Is It Wrong to Regrow a Family on a Farm

DISCLAIMER: Danmachi belongs to its respective owners. This story is a fan-made depiction of a fan what-if route of the original work and the characters in it abide by the fictional laws in the setting.

Story Commissioned by a patr'on.


[Chapter 1] Remembrance

Part 1

Bell never had anything to call his own, not until Hestia found him crawling through Orario's alleys.

The Goddess of the Hearth had literally revitalized his life from the moment they met, bathing him with the light of hope and her fervent belief that he would become someone great —Just as he'd always dreamed of.

A childish dream, but one that Bell made real through blood and chivalrous effort.

Bell started off slow, never gaining much without taking risks either.

The Goddess of the Hearth coddled him, perhaps far too much than was required by someone divine, but it was all done with his well-being in mind —Not that it approached danger from approaching him instead.

A moment he would never forget, engraved into his very soul.

The sight of his first love saving him from death by the hands of a Minotaur.

Bell had always been someone who'd liked exotic features, having even told his Goddess of how he'd found certain races such as the elves and the like far more beautiful than others —Hestia had merely played it off as a childish interest, and nothing more.

Ais Wallenstein had, initially, proved that Bell's childish interest were just that: childish.

The sight of the Sword Princess easily dispatching what would've killed him made the gears in Bell's soul turn in directions that reality was never prepared for, in ways that nobody had expected or hoped for either.

Bell Cranel had fallen in love with the Sword Princess, and damned the young adventurer be if he didn't try his hardest to become someone who could match her, someone who would stand by her side as equals.

Ais Wallenstein inspired him to become someone better, someone worth counting on.

The single-minded pursuit led bell to spend an entire year doing exactly that: Honing his skills, facing insurmountable odds, and even forced him to decide between what he felt was right and what his heart desired in the face of whom he loved.

Bell Cranel grew strong, a far cry from the child that Hestia found, and matured to the point that everyone recognized his name as the Captain of the Hestia Familia —He who'd lead the adventurers who took down the almighty Freya Familia from the top.

All just to prove that he was someone equal to the woman he had loved.

And it was with such strength that Bell led an even bigger party —Nay, a party would be too small of a word. An army, Orario's Army for a lack of a better name.

The army of several Familias that marched right into the nest of the Epic Monster that had once escaped the dungeon in the far past, causing so much strife and almost bringing humanity to its knees.

Bell Cranel target was none other than the One-Eyed Black Dragon.

A monster who had taken everything from the woman that Bell had fallen in love, and the monster who sought to bring ruin to everything he cherished after it was woken up.

There would be no better way to prove that he was worth of the woman he'd put on a pedestal other than kill that which had drove her almost insane in her quest for revenge.

Bell Cranel knew Ais's story, having learnt it from herself and by the Gods' long since involved with the calamities once wrecking the world a thousand years in the past.

Any other time, Bell would've backed off from the seemingly impossible task that even his predecessors failed to complete, but it was his blind love that pushed him forward.

The same night Ais shared her story, the same night Ais shared his bed, and the same night before the eve of the battle, Bell Cranel turned his blind love into strength.

A single-minded pursuit, energy built up one-sidedly for an entire year, spent to deliver the killing blow to the Black Dragon.

Bell did not fight alone. All his friends, his Familia, his comrades bought him the precious time needed to convert all their shared thoughts and emotions into miraculous power itself.

There were far too many close calls, and some that Bell refused to let their memories disappear from his heart, before he'd pierced the Black Dragon's exposed heart with the dagger gifted by the Goddess of the Hearth.

A historic moment that would be sun for ages, but one that Bell did not take credit for. It was in his nature to deny his ego and call the whole event a team effort; Not knowing that without him, nothing would've been as easy, or rather… nothing would ever been.

Bell Cranel ushered an age of peace for the surface, one where Adventurers and Gods alike could put their all into focusing on the Dungeon instead of preparing for the inevitable calamity that was no more.

The time of peace would in turn give Bell some much needed rest with those he loved, with whom he had loved.

And it was in such time that Bell learnt, love and admiration were not the same.


