The Lonely Clover

Warm Affection After a Cold Mourning

As Asta sliced through the mist, I felt a sense of rage begin to fill me and while I had grown accustomed to it in a way, it didn't make it any less powerful or unnerving.

This town is in no way a threat to anyone and yet they are obviously being attacked but why? Why attack those who have done nothing but go about their lives?

Once Asta made the last slice revealing the towns people awaiting their deaths, I immediately ran to them without thinking as Magna used his fire magic to obliterate the ice midair.

I'll work on healing anyone who needs it and let those three take on those jerks.

I immediately went to the one I knew who was most at risk. I knew, I KNEW he was most likely already gone, but I also knew I needed to try anyway. For Magna. I could sense he was an important person to him, even without recognizing his face. As I attempted to sense some sort of life left in the man, I felt tears build up in frustration when I realized he was already long gone.

No matter where you go, there are always jerks who want to play God.

I knew they were fighting with all they had, but I also knew they would win. They had to win and they would because of the domino named Asta.

With every bit of strength they used, I could sense them becoming tired. Once Noelle had thrown up the protective barrier, I knew the people would be fine.

I watched Asta take each blow and felt my heart crack while also burning with pride. He fights with all he has and then some, not once hesitating to get back up to keep trying.

When they had won, with Magna falling beside Asta completely wiped out, I went up to them both to heal them.

I healed Asta, who at first seemed ready to fight more than to allow me to heal him even though he was clearly exhausted. I patted him softly on the head and moved over to Magna who sat against one a building, staring blankly ahead.

When I approached him, I knew the smile he threw my way was fake, but I didn't expect it to be any different. I healed him and boosted his mana, unsure of what to say. He spoke in almost a whisper once I was almost finished. "He really is gone, huh?"

I didn't know how to respond, and he just looked away in defeat. I feel his sorrow, even though he is trying to hide it. "Magna." He grunted but didn't look my way, which somehow really pissed me off. "Hey!" I yelled and smacked him on the shoulder, to which he began to cuss only for me to interrupt him. "A real man knows when the hell to let someone in, to talk to someone, or even freaking scream to the heavens. You're a real man SO CHOOSE ONE AND DO IT!"

He stared at me and I got even more frustrated, choosing to ball my fists as I left him.

>>>>>>>>>>

Once that Heath butthole made his timely exit, we did what we could for the town and ended the day in front of the grave.

I hadn't said much of anything to Magna, but it wasn't because I was angry with him. I was embarrassed that I yelled at him while he was hurting and since he hadn't said anything to me since then either, we managed to make it all the way back to the base without saying anything. I stuck close to Asta, who did take me for a walk outside.

I walked alongside Asta, who was oddly quiet as well before saying, "Are you okay?"

The question definitely caught me off guard and I noticed he was watching me with that ever present smile on his face. The one that constantly strengthens me and makes me feel a sense of safety that is exceedingly hard to find. At least it was where I came from.

"I'm okay. It was just a really...." I hesitated before turning away and shouting at the top of my lungs. "THAT WHOLE THING SUCKED. THEY STARTED TRYING TO KILL FOLKS BECAUSE THEY ARE COMMONERS?!??!? ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME?!!?!? THAT MAKES NO SEEEEEEEEEENSE!!!" I screamed out, very sure I had scared away every animal for miles.

I gritted my teeth in anger. "I did the worst possible thing. Magna needed space, a friend and I yelled at him! I am so stupid!" I felt tears cascade down my cheeks and I collapsed to my knees as if letting it all out had taken all the energy I had left out of me.

I turned to see Asta sit next to me too without looking my way only to also start yelling, way louder than usual. "TODAY SUCKED BUT WHEN I'M THE WIZARD KING I SWEAR I'LL MAKE SURE THAT NEVER EVER HAPPENS AGAIN!!!"

His outburst had me staring at him and when he turned to face me, I couldn't help but laugh out of pure relief. Pure joy.

"Asta you are going to be the best Wizard King ever. I guarantee it! Yuno is going to have to work hard to surpass you." I said without thinking. As I heard what I said, I quickly added, "But whoever wins still has my complete support no matter what." I said with a smile and leaned toward him to give him a hug.

The hug lasted a good millisecond before I yanked away and stared at him. "Asta, seriously ARE YOUR MUSCLES GROWING DAILY?!??!?! I CAN BARELY GIVE YOU A HUG NOW!"

Asta burst out laughing and proceeded to jump up and show me exactly why that was the case by doing like a billion of every muscle thing I could never want to do on a good day.

>>>>>>>>>>>>

Asta had gone in a good while ago, but I hung out here for a while longer to think.

I need to apologize to Magna, but what do I even say? Hey, sorry for acting like an angry nutjob while you were clearly hurting, can we still be friends??

I sighed and felt myself grow sadder before feeling a presence coming up to me.

I jumped up and then calmed a little only to again start panicking when I saw it was Magna. He was approaching me while rubbing the back of his neck and when he came within a few feet of me, he simply looked at me before letting out a sigh.

He then turned to face away from me and began screaming at the top of his lungs. He did it two times before I remembered our short conversation and felt myself become overwhelmed with joy. I turned with a smile and we both screamed like idiots into the heavens until it was clear we were going to have serious issues with our voices the next day.

As we headed back to the base, Magna looked back at me and rasped, "How does Shrimpsta do it all the time?"

I shrugged and let out a choked laugh. When we came close enough to see the base, Magna tugged my arm and pulled me back. He went to open his mouth and I put up a finger to stop him. He raised an eyebrow until I leapt into his chest with a warm bear hug. I felt him hug me back, but it got warm again and I wondered if maybe I was just imagining it or something.

I pulled away to smile at him, feeling a change in the air when I saw he was smiling back. The sight of him smiling at me instead of avoiding making eye contact me only made me smile bigger. His face changed for a moment and he looked like he was gonna...

"Y/n!" I squeaked in surprise as I was picked up by none other than Luck. He came out of nowhere and it was so unexpected, I couldn't help but laugh and then immediately regret it because even that makes my throat hurt dang it!

Luck picked me up bridal style and took off inside the base. I missed the tension between him and Magna, but I was more than happy to be around those I felt closer to.

I let my mind wander a little as I watched Vanessa chug alcohol and talk about men, but some of the things she was saying, while somewhat EXTREMELY inappropriate, kinda felt familiar. We all stayed up a while and I looked up at Magna as we both drank something Charmy assured us was good for sore throats.

He was already looking at me. Smiling. I smiled back and went back to my drink shaking the silly thought out of my head.

I never really hung around guys in my world, but it has to be clear if they like you right? I'm sure he just sees me as a friend.

Even though I still couldn't speak, my smile stayed on my face for the rest of the night.