Hestia woke earlier than expected—but she didn't move away.
Instead, she nestled closer, sinking deeper into Felis' embrace. One of his arms rested at her waist, the other cradling the back of her head, as if she were something precious. Was he treating her like a plushie in his sleep? She didn't know. But the steady rhythm of his heartbeat, the warmth of his breath, the quiet peace between them… it felt nice.
With nothing to disturb the moment, her thoughts wandered.
Every moment with him replayed in her mind—his kindness, his presence, the way he made her feel. Did she see him only as her Familia, or…?
She remembered the shameful things they'd done. Yet, no matter how she looked at it, she didn't hate him for it. She wasn't angry. If anything… she'd let it slide too easily. Why? Forgiveness? Tolerance? Or something else entirely?
She didn't have an answer. But wrapped in his warmth, she knew one thing for certain—she didn't want to pull away.
After a while, Felis stirred, his ears twitching as he slowly woke up.
Hestia hesitated, then softly murmured, "Don't move… stay like this a little longer."
Felis didn't respond with words—he simply pulled her closer, tightening his embrace until their bodies were nearly pressed together.
Fifteen minutes passed before Hestia finally propped herself up on his chest with a small, contented sigh. "Alright, time to start the day." She sat on his stomach.
As she stretched, she added absentmindedly, "Also, if something's uncomfortable, just say so. How could you let your tail get squashed under me all night? It was so stiff for so long that I decided to wake up."
Just as her hand reached toward his tail, Felis suddenly moved—sitting up in one swift motion. He grabbed her waist, shifting her weight effortlessly as he pinned her back down onto the bed.
"Eep—!" Hestia let out a yelp, her face flushing as she found herself beneath him.
Felis simply chuckled, her ears tinted red from the sudden movement—and maybe from that adorable sound she just made. He wasn't about to explain the stiff tail situation, so instead, he leaned down, pressed a light kiss to her forehead, and stood up.
Without another word, he walked off toward the bathroom.
Hestia blinked, momentarily stunned. Then, under her breath, she muttered, "That damn cat's getting bolder every day..."
---
The morning sunlight streamed through the modest but well-kept windows of their renovated church, casting golden light over the wooden table where Felis and Hestia shared breakfast. The warm scent of fresh bread and seasoned stew filled the air, making for a slow, comforting start to the day.
Hestia took a thoughtful bite of bread, her blue eyes flicking to him with curiosity. "So, no dungeon today?"
Felis' ears gave a slight twitch as he swallowed his food. "Nah. Figured I'd take a break." His tail lazily curled over the chair leg before flicking free again. "Do some work around the place—tidy up, plant some flowers, maybe start a garden."
She tilted her head, narrowing her eyes slightly. "You? Gardening?"
He smirked, golden eyes gleaming with a playful glint. "Gotta bring balance, Hestia-sama. Growth and destruction—two sides of the same coin." He made a vague, almost theatrical motion with his hand as if he were a philosopher pondering the cosmos.
Hestia stared at him for a long moment. "…That sounds suspiciously dramatic for just planting flowers."
Felis chuckled, popping the last piece of bread into his mouth. "It's all about perspective."
But as he stretched, rolling out his shoulders, a faint tension remained in his frame—something only noticeable in the small movements of his tail, the brief flicker of his ears. He had his reasons for taking a break, though he wasn't about to voice them just yet.
The enchanted Goliath on the 17th floor had been a brutal opponent. Stronger than it should have been, its blows nearly overwhelming even his absurd endurance. Then came the 19th floor—the sheer number of monsters, the relentless slaughter… He exhaled softly. His body had healed, but the weight of it all still lingered.
Hestia didn't know. Not yet. But she could feel it.
As he reached for his cup, his golden eyes caught a small movement—Hestia's hand hesitated over her own, fingers brushing the rim before pulling back. A pause, a moment of indecision. She was waiting for him to speak first.
His tail flicked once before he stood, stretching his arms overhead. "Even warriors need rest days. A little manual labor keeps the body sharp."
