(Hestia POV – ???)
The rest of our date flowed by. It was unhurried, peaceful, and filled with moments that made my heart flutter.
We wandered through the lively streets of Orario, sampling more street food, peeking into shops filled with trinkets, and occasionally stopping just to take it all in together. There was no grand destination. Just him, holding my hand, walking beside me as we smiled the entire time. It was… nice. Really nice.
Eventually, as the sun dipped below the rooftops, painting the sky in deep orange and yellow hues as Riven gently tugged on my hand.
"Riven, where are we going?" I ask, giggling softly as he places a blindfold over my eyes and leads me away. "You better not be trying to trick me."
"It's a surprise." He replies, amusement lacing his voice. "We're almost there. Just trust me for a little while longer."
He grips my hand gently, with the same care he's shown all day, and even though I can't see anything, I follow him without hesitation. He walks casually, but carefully, gently steering me away from obstacles as we proceed, and the further we go, the quieter it gets.
The background noise of the city fades into silence as we take a final turn and Riven finally slows to a stop. I then hear the soft creak of a wooden door swinging open… followed by a delicate, but distinct chime.
'That bell…' My breath catches. 'No way.'
I know that sound, and I know this scent… the smell of old paper and older shelves. The air is warm, a sharp contrast to the cool evening air, and rather than quiet… it's tranquil… peaceful.
My lips part slightly in surprise. 'No. He didn't…'
He guides me a few more steps inside, then stops. Fingers brush against the knot behind my head, and the blindfold falls away.
My heart squeezes.
'We're inside my favourite bookstore…'
The shelves stretch high, stacked full of well-loved tomes, with handwritten tags that have weathered the ravages of time. Warm golden lights bathe the entire shop in a gentle glow, and the wooden floor creaks faintly beneath my sandals… just like always.
But now… it feels different.
Special.
I turn to Riven, too surprised to speak. Before I can find words, he gently pulls me further in, guiding me around a corner between the shelves, and into a little alcove I've always loved but never expected to see like this.
A small table is set up between the shelves, draped in a soft ivory cloth. Two chairs. A pair of candles flicker gently, casting little shadows across the plates and glasses already laid out.
"A dinner date?" I ask, partly excited, partly amused.
Riven pulls out my chair like some proper gentleman, and I grin as I take my seat. He sits across from me, drawing a few dishes from his storage space and arranging them on the table with surprising care.
"Thought it'd be a nice way to end the night." He says casually.
I glance around nervously, biting my lip. "But… is this okay? Eating in the bookstore? What if we spill something, or disturb someone? I mean, I love this place, but I'd hate to cause problems for it."
Riven just waves his hand with confident ease. "Relax. I already talked to the owner. He was more than happy to let me set this up. Actually…" He adds, flashing a smug grin. "He said I had his blessing to have dinner with you here. You were definitely a memorable customer."
"W-what?!" I sputter, my cheeks heating up instantly. "Why would you need a blessing to date me? I'm the goddess here!"
"Right, right." He chuckles, raising his hands in surrender. "He meant well. Besides, I would've found a way to eat here even if he refused initially."
Then, his gaze softens as it locks onto mine. "I had a few reasons for choosing this place."
My heart beats rapidly in my chest, as his voice softens, filled with sincerity and warmth, and I can't bring myself to look away from his beautiful sky-blue eyes.
"A-and… what reasons are those?" I ask, my tongue suddenly fumbling over itself as my hands fiddle with the edge of the tablecloth.
He leans forward, never breaking eye contact.
"Because it's your favourite place in the city, for one. I wanted our first date to be somewhere important to you."
The words hit hard, my chest overflowing with happiness.
"That's… really sweet, Riven." I smile widely as tears prick my eyes, unable to hold it back, even if I had wanted to.
He shrugs, almost shyly. "I'm always sweet."
And unable to hold back, I laugh at such an incredulous statement. "Yeah… let's go with that." I say between giggles, before glancing away for just a moment, trying to calm the little storm inside me. Then I look back with a grin.
"So?" I tease, "You said 'a few reasons'. That was just one."
His eyes glint with amusement. "You're right, but we should probably eat first."
"Oh?" I pout, unhappy about being made to wait. "Fine! I'll finish this quick, so you have no choice but to tell me!" I say, cutting a piece of meat from a steak, and chewing it menacingly, which only makes him laugh.
And I'm not even mad anymore. Just watching him smile and laugh fills me with contentment and joy.
"I'd rather you didn't choke and enjoy the food." He says light-heartedly, and the two of us laugh together, the candlelight dancing between us.
'I feel so… happy.'
(Riven POV – Hestia's Favourite Bookstore)
I rest my cheek in my palm, watching Hestia shovel food into her mouth like she's on a mission. Her cheeks puff out adorably as she munches with single-minded focus, eager to finish so she can pester me about the second reason I brought her here.
