5. Hearth and hunter

Hestia sighed as she stepped into the dimly lit church, shutting the door behind her. Another long shift, another handful of valis earned. It wasn't much, but it was enough.

Orcbolg sat at the table, cleaning his sword with practiced care. He barely acknowledged her arrival, but that wasn't unusual. He wasn't cold—just… focused.

"I'm home," she said, dropping her bag onto the floor.

Orcbolg paused, then nodded. "Welcome back."

Hestia's lips curled into a smile. It wasn't much, but it meant something coming from him.

She plopped onto the couch with a dramatic groan. "Ugh, I swear, working all day is exhausting! I bet fighting monsters is easier!"

Orcbolg glanced at her. "That depends on the monster."

Hestia laughed. "I walked right into that one, huh?"

She stretched, her twin-tails draping over the couch's arm. Then she turned her gaze to him, watching as he methodically ran an oiled cloth along his blade.

"You're always taking care of your gear," she observed.

Orcbolg nodded. "Equipment must be maintained. A dull blade is useless."

Hestia propped her head up with one arm, studying him. "You really live by that, huh?"

"...Yes."

She sighed, shaking her head. "You're way too serious, you know that?"

Orcbolg didn't respond. He simply kept working.

Hestia watched him for a while before sitting up.

"You should let yourself relax sometimes," she said.

Orcbolg paused.

Then, to her surprise, he set his sword down.

Hestia blinked.

"Wait. Did you actually listen to me?" she asked, genuinely surprised.

Orcbolg tilted his head slightly. "You're my goddess."

Her heart skipped a beat.

It wasn't what he said—it was how he said it. As if it was simply a fact.

Her face grew warm, and she quickly waved a hand. "W-Well, of course! I mean, yes! But still!"

She huffed and turned toward the small kitchen. "Alright, since you're actually listening, let's make dinner together."

Orcbolg stood up without hesitation. "Understood."

Night – Cooking Together

Hestia cut vegetables while Orcbolg handled the meat, his knife moving with precise, efficient strokes.

"You're good at this," Hestia commented.

"Cooking is necessary for survival," he replied.

She snorted. "You make it sound so dramatic! Cooking can be fun, you know!"

"...I see."

Hestia sighed. "One day, I'll get you to say something more than a sentence at a time."

Orcbolg didn't answer, but she caught the faintest hint of amusement in his expression.

Small progress, but progress nonetheless.

Later That Night – A Quiet Moment

After dinner, Hestia sat on the couch, stretching her legs out. Orcbolg was by the table, checking his armor.

The room was quiet. Not awkward, just… peaceful.

Hestia found herself watching him again.

"You don't talk about yourself much," she said suddenly.

Orcbolg didn't look up. "There's little to say."

She frowned. "I don't believe that."

Silence.

Then, after a long pause—

"I hunt goblins."

Hestia raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, I got that much."

Another pause.

Then, in a voice quieter than before—

"That is all I do."

Hestia's expression softened.

She wasn't sure if that was really true. But she could feel it—that was how he saw himself.

A hunter. A weapon.

But to her, he was more than that.

"Well," she said, scooting closer, "you're part of my Familia now. That means you're more than just a hunter."

Orcbolg turned his gaze to her.

Hestia grinned. "You're my hunter."

He blinked, as if unsure how to respond.

Hestia leaned back, satisfied.

"I'll make sure you have more to be than just that," she murmured.

She didn't know if he heard her. But she hoped—just maybe—he did.

And for now, that was enough.