Summary:
Asta knows that he's not the smartest person and that he can be kind of dense about some things. Or Asta comes to realize that he's always been in love with Yuno and promptly does not take it well.
Happy Birthday to Yuno and Asta!
Other ships mentioned:
Noelle/Kahono
Zora/Kirsch
Nacht/Vanessa (hints)
Jack/Yami/Charlotte
Mimosa/Langris (hints)
You're the Magic In My Veins
By:
IAmStoryteller
It was a week to his nineteenth birthday and Asta sat in the banquet hall of Magic Knight Headquarters to celebrate Yuno's promotion to the Captaincy of the Golden Dawn. After a little more than a year and a half to prepare Yuno, William Vangeance retired to go live with Patri in Elysium. Mimosa and Langris will be Yuno's Vice-Captains. Asta was beyond proud of Yuno. He was officially the youngest Magic Knight Captain in history, beating the record set by Rill by mere days.
Granted, Yuno wasn't the only one to get a promotion, which was why there were members of the nine squads there as well. Asta and Noelle both got promotions to Second Class Senior Magic Knights. Leopold got a promotion to First Class Senior Magic Knight. It was a good celebration all around, but Yuno's promotion was the highlight.
"Geez, that guy," said Noelle, grumbling under her breath. "Of course, he gets a speech. He'll say like one line and piss everyone off."
Snickering because Noelle was likely right, Asta always found it hilarious that Yuno and Noelle had a bit of an unspoken rivalry. Julius let Yuno stand at the front of the room.
In the Golden Dawn's uniform with the new badges indicating his status as a Grand Magic Knight (looking as handsome and perfect as always), Yuno said, "Thank you. I'll do my best as a Captain. And then I'll be the Wizard King soon."
Groans were heard from the other Magic Knights. The others heard Yuno and Asta go on about being Wizard King many, many times before, and honestly, Asta knew that everyone was very sick of hearing it. Asta yelled, "I'll get there first, Yuno!"
Golden eyes glinting in a challenge, Yuno smiled, that small, fond smile, and said, "You'll have to catch up first, Asta!"
Asta grinned.
"Spare me," Noelle mumbled as she stood by Asta's side.
Asta elbowed Noelle, and she just glared at him.
"Thank you for once again reaffirming your rivalry in front of everyone yet again, Asta, Yuno," said Julius, mildly but very amused. Asta thought that everyone teased Yuno and Asta about their rivalry way too much, even the Wizard King. "Please enjoy the banquet! Thank you for your continued hard work in protecting the kingdom."
The noise rose in the banquet hall as the Magic Knights began to mingle and enjoy the food. Noelle said, "I'm going to find Mimosa. Try not to embarrass yourself, Dorksta."
Asta stuck his tongue out at Noelle. "Yeah, yeah." Noelle went directly towards Mimosa who was in a conversation with Langris. Asta shook his head at his squadmate, as he looked for Yuno, still in the front of the room. "Yuno, congratulations!"
Yuno smiled. "Yeah, you too. You're still two steps behind me."
Asta grinned. "I'll catch up! Lord Julius isn't retiring any time soon. I'll be a Grand Magic Knight before you know it."
"I can't wait," said Yuno, smiling wider. Yuno always believed in him. The first person to ever think Asta could be the Wizard King. Only the day they got grimoires was the day that Asta truly doubted himself because he thought Yuno didn't think he could, but it was not the case.
Gosh, he really is just so handsome, ugh. He always had been. Asta thought to himself. What would I ever do without him? I'm glad that the Spade people went with giving up the royalty stuff so Yuno was able to stay here.
"Asta? You got really quiet. Are you alright?" Yuno asked with a concerned look on his face.
Asta stared at Yuno's face, the face of the person that had been with him his whole life (that he could remember). Oh. I'm in love with Yuno. That makes sense.
"I'm fine, just thinking," said Asta.
"Don't hurt yourself," said Yuno, bluntly.
"Funny," said Asta, wryly. "Who knew you were such a comedian, Yuno?"
Yuno chuckled. "You make it easy."
The banter and the easy way they spoke to each other let Asta ignore the bubbling panic in his chest, namely thinking one thing the entire time,
Oh, God, I'm in love with Yuno.
"Liebe, spill, what's with him?" Vanessa asked. The Black Bulls squads, everyone even Zora and Nacht, were at the kitchen table at breakfast the next day.
Asta was too busy trying to stomach the breakfast that Charmy made, while everyone else talked about him, right in front of him.
Liebe said, annoyed, "He's had a grand realization."
"Oh?" Vanessa asked. "What is it?"
As he usually was unhelpful as possible with any given situation that didn't include fighting, Liebe said, "Dunno. It's kinda annoying."
Finral said, "I don't know what you were expecting, Vanessa. Liebe never answers questions about Asta."
"Guys, I'm right here," said Asta, morosely.
"You've been in a mood since yesterday's conferment ceremony," said Nacht, concerned. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," said Asta, too quickly.
The entire squad put down their forks and knives and looked at Asta simultaneously. Yami asked, "Alright, who do you owe money?" Magna and Luck snickered.
"Is someone bullying you?" Finral asked.
"Are you feeling okay?" Gordon and Nero asked, at the same time.
"What Finral said," said Zora.
"Did they feed you poorly yesterday?" Charmy asked.
"What are you up to?" Gauche asked, suspicious.
Asta shouted, "None of that! I'm fine."
"You clearly aren't," said Nacht.
Asta debated whether or not he should ask for advice. The Black Bulls were his family and some of them were in relationships with other people, so maybe, they'd be able to help him. "What do you do when you realize that you're in love with someone?"
"So, you finally realized that you're in love with Yuno? About time," said Vanessa, grinning. "Good for you."
