A/N ...2021 just ain't the year for me. Thanks for the 100K reads and 1k followers though everyone! I'm thankful for all of your support! Also, have y'all seen how THICC Asta has been animated now? I can get why they say his muscles are kind creepy. Really following through with the manga illustrations. 

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Black Clover Trivia #13: Langris's favourite things are sarcasm and cherry tarts.

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Asta grinned, jumping about to gain her attention as his arms were strapped and out of commission.

"DELPHIA-SENPAI!"

"Is that your vice-captain, Asta?" Yuno wondered, squinting at the shadowed figure as they remained floating above, probably concentrating on keeping their spell in place. That type of large attack spell must use a great deal of focus, especially if she keeps it from affecting the Magic Knights and citizens.

Asta grinned up at his childhood friend. "Yeah! I can't believe she's here!"

"Let me join in," Finral hopped out of a spatial portal next to Asta, eyes stuck on the skies. "She's really here, huh?" His heart raced, a sense of calm and stability washing over him, knowing Delphia was finally up.

"Finral-senpai!" Asta greeted.

"Who's that?" Yuno wondered, taking a bite of the muffin Charmy had gifted him.

"This is my senior from the Black Bulls, Finral," Asta introduced, "You guys haven't met yet?"

"Nope."

Finral laughed, waving a hand carelessly, "It's fine. Not like I'd catch the eye of an elite from the Golden—"

"What's this?" A voice cut in, "Well, well... If it isn't my big brother. It's been so long! I never dreamed I'd run into you here."

Finral tensed as he turned to the figure upon the roofs. "Langris..." He gulped.

"Who's that?" Asta frowned.

"What's the black sheep of our family who can barely even fight, even doing on the battlefield?"

"Finral-senpai, who's that rude little twerp?!" Asta scowled.

"He's my little brother."

"Huh?"

"That's the Vice-Captain of the Golden Dawn, Langris Vaude." Yuno explained.

"What? Vice-captain?!"

"Are you still acting as the Black Bulls' pack mule, Finral?" Langris sneered, "It looks like I'll have to be the next head of the Vaude family since you're such a loser."

"Get over yourself!" Asta yelled, "Finral's awesome! At the Underwater Temple, it was only because I had Finral's help that we were able to defeat the enemy!"

"Wow! You mean you were actually useful for one in your life?" Langris scoffed in disbelief.

"More importantly, how can you talk to your big brother like that, you punk?!"

"Don't bother, Asta," A saccharine voice echoed above, "He's always been of the pretentious sort."

Langris scowled at the presence closing in, a soft thud sounding from behind him. He narrowed his eyes over his shoulder, his aquamarine eyes clashing with sharper cyans. He clicked his tongue in annoyance, though anyone who watched him closely would notice the way his shoulders relaxed and eyes brighten minutely.

"Hmph, always with the dramatic entrances, huh, Cousin." Langris smiled sickeningly sweet.

Delphia just stared back blankly while Asta tilted his head in confusion as he stared between the vice-captains and spatial mage beside him.

"EH?! Cousin?!" Asta's head spun, "Doesn't that mean, Finral-senpai—"

Finral laughed, waving his hands quickly to calm the boy. "Delphia and I aren't related, Asta."

The ash-blond frowned as he looked up at the cousins. "But didn't your brother just say...?"

"You see Asta, Langris is my half-brother," Finral smiled, his hand scratching his head almost sheepishly, "We share the same dad but have different moms. Delphia's dad is the older brother of Langris' mom. So, Langris and Delphia are cousins through that, but Delphia and I don't share blood. Get it?"

"Uh, yes, Finral-senpai?" Asta's eyes were spinning as his mind tried to process the information.

Yuno shook his head in disappointment from beside him.

"No wonder that one is in the Black Bulls," Langris scoffed, staring down at them over his nose, "How dare you address the Vice-captain of the Golden Dawn like that?"

"W-What did you say?" Asta stared in confusion as he was held back by Finral.

"It's okay, Asta," The dirty blond smiled weakly, "He's only telling the truth."

"But..."

"It's fine."

"We've already cleaned up most of the enemies... Or rather, our captain dealt with most of them himself," The presence of the giant tree loomed over the group, proving the great prowess that was the magic of the Captain of the Golden Dawn himself, "The Bulls aren't needed here anymore. And anyway..." Langris smirked as he stared down at Asta and Charmy, "When did the Black Bulls become a daycare centre?"

