Summary:

Yami and William watch over everyone and have a "calm" conversation.

Chapter 2: Radiance – YamiWill

"We shoulda had a barbecue," said Yami, definitely out of place the way that Charlotte and Dorothy set up the event. He dressed in his normal clothes, and sat next to William Vangeance, who also wore his normal clothes. There were too many pastel colors and fancy little foods. He had to admit that the pastries were damn good and he hoped that Charmy wasn't getting a sugar rush because that was a pain to deal with on a good day. Good thing he made Finral put Nacht on Charmy watch today.

William said, mildly, "Meat is all well and fine, Yami, but we all need variety in our life. Everyone is having fun."

"Sisgoleon is harassing people. She might set something on fire, knowing her. Vanessa is definitely getting Charlotte drunk. Magna and Luck are definitely gonna burn down your shit. Or Charlotte's girl and Rill's girl are gonna freeze everything. Nacht is planning to murder me again," said Yami, unamused. He didn't look forward to dragging Vanessa home when she was drunk as heck. He fully expected a fire or an explosion at some point.

"And yet, Asta, Yuno and Mimosa are playing with the children. Noelle and Kahono went on a walk. And nothing is on fire or exploded," said William, unaffected. "Yet." William grinned lightly.

This was one of the reasons why Yami liked William. He was unflappable and took the inherent weirdness with great grace. And William was just as weird as everyone else, except he was better at hiding it. He got a lot easier to talk with after Patri stopped sharing his body.

"Gotta admit that these apple turnovers are pretty good," said Yami. He ate another bite from his plate, which was filled to the brim with food.

"Mimosa made them," said William, sounding very proud. "She said it was her mother's recipe."

Everyone who came to this picnic brought a dish, which was in addition to the catering from Kaiser's wife's restaurant and Owen's spouse's bakery. There were plenty of sweet dessert dishes rather than savory dishes, but either way, the food would be eaten. Anything left over, it was decided, would go to Charmy, so the food definitely wouldn't be wasted with her.

"At least, Mimosa can bake. Noelle is banned from the kitchen," said Yami, amused. "The one time Charmy tried to teach Noelle, Charmy cried and the sheep revolted. Zora can cook, and so can Magna." His entire squad were able to make some sort of edible food, except Noelle, no matter how hard she tried.

William smiled that irritating radiant smile of his and said, "Are you trying to one-up me with bragging about your squadmates?"

"Hah, never," said Yami.

"Klaus can make the best pancakes," said William, not missing a beat.

This shithead, thought Yami. Why do I like you?

"Doubtful, they can't be better than Charmy's," said Yami. "Magna can recreate his Ma's spicy curry recipe."

"David makes the best vegetarian curry," said William. "And counting Charmy is unfair, since she actually has Food Magic and her knowledge of food is unparalleled."

Yami wrinkled his nose. "Asta can make anything with tatoes. Charmy is fair game."

"So can Yuno," countered William. "She is not. She's a better cook and baker than even the most veteran chefs."

Yami smirked. "Yeah, I know. I'm glad I found her wandering the woods."

"You find the weirdest people," said William. "In the weirdest places."

"I met you for the first time in the woods, William," said Yami.

"Case and point," said William.

"Did you just call yourself weird?"

"We're all very weird and destructive," said William. "It's why Lord Julius likes us."

"Can't argue with that," said Yami, laughing and patting William on the back.

"I'm so glad to see you two getting along so well," said their pint-sized Wizard King, Julius, appearing out of nowhere and squeezing himself between Yami and William, who were sitting very close together. "But there's no room for God."

Yami put his hand on Julius' head and pushed him away and said, "You're 13. And I'm 29, William's 27."

"I'm 42," said Julius, protested. "And I'm your well-respected mentor."

"Lord Julius, leave them be," said Marx, sighing. Marx was always never far behind Julius. "Lady Mimosa wants you to join the kids to make flower crowns."

Julius grimaced. He muttered under his breath, as Marx dragged him towards Asta, Liebe, Yuno, Bell, and Mimosa and the gaggle of children who were in attendance. "Is that a request or demand, Marx? She's becoming more and more like her mother the more time she spends with Noelle and Mereoleona. I can't take the second coming of my seniors."

William laughed. "Oh, dear, Lord Julius is not handling things well."

"He's an old man in a kid's body, so of course, he's handling us dating poorly," said Yami, rolling his eyes.

Then, there was an explosion, courtesy of Mereoleona and Fuegoleon breaking out into a fight. William sighed. Yami chuckled.

William stood up. "I suppose, I'll calm them down."

"Is that String-Bean starting a betting pool? Without me? Ass," said Yami, getting out of his seat, fully intending to put 10 yul on Mereoleona.

William sighed again and said, sadly, "My poor garden and forest."

"You better hurry," said Yami, rushing off to get his bet in before the fun ended.