Chapter 7: Asta

Asta blinked a few times and realized that Yuno was standing there in the grocery store, staring at Asta. Flushing, Asta fumbled for his phone since he didn't have his tablet with him. Yuno was as patient as that day in the gym when Asta waited for Leo. Asta typed out in his phone notes and showed it to Yuno. He explained that he was shopping for the house, but Gauche didn't tell him what milk to get since Marie only drinks 2% milk, Vanessa and Asta drink whole milk, and Gauche drinks 1% milk. And Gauche didn't respond back when Asta texted which kind.

Yuno stared at him for a moment and then said, "Get one of each in the half-gallons."

Asta smiled widely, thanking God that Yuno didn't think he lost his mind. It was a good idea. They were milk drinkers so it wouldn't go to waste. He quickly grabbed one of each.

Yuno grabbed a gallon of 2% milk. Yuno's stoic face didn't betray his thoughts, so it was a surprise to Asta to hear him mumble and ask, "Do you want to shop together?"

Nodding his head, he walked with Yuno down the aisles, each getting the things on their list. Asta was a bit embarrassed that someone as cool and collected as Yuno was hanging out with a guy like Asta. Yuno even pointed out better sales since Asta usually just grabbed the brands that he recognized. Still Asta was on edge. He normally went shopping with Miss Vanessa or Secre, since they knew him so well.

The last thing he wanted to do was to make Yuno think that he was a complete loser. He'd like to be friends with Yuno but if Yuno thought he was a loser, Asta would feel way too awkward to try and be friends.

They grabbed everything on their lists except for Yuno's adopted mom's request for the fancy German cookies. Asta joined Yuno in the cookie aisle, even if he couldn't have half of them. At least Charmy made him yummy sugar-free cookies. Just because he was at risk for diabetes didn't mean that he had to avoid all sugary things, but the doctors and his family said otherwise.

"You look really sad," said Yuno, snapping Asta out of his thoughts, as Yuno dropped a small box of sugar-free cookies in Asta's basket.

Asta hoped his face wasn't red.

"Leo told me that you're not supposed to eat so much sugar," said Yuno, a bit apologetic as if Asta would get upset if he thought Yuno and Leo were talking about Asta behind his back.

Asta smiled and used his free hand to make the motion to indicate "sorta."

"Meaning that you eat it anyway, even if it's bad for you," asked Yuno, sounding amused.

Asta let out a snort of laughter.

Yuno smiled.

Asta nearly had a heart-attack. Yuno's smile was so pretty. Please, please don't be blushing like a fool, he prayed.

Sadly, they were finished shopping so the next part was going to the check-out. This grocery was the economical choice but that meant that there were no automated check-outs. Asta didn't have anything against the cashiers, but many were tired and overworked and their patience was gone probably by the first person who asked a stupid question in their shift. Asta steeled himself. Yuno let Asta go first.

He put his things on the belt and let the cashier quickly ring them up.

"It's gonna be 30 yul," said the cashier.

Asta handed them the two 20 yul bills he had left from the pocket money that he was given earlier that day. And then, he waited for his change. He was given the difference, when he immediately realized that he was given a 5 yul bill and not a 10 yul bill.

"Hey, you didn't give him all the change," said Yuno, interjecting because he noticed Asta staring at his hands. Was Yuno watching him? "You need to give him the other 5 yul."

Asta's face flushed, and the cashier winced, as if realizing the mistake. He got his remaining money, Yuno got checked out and they headed out of the grocery store together.

He didn't know whether to be annoyed or flattered. Typically, Asta only let a few people actively help him in those situations, because he can actually handle it himself even if it took a long time.

"I'm sorry if I overstepped my bounds and made you feel bad," said Yuno, immediately.

Asta shook his head. He understood where Yuno was coming from and it saved Asta an even more mortifying moment of having to try to communicate with the cashier. He forgot himself for a moment and signed "Thank you."

Not everyone knew sign language but Yuno didn't make him uncomfortable, just nervous in that butterflies in the stomach and sweaty hands kind of a way.

Yuno smiled again (twice in one day!) and surprised Asta by signing back "You're welcome."

Asta's heart skipped a beat and he knew he was doomed.

~to be continued