Prompt: The Bulls were ordered to unwind and recuperate after the Spade War by Yami and Nacht. An outing between Asta and Noelle quickly turns into a date.
—
The Spade War was over.
They'd won… somehow.
Megicula was gone. Lucifero too. The Devil King had fallen, and peace—shaky and temporary as it might be—settled over the Clover Kingdom like fog after battle.
But peace didn't mean comfort.
Noelle stood just outside the Black Bulls hideout, arms crossed and eyes distant. The morning air was crisp, carrying the scent of damp grass and smoldering firewood. Somewhere behind her, a door slammed and someone cursed—probably Magna.
It was supposed to be a normal day.
Back to training. Back to duty. Back to pretending she didn't flinch every time Asta smiled at her like nothing had changed.
Now more than ever, as she's finally come to terms with her feelings.
She clenched her jaw. Stupid smile.
"Oi!" Yami's voice crashed through the quiet.
Noelle turned just in time to see Asta sprinting outside—eager and, of course, grinning like an idiot—as Yami and Nacht blocked the entrance to the base like bouncers at a tavern.
"No missions," Yami said flatly, jabbing a thumb at Asta's chest. "No training. No sparring. No pushups."
Asta froze. "What?!"
Noelle blinked. Did I hear that right?
Nacht crossed his arms. "You heard him. Take the day off. Or two. Or ten."
"But I—"
"You were gutted a week ago, dumbass." Yami lit a cigarette, not breaking eye contact. "You think just because those holes in your chest went away, you're invincible?"
Nacht frowned, "Put the cigarette away Yami."
Yami ignored him.
Meanwhile Asta rubbed the back of his head sheepishly, mumbling something about healing and recovery and just a light jog.
Noelle bit the inside of her cheek, trying not to laugh. Of course he can't sit still.
"Relax," Yami growled, exhaling smoke. "Unwind. I don't care if you follow Vanessa to the bar, go stuff your face with Charmy, or sit around watching Gauche polish Marie photos—just don't do anything useful."
"That's terrible advice!" Asta whined.
Nacht somehow narrowed his eyes further. "You want worse advice? I'll tell you to follow Finral around on one of his disgusting 'romantic escapades.'"
Asta paled. "No thank you!"
Yami grunted. "Good. Now go take a damn stroll or something."
"But if I go train a little—"
"I'll kill you."
Asta jumped, standing stiff. "Okay! Okay, stroll it is!"
Noelle smirked. Then immediately stopped herself. Smiling at him—bad idea.
He turned like he was about to leave, but then paused.
Noelle felt it before she saw it—that feeling. The sense that she was about to become involved in something deeply annoying and emotionally exhausting.
Asta turned back to her, rubbing the back of his neck again.
"Uh… Noelle?"
She stiffened.
He looked nervous. That was rare. "You… doing anything today?"
Her heart thumped. Oh no. Oh no no no.
"I—"
"I was gonna go out for a bit," Asta said, eyes bright. "Not training! Promise! Just walking around. Looking at stuff."
He scratched his cheek. "Kinda boring to go alone, though. Wanna come?"
Noelle felt her lungs lock up.
Her first instinct was to say no. Loudly. Maybe throw in a scoff for good measure.
But her mouth wouldn't move.
Say something, idiot! He's waiting!
Her arms dropped to her sides. "I—I guess I have nothing else to do."
Asta lit up like a bonfire. "Really?! Awesome!"
Noelle looked away quickly. "It's not like I'm doing it for you. I just… needed fresh air."
"Sure, sure!" Asta grinned. "I'll go grab some stuff. Meet you at the front gate?"
She nodded stiffly.
As he ran off, Noelle covered her face with both hands.
What the hell am I doing?
—
Ten minutes later, they were off.
Noelle hovered just beside Asta, floating above the dirt road, arms folded and eyes straight ahead. Asta walked on foot, sword strapped to his back, whistling as he kicked a rock.
(Seriously, why does he do that? Just put the damn sword in your grimoire.)
She'd expected it to be awkward.
And it was.
Kind of.
But not in the I want to evaporate into mist way. More like the I don't know where to put my hands because my crush is two feet away and I can smell his soap way.
