How are we doing yall? I hope good. I started reading the Spin-Off of the Astrea family recently and couldn't help myself from wanting to write a Fanfic, combined with ideas from a viewer and a friend's request, I decided to write this.
I apologize if my interpretation of some characters' personalities is a bit off or not entirely to your liking; I try to keep the personalities canonical, even though it's an AU. I hope you enjoy it; to be honest, I had a lot of fun writing this.
And for those who still don't understand what I mean, this is a fanfic about Bell being born many years before, before the great conflict. And, obviously. joining the Astrea family.
In any case, feel free to leave your opinions, and I wish you an enjoyable read. I appreciate you guys!
The night was cold, striking the boy's frail body. Malnourished, battered, barely a whisper of what a young boy should be.
How many days had passed like this already? He didn't even know. Perhaps it had been months.
He missed the essentials: a roof, a warm meal, something to call home.
Yet that silly smile, so pure, remained glued to his face. His way of seeing others hadn't changed, not yet.
He had lost his mother before his very eyes, and even then, he never blamed her for leaving him behind. Perhaps the selfish desire of a child still lived within him: the need to believe that one day everything would be alright, that she would return to comfort him on these freezing nights.
But in this damned city, where misery reigned in every corner, nothing ever went right.
And yet, his heart refused to wither.
He never stole, never hurt anyone, even though it would have been easy. Whatever he found, he shared. The kindness he possessed seemed almost miraculous, something that shouldn't have survived in this world.
His hair, once white as snow, was now dirty and tangled, but it still shone under the moonlight. His eyes, large and round, were beginning to dim, losing their color with each passing day.
A beautiful being, almost as if he were a divine gift in a place forsaken by the gods, being slowly destroyed by the cruelty of the world.
A blessing, turned into an empty promise...
"Lady Astraea… walking around here is dangerous. Why are you so obsessed?" Ryuu spoke, her blond hair falling in soft waves, reflecting the moonlight. Her elegant demeanor, befitting an elf, highlighted her almost ethereal beauty.
"I'm worried about the children at the orphanage, Ryuu." The goddess's voice carried a comforting warmth, like the embrace of a long-lost home. Her brown hair framed a serene face, where her blue eyes shone like the waves of a calm ocean.
Ryuu sighed, unable to entirely hide her concern. "But even so… couldn't it have been earlier?" Her tone wasn't reproachful, but rather that of a daughter worried about her mother.
Astraea gave her a gentle smile. "I'm with you. Nothing serious will happen." Her confidence was unshakable but not reckless. Usually, she would be accompanied by her captain, Alise, who this time was being punished with a mountain of paperwork—a judgment everyone agreed was well-deserved.
The elf reluctantly nodded, though she continued scanning the darkness. Then, a red glimmer caught her attention: a pair of eyes, like burning rubies, watching them from the shadows.
"The world is cruel…" she murmured softly.
"It is," Astraea replied, her voice equally soft, laden with a sadness only someone like her could understand.
From the distance, the boy watched. It wasn't the first time he'd seen that woman. There was something about her—in the way she walked, the way she spoke. Astraea radiated a kindness that seemed impossible in a place like this.
His heart pounded as his eyes followed her movements. He wanted to approach, but he felt unworthy, broken compared to that light. And yet, she represented everything he most yearned for.
Justice.
He knew the world wasn't just; he had learned that firsthand. But who could take away his right to wish? To dream?
His mother's words echoed in his mind, as clear as if she were there: "Be a good man, Bell."
Simple words, unadorned, but to him, they were everything. A promise. An anchor amidst the chaos.
"Fortunately, those children will be moving to a better place soon," Astraea mentioned. Her hands rested one over the other, just in front of her stomach.
"Your efforts will be—" Ryuu interrupted herself, stepping in front of her goddess, though she hadn't yet unsheathed her weapon.
She let out a small sigh. Her captain had warned her about this countless times. It seemed the "bandits," if they could be called that, never learned.
The constant attempts to attack their goddess had ended with more than one criminal behind bars, and even a few dead.
The elf began to draw her weapon but stopped when she saw a boy step out from the shadows, trembling.
Her eyes widened as she took him in. Young, somewhere between twelve and fourteen years old, and visibly malnourished.
His hair, which had traces of once being white, was tangled, and his clothing was tattered.