Finral's breath hitched at his brother's insults, shoulders tensed. From behind, Delphia's sharp eyes caught onto her friend's change in demeaned as a smile threatened to pull at her lips, her eyes gleaming in pride.

My... it seems Finral has passed his crossroad.

"Looking after children must be rough," Langris mocked, "Aren't you embarrassed at having those two rugrats?"

"Who're you calling a rugrat?!" Asta cried.

"I'm not a little kid, damn it!" Charmy protested, "I'll show you the charms of a mature woman!"

The two stopped as Finral threw an arm in front of them, his eyes shadowed.

"Langris, you can insult me to your heart's content. But..." Finral glared up at his brother, "Don't you dare insult the members of my Black Bulls!"

Langris' eyes widened in mild shock as he tilted his head in amusement, "Wow. Who know you could look so scary?"

Delphia and Langris head perked up as they simultaneously glanced to their side.

Langris' eyes narrowed, surrounding his hand with spatial magic as he sliced the incoming attack heading his way, Delphia nonchalantly standing beside him. The knights below stared in shock at the towering amount of mucus moving their way. Civilians trapped and suffocating at the hands of one of the Diamond Kingdom's generals.

"You little brat..." The man, Yagos, roared, "On the honour of the Eight Shining Generals, I'm taking your head back home with me!"

"Oh, seems you missed one, Cousin Delphia," Langris smirked.

Delphia hummed, staring impassively at the enraged man, "From what I recall, he was your opponent, Langris. Having trouble keeping your adversaries detained, I see." The younger vice-captain clicked his tongue, a scowl on his lips.

"At this rate, my spatial magic is going to hit those civilians," Langris observed.

The Diamond Mage cackled, "You can't lay a finger on me, Magic Knights!" He taunted, eyes wide in his madness as the civilians choked, crying out for help.

Langris' eyes took in the situation before him, his mana rising as he readied his magic nearly instinctively. I don't have time to hesitate.

"Oh well," He sighed as if remorseful as he rose a hand, flipping through his grimoire, "They'll just have to be noble sacrifices for the sake of our country."

Just as he was about to send an attack, a lithe hand moved swiftly to grab his wrist, stopping him. Langris tensed as he followed the pale hand to its owner and nearly flinched at the eyes that were narrowed, showcasing Delphia's annoyance and disappointment though she didn't say a word.

"Hold it!" Asta cried, gaining the brunet's attention as Delphia released her hold on his wrist, "How can you even think about abandoning our citizens?! We're Magic Knights!"

Langris sneered, absentmindedly rubbing at the wrist Delphia had released as he stared down the loud Black Bull. "And if this goes on, we'll just end up with even more victims!"

"Shut up! I'm not gonna abandon anyone!" Asta denied, "Finral-senpai! Miz Charmy!"

The two cried out their agreements, already following their squad member's line of thought.

"Just you watch, Yuno!" Asta called out.

"Let's see what you've got." Yuno mused, subtlety agreeing to remain back and allow the Black Bulls to handle the situation.

Langris could only belittle Asta's efforts. "What can you possibly do in the condition you're in?"

Watching Asta yell out a battle cry as he ran away from their attacker, Langris could only let out a bored sigh, "Talk about a lively retreat..."

"I wouldn't be so sure of that, Langris," Delphia observed her squadmates, sitting lazily at the top of the rooftop, wrapped around one knee while the other leg was stretched out in front of her.

Cotten Creation Magic: Fluffy Sheep Cushion

Delphia hummed as Asta used Charmy's spell as a makeshift slingshot to give him the momentum and speed to throw himself at Yagos.

"Who the hell are you?!" The so-called Shining General yelled, "Stay out of this, brat!" Vagos sent an attack to the flying boy, but Finral reached out a hand, sending Asta through a spatial portal and transporting the ash-blond above just as it was about to hit.

"Spatial Magic?!"

Delphia smirked as the others watched in determination or shock as Asta appeared through the portal with a sword held firmly in his mouth. With a decisive swing of his blade sliced through the mucus keeping the civilians trapped, negating the spell.

"Wh-what?!" Vagos' eyes widened in distress, "My magic disappeared! What did you do, you brat?!"

