Matters Of The Heart (ch2)

EARLY RELEASE FOR HIGHER-PLEDGING PATRONS!

Reminder that this is fanfiction, and it takes place at a magical school, so please forgive me if my descriptions of medical procedures and whatnot are horribly inaccurate (I know they are, but the point of this story is Diana and Akko's bond, not that stuff haha).

Disclaimer: I do not own Little Witch Academia.

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													Chapter 2. Anger

It all still feels like a dream. All of it.

Akko can still see the images of the sorcerer prowling in the shadows.

She can still see his poison-tipped tail striking out and piercing Diana through the chest.

She can still see Diana collapsing.

Smell her blood.

Taste her fear.

Hear her strangled breaths.

Feel her heart stopping-

Akko wakes with a jolt and finds herself in the very same position she'd fallen asleep in last night. She's at Diana's bedside, just as she often is when dawn arrives.

The room is quiet and glowing faintly gold. The same sound fills her ears – the familiar beeping of the heart monitor, following the same pattern it's kept all week. Even this still feels like a dream.

Akko lifts her head wearily, fingers curling in between Diana's. She's not even sure if what happened last night... really even happened. It easily could have been a dream...

She really hopes it wasn't.

Akko rubs her eyes with her free hand, then looks over Diana. She's breathing the same as always. Her heart's beating the same as always. Her eyes are closed as always.

/It... It was real... right...?/

But as if to reassure her, their nurse enters a moment later with a smile on her face. She ensures Akko it was all very real. She isn't sure when Diana might wake again, but for now, she helps Akko back to her own bed and brings breakfast for her.

Nurse Isabella sits beside her as she eats, and proposes an idea to Akko. She wonders if Akko will be willing to help Diana through her recovery.

Akko can't chew and swallow quickly enough before blurting out "Y-Yes!"

The nurse believes Diana will be much calmer if it is Akko helping her, rather than a nurse like herself. The things she is asking of Akko are very basic, and do no require any specialized skills. Therefore, she gives Akko a breakdown of what she would like her to try doing once Diana wakes up again.

Akko listens diligently all the while, the determined spark in her eyes never fading for a second. It's all easy enough. She knows she can handle it.

"And should you need any assistance," the woman concludes. "I will be in my office."

"Okay." Akko nods, her eyes unwavering.

The nurse takes the empty food tray and leaves her be.

As soon as she's gone, Akko is out of bed. She picks up the change of clothes Nurse Isabella had left at the foot of her bed, and hurries into the private bathroom as quickly as she can.

She's only been doing the bear minimum for personal care this past week. She'd bathed yesterday morning and brushed her teeth in the afternoon.

But now, she's too anxious to get back to Diana. She brushes her teeth for only a few seconds before wrestling her way out of her old clothes and into the fresh t-shirt and shorts. She ignores her ruffled bedhead of hair and dashes back out into the bedroom.

Nothing has changed. Diana is still asleep.

Akko takes her usual seat at her side, picks up her hand, and waits.

She falls into her usual routine, counting the beats of the pulse in Diana's wrist and comparing them to the sounds of the heart monitor. She anticipates the extra beat and gets it right every time.

For a while, she sits in silence this way, willing Diana to open her eyes once again. She reaches out with one hand to comb her fingers through Diana's hair. The nurse had brushed it yesterday when she'd washed Diana and changed her clothes for her. As such, her hair is soft now, but still a little ashen.

When Akko next blinks, she sees red.

With a gasp, she snaps herself out of it, and the sheets turn white once again.

It's been haunting her ever since. And she doesn't think it'll ever stop.

The only comfort in all of this is that Diana is still with her.

Akko's not sure how much time passes before she hears that slight alteration in the heart monitor again. She perks up immediately, tightening her hold on Diana's hand. Her eyelids are trembling in a familiar manner. Akko cheers her on in a whisper.

"Come on, Diana. You can do it..."

It takes less time now than it had last night.

Diana opens her eyes with a little less effort now, and recognizes her surroundings right away. Akko lets out a squeak of relief.

"Diana! You're awake!"

Diana turns her head only a bit, but just that much makes her wince. Akko touches the side of her neck gingerly.

"Don't move too much. The nurse told me what I can do to help you, s-so we can start that once you're ready. But first you should just... just breathe."

It's a request she's made of Diana many times already, and one she'll continue to make of her.

Diana obliges and remains still, though she never takes her eyes off of Akko.

