Hestia let out a dramatic groan, her petite body slumping forward as she dragged her feet out of the Guild. "Uuuu… I didn't think paperwork could be this exhausting…"
She had been so excited at first. Registering Felis as an adventurer, making her Familia official—she had expected something grand! Maybe a ceremony, some kind of declaration, or at the very least, a quick and easy process.
But no.
Instead, she had spent the last few hours buried under a mountain of paperwork. Signing forms, verifying details, answering the same questions over and over again—it was endless! Every time she thought they were done, another sheet was placed in front of her. Even worse, the Guild employees barely spared her a glance, treating her like just another bureaucratic obstacle to get through.
The worst part? Felis had just taken it all in stride. He barely looked bothered, filling out each document with a patience that only frustrated her further. How could he not be annoyed by this?!
Her shoulders sagged. "Felis-kun… I think I lost ten years of my divine life in there…"
Before she could complain any further, strong hands suddenly grasped her legs.
"Wha—?!"
In the next moment, she was lifted off the ground as if she weighed nothing, her petite frame effortlessly hoisted onto Felis's back. The sudden shift sent a surprised squeak past her lips, her hands instinctively clutching at his shoulders for support.
Warmth.
That was the first thing she registered.
Felis's body was firm beneath her touch—broad shoulders, a solid back, steady hands securing her in place. His warmth seeped into her, the slow and rhythmic motion of his steps making her acutely aware of every small movement. Her chest pressed against his back, her breath brushing against the side of his neck as she adjusted her hold. The scent of him—clean, subtly earthy, and just a little bit wild—filled her senses, making her ears tingle.
Her heartbeat stuttered.
'Wh-why is he so comfortable to hold onto?!'
She quickly puffed up her cheeks, trying to push the strange feeling away. "You—! You can't just pick me up whenever you feel like it!"
Felis only chuckled, his voice low and amused. "You looked ready to collapse, Hestia-sama."
She wanted to argue, but… ugh. He had a point.
Huffing in defeat, she slumped slightly against him, letting her body settle into the ride. Now that she wasn't flailing, she had to admit… it was oddly relaxing. The steady sway of his steps, the way his back supported her completely—it was way too comfortable. If she wasn't careful, she might actually fall asleep like this.
Her fingers curled lightly against his shoulders as her head tilted, cheek resting against the side of his neck. His warmth was distracting.
"…Mmh," she mumbled, her voice already growing drowsy. "Go that way… to Hephaestus' smithy…"
Felis hummed in acknowledgment, his pace unchanging as he followed her half-conscious directions.
Hestia's eyelids grew heavier. Maybe… just maybe, she could relax like this for a little longer.
----
The rhythmic sway of Felis's steps was almost hypnotic, each movement steady and fluid as he carried her through the bustling streets of Orario. Hestia wasn't sure if it was exhaustion or simply the sheer comfort of resting against his back, but she found herself unwilling to move.
Her fingers lightly curled against his shoulders, feeling the firm muscles beneath his clothes. The warmth of his body seeped into her own, lulling her senses into a comfortable haze. The steady motion, the gentle bounce of each step, the rhythmic rise and fall of his breathing—it was all strangely soothing.
'Mmh… this is nice… maybe I should make this a regular thing…'
The thought drifted lazily through her mind, her body naturally molding against him. She wasn't quite asleep, but she hovered in that hazy space between wakefulness and dreaming, where thoughts were slow, and everything felt softer.
At some point, she shifted slightly, nuzzling against the curve of his neck. The scent of him—clean, subtly earthy, with a hint of something wild—lingered in the air between them. Her fingers curled just a little tighter against his shoulders, gripping onto something steady.
'Felis-kun is really warm…'
A content sigh left her lips as she relaxed further into his hold, letting herself drift. She faintly registered the lively streets around them—merchants calling out, adventurers boasting, children laughing—but it all felt distant, like background noise in a pleasant dream.
For once, she wasn't walking through Orario alone.
The corners of her lips curled slightly, her cheek pressing just a little closer to the crook of his neck.
'…This isn't so bad.'
Felis hummed in response, his pace remaining steady.
The walk continued, slow and unhurried, as if they had all the time in the world.
By the time they reached Hephaestus' smithy, she had nearly dozed off.
---
The moment Hestia stepped through the doors of Hephaestus' smithy, a sense of nostalgia washed over her. The scent of burning coals, the rhythmic clang of hammers against metal, and the comforting sight of her dear friend's craftsmanship—it was all so familiar.
Her eyes wandered over the weapons and armor displayed on the walls, each piece radiating the unmistakable quality of Hephaestus' work. This place… it felt like home in a way. The workshop had always been a refuge for her, a place where she could talk with Hephaestus, share her worries, and—
"Oi, Hestia."
A familiar voice snapped her out of her thoughts.
Hestia turned and beamed as Hephaestus approached, her signature red hair tied back, her single visible eye studying Hestia with quiet amusement.
"Hestia, I thought you'd only drop by for a quick visit, but from the way you're grinning, you've got something important to say," Hephaestus said, arms crossed.
