Time Spent Together (ch1)

EARLY RELEASE FOR MY HIGH-PLEDGING PATRONS!

Hello everyone! As most of you probably already knew I am SUPER excited for this week because - guess what? - it's Dianakko Week! Neon and I decided to make a blog for it and start spreading the love of Dianakko.

This fic is going to include all of my daily themed stories with the exception of Day 6, which will have it's own story. I hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Little Witch Academia.

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													Time Spent Together

											    Chapter 1. Under The Stars

It isn't at all unusual for Akko to wake up at 6 in the morning and already be brimming over with insatiable energy and excitement. Lotte and Sucy know that better than anyone.

But today, she's even more energetic than usual – if that's possible.

She throws the blankets off herself and sits up (miraculously not hitting her head on Lotte's bunk this time), and her smile fills the room more brightly than the sunlight ever could.

She isn't just energetic today. She's radiant. Because-

"It's your birthday?"

Lotte and Sucy had been in total shock yesterday when Akko had told them. Though they'd been together at Luna Nova for several months now, they'd never come across each others' birthdays until now. Akko had grinned almost blindingly.

"Yup! Oh, but don't worry! You guys don't have to get me anything. I've just always been excited about my birthday. Just the feeling of it being the day you were born is so neat! It makes you realize there's so much you've done since then and that there's still so much more to do!"

As they rouse themselves now, Lotte and Sucy share a glance from across the room, remembering their conversation with Akko yesterday. Her response to her birthday had been exactly the kind of reaction they'd expect from someone like her.

Presently, Akko is twirling her way into her uniform, humming and sighing merrily, just loving the feeling of today. She hasn't even realized her teammates are awake yet. So they decide to get her attention.

"Akko."

The brunette spins around with a squeal on her lips.

"Morning, Lotte! Morning, Sucy!" she says, turning to each of them.

Lotte climbs down from her bed as Sucy gets up from hers. They meet at the center of the room and each sling an arm around their teammate, chanting in unison.

"Happy birthday!"

Akko squeals even louder and squeezes them both back with gusto.

"Thank yoooou!"

It only becomes more and more apparent by the second that she's absolutely in love with today. As they're getting ready for the day, Lotte has to gently convince Akko it would be best if she didn't wear a party hat to class. Then at breakfast she has to limit Akko's 'birthday breakfast' to only one slice of cherry pie instead of the whole thing.

A few of their classmates catch wind of the news and wish Akko a happy birthday as they see her, to which she always replies with an exuberant "thanks!"

After breakfast, she strolls, struts, and prances to class all at the same time, wafting pure energy with every step. But just when Lotte and Sucy thought she couldn't possibly get any happier-

"Dianaaaa~!"

The instant she catches a glimpse of that wavy silver hair, Akko's shooting like a star down the hallway until she quite literally crashes into her girlfriend. She throws both arms around her, earning a gasp from Diana and two shrieks of surprise from Hannah and Barbara on either side of her.

"Akko?!"

The collective shout is soon drowned out by more giggling from the birthday girl herself.

Diana's just getting ahold of herself from the surprise, but she manages to wrap an arm around Akko in return.

"Goodness... you are excessively energetic this morning."

Ever since they'd started dating, Akko has been nothing short of explosively enthusiastic about seeing Diana. But this kind of vigor matches how she'd acted during their first week together. Now, after a month, Diana isn't quite sure what's gotten her so lively again.

Akko's still hugging her tightly, nuzzling into her shoulder as little hums chirp against Diana's neck.

"Morning, Dianaaa~!"

"To you as well, Akko." She tries to fend off the blush as all of their classmates begin to gawk and giggle. "You startled me."

"Sorry~ I'm just so happy! About you, about today, about everything!"

"And I am very glad to hear that."

Diana eases Akko back a pace so she can finally look down at her face. The smile on her lips is pushing up against her cheeks, making them rise up all the way to her shimmering chestnut eyes.

Behind the two of them, Lotte and Sucy have finally caught up, and the former is apologizing to Hannah and Barbara for Akko's behavior.

It gives Akko and Diana a brief moment alone together in a crowded hallway. Diana leans down to briefly brush her nose against Akko's, but refrains from doing anything more. Even though Akko is dying to kiss her, she knows how Diana feels about public displays of affection, so she holds herself back in that regard if no others.

"Now," Diana continues. "While I am very glad to see you in such high spirits, might I ask the occasion? Did you perhaps try some of Amanda's coffee again? Because I have told you-"

"Nope nope!" Akko blurts. "No coffee! I'm just so excited!" She leans up right into Diana's face and bumps their noses again. "'Cuz today's my birthday!"

"...Eh?"

