Summary:

Mimosa and Yuno had a tradition of spending free and quiet evenings together as friends. After the tragedies in Spade and beyond, it became something more. And then one night, Yuno brings Langris.

Notes:

Here are other relationships mentioned:
Mimosa/Asta (one-sided), Asta/Liebe, Yuno & Asta, Langris & Finral, Mimosa & Noelle, Mimosa & Kirsch, Mimosa & Klaus, Yuno & Klaus

Trembling Hearts

By:

IAmStoryteller

Dressed in her nightgown and soft robe, Mimosa hummed a little lullaby as she arranged her tea snacks on the plate. She had made some snacks after dinner. She had to make sure that she didn't make them too sweet. Yuno didn't have much of a sweet tooth, not as she did, but that only was a fact because Yuno didn't grow up having a chance to eat sweets in the first place. She had a four-person table in her room at the Golden Dawn Headquarters. Sometimes, she liked to have other people over to have tea with her, but her main guest was usually Yuno and usually after a long day of work for the both of them.

Her tea was boiling in the kettle on a magic tool that acted as a stovetop. It was a prototype that Makusa North gave her to test. He often gave her ones to test, so either she gave really good feedback or he had a bit of a crush on her. Yuno, Kirsch, Noelle, Letoile, and even Langris were convinced it was the latter reason. Either way, it was a useful device and much easier than running to the kitchen to warm up tea in the evening.

Once she was certain her tea and snacks were set up, she walked across the room to her closet and pulled out her heavy comforter. It was always good to have a heavy comforter for cuddling time and it was still early spring so there was still a bit of chill in the air. She fluffed the pillows on her bed and got lost in thought as she often did.

If you had told fifteen-year-old Mimosa that she, at newly turned nineteen-years-old, would spend seventy-five percent of her nights cuddled with one of the most powerful wizards of her generation, she'd have flushed very red and possibly would have fainted from the shock. When she had befriended Yuno four years at the start of their Magic Knight careers, Mimosa just wanted to make friends with the other person her age. She never expected to have to fight in two wars, face betrayals, fight devils, get her first crush (Asta) and heartbreak, make amends with her brother, nearly lose Noelle on multiple occasions, almost dying several times herself, and fall in love again in an unexpected way in the span of four years.

She and Yuno's friendship becoming more than friends, but not quite lovers, and not defined in any terms had been unexpected but not unwelcome. The whole meeting at night started after the War Against the Elves and Zagred when she was sixteen and they had both been plagued by nightmares, so they had sleepovers like Mimosa used to have with Noelle. It had been short-lived since Mimosa had to go to the Heart Kingdom. She didn't have to go but she thought that William had chosen her out of guilt for his actions that almost caused Mimosa's murder.

But then, after Spade (after William nearly dying and being forced to retire because of injuries that made him unable to fight, after Noelle nearly died against Vanica again, after Mimosa had to piece Yuno and Langris back together continuously while they fought Zenon repeatedly until the monster went down after Yuno rejected the offer to be the King of Spade after Asta and Liebe got stuck in the underworld without a way to return), Mimosa and Yuno were drawn to each other for comfort and companionship. Mimosa's healing was in high demand and Yuno as Vice-Captain had to learn to work with Langris, who had been given the Captaincy of the Golden Dawn on a trial basis. Overworked, stressed, and traumatized, they had each other. They were worried about Asta and Liebe, who eventually escaped three months later and returned to the Black Bulls, much to everyone's relief.

But slowly falling in love with Yuno had been the highlight of that dark time.

There were two knocks at her bedroom door startling her out of her musing of the past. Two knocks meant it was Yuno. It was their little signal. Mimosa walked over to her bedroom door and opened it. Yuno stood there, but to her surprise, he brought someone. Yuno held the wrist of a scowling Langris, who stood next to Yuno.

Mimosa looked at Yuno and understood. Yuno would never do something like this without a good reason. She knew that Yuno had grown to respect Langris deeply, but Yuno worried that Langris overworked himself too much. Mimosa, too, worried about Langris' inability to take care of himself. Mimosa smiled gently at Langris, "Would you like milk and sugar in your tea, Langris?"