"You're quiet," Asta said suddenly, glancing up at her.
She flinched. "Am I supposed to narrate the scenery?"
Asta laughed. "Nah, just checking. You've been kinda quiet since the war ended."
Noelle's heart twitched. "So have you."
"Yeah…" he scratched his neck. "Guess I've been thinking."
Noelle tilted her head, eyes narrowing. "Thinking? You?"
"Hey!" he pouted.
She almost smiled again. Dangerous territory.
They passed a field of wildflowers. The breeze rustled the grass gently.
Noelle glanced down at him. "What were you thinking about?"
Asta blinked up at her, then looked away.
"…Stuff."
Her eyes narrowed. "That's not an answer."
He grinned sheepishly. "Maybe I'll tell you later."
Noelle huffed, but didn't push it.
They walked in silence for a bit. Birds chirped. The clouds drifted. The world, for once, was calm.
—
Asta had asked if they could visit the village. Just a quick stop, he'd said.
Noelle hadn't argued.
While Asta demonstrated basic punches to a gaggle of starry-eyed kids, Nash—ever the skeptic—pulled Noelle aside. He tugged her sleeve, his expression flat.
"So," he said.
She blinked. "So…?"
"Are you his girlfriend or not?"
Her jaw dropped.
Nash shrugged. "He talks about you all the time. Even more than Sister Lily now. And he brought you here. You gotta be, right?"
Noelle's face burned. "Of course I'm not!" she hissed. "What kind of question is that?!"
He raised an eyebrow. "Then what are you?"
She had no answer.
—
Sister Lily greeted them warmly, offering water and hugs. Asta beamed, practically glowing as children swarmed him. Noelle lingered behind, still rattled.
The kids tackled Asta, screaming his name. He laughed, scooping them all into a hug.
Noelle watched, that tightness in her chest returning.
He's so good with them. So good in general.
"Hey," a voice said.
She looked down.
Nash. Again.
He squinted up at her like she was a puzzle he'd already solved. "…Are you Asta's girlfriend?"
Noelle nearly exploded. "W-What?! No! I—I'm not—why do you keep—?!"
Nash tilted his head. "You're pretty. And you're with him."
"I—I'm just—!" She could feel Asta turning to look.
Noelle froze. This is a disaster. She cleared her throat violently. "T-That's none of your business!"
Nash snorted and ran off.
Asta tilted his head. "What'd he say?"
"Nothing!" she shrieked.
Asta blinked. "…Okay?"
She covered her face. Nash's earlier question echoed: "Then what are you?"
She still didn't know.
—
They left Hage shortly after. Asta walked beside her again, humming.
Noelle didn't speak.
Her heart hadn't stopped racing since Nash opened his tiny mouth.
That idiot. That stupid kid. Now I can't even think straight.
She glanced at Asta. He looked totally normal. Unbothered. Oblivious. Like always.
It stung a little. But it also… comforted her.
They reached Nairn around midday. The town was quiet, warm, and full of gentle chatter.
When they entered the tavern, Rebecca was serving lunch. She looked up, grinning—not surprised, just curious.
"Well, well," she said, leaning over the bar with a sly smile. "You two look cozy."
Noelle tensed. "We're just out walking!" she snapped, too quickly.
Asta, oblivious, waved. "Hey, Rebecca! How're the kids?"
Rebecca chuckled, turning to him. "Still chaotic. You should visit them later."
As Asta launched into a cheerful conversation with her, Noelle stood awkwardly at the bar, fists clenched. Why's he so… familiar with her? She tried not to scowl. She really did.
Rebecca caught her eye and gestured subtly. "C'mere a sec, Noelle."
Noelle hesitated but obeyed. Rebecca pulled her aside, voice low.
"So," she said, eyes glinting.
"So what?" Noelle hissed.
"How's the date going?"
Noelle's soul left her body. "It's not—we're not—this isn't—!!"
Rebecca laughed, though her grin softened. "Relax. I'm not mad. Just curious."
Noelle stared, heart thudding wildly.
Rebecca glanced at Asta, now animatedly describing a mission to a patron. "Y'know," she said quietly, "if he's the one who brought you here, that probably means something."