Seeing another attack heading towards the falling boy, Finral quickly transported him out of harm's way and sending Asta to the most optimal location. Asta's teeth clenched tightly around the blade of his sword as he smacked it against Vagos' back, sending him flying and crashing into the wall. It was only with the help of Yuno's wind magic that prevented Asta from crashing similarly and injuring himself further.

"Looks like I owe you one, Yuno," Asta grinned.

"Your fighting style's as insane as ever, Asta," Yuno smirked.

"Langris!" Finral called, gaining the attention of the two cousins loitering above, "You're right. I can't beat you. But... The Black Bulls will beat the Golden Dawn!"

With her head bowed, Delphia's face remained shadowed from her hair, hiding her smile at Finral's declaration. Violet-hair flowed gracefully as she glanced over her shoulder at her pensive cousin, cyan eyes gleaming momentarily.

With the glow fading, she sighed, head tilting back as she gazed sightlessly up at the branches of the tree above her. Closing her eyes, she took in the feel of the mana surrounding her. She winced, feeling her head throb. Sensing William's own magic having detained the mages under her spell, she released both spells, the card fading above them.

"Phia! Jump down! We're meeting with Yami now!" Finral called as he opened a spatial portal below the roof, Charmy squirming in his hold as he held her above the ground.

The tarot user nodded as she stood, Langris's eyes trailing after her from the corner of his eyes. His eyes widened as a soft hand rested fleetingly upon his head as violet hair brushed past. His eyes were wide as Delphia passed him without a glance, hopping down into the portal, bending her knees to soften the landing as she appeared beside her squadmates.

"Well, see ya, Yuno," Asta grinned.

"Yeah, see you, Asta," Yuno nodded, "Don't eat stuff you find lying on the ground."

"Like I'd do that! I mean, I used to, but..."

Charmy was quick to move to Yuno's side, fiddling with her hands shyly, "Um, c-could I maybe ask for your address?"

"Stay away from Yuno, you thieving raccoon!"

Delphia quirked a brow, deadpanning at Charmy as she began chasing around the little spirit with a net. She turned to Finral for an explanation, only to sigh as he shrugged.

"Let's just..." Delphia trailed off, rubbing her temple in exasperation as she grabbed the young woman, carrying her off by the back of her shirt as Finral opened a portal behind her.

"La! I'm definitely going to fry you up next time!" Charmy declared as the group of Black Bulls passed through the portal.

Langris watched silently, a hand raising almost subconsciously to brush against his brown locks.

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"I know it's too late to take it back now, but the worst squad just picked a fight with the best squad!"

Delphia watched in amusement as Finral panicked over his declaration of war on behalf of the Black Bulls against the Golden Dawn. She sat quietly beside Asta and Charmy, eating her own fill of the food the younger woman was giving out.

"Does your stomach hurt, Finral-senpai?" Asta wondered as he stuffed his mouth before jumping up, swinging his bound arms excitedly, "I wanna hurry up and practice with my sword!"

"I wanted to talk with Yuno more!" Charmy anime cried, "I'm going to eat my sorrows away!"

"You guys are way too laid-back!" Finral groaned, "I mean, I'm the one who picked the fight, but..."

"Now's not a time to worry, Finral," Delphia offered him a muffin, "Calm down and eat this."

The spatial mage sniffed, taking a bite of the offered food. "Hey, it's good." He blinked as he soon joined his squadmates. Staring at the nonchalant vice-captain eating beside him, Finral smiled softly, pausing in his gorge fest. Sensing eyes on her person, Delphia hummed, tilting her head in question as she met his gaze.

"I'm glad you're awake, Phia..." He murmured before frowning, "Don't do that ever again! The Black Bulls can't function without you!"

Delphia's eyes softened as she nodded. Finral's eyes widened as the violet-haired mage brushed his hair away from his face and rested on his cheek. His breath hitch as he stared into cyan eyes as they softened. He could feel his heart pounding against his chest, his cheeks warming as her thumb brushed against his face.

"You've done well, Finral," She whispered, loud enough for him to hear.

Finral's mouth dropped, speechless at her words. He bit his lip, his eyes glazing as he reached up to rest his hand against her own. Pulling it away from his face, he kept her handheld in his own as her praise echoed in his head. The sincerity in her tone and look in Delphia's eyes... he's never realized how much he wanted to hear those words from someone until it actually happened.

