Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

This shouldn't have happened.

How could it have happened?

Nozel rushed into the hospital and ran down the hall.

Please let it be wrong. Please let it be a mistake.

He entered the correct room.

And it wasn't a mistake.

In the medical bed, lied Noelle Silva.

The sides of her face, her arms, her chest and her legs all wrapped in bandages.

Nozel's heart sank as he took in the image as it flashed with memories of the past.

He managed to walk beside his sister looked her over.

She must've been through so much to end up like this.

"Lord Nozel?"

Nozel looked up to see a nurse standing intot the door way with a tray of medical supplies.

"Is everything okay?"

okay?

Okay?

Okay?!

OKAY?!

No, nothing was 'Okay' His sister was injured by who knows what and now accoridng to the note from the hospital she might die from her injuries.

Who did this?

They would pay with their life.

Nozel marched over tot he nurse and held him by his collar. "Where is the Black Bull Captain?" He asked in a dangerous voice.

"I'm right here Nozel."

Nozel looked at the doorway and Yami was there with Charlotte.

"You, Foreigner." Nozel let the nurse go and unleashed a dangerous wave of mana as Charlotte helped the nurse up. "How did this happen?! Why is Noelle in this state?!"

"Hey pal, let's not lose our cool here of all places. Your sister was out on a mission with Asta and Finral when they encountered someone from Spade." Yami answered.

Nozel regained control of his magic and calmed down but only slightly. "And..?"

"What do you mean and? They fought her, Noelel got hurt, Asta got pissed, me and a few others arrived and we killed her."

Time slowed down. "...Her...?"

"Yah, Asta said he name was Vanica or something. He rushed your sis here in that's what you're wondering." Yami said.

Nozel's heart dropped.

Vanica.

It was her again.

She came back and nearly took his mother from him again.

But.

She was dead now.

Killed by this, Asta.

Who was also the someone who brought Noelle here.

Yami walked past Nozel and pulled out a get well card that was sighed by all the Black Bulls. "Your sister's become pretty powerful in ehr time with us. She's got this armor, this sea dragon's roar and a whole load of other cool spells."

Nozel came back to reality upon hearing his words. Noelle was powerful.

But, the whole reason he put her in the Black Bulls was because she couldn't get stronger.

Could she?

Then again with siblings like Nebra, Solid and... him. It probably wasn't easy to develop magic in such an environment.

"Anyways we came to drop off the card and to say hope you get better. So we're gonna leave. See ya."

Yami and Charlotte took their leave, leaving Nozel with his unconscious sister.

He once again walked to her side.

"You've gotten stronger. In all the years I never thought you could be stronger.... You proved me wrong it seems, Noelle.... But that means... If I'd let you into the Silver Eagles... if I had helped you.... If I had trained you.... If I'd been a better, or rather just a brother to you... Then maybe, you wouldn't be in this state...."

All his life he worked hard to become stronger to kill Megicula and avenge his mother, and in that time he made the decision to keep Noelle from the battlefield to protect her. That's the main reason he put her in the Black Bulls, not the lack of control. But because their family squad fought some of the worse threats to their kingdom ever.

The Black Bulls had nothing better to do then run low level mission.

It may have not been ideal but keeping Noelle safe was his top priority.

But...

The price he paid was a high one.

He destroyed his sister's self esteem and any chance she had at a happy childhood by allowing Nebra and Solid to bully her.

He though once he defeated Megicula he could explain everything to her and they could make up.

But a part of him felt he pushed her far enough away that it wouldn't matter in the end of he did defeat the devil. She would probably already hate his guts by then.

Maybe she already did when he sent her to the Black Bulls after the exam where he gave her one last insult.

Those were the last words he ever spoke to her.

Sure he saw her from time to time but they never spoke.

A few decoration ceremonies and several star festivals over the few years but there was no interactions, he only saw a glimpse of her at best.

Now here she laid.

The last he had of mother.

His youngest sibling.

His little sister.

On a hospital bed.

On her potential death bed.

And it was all his fault.

Just like mother.

Nozel reached for his little sister's hand but stopped himself from even touching it.

He only stood there as tears started falling from his eyes.

"I'm Sorry. So very, very Sorry. Noelle. I'm sorry."

Chapter Text

The very next Day Nozel was with his two remaining siblings on their way to a Decoration Ceremony.

He hadn't told Nebra nor Solid about Noelle.

They walked inside and saw the numerous Magic Knights.

But the ones that stuck out he most were the Black Bulls.

The Cheery Berserker luck had No smile on his face, only a murderous glare.

