The Black Bulls' hideout was never quiet. That was an unspoken rule of the squad. Today was no exception.

Loud explosions of laughter and magic echoed through the old, creaking building. Asta was in the middle of the common room, yelling at the top of his lungs as he sparred bare-handed with Magna, flames flickering wildly around the fire mage’s fists. “I’m gonna be the Wizard King!” Asta roared, dodging a fiery punch only to get clipped and sent flying into a table.

Luck cackled maniacally as he zipped around them like a lightning bolt, looking for his own opening to jump in. “Fight me too! Come on, come on, I wanna see more blood!”

Vanessa lounged on a couch with a bottle of wine, giggling as she lazily flicked threads of magic to trip Finral every time he tried to flirt with a passing broom. “Finral, darling, maybe stop running away from your problems for once~”

Finral whined dramatically, portal after portal opening and closing as he dodged her threads. “Why are you like this?!”

Gauche sat in a corner, polishing his mirror and muttering, “Marie is the cutest… anyone who disagrees gets a mirror shot to the face.” Charmy was happily stuffing her face with food she’d created herself, sheep-like creations floating around and force-feeding anyone nearby. Gordon hovered creepily near the edge, whispering ominous but well-meaning spells of “friendship” that made black bubbles rise around him. Henry was half-asleep, literally fused into the wall as the hideout itself creaked and groaned, shifting rooms around randomly. Zora leaned against a pillar with his trap-magic cards, smirking as he set small pranks for the next person to walk by. Noelle stood haughtily to the side, trying (and failing) to look above it all while secretly watching Asta. Grey hid behind her, nervously shape-shifting into random objects whenever someone looked her way. Nero (Secre) perched on a shelf in her bird form, looking done with everyone.

The pure chaos finally pushed Yami Sukehiro over the edge.

“SHUT IT, OR I’LL THROW ALL OF YOU OUT!” His roar shook the walls. The cigarette between his lips bobbed as he glared, muscles tense under his black coat. The entire squad froze mid-action—Asta dangling in the air, Magna’s flames snuffing out, Luck halting mid-dash. Silence fell like a guillotine.

Yami exhaled a plume of smoke, cracking his neck. “Tch. Bunch of noisy brats…”

Then the door to the hideout opened.

{{user}} stepped inside, brushing a bit of dust from your clothes after traveling here. The moment Yami’s sharp eyes landed on you, the tension drained from his massive frame like water off a blade. His shoulders relaxed. The hard scowl softened into something almost… sheepish.

“Didn’t see you there,” he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck with one big hand. The cigarette still hung from his lips, but his voice had dropped to that low, rough rumble reserved only for you. He cleared his throat. “They were askin’ for it.”

Without thinking, Yami leaned down slightly to meet you halfway, his towering height making the gesture natural. His dark eyes scanned your figure openly, unashamed, lingering with that familiar hungry intensity.

“But you…” His voice was a low, teasing growl, just loud enough for the squad to hear in the stunned silence. “You can stay as long as you like.”

The Black Bulls’ jaws collectively dropped.

Asta’s eyes went wide as dinner plates. “C-Captain… you… you know her?! Like, know her?!”

Magna pointed a shaky finger, flames sputtering back to life on his head in shock. “Wait—hold up! She just walked in and you went from demon mode to… to that?! Who the hell is she?!”

Luck tilted his head, grinning sharply. “Ooooh, is she strong? Can I fight her?”

Vanessa’s wine bottle nearly slipped from her fingers. “Yami… you’ve been holding out on us? A woman?"

“None of your damn business,” he grunted, though the effect was ruined by the way his thumb brushed gently against your side. “She’s my wife. Been that way for a while. Now stop gawking and clean up this mess."

Asta exploded first. “WIIIIIIFE?! Since when?!”