Here you guys go. This is a smaller chapter that is important to the story but its also kinda filler? Idk. I think its important for real though. Plus you get to see more and more of Bell getting better with the ladies.
I hope you enjoy this story!
Leaving the dungeon, Welf and Bell grinned at each other. Welf was carrying a large sack over his shoulder as they walked up the stairs from the dungeon into Babel. Welf laughed softly.
"Jeez. The amount of drop items we got was insane. We actually made good money despite only going to the fifth floor. We went down to the fifth within half an hour and then spent hours down there. You're insane Mr Level 2 in a month." Welf teased. Bell grinned at Welf.
"I'm glad that we are doing so well together. Though, I really think we need to get someone else in the party so we can advance further, but I am also okay with just us two for a while." Bell nodded. Welf nodded in return.
"We could use a supporter for sure, but it's not a big deal right now. We'll get one soon enough. So, you ready for the party? It's in two hours I believe yeah?"
"I think so. I'm still not sure why I was selected to go… but I am thankful that my Goddess wants me to accompany her. I hope I don't embarrass her." Bell admitted, scratching the back of his head.
"I'd be more concerned that she'll embarrass herself."
"What does that mean? She's amazing!" Bell said, staring at Welf as he defended his Goddesses name. Welf raised his hands up to calm Bell down.
"I don't doubt that she is, but she has a mischievous streak and a temper. That's all I mean." Welf said, hoping that was enough to pacify Bell's desire to protect his Goddess.
"Well even so… I don't think she's an embarrassment." Bell said firmly, ending that topic with Welf raising his hands in surrender.
"Guess we need to both head home. We should meet up again tomorrow for another small dungeon run. I don't know how late we will be out tonight, so wanna get a lunch and then get started after?"
"Sure. Wanna eat at the Mistress?"
"Sure." Welf nodded before waving at Bell. "Later Bell. See you tonight! Unless we both get distracted with the dancing~" He teased before heading off. Bell waved bye in return, before running off, heading towards his home. He smiled at the thought. Home.
Upon arriving inside the front entrance of the home, Loki was already waiting walking down the stairs. She was dressed in a suit! Her suit was a red piece. The jacket was open, revealing a white shirt underneath as well as a small bow tie. Her pants were red and the shoes were black. Bell's jaw dropped, staring at the beautiful Goddess dressed like a boy. It fit her.
"There you are! You need to get dressed! We gotta leave soon if we're going to be on time!" Loki said, giving him the come here hand wave. Bell immediately rushed after her, climbing the stairs after his Goddess. "Bell, I'm not mad, but next time we need to set a ground rule for these things. You need a few hours HERE to get ready. You cannot afford to be late to these events. Or rather, we cannot afford. It's the name of my Familia that gets tarnished."
"Ah sorry! I didn't think! I was busy making lots of Valis." Bell explained, bowing his head to Loki as he followed her into her bedroom since she had waved him inside.
"That's fine and all, but just for future reference. Now strip. I already got you a suit." Loki said, gesturing to her bed. Bell blushed for a bit before Loki gave him a stare. "It's not like I haven't seen you naked before. Let's go." Loki said, trying to rush Bell as they were on the clock. Bell didn't hesitate after that, removing his armor and his shirt, tossing them to the ground. His shoes came off next, followed by his belt, then his pants. He was in his underwear now, before she stared at him. "Alright, new plan. You need to bathe. Go now, quickly. Quickly!" Loki said, pushing him out the door as she waited in her room for the boy to return.
Half an hour later, Bell returned to Loki's room, dressed in a new pair of underwear. He rushed over to her, where she handed him the black pants to the suit she had bought for him. Then came the socks and the black dress shoes, followed by his shirt. Loki knelt down and began helping Bell with his belt, putting it into his loops. She slapped his hands away.
"We don't have time." Loki scolded, snapping the belt into place as Bell pulled the shirt over his belt line, before putting on the slim black suit jacket. Loki stood up and gently brushed at the suit, moving it around to straighten it. "Okay, much better." Loki stated before humming. "Alright, how do I look?" Loki asked, backing off to gesture to her outfit.
"Oh! You are absolutely beautiful! This outfit fits you so well!"