He looked much thinner than he should have been.
"Hey, kid," Ryuu said, but the hand of her goddess on her shoulder made her pause.
Astraea's gaze was filled with concern but also interest.
"D-Don't come any closer!" the boy shouted, raising both fists, which drew laughter from the four men standing in front of him.
"Get lost, brat. A breeze would knock you over with that body of yours."
The boy gritted his teeth but didn't back down.
Astraea noticed how the boy's legs trembled but didn't give way, something that brought a slight smile to her face.
Ryuu, for her part, was incredulous. Did this boy even have a brain? It was obvious he would only end up hurt if he continued like this.
But noticing her goddess's reaction, she decided to remain silent.
"Still standing, little man, huh?" One of the men, also looking ragged and filthy—clearly someone fallen into illicit substances—unsheathed a blunt sword, its blade chipped and cracked in places.
"Brats like you need to be taught the hard way," he said, swinging the weapon at Bell.
The boy raised both arms and shut his eyes, bracing for the impact, but a dull thud made him open them again. In front of him, the man lay on the ground, blood dripping from his nose.
"Huh?" was all he could say. Were these not defenseless girls? Weren't they damsels in distress, the kind his mother had told him he should protect?
What he saw next was an elf delivering blows with a grace and elegance that seemed unreal. Every movement was precise, efficient, and almost beautiful, leaving the men unconscious in the blink of an eye.
The white-haired boy stared, his eyes fixed on the scene, marveling at her skill. The display ended far sooner than he had expected.
"Beautiful, isn't she? I'm very proud of my daughters," the goddess said, looking at the boy. Her gaze shifted from Ryuu to those red eyes.
"What were you trying to do?"
The words didn't come immediately. Though he knew what he wanted to say, he couldn't. The beauty of that woman radiated an overwhelming divinity. Yes, she was definitely a goddess.
"I…" The boy swallowed hard and averted his gaze, as though what he was about to say might offend her. "I wanted to protect you…" he finished.
The goddess looked at him intently as she reached out a hand to the boy.
The white-haired boy squeezed his eyes shut and frowned, expecting a blow. However, all he felt was her hand gently ruffling his dirty hair, staining her hand in the process.
Astraea didn't seem to mind. On the contrary, her expression became that of a conflicted mother. "Thank you," she said softly before pausing to watch Ryuu tying up the unconscious bodies.
"Will you join us? We need a strong boy to keep us safe," she said with a laugh, causing Bell to blush.
It was clearly a joke, but enough to make the boy let out a faint laugh. Fragile, easy to break, but sincere.
"Yes…" His voice, almost trembling, was only heard by the goddess.
Clearly, she didn't need him to stay "safe," but the white-haired boy neither protested nor rejected the offer. The aura of that woman made him accept without hesitation.
The boy's eyes sparkled with wonder as he stopped in front of the building ahead: a small yet charming mansion surrounded by a sizable yard. Neatly tended plants and flowers filled the space with a vibrant burst of life, a stark contrast to the somber scenes he had just left behind.
Bell couldn't ignore the judgmental gazes he received as he walked through the clean, orderly streets of one of Orario's few safe districts. The residents observed him as if he were an intruder, a reminder of the darker parts of the city they preferred to forget. But the two women accompanying him seemed utterly unfazed by those looks.
"W-Well... I'll take my leave now. Thank you for your kindness, Lady Astrea," the white-haired boy said awkwardly, stopping in front of the garden. Talking to the goddess had been strange yet comforting at the same time.
During the walk, she had asked questions that dredged up uncomfortable memories: Where was his family? How had he managed to survive alone? Bell tried to answer, but his responses were vague, tinged with unease.
"Hmm? So soon? Why don't you join us for dinner?" Astrea's question was as natural as it was unexpected.
"Goddess?" Ryuu turned to her, surprised. Allowing the boy to accompany them for a while was one thing, but inviting him to the Stardust Garden was something entirely different. As far as she knew, no boy had ever been permitted to enter.
"E-Eh? But… I'm filthy..." Bell stammered, lowering his gaze to his worn and tattered clothes. His cheeks flushed slightly, embarrassed by his appearance.
Astrea let out a soft, tender sigh. "Is that all? In that case, I'll take that as a yes."
