AN: Welp would ya look at that, the requested sequel finally 0^0. I swear lots have asked for it, and I myself feel like I made Defeat too short but that's probably 'cuz I was just getting back into the swing of things.

Replies for previous chapters:

GeneralMontgomery: I'm happy you enjoyed that Liebe scene! Hahaha I was snickering to myself as I wrote it, especially when you imagine his face as Noelle coddles him! SO CUTE!

Aiedogawa27: Glad to know you're back ^_^!

Sam: They are always together, that is the default. Even if they're just friends. *wink *wink

Starleads: Thank you! Glad to know I was able to tell a darker story last time. Horror is my favorite genre :D.

Elleon: Gosh, this question made me feel old even though I'm just 20 XD. And yes, I'm in College.

Prack: You really flatter me lols, I don't think I deserve it XD. Anyways, this is the chapter you've been looking forward to! Hope it meets your expectations!

C17: Defeat 2

Previously on Defeat:

"You're leaving because of me?" Pain starts in his chest, a small pinch that hurts more than it should.

"No. I'm leaving because I want to try to get over it, my feelings I mean. Not seeing you all the time would probably make it easier for me." That was her answer, but really it was just the longer way of saying the same thing.

"We will always be friends though, right?" Asta asks fearing what this meant for their relationship.

"Friends. Of course." Noelle nods, but he doesn't miss the strained smile on her face.

The sight of it leaves a mark on his troubled mind.

Asta hadn't moved ever since she left from the rooftop. He'd been thinking about their conversation all night. The worse of his thoughts centering on her last expression.

Noelle's smile…

It wasn't the first time he'd seen it. As a noblewoman she can maintain a schooled expression around people that were especially annoying. It was an act she preserved for strangers and nobodies harping on her for her status, not him. Never to him.

So why did she start now?

The last of their conversation still echo in his head to assure him that he hasn't lost her. She said so herself after all and yet… why does fear grow in his heart? This is Noelle and he trusts her more than anyone so… why is the anxiety getting to his head? Is it because of the changes their relationship will inevitably go through?

They had never separated from each other for long. They are usually each other's first choice. They even have their own 'sacred place' - that's what they call the roof of the Black Bulls base where they automatically rest after a day of rigorous training. It wasn't anything special, just two friends at the roof enjoying the sight of forest green leaves, sapphire skies, and ivory fluff.

It is where they could spend their time to themselves talking about nothing and everything at the same time. The same place they discussed their awful pasts and what they hoped for the future. Or simple conversations like Zora's latest prank, Charmy's newest recipe or the next thing that Magna and Luck fight over. It's not as if they kept it a secret, the bulls simply let them seclude there when they wanted and for that he is grateful. Yes, their squad qualifies as family, but Noelle is reserved as his best friend.

To think that their sacred place is also where she says goodbye…

Asta genuinely hopes this wasn't the last time they speak because if not then he would lose more than just a friend to hang out with. Noelle was his training partner, his most trusted companion, his closest friend, his better half…

Vanessa Enoteca is the self-acclaimed big sister of the Black Bulls. It makes sense really, she is after all the eldest woman in the group, and her adorable kohais simply bring out her big sis instincts. Although some would probably argue that she isn't the best role model especially with her unhealthy habit of getting hammered every day.

Many would find it surprising but despite her fondness of alcohol, the woman is highly aware of her surroundings. Years of consuming copious amounts of wine trained her body to increase her tolerance and so her senses only get blurred when she's a couple bottles in. So, imagine her surprise when she sees their squad's princess sadly enter after coming back from her traditional daily roof conversations with their Captain.

Noelle is often rejuvenated after she and Asta went on the roof to do who knows what. Honestly, the witch thought they were just keeping their romantic relationship a secret. This would be the first time that the Silva looked distraught, as though her heart just got smashed into a thousand tiny fragments. She would've taken the girl aside to speak to her in private, but Noelle robbed her of speech after announcing her departure later in the week. Apparently, it was a promotion opportunity given by her eldest brother. Vanessa can understand if she was depressed from leaving the squad, but her gut feeling says there's something else.

"Does Asta know?" Noelle slightly flinches at the mention of their captain before answering a short yes.

Yup, her big-sis instincts were blaring at this point.

By then Vanessa decides that the female Black Bulls are going on a mandatory Girl's Night Out tomorrow and nothing will stop her from getting to the bottom of this, not even Noelle herself.