And Akko can't help but start crying all over again.

Because Diana doesn't need words in order to tell her what she's feeling.

/I am so glad you are all right. Please do not blame yourself for what happened. None of this is your fault./

Akko can read it clearly in her eyes.

But she's not sure if she believes all of it. She doesn't know if she'll ever be able to forgive herself for being unable to prevent this.

But at least for now, she pushes the thoughts away.

Once she's quieted herself down, she looks back to Diana. She is as calm and collected as ever, in spite of her condition. Akko sniffles and tries out a smile.

"Are you... ready?"

Diana blinks slowly to give her consent.

"O-Okay..." Akko stutters. "S-So the first thing we have to do is... try to help your body remember how to breathe on its own. Without the mask thing. But it'll be easier if you can sit up straight. So let's try that."

Akko stands, but hesitates, almost scared to touch her anymore than she has been. A small idea forms in her mind. She slips one hand beneath Diana's and explains.

"I-If it hurts too much, just squeeze my hand and we'll stop. Okay?"

Diana blinks once more. Akko steels herself.

"Okay... Okay. I'm gonna try to help you sit up..."

Leaving her left hand beneath Diana's, she slowly slips her right under Diana's shoulders.

This is the first time Diana will be moving at all since everything happened. Akko's nervous to make contact with her back. She can still remember the feeling of the hole between Diana's shoulder blades, the blood spilling out...

Akko takes in another deep breath and proceeds with the utmost caution and care.

Carefully, with featherlight touch, she slides her hand beneath her classmate's back and spreads her fingers. She can tell Diana is trying with all her might not to react. But she flinches the second Akko's hand brushes over the wound. Involuntarily, her fingers curl into Akko's palm.

Akko freezes immediately.

"S-Sorry-!" she whimpers. "Sorry..." She kisses the top of Diana's head in apology.

She waits for several minutes, until Diana isn't quite so tense anymore. When they're both ready, Akko continues.

She tightens the muscles in her arm before bracing Diana's weight against the crook of her elbow. She moves with extreme slowness, adjusting the pillows behind her back into a firmer, sturdier cushion of support. Akko helps her slide back and lean herself against them.

And Diana does her best not to let the pain get to her.

But just sitting upright is enough to make her dizzy. She can feel every organ and bone in her body shifting. Her lungs ache despite the mask, and her heart begins to thud dully against her ribs. She squeezes Akko's hand again, just as Akko hears the change in her pulse.

"Okay, okay..." she whispers. "That's all for now, Diana. We did it." She's managed to get Diana upright and secure against the pillows. Akko keeps the hand on her back in place just so she can rub her shoulders. "Take it easy. We just need to do this s-so your lungs can get used to it. That's all."

She can feel Diana's heart even through her back. That, combined with the sharpness of her bones makes Akko sob.

/She's so thin.../

In addition to all the blood she had lost, the nurse had also explained that the dragon's tail had been tipped with poison. Though the professors had managed to purge it from Diana's system, there will still inevitably be aftereffects because of it.

On top of having been comatose for a week, Diana had lost most of the blood in her body, suffered a collapsed lung, nearly-lethal poisoning, and as a result has been given a permanent repercussion affecting her heart.

/It's not fair... She doesn't deserve any of this... I wish it could be me.../

As she cries, she soon feels Diana's nails rubbing against her skin. Akko instantly looks to her.

"W-What is it? Wh-What did I-?"

But Diana makes it clear to her that she's not doing it because she's in pain this time. Her sharp blue eyes say it all.

She knows Akko's blaming herself, and she doesn't want her to.

Akko can't think of anything else to do other than apologize.

"I'm... sorry..."

For several minutes, she just cries. All the while, Diana rubs her fingers over the back of her hand.

Once Akko has finally composed herself again, she carefully slips her hand away from Diana's back.

"If you get uncomfortable like this, just let me know. If it gets bad, I'll call for the nurse."

Diana blinks in understanding. Now that they are both ready, Akko decides they should try to continue.

"Okay. It should be a little easier for you to breathe like this, s-so... I'm gonna help you take off your mask. You can try to breathe by yourself for as long as you can. Do you think you can try it?"

This time, Diana manages to dip her chin in a nod. Akko smiles a little.

"Okay. Then if you're ready..." She reaches out to touch the mask over Diana's mouth. "W-When you need it back, just squeeze my hand again, okay?"

With that, she slowly pulls the mask away.

