~YAMI~

"Astaaaaa!" Yami bellowed throughout the hideout. The short blonde boy came running through the common room, but with too much momentum to stop himself, so he crashed into the wall beside Yami.

"I'm here, Yami," he mumbled as the worn down house crumbled even more.

"It's time to leave for the capital, are you ready? Did you talk to Henry for me?" Yami asked, impatient yet nervous at the same time. He was dressed in formal attire for only the second time in his life, the first being when he was inducted as a Magic Knight. Vanessa had made him a black suit, complete with a bow tie, vest, and coat decorated with gold trim. She swore it would impress even Charlotte, and Yami thanked her rather generously by using up his whole paycheck to buy her wine.

"Yes Captain! At least, I think I'm ready, and I told Henry to move your room as far away from everyone else's as possible. Why did you ask for that again?" Asta responded.

"Good. I just want my privacy tonight," Yami grumbled.

"Asta??? Where are you going?! I thought only the Captains were invited to the dinner?" Noelle's voice interrupted. She was in the middle of getting ready for the party herself, debating on what to wear and how to wear it, but upon hearing Asta running about, she came to investigate.

"Oh, right, Mimosa asked me to be her date for tonight and she invited me out to dinner in the capital with Yuno and Belle," Asta informed her, much to her utter shock and horror.

"Alright, let's get a move on. We'll see the rest of you later tonight," Yami cut in, not wanting to give Noelle the chance to throw a tantrum. Everyone else who was present wished them good luck, and Finral dutifully took them to the venue. He was just the transportation, and so he went back to the hideout until it was time to deliver the others.

Yami and Asta were left standing in front of a very large, intricately decorated building in which the formal dinner would be held. Captain Vangeance was there waiting with Mimosa, Yuno, and Belle sitting on top Yuno's head. Asta's jaw dropped upon seeing Mimosa, her golden gown complementing the Golden Dawn's mantle and crimson cape she always wore. Now he was glad Vanessa talked him into wearing a suit too.

"Asta! It's... it's nice to see you. Thanks again, for being my date and all..." Mimosa said shyly, shifting from side to side.

"Woah Mimosa! You look stunning! And Yuno! What's up?! This is going to be great!!!" Asta ran towards them, giving each a big hug. Belle flew a distance away, avoiding his overly affection greeting.

"Asta, it's not polite to give a lady a bear hug like that when she's in a formal gown," Yuno informed him.

"Huh, then what should I do?" Asta gave him a confused look. Turning to Mimosa, he took her hand and said, "I'm sorry, I didn't tear your gown did I?"

"N-no, it's fine," she answered, blushing at his gentle touch. Then, he bent his head and kissed the back of her hand. In a deep, almost mocking voice, he said, "My Dear Mimosa, it is a great honor to be your escort this evening..." To which Yuno scoffed, and Mimosa giggled, causing Asta to drop the act and laugh along with them.

"Yami, she's inside already," William's voice cut through the scene to Yami, who has been watching the three like a proud father. Upon hearing mention of Charlotte, the butterflies began to flutter inside him again.

He nodded and followed William inside, who said nothing further to him. As they entered the building they went though a reception hall and into a large room with a high vaulted ceiling, where the other Captains and the occasional date were mingling. Charlotte caught Yami's eye immediately, her royal blue dress flowing around her like billows of ocean waves. As if she sensed his arrival, her eyes immediately wandered from the person she was chatting with and locked into his.

For a moment they just stared at each other, then met in the middle of the room. Charlotte gave him a sweet smile and interlocked her arm with his. Oh, that's how this works. I'm glad she knew to grab my arm, because this suit is too tight to give her a hug in.

"Good evening, Yami. Y-you uh," she looked down and blushed, making him want to kiss her even more. "You look very nice," she finished.

"You're sure prettier than I am, Prickly Queen," he retorted. Looking around, there was almost no furniture in the room and he was very confused as to what to do. Charlotte was quick to guide him.

"This is the conversation hour, the dinner will begin in about thirty minutes." Oh great, so now I have to be all social?

"Can't we find a closet and just make out?" He asked her, that sounded much more entertaining than making small talk with a bunch of lofty people. Her face tinted a more vibrant shade of pink, managing to pass off his comment with a small laugh.

"Oh Yami, as nice as that sounds, I really should start socializing you. Just follow my lead." Looks like he wasn't getting out of this one.

A/N: Some fanart for you Asta x Noelle shippers 🖤💙