Black Clover - By My Side (Asta X Noelle)

Chapter 4: Flow

[It appeared as though humanity would be destroyed by demons. But a single mage saved them all. He was called the wizard king, and he became a legend.]

Noelle POV:

Bakasta fell asleep. I don't blame him. The atmosphere is relaxing. However, his sleeping does help me out, though. Finral told me to keep Bakasta busy. Yesterday when Captain Yami took Bakasta to get his arms fixed, Finral overheard the bad news. Right now, everyone is planning to find a way to help him out. However, they want to keep it a secret. Bakasta doesn't like it when people worry about him too much. He always wants to carry the burden himself. But I won't let him do that. If I can, I want to help Bakasta as well. I care for him, after all. HUH! WHAT AM I SAYING! My heartbeat accelerates, and my face gets hot. I look down at Bakasta. He's even cute when he's asleep. As much as I try to repress these thoughts, they can't help but pass through my mind. When I'm alone with him like this, it feels like I can't help but feel this way. 

Slowly, I inch towards Bakasta. I want to be closer to him. He's asleep after all. It's not like he'll know. I scooch closer until I'm about two inches from his body. I can hear the sound of him breathing more clearly. He looks so cute when he's asleep. Does the fact that he fell asleep means that he trusts me? I wouldn't want to fall asleep around people I didn't trust. I rest my head back on my knees and stare at him. My face starts burning up. What would happen if I kissed him? Suddenly, this is the only thing I could think of. I look away from him to try to rid myself of these thoughts, but to my dismay, it does nothing. My heart begins to beat incredibly fast. I look at Bakasta once again. My eyes trail down and focus on his lips. He's sleeping, so it should be fine. I'm royalty after all. He should be thankful that I would even kiss him. 

I lean down towards Bakasta. The closer I get towards his lips, the more I want to back away. Should I even be doing this? My face is hovering right over his as I contemplate over my actions for a final time. My palms begin to sweat, and my heart doesn't let up. I do want to kiss him, and I can't lie to myself, saying I don't. But would he want me to kiss him? Like a rush, all my insecurities flow through my mind; Bakasta doesn't even like me, I'm rude, I can't control my magic, I always hit him, I make fun of him, I couldn't make him happy. Surrendering myself to these thoughts, I decided that I shouldn't do it. Anger and sadness well up inside me, and I fight to hold back the tears in my eyes. What am I even doing? 

Interrupting my internal struggle, Bakasta suddenly jerks up. I feel a pleasant sensation. Before I even realize it, Bakasta's lips are on mine. He's kissing me. I stare into his emerald eyes, admiring the beauty of them. I then rest my hands on his cheeks, close my eyes, and let tears that I had been fighting finally flow down. 

[Chapter 4 end]

{Author's notes: Sorry, this chapter is short. I wanted to keep it simple and sweet. The next chapter will be a bigger one. Hope you enjoy it!}