Their location would be one of the bars at the Capital. It was where Vanessa got her supply of wonderfully extravagant bottles of wine, with quality at its finest but cheap enough for her pockets. 'The Secret Saloon' is only known by a few alcohol connoisseurs. As the name suggests, it is hidden in between a confusing layout of crisscross roads. 'The SS' is situated in a way that it can only be found when a regular patron is with a party, such as herself. The other Black Bulls were already on board, convincing Noelle was the only thing left to do.

As it turns out, the string mage doesn't have to struggle much into pushing the Silva princess when she kept mindlessly nodding to any suggestion given; it only adds to Vanessa's worry. The odd tension between Noelle and Asta during breakfast was alarming enough, it makes her wonder if the anti-mage didn't react very well with their Vice Captain leaving.

"Bring five glasses of your specials and I mean the expensive stuff!" The witch winks to the bartender, that immediately recognizes her.

"Present to me your best dishes, la!" Charmy adds before taking a seat with the rest.

"Vanessa, you can't order that much already, the night's just starting." Noelle chides, the witch grins.

"Ye' of little faith Noelle that was for all of us~" The princess scoffs, most likely doubting her self-control and under normal circumstances she would be right to do so. However, Vanessa is a woman on a mission tonight thus she is leaving this bar sober for once.

The waiter returns with five different cocktails of varying colors. He then places one in front of each member. Vanessa giddily presents the alcohol as if she was a child demonstrating her magic to her parents for the first time. "Feast your eyes ladies, it's the SSS AKA 'The Secret Saloons Special'! every drink is catered based on what the bartender thinks suits your tastes."

"Sounds presumptuous." Nero comments, nursing a peach-colored drink garnished with an orange.

"Interesting…" Grey curiously observes the glass of effervescent liquid in front of her.

Charmy looks on with disinterest as she busies herself with filling her mouth with various foods.

"This is yours Noelle, it's perfect since you don't like bitter alcohol. As the celebrant, you are allowed to drink as much of this as you can. Don't hold back, okay~" Noelle looks at the glass shoved into her hands. It was so white and foamy at the top that you would think it was a milkshake rather than alcohol. She takes a sip and is pleasantly surprised at the coffee and chocolate flavor. It was hard to believe it had any trace of liquor in it.

"I suppose this is pretty good…"

"Let's toast! To the Future Magic Knights Captain!" They all clink their glasses and drink away.

Good booze truly does wonders, Vanessa thinks to herself with a relieved sigh. Sadly, this would be her only glass for the night, it's why she asked for the good ones, that way she can savor it. More importantly the witch will hopefully converse with a loose-lipped Noelle at some point in the night.

However, as the night kept dragging on rather than the water mage answering Vanessa's probing questions, Noelle dedicated herself into drinking as many glasses as possible. And after finishing her fifth glass, she dropped her head onto the table, much to the witch's chagrin.

"Uhhmmm Vanessa, may-maybe Noelle's had enough at this point." Grey suggests.

The string mage felt that she just cornered herself. She didn't think Noelle would resort to drinking herself to a stupor instead she was hoping that the alcohol would increase the Silva's confidence into spilling out her problems.

"Yeah, we should go home…" The witch laments, prepared to haul the princess slumbering away. She nudges her shoulder but gets surprised from the liquid flowing down the younger girl's cheeks.

What Vanessa thought to be her sleeping in between her arms was in fact Noelle silently crying to herself. The water mage raises her head, a whimper escaping her lips as tears continually add onto the small puddle on top of the well-varnished table.

"Noelle?!" The other girls grow concerned from the elder woman's panic.

"What's wrong Noelle?" The transformation mage asks without stuttering, her concern outweighing her shame for the time being.

"What d-do I do…. ev-everything is wrong between us and….. it's m-my fault!" Her uncontrollable wails were loud enough that other customers were starting to stare in judgement, some even mumble their complaints.

"Mind your own damn business." The normally stoic Nero raises her voice, successfully vying them off. Meanwhile Vanessa, Charmy and Grey try their best to comfort their sobbing friend.

To say they were surprised would be an understatement, none of them had ever seen her this devastated before. The youngest Silva wasn't the type to release her emotions this potently, not even when she revealed her history of family abuse.

"Shhhh…. It's okay, sweetie. Just calm down okay? I need you to be calm so that you can explain. Did you and Asta fight because you were leaving?" The string mage soothingly runs her fingers along her silver strands while lending a handkerchief.

"No-noooo…I finally t-told him how I fe-felt…" Noelle tries to take a deep breath so that she can speak better yet the trembling her diaphragm keeps trembling. "… but Asta do-doesn't love me b-back."

