Chapter 14: For You

Asta ran through the Royal Capital, he was running through crowds of people to make his way to where Finral was waiting for him. "Damn, I took longer than I thought I would, I hope he's still there and not too angry" Asta said to himself.

"Kid, are you an idiot? Just transform into your Black Form and fly to the HQ…" Liebe mocked Asta and thought he was being stupid.

"No, Liebe. The people around here don't all accept me and fear the Devil. If they see me like that, I'd be crucified" he sighed. He was telling the truth, the reality of what would happen if he did change into his Black Form. Liebe was silent.

Asta ran for a few more minutes until he saw where the two said they would meet, right outside a vendor. The boy was out of breath but had made it and there Finral was, taking a nap on the floor with his back leaning on a stone pillar behind him. His hands crossed behind his head, acting like a pillow.

"Finral Senpai!" Asta shouted and woke up the Spatial Magic user from his nap. "Ah…what? Oh… Asta! You took your sweet time, what were you doing? Picking a fight?" he questioned the boy, still groggy from his sleep.

Asta was not even surprised that Finral guessed exactly what had happened. He was sure he had some ability to read minds.

"I was just lost in the black market… but look! I have some stuff" he showed him the necklace but left the letters in his grimoire pouch.

"I got here an hour or so ago, and fell asleep waiting for you… Let's go back" Finral opened a portal and the two stepped through to reach the inside of the Black Bulls HQ. The setting was just as usual. Magna and Luck fighting while the others were either sat around chatting at a table or slouching around. Captain Yami was most likely on the toilet, while Charmy was preparing dinner.

"We're back!" Asta and Finral shouted at the same time.

Everyone who was there greeted them and smiled. Vanessa and Zora then noticed that Asta was holding something.

"Asta, what's that in your hand?" The witch spoke up, with her eye on Asta's hand.

Asta then scratched the back of his neck, he was blushing and looked away "Oh… nothing. I just got a little something for Noelle" his cheeks were hot.

Zora then walked up to him "You're finally gonna say you love her, are ya shrimp?" he then laughed. The other members in the room heard what he said.

"LOVE!" Magna, Luck, and Grey shouted in perfect sync.

"Wha-wha-what! No, l-love? For No-Noelle? No…" Asta was very perplexed now. He knew he had felt weird about Noelle recently but never thought about it being love. He had never gone through this sort of emotion before.

Vanessa and Finral then spoke up "Guys, leave him alone" they stood in defence for Asta.

"Th-thank you –" He was interrupted.

"He'll say he loves her when the time's right" Finral pointed in the air as if he said something wise.

"Yes, give him time" Vanessa added, while nodding in agreement.

The Black Bulls boy thought they were going to defend him, but they just made him more embarrassed.

"My best friend, Asta. I am so glad you have found love in this world. I for one, am so proud to call you my friend for life. Confess to Noelle when you are ready to and I will be here to help you if you need. To think my two best friends, Asta and Noelle, will be together". Gordon whispered, but Asta heard this clearly and questioned his very life.

Nero then flew towards Asta.

"Ah, Nero. Finally, someone who will act normally…" he continued before he was made to eat those words.

"Guys, Noelle is asleep. She'll be fine tomorrow so Asta can confess then" Nero spoke up shocking Asta.

"Is everyone really embarrassing me like this?" he face palmed, but then started walking towards the staircase. "I'm just going to go to my room and then put these presents on her desk. She can look tomorrow" he then started to walk up the stairs, he quickly glanced at his teammates and they all winked at him. "Guys…" he smiled.

Asta was sat at his desk trying to wrap the presents in a neat way, but he didn't manage it too well. "Well, this is as good as it gets. Before I finish the wrapping let me write a note…" Asta then wrote for a few, long minutes before finalising the wrapping and then he was ready.

Asta made his way to Noelle's bedroom and used his ki detection to see if she was asleep or not, and as Nero said, she was asleep in her bed. He then slowly opened her door and made sure he didn't make any noise to wake her teammate up. He placed the present on her desk and went to head outside. Just before he left, he glanced at Noelle. Her injuries were all healed up, thankfully. Asta let out a sigh of relief.

