Chapter Text
Even after learning that Naofumi was a God, not much changed for L'Arc. He still lived as a humble farmer, though he visited the Shrine more often now. He also spent more time with Naofumi at the Shrine, and learned many new things, about the other Gods and Heaven, and what Gods do, and what it's like.
Though, one day, L'Arc noticed something. His leg was slowly getting better and better, and soon, he was walking around normally, though he still couldn't put too much of a strain on it. But, only two months after that, it'd become even better, and he could not help the others in the village. He helped carry cargo from travelers, like back at the port town, and also earned some extra coins in doing so. He became friendlier with the villagers too.
Sometimes, when the kids from the village came around to ask, L'Arc would tell them about the Shrine, and what God belonged to it. After a few times, they'd apparently gone up to the Shrine, their curiosity getting the better of them. That became obvious when they'd come running to L'Arc from the path in the forest, exclaiming and chatting excitedly about how pretty the Shrine Keeper was, and if L'Arc knew his name. L'Arc had told them Naofumi's name, and they'd ended up talking to their parents about Naofumi.
The next day, when L'Arc came to help haul cargo onto a few wagons from a caravan stopping by, as one of the few young men in the village, a few of the villagers had come to give him a few things to leave as offerings. L'Arc had thanked them greatly with a smile and a short bow, while they dais it was nothing. They were glad their kids had something to do rather than bother them during work.
After a few weeks, the kids began going to see Naofumi, sometimes together with L'Arc, and Naofumi started teaching them stuff; simple things like reading, writing their own names, and simple words, and simple plus and minus. The kids were ecstatic, and their parents happy that someone would take it up and teach their kids. They started giving L'Arc more offerings on their behalf, while other times they gave them to the kids to give Naofumi.
Naofumi was oh so happy that these people were being so nice to him, thinking he was just a simple Shrine Keeper, and L'Arc was happy on Naofumi's behalf.
After some months, when later summer rolled around, someone new came to the village, which wasn't a rare occurrence, many travelers came through their village when going to the bigger towns and cities. But, this time, it looked like a high-ranking official with multiple guards around him.
While hauling crates from another wagon from a few earlier travelers, L'Arc had been called by one of the guards shouting his name, apparently looking for him.
Putting the crate down to speak to the guard, L'Arc had asked what it was. One of the elder ladies had then come over, worried that L'Arc had done something, but the guard told her it was quite the opposite.
L'Arc had then been taken to the official, who quickly began speaking holding a closed scroll under his arm.
"L'Arc Berg, yes?" He asked, wanting to make sure
"That is my name," L'Arc answered
"Than I have something for you. I think you will find great happiness with the contents." The official said, handing L'Arc the scroll
Confused, L'Arc took the scroll of un-rolled it. As he read the contents, L'Arc's eyes gradually widened.
The contents written on the scroll were an explanation that L'Arc was currently the owner of his family's old smith in the village behind the mountain with Naofumi's Shrine. Apparently, L'Arc never really finished his training as a smith under his father. He finished his training, but never took the last test of sorts, of smithing a proper piece, depending on what he'd been trained in. Which had to have been done within two years of the finished training. Since it'd been so many years and L'Arc hadn't finished, and his father's contract was that the smith would be given over after L'Arc finished his training, that meant L'Arc was still the owner of the smith.
Shocked, L'Arc turned his eyes to the official.
"Is... Is this real?" L'Arc whispered
"Very real. One of my fellow officials was looking over some old documents when he realized that there was something amiss. As the last member of your family, and as your father's student, you are the owner of your family's smith." The official explained
Hearing this, the villagers around them had started whispering, before a few of the kids had come over to ask if it was true. After answering that he supposed it was, the kids had gone to their parents, or any adult nearby, and told them of the news. Quickly, the villagers had come to congratulate L'Arc.
A little later, the official offered to give L'Arc a ride to the village the smith was in, as they were going in the same direction, to the Capital. L'Arc thanked him for the offer but quickly said he had to gather his belongings, and if they could stop by somewhere quickly. The official agreed.
After gathering his little clothes and things he had in the hut, L'Arc went to give the last prayer and say goodbye to the old man's grave before saying his goodbyes to the villagers. With a promise of repairing their tools, should their ever come by, L'Arc joined the official in a carriage.
