Rising of The Shield Hero

When The Mood Is Right

Just recently, a wave had struck, bringing tough enemies along with it. Luckily, Naofumi and his team had managed to evacuate all the civilians in a neighboring village just in case the fight made it's way inside the area. Sure enough, the precaution was necessary as the war was fought in said village. It was a long and hard fight but eventually the heroes came out victorious.

During all the sword clashing and such, luckily, nobody was fatally wounded and only suffered minor injuries. Amongst the wounded though, was you, your body decorated in bruises and deep cuts. With you in such a state, Naofumi had made quick haste to see you to a nearby medic.

Which brings you to the present, resting in a home within the village. As a thank you, a female villager was more than happy to offer her aid in providing medicare and a resting place for you and your group. She had made sure your wounds were cleaned before applying bandages on your weak body, she even provided meals too.

It had been three days since the wave hit and your wounds didn't show any sign of healing anytime soon. After a much needed bandage change, you had sat upright in bed while staring out the window. Here you were, still bedridden while your teammates were roaming about and taking care of you. It made you feel like a burden, an anchor dragging the team back from moving forward.

"Just how much longer is this going to take?" You mumbled beneath your breath, averting your eyes from the sight out the window to your bandaged arm. If only your sword hadn't shattered and reduced you to fist fighting amid the battle, you wouldn't be as injured.

With a gentle push, the door to your room then squeaked partially open. What caught your attention next was Naofumi's head peaking through the opening with a concerned look upon his face.

"Oh, I didn't expect you to be up right now." He spoke, gawking in slight surprise at you. The Shield Hero then made his way completely inside the room, closing the door softly behind him. His footsteps were followed by the creaking of the wooden floorboard as he approached your bedside.

With a small smile tugging on your lips, you softly reply. "Understandable, usually I'd be resting at this time." Your bright gaze fell upon Naofumi, giving him some reassurance. "I'm beginning to feel a lot better though. My strength is coming back to me bit by bit." You continued while giving a closed eye smile.

Naofumi quirked a small smile at your reply and chuckled lightly. "That's good to hear," he said while taking a seat on the edge of the bed. After a second of feeling relieved, his smile then fell as did his gaze. "I don't ever wanna see you hurt like this again. I would hate that.." He mumbled, seemingly angry at himself.

"I-I'm really sorry! It was my fault for being so careless, I should have checked my sword's condition before entering the wave." Quick to apologize, you slightly bow your head forward.

"..."

He didn't respond and that made you quite worried. Was he upset with you or feeling resentment toward the enemy? The answer was unclear until you lifted your head, only to meet his slightly broken gaze upon you. Naofumi's vibrant green eyes were set on you while his hands were balled into fidgeting fists, and it was in that moment you realized.. he was mad at himself.

A few seconds after making eye contact with you, the Shield Hero averted his gaze downward. He didn't like that his emotions were getting to him, especially in front of you. He's a hero, he knows has to be strong and show no signs of vulnerability.

"Naofumi," you cooed his name, "please look at me." Leaning forward as you sit, you then softly cup his face in your hands, only to lift his head ever so gently. When you captured his gaze with your own again, you spoke. "I know what you're thinking and it isn't your fault. I took an oath to stand beside you while knowing full well of what I might have to go through. So, please, do not blame yourself for this. This is nothing." Those words that voiced passed your lips seemed to calm him down and thus brought a portion of his stress off his shoulders. Not only that, but this whole moment helped him take a load off. Being with you had always put him at ease and god did he want to stay next to you forever if it mean't feeling at peace.

After realizing the intimate position Naofumi's was in with you, his eyes widened just before he suddenly pulled back. He then cleared his throat and sat up straight, avoiding your gaze, as well. "Sorry, ahem, about that. Uh, this usually isn't like me." Sheepishly, he rubbed the back of his neck, brushing his fingers through his messy brown locks, too.

Naofumi's actions surprised you, not expecting him to be so quick to leave. With your lips slightly parted, you watched as he abruptly stood up from where he sat. Had you done something wrong?

