The peaceful days passed in a blur of quiet contentment. Felis woke each morning to the warmth of Hestia beside him, shared simple but hearty meals, and spent his days tending the small garden behind the church. The once-barren patch had started to flourish under his care, and though he had no real experience with gardening, he found a quiet joy in watching the sprouts push through the soil.
Evenings were spent on the rocking chair, watching the sunset paint the sky in hues of gold and crimson, Hestia nestled comfortably beside him. Sometimes they talked about small things—the way the weather had been kind to their plants, the taste of a new recipe she tried, the odd little habits they noticed about each other. Other times, they simply sat in companionable silence.
At night, they curled up in the same bed, warmth shared beneath the blankets. Nothing had changed between them, yet everything felt different. There was no rush, no urgency to define what they were to each other. Just the steady rhythm of days spent together.
Felis was satisfied.
But satisfaction didn't mean ignorance. He knew this peace wouldn't last forever.
---
The church doors creaked as Felis stepped out into the crisp afternoon air, his tail flicking lazily behind him. The quiet days of tending the garden and sharing meals with Hestia had settled into a comfortable rhythm, but today was different. Today, he was returning to Babel Tower—not for battle, but to retrieve his equipment.
Just as he adjusted the straps of his belt, a familiar voice called out.
"Wait for me!" Hestia hurried after him, her blue-and-white dress fluttering slightly in the breeze. "I want to go too."
Felis raised a brow. "You sure?"
"Of course! It's your new sword, right? I want to see them too!"
He chuckled. "I don't mind. I enjoy your company."
Hestia blinked before puffing her cheeks. "You always say things like that so casually..."
But she didn't argue. Instead, she fell into step beside him, her small hands lightly gripping the edge of his sleeve as they made their way toward Babel.
---
Hephaestus Familia Forge
The familiar clang of metal against metal filled the air, heat radiating from the forges as blacksmiths hammered away at their crafts. The scent of burning coal mixed with hot iron, a sharp contrast to the cool air outside. Felis felt at ease here—it was the kind of place where things were made with purpose.
A stocky dwarf with a thick, soot-covered beard spotted them and let out a booming laugh. "Well, well! I was wonderin' why ya didn't come running as soon as your sword was finished. But with a wife like that, it's no damn mystery."
Hestia instantly went red. "W-Wife?! I—"
Felis, completely unfazed, nodded. "She's beautiful, isn't she? Thank you for the compliment."
Hestia gasped before pinching his side in embarrassment. But before she could pull away, Felis' tail curled around her wrist in a slow, affectionate motion, his golden eyes glinting with amusement.
The dwarf snorted, shaking his head. "Tch. Damn brats..." He grumbled something under his breath—probably the pain of watching couples while single.
With a grunt, he motioned toward a nearby workbench. "Anyway, your sword. Took longer than expected since reinforcing a blade with two unicorn horns ain't easy. It's sturdier now, can cut through tougher hides, and should handle enchantments better if ya ever wanna add any."
Felis grabbed the weapon and immediately noticed the difference. He gave it a few test swings, adjusting his grip as he felt the increased weight. It wasn't unwieldy, but it was definitely heavier than before. He'd need to get used to it.
'Still, the balance is good. It'll just take a bit of adjustment.'
He nodded. "Good work."
"Hmph. 'Course it's good. A weapon's only as good as the one wielding it, so don't go complaining if you're too slow to swing it." The dwarf folded his arms. "You need any more adjustments, come back. Otherwise, try not to break this one too soon."
Felis smirked. "No promises."
Hestia asked beside him, still a little pink from earlier. "Just how many swords have you broken already?"
He shrugged. "They break before I do. That's all that matters."
The dwarf let out another snort. "Alright, get goin'. I got work to do."
With that, Felis secured his new blade and turned toward the next stop—Welf.
---
Welf's Forge
The forge was smaller than the Hephaestus Familia's grand workshops, but it had a personal, almost stubborn charm to it. The scent of burning coal and heated metal filled the air, and half-finished weapons lay scattered across sturdy wooden workbenches. Compared to the orderly forges inside Babel, Welf's workspace had a more rugged, lived-in feel.
Felis pushed open the door with ease, stepping inside. Hestia followed, her curious eyes sweeping over the forge as she took in the sight of swords, armor pieces, and various unfinished projects.
Welf turned toward them, wiping sweat from his forehead with the back of his glove. His crimson hair was slightly messy, and his usual work apron bore a few new soot stains. When he spotted Felis, he smirked.
