Henry honestly thought he was going to be at home by himself a lot longer than he just a few hours. (Though, Secre was in her bird form, napping somewhere, he wasn't actually completely alone). He had seen his Black Bulls family off to their missions and their trips to their families or their significant other families earlier. Charmy, Vanessa, and Finral left him in charge of setting up for the big celebration for the day after the Winter Festival, where the team would celebrate the holiday together. He was glad to do it since he still couldn't leave the house for long and no longer did he fear getting left behind.

Everyone always came home.

Henry barely had time to put all the various meats in their marinades (according to Charmy and Asta's instructions; Henry was able to cook but he had to have exact instructions) when he heard Finral call out, "I'm home! I brought guests!"

"Welcome…back," said Henry, slowly. Finral was there, dressed in his best clothes, along with Lady Finesse, Finral's brother Langris and Lady Mimosa. Henry supposed it didn't go well with Finral's family. "Lady...Finesse…Lady…Mimosa…you…both…look…amazing!"

"Why, thank you, Henry," said Lady Finesse, cheerfully.

"You're so sweet, thanks," said Lady Mimosa. "Sorry to barge in like this unannounced."

"No worries, right, Henry," asked Finral, smiling. Henry nodded. "Where's the party to-do list? I'll help. Henry, you can sit and talk with our lovely ladies and my lovely brother."

"You're annoying, Big Brother," said Langris, arms crossed. "I'll help you with the food."

However, Henry gratefully sat some distance away from them (as he still absorbed magic), but close enough that he'd be able to talk to the kind-hearted ladies, while Finral and Langris argued over food preparation. Lady Finesse and Lady Mimosa told him all the details of the terrible Vaude party that he had to make them some cocoa.

Not even a half-hour later, Grey and Gauche entered the house, not realizing that others were home and Henry spotted them holding hands. Honestly, Henry couldn't count how many times he caught Gauche and Grey sneaking affectionate kisses and hugs when they thought no one was looking. Grey called out, "We-we're home!"

"Welcome back, you two! How was Miss Marie? Lovely as ever I assume," said Finral. Gauche threw a mirror at Finral's head, but Langris used his spatial magic to block. Gauche merely plopped on the couch.

"It-it was a g-g-g-good v-visit," said Grey. "Oh, is that cocoa?" Grey joined Lady Finesse and Lady Mimosa.

Henry was glad that there were people home.

It was more enjoyable with lots of people, in Henry's opinion.

Sometime around midnight, everyone but Henry and Finral were sleeping all over the living area when they heard arguing outside. Finral and Henry traded worried looks because it sounded like Yami and Miss Vanessa.

"Wonder…what…" started Henry but he never finished the thought because Captain Yami burst through the door, breaking it off its hinges, clearly annoyed and arguing with Miss Vanessa. Miss Vanessa was dragging Captain Nozel behind her.

"I can't believe this nonsense, Vanessa! Really, braid-boy? I thought you had better taste than that," complained Captain Yami.

"I'm grown, Captain! I love you, but I don't give a shit what you think," said Vanessa.

"Hey! You're both home," said Finral, jumping up and getting between Captain Yami and Miss Vanessa to mediate. Captain Yami and Miss Vanessa rarely argued. "We made cocoa! Well, Henry did."

Vanessa was promptly distracted and cheered, "COCOA!"

"Oh, God, why the fuck did I decided to come home," complained Zora, avoiding the busted door. "I thought all you idiots would be gone." To Henry's surprise, Kirsch was with Zora. Kirsch looked a little wasted.

"Ahhh, my baby sister," said Kirsch, going over to where Mimosa was snuggling into Langris' side (neither woke from the noise) and picking her up. "There's no room for God." He took her to another couch. Mimosa blearily opened her eyes and sighed, but didn't scold her brother.

"Watch him. He had way too much to drink," said Zora, waving at Kirsch. "I didn't want Captain Dorothy to find out that I got her Vice-Captain wasted."

"She'd kill you," said Captain Yami and Captain Nozel, both nodding knowingly.

Henry laughed, more to himself than anything, as chaos erupted in the Black Bulls home.

The next morning, Charmy and Gordon were both home from visiting their respective families and Luck dragged Rill over. It was exceptionally crowded but there was enough cereal to go around for everyone, and coffee for the ones with hangovers. Luck and Rill came busting through one of the walls. Henry had already repaired the door from last night but it was not unusual to have to fix walls every other day.

"Hey, hey, look whose home," cheered Magna, entering through the busted wall. "Ooh, oatmeal. There's a lot more people here than usual."

"Hmph, I didn't know we were starting the party early," said Noelle coming in behind Magna.

Mimosa was on her cousin in an instant. "DID REBECCA SAY YES?" Mimosa hugged Noelle, tightly.

"Ahh, stop screaming, but yes, she said yes," said Noelle.

"Yeah!"

"Congrats, Noe-Noe," said Kirsch.

"Yeah, bring your girl around sometime," said Captain Yami.

"Uhhh, excuse me?! Let's finish breakfast and start cooking for the party this evening," said Finral, who was one of the Vice-Captains of the Black Bulls. (Asta was the other).

Henry sat on the stairs and watched everyone work, since he'd drain their energy otherwise. But he was grateful that the others stopped to chat with him, in between tasks. This party was one thing, but New Year's next week was going to be a whole other event.

It was afternoon when Asta and Yuno finally showed up.

"Asta!"

"Henry!" Asta ran over and gave Henry a hug. "Hey, everyone! Me and Yuno are gettin' married!" Yuno's face turned red and he buried his face in his hands, one of which had a ring on his finger.

"Knew it!"

"About time."

"Awesome, do you like your rings, Asta?"

"Guess…we…have…a…lot…to…celebrate!"

Asta grinned at Henry. "Absolutely."

Everyone was home and Henry was blessed.