Smile (ch10)

And of course I whipped up a little something for Akko's birthday and then LWA Anniversary!

Disclaimer: I do not own Little Witch Academia.

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														Chapter 10.

Diana has to admit she's more than a little surprised when she arrives with Hannah and Barbara to their first class of the morning to find that Akko and her team are already there.

Diana doesn't think her girlfriend has ever gotten to class before her. Hannah and Barbara are equally as puzzled.

"Am I like... dreaming?"

"Akko's here already?"

Diana stares across the room to where Akko, Lotte, and Sucy are all giggling and talking. Diana comments musingly.

"I do wonder what the momentous occasion is."

She composes herself and leads her group forward into the aisles to greet their companions. Akko's voice can be heard easily from halfway across the room.

"And then, and then! There was this huuuuuge mushroom-"

"Ahem," Diana clears her throat to get the girl's attention. "I must say had I not known any better I might think I were dreaming."

"Diana!" Akko jumps up from her seat immediately and throws her arms around her. The excitement and energy bubbling off of her is almost an absurd amount for so early in the morning, even for Akko. Diana blushes and gently paws the girl off.

"I-In any case, I am certainly surprised to see you here so early."

"Well yeah!" Akko twirls around, throwing her arms out like a propeller. "Today is a special occasion after all! I just couldn't stay in bed!"

Puzzled, Diana tilts her head.

"And what exactly, if I may ask, is today's special occasion?"

Her question causes Lotte and Sucy to share a puzzled glance, but they say nothing. Akko is the one who answers.

"Weeeell, y'see Diana, today is my birthday~!"

"...Eh?"

"Yeah! And even though it's a weekday and I have to spend it in class I figured might as well make the most of it, y'know? So I'm gonna try to be on time to everything today so I won't get in trouble and have detention on my birthday! Sucy even vowed not to do any weird experiments on me for the whole day!"

"She's actually being responsible for once!" Lotte chimes in.

"A special occasion indeed," Sucy pouts.

Diana says nothing. She can't believe what she's just heard, that today is her own girlfriend's birthday and she hadn't the slightest idea about it. She doesn't know what to do.

Akko is still beaming up at her almost expectantly, but before Diana can make herself act or speak, Hannah and Barbara go first.

"Wow! We didn't know!"

"Happy birthday, Akko!"

"Thanks!" She grins brightly enough to light up the whole room, and it makes everyone around her want to smile.

All except Diana. She can't. Not now that she understands she's let Akko down on her own birthday. She simply stands there, mouth half open, unsure of what to do.

Akko looks up at her happily as ever. Surely her own girlfriend would have a gift for her today. Diana feels her heart twist.

"Akko, I-"

But just then Professor Badcock enters the room and calls for everyone to take their seats. Akko simply grins up at her girlfriend.

"I'll see you later, Diana!"

Akko turns away to take her seat, and Diana longs to call her back. But for now she has to turn as well and walk slowly back to her own seat.

Throughout the class Diana is more or less silent, deliberating over her own carelessness more than focusing on the lecture. She can't think of anything she might be able to give Akko as a gift today. She knows for a fact she can't do nothing, not even if Akko wasn't her girlfriend. But since she is, Diana knows she has to do something – something special for Akko's special day.

She ponders all throughout class until the bell rings. True to her vow not to be late today, Akko and her team hurry out the door as quickly as they can. Diana turns to Hannah and Barbara and hastily tries to explain to them.

"Girls, I fear I will have to be going on ahead. I must talk to Akko."

"Sure, of course!"

"Go ahead, Diana!"

"Thank you." Diana leaves her school bag to them and hurries out the door before she can lose sight of Akko. The girl seems to be in a perpetually excellent mood, talking loudly and laughing all the while. Diana sets a quick pace to catch up to the trio.

"Akko?"

The brunette twirls around once again.

"Diana~!"

But in contrast to her exuberance, Diana can't meet her eyes out of shame.

"May I... have a word with you?"

"Huh? Sure thing! Lotte, Sucy, you guys go ahead!" She turns back to Diana, still grinning. "What'cha wanna talk about?"

Diana motions for her to come away from the main hustle and bustle of the hallway. She leads her to a quieter corner, still refusing to look her in the eye. Diana draws in a deep breath and tries her best not to let her voice wobble.

"Akko... I am terribly sorry. I had no idea today was your birthday. I... I haven't prepared anything for you by means of a present. I hadn't the slightest idea..."

"Huh? Nonono Diana, it's okay! I know that!"

"Eh?"

Akko reaches out to grab her girlfriend's hands, squeezing them with her own and finally coaxing Diana to look her in the eyes. Akko's permanent smile makes her heart throb.

"I said it's okay! I know you didn't know today was my birthday! I forgot to tell you actually. So of course I don't expect you to have a present for me or anything! So don't feel bad, Diana!"

Diana has to admit it's a massive relief to know Akko isn't hurt by this. But she still feels heavy with guilt.

"Even so... considering the nature of our relationship... I feel I should have something to offer you today. And yet..."

