Felis stepped through the door, the familiar warmth of home washing over him. The scent of Hestia's cooking filled the air, rich and inviting. Letting out a quiet breath, he set his bag down near the entrance before glancing toward the kitchen.
There she was, standing by the stove, her twin tails swaying slightly as she focused on stirring something in a pot. She hadn't rushed over yet—probably too absorbed in cooking.
"I'm back," he said, voice soft yet carrying through the room.
Hestia's shoulders stiffened, her stirring hand pausing mid-motion. A second later, she whirled around, blue eyes wide with emotion. "Felis!"
She nearly ran to him but stopped short, her gaze flickering downward. "Wait, are you hurt? You're not hiding anything, are you?"
Felis blinked, then let out a quiet chuckle. "Did you forget I can heal myself?"
Hestia pursed her lips, crossing her arms. "That doesn't mean you don't do reckless things!"
He shook his head, amused. He could tell she'd been worried, even if she wasn't saying it outright. His gaze drifted to the dining table, where two portions of food sat, steaming.
"Did we have a guest?" he asked.
Hestia jolted. "H-Huh? No, no! That's just for me!"
Felis raised an eyebrow, stepping forward. "Both of them?"
She took a step back. "Y-Yeah! I was just really hungry today!"
Another step forward. "Every single dish, perfectly portioned for two?"
Another step back. "L-Look, it's just—"
Felis didn't stop. He closed the distance, his golden eyes narrowing slightly—not in accusation, but quiet amusement. Hestia's breath hitched. She opened her mouth, then closed it again, her cheeks turning a deeper shade of red.
Finally, she faltered. "O-Okay, fine!" she stammered, voice barely above a squeak. "I—I always make two portions! Every day! Just in case you came back hungry!"
Felis exhaled softly, his expression shifting. He reached up—not to ruffle her hair, but to brush a stray lock behind her ear, his fingers lingering for just a moment longer than necessary.
Hestia stilled. Her lips parted slightly, her heart pounding in her chest.
Then—before the moment could stretch too long—she suddenly ducked out of his reach. "A-Anyway! You must be starving, right? Right?! Come on, let's eat!"
With a burst of nervous energy, she hurried to the table, waving her arms in an exaggerated manner.
Felis smiled. Not just because she was adorable when flustered, but because the truth had slipped out.
And that was more than enough.
As Hestia scrambled toward the table, her long twin tails swayed in a frantic rhythm, following the hurried energy of her steps. She practically shoved a plate toward him, her cheeks still tinged pink.
"Here! Eat! Before it gets cold!"
Felis let out a quiet chuckle, sliding into his seat with an amused hum. "You don't have to be so panicked, you know."
"I'm not panicked!" she shot back immediately, puffing her cheeks.
He gave her a look.
Hestia averted her gaze. "I-I'm just making sure you eat properly after vanishing for days! That's what a responsible goddess does!"
Felis hummed again, but this time he didn't push. Instead, he picked up his utensils and took a bite. The warm flavors of home spread across his tongue, and he let out a pleased sigh.
"…It's good."
Hestia, despite trying to keep up her act, subtly perked up at that. She grabbed her own utensils and started eating, though every few seconds, she'd sneak a glance at him—as if checking to make sure he was really there.
Felis noticed. And for a while, he said nothing, letting her settle into the comfort of shared presence.
After a few more bites, he finally spoke again, voice quieter this time.
"Did you miss me that much?"
Hestia's spoon clattered against her plate. She nearly choked. "W-Wha—"
Felis rested his cheek against his palm, golden eyes watching her, calm yet teasing. "You were waiting for me every day, weren't you?"
"I—! T-That's—!"
Hestia flailed for an excuse, but none came. Her lips opened and closed like a fish, her blush deepening by the second.
Then, with a huff, she crossed her arms. "S-So what if I did?! You're my only Familia member! Of course, I'd be worried!"
Felis' gaze softened, a small chuckle escaping his lips. "I'm back now."
Hestia blinked.
Those simple words, paired with that gentle tone, made something warm bloom in her chest.
Her flustered expression wavered, shifting into something more vulnerable—soft, relieved.
"…Welcome home, Felis."