The masked one named Zora looked upset and depressed.

The Spatial mage Finral looked as if he was filled with despair.

And Asta, he looked as if he'd endured a hundred years of misery.

The Wizard king arrived, with a serious look instead of his more causal smile. "Let the ceremony begin.

When the Black Bulls were called Nozel watched as each took their reward.

but none of them seemed as enthusiastic as the others.

Yuno and Mimosa who were among the Knights present noticed this.

Once finished Julius spoke. "There is one more Magic Knight that deserves recognition more than anyone else here. Noelle Silva of the Black Bulls. With 50 stars to her name, granting her the title of 3rd Class Senior Magic Knight."

Nozel's breath hitched slightly.

His sister earned that much and jumped that high in only a few years?

"The reason she's not here, is because she along with several others fought someone from Spade. Someone of immense power. She's alive, but barely. the least everyone here can do is hope and pray she pushes through." Julius said as he handed Asta Noelle's reward and Asa took it with both hands and held it close to his chest as he let a single tear fall down his cheek.

Everyone who wasn't aware of this was shaken to their bones.

Nebra looked like she'd seen a ghost.

Solid was taken back by this.

Mimosa almost lost her balance if it wasn't for Yuno and her brother.

The Black Bulls looked down in sadness.

Even the callous Langris looked upset by this news.

"That concludes this ceremony. You may proceed to the dining hall for the feast. I've got some papers to fill."

Everyone proceeded to the dining hall but almost nobody was eating with gladness after the news they just got.

Mimosa and Yuno were by Asta was just simply ate slowly unlike usual where he filled his mouth to the brim. "Asta, is Noelle going to be okay?! Should I go heal her, do you think that will help?!"

Asta didn't respond and just kept eating. Yuno grabbed Mimosa's shoulders. "I think he needs space."

The two left Asta and rejoined their own squad mates and captain.

Nozel wasn't eating anything he just kept thinking about his sister.

he also noticed from time to time that the Black Bulls were sending him the occasional death star from time to time.

Not to mention all the whispering he hear around him.

Most of them were likely about Noelle.

Nozel looked to his siblings.

Solid looked conflicted, like he wasn't sure if he was mad or happy about the news.

Nebra looked like she was concealing something, an outburst of some kind.

She set down he glass. "excuse, Captain." she walked out of the room in a fast pace.

Nozel sensed something was wrong and followed.

he wouldn't lose another sibling.

he followed Nebra from a safe distance until she entered a side room.

it was the Woman's restroom.

maybe he was just freaking out.

he turned to walk back but was only met by the Black Bulls who were leaving early.

They walked by him and didn't give him so much as a glance. All clearly not enjoying anything without their friend. his sister.

Asta stopped.

"I hope you're happy." He said. "Your sister nearly died. I hope your happy with that Nozel." Asta continued on his way, leaving Nozel in the hallway.

He didn't move.

He couldn't

Nor was he happy.

How could he find happiness in this dark moment.

He also wanted to protest that to the boy.

but Asta and the others would most likely think he was lying.

Noelle must've told them how he treated her.

Asta and the Black Bulls must all hate his guts.

and he wouldn't feel mad at them for being so.

He deserved their hatred.

He didn't deserve to be Noelle's big Brother.

Just then he head crying coming from the Restroom.

Nebra was crying.

he didn't move to hear her better, but he was able to make out a sentence through the walls.

"I'm so sorry Noelle. I'm so so sorry, little sister."

Chapter Text

Asta sat by Noelle.

He visited her every chance he got.

The Black Bulls, took every chance they had to see her.

That's just how they worked.

They were more then a squad. they were family.

When they got the news about Noelle, everyone took it seriously.

Magna and Luck stopped fighting.

Charmy almost stopped eating entirely.

Gauche almost stopped thinking of Marie and nearly dropped the photo of her.

Gordon and Henry's faces showed only despair and dread.

Grey hid in her room and all they heard was crying.

Vanessa started drinking more to drown her sorrows.

Nero turned into her bird form and flew away, she said she needed some alone time.

Finral left to talk to Lady Finesse, she comforted his thoughts of Noelle being hurt.

Vice Captain Nacht wasn't smiling and wasn't around as much.

Captain Yami didn't threaten to kill them or told them to get back to their duties.

And he, Asta, he cried himself to sleep every night.

Noelle was more then a friend.

She was his girl.

he had once thought the one he wanted to marry was Sister Lily.

But when he met Noelle, something clicked.

When they first met she insulted him.

But over the years they grew closer and closer.

