Hello again good people and welcome back. Well, things are moving along aren't they? Bell and Aiz are getting closer, as are Riveria and Achilles, and Haruhime's got Freya's eye on her. What do you think will happen next? Well, no time like the present to find out, right? So let's get to it.
I do not own Danmachi
She was confused, terribly so, and maybe even a bit afraid. That's what Bell realized as he watched Haruhime look around, her eyes pleading with everyone for some sort of answer as Ottar held out the beautiful necklace. Finally, her eyes landed on him, and seeing those wonderful emeralds staring at him, looking so lost, he knew what he had to do.
Walking up to the captain of the Freya familia.
"May I?" he asked Ottar, signally clearly towards the necklace.
Ottar stared down at him for the briefest of moments before nodding and handing him the necklace.
With the jewelry in hand, the young captain walked around Haruhime and placed himself behind her.
"Bell-sama?" she asked, turning her head towards him.
Without a word, he unclasped the necklace, brought it around her neck and reclasped it.
"There," he said, taking a moment to admire how perfectly it matched her. "It looks beautiful on you."
Even someone as dense as Bell often was could not fail to notice the red that burst into her cheeks and the erratic speed her tail began to move. Had he not already known Haruhime's feelings, this would have been enough to tell him. As it were, it was just further proof of how much she cared for him.
"T-Thank you, B-Bell-sama," she said.
He continued smiling at her, his eyes never leaving hers as they simply stared, silently, at each other.
"She really does have beautiful eyes," he thought, not even truly realizing what he was thinking, only content to acknowledge that unquestionable truth.
It was then, that a silent thought that had previously been hidden in the back of his mind began to creep forward, seeing its opportunity to finally say what it had wished to say not so long ago.
"Is it possible for me to fall in love with Haruhime as well?"
He would not be discovering the answer anytime soon as Ottar spoke.
"That is all my lady requested of me," he said, snapping Bell back into conscious thought. "As such I will now depart."
"I'll escort you out," his father said, and a moment later, the two level sevens departed the room.
Bell's attention soon shifted as Riveria approached Haruhime.
"That's quite the necklace," the motherly elf said.
"I-I really don't think I deserve it. I j-just wanted to help Bell-sama."
He couldn't help but smile at that.
"And that's precisely why you deserve, I think," Riveria said.
"You did save me, Haruhime," he said, unable to prevent himself from adding his own thoughts. "I'll never be able to repay you for that, but I'm glad that someone recognized it and rewarded you for it. I just wish it was me."
"Bell-sama," she shook her head. "You've more than repaid me. You saved me from the Ishtar familia. You gave me a home. If anything, it's I who will never be able to repay you!"
He couldn't help but smile at that.
"Then, I guess we'll just have to call it even."
The smile he received back was enough confirmation and reward for him.
"Seems fair to me." He turned his head to find that his dad had returned and was now smiling at the two of them.
There was something in that smile that Bell couldn't quite put his finger on. It kind of looked like he was relieved about something, which would normally have made sense given all that had happened over the last few hours, yet Bell couldn't help but feel like he was missing something. He didn't have much time to contemplate on the matter as Hestia jumped in.
"Grrr, the mood in here's getting weird again. Bell-kun, what's in that letter?!" his goddess demanded, reaching her hand out.
Bell was shocked by that question.
"Wha? I can't show you that, Hestia-sama," he said, knowing how rude it would be to show a letter to someone it wasn't addressed to, especially when he himself hadn't even seen it yet.
"What do you mean you can't!? Freya sent you a letter and I want to see what it says!" she cried, thrusting her hand out to try and take the letter.
Luckily, he was more than fast enough to pull the letter away before she could get it.
"That would be rude, Hestia-sama!" he declared. He may have been raised by a bit of a lecherous old man, but he still had manners!
"Rude? Rude!? What are you hiding Bell-kun?!"
"Nothing!" he replied instantly.
"Give me that letter!"
His goddess jumped at him and began to frantically try and nab the letter from him, but he was determined, and as ferocious as his goddess could be there was no way she could match his speed.
The two fought over the letter for some time, until the room suddenly got quiet as Achilles stared at Haruhime with concerned, if not outright horrified eyes.
Noting this, the two stopped and turned towards Achilles.
"A-Achilles?" Haruhime quietly called.
When no response was received and Achilles simply kept staring at her, his eyes now growing a hint of pain, Riveria stepped forward.
"Achilles?" she said, placing her hand on his shoulder.