Ryuu, resigned, could only sigh. She knew that once her goddess made a decision, there was no stopping her boundless kindness.
While Astrea smiled at the boy, Bell could barely process what had just happened. For the first time in a long while, someone was inviting him to share something other than life's hardships.
The walk through the house was, in some ways, soothing. The coldness of the streets faded away, replaced by the warmth emanating from the lush plants and vines decorating the hallways, giving the space a cozy feel as they made their way to the main area.
Bell looked around like a lost child, his eyes filled with a mix of wonder and emotion, as if it were his first time witnessing something so beautiful. Every detail captivated him, from the delicate flowers to the softly glowing lamps that illuminated the interior.
Astrea knocked on the main door, prompting the appearance of a girl with an oriental demeanor.
Her hair, black as the night, fell smoothly over her shoulders, and she wore what Bell, in his limited experience, mentally described as a "long dress." In truth, it was a wine-red kimono paired with a beige overcoat and traditional shoes that completed her uniquely elegant appearance.
The girl greeted them gracefully, bowing delicately before setting her violet eyes on the white-haired boy. Bell, noticing her gaze, quickly lowered his head, ashamed of his disheveled appearance. It was as if he were embarrassed to be seen by someone so immaculate.
"And who is this young man?" the girl asked in a serene voice.
"A guest," the goddess replied naturally, meeting her gaze.
"... I see..." The girl nodded slightly, understanding that arguing with Astrea would be futile. Besides, she wasn't so cruel as to deny shelter to a destitute child.
"Alise is still working; I made sure she didn't leave the office," the girl remarked with a faint smile of self-satisfaction.
"Give her a break, Kaguya. Let her out for a bit. How are the others?" Astrea asked in a more relaxed tone.
"The others haven't returned from their expedition; they'll probably arrive tomorrow night. Iska is in her room." Kaguya, with her characteristic grace, stepped aside with a delicate motion, allowing the others to enter.
"By the way, what's your name? Forgive my manners," the black-haired girl said, addressing the boy.
"Bell… that's what my mother used to call me," he replied timidly, walking with extreme caution, as if afraid of dirtying the floor with his steps.
"I see… In that case, Bell, go take a bath," Astrea interjected, pointing to the end of a hallway connected to the main room.
"Bu—" Bell began to protest, but he was cut off by the soft click of a heel against the wooden floor. The goddess hadn't used force, but the sound was enough to capture his full attention.
"No buts, and no more of your usual 'Uh…' or 'Eh…,' understood?" she added, raising an eyebrow with authority.
Bell's cheeks flushed a light shade of pink. Before he could utter one of his typical hesitations, he simply nodded repeatedly and hurried toward the bath, as if he had just been scolded by his own mother.
"Stubborn as a mule..." Astrea commented with a sigh, sitting in a chair near the table.
"Lady Astrea… don't you think you went a bit too far inviting him into the house? The others… I don't think everyone will take it well," Ryuu expressed, sitting next to the goddess. Her tone was respectful but tinged with concern.
Kaguya nodded. While feeding the boy wasn't an issue, accepting him into the house like this was an entirely different matter.
"Do you remember how I told you I only accept just people?" Astrea gazed into the distance for a moment, as if searching for the right words. "Well… I think that boy has what it takes."
"Are you suggesting you'll invite him into the Familia?" Kaguya asked, placing a hand on her cheek thoughtfully. She didn't sit but maintained her upright, composed posture.
"That will depend on him. His eyes are as pure as pearls untouched by an artisan's hand. It pains me to see him in such a state. I'll just ask him some questions, the usual..."
Ryuu remained silent, thoughtful. Although the idea of having a man in the house made her uncomfortable, she didn't dare question her goddess's judgment, no matter how much she disagreed.
"There's nothing left but to trust you," Kaguya finally said before adding with a faint smile, "Though it seems that Elf is having her doubts."
"That's not true!" Ryuu quickly retorted, raising her voice in self-defense, though her tone betrayed her.
"Hmmmm..." Kaguya murmured with a teasing smile before turning on her heel and heading to Alise's office, leaving a clearly irritated Elf behind.
Bell rushed into the bathroom, closing the door behind him with a light thud and leaning against it with a sigh.