To the point where a few months ago, he proposed.

He proposed that once they become of age, they'd get married.

Noelle had tears in her eyes as if she'd didn't expect him to prose at all.

And he answer ran through his head now more then ever.

"Asta.. yes... Yes, yes, yes! I'll marry you."

Which was why he was so pissed at her siblings.

She told him about their mistreatment of her.

The bullying.

The insulting.

He was almost certain they were dancing at the news but didn't let it show in the Ceremony.

The door opened and Asta expected to see one the Black Bulls.

but it was Nebra holding a bouquet of Chrysanthemum flowers.

The two locked eyes for a second before Asta spoke.

"What are you of all people doing here?"

Nebra looked down. "...I... thought these would be nice... And, I wanted to see how she's doing..." Nebra said walked beside Noelle and setting the Flowers on a side table.

"...Own said she's doing better, but she's still gonna be out for a while... never though one of her actaul siblings would bother seeing her."

Nebra didn't argue. "That's fair."

Asta was shocked.

"I mean... I deserve it. Me, Nozel, Sold, we all deserve it. Your anger, your hatred."

Nebra sat down next to Asta who watched and listened. "I eamn, i was terrible to her for 15 years. That kind of treatment can't be forgiven... Even when in recent years when I've grown a spine and a brain I don't deserve mercy." She said looking at Noelle's beaten body.

"Hold on, what do you mean by that?" Asta asked.

Nebra looked at her little sister's squad mate. "I wished I was a better sister. The kind who looks after her little sis. The kind who always has their back. The kind who talks about boy, fashion, gossip... The kind who actually cares for their baby sis... I sent Noelle some letters but she never replied. I can't blame her for not responding. I deserve it."

Nebra cried silently as Asta looked at her.

maybe he had been too prejudice with the Silvas.

He now felt stupid for letting himself think what he thought earlier.

Now he wondered what the other two Silvs were thinking.

"...It isn't too late." Asta said. "if Noelle pulls through this, you still have a chance with her. it might take time but you'll see." Asta left, leaving Nebra alone, he could feel her ki. She felt glad for his words.

Asta returned to the hideout and decided to clean the place.

Can't let Noelle return to a filthy hideout after all.

He pulled out the broom and started sweeping.

He swept and he swept and he swept.

he reached Noelle's room and entered.

Her room was as well cleaned as it always was.

There really wasn't anything worth cleaning as it was already clean to begin with.

but before he left some papers on her esk caught his eye.

he walked over and saw it was Nebra's letters.

looked like Noelle opened and read hem all.

And it seemed like she had started to write her first letter back.

Dear, Nebra.

I'm sorry i haven't responded as quickly as you would probably like.

I was just taking in what your letters were saying. I almost didn't believe it.

You're right, you, Solid and Nozel treated me terribly for so many years. I still remember the time you shattered my mirror. You said you don't deserve forgiveness.

But, at the same time. I want to forgive you. Try as I might, I can't stay mad at any of you. After all, we're family.

I don't want to freak you out, but I've found a man. I know right? I never though I'd ever find someone special. But I did. his name is Asta.

he was the first to support me. he helped me overcome my short comings. He's already proposed and i said yes. Shocking isn't it?

Anyways, I was thinking maybe we could have a little get together. A nice moment between sisters.

Then, maybe we can talk with Nozel and Solid.

I think that would be nice.

Love, Noelle.

Asta cried silently before leaving to get some rest.

Chapter Text

Nozel tried to get to sleep but couldn't. For obvious reasons.

Noelle was still unconscious.

Nebra had gone to visit her yesterday and met the boy Asta there as well.

He wasn't as aggressive to her as he'd worried he would be.

But even that didn't quell his mind and heart.

He got up to get some fresh air.

Maybe that would calm him.

He put on his sleep robe and exited his room.

He walked down the dark hallways and came to the room.... with his mother's portrait.

Her graceful smile entered his vision and he looked away.

How can he look at her after what he done?

He just couldn't.

He promised to avenge her and protect his siblings.

And he failed.

Some brother he was.

He continued down another hall and he noticed a door to the outside open.

Must've been a servant forgetting to close everything up.

But when he reached it he saw Solid standing on the balcony.

"Solid?"

Solid jumped slightly but calmed when he saw who it was.

"Oh it's just you big brother."

Nozel walked out and joined him. "I see you're up as well. Something on your mind?"

"Uh... yes... actually... I was thinking about, Noelle...."

Nozel wasn't surprised. "I see."