Hestia puffed up proudly, hands on her hips. "That's right! I finally have a Familia member!"
A flicker of surprise passed through Hephaestus' eye before she chuckled. "Oh? So someone actually joined your broke little Familia?"
Hestia pouted. "Hey! You don't have to say it like that…"
Hephaestus smirked but nodded. "So? Who's the unlucky soul?"
"Felis-kun! He's an amazing adventurer! He's strong, kind, and—"
"—tolerant enough to deal with you?"
"Grrr! Hephaestus!"
The goddess of the forge only chuckled as Hestia huffed, cheeks puffed up indignantly. But before she could launch into a proper counterargument, Hephaestus leaned back against a nearby table, studying her with a knowing look.
"…You're really happy, huh?"
Hestia blinked, her frustration melting away as she realized—she was happy.
For so long, she had dreamed of having a Familia, of not being alone. And now, standing here, telling her best friend about it… it felt real.
Her chest swelled with emotion, and she grinned. "Of course! My Familia is finally starting, and it's going to be amazing!"
Hephaestus exhaled, shaking her head fondly. "Well, I can't say no when you're looking this excited." She gestured for Hestia to follow her to the back. "Come on. Let's talk about what make you very happy"
Excitement bubbled in her chest as she spoke with Hephaestus, explaining everything—how she had finally found a Familia member, how Felis was the perfect adventurer, how their Familia was bound to become something incredible. She might have… gotten a little carried away.
Okay, maybe a lot.
What was supposed to be a quick discussion about how to lock falna had turned into an extended session of bragging. Hestia couldn't help it! Seeing the amused glint in Hephaestus' one visible eye as she listened only encouraged her more.
Before they parted, Hephaestus placed a small pouch in Hestia's hands.
Hestia blinked. "Eh? What's this?"
"Consider it a little extra to help you get started. I know you didn't come for money, but let's be real—your Familia is broke."
Hestia instinctively opened her mouth to protest, her pride flaring up. She wanted to say that she and Felis would manage on their own, that she didn't need charity—
But her fingers curled around the pouch.
The weight of it pressed against her palm, grounding her.
They had a home now, even if it was a rundown church. It was theirs, their Familia's first home—and that was thanks to Hephaestus. But that was it. No food, no supplies, no savings to fall back on. Felis hadn't even stepped into the dungeon yet. Right now, they had nothing.
She hated admitting it, but Hephaestus was right.
Her grip on the pouch tightened.
Refusing would be foolish. It wasn't just about pride anymore—this was about making sure her Familia could stand on its own.
She exhaled softly.
"…Thank you, Hephaestus."
Hephaestus smirked. "Just don't waste it, alright?"
Hestia puffed up proudly, some of her usual energy returning. "Of course not! I'll make sure our Familia thrives!"
---
By the time she finally stepped out of the smithy, a victorious grin stretched across her face.
'Heh. That went perfectly!'
She had learned how to properly lock a Falna and walked away with a little bonus. Things were looking up!
Spotting Felis waiting outside, she hurried toward him, her excitement practically overflowing.
"Let's go, Felis-kun! Today, we celebrate our Familia's founding day!" she declared, holding up the pouch triumphantly. "Hephaestus gave me a little extra support!"
Felis chuckled, his golden eyes warm with amusement. "Then let's buy some good food and daily necessities. I'd rather celebrate at home than eat out. I don't want some unexpected incident ruining the mood."
Hestia pouted slightly, Hestia hesitated, glancing between Felis and the lively streets around them. A meal at home did sound nice, but… this was their first real night as a Familia. Shouldn't they celebrate properly? Maybe go somewhere festive, eat until they were stuffed, bask in the lively atmosphere of Orario together—
But then, a vivid mental image of a certain rival goddess barging in, loudly teasing her, ruining the moment entirely, popped into her head.
She shuddered.
"You're right, Felis-kun," she relented with a small sigh. "A peaceful meal at home sounds perfect—" she paused, before scowling at a sudden thought. "Ugh. At least I won't have to deal with a certain flat-chested nuisance ruining the mood."
She crossed her arms and huffed, muttering darkly under her breath. Just thinking about Loki souring their celebration made her blood boil.
But before the frustration could linger, she grabbed Felis' hand, her fingers curling tightly around his.
"Come on, come on! Let's go shopping!"
Without waiting for a reply, she tugged him forward, eager to bask in the joy of finally having a Familia.
The warmth of his hand seeped into hers, steady and firm. Her fingers instinctively tightened, savoring the reassuring presence. Felis didn't pull away—if anything, his grip adjusted slightly, naturally fitting against hers. The simple act made something flutter in her chest, a quiet warmth spreading through her.
As they walked, the golden glow of lanterns flickered to life, their soft light reflecting in Felis' eyes, making them gleam like molten gold in the twilight. The evening air carried the scent of freshly baked bread and sizzling meat from the marketplace, mixing with the distant hum of laughter and chatter.
Hestia exhaled softly, taking it all in.
The day was coming to an end, but her journey with Felis was only just beginning.
And this time, she wasn't alone.