Hestia sighed, setting her bread down. "Well, if it makes this place look even better, I won't complain. Just… don't start giving speeches about fate and destiny while you're out there."
Felis let out an amused hum. "No promises."
With that, he stepped outside, the crisp morning air meeting him as his feline ears twitched at the distant murmur of Orario. The scent of damp soil, the faint morning dew on the grass, the chirping of birds in the distance—it was peaceful.
Too peaceful.
His golden eyes briefly flicked to his hands, as if expecting to still see the dark stains of battle. But there was nothing. Just warm sunlight, clean air, and quiet. A stark contrast to the bloodied chaos of the dungeon.
He exhaled slowly, flexing his fingers before turning his gaze toward the land surrounding their home. There was work to do. Something simple. Something normal.
For now, at least.
Felis adjusted his belt, giving his pouch a final check before stepping away from the church. His tail flicked lazily as he mentally listed what he needed—gardening tools, seeds, maybe some soil enhancers. He could probably get everything in one trip.
But before he could take another step, a soft voice called from behind.
"I'm coming too!"
His ears twitched at the sudden declaration. Turning, his golden eyes met Hestia's determined expression as she stood at the doorway, hands on her hips. She had already changed into a blue tunic with shorts, a simple yet fashionable outfit that suited her lively energy. The soft fabric swayed slightly with each step, the morning light catching the silky strands of her long twin tails as they bounced behind her.
"Oh?" Felis smirked, his tail swaying. "Didn't take you for the gardening type, Hestia-sama."
She huffed, puffing out her chest. "What's that supposed to mean? I happen to have great taste in flowers!"
Felis hummed, amused. "Didn't know you were passionate about it."
"I wasn't—until just now!" she declared. "If we're making the church look nice, then it should be perfect! That means we need to pick the best flowers, the best decorations, everything!"
His ears twitched again, eyes narrowing slightly in amusement. 'She's really into this all of a sudden…' A soft chuckle rumbled in his throat. It wasn't like he minded—seeing Hestia so excited was undeniably cute.
"I see… So now it's our garden?"
Hestia crossed her arms, standing firm. "It is our home, isn't it?"
Felis exhaled through his nose, shaking his head. "Alright, alright. Let's go before you start drawing blueprints."
Hestia beamed, practically bouncing beside him as they made their way toward the market.
---
The bustling marketplace of Orario greeted them with a symphony of scents and sounds. The air carried the fragrance of fresh produce, spiced meats sizzling on skewers, and the faint floral perfume of a nearby vendor's stall. Merchants called out their wares, haggling voices blending into the rhythmic shuffle of footsteps over cobbled streets.
Felis' feline ears twitched as he walked alongside Hestia, who had all but taken over their shopping trip.
"This one! No—wait, that one!" She darted between stalls, pointing at different flower seeds with the eagerness of a child in a candy store. "Oh, oh! We need some vegetables too! And herbs! And—Felis, look at these saplings! Can we grow trees? Do we have space? I want a fruit tree!"
Felis hummed, amused. 'I'm starting to think I didn't plan this at all. She did.' His tail swayed as he watched her excitement unfold.
"Alright, alright," he chuckled, nodding to the vendor. "We'll take everything she picked out."
The shopkeeper blinked. "All of it?"
"All of it," Felis confirmed without hesitation.
Hestia's eyes sparkled, and she practically bounced on her heels.
Soon, their list expanded—gardening tools, fertilizers, watering cans, even decorative planters. Felis added a few things of his own, including a sturdy rocking chair, picturing himself lounging outside after a hard day's work.
By the time they were done, they had far more than they could carry. Felis handed a few extra valis to the merchants and arranged for everything to be delivered to the church.
"All of it, except for these," he said, holding up a neatly folded outfit.
Hestia tilted her head. "Eh? Clothes?"
"Something practical for gardening," Felis said simply, handing her the bundle. A comfortable yet breathable tunic, loose-fitting pants, and sturdy shoes. And, on top of the pile—
"A hat?" Hestia blinked, lifting the wide-brimmed straw hat Felis had picked out.
"Yeah. Don't want you getting sunburned."