"Yes. The weirdest part is I can't help but feel bad. I mean, I was horrible to her for years without mercy. But, now I feel bad for her. Why do you think that is?"

Nozel didn't have an immediate answer. But he came up with one. "Maybe it's just... because she's our sister, and these feelings, they're the protective instincts of older siblings."

"But why now, why now of all times?" Solid asked. "Where were they when mother died?"

Nozel wanted to talk but couldn't. Or could he?

The curse was gone.

Why wasn't he spitting it out?

He knew why.

Because he was a coward.

He was nothing but a filthy coward and a worthless brother.

No.

Not anymore.

It was high time that changed.

For his siblings.

For Noelle.

"Solid. I would like to speak to you and Nebra tomorrow. It's important."

Solid looked at Nozel. "Okay, sure. See you tomorrow I guess."

The two brothers went to bed.

Nozel readied himself for what was about to come.

Chapter Text

"Nozel you can't keep doing that to your sister!" Dorothy said as she and Nozel stood in Glamour World.
"You can't take this burden on by yourself! You're not just being unfair to her but you're being unfair to yourself, if this keeps up I fear she'll grow to hate you and you'll-"

"I know!" Nozel practical shouted. "I know. But it's the only way. Noelle isn't getting a better hold on her magic and what if she got hurt? I can't risk her safety by letting her into the Silver Eagles."

Dorothy got up close and cupped his check. "Nozel, I just want you to be happy with your family. What are you even going to do with her anyways if you're not letting her into the Silver Eagles?"

Nozel took a breath. "...I'm putting her into the Black Bulls. They're the squad that has nothing better to do then missions with no risks."

"Nozel, what if Noelle does come to hate you? What if even if you succeed in your mission that she shuts you out of her life completely?"

Nozel paused and a tear threatened to fall. "...I....I...."

He had nothing to say.

Nozel woke from the memories.

Nozel sat with his siblings at the dining room table.

"Uh, big brother if you don't mind me asking, what's this about? Not that I don't appreciate the family dinner but what's the occasion?" Nebra asked curiously.

There was no turning back.

"The occasion is about us, as a family." Nozel said.

"What do you mean brother?" Solid asked.

"Ever since the beginning I've kept something very important away from you two because if I didn't you would pay dear price for my mistakes..... I lied to you all for years now and kept you in the dark for so long that it's ruined our family. We became abusive, uncaring and heartless monsters because I didn't believe in you all to help with a dire problem and now... I'll tell you, the truth."

Nozel trembled slightly but pressed on.

"Its about mother and the reason behind her passing."

"What? But she died after giving birth to Noelle, right? That's what we thought." Solid said.

"That's what I forced you all to believe but its far from the truth.... It started seventeen years ago when mother gave birth to Noelle..... She.... was happy and healthy after giving birth, we were all happy at the thought mother had another daughter to join Nebra but it was all ruined when.... We were attacked by someone...."

Nebra and Solid were shocked. "By who?"

"A woman named Vanica, processed by a devil named Megicula." Nozel said, letting the truth out for the first time. "She went on a rampage around the place mother lived which was away from the kingdom, a private area per say and she decided the best course of action was for me to take Noelle and get back to the Royal Capital but Vanica wasn't going to let that happen, mother fought her bravely, she rivaled and was even able to push her back during the battle."

Now came the ugly side.

"There was no escape, I was helpless and all I could do was watch then..... because of me.... Noelle and I were taken hostage for a moment which began the road to mother's impending death, she managed to push Vanica back but not without the devil Megicula cursing mother to death." Nozel said as he began to shiver a bit remembering those horrible memories and his siblings are visibly shaken by the reveal.

"Overtime at a rapid pace mother began to weaken and the other members of our family left it all to her giving birth but they were wrong, I wanted to tell them the truth but I couldn't.... I was.... also affected by curse which meant I couldn't let anyone know or else they'll share the same fate as mother and I would also die as well...."

"Brother...." The siblings were barely able to say.

"I watched on helplessly for a whole year straight up until the day she took her last breath, I vowed to save her and get revenge..... but I wasn't strong enough and I didn't believe that any of you should share the same burden as me so I kept you away. I let mother down with our family, I convinced the two to hate Noelle for the cause of mother's death and it led to all the hardship and abuse we put her through."

And thus concluded his story.

Nebra and Solid looked at each other before looking down at their hands in disgust and horror.

Tears fell from Nebra's eyes and Solid's breath hitched.

Nozel couldn't help but cry himself.

"Wait, Noelle and the Black Bulls fought Vanica. They defeated her." Nebra pointed out.