"Oh? Is it because I look like a boy to you?" Loki challenged, trying to put Bell into a trap.
"Not at all! I could never see you as a boy! It's just, you don't act all feminine. You act… well yourself! You in a dress is a little weird!"
"Oh? I don't act like a girl?"
"Not really! You curse, you drink, you make jokes. You are you Goddess." Bell said with a smile. Loki smirked and nodded.
"There may be hope for you yet. Alright, let's get going. We should still be able to get there on time if we get a carriage." Loki stated as she made her way out of the room to leave. Bell followed quickly, matching pace. They got into a carriage a block away, luckily finding one.
Half an hour later, they exited the carriage at the gates of the Freya Familia home, spotting the mass amount of people pouring into the gates. Luckily they didn't get stopped to chat by anyone, even though Loki had entangled her arm with Bell. Bell was being led for a moment, but eventually switched their arm stance, before leading her inside. Loki smiled softly, looking at Bell. 'He's going to be okay.' She thought, nodding to herself.
As soon as she got in, she started to look around, spotting all of the familiar faces of the deitys and their favorite children. Loki spotted a familiar face, a small yet busty brunette who was holding the arm of a young looking child. It was a Prum. The Prum was very unassuming, so Loki paid no mind to it though she was happy that Hestia found a family member. She spotted Hephaestus and then a blonde man who got her to frown a bit.
'Great. So he has returned. Hope he keeps his schemes to himself. Even if he isn't evil… he is still a pain in the ass.' Loki thought. Her attention was stolen when Freya made herself known.
"Hello everyone. Welcome to my home. I hope you all have a lot of fun tonight as I know I will." She stated, casting her gaze across everyone but when her gaze slowly moved over Bell, she turned her head and gave him a flirty smile. Bell flushed a bit, but he didn't look away from her. He felt a slight tingle going up his spine, though it wasn't uncomfortable. Something about the woman sent a trill of pleasure up his spine. A few seconds later she looked away to continue with her party speech. "Now, I do hope the food is to your liking. If there is any issue with this party, be sure to bring it up to one of my Familia members~" She cooed, before taking the arm of the massive Boaz, heading down the stairs towards the party itself. The music began to play, coming from a small band. Loki removed herself from Bell, turning to face him for a moment.
"Alright Bell. I am going to go mingle and get something to eat. You should do the same. Maybe dance a little?" Loki offered, giving him a shrug before waving. Bell looked around, but he was surrounded. A sudden nausea overtook him and Bell frowned. He quickly moved through the crowd nearby, finding an empty spot along a wall. He placed his back to it, feeling the nausea disappear rather quickly once he found solid ground behind his back. He let out a sigh. He frowned a bit, not understanding why he felt that way so suddenly.
"That's an adventurers instinct you got there." Spoke a smooth male voice. Coming from the crowd itself was a blonde haired pretty boy, giving Bell an easy going smile.
"Is it…?" Bell wondered.
"Sure. You were surrounded by a bunch of strangers or in your instincts case. Monsters. You never want your back unprotected right?"
"I see. That makes sense… but how do I get rid of it for these… situations?"
"Just have to attend these things more and eventually, it'll work itself out. Ah but where are my manners. I am Hermes, the Messenger God."
"Oh! You were friends with Zeus right? Like one of his top right hand men?"
"Precisely." Hermes stated, giving Bell a grin. "Say, how do you know so much about Zeus and I?"
"Oh! My grandfather told me a lot about the Greeks. Zeus and Hermes were something he talked about the most of the Greeks."
"Oh? And what did he say Hermes is like?"
"Ah I am sure my Grandfather is just making up stories, but he said that you were a good man. Mischievous and ruthless. Always making plans and threading the strings of fate."
"Hahaha. Is that so? Well, I don't know if all that is true, but I do hope he mentioned that I am dashingly handsome." Hermes said with a grin.
"Mmmm. No. He mentioned that Zeus was the handsome one and Hermes was jealous."
"Ah, how those words hurt." Hermes said, clutching his heart. "Anyways. I hear you are the legendary Bell Cranel."
"Legendary?"
"Mmmm. You have the fastest level up that has ever been heard of. One month to level 2? Even the Sword Princess took a year or two."
"Oh… I see… is that… bad that I am the talk?"