The scene before him was entirely different from anything he had seen before: a luxurious bathroom filled with small bottles and jars of skin products, colorful soaps, and unfamiliar fragrances. The shower, complete with a spacious tub attached, seemed like a contraption from another world, and the room's decor, though simple, exuded elegance with its white finishes and polished metal details.
His eyes darted around, taking in every corner as if trying to memorize it, until, satisfied, he nodded to himself and began undressing hurriedly.
When he stepped into the shower, he stood still for a moment, staring at the controls before him. It was the first time he had seen anything like this, and he had no idea how it worked. Hesitant, he turned one of the knobs.
A muffled yelp escaped his lips as scalding water hit his skin, forcing him to shut it off immediately. Frowning, he tried the other knob, only to be greeted by an icy torrent that made him shiver to his core.
Frustrated, he turned both knobs simultaneously, finally achieving a warm and pleasant stream. A sigh of relief escaped his mouth as he felt the warm water cascade over his body.
The sensation was almost magical. The water washed away the traces of dust, dirt, and small spots of dried blood that clung to his skin, forming a murky stream that disappeared down the drain. The boy watched as the dark liquid swirled away, as if the marks of his harsh life were vanishing with it.
Bell grabbed the first soap he found, a bar with a fruity aroma, and began scrubbing it over his skin. The sweet scent clung to him, replacing the stench that had accompanied him until now. Slowly, his skin regained its natural color, shedding the grime that had concealed it.
He reached for a bottle he assumed was for hair. When he applied its contents, white foam covered his messy hair. Although the dirt washed away easily, the tangles and knots in his hair persisted, resisting his clumsy attempts to smooth them out. Finally, he let out a resigned sigh, leaving his hair as it was.
He lost track of how much time he spent under the shower. The warm water flowing over his body brought him an unfamiliar peace, a reprieve from the harshness of his daily life. For a moment, he forgot the cold streets, the judgmental stares, and the weight of survival.
Eventually, he decided to step out. He let the water drip slowly off his body before shaking himself slightly to remove the excess. He avoided using one of the perfectly folded towels near the shower, feeling unworthy of touching them without permission. Despite everything, the lingering warmth on his skin comforted him, and for the first time in a long while, he felt… clean.
Knocks on the door interrupted him.
"Are you in there?" a female voice called from the other side.
"Ah… yes?" Bell replied nervously, turning his head toward the door.
Without waiting for a complete response, the door opened slightly, allowing a tanned hand holding a medium-sized towel to slip through.
"Use this!" the voice commanded, firm but not overbearing.
Surprised, Bell raised an eyebrow and grabbed the towel, quickly wrapping it around his waist as his face turned a faint shade of crimson.
Suddenly, the door opened wider, and a figure entered without warning. Bell barely had time to step back, reflexively covering himself with his arms.
"I've been wanting to do this for a while..." the woman commented as she walked into the bathroom with a casual yet energetic stride.
It was an Amazon, unmistakable by her athletic figure and commanding presence. Her tanned skin glistened under the bathroom light, and her long black hair was tied in a high ponytail that seemed to sway with every step she took. In her hands, she carried a selection of men's clothing—shirts, pants, and other garments hanging from hooks—which she waved slightly as if evaluating them.
Bell, unsure how to react, stammered, "W-Wait! What are you doing here?"
"What do you think? I brought you something decent to wear, or were you planning to wander around the house in what you were wearing?" Iska replied, raising an eyebrow.
However, after a moment, her confidence seemed to waver as she noticed the boy's utterly embarrassed expression. Her own cheeks turned slightly red.
She turned around abruptly before exiting, shutting the door behind her with a loud thud, muttering something under her breath that Bell couldn't quite catch.
In the main hall, Astrea observed the scene from afar, placing a hand on her forehead with a long sigh.
"What is Iska doing? I only asked her to fetch some clothes..." she commented in exasperation as she took a seat at the dining table.
Ryuu, who was standing beside her, let out a soft sigh as well, though her face was tinged with a blush similar to Bell's moments earlier. "Well... you know how she is when it comes to fashion. She wouldn't let an opportunity like this pass."
Astrea shook her head, a small smile forming on her lips, and added, "I just hope she didn't make him too uncomfortable…"
Ryuu simply nodded, though she couldn't help but look at her goddess with some concern. Life at the Stardust Garden was about to become much more interesting with Bell's arrival. Although she wasn't yet sure if the boy would be staying permanently.