"Yeah! I always feel super excited on my birthday! It's one of the most special days ever! By the way I was born at 4:28 in the morning, so technically my birth-minute has already passed but-"

"J-Just a moment." Diana is still trying to process the information. "Akko... today is your birthday?"

"Yup~!"

"You... hadn't told me about this."

"I didn't? Well that's okay! It's not like you need to get me any presents or anything! I don't need stuff like that! I just wanna spend the day with all my friends, and especially you!" Akko throws her arms around Diana in another warm hug. Her voice softens just a little bit. "That's why I was hoping... maybe we could have lunch together today? Just the two of us?"

Diana's still in shock at the news, but she slowly manages to return the embrace.

This... has never happened to her before. She'd helped Hannah and Barbara, as well as members of her own family celebrate their birthdays, but all of those she'd known about at least a few weeks in advance.

But she's never before celebrated the birthday of someone she'd been dating. After all, Akko is her first romantic relationship.

Of course Diana would have given her something wonderful had she known about it in advance. But as things are now-

"Diana?" Akko leans back and tilts her head. "Did you hear me?"

"Eh? My apologies. One more time, if you would."

"Sure! I was wondering if you and me could have lunch together today, just us! Whadda ya say?"

Diana almost agrees on impulse. But she stops herself just in time.

She is Diana Cavendish. She could never settle for something as casual as a lunch date on her own girlfriend's birthday. While there is charm in simplicity, Diana doesn't think it would be appropriate for her to give Akko nothing more than her time. Of course she plans to give her that, too. But a much better idea for a birthday present is already forming in the back of her mind.

However, she doesn't let it show. In fact, Diana puts on a troubled expression.

"Akko... I would love nothing more than to have lunch with you. However, I had previously committed my lunch hour to assisting Professor Finneran in the library."

All at once, half the light dwindles from Akko's eyes. Diana's never come closer to hating herself.

"Oh..." she mumbles. "Yeah, that's more important. And I asked you on such short notice, too. Don't worry about it then!"

Diana quickly takes both of Akko's hands and holds to them tightly.

"I offer my sincerest apologies, Akko."

"It's okay, Diana! Maybe we can do a make-up lunch date some other time then!"

Diana knows Akko's hiding her disappointment behind the smile. But she silently swears to her right now that she's going to give her the best birthday Diana can possibly give her. But for now she keeps up the act.

"I truly am sorry, Akko." She loses her formal manner of speaking, and it shows just how serious she is about this. With a tug to Akko's wrists, Diana pulls her in for another hug. "I will make it up to you. This, I can promise."

Akko has to admit she is feeling a little dejected, but she can't blame Diana. She's the busiest student in all of Luna Nova. Akko should've told her weeks in advance if she'd wanted some time together with her.

"It's okay, Diana~" Akko hugs her back. She's feeling a little melancholy now in contrast to how she'd felt all morning until now. Almost timidly, she makes a move to share just one kiss with her girlfriend-

"Class is about to begin."

Diana pulls away just before Akko can reach her. She can tell right away Diana hadn't known or done it on purpose, but it still strikes Akko like a blow to the gut.

But a second later, Diana's soft palm is there cradling her cheek. Her smile is sad but her eyes are as lovely as ever.

"Take care, Akko."

She leaves her with a small kiss to the forehead, and nothing more.

With this, Diana turns away with Hannah and Barbara flanking her and they disappear into the crowds.

Akko stands quietly and watches them go, her energy at a temporary stagnation. Lotte and Sucy inch back to her sides. Lotte is doing her best to configure her words carefully, but someone a little too blunt beats her to it.

"Harsh," Sucy grunts. "Diana's ditching you on your own birthday."

"S-Sucy!" Lotte glares at her from Akko's other side. "She isn't ditching her. It isn't like they made plans and Diana's canceling. She's just busy today."

"Yeah, but you'd think she could make time somehow."

"You know how Diana is," Lotte murmurs. She doesn't want to speak poorly of Akko's girlfriend, so she tries to change the subject. "I'm sure she'll make it up to you another time, Akko."

Akko seems to be drawn out of her trance now that Diana is gone.

"Yeah. Yeah, I'm sure she will. Of course she will. She's Diana, after all! Come on, class is starting!"

She loops one arm through each of theirs and begins marching. And just like that, her energy is back.

All of her friends wish her a happy birthday and offer her little gifts here or there. Akko happily thanks them all, laughing and smiling all the while.

When lunchtime rolls around, she spends it with dozens of people. There's just one person she really wants to see.

But Diana never comes.

Akko just has to tell herself they'll have their date some other time, even though it won't feel quite as magical if it isn't on her birthday itself. But so long as she's with Diana, she'll be happy either way.