- 0 - To Regrow a Family - 0 -


It took almost six months after the One-Eyed Black Dragon was slain before the festivities in Orario ended, though the populace still refused to do anything but cheer for Hestia Familia whenever they saw them on the streets.

How could they not, when it was Hestia's Captain who'd contributed the most.

Bell was already well-known for all his previous feats, but the dragon-slaying title was by far the most sung and paraded one —to the point that Bell's friends had to fight off hordes of suitors, both male and female, in order to keep his chastity safe.

Not that anyone but those he trusted knew of his relationship with Ais.

And not that everyone he trusted was happy with such relationship, either.

Loki, by far, was the most vocal of all. Always bemoaning about Bell having taken away her beloved child, and when drunk, belittling his efforts during the fight with the Black Dragon.

Bell took it in stride. He knew well that without the help of Loki's executives, along with many other Familias personnel, he would have never had the chance to deliver the killing strike to the fabled monster.

Thought even Bell had to admit, some of the words Loki and her children used behind his back did hurt.

He tried to never let it get to his head; his Familia and friends were always there to assuage him over his role, reminding him of his importance, and never letting him forget that it was not for fame nor glory that he had risked his life.

But words were just that words.

It wasn't really until he was in the arms of Ais at night that he was truly reminded of the real reason that he had fought so hard for.

All for the smile of the woman that he had loved.


- 0 - To Regrow a Family - 0 -


Ais clutched a white bedsheet to her chest, hiding most of her body, with her golden hair spread in a disheveled mess.

"You were rougher today, did something happen?"

Bell remained silent for a moment, merely basking in the afterglow and regaining his breath before he turned on his side and reached for Ais's hand.

"Nothing of importance."

Nothing that would stop him from loving Ais, emotionally and physically, nor nothing that would stop her from receiving all his previously-built-up one-sided loved.

Though he really shouldn't continue calling it one-sided any longer because Ais had made it quite clear that she was happy to be with him too, perhaps one of the only remaining things that she could call 'her own happiness.'

Nobody had been surprised that Bell and Ais became a thing after the dragon was dead, it had been almost obvious at that point due to how Bell had gently, but firmly, pushed away all his previous suitors regardless of the tears and promises of a waiting for a future that would never be.

However, some did worry that their relationship could turn sour… There were several issues that neither Bell nor Ais spoke nor tried to resolve, as neither was ready to speak such problems out.

But it was a waste of time trying to get between them.

If not even Hestia and Loki could not separate these two, then who could?

Bell and Ais had long since moved out of their respective Familias' homes, having bought a small-sized house with three bedrooms in secret with the help of some kind folk from the Guild. There truly was nobody who could get between them when they were alone far more often than when they were accompanied by their friends.

The first month that Ais and Bell lived together, there was almost always someone else with them. Be it Riveria or Welf, or Haruhime and Hestia, or someone like Mord and Ganesha himself.

Their home had become something of a recreational spot for those who'd survived the Black Dragon, at least until Hestia and Loki put their foot down and declared Bell's house off-limits due to 'her child needing some space for himself'.

Obviously, Hestia meant Bell living alone and Loki meant Ais living alone, not Bell and Ais living alone 'together'.

That was what happened, regardless.

Four months Bell and Ais had lived together already, with the first month filled with visits, and the next three being rather an awkward mess of learning the boundaries of each other until they had gotten comfortable.

"Right there!"

Far too comfortable.

'Gramps would be proud of me'


- 0 - To Regrow a Family - 0 -


Jove was not proud of him.

Bell knew.

A letter had been delivered.

In the early hours of the morning.

By the man himself.

The dead man himself.

"Don't speak of this to anyone."

Jove's face.

Jove's voice.

Jove's stern quirk of his eyebrows when displeased.

It was all the same as Bell remembered.

"G-gramps?"

Bell reached for him, but Jove stepped away from the doorframe.

"Can't talk." Jove pointed at the letter in Bell's hands. "Write back."

If Bell hadn't been so stunned by his 'dead' grandfather's appearance, he'd have laughed at the sight of his old man wrapping a towel around his face and running away with a limp towards an alley.