The rush of air that's been filling Diana's lungs for her all this time suddenly vanishes.

Diana had thought she'd be prepared for it.

But as soon as it's gone, she chokes.

She...

She doesn't remember how to breathe.

She can't.

Terrified, she squeezes Akko's hand as tightly as she can.

Akko doesn't need the signal to know it's too much for her all at once. She sees the fear in Diana's eyes, feels it in the jolt that shoots through her back, hears it in the frantic beeping of her heart. Akko puts the mask back to her lips right away.

"Okay, okay! T-Take it easy! It's okay!"

As soon as the oxygen is back in her lungs, Diana closes her eyes and concentrates on it. Akko lets out a whimper that's ridden with guilt, and rubs her back slowly.

"Sorry... s-sorry, Diana..."

Diana loosens her grip on the other girl's hand, trying to convey to Akko there's nothing she needs to apologize for. If anything, Diana herself feels guilty for not being strong enough to even remember how to do something as basic as this.

Akko just continues rubbing her back, though she's sure to avoid Diana's wound. Rather than stand now, Akko sits on the bed beside her and positions Diana's hand on her knee instead. This allows Akko to use both hands to assuage the pain.

She mirrors the hand on Diana's back by placing the other on her collar, well away from where the exit wound is still healing. With soft motions, she massages the base of Diana's throat and the tops of her shoulders. She rests her forehead against hers, and murmurs her usual plea.

"Breathe... breathe..."

She waits a while. The monitor says Diana's pulse has returned to normal by now, but Akko doesn't listen to that.

She can still feel Diana's heart for herself, slamming against her chest and back. The arrhythmia gets even worse when her heart rate increases like this. She waits until it slows, and becomes less intense.

Eventually, Diana rubs Akko's knee, telling her she is ready to try again. Now that she's tried it once, Diana knows she is prepared for it.

Akko eases herself back and meets her eyes sternly.

"Are you sure?"

Diana nods.

Gulping, Akko consents.

"All right. Just try one breath, okay? Just one."

Once again, she moves the mask away.

This time, Diana is ready. Rather than let her body shut down without the use of the machine, she forces it to remember how to do this on its own. Manually, she inhales a deep breath.

But a sharp, poignant pain stabs at her chest without warning. It feels as though a burning spike has been driven through one of her lungs.

Akko replaces the mask instantly.

"Y-You did it, Diana! That's good, th-that's enough. Easy..."

Diana's heart is going wild all over again. It takes ten minutes for her pulse to calm down, but only a single second for it to go out of control.

Akko knows they can't keep doing this. Not right now.

The beeping on the monitor is ringing in her ears, as if yelling at her for putting Diana through so much agony. Her breathing is desperate and labored once again, and her chest heaves beneath Akko's palm.

"S-Shhh..." Akko brushes their noses together and kisses her cheek. "Breathe..."

After a few more minutes, everything is back to normal. Akko wipes her eyes. "Th-That's enough," she decides. "We can't do anymore right now-"

She cuts off when Diana curls her nails into her knee. Her blue eyes are filled with conviction, a fierce determination to keep going.

Akko shakes her head.

"D-Diana... you..."

It is now Akko realizes Diana doesn't even know the extent of her own injuries. Perhaps if her condition is made clear to her, she will see things more rationally. Though it pains her to do so, Akko tells her the truth.

"Diana... you've been... unconscious for a week. You haven't eaten o-or breathed properly for a week. You... You got poisoned, y-you lost so much blood... Your lungs and heart are so weak... You need more time to recover..."

To her relief, Diana listens to everything. Now that she knows all that's affecting her, she seems to think it all over.

But Akko's relief turns to dismay when Diana gives her that same look again.

/I want to keep going./

Akko lets out a broken whine.

"D-Diana... Your heart... your heart is so weak... you can't... I can't... I can't let you..."

But she can feel Diana's trademark stubbornness in the curve of her nails, just as clearly as she can see it in her eyes.

One more try. That's all she's asking.

Akko sobs and leans herself closer, hugging Diana as best she can, and as lightly as possible. She kisses her forehead and holds her for another minute.

"Okay..." Easing back, she touches the mask once again. "Ready...?"

Another blink.

Akko moves the mask again.

Diana doesn't inhale with as much force as she had previously. She doesn't allow her lungs to expand anymore than is necessary. Slowly, deeply, she draws in a breath, then lets it out.