"Mmmm. Could be. It's hard to say. I suppose its both good and bad. You might make some enemies who are jealous of you but I think most people will just be in awe." Hermes stated. "So, how goes it with the Loki Familia? You meet any babes?" Hermes asked, giving him a playful grin. Bell blushed, looking away. "Ahahah. I knew it. So, who do you have the hots for? Is it the sword Princess? Juggernaut? Or is it the Nine Hells herself? Or perhaps you fancy the Goddess over there hmmm?" Bell blushed hard, his blush getting larger and large with every name being listed, besides Ais. Each time his face grew more red, Hermes smile just grew bigger. "Oh my. All of them? Well Bell! What a sly dog you are! Hahaha!" Hermes just laughed before ruffling Bell on the head. "I wish you luck kid. Now then, I believe it's time we start dancing hmm?" He mentioned, looking around the ballroom. The music had turned slow, and several couples, most of them the Gods and their children, were dancing. Loki was busy arguing with a twin tailed brunette. Freya was surrounded by many men, Ottar standing nearby. He was huge and intimidating, but he didn't even glare at the men surrounding his lady. He was pretty chill it seemed. "Good luck Bell!" Hermes said as he walked off.
Bell sighed and looked around, before spotting Freya himself. Bell clenched his fists, staring at the beautiful deity. 'I need to… I can't let Loki take care of everything.' Bell took a deep breath and slowly made his way towards Freya, taking the long route around everyone, trying to avoid any crowds and anyone stopping him. 'I'll ask her to dance… and when we're alone there… I'll speak to her. Tell her off.' Bell nodded, thinking it was the right way to go. As he got closer, he heard many men speaking, demanding attention from Freya. Demanding a date, demanding a kiss, a date, anything and everything they could think of. Bell had to admit, he could see why. Freya was absolutely stunning. He loved her long silver hair. It was almost the same color as his own and he could appreciate that. As he approached, Ottar was the first to spot him. His rust-colored eyes bore into Bell's, making him hesitate before he moved forward anyway. He stood to the side, next to Ottar and Freya before clearing his throat.
Freya was politely turning people away when she heard a quiet throat clear. She turned her attention and looked down, before a bright smile went onto her face. She turned, ignoring the rest of the men trying to vie for her attention, focusing herself on Bell.
"My my, what do we have here. You must be Bell Cranel, is that right? You look absolutely adorable, like a little rabbit." She cooed, gently placing her slender hands on his face, before smooshing. "Did you come all this way just to come say hi to me? Have to admire your boldness~" She cooed. Bell gulped, feeling the pleasurable trill in his spine increase. He looked her into her eyes firmly, and began to speak.
"May I-" He squeaked, blushing hard at his embarrassment in front of the beautiful deity, before clearing his throat. "Could I have this dance?" He asked, looking up at the Goddess, offering a hand. Freya's eyes widened ever so slightly in surprise before her smile grew wide.
"My my, how could I ever refuse such a gentleman." Freya cooed, gently taking Bell's hand. This got the collective group of men to glare venomous daggers at Bell, cursing his name. At the same time, several male Familia members also began to glare at Bell from their stations. It was at that moment that the music changed to a very slow dance and heads began to turn as the murmurs of Freya's first dance began to circulate. It was at that moment that Loki turned to look from her argument with Hestia.
'Bell?! What are you doing! I told you to stay away from her! NO no this is bad! This is really bad!' Loki thought but she had no way of interrupting this without looking like a complete ass! 'Damnit Bell! She's bad news! I told you to stay away!'
Bell led Freya out onto the dance floor, making sure to take the lead. Even though he has never danced, he remembered his Grandfather telling him to take the lead. Always. To show the woman that you have some confidence and the rest is history. He doesn't need to know how to dance, just to step up. When they reached the dance floor, Freya smiled down at Bell, noticing he has no idea what he was doing. Freya laughed softly, before gently grabbing Bell by his hands.
"Here." Freya cooed, placing his left hand along her lower back, forcing the young man to blush heavily while she squeezed his right hand that she held. "There we go. Just like that alright? Mmmm this is your first dance? How lucky am I~" She cooed, her voice like velvet or silk, thick with lustful tones yet warmth. Bell closed his eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath, squeezing her hand before starting to move to the music, gently leading her. The sound of surprise from the Goddess turned into a coo. "Mmmm there we go…"
"Miss… Freya?"