Bell didn't even try to follow, as he almost knew by heart that he wouldn't find his grandfather even if he was faster than the man —Jove had already faked his death once, escaping from him a second time would be child's play.

Instead, Bell walked back inside his house, sat on the love seat in the living room and fiddled with the mail Jove had given him.

The envelope was heavy and something protuberated at the bottom of it,

Bell was careful when opening it, but the items inside still fell onto his lap no sooner had he pried apart the envelope.

Two necklaces, with brilliant and round gemstones as the centerpiece of both.

"Never took you for one that liked gems, gramps."

Bell fiddled with them, carefully separating the two necklaces, and set them on the table near him.

The letter became his next focus.

"Oh."

And the reason why Bell did not move from his spot for the next hour.


- 0 - To Regrow a Family - 0 -


Disregarding the whole spiel about how Bell had failed to accomplish his grandfather's dream of obtaining a harem, the remaining parts of the letter were… eye-opening and soul-wrenching to say the least.

Perhaps others would find the letter being just that: A letter.

For Bell, however, it was the story of the past that nobody had ever told him about.

The past that nobody even knew he'd been a part of.

The past from which…

…only two necklaces remained …

Ais was not awake to see his tears, nor did she wake up during the time it took Bell to write a letter back to Zeus —and wasn't that a surprise in and of itself too— and put the necklaces somewhere nobody would see them, nobody except Bell himself.

It would be another week before Bell even gathered to courage to tell the person he trusted the most about his grandfather's overexaggerated death.

And perhaps, it was the start of where all his troubles began too.

"Good for you."

Ais's face had been a blank mask.

"Your relative still lives."

Ais's tone had been dark.

"Unlike mines."

Because Bell had killed the last living relative Ais had.

A mercy kill.

Because Ais had asked him to do deed, herself not having the strength or heart to do so.

Perhaps, that truly was the point where all the bitterness started.


- 0 - Milk - 0 -


Bell did not tell anyone but Ais about his grandfather's reappearance, neither did Ais as he'd asked her to keep the secret; she found no issue keeping it, spoke through empty words about how glad she was that he wasn't alone in the world no more.

Whether Ais had been happy or not mattered little, neither Bell nor Ais could change the present without doing something extremely stupid and drastic.

However, Bell was no fool.

In the coming months that Bell spent trading letters back and forth with his grandfather, Bell always noticed the bitterness that Ais robbed herself with —Though he'd always find ways to disrobe her negative emotions and clothes at night, they would always return the next morning.

In some twisted way, such was the lifestyle that Ais had cultivated.

All her life except for her early childhood, Ais had been someone drowning in negative emotions without searching for things that would make her content —things beyond her surrogate mother, Riveria, or the steamed treats that Ais ate all the time.

It was for that very same reason that Bell did not speak with Ais about what his grandfather wrote him.

He did not wish to make Ais unhappy —it was her happiness that made him become someone strong… right?

So, Bell roped Ais into going out in public with him instead of staying cooped up in their home and merely enjoying their 'alone time'. After all, the next step into their relationship was to make it public, so what better way than to do so by being seen together and actively enjoying it.

The change of scenarios served wonders for Ais's mental health, and so did it for Bell since neither had time to worry about what-ifs.

Bell didn't get to write much to Zeus during that time period, despite his grandfather's letters piling up in Bell's drawers. A consequence of the young boy taking more time into enjoying it with the family he was trying to build up.

He'd been dating Ais for almost eight months, nine months total since the Black Dragon's death, so Bell was looking forward to something new —something that both him and Ais had always lacked until then.

As any other relationship, one that lived through highs and lows, it was only natural for Bell to announce to all their friends and Familia of his intent to propose to Ais sometime soon, thereby bringing Loki and Hestia Familias' even closer together.

The less Bell said about how his friends questioned him over whether he truly was ready for such a giant step, the better.

It's not that they had no faith in him…

"You guys have been going out less than a year. Don't you think you're rushing things a bit?"

Welf words had some merit to them, but…

"It's been almost two years since I fell in love with her, Welf. If I don't strike now, I'll regress to who I was before…" Bell winced, "I was pretty clueless and naïve, Ais deserves better than that."