It makes me smile. Not in mockery, but in quiet admiration.
'She's beautiful.' I muse. 'Even when she's being completely ridiculous. No… especially then.'
The soft light of the bookstore glows around us, casting gentle shadows that flicker across the shelves. It's peaceful… comforting, even. But as much as I appreciate this peace…
…I've always had a taste for chaos, too.
With a crooked smile, I cut a piece of meat from my own plate. But instead of eating it, I lean forward and offer it to her, holding out the fork across the table.
She freezes, blinking in wide-eyed confusion as she stares at it. Her mouth's still full, so she gulps hastily, cheeks flushing pink. Then, cautiously, she leans forward and takes the bite from my fork.
'So she will eat if I feed her.'
She chews quickly, then looks at me suspiciously. "What was that about?"
"I wanted to feed you." I say plainly, leaning back in my chair. "And you look cute when you're eating and stuffing your mouth."
Her face turns red, from her neck to her ears in seconds, and she nearly chokes on the bite she just swallowed.
"W-was I eating that much?" She stammers, twirling a lock of hair nervously. Her gaze drifts downward, clearly mortified by her own behaviour, or rather, it being pointed out.
This is the part where I'm supposed to soften the blow. Tell her she was elegant and dainty and whatever else girls want to hear.
But…
"Yeah." I say bluntly. "You were stuffing your face."
Her eyes go wide, and she freezes like a deer in headlights. For a second, I think she might explode from embarrassment.
Before she can spiral, I reach across the table again, this time taking her hand in mine.
"But I like seeing you like that." I add, giving her fingers a gentle squeeze. "It's who you really are."
"...Really?" She whispers after a moment, blinking rapidly.
"I wouldn't lie about something like that." I say with a quiet chuckle.
She stares at me, stunned. "But… you always lie to me!"
I roll my eyes. "Not when it matters, and never to hurt you. And especially not about something this important."
Her eyes begin to glisten, and I sigh dramatically.
"Don't cry yet." I warn. "You'll need those tears later."
"I'm not crying!" She snaps instantly, rubbing at her eyes. "And what the hell does that mean?"
I hold out my hand, palm up. "May I?"
She gives me her hand without hesitation.
I stare at it for a moment, her warmth spreading into my own fingers.
"…Didn't you ask for it?" She mutters, puzzled by my silence.
"I did." I nod slowly. "But after what I just said, you still… gave it to me without hesitation? Aren't you worried I'll pinch you to make you cry?" I ask with a grin to hide my own confusion.
She frowns like I'm the strange one. "Why would I hesitate? I trust you." Her voice is confident and steady, showing certainty in her statement.
'Yeah… that's so Hestia.'
I give her hand a soft squeeze and smile.
"Well then…" I begin. "I guess it's time I told you the other reason I brought you here."
My thumb runs gently over her palm, and she twitches in surprise, cheeks turning rosy again.
"H-hey! What are you doing?" She squeals, flustered and flapping her free hand.
I try not to laugh. "I wanted to ask if I could join your Familia."
Her reaction is instantaneous. She squints at me like I've genuinely lost my mind.
"…You are in my Familia." She says slowly, leaning forward to place the back of her other hand on my forehead. "Are you okay? Do you have a fever?"
I groan, turning my face away. "Not literally. I mean symbolically."
"Huh?"
I lean forward slightly, watching her eyes.
"I know you always wanted your first Familia member to join you right here, in this bookstore." I say softly. "So I thought… I'd try to give you that moment… symbolically."
And now that the moment has arrived…
'It's beginning to feel like a stupid idea.' I groan internally. 'But I still hope it works?'
Her breath halts, and her eyes widen.
"…How'd you know that?" She asks, her voice more surprised and confused, than questioning.
I smile, shaking my head. "I'll tell you one day, but…" I hesitate for a moment, before sighing. "I don't think I'm ready yet."
Even though I trust Hestia completely…
There's still a part of me that's afraid.
'Would she still accept me if she knew the truth? That I'm not from this world?'
She's a goddess, so she probably understands the vastness of the multiverse, and transmigration doesn't seem like a stretch.
But that doesn't make this any easier.
'If I told her everything… would she think I only approached her because I knew how the story plays out? That none of this was real, or that our bond is fake?'
That I'm just playing a role, and everything we've shared was some elaborate manipulation.
I could lie, change the subject, or even distract her and we just forget about this.
But I don't want to… not about something this significant. It's part of the reason I brought up knowledge I shouldn't have.
'So I can't weasel out and avoid it forever.' I sigh internally.
The thoughts come in waves, unrelenting, and annoyingly persistent. I don't even feel fear anymore, and yet…
'I'm scared… that if I tell her everything, she'll leave me.'
And just as that thought begins to tighten around my chest, like a noose I didn't notice before—
Her other hand gently covers mine.
I blink, startled, and look up to meet her eyes. There's no judgment or hesitation…
Just quiet understanding.
