Smile (ch13)

Another Sudianakko reward!

Disclaimer: I do not own Little Witch Academia.

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														Chapter 13.

Considering the fact that Akko now has two girlfriends, everyone knew it was only a matter of time before she requested the inevitable – a sleepover.

She'd been complaining how Sucy never let her sleep in the same bed in their team dorm room, once she'd gotten past Sucy's teases of experimenting on her while she slept.

But Akko can become rather clingy with people she cares for, and even more so with people she dates, evidently. She'd been begging to sleep next to Sucy just once for weeks already, and being shot down for that was the first straw, while never even getting to be in the same room as her other girlfriend during nighttime hours was the second.

Apparently it only took two straws to break Akko.

So naturally one day, in the middle of a lecture, she blurted out without thinking: "A sleepover!" and then promptly received a scolding for calling out and not paying attention. But once Akko had recovered from the chastisement, both hers and Diana's teams crowded around her after class.

"Honestly," Diana sighs. "I know you are rather impulsive, er- perhaps passionate is a better word. However that does not excuse calling out so foolishly in the middle of class."

"I know, I know! I said I was sorry! I just got so excited! Isn't a sleepover a great idea?!"

"I suppose," Diana murmurs. "If it is your problem we are trying to solve."

"Aww, so does that mean you and Sucy don't wanna sleep with me?" Her loud-mouthed comment draws the attention of several passing students, and everyone in the group blushes.

"Akko!" Diana chides. "Please think about your words before you speak them!"

"S-Sorry..."

"But anyway-!" Lotte interjects. "While you were getting lectured, the rest of us had a little chat."

"We agreed!" Barbara reveals. "Hannah and I can spend the night with Lotte in your guys' room. I've been needing to catch up on chatting with her about Nightfall anyway."

"And," Hannah adds. "Being around them so much when they gab on and on about it... I've kinda gotten into it too..." she admits.

Diana nods.

"As such, the girls have agreed that they'll swap rooms with you and Sucy for the night. If those terms would be agreeable-"

"Yes!" Akko squeaks, throwing her arms around Diana all at once. "Yes, yes, yes! A million-thousand times yes!"

"There is no such number-"

"Thank you guys!" Akko releases Diana and then whirls around to the only person of the group who has remained silent. "Sucy! Isn't this great? We can finally sleep togeth- I-I mean share a bed! With Diana, too!"

Sucy only shrugs.

"Good for you."

Akko's smile drops.

"Huh? Sucy-"

But before Akko can investigate further, Diana speaks up again to get everyone's attention.

"Very well. Then it's decided. I shall put in a request to the Headmistress for the arrangements tonight. Being it is Friday evening and we do not have classes tomorrow, we should be approved. Thank you all for your cooperation, ladies. Now if you'll excuse me, I've got preparations to make."

With a slight bow and curtsey, she takes her leave, and after a few more excited words with Lotte, Hannah and Barbara follow. Before Akko can say another word to Sucy, the other witch is already slinking off.

"Sucy..."

But before she can do anything more, Lotte speaks up from beside her.

"Isn't this great, Akko? Everyone agreed to this for you!"

"Huh? Y-Yeah! I'm really glad! But Sucy seems..."

"Hm? Oh, yeah. I bet she isn't used to this kind of thing..."

"But she's been on the same bed as Diana and me before back when I was sick. So why doesn't she wanna be now...?"

Lotte smiles and gives her friend a pat on the shoulder.

"Just talk to her, Akko."

"Y-Yeah... guess I should..." Akko scurries ahead after her teammate. "Sucyyyy! Wait a second!" She calls after her all the way back to their dorm, at which point Sucy slips in and then slams the door in Akko's face, making her squeak. "D-Did I do something wrong? It's kinda hard to talk to her when she's like this..."

As she's muttering, the door opens again, and Akko jumps back. Sucy emerges with a packed bag and gives her a curious look.

"Well? Are you gonna pack or what?"

All of Akko's worries melt away in an instant, and a big grin spreads across her face.

"Yeah!"

So Akko packs her needed clothes and supplies for the night away as well, hopeful that Sucy is beginning to enjoy the idea of a sleepover with her girlfriends.

They meet Diana's team at supper where Diana confirms their request has been approved. Shortly after the meal, Hannah and Barbara show up at the Red Team's room to swap places with Akko and Sucy. Akko doesn't leave without giving Lotte a big hug.

"Bye, Lotte! I'll miss you!"

"It's only one night, Akko. But I'll miss you, too. And you, Sucy."

Sucy just shrugs.

"Just make sure they don't touch any of my stuff."

"No!" Barbara yelps.

"We won't!" Hannah assures.