. . .

It was a good day for Akko, all things considered. A very good day.

As she, Lotte, and Sucy finally get back to their room after supper (and birthday dessert) this evening, Akko lets out a long sing-songy sigh of bliss as she flops down onto her bed.

"Aaaah~ Today was so great! I can't believe you guys got me presents anyway! I said you didn't have to~"

"Come on, Akko," Lotte smiles. "What kind of friends would we be if we didn't get you something for your birthday?"

"Heehee, a whole bag of desserts from the bakery~ Amanda and them got me tickets to an amusement park, and even Professor Ursula and Professor Croix gave me cards! This was the best birthday ever! For sure!"

"Well," Sucy mumbles. "Could've been a little nicer if-"

"Sucy!" Lotte silences her with a hiss.

Of course Akko hadn't gone a single second today without wishing Diana was there by her side. But she knew from the start that in dating Diana she'd have to honor her girlfriend's constantly-busy schedule. Even on her own birthday...

She heaves a sigh and rolls over on her bed, stretching herself out a bit.

"Today was a good day. An awesome birthday. I'm so grateful-"

A sudden tapping at the window cuts her off. Akko sits up right away as the three girls look to the sill. There's an owl outside, patiently waiting to be noticed.

"Delivery?" Lotte wonders. "At this hour?" She scurries over to open the window, and the owl dips its head in greeting. Lotte offers her palm to the paper attached to its foot and removes it. "Oh. Akko, it's for you."

"Me?" Akko scrambles out of bed and goes to her teammate, seeing her own name written on the letter. Puzzled, Akko accepts it from Lotte and opens it:

Meet me in the courtyard.

It isn't signed, but there's only one person in the world who has such beautiful cursive handwriting.

"Wah! I gotta go!" Akko drops the paper on the desk and throws on her robes and hat before rushing to the door. She grabs the frame and leans back to call to her friends. "I-I'll be back soon! Probably!"

"Sure thing!"

"Yeah."

As Lotte and Sucy wave her off, Akko takes off down the hallway.

It's just after sunset, but still before curfew, so there aren't any guards or hall monitors out yet to tell her to slow down. She dashes through the building until she reaches the exit and wastes no time in pelting out into the warm evening air.

The courtyard is shimmering from a combination of lighting – the pale yellow bulbs lining Luna Nova's rooftops, the greenish glow of the Sorcerer's Stone from a distance, and the natural silver of the moonlight shining down. The grass is cool and soft as she runs through it, stirring up things that chirp and things that fly.

Akko can see her now, standing directly beneath the moon, aglow in a soft evening radiance. She's looking directly at her, waiting.

"Diana!" Akko finally reaches her and throws herself forward, grabbing her knees as she catches her breath. "Is... Is everything okay?"

Diana blinks down at her a little curiously.

"Of course. I am glad you could come, Akko." Diana offers her hand calmly with a smile. Akko straightens herself up to accept.

"So... why did you need me to come out here?"

She's drawn to a glint in Diana's eyes, and the smile becomes almost impish, playful.

"To observe."

"Hah?"

But before Akko can ask any more questions, Diana uses her free hand to draw her wand. With an elegant flick of her wrist, she calls out a spell.

"Sino Arye Neforilli."

And suddenly, the still quiet night becomes alive.

From the grasses, flowers that have no reason to exist here begin to blossom, cushioning the earth in softness and color. They sprout up in all shapes and sizes, growing up to the girls' ankles in height. Akko gasps and squeals in awe, giving her hand an enthusiastic squeeze.

"Wow! Diana, this is incredible!"

Diana accepts the compliment with another smile, then inclines her head, offering for Akko to have a seat.

They sit together amongst the freshly-grown flowers, breathing in the mystic scents they emit.

"I am aware of what I had said earlier," Diana murmurs. "That I would make up for lost time with you some other time. I have elected to make that time the present."

"What? So- So this is my birthday date with you?"

"Indeed."

Diana uses her grip on Akko's hand to tug her a little closer, then eases them both down to lie on their backs, facing the dark purple sky. She starts to rub the back of Akko's hand and looks over at her, then down into the flowers, actions that give off an overall feeling of guilt.

"Akko, I must confess on one matter. I did not spend my lunch hour today assisting Professor Finneran as I had said. That was merely a fabrication."

"Huh? You made it up?"

Diana nods a little solemnly.

"Yes. In truth, I was using that time to study."

"Study? Study what?"

Diana's guilt is short-lived, it seems. As Akko peers over at her from where she's lying, Diana gives her a more confident smile.

"I am glad you asked. Watch closely now."