Noelle didn't—couldn't—respond. The words struck her like a spell.
Deep down, she wanted to believe that. Wanted it so badly her chest ached. But the fear of hoping—of being wrong—terrified her more than any battle.
She collapsed onto a chair, burying her face in her hands.
I hate this. I hate how much I love this.
—
Noelle barely knew how they got here.
She'd said yes. That was the start of the problem.
She'd said yes to a walk, not a trip across the kingdom with the boy she loved and could barely hold a conversation with without blushing like a fool.
They sat in the tavern Rebecca worked at now, across from each other, eating stew and bread.
Noelle sipped slowly, eyes glued to her bowl. Asta tore into his food like he hadn't eaten in days.
Maybe he hadn't.
The war had taken more out of him than he'd admit.
He was still smiling, still cracking jokes, still full of energy—but she'd seen the cracks. She'd seen the strain in his eyes when he thought no one was looking. The shadows that hadn't been there before.
She stole a glance at him.
Even his smile looks different.
He caught her looking.
She snapped her head away, nearly choking on her stew.
"You okay?" he asked, mouth full.
"I'm fine," she muttered, too fast.
Asta tilted his head. "You sure?"
"Yes!"
His brows rose slightly, but he didn't push.
He never pushed. That was the problem. He let her keep her distance. Let her get away with running from him every time her heart started pounding too hard.
And now?
Now they were spending a whole day together. Voluntarily.
She was a disaster.
Rebecca came by with more bread. "You heading anywhere else today?"
Asta nodded. "We're thinking of checking out Kikka later. The market's always fun."
Noelle blinked. We are?
"We?" Rebecca echoed, smirking.
Asta looked confused. "Yeah? She's with me."
Noelle felt her cheeks burn.
Rebecca looked at her pointedly, then wiggled her eyebrows and vanished into the kitchen.
Noelle groaned softly. This is getting out of control.
—
They left Nairn after lunch.
The sun hung higher now, casting gold across the dirt road as they made their way toward Kikka.
Asta walked with a bounce in his step. Noelle hovered beside him, trying to pretend the past few hours hadn't completely scrambled her brain.
"You're really quiet again," he said.
"I don't have anything to say."
He looked at her.
She could feel it—his eyes, just… watching.
Then he smiled.
"You don't have to say anything, you know. I just like being with you."
Her heart stopped.
Noelle looked at him slowly, expression blank.
"W-What?"
He laughed. "I said I like having you here. That's all."
Her mouth opened. Then shut. Then opened again.
She turned away quickly. "Tch. You're such a weirdo."
Asta just kept smiling.
—
By the time they reached Kikka, the sky had turned pale orange.
The city buzzed with life.
Vendors shouted over each other, peddling skewers, bracelets, trinkets, and colorful fruit.
Children darted between stalls, laughing.
Bright fabric waved from every stall.
The air smelled like roasted meat, spiced rice, and fried dough.
Asta's eyes lit up immediately.
"Whoa! This place is amazing!"
He was practically vibrating.
Noelle followed behind him, arms crossed, heart doing little flips against her will.
"Try not to get distracted," she mumbled.
He didn't even hear her. He was already drifting toward a food stall.
"Oh, man—look at that grilled corn! Wanna try some?"
Noelle shrugged. "If you're buying."
"Of course I'm buying!"
He dashed off.
Noelle exhaled slowly, watching him go.
It's just Asta. He's always like this. Always happy. Always…
She trailed off.
No. He wasn't always like this.
He was nervous today. More than usual.
She wasn't imagining it.
When he came back with two skewers, she thanked him under her breath and took a bite.
It was good. Sweet and a little spicy.
They walked through the crowd, occasionally stopping to browse trinkets—hairpins, coin pouches, odd-looking plush toys, bracelets woven from colored thread.
Asta held one up. "Think this'd look cool on Finral?"
Noelle stared. "That has glitter on it."
"Exactly!"
She snorted despite herself. "You're hopeless."
"Hey, I'm thoughtful."
They kept walking.
—
They shared a stick of grilled meatballs.
Asta shoved three into his mouth at once and grinned around them.
Noelle watched him in horror.
