Chapter: "Date with the Goddess [2/2]"
Made By: Eternal_Jokr
A/N: This fanfic is open to criticism and opinions, tell us what you think in the comments section and leave your support. Thank you
---
The gentle breeze of Orario brushed against Dante's face as soon as they crossed the threshold of the Blue Pharmacy, causing a few strands of his silvery hair to dance around the scars and purple tattoos on his face.
He didn't pull his hood back up, the sensation of the sun on his skin and the warmth of Hestia's hand firmly intertwined with his made him forget, for a moment, the constant need to camouflage himself in the shadows of the labyrinth-city.
Hestia walked with an almost rhythmic skip, her hair swinging happily as she glanced sideways at the young man beside her.
She still wore a victorious and intensely satisfied smile after witnessing Naaza's genuine reaction.
"See that, Dante?" she began, leaning her head close to his broad shoulder as they turned the corner toward the bustling Main Avenue.
"I told you they were good people. Miach and Naaza always helped me when I didn't have a penny to my name. I was so happy to see that you got along with them... And, well... did you see how red Naaza got? I think she had never seen an adventurer as terribly handsome as mine"
Dante let out a low, husky laugh, turning his cosmic purple eyes toward the goddess.
"You focus on strange things, Hestia" he murmured, though the tone of his voice was purely affectionate. "I only saw two honorable people who respect you. That is what matters to me".
Those simple words made Hestia's divine heart skip a beat.
The goddess's loving and possessive side instantly surfaced as she hugged his bandaged arm even tighter, pressing the ample curves of her body against his side without caring about the glances from the passersby who were beginning to crowd the sidewalks.
"Ah, Dante... You can't say things like that, with that serious face, in the middle of the street. My heart can't take it~" she exclaimed with flushed cheeks, looking up at him with eyes shining with pure passion. "At this rate, I'll want to take you right back to the basement and forget about lunch".
"We agreed that we would go to Demeter's diner" Dante calmly reminded her, though a subtle smile cut across the rigid line of his lips. "And you said yourself that you were starving".
"R-Right! Food first" Hestia cleared her throat, trying to regain her composure as the aroma of baked bread, grilled meats, and fresh fruits from Main Avenue began to flood the air around them.
The great avenue of Orario was alive. Adventurers in gleaming armor, merchants shouting their prices, and ordinary citizens crossed paths under the towering shadow of Babel, which rose in the background as it cut through the skies.
As they moved forward, Dante began to notice the whispers and discreet glances directed at them.
They were not the glances of contempt that the small and impoverished Hestia Familia used to receive, but rather glances of curiosity and admiration.
The combination of the goddess of the blue ribbon with that unknown young warrior, whose exotic beauty of tattoos and the contrast of silvery hair with battle scars conveyed the aura of a dangerous yet stunning predator, attracted attention wherever they went.
Dante remained indifferent to the attention of others, keeping his focus only on the path and the divinity beside him.
To him, all that exuberance of Orario remained just a noisy backdrop.
The true meaning of his world, the reason why he sharpened his blades and challenged the dungeon every day, was right there, holding his arm with a radiant smile that rivaled the sunlight.
"Look, Dante. It's right there" Hestia pointed enthusiastically toward an open-front diner decorated with wheat stalks and flowers, where several wooden tables occupied the sidewalk under colorful umbrellas.
"The Demeter Familia's diner, their pork sandwich with cheese is wonderful. Come on, come on"
They approached the Demeter Familia's diner, where the movement was constant, but, luckily for both, one of the more private tables on the sidewalk, under the shade of a large umbrella, had just become vacant.
As soon as they settled into the wooden chairs, Hestia looked around with narrowed eyes, searching the sides of the counter and the open kitchens.
She clearly expected to find the voluptuous and always welcoming figure of the Goddess of Agriculture to show off her beautiful adventurer.
"Huh... How strange" Hestia murmured, resting her elbows on the table and puffing out her cheeks slightly.
"Demeter almost never leaves the diner at this hour. She loves to spoil the customers and, well... I really wanted to rub it in her face how perfect my Dante is"
One of the diner's waitresses, a young woman in a clean apron who brought a menu and two mugs of fresh fruit juice, overheard the goddess's comment and let out a friendly laugh as she placed the drinks on the table.