"I should really get going, Raphtalia and Filo are probably wondering what's keeping me. Sorry that I intruded, so get some rest and I'll check on you later." He then began to turn away.

"W-Wait!" You gasp out, ripping the bed sheet off of you and quickly lunging out of bed.

Your outburst and your hand grasping his took him by surprise. Reacting quickly, Naofumi looked over his shoulder at you, wide eyed at the sight of you being so reckless. "What the hell are you doing?!" He questioned with shock in his voice.

Just those few actions you took seemed to drain a lot of energy out of you. 'Damn these injuries!' you thought as you fell against Naofumi's body, refusing to let go of his hand along the way.

The Hero turned to face you, letting you hold his hand while his other embraced you by the waist. He made sure to keep you upright while carefully guiding you back into bed. Of course, he couldn't do this without scolding you, too. "Seriously, (y/n), are you trying to worsen your wounds? You have to keep resting or else you'll be here even longer!" He grumbled, brows furrowed and a stern look upon his face.

As gentle as Naofumi could be, he laid you back down. About half way to having you lay flat on your back, he paused. "Naofumi," you had softly spoke his name, your hand mindlessly drifted up to his cheek, "if you're going to apologize then the least you can allow me is this.." He seemed confused at first, but the sight of you leaning in cleared it all up.

Before he knew it, your eyes were closed and your lips were on his. The soft sensation of your lips put him in a trance as he then followed suit. Naofumi returned your kiss full heartedly, eyes closed and arms enveloping you in warmth. You've always felt safe with Naofumi, but to be wrapped in his arms, it made you feel like nothing could ever harm you.

Naofumi then carefully laid you flat on your back, lips still locked together in perfect sync, and the bed softly creaking with the new found weight on top of it. His hands then propped themselves on both sides of your head, giving him the support needed to stay on top of you without crushing you. 

The two of you seemed to be gradually getting into it more and more. By the looks and feel of it, it seemed that Naofumi had been enduring for just a long as you have. The way he would come back in for more lip contact after a brief breakaway only made the moment more passionate than it already was. Your own hands had then begun to travel up his clothed chest, next his strong shoulders, then his sharp jawline, and only to stop at his hair. Your fingers played with his messy dark brown locks, captured in the moment. 

The Shield Hero then took it up a small notch, pulling away from the kiss and placing his lips at the side of your neck. The soft feel of your skin against his lips left him wanting more as he continued to be passionate with you. 

Although it felt nice for a good while, the soreness of your wounds began to creep back in, causing a small whimper to slip passed your lips. Immediately, Naofumi pulled away upon hearing the noise and looked down at you with a concerned expression. 

"You okay, (y/n)?" He asked, lips parted, slightly out of breath, and hair a mess. Never did you think that you would see Naofumi in such a flustered state, especially by your hands. It was a dream come true for you.

Realizing he had inquired about your well-being, you come back to reality and answer, "I'm alright, just a bit sore from my wounds still." You gazed upward at him, seeing the slight worry flash across his facial features. "It's okay though, it doesn't hurt too-" He cut you off.

"Doesn't matter," he grumbled, pulling away from you entirely and resorting back to his previous position at the edge of the bed, "I should know better than to try that when you're injured." Naofumi sighed, ashamed of his actions. As much as he wanted to keep going, he didn't want to hurt you either. 

Nobody spoke for a little bit, so you decided to break the ice with a small suggestive joke. "Then I suppose we'll have to try again when the time is right, huh?" Playfully you asked, a kind smile tugging your lips upward. The suggestion and sight of your smile then drew a small chuckle from the Shield Hero.

Standing up from where he sat, he then playfully tossed the bed blanket over you. "Just get all the rest you can get. I need you out here with the rest of us." He answered, which you nodded in response to. Naofumi then left shortly after saying goodbye, giving one more glance before heading out the door. 

Once it shut, you were left alone with your thoughts.. and holy crap you could not believe what just happened.