"If you say so."

If only Welf had responded with what Bell needed to hear back then, perhaps the future would've been different.


- 0 - To Regrow a Family - 0 -


Bell was always one to wear his heart on his sleeves, so it had been easy for those extremely close to him to spot his growing discomfort as the months had gone by —the months that he'd spent preparing to propose to Ais.

"Oi! Rabbit Foot!" Mord was an unusual friend, but the rough man had grown on him. "Ya' sure you don't wanna' go gambling with us? We could use the luck, y'know?"

"Sorry Mord, can't do today." Bell declined, scratching his cheek. "Ais's needs me for something later."

It's not like Bell didn't want to go with them, but Ais needed him by her side otherwise who knows what his airheaded girlfriend would end up messing within their home.

"Man, you sure are whipped." Mord knocked him on the back, "Haven't ya' thought about the things you want?"

It's not like Bell hadn't given thought to those things, but he'd postponed them for Ais's wellbeing.

"I have what I want, Mord." Bell smiled, "And I'm happy with it."

"Aite'" Mord shrugged, "If ya' change your mind, you'll know where to find us!"

Bell didn't waste any more time with Mord's group, instead he raced back home before Ais decided to cook again. She wasn't that bad, but whenever she got creative, the food started moving.


- 0 - To Regrow a Family - 0 -


But the discomfort only grew, it was only natural.

Bell had been postponing doing everything he liked for keeping his girlfriend happy, which included going out and having fun with his friends —his Familia even.

"My Bell, have you been well?" Hestia carefully hugged him, having visited his house after not seeing him for over a month.

"Hello Goddess, I have." Bell had matured enough to not be bothered by the physical contact with his Goddess anymore, so long as she kept it to this extent. "Sorry for not seeing you guys lately, I've been busy helping Ais around the house…"

"We know." Hestia made a face that told just how badly she disliked even hearing Ais's name but reserved her thoughts for herself. She was beyond the point of trying to control her child.

Trying had only pushed him away more, after all.

"I've brought you some food that Haruhime and Mikoto cooked together."

Haruhime…

That was a name and face he hadn't seen in a long time.

The lovely and shy Renard who'd boosted him from level 7 to level 9 during the fight with the Black Dragon, a magical mystery unique to her and her race's skills.

The same lovely and shy Renard who'd cried for weeks after Bell had carefully rejected her growing advances.

His own heart almost giving in to her tears and pleas when nobody else no longer tried, when she visited him at night to sleep by his side —A final request she made, if only to never forget what a life by his side could've been like.

In the end, their friendship remained as such.

Friends; no more, no less.

"You will always remain my hero, Bell… Thank you."

"I-I see…" Bell's memories made him wince, "Are they well, Goddess?"

"Everyone is well. Welf and Lili leveled up last month after the whole Familia took down the Goliath…"

Goddess Hestia continued detailing the life of his friends and Familia in his absence, and all the while closing the distance from where she had initially sat until she was side by side with him.

Not that Bell noticed.

He'd been lost in thoughts and memories whenever Goddess Hestia mentioned the name of someone he hadn't seen in a while, reminding him that he really had to give them a visit…

"My Bell, are you really well?" Hestia's voice from so close drove him out of memory lane.

"Of course. Why would you ask, Goddess?"

"it's just… you have dark circles under your eyes… You're not having too much fun with that Wallensomething, right?"

Bell blushed despite his maturity, "N-no. We, uhm, don't do it as often anymore Goddess. I've just been busy, that's all."

Busy….

Right, that was all.

He'd been so busy…

His grandfather's letters didn't fit in one drawer alone anymore, and he hadn't responded to many with how busy he was….

He'd barely even have time to watch the neckla—

"Oh. Goddess Hestia." Ais mumbled from the doorway of the master bedroom, hair and Bell's white shirt a crumply mess. "I didn't know you were going to visit…"

"Hello Child, I see you haven't changed at all." Hestia grumbled, "At least have the decency to dress properly before leaving your room!"

"Ah… right."


- 0 - To Regrow a Family - 0 -


Only month left and Bell would be dating Ais for an entire year already.

