late, but there are fewer people so its not an issue if she gets spotted."

"Umm sure but I don't think the two of us are on speaking terms at the moment."

From Bells perspective, he was right; she wasn't, but that wasn't the truth of the matter, and Hestia knew that.

"No, but your not a bad person Bell and I know Artemis I'm sure you the two of you can put this behind you."

Bell gave a hopeful smile, he didn't want to be on bad terms with the goddess and despite his current predicament.

"Just leave Artemis to me."

Once again, Hestia let out that cunning smile.

"Ohh this is too easy."

Hestia was proud her little plan paid off, she returned downstairs to rest and think about what to do next.

'I'm still going to have to play it safe and keep Artemis a secret from the other gods if they find out she's alive it will cause significant trouble for everyone.' Hestia stopped at the door she knew for a fact that the others should have felt her presence, but nobody questioned her about it.

'No Hermes, Loki and her Familia are missing I suppose nobody noticed yet'.

Hestia entered her room. Artemis like before was sat reading her book and seemed engrossed, which explained why she didn't greet her. Hestia looked at what she was reading to find it was the tale of the Argonaut.

'Even has the same taste in books as Bell.' She chuckled, which finally caught her friends attention.

"Ohhh I didn't realise you returned I at least expected you to be gone for longer."

Hestia shrugged. "That boy can fight monsters that would scare the pants off others, yet he still cowers in fear before me."

"Ha-ha-ha." Artemis burst out laughing.

"What I'm serious." Hestia puffed out her cheeks and turned away from her face.

"I didn't say you weren't but I've know you to be like that to others, but you seem to care a lot for that boy, I'm sure you just gave him a stern talking to."

Hestia shrugged once again she was right, but it didn't bother her.

"Either way, Bell thinks you want to kill him."

Artemis lowered her book and a face of disbelief followed.

"What?"

She just looked at her friend.

'Did, did I really give him that impression?'

"Ha-ha-ha-ha" She jumped out of her confusion at the sound of her friend's laughter only to realise she was tricked.

"Ohhh I'm sorry but your face was priceless I just had to."

Hestia was taken aback by her reaction normally she'd shrug it off or go on some tangent how men deserve such treatment for being perverted beasts.

"HESTIA DON'T! DON'T DO THAT!" She was noticeably cross, but Hestia continued to laugh uncontrollably.

"Why do you care? That's the expectation you give to every man that meets you, heck one wrong look and you'd sooner throw them to the wolves then give them a thought."

"Just because I'm mad at him doesn't mean I want to kill him". Artemis tried to defend her normally stonewall opinion towards the opposite sex, but she knew full well Hestia was right.

"Ohh come on Artemis it's not often I get to play these tricks and even less often you fall for it, look if it makes you feel better I won't do it any more."

Artemis sighed, she took her words seriously and decided to shift the conversation back to the point at hand.

"What did you say to him?"

Hestia deciding that this would be the most opportune time to sit down, joined her at the table.

"Curious about what we talked about or perhaps you think I gave a bad impression of you?"

"No, I'm just interested to know what he had to say why should I care what he thinks of me?"

Hestia wanted to test the waters but once again decided it was best not to go swimming heck she didn't want Artemis to be pissed of with her, but she couldn't help but go fishing for a reaction so she laid out some bait.

"I just asked him what happened while I was gone, and for the most part, he told me exactly the same as you."

Artemis just nodded once again taking interest in her book she was still listening but wanted to find where she was before just so she could get back to reading when the conversation was over.

"However, he did mention something very interesting."

Artemis raised a brow but didn't pay her the attention she wanted expecting it to be another trap.

"Hmmm what was that?" She opened the book trying to find the page she had been on.

"Ohh nothing something about an incident that took place just after I left."

Artemis stopped flicking through the pages, as a cold chill ran through her at the sudden realisation that Hestia may know what took place that morning.

"Ohhh did he?" Artemis was trying to keep her cool, hoping that she just misheard, the last thing she wanted was for Hestia to find out.

"Yeah, in fact, he seemed pretty embarrassed to talk about it at first but I got him to talk."

Hestia took the time to look at her friend, who was hidden behind her book. But she knew she was embarrassed.

"Something the matter Artemis?" She said in a slightly sarcastic manner.

Artemis, on the other hand, just shook her head.

"What was that I couldn't see you from behind your book?"

Artemis could feel her face going red, and she knew that Hestia was baiting her and she knew more then she was saying.

"No... Why would there be?" She was having a hard time keeping it as one sentence. Her mind was flashing back to that morning and it was playing with her thoughts. However it was too embarrassing to say so she just played the defensive.