At the reveal of this information, all the female bulls looked at each other in understanding. An agreement instantly forming from that one gaze, they will help Noelle get through this even if it was the last thing they do.

Heartbreak. A familiar adversary, indeed. It's no wonder these two acted strangely.

Vanessa can't help but wish for another drink.

Looks like her plan wasn't a failure after all, if only it didn't work too well.

The next morning, the girls made it their personal mission to take care of the hungover broken girl and greeted her with breakfast (that was akin to a feast) and a potion to help with the headache. Sheep cooks assembled in neat rows, each one holding an assortment of pancakes, donuts, scones, muffins, cinnamon rolls, pies and cheesecake?

"Comfort food has its name for a reason. Noelle, I'll make you all the sweets you want, la!" The witch thinks Charmy truly outdid herself, but it probably wasn't appropriate to consume that much sugar in the morning.

Noelle timidly holds onto the potion in her hands, unable to look at them without being embarrassed. "I'm sorry about last night…" She apologizes, but the women didn't really see anything wrong with how she acted.

Grey and Nero shake their heads as Vanessa lightly caresses the area around the girl's swollen eyes with a sigh. The Silva slightly flinches from the unexpected touch but allows her to continue. It's no wonder that her eyes are all puffy, good thing Finral knows how to keep his mouth shut.

"It's okay to let go, you know?" Vanessa says and understands that Noelle always wants to stay strong, but pretending wasn't going to help anybody.

"Crying over him might lessen the pain even for a little bit. It was effective for me..." The fuchsia haired woman remembered that time very well, it was the day she accepted that Yami will never see her as nothing more than just a sister/friend.

The witch cups her cheek and stares into Noelle's glassy amethyst eyes.

"It doesn't mean that the feelings fade by tomorrow but…." Once again, they all envelop Noelle into a hug. "…it's a start and that's better than nothing."

It's the night before Noelle's departure, so the squad decided to arrange a farewell party. Funny how Asta doesn't understand why everyone else is so happy. How the hell is he supposed to act chipper in an event that is supposed to 'celebrate' her going away?

Ever since Noelle confessed, she made it her personal mission to avoid him. At every opportunity that came about to approach her, somehow, she'd skillfully avoid him every time. Asta doesn't know what to do and he fears that it might only get worse.

It occurs to him then that in the decade of their friendship they have never been without the other. Maybe it was just the separation anxiety talking but there was fear sprouting in his chest. Doubtful thoughts whispered behind his ear saying he's about to lose her and there's not a damn thing he can do about it.

A familiar figure places an arm around his shoulder. "Vanessa-senpai?" The woman sighs, a wine glass gently stirring in her palm.

"See that?" Vanessa gestures to the lady of the night, currently blushing as the retired Captain Yami came to congratulate Noelle and even ruffle her silver hair with pride. "That's a woman capable of smiling and laughing even if all she wants to do is drop to her knees and cry."

"What do you mean?" Is… is she aware about –

"You more than anyone knows that Noelle is strong but… a broken heart can debilitate even the sturdiest of people. Asta, I can't blame you for rejecting Noelle, the same way I can't blame her for being hurt about it." A content melancholic expression passes the witch's face as Captain Yami returns to his wife Charlotte and his kids.

"Both of you are precious to me and both of you are old enough to deal with this on your own, this is just me giving you a heads up. I know she's been avoiding you but don't take it personally, Captain. She's just trying to do what she thinks is best for her recovery. Noelle will approach you on her own when she feels ready, so hang in there." The string mage returns his unsure gaze with an optimistic look.

"What you and Noelle have is special. I'm hoping you won't lose it." Then she leaves him to himself to think about her words. Not knowing what else to do, Asta hesitantly followed Vanessa's advice throughout the party, even if it kills him that Noelle never so much as turned to his general direction.

The rest of the night passes by in a blur and before he knew it, it's already the next day and the time comes for Noelle to leave. Finral opens the portal to her new base, the magical colors move like the anticipation swirling in his stomach.

Noelle turns to the squad and says, "I'll miss you all."

The female bulls embraced her in a group hug and engaged her in whispered conversations he can't hear. The rest had downcast expressions, even Magna looked just about ready to cry. As the moment drags on, so does Asta's anxious thoughts. She hasn't spoken to him at all in her last days with them…

Would she really leave him without speaking a word, not even to bid farewell?

"Well captain, I hope you'll find someone to take my place." Noelle finally speaks to him with a casual tone…. as if nothing was wrong between them.