With this, Diana raises her wand once again.

Akko finds it all a bit confusing as she watches Diana prepare to cast a spell from where she's lying here in the field, lifting her wand directly above herself.

At the sky.

She closes her eyes and draws in a deep breath, long and steady, then releases it slowly. For Diana to be so focused, Akko knows it must be complex magic.

It takes Diana a moment to gather her energy, but when she's ready, Akko is eagerly waiting for her. Diana opens her eyes at the same time as she speaks.

"Arrora Elliatra."

She breathes the words like a secret, and a shimmering stream of colorful magic begins to flow from her wand. It spirals, twists, and dances its way up through the air, climbing high above the trees.

Akko's eyes are glued to its path, and her jaw drops in bewilderment as it continues, higher and higher.

Diana is concentrating beside her. Akko can tell as much by her baited breath and the clenching grip on her hand, but she does as Diana had said and doesn't tear her gaze away from the spell.

The magic rises, shooting up toward the sky, and only then does Akko realize its trajectory.

The stars themselves begin to light up one by one. But only certain ones. Only the ones Diana designates. Those few burn brighter than the others, until they stand out, until they radiate-

-until Akko can read them.

One by one, the stars glow like holiday lights strung across the night sky, spelling out characters, letters, words. Akko is almost breathless at this point, but she uses what little air she has to read the message aloud:

"Happy... Birthday... Akko..."

Her words taper off into thin air, eyes still dazzling in wonder.

For a moment the world stops spinning, or so it seems. She feels like she's standing on Shooting Star again, floating among the stars with Diana at her side.

/Diana.../

She doesn't risk tearing her gaze away from the beauty of the stars, but still squeezes the hand of the beauty beside her.

Akko engraves the moment into her heart with a smile on her lips. She paints the image into her mind so she'll never forget it, even after it's ended.

Inevitably, as Diana's control on the spell starts to slip, the starlight begins to fade. Akko's birthday message disappears, and the constellations return to how they normally are.

The stream of magic from Diana's wand frays and breaks and vanishes. With a gasp, Diana lets her arm and her wand fall back to her side as the spell wears off.

Akko can't even begin to image how much effort a spell of that calibre must have taken. She knows Diana is the top student at Luna Nova, but even so, altering the cosmos is no simple feat, even for experienced professors.

And Diana had taught herself this spell in only a few hours, and hadn't even gotten a chance to practice properly.

When Akko finally manages to tear her eyes away from the stars, she looks at something even more beautiful.

Diana is lying beside her, breathing a little heavily from the strain the spell had put on her. But she senses Akko looking her way and turns to her with a smile.

"I still have yet to say it myself... but Happy Birthday, Akko."

"Diana..." Akko's chokes a little on a sob of utter joy, her tears stemming from a sense of awe and happiness. "Diana-"

With a cry of her name, Akko rolls herself onto her side and then onto Diana. The white-haired witch looks up at her adoringly, with the stars reflecting in her moonlight-blue eyes.

"And," she whispers. "I have yet to give you one last gift, Akko."

"Wh-What...?" Akko shakes her head and sputters. "D-Diana, you've already done so much for me, I-I don't need-"

But Diana quiets her when she wraps her arms around Akko's neck and pulls her down for a quiet kiss.

Akko chuckles against her lips, then presses her mouth a little more fully against hers.

This isn't at all how she'd imagined sharing her first ever birthday kiss with Diana. It's a million times better.

Akko giggles and cries and peppers grateful kisses all over Diana's face, reaching both hands up to cushion her head and hair against the bed of flowers. She just can't stop smiling, can't stop crying.

"I'm so happy... I'm so happy, Diana!"

And those words only serve to spread the emotion to Diana as well. She locks her arms firmly around Akko's back, hugging her closer to prevent her from rolling off. She too, kisses Akko whenever she can, pecking her temple or her cheek or her nose.

"Happy Birthday, Akko."

Akko thanks her with another kiss, one that's slower, longer, warmer. When they part, their soft laughter dances through the night and makes the flowers sway.

Diana rolls them over so she may steal a few kisses from Akko, but Akko ends up switching them again, and before long they're rolling around the field of midnight flowers, laughing to their hearts' content.

And the universe laughs with them, from the dancing flowers, to the trembling moonlight, up to the shining stars above.

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A/N: I feel this is exactly what Diana would do for Akko's birthday if they were dating. Something so super extra, but not too insanely crazy. Still elegant.

I'd written this about 3 days before the official release of the girls' birthdays, so I was so glad to find out Akko had a summer birthday and I didn't have to go through this fic changing everything to snowy scenery, ahah

See you tomorrow on Day 2~!