Her fingers squeeze around mine, grounding me.
"Don't worry, Riven." She says softly, her voice full of warmth and certainty. "Whenever you're ready… I'll be here. And no matter what you have to say, I'll always love you."
The world stills.
Relief, confusion, guilt, gratitude—emotions blur together, tearing through me like a storm. I open my mouth, but no words come out.
So I just stare at her.
And smile.
My grip, which had unknowingly tightened around her hands, finally loosens as the tension leaves my shoulders.
"You said you'll always love me." I raise an eyebrow, letting a grin creep across my face. "Was that… a confession?"
Her entire body stiffens. "I-I meant as your Goddess!" She yelps, cheeks flaring a violent red. She yanks her hands away like I just burned her, and immediately see the regret of what she said creep into her face.
I laugh, unable to help it. "Then I love you too…"
She freezes.
"…As my Goddess, of course." I add with a wink.
She short-circuits right in front of me.
And promptly passes out.
"Oh…" I quickly move forward just in time to catch her before she hits the floor, cradling her in my arms. She's completely limp, knocked out by her own embarrassment.
I stare at her helplessly, then laugh again.
"Maybe I went a bit too far…"
'The 'as my Goddess' bit was a lie.' I think dryly. 'That's probably what did her in.'
Still, maybe it's for the best. We're both feeling things we don't fully understand yet, and I'm not sure either of us is ready to unpack them right now.
But even so…
'I do love her.'
Gently, I lower her back into her seat. Then, after a moment, I take her hand and release the gift I stored with Predator, carefully and securely around her wrist. It's done in such a way, that only I could take it off, without breaking it or her arm.
"She can enjoy it when she wakes up." I murmur.
I take out the matching one and fasten it to myself, then clear the table. Finally, I scoop her into my arms in a bridal carry.
She's warm, soft, and still blushing in her sleep.
And as I carry her out of the bookstore—the same one where she always dreamed of welcoming her first Familia member—I smile.
'So much for a quiet dinner…'
Then a stray thought strikes me.
'Is IronHeart actually a useless skill?' I wonder, thinking back on how many emotional breakdowns I nearly had tonight.
[Answer: IronHeart has been operating at full effectiveness throughout the entire dinner.]
I freeze.
A cold shiver trails down my spine.
'Wait. This is what I'm like when my emotions are being suppressed? Am I secretly a yandere?'
[Answer: Yes. Your emotions are being suppressed.]
I pause. 'What about the yandere part? Great Sage?!'
[…]
I stare into empty air in shock, then shake my head.
'There's no way I'm yandere. GS probably doesn't even think it's worth answering.' I convince myself.
'…But damn… how screwed would I be without IronHeart?'
***********
A/N: Hello Everyone. How are you all today. If you enjoyed the chapter and book thus far, please consider leaving me some comments, reviews, or powerstones. It really helps the book out.
As for the chapter... I think it was so sweet. It's cute, funny, and all that stuff. We even got some confessions. Ngl, after writing this, I began to wonder if this fic should be about a single love interest, or whether to keep it a harem, because damn! This shit was wholesome, and lovely.
Ngl, I'm wavering. So I'll probably think on it more, but I'll include a poll to see what everyone thinks about it (one on discord as well, I guess?)
Then, the reason Riven was so concerned at the end, and the whole Yandere joke😀, was because it's a serious concern! It might be that I just got carried away and wanted to show emotions, or Riven is actually yandere, because he's feeling so much despite the suppression... But so as not to confuse anyone, this is how IronHeart works:
His base emotions get suppressed, but normally, everyone has a limit on how much they can actually feel. IronHeart kinda gets rid of that limit, as a consequence, but allows rational thinking and behaviour throughout. So he's technically worse than a yandere in how much he was feeling here, since the cap was removed, but the emotions are being suppressed. Think of it like a car, that starts moving at 100m/s with no acceleration. It'll get far, but slow down. Riven's like one that moves at 10m/s, but there's no air resistance to slow it down, so his emotions can keep rising if continuously stimulated, like here.
So yeah, he could become yandere. I'm still deciding (this entire thing was purely accidental by the way🤣), but he'd be a good yandere. Protect the girls, not lock them up.
As for the gift... I left it vague on purpose. But you guys can probably guess what it is anyway. But Hestia's reaction, descriptions, and all that will be done when she's awake and notices it. So until then, it'll remain a surprise.
Lastly, forgive me if the romance and dates stuff was bad🫠. I've got no experience in that, so I'm working of pure Fantasy here🤣. Even Riven getting nervous was intentional, and him fumbling up and being awkward at times, was intentional. Idk if stuff like that actually happens, or if it's a lot worse, so let me know, if you'd be so kind.
You can also read 10 chapters ahead and support me at [email protected]/AMV_WEAKLY
Anyway, that's all from me. Enjoy the rest of your days/nights!😁