The faintest traces of sun shone above the tips of the trees, gracing the tired, exhausted faces that still huddled in the forest-both Ministry and students alike.

The energy of the previous night was finally dying down like a fire burned away into flickering coals.

Sitting propped up against a tree was Hitoka Yachi, wedged in tightly between Hinata and Kageyama, none of which looked eager to let the others go. Kenma and Lev sat beside them. Surrounded by them all, Yachi leaned against Hinata's shoulder and tried to close her eyes.

In the center of the clearing was a werewolf, the sun not yet high enough to turn him back into a boy. The creature ignored the Ministry officials still watching him closely for a single wrong move. Instead, the werewolf laid his head peacefully against a smaller boy's lap, letting him pet behind his ears and listening to the low surrounding murmurs of those he called pack.

Out of all of them, a group of four boys was still the most alert, eyes wary as they waited for their last member to return. Tetsuro Kuroo stood further away, arms crossed as he watched Madoka argue fiercely with the rest of the Ministry officials, his own father flickering between one or the other-whichever he thought would be more amenable at the time.

Kuroo rolled his eyes.

Bokuto stood up, dusting off his slacks as he wandered over to Kuroo.

"Hey," Kuroo greeted.

"Hey, hey," Bokuto said back.

He nodded to the Ministry group. "You think they'll wrap this up soon?"

"Bro, I hope so. It's almost breakfast." And then, Bokuto tilted his head-an odd expression passing over his face. "So, you chose the wolf over the butterfly, huh. That'll change things. Hope it's the right path."

Kuroo's head jerked around, staring at him. "What?"

Bokuto blinked. "Huh?"

"What did you just say," Kuroo asked.

Bokuto just looked confused. "I said I hope the Ministry finishes by breakfast"

"No, after with the….," Kuroo shook his head. "Nevermind."

Bokuto shrugged. "Long night."

"...Yeah."

A yell from Madoka cut them off before Bokuto could say anything else.

"DO YOU THINK I CAN'T RECOGNIZE MY OWN SISTER?!"

Towada paled. "Of course not, it's just-"

"We've never had a reported breakout from Azkaban," Miyanoshita interrupted, crossing her arms. "Never. The place is impenetrable. Not to mention the fact that Kirika Uragiri was reported dead months ago with a body as proof. You verified the photos."

"All matters which are apparently wrong," Madoka said through gritted teeth.

"Obviously, we believe you," Ozuro held up his hands in a soothing matter, "it's just, well, even your daughter admitted that the woman was clearly in bad shape-barely recognizable, in fact, and apparently insane. And, since the culprit escaped before we could question her and what with Azkaban having the reputation it does, do you think that maybe you may have been mistaken about…."

Ozuro cut off at Madoka's glare.

"Enough." Minister Masaru got in between them. "We've had enough of squabbling between ourselves tonight, so enough." He nodded towards Madoka. "The Ministry will conduct a full investigation of Kirika Uragiri's reported death and an assessment of Azkaban's security." He moved onto his Deputy Minister. "Further, we'll have the Unspeakables lead the investigation. You're right. Azkaban has a reputation as impenetrable. If the public found out there might have been a breakout-especially of one of the Giant's top spies-there would be a panic, definitely unsuitable for an investigation." Masaru's lips thin. "We'll keep it a covert operation for now. Find what evidence we can and, when the true culprit is apprehended, we release the information to the public."

Masaru sighed. "Until then, since we're still not sure what happened to the real Masao Rezei, certainly not enough to clear his name, we'll stick to the facts we know." Masaru took a deep breath and, for a second, the Minister looked old. "For the second time in three years, Hogwarts has hired a Defense teacher that attempted to murder students."

"The public won't be happy about that," Miyanoshita observed. "The Prophet will have a field day."

"Yes, I imagine that's true." He laid a hand on Miyanoshita's shoulder. "Don't worry, my dear Deputy, I have a few ideas that may work out."

Miyanoshita huffed but nodded and the Ministry gathering looked to finally lose some of its tension. Madoka nodded curtly to the Minister as she walked off in the direction of her daughter.