"I'm sure you said nothing happened while I was away beside a small incident at dinner."

"And nothing did!" her tone was harsh she was growing tired of this trap. This was her friend why couldn't she see that she didn't want to talk about this?

Artemis just wanted to get up and leave, but at this point, she dug herself into this one and she needed to find a way to get out before...

"So you're telling me Bell didn't see you half-naked this morning and instead of being the gentleman and leaving stood and admired."

Artemis just sat in complete shock. She knew. She knew everything, Bell had told her, and deep down she felt betrayed knowing that. She trusted him to forget about it to act like it was nothing instead he told her without a second thought.

Hestia, on the other hand, was playing this to her advantage she didn't know why Artemis didn't bring this up, but she was sure as hell going to.

"He wasn't supposed to tell you that."

Hestia was surprised. Part of her thought that she was going to deny it, but instead she wasn't going to hide the fact, what surprised her most was that she asked Bell not to say anything or at least not bring it up.

"Artemis Bell is Familia you may not understand, but like I said Bell couldn't lie to me."

Artemis turned silent, she just wanted to leave go somewhere quiet and relax instead she found herself toyed with by her friend no less. Part of her just wanted to get up and leave the other wanted to say something but instead she just sat and took it.

"Artemis we've been friends for so long why wouldn't you tell me about this? Why would you try to hide this?" Hestia wasn't playing any games. She didn't have any motive. She just wanted to know why her friend was keeping things from her.

Artemis finally closed the book and placed it down on the table. Her expression changed.

"You know what Hestia? Yes I hid it from you but did you ever stop and ask why? Perhaps I just made a mistake, one that I just want to forget. I swallowed my pride and made peace, I could have broken every one of his bones for what he saw, instead, I forgave him."

She paused, letting what she just said sink in, Hestia looked like she wanted to say something, but she stopped her.

"Take a moment and think about that, Hestia. I forgave him. For the first time in my existence I forgave a man for seeing me in such an erotic manner. He stood and watched me while I was at my weakest. What made it worse even when I woke up I didn't even realise. I made a mistake and I wanted nothing more than to forget about it and My only request was that he would forget about it and never speak of it."

"You know you were right Hestia, maybe I should have given him the same treatment as everyone else because he's like every other man I've met. Up until a moment ago, I was willing to forgive him but you know what he doesn't deserve it."

Hestia gave up trying to speak she didn't want this, not to see her friend upset.

"I'm upset that I let my guard down, I'm angry my friend keeps trying to pry information that I don't want to speak about. But I'm most hurt that I trusted him not to tell you, and that trust was so easily thrown away. But I should have known after all men are just untrustworthy."

With that she got to her feet and made her way to the door no longer wanting to remain confined to this room.

"Artemis I didn't mean to."

"Don't speak to me Hestia I hoped as my friend you'd at least understand that when I don't tell you something, it's for a reason."

She opened the door and left, leaving Hestia alone.

Authors notes.

Ahhh another chapter another conflict. To anyone that commented that this relationship was running smoothly and quickly and to that I say (It was until someone mentioned it). Jokes aside no this isn't going to be a quick yeah ok couple of chapters and their together. No no no I didn't rewrite this story and add a memory loss plot into this just to say fuck it. Still, I will admit these two are closer then they should be, and while yes no it's not normal I did leave hints as to why that is, however, for the most part, I intend to grow these two's relationship not force it.

That was point one point two I have been holding off on writing this story, with the current problems in the world I found a lack of time to the write due to the nature of my work. However, I'm now free of those and thought it best to get a chapter and an update on this story. side note I was so busy that I didn't even realise I got 100 favourites. Which yeah for me is a big deal I did this story as a pass time and wasn't expecting it to be so well received. I'm grateful to everyone that continued to follow and read this story and put up with its confusing plot at times. Soo Chapter 20 damn that's a thing in its self. Yes chapter 20 second milestone chapter please look forward to it in the coming days, weeks, a month maybe I don't know honestly and I'm not making promises.

Like every other chapter please comment on what you liked, hated what could have been done better, any questions I try to reply when I can, let me know if you're looking forward to the next chapter. Follow if you want to know when I next post a chapter. Thanks for reading.

p.s. I hope everyone is well and not suffering in these current times with everything that's going on we all need to remain strong and persevere. I know many have fallen ill and or suffering with the situation as a whole. Please stay safe it's going to be rough but there's always a light at the end of the tunnel.

/pCGVwnWNgA