His smile was trembling as he squeezed her hand in thanks. Understanding what he couldn't say, Delphia, nodded, returning the squeeze with gentle pressure.

Taking in a shaky breath, Finral turned to their youngest member as he exercised as much as possible with his arms bound. "By the way, Asta, was it okay to just leave so abruptly like that? That handsome guy is your old friend, isn't he?"

"It's fine! We'll meet on some other battlefield, anyway," Asta assured, "Because... we're both working to become the Wizard King!"

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| Magic Knight's Medical Ward |

The Black Bulls sat grumpily on the ground, their arms chained back behind them with magic suppressors as healers and their assistants went around healing the downed mages that were unfortunate enough to face the wrath of the trigger-happy squad.

"Oi! Tell us where our Vice-captain is, old man!" Magna yelled, struggling, much to his squadmates' frustration, seeing as all their bindings were attached to each other.

"Hey! Stop moving so much, you virgin delinquent!" Vanessa winced as she was pulled back towards the struggling teen, "Don't pull so much!"

"W-Who are you calling a virgin delinquent?!"

Owen facepalmed, letting out a heavy sigh. As he was about to speak up, a spatial portal appeared nearby. The available mages tensed, grimoires at the ready before they stood down, seeing the familiar form of the Black Bulls' Captain.

"Captain!" The Black Bulls cheered in greeting from their places. Magna, Vanessa, Noelle and Gordan gave additional greetings as they caught sight of the rest of their squadmates appear behind their captain.

From where he was chained, Luck perked up, bouncing in his place as he stretched his neck to get a better view of the group passing through the portal. Gauche scowled at the cheery blond, using all the mobility he had to yank the younger teen back down and pulling on their bonds.

"Would you sit still, you cur?! You're going to destroy the Marie carvings I have on me!"

"Eh? Demo—"

"Luck, we've talked about the consequences of your impatience."

Everyone in the vicinity froze. The Black Bulls turned slowly, gaping at the violet-haired woman standing before them, the sunset giving her an almost ethereal glow as she stared at them in exasperated fondness. Finral walked up beside her with an almost identical appearance, while Asta, Charmy, and Yami watched on from behind, smug expressions plastered across their faces as they watched the reunion.

"What have you lot done now to end up like this?"

The group could only stare at the woman in shock, not wishing to break the silence in hopes that this wasn't a dream. That their precious vice-captain was indeed here, up and awake, before them. Luck was the first to break the fragile silence as he escaped his bindings, bounding up to the woman and rushing into her arms.

"Vice-captain! You're awake!" He laughed, cheering, burrowing his nose against her collar as he took in the sensation of her mana, now awake and thriving within his senses.

Magna sputtered as he stared between his friend and the chains keeping the rest of them down. "Wait! How'd you get out?!" He protested.

"I wanna hug Phia too!"

The rest were soon to follow, and with a few more rounds of screaming, they were unbounded and surrounding their vice-captain. Delphia held a ghost of a smile on her lips as she listened to the stories of everything she had missed, from their mission from their Underwater Temple to their everyday chaos.

Delphia's eyes gleamed as she glanced down at Luck as he remained tucked under her chin. Resting her own chin against the top of blond locks, she squeezed the young man gently, her face softer as she felt the subtle way he returned reassurance.

The tarot user opened her eyes in surprise as she felt a light pressure against both of her cheeks. She blinked, staring at the two girls before her. Vanessa smiled cheekily while Noelle blushed, eyes refutably looking away from her.

"Welcome back, Phia~" Vanessa cheered.

Delphia's eyes softened as she nodded, reaching out a hand to pat Noelle's hair, much to the royal's surprise and pleasure, taking in the attention from her idol.

"I'm back, everyone." 

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Not gonna explain in detail. Let's just say 2021 started off shit with scammers and some gold digging relatives. Advice for anyone who wants a pet... always meet the breeder in person. Don't trust anything online. Ugh... 

Anyway, again thanks for the 100K reads. Though I'm curious... should I make a discord server? 

Question: Anyone got any fanfics they'd recommend me to read? Anime related fandoms that is. I read one quotev, ff.net, and AO3. 

UPDATED: 05/02/21