"Yes... that's right.... which means if I'd let her in to the Silver Eagles then she would've been stronger, she wouldn't have gotten hurt, and.... I would have gotten revenge for mother...."

Nozel held his head in his hands as his siblings just sat there and watched.

"...Well... w-what can we do?"

Nebra and Nozel looked at Solid. "What?"

"What can we do... for Noelle?"

Nozel thought for a moment. "I guess as we can do is hope she forgives when she pushes through this. That's about all we can do."

"I guess that makes sense." Nebra said.

"Yes. I'll glady accept what Noelle decides." Solid said.

Nozel nodded.

If Noelle chose to hate them for the rest of her life, then they would accept it as their punishment.

It was the most they could do.

Chapter Text

Another 2 weeks passed.

Noelle got better but still hadn't woken up yet.

The Silva made it a matter of importance that they visited her regularly.

Today Nozel was visiting her.

"Hello again Noelle. Owen says your doing better." He said.

"He thinks you'll wake up soon.... I'm not sure if you can hear me, but I've wanted to tell you something. Something I've been wanting to tell you for a long time...."

Nozel took a deep breath.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry Noelle.... Me and Nebra and Solid are sorry. I want you to know that our mother's death wasn't your fault. It was the one you fought, Vanica. But that is no excuse for what we did to you. If you choose to hate us, then we'll accept it. But I just want you to know that we're sorry and if you choose to accept our apology then we'll make it up to you in the nest way possible."

Nozel looked down at her hand and grabbed it.

Then to his surprise, Noelle gripped back.

Nozel smiled and a tear fell from his eye.

Chapter Text

Nozel sat by Noelle through the night.

He must've fallen asleep because the sun shined through the window.

He stood up and took one last look at his sister before h-

Noelle's eyes were slightly open.

"....B...Br....o...the..r...." She said weakly.

Nozel didn't know what to do until the door opened and Owen walked in and saw Noelle was awake. "I'll get my equipment!" He said as he ran out.

Noelle's pink eyes looked over at Nozel. "...H..How...Lo...ng... was....I... out..?"

Nozel snapped out of his shock and held his sister's hand once again. "Too long." He answered.

Nozel started tearing up. "Noelle. I'm so sorry. If I hadn't been such a peice of shit for a brother you wouldn't have ended up like this. I'm so sorry. I-"

Noelle gripped Nozel's hand and smiled. "It's....Okay..... I understand.... I know why.... you pushed me away....It was... to pr...otect me..."

Nozel looked confused. "How do you know that?"

"From mother.... I was on the edge of death.... and that woman... that monster Vanica.... She was.... the one who killed mom... and held her soul captive....when she was killed... mom's soul was freed...She talked to me the whole time I was out...."

Nozel couldn't believe what he was hearing. Had Noelle really talked to their mom?

"Nozel... is it true you broke grandma's vase when you were five?" Noelle asked.

Nozel shed a single tear. She had.

Chapter Text

After Nozel came Nebra and Solid.

They were all wishy washy as Noelle had her bandages removed and she was sitting up.

"Hey Nebra." Noelle said. "I'm sorry it took me so long to respond to your letters, I had one ready when the Vanica mission came up."

Nebra smiled and wiped away her tears.

"And Solid..." Noelle said. "...I guess you could join us once I'm out of this bed." Solid smiled. "Thank you, Noelle."

"Oh, and another thing. I might as well say it now to get it over with." Noelle breathed in as her siblings leaned forward to know.

"I'm dating Asta."

Soldi and Nebra blanked out.

"WHAT?!?!"

They then freaked out and started ranting about their little sister dating a magicless peasant.

"Does he treat you well?!" Nebra asked.

Noelle smiled. "Yes.... since we first met.... Can we maybe not tell Nozel yet... i think me being on the brink of death is more then enough for a while-"

"Oh I already know."

Noelle looked forward to see Nozel standing there. He walked over and sat down. "IS there anything else you and this Asta have been up to while in the Black Bulls?"

Noelle then looked slightly nervous. "...Well.... Last month.... he proposed to me...." The Silva's went black again. "...And.... I kinda... said yes..." Noelle braced herself for the upcoming screaming but it never came.

Nebra and Solid only fainted and Nozel inhaled deeply.

"I swear I'll murder him if he treats you even the slightest bit badly." Nozel said.

Noelle smiled as Nozel then turned to leave. "Hey Nozel."

Nozel turned to Noelle. "When the time comes.... Can you be the one who.... walks me down the isle?"

Nozel was shocked but it turned into a smile. "Yes, I'll do that or you."