While riding by the mountain, L'Arc said they could stop there. Getting out, L'Arc told the guards he would be back soon before he began climbing the mountain.
After climbing the mountain, L'Arc arrived at the Shrine once again, finding Naofumi enjoying a calm cup of tea on the porch.
Calling out to him, L'Arc walked over to the porch, while Naofumi put his cup down.
"Naofumi, you won't believe what happened!" L'Arc exclaimed, before rushing into an explanation of what'd happened before his visit
As L'Arc finished explaining, Naofumi only kept smiling.
"Naofumi?" L'Arc asked when Naofumi didn't reply
"Yes?" Naofumi smiled, lifting his cup to take another sip
"Why are you smiling like that?" L'Arc asked, seeing the way Nafoumi's eyes glinted
"Why do you think I am?" Naofumi asked
After thinking it over, L'Arc asked.
"Did... Did you have something to do with this?" L'Arc asked skeptically
"I may have piled up my powers a little to give you a small blessing of Luck. I didn't know what it would be, but it's a nice outcome, is it not?" Naofumi answered
"Naofumi, you... Thank you!" L'Arc smiled widely, moving over to hug Naofumi close
Naofumi just smiled, happy to have helped L'Arc.
After leaving the Shrine with a promise to come back regularly like always, L'Arc left to join the official back in the carriage.
After some hours, when the sun was setting, they arrived at the village, and pair of the guards showed L'Arc where the Smith was.
Looking around, L'Arc couldn't help but smile sadly. It was just like it'd been the last he'd seen it. Seems like no one had used it while he and his family was gone. Walking around the Smith, L'Arc recounted many memories he had there.
After a bit, the guards left, and L'Arc was left alone in the smith. Finding his old room in the building, L'Arc went inside and found his old futon there, from when he was a kid. It was too small, but it was the best he had right now, too tired to look for anything else. So, L'Arc went to sleep.
Already the next day, it seemed word had traveled fast that someone had finally moved back into the smith, and a few adults came to say hello in the morning, while L'Arc was getting water from the nearby well and sweeping and dusting off, since the place had been practically abandoned. Greeting L'Arc, they asked if he knew how to repair tools since the next smith was multiple towns over and their tools were getting very worn and dull. It was only after L'Arc, with a smile, said yes, that some of them recognized him.
Shocked, they'd quickly turned to greet him welcome back, before deciding to take him back to the village, so everyone else could reunite too. That was something L'Arc had almost forgotten; his parents had been great friends with all the rest of the village, and that meant L'Arc was too. Maybe his old friends were still here.
Getting to the town square, the group started calling others over, telling loudly that L'Arc had come back. Quickly, people came over to greet L'Arc again, and some even gave him gifts, a little food, and a few coins, just until he could get some income. They all marveled over how the scrawny young boy they'd once now had grown into a strong young man.
After that, L'Arc went back to the smith with a smile on his face.
Already the next day, a few of the adults from the village came to the Smith to get their tools fixed, and L'Arc happily took up the work.
Because of how many years it'd been, L'Arc was a little rusty at the start, but quickly got the hang of it once he remembered how it all went. By the end of the day, L'Arc had fixed a few of the tools and gone to give them back. The pay was more than L'Arc would've asked for, but the people all looked so happy about it, he couldn't say no.
From then, L'Arc could repair and fix any broken tools for proper payment, and make new ones if the or the buyer had the materials and time, and money.
Since the village was right on one of the larger roads to the Capital, right inside the large mountain range, many travelers and caravans and others came through the village, and often, they had tools -mainly weapons- that needed repairing.
L'Arc quickly made a great name for himself after a few caravans and travelers spread his name in the capital, marveled at how great his works were.
But, of course, L'Arc never forgot to visit Naofumi at least twice a week. When the villagers asked where he always went, L'Arc had explained that he went to the Shrine to pray, and pay a visit to the Shrine Keeper. Some of the kids from the village need up joining L'Arc out of curiosity, and they talked to their parents about how pretty and nice the Shrine keeper was. Like in the other village, they started giving L'Arc a few offerings to offer, some for L'Arc himself, and some on their behalf.
After a few weeks, Naofumi told L'Arc that a few of the other villagers from the old village had started coming to pray a few times, and L'Arc was overjoyed. That meant Naofumiwas getting stronger and healthier!