She and Yuno were the only ones that didn't call Langris' Captain because some part of them will always think of William as their Captain. Langris never called them out on it.

Langris' eyes widened but he schooled it back to his scowl and said, "Sugar would be fine, Lady Mimosa."

"No titles," said Yuno, as he dragged Langris into Mimosa's bedroom.

Mimosa giggled. She led the two men to her table. "Come and sit. I made some snacks too. Oh, if I had known that you were bringing Langris, Yuno, I could have made him some cherry tarts. I hope strawberry rhubarb crisp is okay, Langris."

"That's fine," said Langris, slightly pained but glaring at Yuno. Langris sat down in a chair.

She imagined that Yuno had been forceful in dragging Langris here. "The tea is a blend I made, so I hope you enjoy it."

"Thank you," said Yuno, sitting down. "I've never had rhubarb before."

"It's a tart vegetable," said Mimosa. "It looks like reddish-purple celery, but it's a different family. Pairs very nicely with sweet fruits like strawberries." Mimosa poured three cups of tea. She cut some of the crisp for each of them. She gave Langris a far more generous helping since she knew that he only picked at his dinner this evening. "So, how was work today?"

"The new recruits think that Klaus is too hard on them," said Yuno, taking a sip of his tea.

Mimosa grinned. "Wait until they learn he's a big old softie."

Yuno smiled a small smile that told Mimosa he was amused. "How did work at the infirmary go?"

"Cataloguing all the plants for medical use is very meticulous and tedious work, but Doctor Owen says that I'm quicker than anyone else," said Mimosa. "My brain hurts from all the information."

"Well, we'd like our healer back, so hurry up," interjected Langris.

Mimosa and Yuno stared at Langris, when Mimosa smiled wider. "Aww, Langris, that's so sweet. I'm glad you appreciate my skills."

Langris's face turned red and couldn't formulate a response.

"Don't fluster him already," said Yuno, deadpan, but not scolding. "He already thinks that I've dragged him into something shady."

Mimosa laughed. "Oh, of course, you didn't tell him anything, Yuno. Langris, don't worry, we just cuddle and sleep after tea and some catching up."

Langris turned redder and looked ready to bolt out of the door. He mumbled, "I wasn't even aware that you two were together."

"That's true," said Mimosa. "But it's hard to explain what we have to other people, well, other than Asta and Noelle."

Yuno nodded in agreement. He pointed to Mimosa and then to himself. "We love each other. It's the romantic kind of love, but we have no interest in having sex with each other. Cuddles, kisses, hugs and that kind of close intimacy is it. I didn't intend to bring you here for a threesome."

Langris's face turned redder and steadied himself by holding onto the table with both hands. He sputtered, "Don't be blunt!"

Mimosa felt a bit warm herself, as it was always strange to hear Yuno explain it that way. Yuno had explained to their two most important people because Mimosa had been too flustered herself. Asta understood immediately what Yuno meant and he was so happy for them. Noelle took a bit to process but as long as Mimosa was happy, she was happy for them. "Like Yuno said, our relationship isn't so clearly defined."

Langris, still red-faced, said, "I see." He looked at Yuno. "Then, why the hell did you bring me here?"

"Because I like you," said Yuno.

Leave it to Yuno to always say what he felt in the bluntest way.

Langris stood up abruptly and looked very ready to run. Yuno didn't move, but Mimosa stood up. She took his hands in hers and said, "Langris, breathe. It's okay. He confessed the same way to me."

"I don't, er, what, but, how," Langirs babbled as Mimosa squeezed his hands gently. Finally, he asked Yuno. "How can you love someone like her and still say that you like someone like me?"

"Easily," said Yuno, with no ounce of uncertainty.

Langris looked defeated and stumped at all the same time.

Mimosa let go of Langris' hands and hugged him tightly so he wouldn't run. He stiffened in her embrace, probably not having been hugged in a long time. "There's no reason to put yourself down like that, Langris. You're worthy of love. And to be fair to Yuno, I like you too. We both worry about you so much. Let us take care of you."