"Well, well. Took you long enough. Thought you forgot I was fixing your armor."
Felis smirked right back. "Of course not. Just wanted to give you plenty of time. I know how slow you are."
Welf scoffed. "Yeah, yeah, keep talking, cat-boy. I should've 'forgotten' to fix it just to see you squirm."
Before the two could bicker further, Hestia tilted her head slightly. "Um, Felis, who's this?"
Felis turned to her with an easy grin. "This is Welf Crozzo, a fledgling blacksmith who hasn't made a name for himself yet. Spends half his time thinking everyone just comes to him for magic swords when all he can make is a matchstick."
Welf's eye twitched. "Oi. I make damn good weapons, thank you very much!"
Hestia giggled at the exchange, while Felis' tail swayed lazily behind him.
"Yeah, yeah, I know. You actually fixed my armor, right?"
With a huff, Welf walked over to a nearby workbench and pulled out a neatly stacked set of gear. "Here. Your armor's as good as new. I reinforced the plating so it can take a harder hit, but I didn't add too much weight—figured you'd whine about it messing with your speed."
Felis picked up the chestplate, feeling the solid weight in his hands. It was sturdier than before, but not so much that it would slow him down. He ran his fingers over the reinforced sections, nodding in approval.
"Good work."
Welf smirked. "Of course it is."
He then grabbed a leather-wrapped bundle and unrolled it, revealing three newly forged daggers gleaming under the forge's light.
"And these are your new daggers. Each made from a unicorn horn. Durable, lightweight, and sharper than most standard weapons. Should be handy for quick strikes."
Felis picked up one, testing the grip and balance. The weight was perfect—light enough to move quickly but sturdy enough to pierce through tougher hide. He twirled it between his fingers before sliding it back into its sheath.
"Not bad."
Hestia, who had been quietly observing, smiled. "Wow, Welf! You're really talented."
Welf rubbed the back of his head, clearly pleased but trying not to show it. "Well, it's nothing special. Just a proper blacksmith's job."
Felis chuckled. "See? He can make more than matchsticks."
"Get out."
Laughing, Felis secured his new equipment, feeling the reassuring weight of his reforged armor and weapons. With everything in place, he turned toward Hestia, who still looked amused by the exchange.
"Ready to head back?"
She nodded. "Yeah. But next time, warn me before you start teasing your friends so much."
Welf scoffed. "He won't. He enjoys it too much."
Felis merely grinned as they stepped out of the forge, leaving Welf shaking his head behind them.
---
With their errands done, Felis and Hestia didn't immediately head back to the church. There was no rush. Instead, they simply walked—nowhere in particular, just letting their feet carry them through the bustling streets of Orario.
The city was alive with its usual energy. Merchants called out to potential customers, adventurers fresh from the Dungeon haggled over equipment repairs, and the aroma of grilled meats and sweet pastries drifted from the food stalls lining the streets.
Felis walked at an easy pace, hands tucked into his pockets, his tail flicking occasionally as he took in the sights. Beside him, Hestia hummed softly, her arms folded behind her back as she admired the way the golden afternoon light bathed the city in warmth.
As they wandered, Hestia's steps slowed slightly, her gaze drifting over the familiar cityscape. After a moment, she sighed.
"I used to walk these streets alone," she murmured, more to herself than to him.
Felis glanced at her, golden eyes catching the way the warm evening light softened her expression. He didn't say anything right away, simply letting the moment linger. Then, with an easy motion, he reached out and flicked one of her twin tails.
Hestia jolted slightly. "H-Hey!"
"Well, you're not alone anymore," he said casually, his tail swaying behind him.
She blinked, lips parting slightly before a soft smile curved them. A light pink dusted her cheeks as she looked away. "…Yeah."
They continued walking, stopping occasionally when something caught Hestia's interest—a small flower stall, a street musician playing a lively tune, a group of children playfully chasing each other down the road.
At some point, Felis found himself buying a skewer of grilled meat from a vendor, handing one to Hestia without a word. She accepted it with a pleased hum, taking a bite and letting out a content sigh.
"Mm! This is good!"
Felis chuckled as he took a bite of his own. "Figured you'd like it."
Without realizing it, their hands had brushed as she reached for the skewer. Instead of pulling away, Hestia lightly curled her fingers around his for a fleeting moment before letting go. His tail flicked once before wrapping briefly around her wrist in response, the movement slow and deliberate.
