Hand In Hand (ch6)

EALRY RELEASE FOR ALL MY PATRONS!

Day 6: Anniversary

Disclaimer: I do not own Little Witch Academia.

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															Chapter 6.

More often than not, Akko neglects to remember important dates. She never remembers the days for exams or field trips, which causes her to often be late to them and thus get into trouble with her professors.

But there was one important date she'd sworn on her Chariot cards she'd remember, and that was the day Diana and herself started dating. She quietly kept track of every day since then so she wouldn't miss their six-month anniversary. But she didn't let on that she remembered, because she wanted to surprise Diana with it.

Of course their anniversary would end up being on a school day, so Akko was limited in what she could do by means of celebration. But she has a good idea of what she wants to give Diana.

She'd made preparations and practiced diligently several weeks in advance, bringing her to the present day where she's confident enough in what she has planned to be giddy about it. And of course Sucy's been teasing her for weeks on end, and Lotte has been chiding Sucy while motivating Akko in her endeavors.

By the day of their 6-month anniversary, Akko believes she's ready. But still, she doesn't let on that she's remembered the important date. She wants to surprise her girlfriend.

So she goes through the school day as per usual, stealing glances and blowing kisses at Diana from across the room, grabbing her hand and skipping next to her when they are in the hallways, and pulling her around the corner for a kiss whenever they are alone.

It's during lunchtime when Diana and Akko have both slipped away from the cafeteria at the same time to share a moment together in the hallway when Akko asks her question.

"Hey, Diana?" She eases back from the kiss they'd been engaged in, resting her forehead against hers. "Do you have a patrol this afternoon?"

"Of course I do. Why do you ask?"

"I just wanted to know around what time you'd be free."

"I would say not before 8PM."

"Okay! Then can I come find you at 8 then?"

"I don't see why not."

"Great! Then it's a date!" Akko dives back in for another kiss, squeezing Diana in a hug that more or less gives away her excitement about today.

They go back to lunch and finish the rest of their classes for the day.

When evening rolls around, Akko sits in her room watching the clock, waiting. She plans to go out looking for Diana at 7:50, but until then Lotte tries to encourage her to complete some of her homework.

"I know it's a big day for you and Diana," she says. "And I'm happy for you! But if you don't get your work done now you never will!"

"I guess you're right..."

"You still have a few hours anyway."

So Akko sighs and groans and gets to her assignments, but she glances at the clock more than her papers.

Miraculously, she actually manages to finish the majority of her work, using it as an obstacle on her way to seeing Diana, which motivates her to get it out of the way.

But by 7:45 she's too restless to keep going and jumps off her bed, throwing all of her work aside.

"I'm going now! See you guys tomorrow!"

"Sleeping over again?" Sucy mutters.

"Of course she would!" Lotte says. "It's a special occasion! Good luck, Akko!"

Akko grins, salutes, grabs her broom, and heads out.

She knows Diana needs to report her patrol findings at the Headmistress' office so Akko runs there, only slowing her pace when she hears professors chattering up ahead. She reaches the office to find Diana hasn't arrived yet and slumps back against the wall.

She spends the time going over her plan, but it starts to make her nervous. She grips the handle of her broom tightly until her hands turn white.

It'll be fine. I've practiced a ton! I got this...

"Akko?"

"Heh?!" Jolting, her eyes fly wide open as she finds Diana standing curiously in front of her.

"Are you ready?" she inquires.

"E-Eh? But don't you have to give a report to the Headmistress?"

"I already have. You were so focused you must not have noticed me pass by. I am finished now, so we are free to do as we please until curfew."

Akko grins.

"Awesome! Okay then, come with me!"

Broom in one hand, she grabs Diana's with the other and begins tugging her down the hallway, not caring that some of the professors see them and end up chuckling. Diana hastily quickens her pace so she's striding next to Akko rather than being dragged behind her.

"Akko, there is no need to rush. We still have a full hour until curfew."

"I know! But this might take that long so I wanna start ASAP!"

She leads Diana to the exit, and then out into the cool evening air.

The campus is lit up by outside lights and lamp posts, and the moon is a bright gibbous overhead.

Akko pulls her into the courtyard before finally stopping to let them both catch their breath, but she doesn't let go of Diana's hand. Once they've both composed themselves from the run, Akko whirls around to face her with a smile brighter than the moon.

"So! It's our 6-month anniversary today! I remembered! I made sure I wouldn't forget! I swore on my Chariot cards collection!"

Diana blinks.

"So you remembered after all..."

"Yup! Did I surprise you~?"

"Truth be told, yes. I was sure you'd forgotten since you didn't mention anything all day today..."

"Uwah! I-I hope that didn't upset you though! Maybe I should've told you from the start..."

Diana smiles and squeezes her hand in return. "Not at all. I am glad you decided to surprise me like this, Akko." She leans in and gives Akko's cheek a soft, appreciative kiss. "Now then, what exactly is this?"

"Can't you tell?" Akko lifts her broom up high above her head. "I'm gonna take you on a broom-ride! I've been practicing suuuuper hard over the months and I think I'm finally getting the hang of it! I'm confident I can give you a nice relaxed ride this time! I swear!"

In the past she'd tried flying with Diana behind her, but it would always end up being an awkward endeavor. Either Akko would fly too slowly and move them forward in jerking motions or random directions, or she'd fly too quickly and nearly dump one or both of them off.