"Good morning, Goddess Hestia. If you are looking for our lady, I'm afraid you will have to wait until nightfall" the waitress explained with extreme warmth, shifting her gaze for a fraction of a second to Dante, visibly impressed by the striking appearance of the young man with silvery hair and cosmic eyes.
"Goddess Demeter left early. She organized a special tour around the city along with some of her goddess friends to discuss the upcoming season's festivities. You know how it is...when goddesses gather to hang out, the day becomes a party"
"Ah, I see... I remember now, those party animals" Hestia grumbled in a whiny way, but soon the delicious smell coming from the kitchen erased any hint of disappointment from her face.
She looked at the waitress with shining eyes. "All right! We'll have two of those special pork sandwiches with extra melted cheese. And you can bring another portion of french fries, please".
"Right away, milady" The waitress made a brief bow and quickly withdrew, eager to deliver the order.
Dante, who watched the scene in silence, brought the juice mug to his lips, taking a long sip. The freshness of the drink contrasted with the heat that was beginning to rise on the avenue of Orario.
He looked at Hestia on the other side of the small table, observing how radiant and perfectly at ease she seemed, even without the presence of her divine friend.
"It seems like your plan to show me off to your goddess friend failed" Dante commented in a husky voice, the corner of his lips rising in that characteristic half-smile of his that softened the scars on his face.
"Ah, it's not fair to laugh at me, Dante" Hestia protested, stretching her hands over the table to hold his bandaged fingers. "Demeter missed the chance to see the most handsome man in Orario, but the good side is that now I have you entirely to myself, without any intrusive goddess trying to steal your attention or squeeze your cheeks"
She leaned a bit further over the table, her blue eyes shining with that possessive and sweet affection that Dante knew so well.
"In the end, it's even better. A real date needs privacy... even in the middle of a noisy sidewalk. Just you and me, my hero".
Dante let out a low laugh, the sound vibrating in a soft and comforting way. He squeezed Hestia's fingers back, feeling the warmth of her skin against his bandages.
"I don't think anyone could steal me from you, Hestia" he replied with his husky and firm voice, looking directly at her with his cosmic purple eyes. "I made an oath. My blade belongs to the Hestia Familia. And to you."
The direct and straightforward declaration made the goddess melt completely.
She let out an audible sigh, covering her face with both hands for a second while her ears turned a crimson hue.
When she looked back at him, her eyes were moist with pure emotion and happiness.
"Dante... you can't say these things with such a handsome and serious face. I am a goddess, but my heart cannot take so much romanticism so early" she exclaimed in a dramatic whisper, leaning even further over the small table.
"If you keep this up, I'm going to give you a kiss right in the middle of this diner, in front of everyone, I don't even care about manners~♡"
Dante just arched his eyebrow, the glimpse of a challenging smile appearing on his lips, which only served to make Hestia even more agitated and in love.
Before the goddess could fulfill her bold promise, the young waitress returned carrying a large metal tray.
The aroma that spread through the air was overwhelming, two huge sandwiches, with generous slices of perfectly seasoned pork and a thick layer of melted cheese dripping down the sides of the crispy bread, accompanied by a steaming portion of golden fries sprinkled with herbs.
"Here it is, Goddess Hestia, and for you as well, sir. Bon appétit" The young woman said, placing the plates down with agility before walking away with a slight bow.
"Wow! This looks simply divine" Hestia clapped her hands with joy, temporarily forgetting her possessive goddess pose in the face of the wonderful food.
She picked up her sandwich with both hands, looking at Dante with her cheeks already flushed with enthusiasm. "Let's eat, Dante, you need to regain all your strength so we can continue our walk"
Dante nodded, picking up his own sandwich. The texture of the warm bread and the rich flavor of the pork with cheese were a true feast compared to the dry rations he used to chew quickly between one combat and another in the dark tunnels of the Dungeon.
While they ate, the movement on the sidewalk remained intense. Several adventurers passing by Main Avenue couldn't help but look in the direction of that table.