Before long, Akko and Sucy are off to Diana's suite, Sucy at her usual gait and Akko skipping.

"I can't wait~! This is gonna be so much fun~!"

"Yeah."

Akko frowns. She isn't sure if Sucy isn't interested or if she's just being her usual self. The brunette fumbles for words.

"B-But, uh, y-y'know, Sucy? If you're not comfortable with it or something, you don't have to-"

"Stop blabbing. We're here."

Akko hadn't even noticed they'd covered the distance so quickly. She's torn between her feelings of excitement and her concern for Sucy, but her teammate's glare compels her to knock.

"Diana? It's us."

"Come in. I've just finished preparing the tea."

As expected of Diana, she's cleaned the already immaculate room and prepared fresh tea. There are warm, flower-scented candles all about the room with a few plates of small sandwiches and finger foods at the main table by the couches. Akko only takes a second to marvel at things, though. She drops her bag and rushes to Diana, hugging her and kissing her energetically.

"We're here!"

"I've noticed." Diana kisses Akko's cheek, then peers past her to the quieter parter of their trio. "Welcome, Sucy." She gently paws Akko away and opens her arms to the other witch, keeping true to her word of trying to get along with Sucy exclusively.

It seems Sucy hasn't forgotten either. She doesn't make eye contact, but she slips in close to Diana and leaves a chilly kiss on her cheek. Diana is both flustered and flattered by the action.

"P-Please help yourselves..."

"Thanks for having us..."

Akko has already begun chowing down on the snacks as the other two recover from the pleasant awkwardness. Sucy and Diana takes seats on either side of Akko. Both are thankful for the chatty brunette to dissuade any potential silence.

"This is already so much fun you guys! I can't believe we get to have a sleepover together! I'll try not to snore! I swear!"

Diana chuckles.

"Yes, please do."

Even Sucy adds on.

"If you end up snoring, there won't be any sleep at this sleepover."

And just like that, the three witches forget about any remaining awkwardness for the time being. As usual, Akko dispels any such feelings with her personality, inventing games for them to play both with and without magic.

They create images in the air with their wands and fuse them to see what they can create, often laughing at the results.

After that, they get dressed into their sleep clothes and turn on the TV to watch documentaries about magical plants. Akko is mostly freaked out, while Diana tries to take mental notes about anything she didn't already know. And of course Sucy's aura is burning with a quiet passion.

They eat and chat and relax against one another for a while. But for someone introverted like Sucy, she begins to feel the effects of it all rather quickly. She stands up before the show about plants is even over.

"I'm gonna sleep."

"Huh?" Akko whines. "Already? It's not even midnight!"

"Akko, let her rest." Diana gets up to escort Sucy around the bookshelf to Diana's very own bed. "You may read any of these books, if you'd like."

"Thanks. I'll think about it."

The two of them fall silent again for a moment, hidden behind the shelves. Diana gives her an imploring look of request, and Sucy turns her face slightly. Diana leaves another small kiss on her cheek.

"I shall do my best to keep Akko quiet so you can rest."

"It's fine. Let her have her fun."

Diana dips her head coyly before taking her leave.

Sucy shuffles over to the bed. She tries not to think of it as Diana's bed, but just as any normal bed.

But even she gets a little flustered when she lies down on the mattress. She hadn't known how to feel about these sleepover arrangements, but she had more or less enjoyed herself this evening. And she has to admit she is sort of looking forward to the other two joining her eventually.

She still remembers the time they'd sat together when Akko had been sick. Akko's natural warmth matched her innate magical passion, so it was actually rather pleasant to be around her if she kept her mouth shut.

And Sucy can remember the feeling of Diana's hand on hers, their fingers laced together in a cautious but comfortable fashion. She can still feel the kiss lingering on her cheek now.

She's never felt like this toward anyone before, let alone two people at once. It's all still so strange and challenging to get used to...

On the other side of the bookshelf, Diana returns to Akko on the couch. Akko opens her arms and hugs Diana as she sits down, snuggling up into her side.

"How's Sucy?" she asks. "She didn't seem sick or anything, right?"

"No." Diana pets gently through Akko's hair. "She just seemed tired. Which is understandable. I believe it could be a bit overwhelming for her in this kind of situation."

"Yeah..." Akko sighs, burying her face into Diana's shoulder. "I was really excited for tonight, but I think I was just pushing my feelings onto her again... Just because I'm excited for it doesn't mean she has to be. I hope I didn't pressure her or anything..."

"Akko. I believe we both know that Sucy is a witch who will speak her mind without concern for consequence. If she truly did not want to join us tonight, she would not have."