"She's beautiful…" Asta then immediately realised what he said and gasped. He walked out the door and shut it slowly, he then leaned against the wall "did I really just say that? Do I love her? What is love? Is that what this feeling is?" he shook his head. "No point on dwelling on it now, it's time for dinner!" he ran downstairs and joined everyone for dinner.

"Oh, hey brat, you're here" Yami spoke as he saw Asta enter the room.

"Hello, Captain. I can't miss dinner" he smiled.

They all started to eat their dinner. As usual, Asta asked for seconds to which Charmy agreed and made more for him. After a few minutes everyone finished their meals and started to leave the room, one by one. It was just Asta left in the room with Vanessa as they were set to clean up after everyone.

The two Magic Knights then cleaned up the mess and started to head out of the room before Asta spoke up.

"Miss Vanessa…" he grabbed her attention.

"Yes, little boy"

"Can I ask you a question? It's sort of personal" he started fidgeting with his thumbs.

"Sure, Asta. Let's sit on the couch there and you can tell me" she smiled and they both sat down. The other members had all gone upstairs to sleep and it was just Asta and Vanessa. "So, what did you want to tell me, Asta?"

"… Wh-what is love? I kind of know what it means. I always said I loved Sister Lily, but as everyone mentioned earlier… do I love Noelle? It…it's true whenever I look at her lately, she makes me feel warm and weird… is that love?" he looked at Vanessa for guidance, she is a woman after all and might know these sorts of things.

The Thread Magic user was surprised at how forward Asta was here. The others were simply teasing him about it, but it looked to be very real. "Asta, are you happy whenever you're with Noelle?" she asked simply.

"Happy? Yes, I'm happy when I'm with her, I always enjoy going on missions with her too" he replied and then started smiling.

"Describe what you feel when you see her or talk to her" Vanessa asked another question.

"Like I said, it's only been recent but my heart jumps when I see her. I feel really warm and nice all over. I also like the conversations we have, she really helped me out a few days ago when we went to fight the Wild Boars…" he smiled even more and looked up as if he was thinking about her.

Vanessa started smiling, she was genuinely happy for him "Asta, would you protect Noelle?"

"What sort of question is that? Of course, I would!" he stood up; he was determined.

"Asta… that is love" she smiled at the boy.

"W-wow, okay" he replied to the witch. "What if she doesn't feel the same?" he questioned as his smile slowly faded.

"Just tell her how you feel. It's always best to be honest and not hide your feelings, especially if it's as strong as love" she then rubbed his hair "you really are too sweet" and then smiled.

"O-okay… well if I'm going to tell her I want it to be when she's feeling better. Maybe tomorrow or the day after!" he stood confidently and smiled at Vanessa. "Thanks for everything, Vanessa. I'll see you tomorrow!" he ran upstairs to go to bed and sleep.

"Good luck, Asta. I'm sure she likes you back" Vanessa giggled, and Rouge meowed.

A few hours had passed, and all of the Black Bulls were in their beds sleeping. It was midnight and the moon was shining down and the stars were sparkling in the midst. The moon's shine was so strong it went through one of the windows of the Black Bulls HQ causing a certain someone to wake up.

"Wh-what?" a groggy Noelle started to wake up from her rest. "Why is the moon so bright?" she shielded her eyes as she sat up from her bed and drew the curtains to block the moonlight. The Silva was about to go to sleep again, when she realised something.

"Wait… my injuries! I don't hurt anymore" she smiled and punched the air in happiness. "They weren't even bad injuries, just a few scratches, but I did pass out… Anti-Magic really is something, huh?" she thought to herself as she thought about Asta. "I hope he doesn't blame himself…" a look of concern formed on her face.

Noelle then lit a lamp next to her bed, she wasn't feeling sleepy at all and was planning to have a little snack downstairs. "I did miss dinner… every so often when I would wake up Vanessa had brought some food up for me, but now I can go eat myself" the royal was about to stand up and head for the dining room downstairs, when she paused.

"Huh? What's this on my desk? Something's wrapped" she had her eyes fixated on the package that was left on her desk. "I wonder who put this here?" she scratched her chin.

Noelle started to unwrap the package and a few things were inside. There two boxes inside, each a nice, blue colour with something sticking out of both. But before she went to reach for them, a letter was stuck on the side of the wrapping paper.

"Let's open this then… my birthday's not for a while so what's all this?" she wondered as she unfolded the letter. Her eyes widened at seeing who it was from.