"Hey, I said it's okay, Diana! I don't need anything! I just don't want you to be sad, today of all days. Okay? Please don't be upset." Akko pulls Diana in for a soft hug, squeezing her back tightly. Diana sighs over her shoulder.

"Anything."

"Huh?"

"Anything," Diana repeats. "Ask anything of me today and I will make it happen, Akko. I promise."

"As expected of you, Diana!" Akko giggles. "So extravagant! But I don't need anything crazy! Just a kiss is fine by me!"

"A kiss?"

"Yeah! If that's okay!"

The two witches part from the embrace, with Akko still smiling and Diana still reserved and quiet. A kiss is all she's asking. But Diana doesn't want it to be a normal kiss. She wants it to be a kiss worthy of Akko's birthday.

"Very well," she agrees. "But not just yet. We must be off to class now or else you really will get a strike for being tardy."

"Uwaaah, you're right! Let's go!"

Akko keeps ahold of Diana's hand and scurries down the hall with her, pulling her into their next classroom a few seconds before the bell rings. Everyone smiles and chuckles at the sight of the couple, including Professor Ursula.

"All right girls, please take your seats."

Akko gives one last squeeze to Diana's hand before letting go.

They retreat to their assigned seats, where Diana begins to conjure up an idea for Akko's gift.

They make it through their morning classes until finally the lunch bell chimes. Akko makes it known she wants to eat cake for lunch and enjoy it outside in the courtyard today.

Diana Hannah and Barbara walk with Akko Lotte and Sucy to the cafeteria and are joined by Amanda's team and several other friends along the way. Of course Amanda slings an arm around Akko's shoulder and gives her side-hug, Jasna offers her some birthday cupcakes, and Constanze gives her a card signed by the entire team. Diana can't help but feel a bit jealous as the others get Akko all to themselves for a while.

In the cafeteria, they all pick out their food for lunch, with Akko selecting only sweets, before carrying their trays outside in the warm summer day. Amanda and Jasna slide together two picnic tables so there's room for everyone to sit together.

There are smiles and laughter all around as people wish Akko a happy birthday and offer her little sugary snacks. They sing the traditional happy birthday song to her and cast a few little spells of colorful confetti and dancing animals.

Diana sits across from her, and though she's smiling too, she keeps relatively quiet throughout it all. She waits until everyone else has finished, making sure she won't interrupt anyone when she finally makes her own move.

After about ten minutes everyone has taken their seats and started eating. Akko munches on a piece of cake, a slice of pie, and a cupcake. Diana makes her move right before Akko can start on more sweets and potentially give herself a stomachache. She stands up suddenly, abandoning her salad as she looks directly up into Akko's eyes.

"Akko. Please come with me."

"Eh? A-Ah, s-sure Diana!" She quickly scrambles away from the bench. "Be right back, guys!"

"Oooo~" Amanda grins. "Girlfriend's got her."

"This oughtta be good," Sucy agrees.

"Hush you two!" Lotte chides.

Everyone at their table watches quietly as Diana takes Akko by the hand and leads her away. As they go, they gain the attention of other students who are sitting and eating in the courtyard. Akko quickens her pace so she can walk next to her girlfriend.

"Diana? What's up?"

Diana keeps her eyes fixated ahead as she replies.

"As I am sure you are aware, not everyone in the school takes our relationship seriously. Many are in support of it, but there are those who look down on us for it. More specifically, they look down on you, Akko. They believe you would be a hinderance to me in some way. They believe you are not good enough."

"Y-Yeah, I know that. But it's okay! I don't pay attention to those people."

Diana halts and whirls around.

"It most certainly is not okay. Which is why I am going to silence those who may oppose us here and now."

"Huh? What do you-?"

But before Akko can finish her question, Diana has silenced her as well.

Diana kisses her here in the middle of Luna Nova's courtyard for all to see. No more secret kisses in the hallways or the back of the library. No more guilt or shame or fear of their feelings. She believes this is the best gift she can give Akko today.

And when Akko feels the passion of Diana's kiss, she understands.

Usually Diana is a bit timid when kissing her in public, or in place where they might be seen.

But now there is no hesitation, no uncertainty.

Akko smiles and kisses back, throwing both arms around Diana's shoulders. Diana pulls her in by the waist and doesn't relinquish.

They can both hear the gasps from the people around them, the comments of shock and disbelief. But more than that they can hear the squeals and the giggles, the dreamy sighs and words of support.

And then the applause.

They aren't quite sure who starts it, but it definitely comes from their table of friends. And before long the entire courtyard is cheering and clapping and whistling, shouting out words of congratulations.

At last Diana and Akko part, resting their foreheads together as they catch their breath. Akko has tears of joy in her eyes. Diana brushes their noses together.

"Happy birthday, Akko."

Akko hugs her as tightly as she can.

"Thanks, Diana!"

It was hands down the best birthday Akko's ever had.

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A/N: I can definitely see Akko asking for something simple like a kiss from Diana if they were dating~ She wouldn't care what Diana got her, so long as it was from her~