Finally, he turned away and looked at Riveria.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
He stared at her for a moment, wishing desperately that this wasn't real, until he finally admitted he wasn't in a new nightmare and sighed.
Turning back to Haruhime, he removed the necklace from her and held it up to Riveria.
"This," he said.
Seeing that there was writing on the back of the necklace, Riveria leaned forward.
"To my dearly beloved Haruhime," she read.
The moment she finished those words, she, and everyone else in the room, froze.
"No," Haruhime said in disbelief.
"She couldn't be also after-," Lili tried.
"She is," Achilles stated firmly, turning to everyone else. "Freya is now after Haruhime as well."
Everything fell silent. No one knew what to say.
"Why?" Hestia finally managed.
"If it's anything like why she's after me and Bell, then it's because she saw potential in Haruhime," Achilles answered. "The fact that she saved Bell no doubt helped," his eyes fell on a fidgeting Haruhime. "However...perhaps there's more to it than that."
Everyone else turned their focus to Haruhime and took note of her fidgeting as well.
"Haruhime?" Achilles called.
The renard jumped.
"Y-Yes?" she replied.
"Is there something we're missing?"
The fidgeting grew worse. She knew now that she was caught, but she worried about the repercussions. Naturally, this caused her to shift her gaze to her source of strength and comfort.
Bell met her gaze and, after a moment, nodded.
Giving a small nod in return, she turned back to Achilles.
"S-Something happened that I've been meaning to tell all of you," she began.
Everyone listened to Haruhime's words with increasing interest, concern, and anger as she informed them of what happened the day after the attack on Miach familia, between her, Ottar, and the goddess of beauty.
"Why didn't you tell us about this earlier, Haruhime?" Hestia asked, a bit upset, but willing to hear an answer.
"I'm sorry I did not, but I was afraid for everyone. This was right after the attack on Miach familia and everyone was already frightened. Also," she turned her head. "I'm sorry, Achilles, and I mean no offense, but you do have a temper." Achilles did not verbally respond, but simply gave a nod. "I planned to tell you all at some point, but I hoped it would be when Freya wasn't pressing so heavily on your minds."
Everyone nodded, including members of Loki familia. They knew that the Hestia familia was trying so hard to not be a familia with any secrets, but they could all understand her reasoning behind her actions, including Riveria who was understanding more and more why the young renard was Achilles's favorite to win Bell's heart.
"Bell,"Achilles piped in. "You knew about this?"
"I did," his son answered with a nod. "She came to me afterwards and explained to me what happened before asking that I not tell everyone. I argued against it, and eventually she agreed to tell you all when things calmed down," he explained, making sure not to mention another key moment that happened between him and Haruhime, though when Haruhime started blushing, a few people got curious.
"Well, got to say I'm impressed," Welf jumped in. "Guess I've been underestimating you, Haruhime, cause I didn't know you had that in you. Talking back to a goddess and all," he said with a smile.
"I-It was a sudden burst of courage is all. A-And maybe a bit of anger, after all the trouble and pain she had caused."
"Still," Achilles lightly flicked her forehead. "I'd appreciate it if you didn't find ways to give me a heart-attack."
The fox princess smiled, even as she rubbed her forehead.
"I'll do my best," she vowed.
"Uh-huh. Well, while we're on this topic, anyone else want to reveal something they've been hiding? Might as well get everything out in the open."
Riveria suddenly felt almost every eye on the room bore into her.
"~Yeah~. Anything you'd like to share, Ri~ve~ri~a?" Tiona sang.
Riveria's glare at the young amazon was matched only by her blush. Naturally, this all caught Achilles's attention and he turned to her.
"Riveria?"
She met his eyes, her own wide and horrified.
"This isn't happening! This can't be happening!" she screamed in her mind as the eyes bore into her with ever-greater intensity.
What she didn't know was that Achilles was having a minor internal freakout of his own.
"This can't be real. There's no way that stupid idea of mine was real! Right?" he almost pleaded in his head, not sure how to respond if his hunch proved to be correct.
"Um."
Everyone turned to Bell, who was now looking at the ground.
"Bell?" Achilles asked, wondering why he looked guilty.
"Something happened with me the day after Freya confronted Haruhime," the young rabbit said.
Riveria's plight forgotten, everyone focused on him.
"What happened?" his father asked.
"Well...you remember when I went for that walk?" His familia all nodded. "Well, I was trying to figure a few things out. What happened with Haruhime and Freya. Freya herself. That Enyo person-."
"Enyo?!"
Everyone jumped and turned to the shocked Loki familia.