She stared at him, then let out a small giggle. "You do know I'm a goddess, right?"
Felis smirked. "Right now, you're just Hestia—the cute girl who gets excited over fruit trees."
Her cheeks tinged pink, but she huffed, putting the hat on anyway. "Well… I guess it wouldn't hurt to wear it."
Felis chuckled, his golden eyes gleaming with amusement. He didn't mind the dungeon. He didn't mind battle. But moments like these—walking through a lively market, indulging Hestia's whims, watching her happiness unfold—felt like a different kind of victory.
For now, at least, this was enough.
---
Hestia practically skipped toward the back of the church, excitement radiating from her with every step. Her twin tails bounced behind her as she spun around, arms spread wide, surveying the open land.
"This is it! Our garden!" she declared, grinning from ear to ear.
Felis followed behind at a more measured pace, arms laden with the last of their supplies. His golden eyes swept over the ground—hardened soil, patches of frost still clinging to the earth from winter's grasp. He had expected this, but seeing Hestia's sheer enthusiasm made it a little harder to break the news.
His tail flicked once before he exhaled. "It's a nice thought, but we can't plant anything just yet."
Hestia blinked, her expression faltering slightly. "What? Why?"
Felis set the supplies down beside the rocking chair. "Weather's still too cold. The ground's not ready." He crouched, running a gloved hand over the dirt. "Frozen soil's not great for planting. We need to prepare it first."
Hestia frowned, glancing at the patches of frost. "Tch. So we went through all that trouble picking out plants for nothing?"
Felis smirked, standing back up. "Not nothing. We're still making progress—just gotta take it one step at a time."
She let out an exaggerated sigh before plopping herself into the rocking chair with a small creak, adjusting the large straw hat he had given her earlier. "Fine. So what now, O' Wise One?"
Felis rolled his shoulders, stretching slightly. "Menial labor. Clearing debris, loosening the soil, breaking up frost layers, reinforcing weak spots in the fence…" He flexed his fingers. "Shouldn't take too long."
Hestia pushed herself up from the chair. "Alright, I'll—"
"Nope."
She froze mid-step. "Huh?"
Felis turned to her, tail swaying lazily. "You? Doing heavy labor? Not happening."
Her cheeks puffed out. "I'm not weak, you know!"
"Didn't say you were," he replied smoothly, picking up a shovel. "But I don't want to hear you complaining about sore arms later."
Hestia huffed, crossing her arms. "You're such a—" She cut herself off, pouting. Instead of arguing further, she flopped back into the rocking chair and pulled her hat lower over her face.
Felis chuckled. "Thought so."
Despite her grumbling, Hestia didn't stay idle. She set up a small table next to the rocking chair, bringing out drinks and snacks. If she wasn't going to work, she'd at least provide moral support.
As Felis dug into the earth, breaking up the frost-hardened soil, Hestia kicked her legs idly, watching him with growing interest. His movements were smooth and precise—each strike of the shovel deliberate, each shift of his weight efficient. The way his muscles flexed beneath his tunic, the occasional flick of his tail when he exerted force…
She took a sip of her drink, suddenly feeling a little too warm for a winter morning.
"So…" she started, trying to keep her mind from wandering too much. "What kind of garden are we making?"
Felis wiped his brow with the back of his hand, glancing her way. "Dunno. You were the one picking out all the plants."
Hestia grinned. "Then it'll be our perfect garden! A mix of flowers and vegetables! A beautiful paradise, right in our backyard!"
Felis let out a small chuckle, turning back to his work. "Ambitious."
"Hey, go big or go home!"
He smirked. "We are home."
Hestia huffed, but her smile didn't waver. She leaned forward, propping her chin on her hands. "What about you? Got a preference?"
Felis tilted his head slightly in thought. "…Something simple. Functional."
Hestia pouted. "Boooring."
He chuckled. "I'm practical."
She rolled her eyes, but the warmth in her gaze never faded.
As the morning passed, the two of them continued their lighthearted conversation. Hestia occasionally got up to hand him a drink, and Felis—despite his initial teasing—let her help with some of the lighter tasks.
