Hand In Hand (ch4)

FOR ALL MY PATRONS~!

Day 4: Pampering Akko.

Disclaimer: I do not own Little Witch Academia.

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														Chapter 4.

Akko is certain to check on and take care of Diana as much as necessary over the next couple of days.

Luckily Diana builds back up just enough magical energy to be able to perform when called on in classes so none of the professors suspect anything is amiss. Akko is the only one who knows, so it's her responsibility to take care of Diana as she recovers.

She's always waiting for the moment Hannah and Barbara scamper off together and leave Diana for a second. Akko sneaks in, asks Diana if she's all right, peppers her with quick kisses, and then is off once again. She also brings her food while she's studying and checks up on her during her patrols.

Within several days Diana can tell her magics have recuperated completely. And she knows it's thanks to Akko that she's healed this swiftly. Without her, Diana probably would have focused more on her patrols and her work and expended more energy, preventing her magics from recovering as quickly as they had.

She has Akko to thank and she knows it. So she wants to show her appreciation.

Which is how she gets to forming her ideas in order to express her gratitude.

She waits for Friday evening, the weekends being the main times Akko spends the nights with Diana since it means they don't have to get up early for classes.

As always, that Friday evening, Akko comes knocking on Diana's dorm room with a bag in-hand ready to spend the night. Hannah and Barbara greet and jibe at her in a friendly manner as they let her in. It had taken them a while to get used to Akko's more intimate relationship with their teammate, and they'd brooded for at least a few weeks, but now that they've gotten over it they are rather kind to her.

Akko scurries right over to hug Diana where she'd been sitting at her desk, already dressed in her robe. She digs her pajamas out of her bag and gets changed in the bathroom, and when she gets out Hannah and Barbara are already curling up in their beds.

Diana isn't in the main room any longer, so Akko hurries back behind the bookshelves to find her sitting in her bed. Akko has to admit she's a little surprised.

"Diana? You're finished studying for tonight? Usually you stay up like, two more hours and I have to beg you to come to bed!"

"You needn't worry about that this evening. I intend to sleep now." Diana shifts over to make plenty of room for Akko. The brunette puts down her bag of clothes and tiptoes almost cautiously over.

"Are you feeling okay?" She leans down and presses her forehead to Diana's. "It's not like you to... to actually want to get some rest! Are you sure all your magic is back?"

"Quite sure." Diana takes Akko's hands and guides her onto the bed. "Relax, Akko. Let us have a good night's rest."

Akko cracks a smile. "Sounds good!" She wraps her arms around Diana and gently flops onto the bed with her, letting out a long happy sigh. "I love weekends~ I love getting to stay the night with you~"

"As do I."

Diana plays through Akko's hair and kisses her cheek. Akko hums and gets to reciprocating, running her hands along Diana's sides gently, not to tickle for once, but to help relax her. It's certainly rare for Diana to want to retire early, so Akko wants to make sure she's comfortable enough to commit.

Akko settles herself on top of Diana, cuddling and nuzzling and kissing her as much as possible.

Diana hugs her however she can at the current moment before Akko is ultimately shifting around again. She can hear the little giggles as Akko indulges, relishing one of the few nights they can spend alone together.

Akko lies down on top of her for a moment and sighs, feeling Diana's fingers curling at her back. But she realizes that Diana isn't doing much back this evening, and it worries her a little.

As an experiment, Akko kisses her lips. Diana accepts it, but again doesn't give much back. Akko stops abruptly and sits herself up in Diana's lap. Her sudden withdrawal causes Diana to blink in surprise before pushing herself up as well.

"Akko? Is something the matter?"

"I was just about to ask you the same thing. Are you okay, Diana?"

"Am I-? Why wouldn't I be?"

"I-I dunno..." Akko shrugs and looks down at her hands clasped nervously together. "I just... feel you haven't really been into it tonight. A-Am I being too forceful? Is it too much? You gotta tell me."

Diana is so shocked by what she's hearing that she doesn't respond for a few seconds. Her jaw drops a little as she shakes her head, realizing her own blunder.

"Akko." Tenderly, she reaches out to cup Akko's face, bringing them close until their noses are touching. "I apologize. I've worried you, when all I was trying to do was show my gratitude."

"Eh...?"

Diana nods, brushing her forehead against hers softly. "I had... wanted to repay you for taking care of me when I was unwell. My thoughts were to simply let you do as you pleased, however it was most comfortable for you. But I misjudged you once again. I apologize for worrying you."

"Y-You don't have to apologize. I'm just glad you're okay." Akko feels the tension in her stomach unraveling now that she understands Diana's angle. Relieved, she nuzzles her cheek before kissing it. "You don't have to show me gratitude for anything, Diana. Of course I'd take care of you when you were recovering. After all, it's my fault you-"

"Hush, now." Diana silences her with a kiss before Akko can start blaming herself again. Akko relaxes a little in her embrace and kisses back. When they part, Diana sighs. "How foolish of me. Letting you do all the work. Allow me to try again."