One day, one random day, and message had been sent out to all the smiths in the land, from the Capital.
The Prince of the Kingdom was going to fight a glorious battle, and he needed an appropriate sword. So, the King, not wanting to let any unnoticed talent go on like that, had demanded that every smith and student alike, together or solo, create their life's sword within a year and a half, and then come to the capital and present it.
L'Arc, like other smiths, had to obey this command, and he got to work.
Working for months, L'Arc worked tirelessly on making a proper sword. Once 14 months had gone by, L'Arc took the sword with him to Naofumi's Shrine. The God must've seen many glorious blades in his time, so L'Arc wanted his opinion.
Upon hearing L'Arc's request, Naofumi took the sword, wrapped in soft cloth, and unpacked it. Holding up the blade, Naofumi looked it over.
"I'm not very knowledgeable about Katanas, since I would fight with sabers when I had to fight, but, I can tell that this will be a great blade. Good job." Naofumi praised
Hearing L'Arc's thanks, Naofumi turned his eyes to the blade again. As he focused on it, the blade began glowing a faint white color. As he looked back up at L'Arc, Naofumi smiled and handed him the blade again.
"What...?" L'Arc trailed off
"Just a little blessing of Luck. Take it as a Good Job for finishing your first real sword." Naofumi explained
Speechless, L'Arc could only put the blade back down on the cloth before throwing himself over and hugging Naofumi close. Turning his head, L'Arc pressed a kiss to Naofumi's cheek before exclaiming his thanks.
After a few seconds, L'Arc realized their position. Him lying on top of Naofumi, holding the other close with his legs between Naofumi's. It was a very compromising position, and if anyone saw them, they'd probably assume they were doing... That...
L'Arc blushed red as he realized, Naofumi quickly following.
Pushing himself up, L'Arc now had Naofumi trapped under him, between his arms. Looking at the other, L'Ac couldn't stop his eyes from wandering.
From their little tumble to the floor, Naofumi's clothes had been ruffled and now showed the skin of his collarbones, a little of his shoulders, and almost dipping low enough to show some of the other's chest.
"L'Arc..." Naofumi trailed off
Looking up, L'Arc found Naofumi staring at him.
"S-Sorry!" L'Arc quickly apologized, pushing himself off
After pushing himself off and moving a bit away, L'Arc turned to wrap up the blade in the cloth again, while Naofumi sat up.
"I-I think I should get going, I-I have to keep working on the blade," L'Arc stuttered, getting off the porch of the Shrine.
As L'Arc walking to the back of the Shrine, where he would have to go down the mountain, he didn't miss the bashful smile Naofumi had on his face as his eyes trailed L'Arc's form.
Months later, L'Arc traveled to the Capital with the sword, given a ride by caravan for who he had repaired tools before.
When the blades were presented for the Prince to chose from, L'Arc noticed that there were many blades more magnificent and well-made than his.
Still, the Prince picked up his sword and stepped over in front of where L'Arc kneeled.
"Smith, what blessing does this blade carry?" The Prince asked
"A blessing the Luck, by the God of Luck, Love, and Loyalty," L'Arc answered
With a hum, the Prince stepped back and sheathed the sword by his waist.
L'Arc sword had been chosen by the prince.
After the Royals left, a few of his fellow smiths came over to congratulate L'Arc or ask how he'd gotten his blade blessed, while others, who were very proud of their works and had been sure theirs would've been chosen, stood back, sending L'Arc dirty stares.
Now, whether L'Arc would be rewarded or not solely depended on how the Prince would judge the blade after had come back from his adventure.
So, while the Prince and his men were out journeying, L'Arc traveled back to his smith and after putting down the little things he'd brought, went to the Shrine to tell Naofumi the news. Naofumi had been happy for L'Arc, and while they chatted, had made what looked like a whole feast for just the two of them.
L'Arc had his fill, and nothing was left when they were done. Naofumi's food was just... just... Godly! So delicious! (Pun very much intended)
After eating and cleaning up, they sat back out on the porch. Just like the many many months ago, before L'Arc even knew Naofumi was a God, they sat flush against each other, watching the sundown. L'Arc had an arm around Naofumi as the God leaned against his side, head on L'Arc's shoulder.
They sat like that on the porch of the Shrine, talking idly in low voices as they watched the sun paint the sky while disappearing behind the horizon.