"You're a menace," she said.
He shrugged with his mouth full. "They're delicious!"
She rolled her eyes but took a bite of her own.
They were good.
She'd never admit that out loud.
—
They wandered for a while after that.
Asta dragged her toward the booths that sold weird glass animals and handmade jewelry.
He tried on a pair of ridiculous sunglasses and posed.
"Lookin' good, right?"
"You look like an idiot."
"Thank you!"
She smirked and turned away before he saw her smile.
—
They stopped at a stand selling thin silver rings.
Noelle picked one up, spinning it between her fingers.
The vendor, an old woman with sharp eyes, gave her a knowing smile.
"Matching couple rings, huh?"
Noelle opened her mouth—nothing came out.
Asta looked like someone had knocked the wind out of him.
"W-we're not a—!" he started, voice cracking.
Noelle went stiff, her pulse screaming.
The vendor chuckled. "Right, right. Just very good friends, then."
Noelle's blood went cold.
She glanced at Asta slowly, terrified of what she'd see on his face.
He was red.
Not just red—bright red. From his cheeks to the tips of his ears.
He set the ring down carefully. "Yeah, we're… just really good friends."
The words were clear.
But his voice wasn't.
It wobbled. Faltered.
Noelle's stomach twisted.
Noelle waited for the pang in her chest.
It came.
But something else came too.
She looked closer.
His eyes weren't confident. His words didn't come out smoothly.
His face was on fire.
He wasn't denying it because the idea was ridiculous.
He was denying it because he didn't know how to handle it.
And for the first time since this whole mess began, she felt something spark in her chest that wasn't dread.
Hope.
She looked away, hugging her arms tighter across her chest.
She couldn't breathe for a second.
"…Idiot," she muttered.
"Huh?"
"Nothing."
They both turned away from the booth in silence.
—
They didn't talk for a while after that.
The crowd around them blurred into white noise.
Noelle stared at the ground as they walked.
Her cheeks were burning.
Her heart wouldn't stop racing.
She didn't even know why.
They were just friends.
That's what he said.
That's what he meant.
Right?
So then why did he look like he'd swallowed a fireball?
Why had he sounded so—
She glanced at him.
He was rubbing his hands together nervously, avoiding her eyes.
He kept glancing over, then looking away before their gazes could meet.
Her heart thumped again.
Is he embarrassed? Or—
She looked forward quickly.
Didn't finish the thought.
—
They ended up near a quiet part of the market.
It was less crowded here.
Shops had hung lanterns above their doors, glowing orange and soft.
Asta stopped at one selling candied fruit and pointed at the skewers.
"These look cool."
Noelle nodded.
He bought two.
Handed one to her.
She didn't say thank you.
But she took it.
They ate in silence.
His shoulder brushed hers.
She didn't move.
He didn't either.
—
"…Sorry about earlier," Asta muttered.
She looked at him.
He still wasn't meeting her eyes.
"I didn't mean to make it weird. I just got flustered. That old lady caught me off guard."
Noelle stared at him for a beat.
Then, carefully—
"…You were really red."
Asta let out a strangled noise. "Don't remind me!"
She smirked around a bite of fruit.
Then said, "You didn't have to say it like that, you know."
"Say what?"
"'Just really good friends.'"
He turned toward her sharply.
"Noelle, I didn't—! I mean, I wasn't trying to—! I just panicked!"
She raised an eyebrow.
He shut his mouth, then groaned into his hands.
"…You're right. That sounded dumb."
She tilted her head, chewing slowly.
Then said, "Yeah. It did."
Asta peeked through his fingers at her.
She was smiling faintly.
He relaxed.
A little.
—
The air shifted.
Neither mentioned it.
The silence wasn't strained anymore.
Just delicate.
Asta stepped closer.
Not too near.
But enough.
Noelle stopped floating.
Walked beside him instead.
Their shoulders brushed.
Once.
Twice.
Neither commented.
He jabbed a thumb at fried dough stalls.
She snorted at his joke.
Then laughed.
Just once.
The market faded behind them.
Lanterns glowed ahead.
Quieter here.
Slower here.
Their hands brushed.
Once.
Again.