"Oh, right, I forgot to mention that to you, Riveria. After we parted in the Dungeon, we met those friends of yours, including the red-headed woman," Achilles explained.
"What happened?" Finn asked.
"They surrounded us with some kind of vine-like monster and asked us for something," Achilles answered.
"What did they want?" Finn pressed.
"Something that did not belong to them. When I refused to give it to them, they attacked us. Or their little pets did," Achilles responded.
Finn did not care for the answer he got, wondering what Enyo and his subordinates were after, but he knew Achilles wouldn't reveal anything.
His eyes turned to Bell.
"He won't, but if Aiz were to ask Bell, he might be willing to part with the information," he thought.
"Anyway. Continue Bell," Achilles said.
"Well, I got stuck on exactly what to do with Freya. On one hand, everything horrible she had done was still fresh in my mind. The party. Miach familia. Haruhime. I was so angry. But then I remembered what you said about her, Dad. About why you fell in love with her, and, though it feels odd to say, you made it sound...nice. Really nice."
His father's head fell and he nodded.
"At one point it was," he said quietly.
Everyone's eyes refocused on the Olympian, none more so than Riveria who felt her heart clench.
"And there's also what she did for me with regards to Ishtar familia, and I-."
"Wait, wait, Bell-san. What do you mean, 'with regards to Ishtar familia'," Finn cut in.
Achilles groaned and rubbed his face.
"When I first met with Freya upon my return she revealed that she destroyed Ishtar familia because they kidnapped and tried to claim him," he explained.
None of the Loki familia knew how to respond to that so most just opted for an open mouth look.
"She destroyed Ishtar familia for you?" Aiz managed to ask Bell.
He nodded.
"Yes. She confessed it to my dad."
"That's...disturbing," Finn said.
"That's crazy, that's what it is!" Tiona said.
"And more than a bit creepy," Tione added.
"For once, I agree with both of you," Bete stated.
"Yes well, when Freya wants something," Achilles said, sounding evermore exhausted. "Continue Bell. And I'll ask everyone not to interrupt again and hold any questions until the end."
"No promises," Tione responded, getting a few nods amongst both familia.
"Um, well, all of this made me really confused. I didn't know what to do or what to think with Freya. Was she evil? Was she just in love? What does that mean coming from a goddess? Coming from her? I had so many questions and I wasn't sure I could answer any of them. That's when I got an idea. Maybe someone else could help me better understand. So I went to the Hostess of Fertility."
"Why there?" Tiona asked.
"Mama Mia, a.k.a. Mia Grande, was once a captain of the Freya familia," Riveria explained.
"Say what?!" Bete exclaimed.
"How come we didn't know that?" Tiona asked.
Finn shrugged.
"Never came up. She retired a while ago."
"Semi-retired," Achilles corrected, a bit irritated at how quickly Bell had been interrupted again.
"So I went there, and asked Mia what she had done for Freya with regards to me and she answered. You all know my Firebolt, right?"
Everyone nodded.
"Well, I didn't get that on my own. I got that because one of the waitresses at the Hostess of Fertility gave me a grimoire." That caught the room's attention. "I didn't know it at the time, and it was only after I used it that I found out. Mia told me that it was Freya who supplied the grimoire."
"Huh. That was...generous of her," Finn said.
Bell nodded.
"In more ways than one. I'm honestly not sure I would have been able to beat that minotaur if I hadn't had that spell, so, in a way, she saved my life."
No one liked the sound of that, but none could really deny it either.
"Just don't let her hear you say that," Achilles thought.
"After that, the waitress who gave me the grimoire told me that a necklace she gave me before our War Game with Apollo familia was actually a protective charm. A charm that was also from Freya. If not for that charm I would have lost when Hyakinthos's Aro Zephyros hit me, and instead of being a part of the Hestia familia right now, I would be a part of the Apollo, or maybe even the Freya familia."
Once more, everyone was lost for words and the room fell silent for a moment.
"Freya...did all that?" Hestia said, not quite believing her ears.
Bell nodded again.
"Yes. Which, naturally, made it even harder for me to understand her. I left the Hostess of Fertility with more knowledge, but not more clarity. If anything I was even more confused and I knew walking wasn't going to help. So," he began to fidget again, much worse than before. "I went to the Dungeon."
"What?!" Hestia and Lili cried, with the rest of his familia looking none too pleased by that information.
"Hestia-sama. Please," Achilles said. "While we didn't want him to go there, I think we can all understand why he did. It was dangerous, but it would have been a great way to clear his head."
"You're not upset by this?" Hestia asked in shock.