Only eleven months together, a long time when counted in days but extremely short when doing so in years.

Bell was happy.

Ais was happy.

Their Familias were happy.

Everyone was happy.

Only on surface level, though.

Only when nobody asked for details.

Only when Bell ignored his hobbies.

Only when Bell managed to stabilize Ais's mentality.

Only when Bell put his all on the line for the woman he loved.

"I'd like to paint this room with a blue color…"

But Ais replied, "I think yellow's better."

So, the room was painted yellow.

"I feel like cooking hamburgers today…"

But Ais replied, "I want to eat stuffed chicken…"

So, they ate stuffed chicken.

"Syr invited us for lunch this weekend…"

But Ais replied, "Ah… Riveria wanted to go to Melen with us…"

So, they went to Melen.

Bell was happy.

Ais was happy.

Almost everyone was happy.

So long as they ignored the details.


- 0 - To Regrow a Family - 0 -


Gramps, sorry for not writing you any sooner. I just been too busy.
I hope you've been well, and that sometime, we may be able to meet.
I read the last few letters… It's not that I didn't like them, but they're my friends.
I love Ais and I wouldn't trade her for the anything in the world, she's special to me.
Maybe you won't understand even if I tried to explain it, so please drop the subject already.

As for the things you told me about your Familia… I'll look into it, it's the least I can do for dad.
And about… them…
Thank you,
- Your Nephew
P.S: Get your mind out of the gutter.


- 0 - To Regrow a Family - 0 -


Long white hair.

Blue eyes.

A soft smile.

A benevolent gaze.

Prim, proper, kind.

And so, so frail…

"Mom…"

The necklaces had a gimmick which allowed for the gemstones to be rotated in place and taken out, thereby revealing the small picture safely kept inside.

Long white hair.

Green and gray eyes.

A cold smile.

A heavy frown.

Regal, composed, but just as kind.

And so, so strong…

The blue-gemstone necklace had a picture of Alfia, of his aunt.

The green-gemstone necklace had a picture of Meteria, of his mother.

He inherently knew why.

It was the same picture for both.

A picture of Alfia carrying Meteria in her arms, in a bridal carry, while his mother smiled at the camera and Alfia made a face showing that she was not very comfortable with the whole event.

It was comical, but to Bell —it made him tear up.

If only the past been just a tiny bit different…

But the past was the past, and he had to move on…

"Ais, I'll be going out today."

"Stay safe."

Or at the very least, put it to rest.


- 0 - To Regrow a Family - 0 -


There were very few people whom Bell trusted and could get information from, and the first one that he went to was someone Bell knew would never end up betraying him.

Freya loved him more than the world itself, after all.

"I'm surprised you made time in your incredibly busy schedule to visit me, Bell~"

Freya was in her usual Syr persona, though it was more accurate to say that she had fully become Syr once she could no longer remain as Freya, at least not in Orario.

"I was curious about stuff from the past…"

"Are you calling me old?"

"… No comment."

"What is it, then? How to please women? Because I'll have to let you know; a practical lesson would be b—"

"Not that, either."

"Then?"

"What do you remember about… Hera and Zeus?"

Several hours went by, with Bell not needing to even dodge Freya's questions about why he wanted that knowledge. All he had to do was ask another question and Freya would respond to him, leaving her own question hanging.

He knew it was wrong of him to use her love for him like that, but it was the only way that Bell could keep his grandfather's existence a secret from Freya herself, and in the same manner, the only way that he could avoid lying to a God too.

But he got the answers he needed, or at least the stories that corroborated what his grandfather had written.

It's not like Bell was going to do anything for the Familias long gone, that wasn't his intention at all.

All he wanted.

All he needed.

Was to learn more about them…

About his family…

And by hearing Freya's memories of the past events where Hera and Zeus commanded the strongest Familias in Orario, Bell learnt more about his family.

At least one side of them.

Alfia was someone extremely well renown for good… and for worse.

"If… if you still consider me someone you like… could you at least tell me why you're asking about them?"

"Someone told me that my father was in one of those two's Familias so I was curious… wanted to see if I could find out more about him."

It wasn't a lie, nor was it the whole truth.