Akko is admittedly stunned. She watches, listens to, and feels Diana breathe – once, twice, then three times, all on her own. Only after the third exhale does her breath tremble, and Akko slips the mask back into place. Diana's heart rate has increased again, but not half as badly as last time.

Relief floods through Akko's veins as she wraps her arms around her again.

"Y-You did it, Diana! Thank goodness..."

The major success in wake of the previous scares make her feel immensely better.

Diana is proud of herself as well. She just wishes she could return the embrace. But she can barely breathe, let alone lift her arms.

For now, all she can do is relish Akko's touch. The brunette is barely making contact at all, no doubt worried that too much pressure on any part of Diana's body could cause her more pain.

Diana longs for the times when they were able to hug one another without limitations. She knows it will be a while before they can have that again.

Now, both girls are reassured that they can continue with this process. When they're ready, Akko removes Diana's mask for her again.

She gets in five breaths the next time, then eight, and then ten. Akko never lets her wait longer than a second before giving her the mask back. She gets a feeling for what Diana can manage, and is always prepared to help her before she chokes again.

Somewhere along the lines, Akko's tears become tears of joy again. She is sure to give Diana long breaks in between, during which time she hugs her and presses kisses to her brow and temples.

After about half an hour of this, Diana can breathe on her own for close to thirty seconds.

It is at this point when she decides it's time to make an effort at finding her voice.

Once Akko removes the mask this time, Diana braces herself. She inhales steadily, then conjures her voice up from the back of her acrid throat. The sound that's produced is pitiful at best, nothing more than a rasp.

"Ah... haa..."

Akko freezes in shock. She hadn't been expecting Diana to try and speak. She's not sure how that might affect her breathing, so Akko frantically offers her the mask again.

"H-Hold on, Diana! Y-You shouldn't-!"

But Diana turns her face away from the mask. She tries again, and lifts her gaze to lock with hers.

"Ah... kko..."

Finally.

Finally, she can say her name again.

A rush of emotion wells up behind Akko's eyes and spills over, leaking down her cheeks all over again.

"D... Diana..."

With a trembling hand, Akko cups the side of Diana's face. The white-haired witch sighs and leans into her palm.

"Akko..."

It feels surreal. Akko can barely believe what she's hearing, seeing, feeling...

But the moment passes as quickly as it came. She can feel Diana's chest starting to heave again, and her heartbeat becomes faster. Akko swiftly puts the mask back into place for her.

But she can't stop smiling now.

Hearing her voice again... after so long...

All week, she's only heard Diana's struggling breaths.

But her voice...

Gosh, she's missed it so much.

Akko hugs her again, as softly as she can, and as tightly as she dares.

After that, Akko decides to call in the nurse. She explains the progress Diana has made, which impresses the woman significantly. Nurse Isabella requests Akko give them some privacy as she checks Diana over now.

Akko sits on her bed on the other side of the curtain and waits.

/She's gonna be okay.../

It will take time. It might feel grueling.

But Akko's going to stay with her through it all.

Through every second.

By the time the nurse pulls the curtain aside and emerges, Diana's eyes are closed once again. Before Akko can fret, the woman explains.

"I've given her something to make her sleep until tomorrow. After being in a coma, her body isn't used to being awake for so long. She was dehydrated as well, so I administered more supplements for her after she was asleep. I also gave her another dose of painkillers. She'll need that for a while yet." She pats Akko on the back. "You did extremely well with her today, Miss Kagari. Please help me with her again tomorrow."

"Y-Yes! Of course!"

With Diana asleep now, Akko eats her supper, cleans herself up a bit, and decides to sleep early. She kisses Diana's forehead once before retreating to her own bed.

She's so excited and still a little nervous about today's events, so she doesn't fall asleep right away.

But when she does, she sleeps deeply.

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Akko wakes at dawn again, and drags herself back into her chair to begin her vigil.

Diana opens her eyes about thirty minutes later. Akko presents her with a smile.

"Morning!" She dips down to peck her nose softly.

Behind the clear mask, Diana smiles. Of course, she had to sleep with the mask on all night, but now she's ready to get it off again.

So they repeat the same process as yesterday. Akko helps her sit up, now knowing exactly where she can and can't make contact with her back and chest. Diana doesn't even flinch when she straightens her back out.

Akko vacates her chair and sits on the bed beside her again, then removes Diana's mask. Diana surprises her with a quiet greeting.

"Good morning..."

Akko giggles for the first time in over a week.