"I am, but I understand why he went there. Besides, apparently nothing happened."
"Actually," Bell cut in, a massive sense of guilt crushing him as he was about to prove his father's defense false. "Something did happen."
"Oh, joy," his father replied, his head once again falling as his entire body suddenly became a lot heavier. "What happened?"
"I...um...met Ottar."
Normally this would have caused an uproar amongst the Hestia familia, but any response was prevented by the massive groan that emitted from Achilles right before his face fell in his hands.
"Of course you did," he said, muffled through his hands.
"He wasn't there for me!" Bell quickly added. "He was just going through the Dungeon like any other adventurer and happened to come across me."
"That seems unlikely," Lili said, now more than a bit angry at Bell.
"True, but I believe it's the truth, especially since he let me by him without any trouble."
"Ah, thank Heaven," Achilles said, looking ready to fall over, Riveria actually going up to him and rubbing his shoulder for comfort.
"But…" Achilles's relief instantly disappeared. "I didn't leave immediately," Bell continued.
"What. Did you. Do?" Achilles asked, his voice now containing a noticeable amount of frustration.
"I ask him why Freya loves me."
Another groan.
"And how did my old pupil respond?"
"He said it was because of my aura. That she saw it shine brightly. That didn't really help me, and at this point I guess I was desperate for an answer, so I threw back that we didn't even know each other, at which point," Bell paused as a faint bit of red came to his cheeks. "He asked me if I knew the girl I loved before I fell for her."
Everyone suddenly became more invested in the topic as everyone, but the girl herself ironically, knew whom Ottar was talking about.
"I admitted I didn't really know her, but as time went on I came to know her more and more and, in turn, fall for her more and more. With Freya though, it didn't make sense to me. I was just some kid from a village in the middle of nowhere. Some silly boy with dreams of going on adventures and being a hero. I was nothing special, and I didn't need to be a hero. I just wanted to live my life."
Riveria's eyes softened.
"I don't believe there's anyone in this room who thinks you're nothing special, young Bell Cranel, I only wish you hadn't been burdened with so much so soon."
"Then Ottar said I was lying."
That piqued everyone's interest.
"He accused you of lying?" Achilles asked.
"Yes. He said that I did need to be a hero and that everything I'd done up to that point had proven that."
Riveria smiled.
"That settles it then. If even Ottar can recognize it, there really is no doubt."
"I told him I hadn't always done the right thing, that I ...that I almost didn't save Haruhime," Bell continued, shame radiating off him at the same time it crushed him beneath an invisible weight.
"Bell-sama," Haruhime said gently, going up to him and placing a hand on his shoulder.
He turned to her, shame and regret filling his eyes to bursting point.
"I would not have blamed you for leaving me behind. Indeed, I wanted you to. I could not stand the thought of you getting hurt, let alone for me."
"It was wrong of me to think of leaving you," Bell said miserably, but resolutely.
Haruhime shook her head.
"No, it would have been the smart thing to do. You had to think of your familia. Your goddess. You could not have been blamed had you left me behind. However, if I may, I am very glad that you saved me and gave me a new home."
Bell finally allowed himself a small smile.
"I'm glad too."
The two were allowed a moment to share, everyone happy or a tad jealous at the affection they were displaying. Finally though, with a loud clearing of his throat, Achilles returned everyone back to the matter at hand.
"Uh...after that," Bell moved on, a bit embarrassed by his little moment with Haruhime. "Ottar pointed out that I did save Haruhime and even went so far as to thank me for saving his familia some trouble."
"You helped Freya familia?" Bete asked, not liking the sound of that.
"Indirectly. Ishtar familia was going to use something called a soul stone on Haruhime to gain access to her power. With that power, they planned on attacking Freya familia."
Bete calmed down and Loki familia nodded their heads.
"I kept trying to explain or prove I wasn't a hero, but he kept countering, and finally, he said that, just like he needed to be an adventurer, I needed to be a hero. That nothing else would do for either of us and that it was because of my need that Freya fell in love with me. He finished by saying that, one day I would understand how great it is to be loved by her. After that I thanked him and told him that he could tell Freya that, if she could somehow earn my trust, I would not be opposed to speaking with her."
Everything was silent as everyone processed what they had just heard.
There was, of course, the expected emotions. Anger. Confusion. Even a tad bit of sadness at the suggestion that Bell might be a little more open to the goddess of beauty than expected, but no one really knew how to proceed.