"A-Asta? Wh-why?" she thought for a few seconds before reading the letter.

On initial inspection of the letter, it was clear that Asta really tried to write neatly. A lot of words were crossed out because he didn't write them well enough. It looked like he took his time on this letter, despite not being the best at writing due to his upbringing.

Noelle just smiled at the fact he tried so hard for her.

"Dear Noelle, I'm so sorry for hurting you with my Anti-Magic, I really didn't mean to, I just didn't have a lot of control at that time. I want to make it up to you for that. Inside there are a few things which I hope you like! If you don't like one of the gifts, then I can always return it! The other gift is a letter, but even I don't know what's written in it, but I have a feeling you will like it! These are in hopes to make you feel better, but also as a thank you for really helping me out when we fought the Wild Boars! You really helped! So, here you go, and I hope you feel better soon. These are for you. From, Asta 😊"

Noelle was so shocked when she finished reading. "Ba-Bakasta! Wh-wh-why would you buy stuff for me? It's n-not like I care or any-anything!" she flicked her ponytail.

"Wait, who am I even making excuses to?" she screamed in her head and her face went red with embarrassment. She started to blush too. However, she calmed down and really appreciated the fact Asta went such great lengths for her.

"If anything, it was my own fault for not listening to you and walking near your Anti-Magic…" she sighed, she felt guilty that Asta blamed himself.

"I'll speak with him tomorrow! But let me open these…" she put the letter away neatly in one of her drawers on the desk. She didn't plan on losing it.

Noelle opened the first gift and she held the silver-chained necklace that sparkled. It had that blue pendant and it started glowing from being held by Noelle. After all, the pendant glowed when used by a Water Magic user.

"Oh-oh my god, it's beautiful! I love it" she immediately put it on her neck, and she admired it as she looked at her mirror on her desk. "It must have been so expensive, this is something royals would get each other… Asta" she blushed, but as usual she tried to avoid the feeling she got when she thought about the boy.

She sat back in her chair and just admired the necklace she had on her for a few minutes, before looking at the other gift.

"Another letter? It's all old and scrunched up though…" she took the letter and started to read it. Almost immediately she gasped and put her hands to her mouth in shock. "M-m-mother? From you… but h-h-how?" she struggled to compose herself but after a few seconds carried on reading.

"Dear Noelle, by the time you read this I will be gone from this world, but I do hope I live within your spirit. My daughter, my hope and joy, become the best you can be. You do not need to live up to any expectations, just be yourself. I fear Nozel and the others will be very strict, but I hope you live through it, live on. You are my precious, beautiful daughter. Right now, I'm writing these knowing I will not see you, but I just know you'll be as amazing as the rest of the family. I hope we see each other one day. I love you so much, Noelle".

Noelle finished reading the first letter and just sat back in her chair, trying to take it all in. After a few seconds of trying to make sense of how Asta found this letter, she had a little idea what he did. Still, she started crying at the thought of her mother.

"M-mother! I want to see you so, so badly" streams of tears dropped from her bright, purple eyes on to the flat desk. She carried on for a few minutes.

"Ther-there's more letters too…" upon a quick glance at them, Noelle realised they were all addressed to her too and subsequently read all of them. They were all letters from her mother, Acier Silva. They were all different, there were stories about her days as a Magic Knight, being pregnant, and wishing for the Kingdom to be equal as well as many other stories. There was also a letter talking about boy troubles to which Noelle started blushing with embarrassment.

As she finished reading them all, she grouped them together and neatly set them aside and stored them next to the letter from Asta.

She cried once more "A-Asta… you didn't have to go such great lengths for me" she sniffled as her vision became blurry from the tears "You idiot…" she thought as she smiled and wiped her face.

"I need to thank him; I'll do it tomorrow…" she sniffled once more.

Noelle then pulled away the curtains and stared into the night sky. She just smiled as a tear rolled down her cheek.

The cold wind blew once more…

NOTES:

Hmm... i wonder how Asta and Noelle will talk to each other now, IF they do ;)

This was a nice, fun little chapter to write. Asta beginning to realise what his feelings for Noelle are with Vanessa's help.

I love the letter idea as i believe it couldve happened. Just imagining Acier Silva write a letter to her soon-to-be-born daughter, knowing she wouldn't see her is crazy but also plausible.