"Yeah... You're right." Akko eases back a little, giving Diana a nervous look. "S-Should we let her stay there and we sleep somewhere else? I don't wanna stifle her, y'know? She did seem kinda reluctant to come, I think..."

"Akko." Diana tucks a bit of hair behind the girl's ear and dips down to kiss her forehead. "Don't you think that would make her feel left out? Let us join her, and if she expresses she wishes to be alone, we can go. But if we make assumptions by ourselves, we could very well end up hurting her."

Akko whimpers.

"I know... I just... that's the last thing I want, Diana! I don't wanna hurt Sucy. Or you. Or anyone..."

This time Diana pulls her in fully for a firm embrace.

"Akko, you could never hurt a fly. Not with that thoughtful heart of yours."

Akko sighs and clings to her back.

"I hope so..."

On the other side of the bookshelf, Sucy lies staring at the ceiling, trying to figure herself out. She can't hear exactly what the others are saying, but she can just make out the murmurs of their voices.

She imagines the two of them cuddling up and kissing, enjoying themselves much more without her than with her.

Sometimes she wonders what she's doing, why she ever thought liking Akko would be a good idea, let alone Diana. She never thought romance would be for her, and now she has two girlfriends.

Sometimes, it doesn't feel like she deserves them. After all, she doesn't have the greatest personality, she's often harsh with her words and petty with her actions, and not very likable in general, even by her own standards.

It's frustrating to think about. She doesn't want to think about it, but now she suddenly can't stop.

She turns over, ignoring the droplet that slips down her cheek in the process.

"They're probably better off without me anyway..."

That's mostly why she hadn't been as thrilled about this sleepover idea as she could have tried to be. Akko and Diana are fine together. They don't need her...

Her mind doesn't stop hurling cruel thoughts at her for a while, preventing her from any salvation in slumber.

Only when her sleeve is damp from wiping her face, and she feels she's just shy of unconsciousness does she stop tossing. She hears the other two tiptoeing around the bookshelf, Akko quietly asking if Sucy is asleep and Diana gently warning not to wake her if she is.

Sucy feels her stomach twist. She feels like she shouldn't share a bed with them after all, like she should get up and tell them she's going back to her own room.

She's just mustering up her nerve to sit up and face them when she hears Akko approach.

"Waah, she looks so cold all by herself! This is why I wanted to have a sleepover! She always sleeps like she's in some old coffin all by herself and it kills me, Diana! I thought maybe if we were with her she'd be able to relax and sleep a little easier..."

Diana keeps her tone a good amount lower than Akko's.

"You don't think she'll feel like we're smothering her? It won't be too much?"

"I think she'll be okay...? Gah, I dunno!"

"Keep your voice down."

"Sorry!"

"In any case, let us lie with her. As you said, I think it would be rather nice for all of us to be together for once. It may very well be the best chance I get to be closer to Sucy. I don't share a room with her like you do, after all."

And as they whisper all about her, Sucy listens. She listens to the genuine concern in Akko's voice, and the cautious longing in Diana's. They've both been nervous about their relationship with her as much as Sucy has been. It's all simply a matter of trying not to make assumptions about personal boundaries, and sometimes it's a little too awkward to ask outright.

They're all in the same boat here. Thinking she didn't deserve them was unfair of Sucy, and she realizes that now.

She feels the mattress shift as Diana carefully sits down beside her and lies down, while Akko more or less plops down on the other side. Akko is the one who covers them all with blankets and then wraps her arm around Sucy in a loose hug.

"I hope she had at least a little bit of fun with us tonight..."

"I do as well..." Diana sighs, sounding equally as troubled.

Unlike Akko who is much more used to Sucy's presence, Diana seems a bit more hesitant to make contact with her, especially when she's sleeping.

The knot in Sucy's stomach has dissipated as if by magic, but it was no spell at all. Just hearing them talking about her, she can understand their feelings very well. Emotions and empathy had never been her strongest point, but maybe this is a new chapter that can help her learn.

So, still feigning sleep, she lets out a yawn and stretches out both arms, which she drapes conveniently around each of her girlfriends. Diana makes a cute surprised sound while Akko chuckles and snuggles closer up against Sucy.

"Let's try going to the gardens with her tomorrow," Akko whispers.

Even Diana eventually relaxes and gets comfortable on Sucy's other side, resting one arm across her side.

"That sounds nice. I think she would enjoy it."

She will, Sucy muses to herself. She feels Akko lean over her slightly to give Diana a kiss, then pecks Sucy's cheek as well. Diana shyly does the same. The two witches finally settle and close their eyes.

Sucy opens hers and smiles, pulling them each a little closer.

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A/N: I hope it didn't feel too rushed! I still went over the word limit and I think it was a little quick... oh well.