Bell watched his familia and all the emotions that passed through them with increasing anxiety. He knew what he had said had worried and even hurt them, and that pained him deeply as that was the last thing he wanted to do. At the same time he realized he had said so much in front of people who, while he considered them friends, were not his familia and thus it may not have been appropriate for them to hear everything he had just divulged, especially not at the same time his actual familia did. Add on top of that was the fact that he had suggested an openness towards Freya's affections in front of the very girl who had earned his heart. Or...worse yet...the girls that had earned it.
His eyes shifted between Aiz and Haruhime and his heart felt ready to explode as confusion and pain filled him.
He was desperate to explain. To make them understand he was just trying to figure everything out. That, he wasn't trying to hurt them. He would never try and do that. He was desperate to take away everyone's pain and confusion. To get rid of that hurt look in Hestia's eyes. To be rid of that tearful, angry look on Lili's face. To be rid of the desperate and confused eyes pointed at him from the resident sword and fox princesses. He needed to fix this. To get rid of their pain and confusion and, maybe, just maybe, get rid of his own in turn.
"I used to just think that I should give gods my utmost respect, not that I don't think I should do that now!" he threw out quickly, not really knowing where he was going and having no plan, just spitting out words in the hope of fixing everything. "But now I understand it's a bit more complicated than that. Apollo, Ishtar, Ikelos, they all showed me a different side to gods that I didn't expect and...wasn't prepared for," to say Bell was made uncomfortable by the memories flooding his mind now was a drastic understatement, but he had a mission and he wasn't stopping until it was complete. "That's why I'm not sure what to think of Freya or how to act with her. I want to understand so that I can act as I should or...at least," he was beginning to stumble, but he knew he couldn't stop. "Better. She says that she loves me which I don't fail to recognize is something many, if not most people would do anything for, but with her I don't really understand what that means. I remember what you've said, Dad, about why you fell in love with her. I also remember perfectly what she did. I remember how angry that made me. I really thought I came to hate her at the party and I wasn't lying when I said I was willing to send her back to Heaven. I was actually tempted to try right then and there." That earned him some surprised faces. "And then when she attacked Miach familia I was sure I did hate her. So sure that she was just evil. That she just wanted to hurt people. Then she did what she did with Haruhime and it all became confused. In a way, it only made me hate her more, yet at the same time...I don't know, it all just didn't make sense. What was all this for? Did she really love me? Why did she love me? What does that mean coming from a god? What does that mean coming from her? I just," his body deflated. "I just wanted to understand." Now everyone looked at him with pitying eyes. "I'm sorry I didn't do what I promised and I'm sorry I hid it from you. I'm even sorry that I tried to understand Freya more after everything she's done. And I'll never be able to tell you how sorry I am for hurting you all again," tears began to sting his eyes. "I know she doesn't really deserve such courtesy, but I just wanted to understand, as best I could, what was going on. So much of what's happened the last few months has seemed out of my control or just crazy, and I suppose, deep down, I just wanted to regain a bit of that control. To feel like I'm not just reacting or being pulled along by something or someone else."
With those final words, and those heart wrenching tears, all anger, confusion, and disappointment directed at Bell, evaporated as everyone was reminded just who they were dealing with. A boy. A strong, good, driven boy, but a boy nonetheless. A boy that had been thrown into a word that regularly consumed far older and more experienced individuals. They remembered that Bell was the youngest one there and that their own high expectations of him had made them forget this fact.
Bell suddenly felt himself being pulled forward and found his head pushed up against his father's chest.
"My sweet boy, what am I going to do with you?"
"Dad?" Bell looked up.
"I guess we really have been placing too much on your shoulders haven't we? Some father I am."
The tears returned to Bells eyes and he shook his head.
"No, you've been a wonderful father. The best I could have ever asked for! I just don't want to...I-I don't want to disappoint you. Any of you," he said, hiding his head in his father's chest.
As the heartbroken looks multiplied through the room, Achilles stroked his son's hair tenderly.
"And that proves I haven't been a good father. The fact that you think you can disappoint me is all the proof I need," he explained. "Bell, I will never be able to tell you how happy I am that you chose me as your father. Words cannot properly reveal how much that meant to me. The joy I feel knowing that, somehow, I earned that title. I love you very much, and that's why, when you told me what happened, I wasn't disappointed, I was scared. I was so scared about what could have happened, about what still could happen that it felt like my heart was going to burst out of my chest." Bell looked up again, his eyes filled with even more guilty tears. "But," Achilles continued, giving his son a reassuring smile and continuing to stroke his hair. "After hearing your explanation, I understand why you did what you did. And I'm so proud of you for it." Bell's tears finally stopped as his eyes widened. "You needed answers, and you sought them out with an open mind, knowing that, even if you had to tweak the rules a bit, that it would be worth it because you would come back better. Wiser. Stronger, if that's even possible. So few people can say that. Say they went out searching for answers, just for the sake of the truth and do so with an open mind. That is yet another incredible thing about you, Bell."