"And I was worried for nothing," said Zora, rolling his eyes.
The others agreed with Zora's statement and went back to eating breakfast like Asta's world hadn't been tipped on its axis just yesterday.
Baffled, Asta asked, "You all knew?"
"Yep," said Vanessa. "Some of us took a bit longer to figure it out."
"Noelle," said Luck, cheerfully.
"Luck, don't call her out," said Magna.
Noelle scowled at Luck and Magna. "Shut up! I eventually got the message okay? Not like I'm dating Kahono now…"
Asta looked around at everyone's faces. They were really not surprised at all. "Well, what should I do?"
"Talk to Yuno," said Finral. "It's the only thing you can do."
Asta balked at the advice. Talk to Yuno? Like Yuno wasn't out of Asta's league? "Really? That's it?"
"Yeah, talking about feelings suck," said Luck. "But that's the only way that you can know for certain where you stand with someone else." Magna and Luck understood each other better than anyone and their relationship was so sweet in that regard.
"Aww, look at Luck giving good advice," said Vanessa, cooing.
"I don't want to ruin things…" Asta started.
"No, stop," said Noelle, holding up her hand. "Don't you remember I had the same thoughts when I realized that I loved Kahono romantically? It took me months to work up enough courage to confess and ask her out on a date. Remember what you told me?"
Asta made a face. He did have to handle Noelle's many, many freakouts during that time, especially since he felt guilty that he turned Noelle down after she confessed to him during the Spade War. Asta just wanted Noelle to be happy. "That anyone would be lucky to have your affections and that Kahono surely felt the same way. Don't doubt yourself."
"So," said Noelle, pointedly.
"Okay, I see your point," said Asta. "But…"
"No," Zora said, cutting off Asta. "If you can't see the way that Yuno thinks the world of ya, yer dumber than I thought you were. You mean to tell me that you can notice other people's goo-goo eyes at other people, but not when it's directed at you? How much teasing did I get because you blurted out, in front of the entire squad mind ya, that Kirsch looked at me like I was the most beautiful person in the world?"
"I said I was sorry about that," Asta squawked. Zora didn't even notice Kirsch's longing looks before Asta pointed it out, so he had no room to criticize Asta!
"Now, now," said Nacht, mildly. "Asta has many strengths, but realizing how much he means to others is not one of them. But everyone is correct. Yuno adores you and it's obvious how much you mean to each other. It's important to tell the people you love that you love them before it's too late."
Nacht was right.
He usually was.
"Aww, honey," said Vanessa, getting out of her seat and launching herself at Nacht to hug him. At first, Nacht used to melt into the shadows to escape her hugs, but now, Nacht just accepted the hugs. "But Nacht is right, sweetie. You need to talk to Yuno."
"Go for it. Never known you to back down," said Yami. "After all, we're Black Bulls." Yami had two people-Captain Charlotte and Captain Jack, so that was a feat in itself, so Yami also had good advice. Asta was really lucky to have his squad.
Asta groaned, knowing that he wasn't getting out of speaking to Yuno, especially now that everyone knew. "How should I even start this conversation?"
Gordon said, softly, "I have a few ideas."
With the unrelenting support of his team and some practicing with Grey transformed into Yuno with Gordon's coaching, Asta showed up at the Golden Dawn Headquarters on his and Yuno's shared birthday with a whole speech prepared. Liebe threatened to beat up Yuno if Yuno hurt Asta, but Liebe was currently safely sleeping in Asta's grimoire. The door opened to the base and luckily, it was Mimosa answering the door.
Mimosa had a grin on her face. Noelle must have told her. The two could never keep anything from each other. "He's in his office, trying to avoid the surprise party in the mess hall. By the way, happy birthday, Asta!"
"Thanks, Mimosa," said Asta.
"Good luck," said Mimosa, cheerfully.
Asta had been to the Golden Dawn base to visit a lot before, sometimes with the entire Black Bulls' base landed in the courtyard. He knew the office of the Captain, which had been Captain Vangeance's office, was on the top floor, out of the way of any squad chaos. It took him more time as he passed many members of the Golden Dawn, who wished him "happy birthday" and some "good luck."
He knocked on the door and didn't wait for Yuno to answer. Yuno was at his desk. There had been a scowl on his face since Bell was on his shoulder chattering away, but immediately, it disappeared when Yuno spotted Asta. Bell harrumphed and left Yuno's shoulder to sit on the desk while glaring at Asta.
Asta grinned. "Happy birthday, Yuno."
"Happy birthday, Asta." Yuno replied. "Please tell me you aren't here for the "surprise party.""
"No, but I could be convinced if there's cake," said Asta, teasingly.
"Mimosa made it so I'm sure it's good," said Yuno. He stood up and walked over to Asta. "Birthday hug?"
Asta chuckled and hugged Yuno. Birthday hugs were something that Sister Lily used to make them do because they often didn't have money for presents for each other, so "birthday hugs" it was. Asta relished the warmth of Yuno around him and all of Gordon, Grey, and the other's advice and practice went out the window along with his fancy speech, and said, "I love you."
There was silence for a brief moment, but Yuno didn't pull away from the hug. Yuno laughed, "Took you long enough. I've loved you forever."
"About time. You owe me 10 yul, Bell."
"Ugh, screw you, Liebe."
Asta and Yuno broke their hug and looked at each other happily. Asta said, "Let's go steal some cake and sneak out. I know you hate parties."
Yuno smiled (a true, big, happy smile), and said, "That sounds like fun. Any time with you is the best."
Asta wondered how he could have been so dense not to notice how much Yuno loved him before. I'm truly loved and lucky.
"Let's go," said Asta, holding Yuno's hand.
Yuno squeezed Asta's hand back and said, "Yes, let's."
~fin