Masaru smiled before his eyes moved to Kuroo.

He ambled over to where Kuroo and Bokuto stood.

"I find I have to thank you again," Masaru said, looking to both of them. "Between this and that mess with Sora a couple years ago, it looks like I might have to hire you and your friends just to stop you from out showing us." He winked at Kuroo. "Still not interested in a Ministry job, I take it?"

Kuroo snorted. "Not in a million years."

"Drats," Masaru complained amicably before he turned to Bokuto. "Do you mind if I have a moment of your friend's time?"

Bokuto looked uncertainly to Kuroo, who nodded.

"Sure," Bokuto agreed.

Masaru waited for him to leave.

Finally, the Minister spoke in a low tone. "I don't think you understand exactly how much of a service you've done here tonight, son." Masaru tilted his head back, looking at the rising sun. "More than just preventing the Ministry from making a terrible mistake, I believe….even in just a small way….you've reminded everyone here of exactly the things that need to change.

Masaru met Kuroo's eyes. "And things will change, son, I can promise you that."

Kuroo didn't know what to say and luckily Masaru laughed before he could say anything, the mood lightening around them.

The Minister squeezed his shoulder. "I suppose we have to stop relying on you and your friends to catch Hogwarts' mistakes, don't we? Hopefully, in the future, I want you to know you can trust it to us."

"Of course, Minister," Kuroo replied, trying to keep himself from fidgeting at the unexpected attention.

"Thank you, Tetsuro." Masaru smiled. "I think you've given us exactly the push we need."

They both saw Ozuro approaching so Masaru patted Kuroo's shoulder one more time before releasing him.

He turned to Kuroo's father. "You have an impressive son, Ozuro. I believe all of us at the Ministry, myself included, look forward to seeing his future."

"Yes." Ozuro met his son's eyes and Kuroo's spine straightened. His father called up a smile for Masaru. "As am I, Minister."

The Minister nodded before walking away, leaving Kuroo alone with his father.

Father and son stood in silence, a test that finally Kuroo decided to break. "Dad?"

"Interesting tactics you displayed tonight, son," Ozuro said in a voice that gave away nothing. "And even more interesting choices."

Kuroo shifted, waiting for his father to say more before suddenly Asahi let out a whine and the whole clearing froze.

"He's about to change back," Noya announced

Everyone watched as the werewolf lifted off from Noya's lap, shaking his head and letting out another low whine before looking at the group with an unusually meek look for such a giant creature.

And then, the werewolf ran-fleeing deeper into the dark of the forest.

Noya hopped to his feet. "Asahi, where's he-"

"It's fine." Daichi let out a sigh. "He's probably just heading back to the Shrieking Shack. It's instinct, right?"

"Oh." Noya's expression cleared and then, he immediately started off in the direction Asahi had run.

Daichi caught his arm before he could go.

"Wait," Daichi ordered. "Let me talk to him first, explain what happened."

Noya frowned. "But-"

"Noya," Daichi met his eyes. "It's Asahi. If we all go, it'll just overwhelm him."

Noya held under Daichi's gaze, considering, for a long moment before finally his shoulders dropped and he nodded.

Daichi released his arm

"Don't worry…," Daichi gave a small smile, looking into the dark of the forest. "I think he's done running."

"Hold on," Towada called out as Daichi started walking, "we'll need his statement! Even if we're blaming the issue with the lack of wolfsbane on Rezei, we still have to have-"

"I'll tell him," Daichi said shortly and then pushed forward into the forest before anyone could say anything more.

The clearing fell silent again before Miyanoshita let out a long sigh, already glaring at Ozuro.

"I suppose there's no hope of you keeping this quiet, is there," she demanded.

Ozuro smirked back in a way that most of the people assembled recognized with eerie familiarity which at least half felt uncomfortable about.

"Why, my dear Den, of course, I'll keep quiet about the possible Azkaban breakout. Anything our Minister requires. And completely sound reasoning, not to mention. No one wants to deal with that mess if the public finds out. As for the rest….," Ozuro shrugged. "Well, with Hogwarts abysmal hiring practices getting out anyway, I personally think the people have a right to know about the near death of students. Not to mention, the complete abuse of one poor werewolf student."