That morning, Diana manages to make it up to a full minute breathing on her own. Akko hugs her and strokes through her hair affectionately.

"That's amazing, Diana! Your lungs are getting stronger already!"

She gives her the mask back just as Nurse Isabella enters the room for her routine checkup. She presents Akko with breakfast, which the brunette eagerly scarfs down. Once the nurse has looked Diana over, she hands Akko a small glass of water.

"I've been giving her fluids through intravenous so far. But see if she feels up for drinking normally again."

With that, she leaves them once again.

Akko places the glass on the small table beside Diana's bed, then sits beside her once more. She kisses Diana's cheek, and rests a hand on her collarbone to feel her heart.

"What do you think, Diana? Do you wanna try drinking some water?"

Akko removes the mask so she can reply.

"Yes..."

"All right. Then let's take it slow."

By now, Diana can move her hands on her own, though she can't do as much without shaking a considerable amount. Akko doesn't want to make her hold onto the glass, so she holds onto it.

Keeping one arm around Diana's back, she lets Diana control the mask for herself now, waiting until she's ready. Her arm quivers as she pulls it away, but Diana's eyes are unwavering.

Akko lifts the glass up to her chin. She tucks a lock of Diana's hair back behind her ear, then gently bumps the rim against her lips.

/She must be so thirsty... There's only so much those injections can do.../

Akko pays close attention to Diana now.

The white-haired witch closes her eyes and tries to focus on the task at-hand. As Akko tips the glass toward her, Diana takes a tiny sip. Akko tenses, but thankfully, Diana manages to swallow. Both of them sigh in relief.

"Do you want more?" Akko asks.

Diana nods again. She takes another sip, one that's a little more daring this time. The cool water splashes down her dry throat and feels wonderful. She drinks as much as she can before she feels herself getting short on air. She squeezes Akko's knee just as her breath hitches.

Akko pulls the glass away as Diana tries to put the mask back on herself, but her arm is shaking too much. Akko instantly helps her guide it back to her mouth.

"Easy!" She rubs Diana's collar for her again. "That's it... Breathe. In... Out..."

Akko verbally coaches her, until Diana's breaths match the pace of her words. When her pulse is steady again, Akko nuzzles into her shoulder.

"Diana! That was so great! I'm so proud of you!"

Diana knows these sort of menial things shouldn't typically warrant praise. After all, she's Luna Nova's prodigy student.

But as she is now, she needs that praise, more than she's ever needed it for casting a complicated spell.

Diana lifts her shaking arms and makes an effort at returning Akko's embrace. She can only manage to cling to her clothes lightly, and there isn't enough strength in her hands to keep them there for long.

Akko doesn't mind. She's just so relieved to see Diana improving this much so quickly.

They continue their breathing exercises for the remainder of the day, until Diana has reached three minutes. Now, it feels awkward to put the mask back on, but she knows she'll have to bear with it a while longer yet.

When Akko declares this will be their last round, Diana makes a request of her.

"Akko..."

She doesn't need to say anymore than that. Akko's wanted this as well.

"Okay... But just a quick one."

Cupping Diana's cheek, Akko leans in to kiss her lips.

She hasn't been able to do this in far too long. She keeps the contact very light, allowing Diana to move however is best for her. Her breath fans out across Akko's lips in a choppy sort of pattern. Akko deepens the kiss just a little bit and shares a breath with her to slow down her heart.

She keeps true to her word of it being a quick kiss and pulls away shortly thereafter. Akko hugs her one last time tonight, then gives Diana her mask back. She helps her lie down again, then kisses her forehead.

"Good night, Diana."

Diana can't say it back to her, but Akko nods nonetheless.

The nurse visits one more time to give Diana what she needs in terms of fluids and injections. Akko eats her supper, brushes her teeth, and takes a bath before bundling herself up in fresh clothes. She actually bothers to take the time to dry her hair properly this time before coming back into the main room.

Diana is already asleep.

Akko lingers by her bedside and holds her hand for a moment longer, listening to her heart and breathing.

Then, she crawls into bed once again, in preparation for what's to come tomorrow.

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A/N: Please pay no attention to worst nurse ever. She technically needs to be there, but I just need her outta the way so Diana and Akko can be alone together, you feel me? As the writer, I have that power haha.

Why is this seemingly soft chapter titled "Anger"? The chapter titles don't all necessarily fit in with the events of the chapters, per se, but once it's all finished, I think things will make more sense. So just sit tight and keep reading!