"Never!" Asta admits. He can never click with anyone as easily as he did with her, she is the first friend he ever trusted this much, he will never find another person that knew him so well.

Noelle will always be his one and only –

"Goodbye, Asta." She whispers to him.

"Goodbye, Noelle." He bids back.

A sad smile adorns her lips, and he immediately hugs her to keep himself from seeing it. Noelle isn't supposed to look this down. She isn't supposed to leave him. He isn't supposed to let her go away this easily but…

This is what she wanted and Asta is not cruel enough to force her into staying. Yet his hands that are tightly wrapped around her still hesitate to let go. Eventually Noelle pulls herself away and enters the portal along with her belongings and Asta finds himself clenching his fists to prevent them from reaching out to inevitably pull her back.

It's been over a month since Noelle's departure, and Asta is starting to wonder how he managed to survive. They had seen each other plenty of times before in Captain's meetings, impromptu joint missions on the field, and gatherings that required all the Magic Knight's captains. 'Point is, he still sees her on a semi-regular basis, but he still misses her.

Probably because even though he sees her often, she never spoke a word to him unless it was through another person. Even if Noelle reassured that they will always be friends, current circumstances were making him doubt. It's been almost 50 days since she's left (yes, he counted), and they never had a one-on-one talk since.

Asta can't even remember the number of times he wanted to tag along the various "Girl's Night out" that the female bulls have been going on recently especially since Vanessa let it slip that Noelle was included every time.

Words cannot describe how envious he was of anyone capable of freely conversing with Noelle.

This is the first time that Asta experienced a falling out but to think that Noelle of all people would be the one he'd lose… He doesn't know how to mend their relationship. He was told that she wanted space and he was more than willing to allow her that, but for how much longer will he have to wait?

How many more times does he have to bite his lip anticipating for her to approach him, only for her to leave every time? When can they go back to being in the same room without awkwardness lingering in the air? Is it even possible to go back to what they used to be?

Well turns out he doesn't have to wait long, because the Wizard King Fuegoleon thought it was a brilliant idea to assign them on a joint mission together (yes, he now knows sarcasm; thank Liebe for that).

Asta isn't sure if he should be elated or terrified.

On one hand he was given a chance to be with Noelle again after more than a month of silence, but on the other, this chasm between them is still far from being fixed. It doesn't help that he is aware of how miserable it's is making her feel. Nevertheless, she willed enough professionalism to accept the mission without complaints.

Once Fuegoleon dismisses them, Asta took the opportunity to finally talk to her.

"So, how have you been?"

Noelle blinks at him, a slight grimace marring her lips as she responds. "Fine."

Yup. This was making her uncomfortable. Hell, the tension is affecting him - the densest person in the universe. The anti-mage waits a couple seconds in case she wanted to add to that, but she doesn't so he asks another question just to prolong the conversation.

"Well, you're leading your own squad now! How's the experience?" He tries to muster as much enthusiasm as he used to, but her lack of response is dampening his will

"It's okay, I guess..." Noelle shrugs, unable to face him for long periods of time. He wonders what's going on in her mind right now. The swordsman used to pride himself over knowing her best, now that he's unable to think of a single answer he's admittedly terrified.

'I miss you.' He wants to say but he doesn't…

It's ironic how she was sitting right next to him and yet she never felt so unreachable before in his life. As if there lies an imperceptible chasm in between them unfilled by words left unspoken, and he's stuck on one side desperately looking for a bridge to cross.

A loud ring breaks the silence, it was Noelle's communication device.

"Sorry but I need to go." The water mage said, but he's pretty sure that she isn't sorry at all.

"Okay..." He tries not to sound disappointed as the swordsman helplessly watches her walk away once again. Were his fears coming true? Is their friendship irredeemable after all? No… he can't just accept that.

"Noelle!" Asta calls out, maybe a little louder than he should've outside the Wizard King's Office. "For what it's worth, I'm sorry…" The Silva halts her steps, then turns to him and their eyes locked.

"There's nothing to apologize for, Asta." Noelle scoffs. "But I appreciate it." She grins and returns to walking.

That damn smile again…

Fine. If he can't find a bridge, he'll make one himself.

Asta can already hear Vanessa's voice warning him of consequences he can't bring himself to care about. It's not like he was ever patient in the first place, besides he isn't the type to just stand idly by either.

I wholeheartedly believe that awkward small talk is a form of human torture, :').

Noelle's drink is a White Russian, which is apparently stronger than most would think; the amount of cream it has help disguise the taste. (I don't actually know much about alcohol-I don't like the taste much)