Kuroo gritted his teeth, his mind already pulling up the sad, sympathetic news parade his father was no doubt already constructing.

Towada rolled his eyes. "And if it happens to help your bill push through…."

"Well, then, it obviously means the law was long overdue," Ozuro continued blithely. He moved ahead to the Crows. "I don't suppose your….friend has any experience with interviews?"

Noya glared back, hands rolling up into fists. "Asahi's not a stupid political tool!"

Ozuro pulled up a sympathetic mask, far too obviously saccharine to be real and Kuroo fought back the feeling of a paper cut.

"Of course not," Ozuro soothed. "And I'll make sure no one uses him like that. Tragic to be forced into the spotlight so young and so suddenly…."

"Asahi hates attention," Ennoshita said, stepping in front of Noya just in time for Tanaka to pull the smaller boy back. Ennoshita gave Ozuro a sharp smile. "Sorry, I doubt he'll be interested in interviews."

Ozuro made a small noise. "That's too bad. Are you sure? You'd think he'd be far more interested in helping others. What with his help, we'll probably be able to expand the bill. And what with his name being revealed anyway in the news coverage, I'm sure keeping it all a secret is off the table-"

"Ah, then it's a good thing his name won't be published!" A new voice entered the clearing right before an old witch with a sharp smile and the thick red scars of a faded curse mark running down her neck.

"Aunt Yuka!" Noya cried out, grinning.

Towada swore. "What in Merlin's name are you doing here, you witch?"

Yuka threw back her head and laughed. "Oh, Aoi, you dry old goat, surely you didn't think I'd miss my favorite nephew's Ministry hearing? It's not every day you hear a case for boggarts."

Towada scowled, glaring at Yuka before looking at Noya as if re-evaluating him as a coming plague.

"So, imagine my surprise when I get there and no one else has shown up-not even an ever punctual rule follower like you, Aoi. That's enough to make anyone suspicious." Yuka spun her wand in her fingers. "Figured I ought to check things out when a simple Point Me spell told me you were all in the forest."

Yuka turned on her heel, smiling daggers at Ozuro. "And I'm so glad I did. Especially after hearing your obviously sincere concern, Ozuro. How kind of you, always looking out for werewolves. Truly your sympathy knows no bounds."

Her last sentence skated dangerously dry enough to be sarcasm, not quite reaching the level where anyone could call her on it.

Ozuro smiled thinly. "Of course, I am the author of the Werewolf Rights Act. How could I not care, especially when the boy in question is so young, the same age as my own dear son."

"Quite," Yuka said shortly. "Never worry, Ozuro. As touching as your concern is, I can assure you that boy is completely safe from being thrown so callously into the spotlight. If I remember my statutes correctly, his name can't even be published. Why I doubt even the rest of Hogwarts can be told."

Ozuro's smile dropped. "What do you mean?"

Yuka caught Ozuro's dropped smile and threw it on her own face to grow even brighter. "Azumane Asahi's a minor. Surely you remember the law that expanded the same media protections to werewolf children? After all, you're the one who wrote it."

"Ah…..right." Ozuro recovered quick. "I appreciate you reminding me, Yuka. So glad I have someone like you working with me to remind me of all we've already accomplished."

"Of course," Yuka allowed the response smoothly. "Clever idea though about expanding the Werewolf Civil Rights Act. Yes, I'm sure it will be a bit more of a struggle without a name to point them at; but, best to strike while the iron's hot-especially now that I know you're fully committed, Ozuro." She eyed him carefully. "This can be a major win for werewolves everywhere if we play out cards right."

Ozuro's next smile had a bit more life in it. "We'll talk later."

"Yes," Yuka agreed before turning back to Noya, hands on her hips. "In the meantime, I want to hear exactly what kind of night my nephew had? Sounds like you started a lot of trouble."

Noya gave a small smile. "Yeah. But it was your kind of trouble."

