Sylphid's Happiness Revisited

Chapter 18

Bell breathed out deeply as his eyes shifted open, the morning light nearly blinding. But he didn't mind that, he looked over towards his companion. Ryu had her eyes closed, mouth slightly open as she lightly breathed.

'Asleep... good.' Bell thought and shifted slightly. He had his arms wrapped around her, and while he enjoyed that his mind focused and snapped to a list of tasks that needed to be done. 'First... we've got to let the guild know about our level-ups and transfer Ryu officially on paper. Then...'

He silently sighed, he knew what he needed to do, just not how to accomplish it. 'The Astraea and Zues Familia medallions... to transfer the remaining funds that might be available. Then I need to get all the members of that expedition...'

His eyes turned towards the ceiling, 'Aisha... Hermes Familia... Do I invite them after what happened with Hermes? I... can trust Aisha, I just can't trust Hermes.'

Bell flinched slightly, as Ryu shifted and cuddled even closer to Bell, leaving no space between them. Bell refocused on Ryu for a moment, the top of Ryu's head was the only thing visible.

He leaned forward and lightly kissed her forehead. Ryu seemed to shift slightly in response but didn't seem to wake up.

'I...' He took a deep breath and silently sighed. 'I'll invite Aisha... and only hope that Hermes doesn't learn about what happened.' The faint scent of pine needles flooded Bell's senses for a second. 'Why...' Feeling Ryu so close, and the warmth she seemed to radiate despite his racing mind going through every task that had to be completed. He found his mind relaxing, and soon the urge to fall back asleep overtook him. 'Ryu...'

.

.

.

Bell opened his eyes again, his mind felt refreshed and the sun shined a little brighter through the uncovered window.

A pair of beautiful sky-blue eyes met his eyes less than three inches away. A faintest blush could be felt forming, but also love filled him, 'There's so much light in them unlike when...' He leaned forward and lightly tapped his forehead against Ryu's. "B...Bell?" Ryu half stuttered out.

Bell pulled away, "Sorry, I'm just happy. Happy that the first thing I see is your eyes filled with light."

Ryu pulled back an inch, her eyes half-lidded. "I... truthfully It's due to you not..."

Bell raised his right arm and gently patted the top of Ryu's head. "It's alright, you don't have to think about that... after all, it's probably going to be a long day running around."

Ryu blushed slightly at the head pat, "I... suppose you're correct. It seems like we slept through dinner... again. They might start to worry that you don't care for their food." Ryu half-joked but shifted to start rising out of the bed.

"Hey, that's not fair. You held on so tightly that I couldn't move properly after you fell asleep. Then... well... I kinda grew too comfortable and fell asleep..." Bell ended up lightly blushing and scratching his chin slightly.

Ryu shook her head, but Bell could see the slight tinge on the tips of her ears. She averted her gaze and ran a hand over her hair, moving it behind her long ear. "I... see."

After a second, Ryu nodded. "Bell..." then leaned forward slightly.

Bell hesitated for a moment, 'Ryu..' then leaned forward meeting Ryu in the middle.

They kissed for a second until they both pulled away. Ryu seemed to shiver after the simple display. "That... is going to... take some time... to get used to," Ryu muttered, even as her ears nearly started glowing.