Before they knew it, the sun had begun its slow descent, painting the sky in brilliant shades of orange and purple. The lamps lining the streets flickered to life, casting a warm glow over the city.
Hestia sighed. "We really lost track of time, huh?"
"Guess so." Felis stretched lazily, his tail curling slightly. "Wanna grab dinner before heading back?"
Her eyes brightened. "Yes! Let's go to Hearth's Embrace!"
Felis raised a brow. "That place again?"
She huffed. "It's cozy, the food is great, and I get to eat with you. What's there to complain about?"
"…Fair point."
His lips quirked into a faint smirk As they turned onto the familiar street, Hestia's steps grew a little quicker, a clear sign of her excitement. Felis smirked. He had a feeling she was already thinking about what to order.
---
As Felis and Hestia approached the entrance of Hearth's Embrace, the warm glow of lanterns illuminated the cobbled streets, and the rich aroma of roasted meats and fresh bread filled the air. Just as they reached the door, a familiar pair appeared in their path.
"Eina-san. Narissa," Felis greeted, his golden eyes flicking over them.
Eina's expression brightened slightly. "Felis-san. What a coincidence," she said before turning to Hestia. "And Hestia-sama, it's been a while. We met briefly when Felis-san registered as an adventurer, but we didn't get the chance to properly speak."
Hestia gave a warm smile. "Ah, yes! Eina-san, right? I remember you. Thank you for looking after Felis."
Eina sighed, shaking her head slightly. "I try, but Felis-san does as he pleases."
Hestia chuckled, casting a sideways glance at Felis. "That does sound like him."
Felis, unfazed, turned his attention to Hestia and gestured toward the elf beside Eina. "Hestia-sama, this is Narissa—the one I met by chance on the 18th floor."
Hestia's gaze softened as she looked at Narissa, warmth settling in her expression. She stepped forward without hesitation, gently pulling Narissa into a tender embrace—one filled with the quiet reassurance of a mother soothing her child.
Narissa stiffened for a moment, caught off guard. Her breath hitched as she felt Hestia's smaller frame pressing against hers, her warmth seeping in. She wasn't sure why, but something about the gesture made her chest tighten.
"You've been through a lot, haven't you?" Hestia murmured, her voice soft and kind.
Narissa's eyes shook, her fingers trembling slightly as they hovered in the air before slowly pressing against Hestia's back. Moisture pricked at the edges of her vision. "…I suppose I have," she admitted quietly.
Eina blinked, momentarily surprised by how naturally Narissa melted into Hestia's embrace. It was a side of the elf she hadn't quite seen before. She adjusted her glasses, a small smile tugging at her lips as she observed the scene.
Felis, meanwhile, simply watched, his golden eyes glinting with quiet understanding. This was just like Hestia—warm, boundless in her affection, offering comfort without expecting anything in return.
After a few moments, Hestia finally pulled back, her hands resting lightly on Narissa's arms as she beamed. "It's really nice to meet you properly, Narissa."
Narissa exhaled, a little embarrassed by how much that moment had affected her, but she still managed a graceful bow. "The pleasure is mine, Hestia-sama."
The conversation soon shifted to lighter topics. Eina asked about Felis' well-being after his reckless feats in the Dungeon, earning a few dry remarks from him in return. Narissa, while refined, had a sharp wit that made her occasional comments subtly teasing. Hestia listened with interest, occasionally throwing in her own playful jabs at Felis.
After a short while, Narissa's expression grew more serious, though the warmth in her eyes remained. She turned to Felis. "I know this doesn't compare to what you did for me, but I'd like to treat you to dinner. As thanks for escorting me from the 18th floor."
Felis raised a brow slightly, his tail flicking behind him in mild contemplation. Before he could answer, Hestia nudged him lightly.
"Felis, why not?" she said lightly. "It'd be nice to have dinner together."
Eina glanced at Narissa, noting the subtle expectation in her gaze. She wasn't the type to push, but this clearly meant something to her.
Felis exhaled quietly, his gaze shifting between them. There was no real reason to refuse—and with both Hestia and Narissa looking at him like that, he knew he wasn't getting out of this.
"…Alright," he relented.
Narissa's lips curved slightly, pleased. "Good. Let's head inside, then."
With that, the four of them stepped into the welcoming warmth of Hearth's Embrace, the hum of conversation and the scent of freshly prepared food greeting them as they found a table to share.
---