Yuka laughed, reaching out to mess up his hair. "And that's why you're my favorite."

Aunt and nephew talked amicably while Ozuro moved back to his place beside his son, close to the rest but far enough away that Kuroo could feel every centimeter in the marrow of his bones.

"I believe we need to talk, Tetsuro," his father said, quiet enough that his voice didn't carry.

"Yes," Kuroo stated.

Ozuro sighed. "As far as the time turner assessment goes, it was a complete unmitigated disaster. I'll be working for a decade to repair our family's relationship with the Department of Mysteries."

"I'm not sorry," Kuroo said. "If you're waiting for an apology for messing up the stupid time turner assessment, you're not going to get one. Some things are more important."

"You disobeyed me," Ozuro continued. "No matter what the results, you blatantly and obviously disrespected the Ministry in ways that Miyanoshita and Towada will not forget soon. And don't tell me every snipe you made was needed. Don't tell me it was all done to save your friends."

Kuroo fought not to react.

His father met his eyes and abruptly Kuroo was reminded once again that his father could be strikingly perceptive in the most inconvenient of times.

"No," Ozuro continued, "you gave up. The minute you decided to choose your friends over your responsibility to me, you decided to be reckless-to go about it in a way you believed even I couldn't save your reputation from."

Ozuro hummed. "I'm curious. If that idea had actually worked, did you think I would have given up on you? That I'd be so mad I'd let you squander your life however you chose." His father shook his head. "Sixteen years of planning, laying the work for our family's entire future, and you think I'd have thrown it away in one night."

Kuroo's nails dug into his hands as he kept his voice even. "Dad, it's been a long night. I'm tired. Make your point already. Just tell me if I should start learning Russian or French for whatever school you're shipping me off to."

"So dramatic." Ozuro tsked.

Ozuro tilted his head, watching the clearing and the people still gathered around it.

"I've decided to keep you at Hogwarts," Ozuro said. "For now anyway."

Kuroo starred, he thought something light had started to trickle through his veins but he quickly pressed it down with a rush of suspicion. "What? Why?"

"Two reasons," his father said loftily. "First, because the circumstances have changed. Yes, I'm sure I could find some plausible excuse but taking you out of Hogwarts now, so soon after a scandal and one you were directly involved in, wouldn't look great for the public. It would look like running away and Kuroos never run."

"Second." Ozuro focused, sharp eyes drawing directly to Kuroo. "...Second, I wasn't lying. Choices do have consequences." His father sighed. "And, fortunately, it seems your choices last night have gained us more than it cost. If Yuka's throwing support behind the Werewolf Rights Act and looking to expand it, we can gain major ground with the Light families, especially since it seems the Tsukishima and Yamaguchi families can still be persuaded." Ozuro inclined his head to Masaru. "Plus, even though you may have alienated us from Miyanoshita and Towada, it looks like you've maneuvered us closer to the Minister and that's a very good place to be."

Kuroo continued to stare.

"Don't act so surprised, son," Ozuro commented. "I didn't get where I am today without taking risks. It seems only fitting I reward when your risks play out…."

Kuroo swallowed or at least he tried to, his mouth felt too dry all of the sudden and the words were catching in his throat. "Thank you."

"I hope you've learned something, Tetsuro." Ozuro waved a hand. "Pointless rebellion will get you nowhere. But, your later plan, how you came up with a strategy to control both groups….genius, even when you did decide to use it against me."

In the clearing, the Investigators' Club was starting to shift restlessly, throwing suspicious looks at Ozuro and clearly wondering why Kuroo was taking so long.

"Go off with your friends," Ozuro instructed. "Just remember, I make a better ally than I do an enemy, son."

Kuroo nodded, feeling too stunned to say anything else even as relief was finally starting to pound against his heart. He took a step before his father's next words caught him.

"Besides, we'll have much to discuss later."

Ozuro smiled, his eyes fixed straight on Kenma.

ooooooo

"Hey."

Asahi heard Noya behind him and his shoulders tensed.