Diana slips out from under her and reverses things, pushing Akko down onto her back now.

The brunette yelps softly, bouncing on the mattress as she gazes up at Diana in the moonlight, her blue eyes shimmering, pale skin illuminated in the darkness, silken silver hair laced with starlight spilling down over her shoulder.

Akko feels herself freeze up like a rabbit trapped beneath a fox. But in a good way.

Diana leans over her slowly, pressing her lips first at Akko's forehead, then making her way down. Unlike Akko's more rushed, hyperactive, unfinished half-kisses, Diana plays a different game. All of her kisses are full, slow, complete. It makes every moment last, every second teetering on the edge waiting for the next.

She takes her time, so much so that it almost makes Akko want to burst from the anticipation. She does her best to relax though, getting herself used to Diana's pace. The soft lips travel along Akko's temple, then to her cheek, then repeat on the other side of her face. One kiss at a time.

Akko closes her eyes, committing the pattern to memory. Her hands cling to the sheets in giddy exasperation as Diana pulls away from the most recent kiss and starts at her forehead once again. Now she trails them down the bridge of Akko's nose and eventually to her mouth.

Akko all but gasps with relief when she's finally able to kiss her in return, unable to stop herself from throwing her arms up around Diana's shoulders, pulling her down closer. Diana resists just a little, just so they won't end up clashing teeth. She eases herself down over Akko gently, settling her weight against her chest.

Akko holds her in place, preventing her from rolling off. She holds the kiss for as long as she can, which isn't really that long.

By the time Diana senses she's at her limit and pulls back, Akko is breathless from her own vigor. Diana is only slightly worried though, smiling as she kisses Akko's cheek again. The brunette squeezes her back and opens her eyes, hair slightly frizzed.

"Diana... you're killing me..."

"But you are enjoying yourself, no?"

Akko gives her the most serious expression Diana's ever seen.

"Yes. More than anything."

And Diana bursts into a short fit of laughter. When she's finished she kisses Akko again.

"Perhaps it is time for bed now." She knows Akko enjoys cuddling together just as much as she enjoys the more active kissing, because she can relax more. Diana eases herself back and gives Akko full control. "What would be most comfortable for you? Do as you please."

"Gosh, you're really spoiling me, huh~?" Akko grins up at her, still a bit flushed from all the kissing, which makes for a comical expression. Trying to be smug when she'd just been the victim of all that attention.

Diana bites back an amused comment, reminding herself that tonight is about thanking Akko, not teasing her.

Akko hums and contemplates, thinking about how she wants to cuddle. As she ponders, Diana takes the liberty upon herself to continue kissing her softly, smoothing out the ruffled brown hair. Somewhere along the lines her hand makes its way down to Akko's stomach and begins to rub in circles.

That earns a long, loud sigh from Akko, one that tells Diana she's inclined to continue. She slips herself off to one side now and traces her palm over Akko's stomach, occasionally leaning over to kiss her here or there.

She should have known Akko would melt for tummy rubs. After all, she is essentially a dog in a witch's form.

Diana amuses herself with Akko's moans and sighs as she continues spoiling her rotten. Akko can barely speak other than to whimper out Diana's name every once in a while.

Glad to have discovered this side of Akko, Diana continues, leaning over to kiss each of her closed eyes in turn, willing her to rest.

Akko's never felt more spoiled or happy in all her life. Her whole body feels like it's on a cloud, light and fluffy and relaxed, her mind at ease.

But there's just one more thing she wants, if Diana is letting her be greedy.

With some effort, she stops herself from falling asleep just yet and opens her eyes tiredly, her lips curved into a constant smile. Diana peers down at her curiously.

"Akko?"

"Mm, just one more thing..." Reaching out, she wraps her arms around Diana again, shifting onto her side now as Diana rests on her back. Akko cuddles up into her side, resting her head on Diana's chest. "Your heart..." she mumbles. "I wanna listen..."

Diana blushes. It's always a little embarrassing for her when Akko does this, but it's twice as embarrassing when she actually voices it. She hugs Akko's back and turns her face with a slight huff.

"Very well then..."

"Hmmm~" Akko lets out a big sigh and cuddles up to her, feeling warmer and more relaxed than she can ever recall in all her life. "Thanks, Diana..."

"Hush. Go to sleep."

"Mmmm..."

It doesn't take much more than that. The soft, steady rhythm of Diana's pulse lulls Akko to sleep once again.

Diana waits until she's asleep before kissing the top of her head and closing her eyes as well.

She still has things planned for tomorrow.

But for now, this is all it needs to be.

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A/N: I always tend to have Akko spoil Diana so doing the opposite was very enjoyable this time~ But guess what the next chapter is gonna be? You guessed it.