Multiple months later, the news of the Prince's return spread across the land. Apparently, both he and his men were singing praises to the Prince's blade, saying that, by pure luck, it saved many of them many times during the battle against the many monsters in the west.
So, L'Arc was called to the Capital and was given a great reward, enough for him to get and a new piece of every tool in his smith, renovate the whole building, and employ people and take in apprentices. On top of that, the King had the word of L'Arc's blessed blade spread across the land, and his name became famous.
The whole village rejoiced and praised L'Arc, and called for a celebration when he came back two evenings later. After most of the villagers had gone home or fallen asleep after drinking, L'Arc packed a small bag of food and a bottle of sake and started trotting up the mountain once again.
Getting to the Shrine once again, L'Arc found Naofumi leaning against a pillar on the porch, legs bent close to his body, looking up at the starry sky.
L'Arc stopped in his tracks, staring at the beautiful scene. The pale glow of the stars hit Naofumi's skin, making it appear to have a little beautiful glow. The shine of the stars was reflecting on Naofumi's half-lidded, peaceful emerald green eyes, making them seem like actual shimmering jewels, glowing in the darkness. The soft summer night wind was lightly blowing around a few strands of raven hair. The scene was magical, in L'Arc's opinion.
Shaking his head, L'Arc pushed those thoughts to the back of his mind, before walking over. Hearing the footsteps, Naofumi turned his head and looked over to where L'Arc was. The corners of his lips tugged upwards, and Naofumi sent L'Arc a soft smile, something special filling his eyes. L'Arc mirrored the look with a grin, before going over and sitting down beside the God, swinging his legs over the edge.
"Hey, L'Arc," Naofumi greeted in a whisper
"Hey, Naofumi," L'Arc greeted in the same manner, grin turning to a soft smile
Softly, in whispers, they chatted idly, with L'Arc taking out the food a sake a bit after. They drank and ate together while looking up at the stars. As they did so, Naofumi would occasionally point out any constellation he recognized.
After the bottle was emptied, L'Arc was pretty tipsy, cheeks lightly flushed pink, while Naofumi was unaffected. L'Arc kept gigging softly to himself and smiled adoringly every time his eyes drifted back to Naofumi, which was just about every few seconds. After a bit, L'Arc leaned over, and plopped his head on Naofumi's shoulder, smiling happily to himself.
Naofumi chuckled to himself as L'Arc shuffled a bit, now lying against Naofumi instead of just sitting. Naofumi then put his arm around L'Arc, letting his hand lay on L'Arc's hip. Smiling to himself, L'Arc reaching out and grabbed Naofumi's free hand, and pulled it over to hold it in both of his. Naofumi's smiled became bigger and even more adoring as L'Arc lifted his hand to his lips, and pressed kissed along his fingers, knuckles, and the back of it. As L'Arc turned his hand to kiss the inside, Naofumi moved his hand to cradle L'Arc's cheeks. L'Arc smiled to himself again.
Naofumi leaned down, raising L'Arc's head a little, and pressed a gentle kiss to the top of L'Arc's head.
"My God..." L'Arc murmured to himself as his eyes began to drop
Sighing in content, L'Arc settled himself against Naofumi, one hand on top of Naofumi's on his cheek, and the other lying on his lap. Naofumi watched silently as L'Arc's breathing evened out, and the redhead smith fell asleep.
Smiling, feeling L'Arc's warmth, Naofumi leaned his head on L'Arc's and closed his eyes peacefully.
As the God Love of Luck, Love, and Loyalty, Naofumi had the power to feel all of those emotions within someone.
As the God of Love, Naofumi could feel how Love people held in their hearts, and what for.
Naofumi could feel the vast, seemingly endless amount of Love L'Arc held in his mortal human heart.
Naofumi could feel what all of that Love belonged to.
All of that endless love L'Arc held in his heart all belonged to one single being.
All of it belonged to a certain God.
To L'Arc's God.
To Naofumi.
And Naofumi loved the human back. His first and most loyal believer. Oh, how lucky he was to have met L'Arc.
"My L'Arc..." Naofumi whispered
Opening his eyes, Naofumi took a single look at how peaceful L'Arc looked, sleeping against his God under the starlight, before closing his eyes and joining L'Arc in dreamland.