Asahi sat at the top of the Divination Tower, watching the late afternoon light settle around Hogwarts. It was an easy moment of normalcy, only set apart in the way that everything before it had been so abnormal.

Below, the Hogwarts students ambled around, either enjoying the warm sun or caught in a frantic rush of studying before the exams next week. None of them knew how much danger they had been in just last night.

Danger from Asahi, because of him even if he had never, never meant to. Danger if not for….

Noya stood beside him.

"Hey," Asahi whispered back and Noya sat down.

There was silence between them, heavy and waiting.

"Daichi told me the Ministry had finished interviewing you." Noya frowned. "They didn't give you too much trouble, right?"

Asahi shook his head. "Your Aunt Yuka was there."

Frankly, Asahi didn't know what to think of the meeting. It was indescribably strange to go from hopelessness and terror combined with the pain of shifting forms and the bone deep grief that he couldn't stop himself from killing anyone to the muddled emotions that came with the transformation-instinctual, a mix of overly vivid and too ephemeral that he could never sort through them with his human brain-to…..waking up and being told that everything was alright, that he didn't kill anyone, didn't even hurt them, that the Ministry didn't want to punish him and instead was met with only some of the usual wariness paired with closely guarded eyes that seemed more curious than anything. All because of….

In a way, Asahi felt that he should have known. Noya always had a way of the impossible.

The impossible boy shifted beside him. "Asahi...can we….can we talk?"

Asahi hunched his shoulders and gave a nod.

"I'm sorry, Noya," he whispered.

"For what?" Noya tilted his head. "What do you have to be sorry for? For….for the fight? For calling werewolves monsters? Because I kind of figured out by now it's probably a longer story."

"I do think werewolves are monsters." Asahi hunched down even further, fiddling with his sleeves. "Or at least, they can be. That I can be."

Noya caught his hand mid fidget, hesitantly hovering over the sleeve. Asahi let him and Noya pulled up the sleeve, revealing the thin red lines that ran down his arm.

"How'd you get those," Noya asked. "I mean you don't have to tell me-"

"I don't remember," Asahi said and, suddenly, the words were burning in his chest because if he could tell anyone, he wanted to tell Noya. "I was three. You remember how some people thought werewolves were working for the Giant? How they'd attack them." Asahi looked down at his scars. "Apparently, they were hunting down one by my house. I don't know what happened to him-I don't even know their name. It was before wolfsbane so maybe he didn't even know what happened. Maybe he just…just…."

"Panicked," Noya finished.

"Yeah." Asahi rolled up his sleeves. "He probably didn't even mean to attack me; but, he still…." He folded his hands over the ends of his sleeves. "I didn't….I never wanted to be like that. To hurt people without meaning to, without any control." He mumbled the last words. "I didn't want the curse to turn me into a monster; but, it looks like it did anyway."

"Azumane." There was a hand on Asahi's collar jerking him down to meet Noya's eyes, "you could never be a monster! I keep telling you-"

"But I was!" Asahi was breathing heavily. "Noya, I was! I almost killed Hinata and Kageyama! I could have killed everyone! I could have killed you if you didn't-"

"I didn't do anything!" Noya yelled and now he was on his feet, glaring down at Asahi. "All I did was calm you down! You never wanted to kill anyone! How could you? You're you! And, after everything that happened, if you say it's your fault...that anything, that anything last night happened because of you rather than Rezei or the stupid Ministry then I'll…." Noya scrubbed at his eyes, letting out a choked sound. "I don't know….I think….I think I might cry or something, so just, just don't-"

Asahi moved on instinct, standing and pulling Noya in. Noya didn't hesitate, burying his face into Asahi's shoulder and clenching fingers into his sweater.

"Don't say it's your fault," Noya whispered into the fabric. "Don't ever say it was your fault, Azumane, it wasn't."

"Okay," Asahi leaned his head on top of Noya's and felt his own heart stuttering in his chest. "Okay, it wasn't my fault."

Noya let out another choked sound, pulling himself further into Asahi's chest. Asahi closed his eyes, tightening his arms around Noya and feeling like he was holding the world.