And for a while, everything felt normal.
Just quiet, simple work.
And it was nice.
----
Felis let out a slow breath, rolling his shoulders as he surveyed his work. The soil had been tilled, stones cleared, and the ground leveled—a proper foundation for their future garden. It wasn't much to look at now, but once the planting began, it would transform into something lively.
Turning, his golden eyes landed on Hestia. She had dozed off in the rocking chair, the gentle rise and fall of her chest matching the slow rhythm of the chair's movement. The wide-brimmed gardening hat he'd given her tilted slightly to one side, casting a soft shadow over her peaceful expression.
His ears twitched. 'Cute.'
For a moment, he considered waking her—but instead, he simply stepped past her, heading inside for a quick bath.
By the time he returned, fresh and towel-drying his hair, Hestia was already awake, stretching with a satisfied hum. She blinked at him, then glanced at the tilled soil. "Oh… You actually finished it."
Felis arched a brow. "What, didn't think I would?"
"No, I just—" She paused, then grinned. "You work fast."
He huffed, stepping closer to the small table where she had set out drinks. Grabbing his cup, he downed the cool water in one go, his tail flicking slightly in satisfaction. "Not bad."
Hestia, who had been sitting comfortably, suddenly stood, brushing off her shorts. "Alright, since you worked hard, you should rest now."
Felis tilted his head. "You do remember I'm an adventurer, right? This is nothing."
But Hestia simply crossed her arms, her blue eyes narrowing in a look he'd come to recognize—one that meant she wouldn't budge. "Even adventurers need to sit down sometimes."
He exhaled through his nose. 'Stubborn goddess…'
Letting out a small sigh, he stepped forward—before she could react, he scooped her up effortlessly.
"Wha—?!" Hestia barely had time to squeak before she found herself weightless for a moment. Then, just as quickly, she was settled onto Felis' lap as he took her spot on the rocking chair. His arms wrapped securely around her, holding her close as the chair swayed slightly.
Her face turned a deep shade of red.
Felis smirked, his golden eyes glinting as he murmured near her ear, "There. Now we're both resting."
As Hestia squirmed slightly on his lap, still trying to process how she ended up there, Felis hummed, resting his chin lightly on her shoulder. His tail, previously curled around the chair's armrest, flicked once before lazily winding around her thigh. The soft fur brushed against her skin, sending a light shiver up her spine. He felt it—how she stiffened ever so slightly—and smirked against her hair. "Comfortable, Hestia-sama?" he murmured, his voice a low purr. His tail gave one more slow, deliberate squeeze before settling in place, content to stay wrapped around her.
Hestia froze for a moment, her hands instinctively gripping the fabric of his shirt. The gentle yet firm coil of his tail around her thigh sent an unfamiliar heat up her spine—something she wasn't sure how to react to.
"Y-You really like using that tail of yours, huh?" she muttered, her voice caught between embarrassed and flustered.
Felis chuckled, his breath warm against her ear. "It has its uses." His arms tightened slightly around her waist, pulling her a little closer as he leaned back into the chair. The steady, rhythmic creak of the rocking motion filled the quiet afternoon air.
Hestia huffed, puffing out her cheeks before sinking into his embrace with a grumble. "You're way too comfortable with this, you know that?"
His tail flicked once in amusement before curling back around her. "It's your fault for being so stubborn, Hestia-sama. You wanted me to rest—so here I am, resting."
She clicked her tongue, but there was no real bite to it. Instead, she let out a sigh and finally allowed herself to relax against him. The warmth of his body, the soothing rhythm of the chair, and the quiet hum of the breeze—all of it melted into a peaceful moment.
After a few beats of silence, her voice softened. "…It's nice, though."
Felis' ears twitched slightly. "Hm?"
She shifted slightly, resting her cheek against his shoulder. "Spending the day like this. Just us. No dungeon, no worries, just… home."
Felis let out a slow exhale, golden eyes half-lidded as he gazed out toward their soon-to-be garden. "Yeah," he murmured, his tail giving one final, gentle squeeze. "It really is."