She let him go. If he wanted to leave, neither Mimosa nor Yuno would stop him, but now that the option was presented to her, Mimosa wanted Langris to stay.

Langris stood there, glancing between Yuno and Mimosa frantically. "Why?" He still looked ready to run, but at least, he stayed to ask questions.

Mimosa looked at Yuno, who looked at her. Yuno gave her a look and she was very good at interpreting his looks by now. He wanted her to go first. "Oh, Langris. It's a lot of little things, you know? I had been scared of you at first, since you were Vice-Captain and a jerk, but I watched you grow as a person. Your parents fed you lies and tried to mold you into something that you're not. You were a good Vice-Captain. The elf possessing you warped your mind more, but you came back from that dark place. You have a relationship with Finral again. You freed Lady Finesse from marriage she didn't want. You've become an admirable Captain and a good man. The only thing anyone can do is to try to improve yourself and make amends for past mistakes."

Langris stared at her and then glanced at Yuno. Sounding like he held back tears, he asked, "What about you?"

Yuno smiled. "What she said."

"Oh," said Langris, softly. "I don't know...what?" He stood there baffled at the thought of two people liking him in the first place was an impossibility.

She and Yuno couldn't have that.

Mimosa took one of Langris' hands in hers, while Yuno took his other hand. Langris' hands became sweaty and his face reddened again. Yuno said, "You need to rest, let's go to bed."

Langris nodded once as if he wasn't sure that this was happening.

Mimosa knew that he needed cuddles immediately.

This was how Langris was going to die, pressed between Mimosa, who played with his hair, and Yuno, who whispered soothing things to him.

He hadn't a clue why Yuno dragged him to Mimosa's room. The way that Mimosa and Yuno interacted with each other gave him the sense of "married couple" energy and he was shocked to learn that they were together in their own way and with no labels. The ease in which Mimosa and Yuno were so comfortable with each other and how comfortable Yuno was in Mimosa's room shocked Langris since normally, he just saw their relationship as friendly and professional in nature.

The revelations that they both liked Langris was an even bigger shock, but if Langris was honest with himself for once, the thought of two beautiful and strong people like Yuno and Mimosa being with him made him feel happy. Was it happy or just elated?

The warmth from Yuno and Mimosa and their actions and the heavy comforter made Langris drowsy and he hadn't felt this safe in ages. When was the last time someone hugged him? Finral did, but they were brief five-second hugs.

This was different.

"You're okay," whispered Yuno in his ear. "We're here for you."

Langris felt tears welling up in his eyes.

"It's okay to cry if you want," said Mimosa, gently as she combed his hair with her fingers. "No one's taken care of you in a long time, sweetie."

Warm, drowsy, and emotional, Langris finally broke with a shuddering sob. He felt Mimosa and Yuno shift so that they were pressed even closer to him. Mimosa held him in her arms as he sobbed into her shoulder, while Yuno pressed kisses on the back of Langris' head.

He cried until he couldn't anymore and sleep overtook him.

Yuno always woke up earlier than anyone else, out of pure habit. He blinked a couple of times before he realized that Langris was still here with him and Mimosa. Yuno smiled. He had some time before Bell came searching for him, so he'd appreciate the sight of his sleeping loves. Langris used Yuno's chest as a pillow, while Mimosa spooned Langris from behind but she also had hold of Yuno's free hand (the one not trapped underneath Langris' body). Mimosa snored lightly, though she denied she ever did and mumbled something fierce in her sleep.

Yuno kissed the top of Langris' head. He observed that Langris's face still had tear streaks present. While Yuno hadn't liked that Langris cried, Langris was far overdue to let some emotions out in a positive way. He had been right in his decision to bring Langris with him to Mimosa. Mimosa had an uncanny sense of what Yuno was thinking after all this time, so he was glad that she picked up on what he wanted right away. Langris had been so shocked that Yuno thought that Langris would run away and refuse to talk to them again, but instead, Langris reached out.

