(Hestia POV – Church Basement Room)
I swing my legs restlessly over the edge of the couch, humming to myself. My gaze follows Riven as he absorbs all the groceries we bought into his storage skill, in a burst of black smoke.
"What're you gonna make?" I ask for what must be the fifth time, my voice bubbling with impatience. I already know it's going to be delicious, everything he makes is, but tonight feels special. He'd gone out of his way to buy all sorts of exotic ingredients after we left the Loki Familia. Which can only mean one thing.
'A feast. A glorious, mouth-watering feast!'
My stomach gives a tiny growl in agreement, and I puff my cheeks, trying to act dignified. A Goddess should have patience, after all.
'But… it's a bit of a shame that—'
"Are you thinking it's a shame you don't get to watch me cook?" Riven's voice cuts through my thoughts.
I blink, caught off guard. "Huh—?! W-what makes you think that?"
His amused smile only deepens.
My jaw drops.
'How did he know?! Is he reading my mind!?'
He chuckles, sitting down beside me. "You're wondering if I can read minds now?"
I freeze, looking at him in horror.
'He is! He's definitely reading my mind somehow!' I open my mouth to say something, but he beats me to it again.
"Do you think I can read minds?" He asks, eyes twinkling mischievously. "You shouldn't accuse me without evidence."
I jump to my feet, pointing an accusing finger at him. "You are! I knew it!"
Realisation suddenly dawns on me, and I immediately cover my head with my arms. "Stop peeking! What if you see something embarrassing!?"
He bursts out laughing so hard that it makes me blush even more. "It was a lucky guess. Really."
I squint at him suspiciously, glaring at him suspiciously as I search his eyes for any falsehoods. "Then what am I thinking now?"
He leans forward slightly, a grin tugging at his lips. "You're thinking… that blue might just be your new favourite colour." He says with certainty.
"AH!?" I stumble backward, shielding my head to prevent him from seeing my secrets.
And in my rush to escape, I trip, and begin to fall, but Riven catches me, and looks down at me, his arm supporting my back.
He smiles, and my heart thuds in my chest. 'He's gonna know everything…' I think in fear. All the thoughts I've been having about him, and—
Before I can spiral, he chuckles. "Actually, I can't read minds." He says in amusement, and I blink in surprise, because it's not a lie.
"Then how did you…" I begin, but he interrupts me.
"You were staring into my eyes. They're quite beautiful, and blue, so I made an educated guess." He chuckles.
I open my mouth in surprise.
"And… I just blurted out what I thought when I looked into your eyes." He continues.
It takes my brain a few seconds to process his words.
'If He was thinking that blue is a beautiful colour… does that mean he thinks…' My eyes widen at the realisation, a blush creeping up my neck.
"Yes, Hestia. I think your eyes are extremely beautiful." He says as we make eye contact.
My heart thumbs violently in my chest, my face burning crimson, and to escape, I roll out of his arms, falling to the floor and scurrying away.
I scramble to my feet, my cheeks burning. "Y-you tricked me!" I tell, hands shaking, but not from anger.
He raises both hands in surrender. "Guilty as charged. I couldn't resist teasing you."
"Liar!" I huff, turning away sharply and plopping back down on the couch with my arms crossed. "You're terrible!"
Behind me, I hear him sigh softly, before sitting right next to me, our bodies touching.
But I hold strong, facing away from him and ignoring him.
'This is what you get for teasing me.' I think indignantly.
Then I feel a warmth envelop me as two arms wrap gently around my waist. I freeze, my heart skipping a beat as he leans closer, his breath brushing against my ear.
"Goddess…" He murmurs softly. "Don't be angry. I promise I won't tease you again."
His voice is so calm, so gentle… the kind that melts frost in the dead of winter. I bite my lip. He's lying. I know he's lying. He's definitely going to do it again.
Still… I can't help but whisper. "Really?"
He meets my gaze when I turn, smiling with an infuriating, beautiful smile. "Of course. I'd never deceive you."
'He knows…' I realise. 'Deceive, not lie.'
I pout harder, but my voice comes out small. "F-fine. I'll forgive you this time."
"Ah." He says with a disarming grin, pulling me into deeper into his warm embrace. "I'm lucky to have such a gracious and lovely Goddess."
My face heats up instantly. "Y-you can't just say things like that!"
But he only laughs softly and releases me, and almost instantly, I miss being in his arms.
"In apology," he says as he stands up, "I made something special for dinner."
Before I can reply, the table is suddenly filled as dishes upon dishes appear from his storage skill until there's barely any space left on the table. Steaming meats, golden pastries, fragrant stews. It's a festival of color and scent.
My jaw slackens and I gulp hungrily, my mouth watering. "W-wow…"
It's even more than I imagined. My earlier displeasure dissipates instantly, replaced by pure excitement. My nose tingles as the aroma fills the room, and my stomach growls loudly, demanding to be fed.
Riven watches me with a teasing grin. "Don't let me stop you. You look hungry."
I snap my head toward him, horrified by his comment. "How dare you say that to a lady!" I try to sound offended, but my eyes keep drifting back to the food. "But… I'll forgive you this time."
Just as I reach for a drumstick, he interrupts again, voice low and playful. "Almost forgot."
I groan. "What now?"
With a faint shimmer, he produces a sealed bottle of wine. "This," he says with a mysterious smile, "is the best part of tonight's dinner."
I raise an eyebrow skeptically, until he opens it. Instantly, a rich, sweet aroma fills the room, so intoxicating I almost sway toward it.
"Mmm… Is that…?" I whisper, eyes wide, already reaching for the bottle like it's divine ambrosia. "You didn't—"
He grins. "Loki had good wine. I just copied it and made my own." He winks.
