100 Prompt Challenge - Astelle

Prompt 13: A little glimpse into an AU where Noelle is a little more forthright with her feelings, and possessive of Asta. While Asta is a little less oblivious to everything. 

—

It started small. Subtle. Almost unnoticeable.

At first, Noelle didn't even realize she was doing it. A little scoff here, a sarcastic remark there—things she'd always done. But then, something changed. Or rather, she changed.

The first time she really noticed was when Rebecca tried to get a little too close.

It was during a visit to Nairn, just after another mission. The tavern was lively, packed with villagers celebrating their return. Asta, being Asta, was in the middle of it all, laughing and chatting, oblivious as always to how certain girls stared at him like he was the last man in the Clover Kingdom.

And Rebecca? She was staring the hardest.

Noelle had been sipping her drink, minding her own business (or so she told herself), when she saw Rebecca lean in. A little too friendly. A little too comfortable.

Asta, bless his dense heart, just smiled. "It's nice catching up with you! How have things been?"

Rebecca giggled. GIGGLED.

"Oh, you know, just the usual. I was actually wondering, Asta… have you ever considered settling down in a nice, quiet town like this?"

Noelle's grip on her cup tightened.

Asta, completely unaware of the brewing storm beside him, blinked. "Huh? I mean, the Black Bulls keep me pretty busy, so I haven't really thought about it."

Rebecca tilted her head, playful. "Well, if you ever do… maybe you could come visit me more often?"

That was it. That was the moment Noelle lost any and all patience.

She stood up so fast her chair nearly toppled over. "Oh, I'm sorry, Rebecca," she said, her voice sweet—too sweet. "But Asta already has a full schedule, don't you, Asta?"

Asta turned to her, surprised. "Huh? Uh, I guess? Yeah, training, missions—"

"Exactly," Noelle cut in, placing a hand on his shoulder. She squeezed just enough to make sure he stayed put. "And besides, he doesn't have time for… distractions."

Rebecca blinked, looking between them. "Oh, I wasn't trying to—"

"I'm sure you weren't," Noelle said, still smiling. "But Asta's not available for… visits. Right, Asta?"

Asta, now fully aware that something was happening but not quite sure what, nodded. "Uh, yeah? I mean, I always have stuff to do, so—"

"See?" Noelle beamed. "Glad we understand each other."

Rebecca excused herself shortly after.

Asta turned to Noelle. "That was kinda weird."

Noelle just sipped her drink. "No idea what you mean."

—

Then there was Mimosa.

Now, Noelle liked Mimosa. Really, she did. The girl was sweet, kind, a good ally, and precious family. But she was also a little too fond of Asta.

And it was getting harder to ignore.

Mimosa wasn't obvious about it—well, not to Asta anyway. But Noelle noticed. The little blushes, the way Mimosa's gaze lingered, the way she always healed Asta first even when other people were just as injured—Noelle saw all of it.

One day, after a particularly grueling battle, Mimosa knelt beside Asta, her hands glowing with healing magic.

"You're always pushing yourself too hard," Mimosa said softly, looking up at him with concern. "Please, be more careful."

Asta grinned. "Thanks, Mimosa! You're the best!"

Noelle's eye twitched.

She stepped forward, arms crossed. "Great, he's healed. We're leaving now."

Mimosa glanced up. "Oh! But I was just—"

"He's fine. Right, Asta?"

Asta, now used to these situations, quickly nodded. "Yeah, totally! Good as new!"

Mimosa hesitated. Noelle just smiled.

After a moment, Mimosa sighed. "Of course, Noelle. Take care of him."

Oh, I will, Noelle thought smugly as she pulled Asta away.

—

Asta, for his part, found the whole thing… kinda hot.

At first, he hadn't noticed. Noelle had always been fiery, always quick to snap at him. But lately? It wasn't just her usual tsundere attitude. It was something else.

She didn't just get annoyed—she got possessive.

And for some reason, that made his heart race.

The final nail in the coffin came when a noble girl at a Magic Knight banquet tried to flirt with him.

She had sashayed up to him, flipping her hair, batting her eyelashes. "You must be the famous Asta. I've heard so much about you."

Noelle, who had just turned away to grab a drink, whipped back around so fast she might have given herself whiplash.

The girl giggled, lightly touching Asta's arm. "You know, a man like you should really consider making connections in noble circles. I could—"

A hand slammed onto the table.

The girl jumped. Asta blinked.

Noelle, standing there with the aura of an impending natural disaster, smiled dangerously. "Oh? I don't remember you being part of the Black Bulls."

The noble girl stiffened. "I—"

Noelle leaned in, her voice low. "I know all of Asta's friends. And I don't recall you being one of them."

Asta shivered.

The noble girl took one look at Noelle's expression and decided she valued her life too much to continue. She quickly muttered something about needing to be elsewhere and scurried off.

Asta turned to Noelle, stunned. "Uh… wow."

Noelle huffed, crossing her arms. "What?"

Asta stared at her. Then, suddenly, he grinned.

"You're kinda amazing, Noelle."

Noelle's face went red. "W-WHAT?"

Asta laughed, stepping closer. "You always look out for me." He rubbed the back of his head, looking at her with that stupid, charming smile of his. "It's… really cool."

Noelle was malfunctioning. "I-I just—I mean—shut up, idiot!"

Asta chuckled. "Nah. I think I like this."

Noelle buried her face in her hands.

Asta leaned in, just a little. "You know… if you're gonna act like I'm yours…" His voice dropped. "Maybe I should be."

Noelle's brain short-circuited.

Asta just grinned.

And from that moment on, he made sure everyone knew exactly who he belonged to.