When Noya finally drew away, his eyes were red but his smile was back, real and bright and Asahi…..Asahi….he couldn't help it….

He reached forward, rubbing his thumb under Noya's eye as his other hand cradled his cheek.

"I was so scared," Asahi said quietly. "I thought I was going to hurt you."

"You wouldn't. Never like that, Asahi." Noya leaned his face in Asahi's hands. "I was never scared of that. Not of you."

Asahi let out a half of a laugh that was more a sob. "Noya, I could have killed you."

"You wouldn't have," Noya said fiercely. He brought up his own hand to hold Asahi's steady against his cheek. "I was right, both about the boggarts and about you."

"Noya….," Asahi tried to breathe. "Noya, werewolves are dangerous. I'm dangerous. Just because you were fine this time, doesn't mean you'll always be. And, Noya, I'm afraid-I'm so scared, more than I am of anything else-that one day you'll be wrong. That one day something will go wrong and you'll be killed just because you loved something. And I can't lose you, I can't. But, I...I...I can't protect you, no one can, because that's who you are and…"

Asahi closed his eyes.

And Asahi loved him and he was so, so afraid of him because….

"Noya, you're never scared.."

"I was terrified," Noya said.

Asahi opened his eyes. "What?"

"I was terrified," Noya said bluntly. "Last night, I was terrified."

Asahi stared at him.

"I wasn't….I wasn't scared of you." Noya frowned. "I know you'd never hurt me. But, what if I was wrong? What if there really wasn't enough of you left when you transformed? What if the Ministry scared you at the wrong time and I was too close? What if I did everything right; but, it was already too late? What if I did get hurt, what if I died…..because I'm not stupid, Asahi. I know you, too. I know what that would mean." Noya let out a shuddering breath, looking up to meet Asahi's eyes. "I was terrified, Asahi. There were a million ways everything could go wrong and I….I've never been that scared in my life."

"Noya," Asahi began and Noya gripped the hand tightly that was still held against his cheek.

Noya didn't look away.

"I'm in love with you, Asahi," Noya said simply. "Of course, I was terrified."

Asahi didn't move. He felt like he was shaking apart and piecing together, shifting into something new and frighteningly the same.

He couldn't speak.

Noya still could.

"You're right," Noya looked down, "I know I'm not good at the whole….being careful thing. I've never been good at it. I just get excited and forget….but, I'll try to get better because….because I don't want you to lose me either. And I definitely don't want to lose you."

Asahi still couldn't speak.

"But, um," Noya smiled, looking up at him, "I'll still probably not be very good at the whole being careful part so do you think you could remind me sometimes? When I go too far?"

Asahi couldn't find words; but, he managed a nod.

"Thanks." Noya's smile grew. "What did I tell you, Asahi? You're always the best at keeping me safe."

Always, if you let me.

Asahi found his voice.

"Noya….," Asahi met Noya's eyes.

And Noya looked back.

The world stilled, everything held on a single thread too close to breaking.

Asahi's voice didn't waver.

"Noya, will you go out with me?"

The thread broke.

Noya blinked. "Huh?"

Asahi froze, all the bravery of before dying a quick and ignoble death.

Noya looked confused. "What do you mean?"

"N-nevermind," Asahi stuttered out.

Oh Merlin, he'd been wrong. He survived everything last night and now, Asahi was going to die of embarrassment. Noya probably meant "in love" in a platonic way. Because they were friends and now he'd ruined it because-

"No, seriously, Asahi," Noya cut through his downward spiral, moving to grip at Asahi's collar and pull him down to eye level. "What are you talking about?"

"I….," Asahi tried to find his long forsaken Gryffindor courage. "I love you."

Noya's lips pulled up in a dazzling smile, some of the confusion melting away into pure light. "Yeah? Cool! I love you, too! But, I thought we already covered that?"

"No, um, I mean not just as friends," Asahi fumbled. "I'm in love with you, Noya. Like romantically."

"Well, yeah, I'd hope so." Noya rolled his eyes, grip still firm on Asahi's collar. "I'm in love with you, too. Romantically."

