Everlasting (ch3)

2-DAY EARLY RELEASE FOR MY HIGH-PLEDGING PATRONS!

I'm glad you all understood the last chapter and why I wrote what I wrote. Akko would likely slip up and get too into it/go too far, since she's a bit impulsive. But maybe now she'll learn!

Disclaimer: I do not own Little Witch Academia.

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													Chapter 3. Victories Earned

As the weeks go by, Akko and Diana somehow get used to publicly putting up the same front as always, while privately showing their true feelings to one another.

At first, it's difficult for Diana to find breaks in her patrols or times when she's able to meet with Akko undetected and unsuspected. A lot of the time, they would only get a few minutes together at best, hidden behind some corner or within the garden bushes, just so they could kiss and hold one another and make the moment last for as long as possible.

But it never felt like enough for either of them. Seeing each other alone like that only made it hurt more to be apart afterward, it seemed.

Akko's mind would wander more than ever during her classes, because she'd either be daydreaming about the last time she'd been alone together with Diana, or fantasizing about the next time - whenever that might be.

At the very least, their acting got a lot better. They continued glaring and grunting at one another whenever their teammates were nearby, muttering comments and offering unimpressed glances. But when they were sure no one else was watching, they'd smile at one another. All in all, they eventually started to get the hang of their unique new relationship.

But of course, there weren't just everyday classes to mull through.

When the broom relay came around, Diana put on her confident face while Akko pouted and grumbled. They'd sworn ahead of time that they'd both try their utmost best in the relay, and wouldn't 'let' the other win.

Diana had tried not to laugh when she'd watched Akko take off frog-hopping on her broom.

She'd kept an eye on Akko as much as she could, and she was glad she did, otherwise she wouldn't have been able to catch her during her perilous fall off the legendary broom. She'd eased Akko to the ground and left her with a brief kiss and the advice to withdraw from the race and get herself treated before taking off.

And of course, Akko had continued anyway. Diana would have been more surprised if she hadn't.

They'd each given it their all, flown as quickly and as hard as they could. Due to Akko's unfortunate circumstances, Diana had happened to pass the finish line first, but she'd only lingered there for a second before arcing back around to catch Akko in her lap before she could hit the ground.

With the crowds cheering and applauding so loudly at the time, only Akko had been able to hear Diana's apology. But Akko had shaken her head and smiled, told her she'd deserved to win.

However, Diana still doesn't believe that, even now.

It's the night after the conclusion of the relay, and Diana's just spent a moment staring at her own team's picture in the display case. Professor Ursula had come by and brought up Akko, which had naturally made Diana smile before she'd headed off to meet with that very person.

Akko is waiting for her a few corridors away. Diana can already see the end of her skirt and a lock of her hair around the next corner. She checks over her shoulder just one more time before hurrying to her. Grabbing Akko's hand, she slips into the side hallway with her. Akko perks up immediately and squeezes her hand back.

"Diana! You made it!"

"My apologies for being tardy. I had a brief conversation with Professor Ursula."

"That's okay. I'm just glad you made it." Without waiting another second, Akko pulls Diana into a big relieved hug, sighing and nuzzling against her shoulder. "Today was a lot of fun! Don't you think?"

But Diana doesn't give a direct answer. Conflicted, she pulls herself away from the embrace, her eyes traveling up Akko's person. There are still a few band-aids on her hands and cheeks from when she'd fallen off her broom before Diana had been there to catch her.

"Akko... are you all right?"

"Huh? Yeah, I'm fine! These are just scratches, Diana. Would've been a lot worse if you hadn't been there to catch me!"

Diana offers a relieved smile, but it only lasts briefly before fading once again. Akko pats her arm softly. "Diana? What's wrong? You won the race! You should be happy!"

Diana knows this. She knows she should be happy about her victory. But she just... isn't.

"I am not sure..."

Akko bites her lip. She's seen Diana upset before, but not quite in this manner.

"H-Hey! If you hadn't come to save me, you would've finished the race even more quickly! Technically, you're actually a couple minutes faster than the papers say!"

Diana is aware that Akko is trying to cheer her up. But she can't bring herself to smile.

"Actually, had you not fallen off, you would have won, Akko. You were pulling ahead of me far more often than not. You should have won this race..." Diana clenches a fist into the fabrics of her skirt. "I... I want to tell the professors to change the results. I want to tell them how you should have won."

"W-What?!" Akko quickly starts flailing her arms around. "N-No, Diana, y-you don't have to do that! It's fine that I didn't win! I can try again next year and get my picture next to Chariot's then! B-Besides, I wasn't really fast. My broom was!"

"But without a skilled-enough rider, that broom would never have been able to stay on-course and fly as it did. You should not undermine yourself, Akko."

"Waaah, fine! B-But you can't give up your win Diana!" Akko takes both of Diana's hands in hers now and looks up at her with earnest eyes. "I know your family expected you to win this, right? S-So you can't just give it up now! You earned this, Diana."

"But so did you." Diana looks away again.

Akko knows Diana will never fully accept this victory. It will only ever make her feel guilty to look upon her photo in that display case.

Akko is at a loss. She still isn't very good at this kind of thing. She grew up - and is still essentially living - in an entirely different world than Diana, at least from a social status standpoint. She doesn't know if there's anything she can do to help. All she can think to do is pull Diana close.

"Diana, it's okay. I'm glad that you won. This is better for you."

"But... you deserved it..."

"Diana..." Akko can tell she's doing her absolute best not to cry. She's never seen Diana cry before. She isn't sure if she'll be able to handle it. "No, no, no..." Akko squeezes her a little tighter. "Don't be upset, Diana. It's okay." She can feel the little hiccups working their way through Diana's chest now. Akko knows all she can do for her is be her place to hide.

So she stays with her, hugging her and cajoling her for as long as Diana needs it. She doesn't want her to feel guilty about this. Because Diana earned it fair and square.

Diana doesn't see it that way. But she's just grateful for Akko's understanding.

Somewhere along the lines, Diana manages to return the embrace. She swallows back against the tears, not allowing any more to fall.

"I am sorry, Akko..."

"I told you, you don't have to be." Akko eases back enough to kiss her cheek, then she brushes her nose over Diana's. "Like I said, I had a lot of fun today! And that's what all of this is about, right? So in some way, I really did win!"

Sighing, Diana pulls Akko in again, resting her chin on the other girl's shoulder. She's so relieved Akko is this forgiving – this excited and accepting of the day's events.

For a few minutes longer, they hold one another in that secret little corridor. Only when Diana has gotten control over her emotions does she finally allow Akko to see her face again. Akko can tell that her cheeks are a little red though. So she gently reaches up and brushes her thumbs beneath Diana's eyes. Diana finally manages to meet Akko's gaze.

"Are you... certain you are not upset?"

"You're the only one who's upset, Diana."

Akko leans herself forward and bumps her lips gently against Diana's, trying to give her something else to think about. Diana only kisses back a little bit, but it's enough. Akko gives her one last squeeze before she lets her go.

"I gotta get going," she mumbles. "B-But let me know whenever you're free again, Diana."

The white-haired witch dips her head.

"I will."

"I'm gonna miss you until then..."

"As will I."

Akko leaves one last lingering kiss on her classmate's lips before she scurries off around the corner. Diana waits for a few minutes before she struts back into the hallway.

That night, it's more difficult than ever for her to fall asleep alone.

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A/N: Another shorter chapter, but don't worry, they will start to get longer soon. As you can tell, this is about time-linked to episode 3 now, so you have a feel of where we are in the canon.