"Mmmmm I prefer it if you just call me Freya… or My Lady." She said, before teasing at the last bit, getting Bell to blush. "But what is it?"
"Are you going to try and steal me away?" He asked bluntly, not beating around the bush. Freya looked a little surprised, but her eyes narrowed in mirth.
"Mmmm and what if I am? Does that excite you?" She teased, only for Bell to look up into her face. He was merely at chest height for her.
"I don't like the idea that you would do such a thing. Something terrible like that." Bell stated firmly, staring her down. Her eyes flashed before humming.
'How peculiar. He is immune to my charm. How much more are you going to surprise me?' She thought before focusing back on him and the statement. "What makes you think that I would care about doing something terrible?" She asked, challenging him. Bell and Freya swayed to the music, taking steps together with Bell leading. They had a crowd cheering them on as well as booing, glaring hatefully at Bell. Bell and Freya both ignored them, focusing on each other.
"Because… that is not who… that's not…" Bell stated, only to falter a few times. He was having trouble finding the words. Freya continued to stare into his eyes and decided to help out.
"Who do you think I am?" She asked, curious.
"I… You are the Goddess Freya. You are the Goddess of love, beauty, fertility, sex, war, gold and sight magic. Like, you can see things. I was told by my Grandfather about you. Or at least, what he said you are. He said that you are ruthless, obsessive…. But you are passionate. You take care of those that you care about. He said that Freya is very lonely, searching for her… Odr…?" Bell stated, giving her a small smile before looking back down at his feet. If he looked back up, he'd notice that a blush began to creep up on her cheeks. "That story saddened me. He talked about how Freya had fallen in love with a mortal man named Odr a long long time ago. They were deeply in love, but he was called off to go to war. She waited and waited at the shores, hoping to see his boat return… but it never did. The stories never said if she found love again, though I wish she had. That's the Freya that wouldn't do such awful things." Bell stated, only to shake his head. "Sorry. That's just the story my grandpa told me. I know it's not true. I guess I don't know who you are." He said, looking down at their feet, still making sure he was leading them right.
After a few more seconds, Freya pulled away from Bell, ending their dance. Bell looked up, only to see that Freya had walked away from him. Ottar had followed her, leaving with her as they exited to go deeper into the mansion away from the party and from him. That departure had halted the entire party, who then turned to look at Bell with renewed hatred. Bell looked around before disappearing into the hateful crowd. He left the room, going through the front doors before escaping. Not long after, Loki had pushed her way through, catching up to Bell with a concerned look.
"Bell. What happened?" Loki asked, not going to scold him right now.
"I… I'm not sure. She asked me who I thought Freya was… and I told her what my grandfather told me. Then she left?"
"How did… what exactly happened tonight? What were you guys talking about and why did you approach her?" Loki asked, gently taking Bell by his arm, leading him away from the mansion. For them, the party was over. Bell would match her pace before he started to lead her back home, taking the initiative again. Loki squeezed his hand but gestured to continue.
"I didn't want her to take me away… and I didn't want you to do all the work trying to keep me safe. I figured that… since I was here…. I'd try and talk her out of it?"
"Are you… Bell… that has got to be the stupidest yet most ballsy bravest move I could have thought." Loki said, shaking her head. "She has a stronger Familia you know… and our Familia is in the dungeon. If she wanted to, she could come after us right this moment and we would be defenseless." Loki said with a sigh. "So, what did you talk about?"
"I asked her if she was wanting to take me away from you." He said bluntly, making Loki almost trip over in surprise. Before she could speak, Bell continued. "I told her I don't believe someone like her would do something so terrible… she asked why, and then that's when I told her about Freya… or the stories." Bell said, before looking at Loki. "I'm sorry for not listening…"
"It's fine. What's done is done… considering that you did it for me and the Familia… I can't find it in me to get mad. Just… Damnit Bell. You are going to be a pain in my ass." Loki said with a sigh. Bell squeezed her hand firmly, giving her a warm loving smile.
"I'll always be your pain in the ass. From now and forever."
Read. Review. Moo.