Asahi felt more confused than he ever had in his life, even as his heart felt like it was beating out of his chest. "Then, do you want to….to date me?"

Noya stared at him again.

Asahi reconsidered that Noya might actually be trying to kill him. "Or not-"

"I thought we were already dating," Noya interrupted him.

It was Asahi's turn to stare.

"W-what?" Asahi gaped. "How? Since when?"

Noya shrugged. "Remember back in my first year when me and Tanaka were hanging out in the common room and I was like 'Man, if someone gave me a Butter Beer right now, I think I would literally fall in love with them' and then you came by and said you had an extra one in your trunk if I wanted it and then I was like 'Oh, cool, does this mean I can fall in love with you' and then you went super red and said 'if you want to' and I said 'awesome'?"

Asahi blinked because, yes, he did remember that time-somewhere filed away in the deep recesses of his brain to agonize over at night as one of the million and one times he thought his crush was far too obvious. But, more importantly-

"You thought we've been dating for three years?!"

Noya nodded. "Well, yeah. I'm always complimenting you and you're always blushing and complimenting me back. And why do you think I keep asking you to help me in Healing even though I got O's on like all the assignments last year?" He paused, frowning. "Asahi, I've literally sat in your lap on the Hogwarts Express for the past two years!"

"Because no one knows Expansion Charms," Asahi cried out even as his brain frantically reshuffled every single interaction he'd had with Noya since practically they first met. It fit alarmingly well.

"It's an excuse!" Noya had apparently decided to laugh at him. "I'm going into magizoology ! You really think I don't know a few good Expansion Charms by now?"

Asahi's mouth opened and closed for a full minute before he finally said. "But, we've never even kissed?!"

Noya blinked before he immediately brightened. "Oh! Oh, Asahi, that's awesome! I just thought you wanted to take it really, really slow because of all the blushing and I definitely didn't want to push you! But, if it was just because you didn't know, then I'm totally game to-"

Asahi kissed him to save his sanity.

And because he desperately wanted to and had for nearly four years.

In his arms, Noya melted against his chest, wrapping his hands around the back of Asahi's neck to pull him deeper.

It was like watching a storm roll over a field, like being caught in the rain, and like hair standing on end for incoming lightning. It was steady like the roots of the ground and loved like branches cherish the wind.

When Asahi pulled back, Noya waggled his eyebrows in a ridiculous gesture.

Asahi laughed, watching as Noya bounced on the tips of his toes before dragging Asahi back down to meet him.

Asahi's brain finally gave up any hope of having this make sense and just did what he wanted.

In the afternoon sun of a new day, Asahi was happy.

ooooooo

A/N:

Okay, quick confession, some things I add into this story books earlier because I'm like "ah, yes, this will be all cool and foreshadow-y and give a few hints" and then some things I add because I'm like "meh, this will amuse me". This chapter contains the payoffs for the later examples. With that:

1.) For Bokuto's weirdness and why he is the worst psychic ever, check out the first book (Shouyou Hinata and the Mirror of Erised) chapter 21 for Bokuto's one true prediction.

2.) A brief note on pensieves and why they didn't use them for the Kirika situation. It's my theory that pensieves aren't actual memories as much as they are impressions of the memories; therefor, really subjective and unable to be used as evidence. I have this theory because of how Slughorn was able to manipulate his memory (and it's implied this is what he was choosing to believe) and the fact that there's waaaaayyy too much in Harry Potter that would be easier if they could use pensieve as evidence-like Harry's trial, Voldemort's return and Cedric's death, and the entire Sirius situation.

3.) Remember way back in chapter one, where I was like this book is kinda a bridge book because I'm using it to set things up for the rest of the series? Anyway, a lot of things in this one will be expanded on heavily going forward-big things are coming.

4.) Next chapter is the last one for this one. As always because it's always true, thank you everyone for all your support on this series; I appreciate it SO MUCH that you've taken the time to read this story.

Next Chapter: The Bigger Picture

Post Date: May 17th