Crashing Into You

Prompt: A quick gloss over of a modern world AU, where they meet and quickly are drawn together. Noelle-centric.

—

Noelle Silva had spent her entire life mastering the art of walking with purpose. Head high, shoulders back, gaze forward—untouchable. That was, until Asta.

The first time she saw him, he was shirtless in the middle of campus, leading some kind of impromptu push-up contest. The second time, he was being chased by campus security for climbing the library to retrieve a stuck frisbee. The third time, he crashed—literally—into her in the hallway outside their lecture hall, sending both of them sprawling onto the floor.

"Are you okay, Noelle?" His voice was too loud, too full of energy, like he hadn't just body-slammed her into the cold tile.

Noelle, mortified, scrambled to her feet, brushing imaginary dust from her jeans. "You—! You reckless idiot! Watch where you're going!"

Asta, grinning like an idiot, jumped up. "I was watching! I just didn't stop fast enough."

"You never stop fast enough," she muttered, crossing her arms.

That should have been the end of it. Just another fleeting encounter with Asta, the human wrecking ball. But somehow, against all logic, he kept showing up—offering her a ride on his bike when the bus was late, sitting next to her in class despite plenty of empty seats, texting her the worst pickup lines imaginable.

Somewhere between study sessions that turned into late-night coffee runs and arguments that ended in breathless laughter, she realized something horrifying.

She liked him.

A lot.

It was infuriating. Asta was loud, reckless, and had the kind of relentless optimism that should have been exhausting. Yet, somehow, it wasn't. He made the world feel brighter, bigger—like anything was possible if you just threw yourself at it headfirst. And Noelle, for all her grace and control, found herself getting pulled along for the ride.

Which was why, when she stormed into the library one evening and slammed her books onto the table where Asta was sitting, he just grinned like he'd been expecting her.

"What did I do this time?" he asked, leaning back in his chair.

Noelle glared. "Why are you always everywhere?"

Asta shrugged. "Maybe I like being around you?"

Her brain short-circuited. "Wha—?! You—?! Ugh!"

Asta laughed, eyes bright, and before she could find a response that wasn't punch him or kiss him, he leaned forward, propping his chin on his hand. "You like me too, don't you?"

Noelle's heart tried to break out of her chest. "I—I—That's not—!"

"Because I definitely like you."

Silence. The kind that stretched and pulled, filling the space between them like gravity. Noelle, gripping the edge of the table like it was the only thing keeping her upright, narrowed her eyes.

"Fine," she mumbled, cheeks burning. "Maybe a little."

Asta beamed. "Cool! Then it's a date!"

"Wait, what—?"

But Asta was already packing up his books, grabbing his bag, and pulling her up before she could protest.

"I knew you'd say yes!"

And despite herself—despite everything—Noelle couldn't stop the smile creeping onto her lips.

Being friends with Asta, meant him springing the unexpected on you, without a moment's notice.

And then you were forced to go along with the flow.

Noelle quite enjoyed the spontaneity, his spontaneity. And Only his spontaneity. 

But he'd never tell him that. 

—

Their 'not-a-date' turned into a full-blown outing when Asta insisted on taking her to his favorite food truck just off campus. It was a small, unassuming place, tucked between two towering buildings, the scent of grilled meat and spices thick in the air.

"I swear, they have the best tacos," Asta said, practically vibrating with excitement. "You like spicy food, right?"

Noelle raised a skeptical eyebrow. "I can handle it better than you."

Asta grinned. "Oh, it's on."

Minutes later, they were sitting at a tiny, rickety table with plates piled high with tacos. Asta took one bite of the extra-spicy variety and immediately started sweating. Noelle, smirking, took her own bite—only for the heat to punch her in the face.

To her horror, Asta noticed. "Oh? You struggling, Silva?"

Noelle refused to give him the satisfaction. "I'm fine," she said, even as her eyes watered.

"Uh-huh," Asta said, grinning. "You look like you're about to explode."

"I'm. Fine."

Asta handed her his drink with a laugh. "Here. Just take it."

She scowled but snatched it anyway, taking a long sip. The burn eased slightly, and she sighed. "You're insufferable."

"And yet, you're still here," Asta teased.

Noelle huffed but couldn't hide the small smile on her lips.

—

They wandered through the city, stopping to admire street performers, ducking into tiny bookstores, and arguing over which ice cream flavor was superior. It was easy, effortless in a way that made Noelle's heart ache.

Somewhere along the way, she realized something else.

She wasn't just tolerating Asta's presence anymore.

She was seeking it.

And that terrified her.

Because if there was one thing Noelle knew about Asta, it was that he never did anything halfway.

And she wasn't sure if she was ready to fall that hard.

—

"Okay," Asta said, as they stood outside her dorm. "Be honest. Best 'not-a-date' ever, right?"

Noelle rolled her eyes. "It was… acceptable."

Asta grinned. "You had fun."

"I tolerate you."

"You like me."

Noelle opened her mouth, then hesitated. Because, dammit, he was right.

Instead of answering, she stepped forward, rising on her toes, and pressed a quick, fleeting kiss to his cheek. It was barely there, barely anything—and yet, Asta went completely still.

Noelle, face burning, turned away. "Goodnight, Asta."

She barely made it three steps before his voice rang out—loud, excited, completely Asta.

"WAIT—DOES THIS MEAN WE'RE DATING?!"

Noelle groaned and walked faster.

Behind her, Asta's laughter echoed through the night.

Maybe crashing into Asta wasn't the worst thing after all.