The contrast was magnetic, the goddess of the blue ribbon, known for her sweetness and expressiveness, laughing and talking animatedly with a young warrior with silvery white hair and mystical markings on his face, whose stunning beauty and battle scars told the story of a dangerous predator in a moment of pure peace.
Oblivious to the whispers and looks of admiration from the city, Dante kept his attention divided only between savoring the meal and observing Hestia's radiant smile, as she wiped the corner of her mouth with a napkin while planning, with broad and lively gestures, what the next stop of their first date would be.
After savoring the generous sandwiches on the diner's sidewalk, Dante and Hestia continued their walk through the vibrant streets of Orario.
The afternoon progressed with a lightness rare for the routine of that city.
Hestia seemed to float, her hands firmly entwined around Dante's strong arm, humming a cheerful melody while pointing to the colorful shop windows and commenting on the extravagant decorations some Familias used to attract customers.
Dante walked at her pace, maintaining his imposing posture. Without the hood to cover his face, his exotic look continued to draw attention wherever they went. The silvery white strands of his hair gleamed under the sunlight.
As they approached Orario's prestigious fashion district, where the shop windows displayed fine fabrics from distant lands, Dante slowed his pace.
His purple eyes fixed on the elegant facade of a clothing boutique. Through the polished glass, beautiful dresses could be seen displayed on mannequins, along with decorated cloaks and high-quality silk ribbons.
He stopped completely in front of the entrance, causing Hestia to interrupt her conversation and look at him with curiosity.
"Hestia" Dante called, his husky and firm voice echoing softly over the noise of the street. "Let's go in here."
The goddess blinked her eyes, alternating her gaze between the luxurious window and the serious face of her adventurer.
"Eh? A clothing store, Dante?" Hestia tilted her head, clasping her hands together in front of her body with a slightly confused expression. "But...the things here look quite expensive. We should save our valis for your equipment or to stock the basement..."
"I have enough valis saved from my last descents" Dante interrupted her calmly, taking a step toward the boutique's open door and gently pulling her by the hand. "And we are not here to buy anything for me today. I want you to choose some new clothes. You are a goddess, Hestia. You deserve to wear something beautiful that isn't just your work dress or the same change of clothes as always."
Hestia froze for a brief second, assimilating his words. The impact of that romantic and thoughtful gesture hit her divine heart like an arrow of pure affection.
Her cheeks instantly turned a vibrant crimson hue and her eyes shone with an overwhelming intensity of love and admiration.
"D-Dante..." she stammered, her voice rising an octave out of sweet nervousness.
Without caring about the store clerks who were already looking in their direction, surprised by the charming appearance of the young man with silvery hair, Hestia threw herself against Dante's chest.
She wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing her whole body against his and hiding her flushed face in the curve of his broad shoulder.
"You are the best adventurer, the best man, and the most perfect hero in all the lower world" she exclaimed in a muffled and completely melted whisper, planting quick and whiny kisses on the exposed skin of his neck. "I can't handle so much kindness... I think I'm going to explode with love! All right, I accept. But you are going to have to help me choose every single piece, do you hear? I want to wear something that makes my Dante proud to walk by my side!"
Dante felt the warmth of her body and let out a low laugh, a comforting vibration that calmed the goddess.
He passed his bandaged hand over her back, hugging her for a moment before leading her into the brightly lit and scented interior of the store, ready to spoil his divinity as much as she deserved.
The interior of the boutique was cozy and refined, well lit by the natural light coming through the large arched window.
Dante settled into a wide-armed velvet armchair, resting his chin on his bandaged hand. His cosmic purple eyes followed every movement of the goddess, while a subtle and relaxed smile played on his lips, softening the scars on his striking face.
Hestia transformed the fitting room into her private stage. Totally given over to the mood of the date, she came out every few minutes to show off the options, laughing out loud and spinning in front of the gold-framed mirror.
"Look at this one, Dante. What do you think?" she exclaimed with shining eyes, holding a hanger with a dark-red lace top in one hand, while displaying the model she had just put on.
The current dress was a night-blue model with an off-the-shoulder neckline that generously highlighted her beautifully sculpted bust.