The boy hurried out of the bathroom and into the main hall. He wore a white shirt, as pure as his hair, with long sleeves and a slightly raised collar, resembling a turtleneck but not quite reaching that extreme. The fabric was thick, and the fitted sleeves extended to the middle of his hands, leaving the shirt slightly loose. His black pants, decorated with several straps running along their length, added a practical and somewhat daring touch to the outfit. High, simple black boots completed the look, unifying it perfectly.
"Th-Thank you very much." Bell made a slight bow upon entering the hall, feeling the gazes of everyone present fall upon him. There, he noticed a red-haired girl staring at him intently, with what seemed like sparks of excitement in her eyes. Beside her, the girl with Eastern features from before remained stoic, along with the rest of the Familia members in the house: Astraea, Ryuu, and Iska.
Iska looked at him, nodding with satisfaction, clearly proud of her choice based solely on the boy's description.
"Wow! A rabbit!" Alise exclaimed, jumping up energetically from her chair to inspect him more closely.
"Is this him, Lady Astraea?" The redhead moved even closer, circling the boy as she evaluated him thoroughly, her green eyes gleaming with curiosity.
Bell stood still, stepping back slightly under the unexpected attention.
"Alise! Don't be disrespectful. His name is Bell." Astraea's serene voice broke through the moment, though without any trace of irritation.
"I see…" Alise murmured, placing a hand on her chin as if forming a very serious opinion.
"Pleased to meet you, my name is Be—" the boy began, but he was abruptly cut off by the redhead's finger, which pointed at him with determination.
"Rabbit, they told me what you did… Why, hmm?" Alise asked as she returned to her seat and struck a contemplative pose, watching him as if he were a riddle to solve.
"Eh… uh…" Bell tried to respond, but Astraea's gentle cough interrupted him. The sound reminded him of what the goddess had told him: no hesitating with those two expressions.
"I… I just felt it was my duty. My heart begged me, and I leapt before I could think it through. Honestly, I was scared…" Bell admitted, lowering his gaze slightly.
"Hehe, I guess Lady Astraea was right about you. Tell me, would you do it again?" Alise asked, her smile widening into an expression full of enthusiasm and curiosity.
"Of course!" the boy exclaimed, his voice strong and determined for the first time. He hadn't thought too much before replying, but as he realized it, he shrank slightly. "Sorry for yelling…" he murmured softly.
"Lady Astraea, did he lie?" Alise turned her attention to the goddess, who calmly shook her head.
"Are you truly willing to risk your life for innocent people, Bell?" the goddess asked, her deep indigo eyes locking onto his with intensity.
"As long as I can…" Bell bowed his head humbly but answered honestly.
"And if they aren't innocent? Would you be willing to give them a second chance?" Astraea continued, her tone now filled with serene curiosity.
"If I see they're truly remorseful, yes…" Bell replied after a moment of thought.
"And what if they've killed someone else?" The words hung in the air like a challenge. Bell's eyes widened at the gravity of the question, and he fell silent, stammering as he tried to formulate an answer that wouldn't come.
"It's all right. You're still very young, but I see potential in you, Bell." The goddess rose gracefully from her chair and approached the boy, her gaze filled with a warmth that disarmed him.
"I know those here won't oppose this, though I can't say the same for the others. Even so, would you like to join my Familia?" she asked as she took the boy's hand in a firm yet gentle gesture, offering her trust more than her strength.
"Me?! But… I have nothing to offer—" Bell began to stammer, but the goddess placed a finger on his lips, silencing him with gentle reassurance.
"I know you have what it takes. Now, do you want to?" Astraea insisted, her voice both confident and calming.
Bell averted his gaze, looking around the hall as he tried to make his decision. Kaguya, while maintaining a faint smile, didn't abandon her elegant and serene posture. Alise beamed at him with a radiant expression, as enthusiastic as her personality. Ryuu, on the other hand, remained serious, watching him discreetly out of the corner of her eye. Lastly, Iska observed him closely, seemingly assessing how he looked in the outfit she had chosen for him.
The boy smiled faintly, a mix of happiness, nervousness, and discomfort reflected on his lips, though the dominant feeling was one of warmth.
"Please… take care of me."