Neither pulled away.
A breeze.
Or his arm swinging wider.
Knuckles grazed.
Pinky hooked.
A breath.
Gone.
Still no words.
Only light.
Only footsteps.
—
The lanterns grew brighter as the sky darkened.
A breeze drifted past, fluttering the edges of Noelle's blouse.
She shivered once.
Before she could say anything, Asta peeled off his short cloak and dropped it over her shoulders.
She blinked up at him.
"…It's not that cold."
"Yeah, but you looked cold."
"I can use mana skin."
"I want you to use my cloak."
"…Idiot."
She didn't shrug it off, though.
She kept walking.
His cloak hung heavy around her shoulders, warm and worn and smelling faintly like metal and the wind.
She clenched it tighter with her fingers.
—
Eventually, they looped back toward the edge of the city.
The vendor lights faded behind them.
The sky was full indigo now, streaked with stars.
Noelle didn't say anything.
Neither did Asta.
But they didn't need to.
Something had shifted.
Not loud.
Not dramatic.
Just a quiet step forward, like ripples in water.
Not friends.
Not quite something else.
But not the same as before, either.
Their hands brushed again.
And this time, Asta's fingers hesitated.
Curled.
Noelle's did too.
For a heartbeat, they touched—knuckle to knuckle, skin to skin.
Then, carefully, uncertainly…
They laced together.
Asta didn't say anything.
Noelle didn't either.
They just kept walking like that.
Hand in hand.
—
The night wind was cooler now.
Kikka's markets faded behind them, just a hum of noise and orange light in the distance.
The stars overhead were clearer out here.
Crickets chirped from somewhere in the grass.
Noelle still had Asta's cloak wrapped around her shoulders.
And Asta still hadn't let go of her hand.
Not that she was complaining.
She didn't say anything.
Didn't even glance at him.
But her fingers stayed curled around his.
Like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Like they'd always done this.
Even though her heart was pounding like she'd been training with Lady Mereoleona.
—
Neither of them had said a word since leaving the city gates.
But it wasn't awkward.
It was… heavy.
Like their silence meant something.
Noelle didn't know what it meant.
But it felt important.
She kept sneaking glances at him.
At his face in the starlight.
At the way he kept squeezing her hand, just slightly, every few seconds.
Like he was checking to make sure this was real.
She squeezed back once.
Just once.
But he smiled so wide she almost tripped.
—
They stopped at a small hill outside the road.
Asta tugged her hand gently, pointing up.
"Wanna sit up there?"
Noelle hesitated.
Then nodded.
They climbed together.
The grass was soft.
The view stretched out across the Clover Kingdom's borderlands, dotted with tiny flickers of faraway lights.
Noelle sat cross-legged, Asta beside her.
Close, but not touching.
Their hands had finally parted at the top.
But she kind of missed it already.
She glanced at him.
He was laying back now, arms folded under his head, staring at the stars.
He looked calm.
Happy.
Her throat felt tight again.
—
"Hey… Noelle?"
His voice was softer than usual.
She blinked. "What?"
He didn't move.
But his eyes flicked toward her.
"…Did I mess things up today?"
She stiffened.
"…What?"
He looked embarrassed. "I mean… you've been quiet since that couple comment. I don't know. I guess I got all weird."
Noelle stared at him.
Then sighed.
Loudly.
"You're an idiot."
Asta sat up straight. "Huh?!"
She didn't look at him.
"You didn't mess anything up."
Her voice was low.
But steady.
"…You just surprised me, that's all."
"Oh."
They sat in silence again.
This time, Asta fidgeted a little.
Then—
"…Was it bad? The idea of us… y'know…"
Noelle turned her head sharply.
"What?"
"Being a couple."
She froze.
Her mouth opened.
Then closed.
Then opened again.
"I—" she started.
Then bit her lip.
What is he asking? What is he saying?
Her chest was a battlefield.
She was about to answer.
But Asta shook his head suddenly and laughed.
"Nah, forget it. That was a dumb question."
"No, it wasn't," she said, before she could stop herself.
He blinked.
She blinked.
"…It wasn't?" he asked.
Noelle wanted to scream.