Felis smiled. "Yeah. I'm home."
---
The gentle clinking of utensils filled the small room, blending with the faint crackle of the dying embers in the stove. The tension in the air had eased, replaced by the quiet comfort of shared presence.
Hestia, despite having recovered from her initial fluster, was still sneaking glances at him between bites. It wasn't subtle—her bright blue eyes would flicker toward him for a second before darting back down to her plate, as if afraid she'd get caught.
Felis noticed, of course. He always did.
Still, he let her be for a while, simply enjoying the warmth of a home-cooked meal after days in the dungeon. The food was good—not extravagant, but rich with care. It tasted like the effort of someone who had been waiting.
After a few more bites, he finally broke the silence.
"You didn't have to worry so much," he said lightly, twirling his fork between his fingers. "I knew I'd be fine."
Hestia huffed, jabbing her spoon into her rice with unnecessary force. "And how was I supposed to know that? You didn't send word or anything! Just ran off to the dungeon and left me here wondering if you'd come back in pieces!"
Felis tilted his head, golden eyes gleaming with quiet amusement. "I could've just come back as a pile of ash instead."
"Don't even joke about that!" Hestia snapped, glaring at him.
He chuckled, unbothered by her outburst. "Alright, alright. No jokes."
Hestia pouted, puffing her cheeks before exhaling sharply. "…You really don't get it, do you?"
Felis blinked, caught slightly off guard by the shift in her tone.
She wasn't flustered now. She wasn't playfully sulking or being overly dramatic.
She just looked… frustrated.
Not at him, exactly, but at something deeper—something she couldn't quite put into words.
"You're my only Familia member," she muttered, stirring her food absentmindedly. "If something happened to you, I'd be alone again."
The words were quiet, almost lost beneath the hum of the room.
Felis stilled. His grip on his fork loosened slightly.
That was…
'Ah.'
That was the real reason, wasn't it?
It wasn't just about him getting hurt. It wasn't just about recklessness or responsibility.
Hestia had been waiting for him because she didn't want to lose him.
A soft sigh escaped him. He set his fork down, leaning forward slightly.
"I won't disappear," he said, voice calm but firm. "Not now, not anytime soon."
Hestia glanced up at him, eyes uncertain. "You can't promise that."
Felis' lips curled faintly. "No. But I can promise I won't let myself die so easily."
She frowned, her fingers curling into small fists. "You better not."
"I won't," he murmured, golden eyes unwavering.
For a long moment, they just looked at each other. No teasing, no flustered scrambling—just quiet understanding.
Then, finally, Hestia sighed, reaching for her cup of tea. "You're so frustrating sometimes."
Felis smirked. "I know."
She took a sip, muttering into her cup, "At least act more guilty."
"Would it make you feel better if I did?"
Hestia narrowed her eyes at him, but there was no real heat in it. "…Maybe."
Felis hummed, tilting his head. "Hmmm… nah."
"Felis!"
He laughed, finally breaking the lingering heaviness in the air.
Hestia huffed but didn't press further. Instead, she finished her meal, the last of her earlier worry slowly melting away.
And as they sat there—sharing food, warmth, and the quiet reassurance of a simple promise—Felis found himself thinking that, maybe, this wasn't such a bad place to come home to.
---
The last traces of their meal had been cleared away, the plates stacked neatly by the sink. The scent of Hestia's cooking still lingered in the air, blending with the faint warmth of the room.
Felis leaned back slightly, stretching his arms behind his head. "That hit the spot."
Hestia, still standing by the table, gave him a small, satisfied smirk. "Of course it did! I made it, after all."
He chuckled. "Confidence suits you."
She puffed her chest out proudly, then pointed a finger at him. "Don't you forget it!"
Felis shook his head, amused, before shifting his weight and exhaling softly. The exhaustion of the past few days was starting to settle in—his body was fine, thanks to Numen Aquae, but the mental weight of staying on alert in the dungeon was another matter.
Hestia must've noticed because she tilted her head, eyeing him carefully. "You should rest."
He gave her a lopsided smile. "Tired already? You just finished bragging."
She rolled her eyes. "Hey, even the strongest adventurers need sleep. And you…" Her voice softened. "…You push yourself way too much."