If it had been two years ago, Langris would have never accepted, but this just proved to Yuno that he made the right choice to make a move.

He sighed happily.

Mimosa stirred, face scrunching up as she fought off waking up. But then her yellow eyes opened. She smiled sleepily and said, softly, "Morning, sweetheart."

"Morning," whispered Yuno. "He hasn't stirred yet."

Mimosa hummed and whispered back. "He needs sleep. You stay with him. I'll go fetch us breakfast." She kissed Langris's back on his head. She leaned over Langris afterward to kiss Yuno's cheek. She gently got out of bed and walked to her dresser to get her day clothes.

Yuno smiled.

Langris shifted his sleep and pressed closer to Yuno.

"He's adorable," said Mimosa, her outfit in hand. She grinned. "Love you."

"Hm, love you," said Yuno.

"I love you both but please stop talking so much this early in the morning," complained a grumpy Langris.

Yuno's eyes widened. Mimosa dropped her clothes and rushed back to the bed, jostling them as she grabbed Langris to smother him with a hug.

"Awww, I knew it," said Mimosa, trying to bring both Yuno and Langris in her arms together, which was hilarious since she was short. "We love you too."

"Wait, what did I say," Langris asked, startled as he actually looked awake and realized what he just said.

"No take backs," said Yuno, chuckling.

Langris groaned in annoyance. "You two are going to be the death of me."

"No way," said Mimosa, kissing him on the cheek. "We're keeping you. Now, you two snuggle, while I go fetch breakfast. Any requests?" She got out of bed again to go about her tasks.

"Coffee," said Langris and Yuno at the same time.

"Denied. You get orange juice or tea," said Mimosa, cheerfully, going into her bathroom to get changed.

Langris asked, mumbling to Yuno, "I'm never having coffee again, aren't I?"

"I can only sneak it once in a while," said Yuno, admittedly.

Langris sighed into Yuno's hold.

Yuno smiled.

~fin

What didn't make it in:

(Langris telling Finral about his relationship with Yuno and Mimosa)
Finral: Explain this to me again.
Langris: I just explained it four times, Brother. I am in a relationship with Yuno and Mimosa.
Finral: Oh, I'm so happy for you. My brother has two smart, beautiful and strong people to take care of him.
Langris: Don't cry. You're embarrassing me
Finral: We're in your office. There's no one else here. If you need advice on anything…
Langris: I'll go to someone other than you."

(Yuno telling Asta about Langris joining his and Mimosa's relationship)
Asta: So, Finral's brother.
Yuno: Yup.
Asta: Mimosa, I get, but Langris, really?
Yuno: Says the guy who married a devil without realizing it was a marriage ceremony for devils.
Liebe: Keep me out of this.
Asta: Okay, fair, but if he hurts you or Mimosa, I'll have to fight him on principle.
Yuno: You'll do no such thing, dork.

(Mimosa telling Noelle about Langris joining her and Yuno's relationship)
Noelle: You're insane.
Mimosa: Yes, it runs in the family. Langris' adorable and needs us.
Noelle: You know, I thought it was strange that you and Yuno got together since you're both so quiet, but you work. Langris added to you almost makes sense. But if he hurts you, I don't care if he's Finral's brother, I'll kick his ass.
Mimosa: Aww, thanks Noelle. I love you.
Noelle: Love you too.

(Kirsch finding out about the relationship by accident (Zora accidentally let it slip) as he had no prior knowledge of Mimosa's relationship with Yuno and now Mimosa had two partners!)
Zora (sitting on top of Kirsch to stop him from leaving): Murder is wrong.
Kirsch: Yes, but my sister with those two? Two genius upstarts! Honestly. She could do better.
Zora: With who? Do you know how many creeps are out there that could have ensnared her? Yuno's alright and so is Langris now. And if they hurt her, I'll help you hide the bodies.
Kirsch: Aww, love, I know you love me when you promise to hide bodies with me.
Zora: ...shut up, idiot.

Let me know what you think!