Instead, she turned away and wrapped the cloak tighter around herself.
Then muttered, "You're not the only one who got weird back there."
Asta scratched the back of his head.
"I guess we both did."
Another silence.
This one felt warmer.
Like the air between them had softened.
Like maybe they were both starting to figure something out.
—
They stayed on the hill until the moon was high.
When they finally stood up, neither said anything.
But their hands found each other again.
This time without looking.
Like they were magnets.
Like it was just how they were meant to fit.
Noelle didn't blush anymore.
She just held his hand, thumb brushing the back of his knuckles.
And Asta didn't flinch.
Didn't act surprised.
He just smiled.
—
When they reached the clearing where they usually split up to fly home, Asta stopped.
"Hey," he said, uncharacteristically quiet.
Noelle turned to leave, but his voice stopped her.
She looked back. He was fidgeting, his usual confidence replaced by a restless energy.
"I was thinking…" he started, then scratched his head, grinning sheepishly when she raised an eyebrow.
"You? Thinking again? That's dangerous," she scoffed, crossing her arms.
"Okay, fair," he laughed, but his gaze softened. "But—uh… do you wanna head back to the base now?"
Noelle hesitated. She should've said yes. But the way he was watching her—like this moment mattered—made her pause.
Asta stepped closer, sunlight catching the determination in his eyes. "…Or…"
She blinked.
"Wanna ride Demon-Slayer with me? Together."
Her heart stuttered. "You mean… both of us? On the same sword?"
He nodded, summoning the broad black blade in a flash of light. It hovered between them, daring. "If you're okay with it."
He then grinned and emphasized.
"You and me. One ride. It's not too far, right?"
Noelle's heart skipped.
She tried to hide it behind a scowl.
"That's not exactly safe, you know."
"I'll make sure we don't fall."
"…Fine."
Asta's grin lit up the clearing. She hated how much she liked it.
He helped her step onto the sword first, one hand steadying her wrist. When she wobbled, his grip tightened—not that she'd admit she needed it.
"You good?" he asked, voice warm near her ear.
"Just don't crash," she muttered, scowling to hide the flush creeping up her neck.
He chuckled, and then they were rising, the world falling away beneath them.
Asta's thumb brushed her wrist once, testing. When she didn't pull back, his hand stayed.
The wind whipped around them, but all Noelle felt was the heat of his chest against her shoulder blades, the solidness of him anchoring her.
"See? Told you I wouldn't let us fall," he said, too smug.
She rolled her eyes. "Don't ruin it."
But secretly, she leaned back—just a little—and felt his breath catch.
Neither mentioned how slowly he flew.
—
They took off, wind rushing past them.
The world blurred below in streaks of gold and green.
Noelle's hair whipped in the breeze.
Her hand was still in Asta's.
They didn't talk as they soared through the stars.
Didn't need to.
The silence wasn't awkward anymore.
It was full of unspoken things.
New things.
Scary things.
Exciting things.
Asta glanced at her once.
She was already looking at him.
Their eyes met.
He smiled.
She did too.
Just a little.
But it felt big.
It felt like something new was blooming between them.
Something fragile.
But real.
This is different.
She knew it.
And I don't want it to go away.
—
Demon-Slayer glided smooth and steady.
It wasn't fast this time.
No racing wind.
No sharp turns.
Just a calm, slow flight through the sky—like they were floating.
The last stretch of sun spilled gold and orange over the horizon.
Below them, lakes shimmered.
Fields turned soft and dark.
Noelle sat behind Asta, legs dangling over one edge of the sword.
His back was warm against her knees.
She hadn't said anything in a while.
Neither had he.
But every few minutes, she'd catch him glancing over his shoulder to check on her.
And each time he smiled.
Each time she felt her face go warm.
She looked away quickly.
But she didn't stop smiling either.
—
The sky turned red.
Then deeper red.
Then violet.
And finally—navy blue, with the first stars blinking into place.
Noelle leaned back slightly, tilting her head up.
It was so peaceful.
This is kind of… nice.
She would never say that aloud.
But she didn't mind sitting like this.
Didn't mind the closeness.
Didn't even mind the silence.
It wasn't awkward anymore.
Not with him.