Felis didn't argue. She wasn't wrong.
Still, he sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Maybe a bath first."
Hestia blinked. Then—
"Ah! W-Wait! I-I need to—"
She bolted toward the bathroom before he could process what was happening. The door slammed shut behind her, followed by frantic shuffling noises.
Felis stared after her, ears flicking. '…Did she leave a mess in there again?'
A minute later, the door creaked open just enough for her head to peek out.
"A-All clear!" she announced, a bit too loudly.
He squinted at her. "…Did you just panic clean?"
"D-Don't worry about it!"
That meant yes.
Felis exhaled, shaking his head as he made his way over. "You're hopeless."
Hestia crossed her arms. "And yet, you still put up with me."
He smirked as he passed her. "Guess I have a soft spot for hopeless goddesses."
A strangled sound escaped her throat, but he was already inside before she could retort.
---
By the time he emerged, the fatigue in his body had settled into something deeper—pleasant, but insistent. The kind that pulled at his limbs and made his steps just a little slower.
Hestia was curled up on the couch now, her long twin tails draped over the cushions. She had changed into her usual sleepwear—soft white fabric that clung just enough to emphasize her curves.
Her eyes flickered toward him as he entered, taking in the way his damp black hair clung to his skin. A small pause. Then, she cleared her throat, shifting slightly.
Felis raised an eyebrow. "…What?"
"N-Nothing!" She looked away too quickly. "J-Just, uh… don't sit down with wet hair! You'll get the cushions damp!"
He huffed out a laugh, grabbing a towel to run through his hair. "Yes, yes, Lady Hestia."
She clicked her tongue. "You say that like it's an insult."
Felis smirked but didn't respond. Instead, he flopped onto the couch beside her, his tail curling slightly as he settled in.
For a moment, neither of them spoke. The room was quiet, the only sound being the occasional crackle from the lantern light.
Then—
"…Felis."
He glanced at her. "Hm?"
Hestia hesitated. She fidgeted with a loose thread on her sleeve, lips pressing together.
"…I really did miss you."
Felis stilled.
The words weren't teasing.
Hestia barely had time to react before Felis' hand gently guided her head down, letting her rest against his chest. She tensed for a brief moment, her breath hitching—but then, as the slow rhythm of his heartbeat reached her ears, she relaxed.
Neither of them spoke.
The warmth of his body, the steady rise and fall of his breathing… it was comforting. Safe.
Felis didn't tease her, didn't make a comment—he simply ran his fingers through her hair, slow and gentle, as if he had all the time in the world.
Hestia's eyes fluttered shut.
Her twin tails curled slightly, and she let herself melt into the quiet moment, savoring the feeling of being close to him.
"…This is nice," she murmured after a while, voice barely above a whisper.
Felis hummed softly in response, his hand never stopping its careful motions.
Hestia's lips curled into the smallest, most content smile.
For tonight, at least, that was enough.
The slow rhythm of Felis' heartbeat, steady and soothing, filled the quiet space between them. Hestia's eyelids grew heavier with each gentle stroke of his fingers through her hair, the tension she had carried for days slowly melting away. His warmth, his scent—everything about him felt safe, reassuring.
She sighed softly, her breath evening out as she unconsciously leaned further into him, her small frame pressing against his side. The weight of her worries faded, replaced by a simple, quiet contentment.
Felis didn't tease her. He didn't say anything at all. He just kept caressing her hair, slow and rhythmic, as if lulling her deeper into peace.
Minutes passed in that tranquil silence. Then, with quiet care, Felis shifted. His arms moved beneath her, lifting her effortlessly into a gentle bridal carry. Hestia stirred slightly but didn't resist—if anything, she curled instinctively into his embrace, trusting, drowsy.
Reaching the bed, he laid her down with deliberate softness, making sure she was comfortable before pulling the blanket over them both. His arms wrapped around her once more, drawing her close until her warmth settled against him.
A small kiss brushed against her forehead, barely more than a whisper of warmth.
Hestia murmured something incoherent, her body relaxing even further in his hold. Felis only smiled, his own eyes growing heavy.
With her in his arms, safe and close, sleep finally took him.