The skirt was short and flared, featuring a bold slit on the thigh that revealed her shapely legs with every step she took with her black high-heeled boots. Her loose hair gave a touch of innocence that contrasted perfectly with the sensuality of the piece.
"You look incredible, Hestia" Dante replied, his husky voice loaded with a genuine approval that made the goddess's cheeks flush with satisfaction. "But I think the slit on that blue one will draw too much attention on the streets."
"That's the intention! I want everyone to know the wonderful goddess you have by your side" she joked, winking an eye before picking up the other options arranged on the daybed nearby.
Among the clothes selected by the saleslady, who watched the scene fascinated, both by the goddess and by the exotic beauty of the warrior with silvery hair, some pieces were decidedly spicier.
Hestia made sure to try on a combination of a translucent black corset with an emerald-green satin skirt, whose tight fit hugged her curves in a scandalous way, revealing a large part of her bare back in the mirror's reflection. She also set aside a white dress with blue details.
The goddess amused herself by testing the limits of her companion's stoic pose, approaching his armchair with each new, bolder look, leaning her body forward in a whiny way to steal quick kisses and demand compliments.
For Dante, seeing Hestia's genuine joy and innocent malice shining like that was the certainty that every effort was worth it.
After having a lot of fun parading around in the elegant and bold dresses, Hestia decided to explore the boutique's lingerie and nightwear section.
With a mischievous smile and flushed cheeks, she chose a few nightgown models that were pure provocation, one of them in black silk with sheer lace details on the bust, and another in a very short satin-red tone, which hugged her curves in a scandalous way.
She came out of the fitting room holding the delicate pieces against her chest, looking at Dante in an extremely provocative way.
"Dante... what do you think of these for us to wear in the basement when the nights get very hot?" she whispered in a very bold way, blinking her eyes and making an adorable pout.
Dante let out a low, husky laugh, his cosmic purple eyes shining with amusement and restrained desire like molten metal. "I think they are excellent choices, Hestia. Take them all."
With the pile of selected clothes, including the beautiful night-blue dress and the sleepwear, they walked to the polished quartz counter to finalize the purchase.
While the clerk folded the fine fabrics with extreme care, Dante's eyes wandered to a small glass display case next to the register, where the store's finest and most artisanal accessories were displayed.
A specific pair of ornaments caught his attention immediately. They were handmade hair accessories, featuring delicate fabric petals in white with blue details, joined by small silver bell ornaments that gleamed under the light.
Dante looked at the accessories and then fixed his eyes on Hestia's hair. He remembered that she only used simple cords and common ribbons to tie her long black hair back every day.
The image of those blue and white petals with the little bells adorning her hair floated through his mind, matching perfectly with the warm essence of his goddess.
Without hesitating, Dante extended his bandaged hand and pointed to the display case.
"Add this to the bill as well" he asked the clerk, his voice firm and decisive.
Hestia, who was distracted humming while looking at the bags, turned quickly and saw what he was buying. Her eyes widened and she brought her hands to her mouth.
"Dante... you... you bought this for me?" she asked, her voice cracking with so much emotion upon seeing the beautiful blue petals and silver bells being removed from the display case.
Dante took the small case with the accessories, took the necessary amount of valis from his belt to pay for everything, and took the bags.
He turned to her, allowing a genuine and tender smile to appear on his lips, softening the scars on his face.
"They suit you, Hestia" he said simply, putting the case in the bag before offering his free arm to her. "Your old ribbons have already worked too hard. I want to see you wearing these on our next walk."
Hestia couldn't take it. She let out a muffled squeal of pure happiness and threw herself against his arm, squeezing it against her body with all the strength she had, overflowing with a love so intense it almost illuminated the store.
"I'm going to wear them today, I love you, gods, how I love you, Dante" she exclaimed in a completely melted way, covering his cheek with popping kisses as they left the boutique into Orario's sunny afternoon.
As they approached, the noisy sound of carriages and the hurried back-and-forth of adventurers on Main Avenue began to decrease, giving way to the soft sound of running water and quiet murmurs.
The square was a true urban refuge, framed by evergreen trees and meticulously well-kept flowerbeds with flowers of all colors. In the center, an imposing white marble fountain spouted crystal-clear water, reflecting the golden rays of the late afternoon.