"Dad," Bell said, not really knowing how to respond.
Achilles continued to smile at him.
"You are the strongest person I know, Bell, and I mean that. Even so, I've forgotten what it costs to have such strength. The burden it places on people. And for one so young to have so heavy a burden," Achilles's smile turned sad. "There's nothing I can say but, or should I say, ask, but will you forgive me?"
"Why would I need to forgive you?" the young man asked.
"For not helping you with this burden and for, if anything, placing even more weight upon you."
Bell shook his head.
"Then you don't need to apologize. You've helped me so much, and not just me, this whole familia. You have nothing to apologize for."
"Even so, I'm sorry, and I promise to do better."
"I promise too," his son returned.
"You've done more than enough."
"Even so."
The pain and confusion from earlier was now gone, replaced by relieved contentment and understanding.
"You really aren't so different from your past self as you think, Achilles," Riveria thought pleasantly.
The two captains finally pulled apart and looked at each other.
"Everything will be alright, Bell."
"Right," the young captain replied.
The two fully parted and turned back to everyone.
"Sorry about that. A father-son moment was required," Achilles said.
A few people chuckled.
"Understandable," Riveria said.
"Anyway, I think that's enough emotional shake-up for one day," the Olympian said, getting a few more chuckles.
"I'm sorry for causing you all so much distress," Bell said, bowing.
"As do I," Haruhime added, doing the same.
"Oh stop that, you both just did what you thought was best in a difficult situation, I don't think any of us can give you real grief over that," Achilles stated.
"True, but I would like you two to reaffirm your promises not to keep anything from us. Even if we don't like it or it's not the best time, we need to know, especially since we all agreed to be open with each other," Hestia said.
"We promise," the two said together.
"Good. Now, forgive me for saying so, Achilles-kun, but you look dreadful. I think it's time you take that nap," the goddess continued.
Achilles sighed before letting out a chuckle.
"I will, but first I'm going outside for a smoke. I don't think my mind will allow me to fall asleep until I've calmed down a bit. So, if you'll all excuse me."
Achilles departed and made his way outside. Once there, he let out a long, pained sigh, and rubbed his face with both hands.
"Shit," he sighed again. "Damn it. Fuck. Crap. Bullshit."
"That's quite the mouth."
He turned and found Riveria standing behind him, smiling softly in understanding.
"Sorry," he said, returning her smile as best she could. "It's just...been a day."
"I can imagine," she said while he finally pulled out and lit his pipe. "How are you doing though? Truly?"
Achilles took a deep breath from his pipe before releasing a long stream of smoke.
"I feel like shit."
Riveria nodded.
"You kept up a strong face through that whole thing. It must have been difficult."
"Not for Bell. With him, it was easy and everything was honest. I am, in no way, disappointed with my boy, only with myself for not better relieving his burden."
"You've done exceedingly well since you've come into his life. Not perfect, but well."
"You're kind to say so, Riveria, but I need to do better."
"And you will. Now, what else is bothering you?"
Achilles was silent for a moment, simply breathing in the smoke and letting it back out, but that was fine with Riveria. She was willing to be patient.
"I always knew gods and goddesses played by different rules," he finally said. "I knew that Freya had had many lovers over her time and would have many after me. I tried not to be jealous, I really did. It was irrational and even insulting to be. With Bell, I could completely understand what she saw in him. Why her eye was drawn to him, so there was no jealousy with him. But now...now she's after Haruhime as well. Don't get me wrong, Haruhime's wonderful and I don't blame anyone for wanting her, but…" he stopped as pain filled him. "But the realization that Freya could so easily choose a third person to claim, that I was so utterly not unique, so utterly unable to hold her attention, that it was so easy for her to give her love to another...it hurts. It hurts more than I ever thought it would."
"Achilles," Riveria barely more than whispered. "You are unique. Truly," she said, placing herself next to him. "Your strength. Your drive. Your kindness. Yes," she added, seeing his look. "Your kindness. You are more than worthy of her love. Her sole, undivided love. If she can't see that then she's a fool."
"Then what's that make me?" he asked with a bitter chuckle.
"A man who needs and deserves love," she replied instantly.
Achilles stared at her, for what seemed like the longest time, but was likely only a few seconds, he simply stared at her.