I flush, snatching the bottle immediately like it's a sacred treasure. "You're forgiven for everything."
(Riven POV – Church Basement Room)
It happened so fast that I barely had time to blink.
One moment, she was sniffing the wine like a curious child. The next… she was gone.
'GS… what the hell did you do to that wine?' I ask, watching in disbelief as Hestia sways in place, laughing uncontrollably at something only she can understand.
[Answer: The wine was created using the diluted Soma from Loki Familia's wine collection. This batch, however, is undiluted Soma. Requested improvements are still under being researched.]
'Undiluted Soma… of course it is.' I pinch the bridge of my nose. 'I get why it's so expensive.'
All it took was a single sip, and she flushed a deep crimson. Then, enchanted by the taste, she took another… and another. By the time she stopped, the bottle was half empty, and Hestia was very much beyond salvation.
"Riven~!" She sings out, hiccupping adorably before grabbing a piece of bread and waving it at me like a weapon. "Eat! Eaaaat!"
'As much as I enjoy watching her like this… I can't take advantage of a drunk Goddess.' I sigh inwardly. 'Cute or not, she'll explode tomorrow when she remembers this.'
I raise both hands placatingly. "Don't worry about me, Goddess. I can feed myself. You should eat too."
She blinks, staring at me with glassy eyes. Then her lips wobble. "You… don' wanna?" She asks in the tiniest, most heartbroken voice imaginable, tears welling at the corners of her eyes as she continues to dangle the bread in front of me.
It's ridiculous. It's embarrassing.
And yet…
'…I can't say no to that face, can I?' I sigh in defeat. 'I'm her child, technically. A good child doesn't make his Goddess cry… she's lucky she's cute.' I grumble.
So I lean forward and take a bite.
"Mmm." I swallow with a smile. "It's amazing, Goddess."
Her expression lights up instantly. The tears vanish like they were never there, replaced by a bright, beaming smile. "Riiight?!" She hums proudly, before grabbing more food. "Then— eat! Eat more!"
I try to reason. "Goddess, really, you should eat some too—"
But she just pouts, leaning dangerously close, eyes narrowing in exaggerated seriousness as she pushes a slice of meat toward my mouth. "No! You eat!" She insists, wobbling slightly.
Reluctantly, I comply again. 'I'm never living this down…'
Once she's satisfied, I quickly grab a fork and cut a small piece of meat, holding it up to her mouth this time. "You need to eat too, Goddess."
She stares at it blankly for a few seconds, as if trying to understand it. Then she giggles softly. "You're feedin' me~?" She murmurs, cheeks flushed, voice small and syrupy.
"Yes," I say patiently. "Now open up."
"...Okaaay~." She leans forward and takes a bite, humming in contentment as she chews. Her tiny happy noises are… dangerously adorable.
Before long, it becomes a rhythm. She feeds me, I feed her. It's a strange, chaotic dance of bread, stew, and laughter. Sometimes she misses, and I end up with sauce on my chin. Sometimes I have to guide her hand just so she doesn't drop whatever she's holding.
By the time we're done, both our plates are empty, the table's a mess, and Hestia… is gone. Completely asleep.
She slumps against my arm, hugging it tightly to her chest, the empty bottle of Soma cradled in her other hand like a prized treasure. Her soft snores fill the quiet room.
I look down at her, helpless and amused in equal measure.
'I wanted to taste that too… but yeah. Probably for the best I didn't, and don't in future.'
I brush a strand of hair from her face, smiling faintly. She looks peaceful. Cute in a way that could melt the coldest heart.
'I should probably ban her from alcohol entirely.' I pause for a moment. '…Unless she asks really nicely.'
I sigh at my own weakness, then get to work cleaning the table, stacking dishes and wiping crumbs while she clings to my arm even in sleep.
Once everything's done, I scoop her up carefully, her head resting against my chest, and carry her to the bed. She murmurs something incoherent, her fingers curling around my shirt before finally settling down.
I pull the blanket over her and lie down beside her. Her breathing steadies as the soft glow the lanterns light up the room.
'Tomorrow, we open the shop,' I think, as sleep begins to tug at me. 'While she works, I'll renovate the church.'
Her hand shifts slightly, brushing against mine, as even in her dreams, she doesn't let go.
I smile, taking hold of her hand and interlocking fingers. She smiles, as though sensing my touch, and her smile makes me smile.
And so, I close my eyes, and fall asleep next to my Goddess.
*************
A/N: Hello Everyone! How are you? If you've enjoyed the chapter and book thus far, please consider leaving me some comments, reviews, or power stones. It really helps the book out.
So... The cuteness was killing me... Hestia is so cute 🥺 🥰. NGL, while writing this, my heart kept wavering. Should I make her the only love interest? So we get more time and moments like this? And no... Last time I suggested that, people called me unwell🤣. So, I'm considering reducing the harem from the projected 9, to maybe 5. But I'll be doing the poll on discord later, and seeing whether people share my sentiment.
As for the chapter itself... This is getting closer to the end of the fluff. I'm gonna speed up the next day a bit. The shop, fixing up the church, and so on. Then, the day after, Riven will start grinding in the dungeon once more. And will eventually level up, yay! It's been a long time coming. I guess, the only other thing left after that, is him meeting some other characters, developing connections, etc. So, that'll probably be mixed in after the dungeon stuff.
The wine, yes, the wine... Dangerous stuff. Even Riven is now cautious, despite having IronHeart 🤣. And we've discovered his weakness. Damn it? Hestia is too cute😭.
You can also read 10 chapters ahead and support me at [email protected]/AMV_WEAKLY
Anyway, that's all from me. Hope you all have a great day/night 🌉!