—
Asta cleared his throat suddenly.
She blinked.
He didn't look back, but he gripped the sword tighter.
"…Hey."
"What."
"You okay if we… take a little detour?"
Noelle furrowed her brow. "What kind of detour?"
He didn't answer.
Instead, he adjusted his grip, tilted the blade slightly, and began banking left.
Her heart jumped.
"Wait—what are you doing? Where are we going?"
"You'll see!"
"Asta—!"
"Trust me!"
She wanted to yell at him.
But she didn't.
She just crossed her arms and huffed.
Even though her stomach was already flipping.
What is he doing now…?
—
They passed over a wide stretch of forest.
Then a lake.
Then a thin river glittering in the moonlight.
Then—
The coast.
Noelle's breath caught.
Waves crashed softly against the shore far below.
Moonlight stretched over the water, turning it silver and glassy.
A familiar boardwalk stretched along the edge.
And further ahead—
Raque.
She stared, stunned.
"…Why here?"
Asta looked back at her finally.
His eyes were nervous.
But determined.
"I dunno. Just thought it'd be a good spot."
She frowned.
"You brought me all the way to Raque? On a whim?"
"Not on a whim."
His voice was soft.
"I just… wanted you to see it at night."
Noelle blinked.
Then looked down again.
The town glowed faintly under lanterns and streetlights.
The beach was quiet.
Empty.
The ocean calm.
She hated how much her heart was fluttering.
"…You're unbelievable," she muttered.
But she didn't sound angry.
—
They landed just beyond the boardwalk, near the sand.
Asta dismounted first, then held out his hand.
Noelle eyed it.
Then slowly took it.
Her boots crunched in the sand as she stepped down.
She looked around, hugging his cloak tighter.
The sea breeze tousled her hair.
She pushed it behind her ears.
She wrapped her arms around herself before she could stop.
Why here?
Why now?
She didn't ask.
Asta scratched the back of his head. "I just thought it'd be nice."
He looked nervous.
She didn't know what to do with that.
The Asta she knew never got nervous. He just did things. Loudly. Without thinking.
But this Asta—this one who fidgeted, whose eyes flicked to her and then away, who looked unsure in a way that made her unsure—this Asta scared her a little.
Because he was acting like he… like he felt something.
And that wasn't safe.
"…So what now?"
Asta grinned.
"Wanna walk?"
Noelle hesitated.
Then gave a tiny nod.
"…Fine. Just for a minute."
He didn't say anything.
Just reached down.
Took her hand again.
No hesitation this time.
Their fingers laced together like it was normal.
Like it was always supposed to be like this.
—
The moon rose steadily, casting silver across the waves.
They walked side by side, their steps crunching softly over the sand.
Noelle kicked off her boots halfway down the shoreline. Asta followed without a word.
Their toes sank into the cool grains. The tide swept near, never quite touching.
It was quiet.
Not heavy quiet. Just… gentle.
No one else was around.
Just them.
The stars.
The water.
The sound of their steps.
Noelle's heart wouldn't calm down.
Every few seconds she snuck a look at him.
He looked nervous too.
But also…
Focused.
Like he was working something out in his head.
Like he'd made a decision.
Asta looked up at the moon.
"I like it here," he said. "It's peaceful."
Noelle nodded faintly. "Yeah."
They walked a little farther.
Noelle glanced at him from the corner of her eye.
He was still smiling. But it wasn't the smile he gave the squad or when he was about to rush into battle.
It was smaller. Softer.
The kind that made her chest ache.
—
She peeked over at Asta.
He was quiet again. Not tense. Just thoughtful.
Which, honestly, was weirder.
He stopped walking suddenly.
Noelle blinked.
"What?"
He turned toward her slowly, still holding that same gentle smile.
"…Nothing. Just thinking."
"That's dangerous for you."
He laughed.
She liked the sound more than she should've.
"Do you ever wonder," he said, "what it'd be like if the war hadn't happened? If things were just… normal?"
Noelle hesitated. "Normal doesn't exist in our lives."
"Yeah, but—like, if we weren't always running around saving the world. What would we even do?"
She tilted her head. "You'd be farming."