And Freya didn't ask him for more.

She wouldn't.

She didn't.

"I see… Bell, are you happy?"

"Yes."

"I see… I'll see you again?"

"Yes."

"Take care… and say hi to her for me."


- 0 - To Regrow a Family - 0 -


The next person Bell looked for information on another day was Loki, his surrogate-mother-Goddess, kinda. Freya had butted heads with Hera far more often than Loki had, but Loki wasn't that far off behind. It only natural that Bell asked her about them too.

Though, he really should've known better than to ask her.

"Hera? That crazy bitch?"

Almost everything that came out of Loki's mouth was some form of curse or slander, anything that could vilify Hera's existence in his eyes.

If Bell hadn't been told by someone even closer to Hera than Loki, he would've easily fallen prey to the vicious remarks Loki spoke at length. Loki did mention some things that Hera actually did that would paint the Goddess as someone crazy, but Loki would often exaggerate.

And Loki was the one to tell him something important about his mother.

"All I know is that before we kicked Hera out, there was a Child in her Familia that she was extremely close with. To the point that she had almost broken some heavenly laws to prolong her life, not that she did in the end."

"Thank you, Goddess Loki."

"How has Ais been by the way? Why didn't you bring her with you!?"

"Riveria and Ais went out for a walk together since early."

"Oh, mama's with her, all good then." Loki grinned, "Hehe, you were left alone, hehe."

".. right, so… what do you remember about Zeus then? You spoke a lot about him too…"

He

Really

Should

Have

Known

Better.

"Zeus?"

Loki snorted.

"Zeus and his bunch of cowards?"

Loki guffawed.

"Heroes they called them, as if!"

Loki laughed to herself.

"So many became Evilus after we kicked them out!"

Loki shook her head amused.

"Bastions of hope? Ha! Murderers, the whole lot of them."

"Joining hands with the darkness itself, 'to train future heroes', pfft!"

"All they got in the end were early graves and made even earlier graves for people within Orario, that's what they did!"

"Killing Gods, Adventurers and even children alike —'For the good of the world' ha!"

"I'll tell you about Zeus and his cowards, I'll tell you everything I remember about them!"


- 0 - To Regrow a Family - 0 -


One year, for one year Bell dated Ais already.

Their relationship had matured into something stable enough for Bell to finally find the courage to propose to Ais. Asking her hand in marriage on a fine dinner night and receiving a 'yes' as his response.

Their Familias congratulated them, attended their wedding, brought them gifts and joyous words alike; wishes for a prosperous future and more.

Bell had attained what he had wanted most in life.

Bell was a Hero.

Bell had Ais.

And now, Bell would have a family.

An actual Family to call his own.

They expanded their home, hoping that all rooms would soon be crowded —They were strong, they were rich, and they were retired. It was only natural that after marrying, children would be the next giant step.

Neither Bell nor Ais attempted to have one initially, still taking care as neither was too sure yet whether they were up to the monumental task that laid ahead.

Or that's how it was for Ais at least.

Bell…

Something else held him back.

"Do you think our children will have white or blond hair?"

Ais replied, "If it's a girl, I want her to have my hair… but if it's a boy, I'm fine with either."

"Yeah… Yeah, I think I like how that sounds a lot."

Ais replied, "I know."

Something that he really should've known.

"You know, we haven't thought about names yet."

Ais replied, "You haven't?"

"You have?"

Ais replied, "Yes."

"Oh… well… It's not that I haven't but, well… what do you think of the name 'Meteria' for a girl?"

Ais replied, "It's lovely… but… if it's a girl… I'd like her to be named Aria."

"Ah… Right, yeah… Aria, you're right. Ais, do you still—"

Ais replied, "Yes, but it doesn't hurt anymore. Don't worry, come let's sleep… I'm tired."

Something that if someone else had told him before then he would've realized.

"You know, I heard from Loki about the Familia my father was from…"

Ais replied, "You did? Was it a strong Familia or?"

"He was from the Zeus Familia, not that Loki knew exactly whom he was but she told me a lot about them. They were—"

Ais cut him off, "Cowards and murderers."