The place was known for attracting dating couples, citizens looking for a rest, and divinities who just wanted to observe the beauty of the lower world.
The sun was beginning to go down, casting long golden rays over Amor Square. As they moved forward, the smooth marble gave way to a floor richly decorated with colorful tiles, whose vibrant patterns formed mosaics that seemed to tell stories of old romances from the lower world.
The surrounding garden was impeccable, with rows of exotic flowers whose sweet fragrances floated gently with the late afternoon breeze.
In the center of the square, standing out, rose the majestic statue of a goddess, sculpted in a light-colored stone that captured the setting light.
The sculpted figure conveyed an aura of serenity and grace, silently blessing all the lovers who passed through there.
Hestia could barely contain her happiness. She walked with skipping steps over the colorful tiles, pressed against her hero's bandaged arm.
With every movement, the small silver bells that Dante had given her emitted a soft and melodic tinkling sound, matching perfectly with the romantic atmosphere of the place.
"Listen to this, Dante" she said in a completely melted way, tilting her head so he could see the new ornaments with blue and white petals standing out in her black hair. "They have the most beautiful sound in the world! Every time I move, I'll remember that it was you who gave them to me."
Dante looked down, his cosmic purple eyes softening as he observed the bells swinging.
"It looks even better on you than I imagined" he replied, his husky voice sounding calm and relaxed. "It matches the noise you make when you're excited."
"Hey! Are you saying I'm noisy?" Hestia made a dramatically pouting face, but soon began to laugh, hugging his arm even tighter and resting her cheek against the young man's broad arm. "Well... if it's to get your attention, I don't mind being the noisiest goddess in Orario".
They walked without haste through the colorful trails, enjoying the scent of the garden. Several couples sitting on the wooden benches looked in their direction with admiration.
Dante's look, his silvery white hair shining under the sun, the scars and mystical tattoos shaping his stunning face, created a mesmerizing contrast with Hestia's vibrant and affectionate presence.
Dante led Hestia to the base of the goddess's statue.
He placed the clothing bags on the ground and sat down on the stone bench nearby, followed immediately by the divinity, who made sure to settle right between his legs, leaning her back against the warrior's firm chest.
Dante wrapped his strong bandaged arms around her waist, sheltering her in his embrace while both looked at the horizon that was beginning to gain shades of pink and orange.
At that moment, under the silent gaze of the statue and surrounded by the colors of Amor Square, the weight of his mind and the dangers of the Dungeon did not exist.
There was only the peace of a perfect afternoon.
The sky of Orario was beginning to gain brushstrokes of violet and crimson when a group of female voices and melodic laughter echoed through the colorful tiles of Amor Square.
Dante, whose warrior instincts always remained sharp, subtly raised his head. His cosmic purple eyes narrowed in the direction of the garden's main trail.
Hestia, sitting comfortably between his legs, also stopped playing with the bells of her new accessory upon recognizing that full and warm laughter that was approaching.
"It can't be... That voice..." Hestia murmured, turning her face.
Emerging from between the rows of flowers, a group of divinities lit up the square with their presence.
At their front was Demeter, the goddess of agriculture, displaying her voluptuous silhouette and a radiant smile, accompanied by a few other goddesses who were enjoying the walk through the city.
"Look at what an adorable pair right in front of the statue" Demeter exclaimed, clasping her hands against her cheeks while her eyes shone with pure enchantment. "Hestia, my dear. So this is where you were hiding?"
The goddesses advanced like a colorful wave across the square's mosaic, surrounding the bench where the two were.
However, as soon as the distance closed and the light of the sunset fell directly upon Dante's face, the side conversations of the group ceased abruptly.
Without the hood to hide his features, the revelation of Hestia's companion caused an overwhelming impact.
Dante's silvery white hair seemed to gleam like strands of moonlight, and the magnetic contrast of his purple eyes and with a beauty mark below her right eye accentuating her beauty with the striking scars and mystical tattoos gave him a beauty so dazzling and dangerous that it made even the divinities catch their breath for a moment.