"Those aren't the words of a friend," he thought.
Riveria stared right back at him, though she fully recognized the implication her words had given and had to fight not to blush.
"This isn't about you. He needs you. That's all that matters," she thought.
This continued on for some time, the two just looking at each other, not saying a word.
"What is he thinking?" she wondered.
Had she known what he was thinking at that moment, her heart would have leapt.
"Maybe I could…," he thought as he stared into her eyes.
Finally, his eyes pulled away as he sighed.
"Thank you," he said.
"You're very welcome," Riveria said with a smile.
"Well, I'm going to be out here a bit longer. My nerves are still a bit fried. Please tell everyone I'll be inside in a few minutes once there's no risk I'll shoot off another lightning bolt."
Riveria chuckled and was about to respond in the affirmative when she caught sight of his pipe and an interesting, if albeit a bit childish idea came to mind.
Achilles was about to put his pipe back in his mouth when he found it suddenly stolen from his hand. A bit startled, he looked up and found a smirking Riveria putting his pipe in her mouth and taking a deep breath. Before he could understand whatever that meant, she blew the smoke right at his face.
Surprised, he began frantically waving his hand in front of his face.
"What are you doing?" he asked.
She chuckled.
"I'm distracting you. Is it working?"
The wheels in his head began turning and after a few moments he began to chuckle himself.
"What?" he said, laughing.
"I figured you could use something to take your mind off things for a moment. This," she held up the pipe. "Presented the opportunity," she stated before putting it back within her mouth and inhaling. "Besides, it's been too long since I last smoked."
Achilles couldn't help but continue chuckling.
"I'm not sure you're supposed to tell someone you're trying to distract them. Kind of defeats the point."
"And yet, your focus is still shifted, is it not?" she replied, smiling with the pipe in her mouth.
He laughed again and nodded.
"I suppose it is."
Achilles watched Riveria smoke for a little while, content to allow her to continue 'distracting' him while smoking his pipe. However, it was not long before he realized something and a faint hint of red came to his cheeks.
"Um...Riveria?"
"Yes?" she asked, noting his change in tone.
"Did you wipe that off before you started using it?"
"Hm, I suppose I didn-," then she realized her mistake.
Her eyes widened and her face went ruby red.
"She figured it out," he thought.
"I-I...I just unknowingly took a second-hand kiss from Achilles!"
Instantly the pipe was out of her mouth and she was handing it back to him.
"I-I'm so sorry. That was uncouth of me. Putting my spit on someone else's property. T-That is so inappropriate."
"It's alright. It's alright," Achilles reassured her. "No harm done."
"Still, I should have known better," she said frantically.
Achilles didn't like seeing his old friend and the woman who may, may, have feelings for him looking so flustered. As such, he decided to do something one might call, a bit drastic.
"Riveria," he called gently.
She turned to him and found her eyes somehow widening further as Achilles placed the unclean pipe back in his mouth.
"See," he said calmly. "No harm, no foul."
"He just willing…"
"Gods, I can't remember the last time I was this embarrassed!" Achilles screamed internally, but keeping a calm demeanor.
"Now, as much fun as it is talking with you, Riveria, and as much as I appreciate your 'distraction', I would like a few minutes alone, if that's okay?"
"O-Of course!" she replied instantly. "I'll...I'll leave you be."
"Thank you."
"I can't believe that just happened!" Riveria thought.
"I can't believe that just happened," Achilles thought.
Riveria made her way back to the back door of the manor, taking deep breaths to try and calm herself, but soon discovered that any attempts at that were completely worthless as she discovered all of Hestia and her own familia staring at her through the windows with the biggest, 'we caught you' looks she'd had ever seen etched into their faces.
"Shit."
Never in her life had she wanted so badly to be swallowed by the earth, burst into flames, or for the Dungeon to spit out an army of monsters, as she did right at that moment.
However, she knew that those situations were unlikely to happen and that her only other option was to make a run for it, but she doubted she would be able to outrun them, especially the two amazons who were practically drooling right now.
"Gods have mercy," she thought before taking a deep breath and going back inside.
Half of them were smirking at her, none greater than Tiona. The other half seemed surprised, if not outright stunned. Whatever they felt, they were all forced to the side as Tiona began her bombardment.
"You two looked cosy," she said, her voice dripping with teasing.
Riveria took another deep breath, praying her face wasn't showing just how embarrassed she was at the moment.
"I suppose we were," she said, trying to make her sound as nonchalant as possible. It didn't work.
