asta x noelle

Part 6

"Noelle, please don't cry...hey.. come on.... please..."

I look up at him slowly. He stares at me.. It's as if time has stopped.. everything except his face blurs out of vision.. I feel warm and comfortable... He smiles... I look back down.. as this hole in my heart is still empty...

"I'm sorry... I wasn't strong enough..."

"Noelle..."

I feel a soft touch under my eye, wiping away a tear... then a finger lifting up my chin....

"You did amazing... As always..."

We're literally kissing distance away from each other, but... now is not the time...
I put my arms under his... he doesn't hesitate.. like he knew it's what I needed... He gently embraces me as I lean my head on his chest.. he puts his chin on top of my head..

All my life, I've been mocked and laughed at by my family. They blamed me for the death of my mother, and they saw me as useless..... asta, who I've only known for a few years... and, I will admit, he can be a complete idiot sometimes, has cared for me more than my own family. Maybe that's why I love him. He accepted me, knowing of my flaws, and cared for me, not giving a crap about my magic power. He's truly opened my eyes about commoners and how they should be treated.

Omg.. we're still hugging!?! It's probably been a minute or so!?! He hasn't fallen asleep, has he??? No, I still feel him lightly caressing my head... oh.. he must think I've fallen asleep... should I get up?? I mean, I would love to just stay here in his arms... no, I shouldn't... I slowly lift my head up as he looks at me lovingly..

He gently slides his finger through my hair and then behind my ear and wipes another tear.

Asta pov:
"You did amazing... As always... "

She jumps into my arms.... oh noelle... if only you saw... how strong you really are... you've been bottling up all this pain... from your past, your mother... It's not fair on you.. I wish I was as strong as you... cry.... cry as much as you need... I'm not going anywhere... let yourself.. let go...

Asta recalls what Acier said..
"Stay by my baby's side. You make a great team... you need each other, even if you're both too stubborn to admit it."

What is this feeling??? I mean noelle is like my best friend, we joined the squad at the same time, went on tons of adventures together, even saved each other a couple of times.

Asta replays all the memories of him and noelle..

Noelle... a royal.. and me a commoner... no.. it can't happen.. besides, I don't love noelle... right??
I just care about her... a lot... I mean, yeah, she's different from everyone else.... and seeing her smile makes me happy.... and I love thinking about how she used to be back then compared to how she is now... this stubborn royal who was insecure and sensitive about herself... whereas now... noelle is amazing.... a strong..thoughtful.. caring.. woman.
Wait... am I... in love with noelle...