"Heavens..." one of the friend goddesses whispered, fanning herself quickly with her hand, her face gaining a rosy tint. "Hestia... you didn't tell me your only dependent looked like a warrior prince out of ancient myths!"
Demeter took a step forward, her eyes completely fixed on the young man's angular features. She let out a sigh from the bottom of her chest, visibly enchanted.
"What a dazzling young man. Look at those eyes, those markings... and what a physique" Demeter praised, approaching with outstretched hands, clearly about to squeeze Dante's cheeks or pull him into a warm embrace, as was her maternal custom. "Hestia, where did you find such a treasure?"
Before Demeter's hands could touch Dante's face, Hestia rose from the bench like a lioness defending her territory.
She placed herself exactly in front of Dante, opening her arms and puffing out her cheeks with an intensely possessive and jealous expression. The silver bells in her hair tinkled furiously with the abrupt movement.
"Step back, Demeter. Take your eyes off him and keep your hands off" Hestia shrieked, pointing an accusing finger at her friend, though she was secretly bursting with pride to see the shock of the other goddesses. "Dante is my hero, my dependent, and my man, so no funny business or trying to spoil him with your breasts"
Dante watched the scene without moving from his spot, maintaining his calm and stoic posture on the stone ledge.
He glanced at the bags from the clothing boutique beside him and then at the group of divinities, letting out a low and almost imperceptible laugh.
He found it fascinating how Hestia could be so fierce and adorable at the same time when it came to him.
Demeter withdrew her hands, letting out a hearty laugh that echoed through the square's garden.
"Ah, Hestia, you remain as jealous as ever" Demeter teased, winking conspiratorially at Dante over the smaller goddess's shoulder. "But I can't blame you. With such a dazzling young man looking after you, I would put locks on the basement too."
The other goddesses laughed, observing with amusement the look of the couple and the new blue petal accessories that perfectly adorned Hestia's hair.
Hestia kept her arms open, trying to make a barrier with her own body, but Demeter was not an easy goddess to restrain when she decided to express her warm and maternal affection.
With an agile and totally unexpected movement for someone of her stature, the Goddess of Agriculture took a side step, slipping past Hestia with the ease of someone harvesting wheat at the right time.
Before Hestia could make any defensive reaction, Demeter leaned over Dante and pulled him into an overwhelming embrace.
"Ah, don't be grumpy, Hestia. Such a magnificent young man deserves a truly warm welcome in Orario" Demeter exclaimed, laughing out loud.
Dante suddenly found himself wrapped in a sweet perfume of flowery fields and fresh grains. His face was pressed directly against Demeter's ample and incredibly soft breasts, as she squeezed him to her chest with enthusiasm.
The sight of the imposing warrior, with his silvery white hair and cosmic gaze completely buried by the generosity of the goddess of fertility, caused the other divinities around to let out muffled, knowing giggles.
For a fraction of a second, Dante's cosmic purple eyes widened slightly in surprise, a rare reaction for the solo hunter who was used to predicting every attack in the Dungeon, but who clearly had no training to handle the spontaneity of surface goddesses.
"D-DE-ME-TER!!!" Hestia let out a scream that made the silver bells in her hair tinkle at a frantic pace.
The petite goddess's face instantly turned as red as a ripe tomato. She grabbed Demeter by the waist, trying to pull the larger goddess back with all her strength, her feet almost slipping on the square's colorful tiles.
"Let go of him, let go of my Dante right now, you stuck-up goddess. I'm changing my bread supply contract tomorrow, if you don't let go of my dependent" Hestia shrieked, completely possessive and fuming with jealousy.
Demeter, however, seemed to be in no hurry at all to end that moment, completely ignoring the desperate protests coming from right behind her, the Goddess of Agriculture closed her eyes with a satisfied sigh and squeezed Dante even tighter against her body, prolonging the warm embrace.
Dante's face remained firmly pressed against the impressive softness of Demeter's breasts, immersed in that intoxicating perfume of flowery fields.
The goddess began to stroke his back in a welcoming way, moving her hands with a maternal calm that seemed to want to erase all the stress of the battles the young man carried in his body.