"… I was going to say strong and righteous…"

Ais frowned, "They were weak. They failed when Orario needed them the most."

"But they did a lot in the past for Orario, before failing that is…"

Ais shook her head, "Strength means nothing if you can't keep your promises to those you're protecting."

Ais kissed him, "That's why you're strong. You've always kept your promises…"

The apple never fell far from the tree.

It was something that only became more obvious as the months married to Ais went by.

The issues they ignored for as long as they dated finally started popping to the surface, requiring the married couple to solve them whether they wanted to or not.

Starting from the negative emotions Ais felt towards his female friends, those who still tried to actively chase after Bell even when he was a married man.

"You need to put your foot down!"

"I am!"

"Then how do you explain that pallum girl from your Familia kissing your cheek while hugging you, huh!?"

"It wasn't like that, and I haven't seen them for two months, Ais!"

It was only natural.

Bell had always made everything about his life be related to Ais in some way or manner, to the point that after they married —Ais expected him to be entirely dedicated to her.

His everything belonged to her.

Including what he could or couldn't do.

That was the way Bell had treated her for so long.

So, really.

It was only natural.

But they resolved the issue… by Bell keeping his distance from his friends and Familia, still visiting them but no longer physically interacting with any beyond what was required.

"You know, you spend a lot of time writing those letters… Don't you have something better to do?"

"It's for my grandfather Ais, we've been through this…"

"He doesn't need you like I do…"

"I know, I know. Just give me a minute more and I'll be done, okay?"

"Hurry…"

His time belonged to Ais.

Including what he did or didn't do.

That was the way Bell had used his time for her.

So, really.

It was only natural.

But they resolved the issue… by Bell writing less and less again, or finding the scant few moments where Ais went out with Riveria or her Familia to complain about him, and used those moments to write back to his grandfather.

But Bell was happy since he still made Ais happy, more often than when she was sad.

He was happy with his life.

He had a wife he loved.

And soon…

"Airmid confirmed it…" Ais rubbed her taut belly, "We'll have a child!"

"R-really?"

"Yes!" Ais hugged him for all he was worth, "We don't know the gender yet, but it doesn't matter!"

"You're going to be a mother…"

"Yes!"

"The mother of my child…"

"Yes!"

Bell fainted from happiness.

He was happy.

His happiness belonged to Ais.

That was the way Bell had been happy for so long.

So, really.

It was only natural.

That when nothing truly belonged to him except his future child, Bell would rediscover himself.


- 0 - To Regrow a Family - 0 -


Gramps, I'm going to be a dad.
Thank you for raising me so well,
I'll do my best to raise my child just as well.

I'll be too busy to write you back from today on,
I have to prepare many things for my future child.

I hope that wherever you are, you are safe and well.
Love you, your nephew.


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More surprises.

More congratulations.

More preparations.

Less time for himself.

Less time for his friends.

Less time for those he cared about.

More moments with Ais.

More moments with the mother of his child.

More moments that he would treasure for the rest of his life.

Less fights.

Less issues.

Less problems.

More hours went by.

More days passed by.

More months, in the blink of an eye.

Until Bell could no longer delude himself.

Not after those words.

Not after that one single moment.

Not after Ais uttered.

"I'm glad they're dead!"


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"Mister Cranel?"

"Mister Cranel, what are you doing out here?"

"It's raining. You're going to catch a cold if you stay outside any longer."

"Did something happen, Mister Cranel?"

"Bell, please respond."

Bell shivered and slurred, "Ion'I don wana go home…"

"You're… drunk…"

Bell smiled, "no… s'just… tired…"

"…"

".. Haa…"

Bell didn't put a fight when he was pulled up to his feet.

"Come, let's get you out of the rain."

"Thank you…"

Left, right, left, right.

He left, and righteously got drunk.

He was left, and somehow had gone right.

His left foot followed his right foot.

His left shoulder over her, and his right arm tightly held by her.

"Thank you…"

"Thank you…"

Bell smiled,

"…really…"

"Thank you…"

..

It was his turn to cry in her arms, just like she had so long in the past.

"Thank you, Ryuu."


- 0 - To Regrow a Family Part 1 End - 0 -