But she's determined not to let any of those things happen on their special night. She gives Diana that trademark look of determination, but her smile wavers just a little.

"O-Of course you don't have to if you don't wanna..."

But Diana reaches up to cup Akko's face and pulls her in for a full kiss.

"You fool. Of course I will join you, Akko."

"Really?" Akko brushes their noses together. "Okay! I promise I'll do my best!"

"You always do."

Akko chuckles as she gets into position on her broom. Diana opts to keep both of her legs off to one side, wrapping her arms around Akko and leaning close against her back. Akko looks back to check on her.

"Ready?"

"Yes."

"Okay."

Akko sucks in a deep breath, lets it out, then sucks in another. She's so used to being the passenger on a broom-ride she's still getting used to being up front and being in control. But she's practiced plenty of times for this special occasion.

When she's finally ready, she gives the command.

"Tia Freyre!"

And it's not like the previous lift-offs Diana has experienced on the back of this broom. It isn't a speedy ascent that takes the air right out of her lungs, nor is it wobbly and slow.

Rather, it's a very steady, very controlled ascent, bringing them up parallel to the ground, taking their shoes out of the grass and into the air.

Diana subconsciously gives a squeeze to Akko's waist in her excitement. Akko cracks a smile, but still focuses primarily on her broom. She's off to a good start but she doesn't want to screw up right after.

She lifts them up about as high as the school buildings before pausing, letting them hover as she takes another deep breath. Diana leans forward to murmur encouragement.

"You are doing wonderfully, Akko."

Her reassurance let's Akko relax a bit.

"Th-Thanks. But hold on tight just in case."

With this she begins to move them forward, once again at a very controlled and pleasant speed. The wind brushes against them comfortably, and the scenery passes by at a normal pace, allowing them each to see the campus in its twilight glory.

Almost everything below the treeline is dark green splashed with silver, while the sky is darkening purple, save for the stars sprinkled about. Crickets are chirping, and far down below fireflies are dancing in the tall grasses.

As Akko begins to have more confidence in her abilities, she becomes more relaxed as she flies, leaning back slightly into Diana's embrace. Neither witch speaks for a while.

It's a magical evening to say the very least. The world is calm yet alive, mysterious and lovely. It feels like one of those nights where anything strange could happen but no one else would be around to see it; the fiery streak of a comet overhead, spirits dancing in the forests, the white flash of a unicorn...

Perhaps some of those things really do happen.

But Akko is only paying half of her attention to everything else.

She hugs Diana's arms with her own, angling her face back to kiss her cheek or her nose while still managing to control the broom.

She can tell how relaxed Diana is too. It isn't like the other times she'd tried to fly with her which had more or less been a bit perilous. No; this time Diana is at ease, her grip comfortable, her heartbeat slow. Akko turns back a little bit more so she can kiss her lips.

"Happy anniversary, Diana."

Diana rests their foreheads together.

"Happy anniversary, Akko. Here's to six more months."

"And then to our one-year anniversary after that!"

"Akko, six months from today is our one-year anniversary."

"Huh... oh yeah."

The two of them chuckle as their flight around campus continues. Akko straightens her posture with pride at how well she's doing, well enough to let Diana feel comfortable enough to close her eyes and rest a little. That's probably one of Akko's favorite things ever; making Diana feel safe enough to let her guard down.

Akko keeps flying, and now that she's not so nervous about it she's really getting the hang of it.

She takes them a little higher or lower depending on the air flow, arcing this way or that way depending on the scenery and the terrain. Akko's still getting used to the feeling of being the person flying the broom, and Diana is still getting used to being a passenger. It's rather nice to have a break from responsibilities for a little while and let someone else do the work.

But of course, being the dutiful young witch she is, she doesn't allow herself to get so caught up in the elation that she neglects to remember the time. When she next opens her eyes she glances up at the moon and sighs.

"Akko. Curfew is nearing. We will have to go back soon."

"Ehhhh? Able to tell the exact time based on the position of the moon. As expected of Diana."

Akko had wanted to keep flying all night. She certainly has the energy to. But maybe some other time.

For now she slowly arcs and brings them back toward Luna Nova, lowering them gradually until their shoes touch the ground.

Diana releases her grip as they finally come down and stand on their own once again.

Only now is it finally sinking in for Akko that she actually succeeded. She drops the broom only to throw both arms around Diana tightly.

"I did it! I really did it, Diana! I flew properly!"

"Indeed you did." Diana wraps her arms around Akko and kisses her again. Akko accepts that kiss before peppering more and more all across Diana's cheeks and forehead, making her refined girlfriend giggle softly.

"You know, Akko. It is not quite time for our curfew just yet." Diana crouches down in the grass and coaxes Akko with her. Akko plops down and leans up against her side.

"Really? Thank goodness! I don't wanna go in yet anyway."

"Nor do I."

They lean against each other and gaze out across the quiet silver campus. Flowers that only blossom in moonlight are opening up and unfurling their petals, orange fireflies are dancing through the blue grasses below, while white luna moths are flitting in the purple sky above.

Akko never knew there was so much color or light at nighttime.

The two young witches admire the scenery, breathing in the scent of the magical night for a while yet. Eventually, they find themselves kissing once again.

And Diana will never admit it, but they may have stayed out just a little past curfew.

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A/N: Generic stuff but I had to do it!

Final theme: Free day