"Ah, Hestia, stop being selfish for a minute" Demeter said in a muffled and laughing voice, without letting go of the young man with silvery hair. "A warrior so young, strong, and with such deep scars needs to receive a lot of affection to compensate for the coldness of the Dungeon. I'm just making sure he feels welcome in our city."
The other goddesses around covered their mouths with their hands, letting out knowing giggles and whispering among themselves about the great luck little Hestia had in finding a dependent who, besides being incredibly handsome with his tattoos and cosmic eyes, maintained such a firm and imposing posture, even in that embarrassing situation.
Dante remained motionless. His eyes blinked a few times, fixed on the colorful tile floor of the square, while he processed the fact that the strength of a fertility goddess was surprisingly difficult to disengage from without using brute force, something he would never do with a friend of his divinity.
His ears, however, already displayed a much more evident blush than before.
"DEMETER!!! LET GO OF HIM NOW!!!" Hestia shrieked, her voice rising an entire octave.
This time, the small goddess did not just pull Demeter by the waist, but began to jump up and down in frustration, causing the new silver bells in her hair to hit against each other in a loud and desperate tinkling.
"He is already very well cared for in my basement, he doesn't need your free hugs. Let go, let go, let goooo!" said Hestia, completely red with jealousy, pulling her curvy friend with so much energy that the blue and white petals of her new hair accessories swung frantically.
Laughing at her friend's absolutely possessive reaction, Demeter finally loosened her arms and stepped away slowly, giving one last mischievous wink and giving a small affectionate pat on his shoulder before walking away, visibly satisfied.
Dante took a deep breath, adjusting the collar of his adventurer outfit with his bandaged hands and regaining his stoic and controlled expression.
He looked sideways at Hestia, who was now crossing her arms and glaring at Demeter with the fiercest look she could manage, and let out a low, husky laugh.
Their first date at Amor Square was definitely turning out quite different from planned, but the fun of that afternoon was undeniable.
Dante subtly adjusted the collar of his outfit again, regaining his posture although a very rare, almost imperceptible trace of blush had appeared on the tips of his ears.
He looked at Hestia, who was now huffing and massaging her own temples, and let out that low, husky laugh of his, finding humor in the chaos their first date had become in the middle of Amor Square.
Demeter let out a hearty laugh again, the sound vibrating in such a warm way that it seemed to fill the entire garden of Amor Square.
She took another step forward, crossing her arms just below her ample bust, which only served to further accentuate her generous curves, while looking at Dante with a playful glint in her eyes.
"Ah, Hestia, don't be so hard on me" Demeter exclaimed, tilting her head charmingly. "I just wanted to test your hero's reflexes. And I must say... he passed with flying colors! Not all adventurers could maintain their composure after receiving the Goddess of Agriculture's welcome"
The other friend goddesses who accompanied her drew even closer, surrounding the stone bench and forming a colorful and scented circle around the couple.
One of them, with brown hair tied in a braid, leaned forward a bit, fixing curious eyes on the purple mystical markings that adorned Dante's face.
"It's true" the braided goddess agreed, letting out a muffled giggle behind her hand. "Most of the boys in Orario would have stammered or run away in shame. But look at your Dante, Hestia... he didn't even blink. That purple gaze of his is really mesmerizing... it even feels like he can see right through us."
Hestia, who still had her cheeks puffed out and her arms crossed, took a step sideways, trying to block the other divinities view.
The new silver bells in her hair tinkled in protest, and the blue and white petals swung with the determined movement of her head.
"Well, take your eyes off and take your conclusions" Hestia shrieked, pointing her finger in a dramatically possessive way at the group. "Dante is my dependent, and he is trained to face terrible monsters in the Dungeon, not to serve as eye candy for idle goddesses in the square. Go spoil your own dependents, Demeter"
Dante continued to sit calmly on the ledge, observing the interaction. Although the collar of his outfit was still slightly disheveled from the enthusiastic hug from earlier, his expression remained strictly controlled and stoic.
He looked at the group of divinities, allowing a subtle and almost imperceptible amusement to cross his purple eyes.
"Goddess Hestia is right about one thing" Dante finally broke the silence, his husky and deep voice causing all the goddesses to instantly fall quiet to hear him. "I am just a warrior who looks after her safety. There is nothing extraordinary about me, other than my loyalty to my Familia".