He snorted. "You'd be yelling at your brothers."
"Probably."
They stood there in silence again.
The waves rolled in and out, quiet and steady.
Noelle looked down at her hands.
Her fingers curled, then loosened.
Say something.
She took a breath.
"I… I've been thinking too."
Asta looked at her.
She didn't meet his eyes.
"…About what comes next."
He didn't speak.
She went on before she could lose her nerve.
"Not just with the squad. Or training. But… with people. With us."
She forced herself to look at him.
He wasn't smiling anymore.
But he wasn't frowning either.
He just… watched her.
Waiting.
Her throat tightened.
Why is this so hard?
"I don't want to go back to how things were before," she whispered.
He blinked. "Before…?"
"Before Megicula. Before the Heart Kingdom. Before I—"
She stopped herself.
He took a step closer.
The space between them shrank to almost nothing.
She stared at the sand.
Her heart pounded.
"…Before I started caring about you more than I should," she muttered.
Asta's breath caught.
It was so faint, she almost didn't hear it.
But she did.
She looked up.
He was flushed again. Bright red.
"…More than you should?" he echoed.
She wanted to run.
But she didn't.
She just nodded.
He opened his mouth. Closed it. Tried again.
"Noelle…"
Her stomach twisted.
Here it comes. The rejection. The we're just friends. The—
"I think I feel the same."
Silence.
Noelle blinked.
"…You what?"
Asta laughed nervously, rubbing the back of his neck.
"I mean, I've been trying to figure it out, y'know? I always thought I liked Sister Lily, but now… whenever I see you, it's like my chest goes all weird, and I can't stop thinking about you, and I get stupid nervous, and—"
He cut himself off.
They just stared at each other.
Then he added, softly—
"…Is that what liking someone feels like?"
Noelle didn't know if she wanted to cry or scream.
Instead, she just breathed out a shaky laugh.
"…Idiot."
Asta grinned sheepishly. "Yeah."
—
They walked until the lights of the town were far behind.
Nothing but moonlight and ocean around them now.
Asta finally stopped.
Let go of her hand.
Turned to face her.
"Noelle, I don't like wasting time."
"Patience isn't for me."
"When I want something, when I need something, I go and take it. ASAP."
Noelle blinked. "What's—"
"I'm gonna kiss you now."
The words hit her like a spell.
She froze.
Eyes wide.
Mouth open.
Heart slamming in her chest.
He scratched the back of his neck.
"Only if you let me, I mean."
She still couldn't speak.
He looked down for a second, then back up.
"If you don't want it, you can push me away or slap me or whatever. I won't be mad. I'll act like it didn't happen."
He paused.
Swallowed.
"But if you do let me… then I'm gonna take that as your answer."
Noelle stared at him.
She couldn't breathe.
Couldn't think.
Couldn't do anything except stand there while her whole brain short-circuited.
He was waiting.
Still watching her.
His eyes open.
Vulnerable.
Scared.
But steady.
Like he meant it.
Like this wasn't just a whim.
Noelle's hands trembled at her sides.
She opened her mouth to say something.
But nothing came out.
So instead—
She stepped forward.
Didn't push him.
Didn't slap him.
Didn't stop him.
—
Asta took that as a yes.
He leaned in slowly.
Carefully.
Giving her time.
She didn't back away.
Didn't move at all.
And then—
His lips met hers.
Soft.
Warm.
Real.
Noelle's eyes fluttered shut.
Her breath hitched.
Her hands found his shirt.
Clutched it.
Held on.
Asta deepened the kiss, just slightly.
She didn't pull away.
Didn't stop him.
It wasn't clumsy.
It wasn't perfect.
But it was deep.
And a little hungry.
Like they'd both been holding this in for too long.
When they finally broke apart, Noelle was flushed redder than she'd ever been.
Her knees felt weak.
She didn't let go of his shirt.
He smiled at her.
A small, boyish grin.
Then slid his hands around her waist.
Noelle's fingers trembled against his chest.
She took a slow breath.
Then gave a little grin of her own.
It was sly.
It was flirty.
It was a side of her she never knew existed.
"…Guess I'm your girl now?"
Asta grinned wider.
"Damn right."