"Gotta say, taking the pipe directly from him, then giving him a teasing little puff was quite something, Riveria. Didn't know you had that in you," Finn said.
Now she knew her face was beginning to heat up, but still, Riveria tried to hold firm.
"I didn't even know you smoked," Tione added.
"They used to smoke occasionally together while talking. Though I don't remember them ever sharing a pipe like that," Gareth informed, smiling.
"Really?!" the amazon sisters asked.
"Please stop," Riveria pleaded.
"Ah, to be young and in love," Finn threw out, making sure to act whimsical.
"I will get you all for this. If it's the last thing I do," the elf swore.
No one took that threat seriously, especially since this was one of the few instances where they had the upper-hand on the elven mage.
Suddenly, Tiona thought of something that made her start to bounce.
"So Riveria! What did he taste like?"
That was all the mother of Loki familia could take and she threw her burning face into her hands as a round of laughter passed through the halls.
"Oh cheer up, Riveria, it's just a little teasing. Besides, it seems like you guys are moving along swimmingly," Finn said.
"I don't know about that," Riveria mumbled through her hands.
"Actually, I think Finn-san's right."
Everyone turned to Bell, who scratched his cheek.
"I can't be sure, but the way he acted...I think he may have already figured it out."
"Figured it…?" Riveria looked up. After a moment, she realized what he meant and her eyes widened. "Please tell me this is another cruel joke."
Embarrassed, Bell shook his head.
"If he hasn't already he's well on his way to. I'm pretty sure I even saw him blush."
That really set Tiona off and she latched onto Riveria.
"Then you should go and confess! If he's blushing that means he likes you!"
"That is so not the truth and after everything that happened over the last two days, me adding a confession on top of his worries would be irresponsible if not downright cruel."
"That is true," Gareth stepped in, deciding that the poor lady had been tortured enough. "He, indeed all of us, have a lot on our plates. Let things come when they should."
Relief filled Riveria at that, even as Tiona gained a look of disappointment.
"Even so," Bell said. "I think he's close to freeing himself. One more good push and I'll think he'll be out."
"Freeing himself?" a few people questioned, but they were ignored by both Bell and Riveria, the former who simply stared at the latter as her eyes widened at the implications of his words.
"Am I really that close?" she wondered, her head instinctively turning towards Achilles outside. "Is it really possible after all this time?"
The Loki familia had finally gone home, after a bit more teasing towards Riveria and a suggestion from Finn for some inter-familia training the following day, which Bell and the others had readily accepted. Achilles was finally asleep, having passed out the moment he hit the bed, and Bell was in his room alone, holding a particular item in his hand.
The sigil of Freya seemed to almost shine to him and, like so much else surrounding Freya, seemed to radiate power and mystery.
Deciding he had waited long enough, Bell opened the envelope, pulled out the letter, and began to read.
To my dearest Bell,
I write this letter to you for two reasons. The first, is to learn if you are well. I ask because I have come to learn what transpired between you and Phryne Jamil. My heart aches at the thought of what she tried to do to you, my beloved, and I now find myself desperate to see you again. To make sure you are alright and to comfort you. I always knew you were strong, Bell, but even I seemed to have failed to understand just how strong. A mistake I mean to correct.
This brings me to my second point. Ottar has informed me of what transpired between you and he in the Dungeon and your position with regards to myself. I would now like to offer you an invitation to meet. It can be wherever and whenever you like. I will do all I can to prove my intentions are pure and to earn your trust. Any questions you have, I will answer. Anything you wish me to do, I shall. I swear this as a goddess, the leader of my familia, and as a woman. So strong is my love for you. So please, my dearly beloved Bell, tell me what I must do.
Your Most Loving Servant,
Freya
Bell finished reading and took a deep breath.
"No ones going to like this."
And...end. Well, a bit of a shorter one than I think we're used to, but this was another unexpected chapter that I worked in between planned chapters, so I hope you'll forgive me. I did consider adding one of the next two planned chapters to this one, but then it would have been a monster of a chapter, maybe even 20,000 words long and taken a great deal of time longer to finish, and I don't like to keep you all waiting.
That said, please tell me what you guys thought. I know I don't get everything right, or maybe miss a detail that needs addressing, so your help and feedback is greatly appreciated. Also, feel free to make requests or send me messages, either asking for something or for clarification. A few of you have done that and I enjoyed those conversations. I can't promise that I'll be able to work everything in or that it'll fit for this story, but I'm more than happy to listen.
That said, thank you again for reading and I'll see you all in the next part of our story. So, until then, bye for now.