Demeter let out a dramatically enchanted sigh, bringing both hands to her chest while looking at the young man with silvery hair with obvious admiration.
"Oh, gods... besides handsome, strong, and imposing, he is completely modest and focused" Demeter declared, looking sideways at Hestia with a mischievous wink. "Hestia, my dear, if you slip up and forget to lock the basement door just one night, I swear I'll kidnap him to my Familia and make him my personal bodyguard. I would pay any amount of valis for a man like him."
"NEVER! Not for all the valis in the lower world" Hestia screamed, her face exploding in a crimson tone as she clung to Dante's bandaged arm with both hands, pressing herself to him in a completely protective manner. "Dante is not for sale and my basement is locked with seven keys"
The other goddesses burst out laughing, amusing themselves immensely with the explosive and passionate reaction of the small goddess of the blue ribbon, while the tinkling of Hestia's bells continued to echo happily.
"There, there. Stop huffing Hestia, or your cheeks are going to end up popping" Demeter joked, adjusting her own dress with elegance while taking a few steps back, maintaining that radiant smile that exuded the very essence of harvest and abundance.
Hestia took a step forward, placing herself firmly between Demeter and Dante, with her hands on her waist and the new silver bells swinging with the movement of her head.
"My patience is what's going to pop, Demeter. Dante spent weeks fighting in the Dungeon, we finally took a day just for ourselves, and you show up to suffocate my hero" Hestia grumbled, though the fierce tone was already turning into that typical spoiled indignation of hers.
One of Demeter's friend goddesses, observing the scene with amusement, took a step forward and looked at Dante with curiosity, her eyes fixed on the purple details of his mystical tattoos.
"Well, if he survived the floors of the Dungeon alone, a hug from Demeter must have been just another endurance test" the goddess commented, letting out a giggle. "But tell me, young man... how do you stand such a jealous goddess in your ear all the time?"
Dante, who until then observed the talking in silence, uncrossed his bandaged arms. His eyes shone with a deep calmness under the light of the setting sun, and he glanced at Hestia before answering with his husky and measured voice.
"Her jealousy is just the reflection of how much she cares" Dante said, the corner of his lips rising in a subtle half-smile that captured the attention of all the divinities present. "For someone who used to walk alone in the dark, the 'noise' she makes is the best guarantee that I always have a home to return to".
The direct and sincere words of the warrior with silvery hair made the group of goddesses let out a collective sigh of enchantment. Even Demeter placed her hand on her chest, touched by the young man's maturity and devotion.
"Ah... what a romantic man" Demeter exclaimed, looking at her smaller friend with a hint of healthy envy. "Hestia, my dear, you really struck gold with this young man"
Hestia, for her part, froze in place. The jealousy she felt evaporated instantly, replaced by an overwhelming wave of affection.
Her ears and cheeks took on an intense crimson tone. She turned to Dante with moist and shining eyes, the bells in her hair emitting a soft tinkling when she hid her face against his chest, clutching at his waist.
"Dante...that way you finish me off in front of my friends..." she whispered in a completely melted, whiny, and affectionate way.
"Well, I think our presence here has already served the purpose of livening up your day" Demeter said, letting out a hearty laugh upon seeing the state her friend was in. "Let's go, girls. Leave the couple to enjoy the rest of the sunset in the square. Hestia, drop by the diner any of these days, I want your hero to try our new apple pie recipe"
"Will do, Demeter. Thank you" Hestia replied in a muffled voice, still clinging to Dante as the group of goddesses walked away laughing down the colorful tile trail of Amor Square.
When the square regained its usual tranquility, leaving only the sound of the wind among the flowers and the tinkling of the bells, Dante wrapped his arm around Hestia's shoulders, pulling her closer as they looked at the horizon painted in pink and orange.
"I guess your date wasn't as private as you wanted" Dante commented softly near her ear.
"It doesn't matter" Hestia replied, raising her face to look into his cosmic eyes, displaying the most radiant and in-love smile of the day. "As long as, at the end of the day, I still have you all to myself".
In the end they rested together under the sky that now gained the first tones of nightfall.
---END---
To be continued....