Beneath Our Memory Tree (ch2)

EARLY RELEASE FOR MY HIGHER-PLEDGING PATRONS!!

This one is unrelated to the last one, based off a small fandom headcanon about Chariot. In the manga she frets about her weight a lot, and I hopped on board with a headcanon for it, so here is a little something about it.

It feels odd to call her Chariot now, because when I think "Chariot" I think long red hair and jumpsuit. But for this, just imagine her in her "Ursula" appearance with blue hair.

Disclaimer: I do not own Little Witch Academia.

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															Chapter 2. Perfect


As the first rays of morning sunlight slant in through the window, Chariot registers the feeling of warmth on her face. But she doesn't laze around to enjoy that, nor the softness of her bed, nor anything else.

With a gasp, she shoots up straight, throwing the blankets off herself.

"Oh my!" She reaches for her glasses, misses several times before actually grabbing them, slips them onto her nose and then half-jumps, half-falls out of bed. "A-Ahh, oh my, oh my! I'm going to be late!"

Scrambling across the room, she grabs her robes and hat, making quick work of changing out of her track suit. At the same time she grabs her wand and casts a spell to make her bed, and sloppily ties her loose hair into its usual ponytail.

"Aaahhh oh my..."

She turns to hurry for the door, but freezes, remembering something very important.

Alcor is just blinking his eyes open from his perch, and his beak parts in a small yawn. Chariot slows her pace and her franticness as she walks over to him. Reaching out, she gently strokes her fingers along his head, then bends down to kiss him.

"Good morning, Alcor. Sorry for the commotion. I'm going to be late. O-Oh my! I still have to feed you-"

She's about to turn and hurry for the bag of highest-quality birdseed she keeps in the corner. But before she can so much as take another step, Alcor shakes himself off and caws. Chariot bites her lip.

"Aaah, I know! I'm so sorry! I'm a terrible caretaker! With all the times I've almost forgotten to feed you I... eh?" When she stops fretting for longer than two seconds, she actually hears what he's telling her. "It... It's... Saturday...?" She glances to her clock then to her calendar. Her shoulders slump in relief. "It's Saturday..."

With a sigh and a smile, she pats her familiar's head one more time. "What would I do without you, Alcor?"

Now that the pressure of potentially being late for her classes has been removed, Chariot takes her time.

She walks to the bag of magical birdseed and scoops out a plate-full of Alcor's favorite meal. She'd always ask him time and again whether he'd prefer anything more tasteful, but he'd never once requested a change in his diet.

Even now, as she turns back to him with the plate of his breakfast, Alcor stretches his wings and eyes the plate with interest. Chariot places it on the desk next to him and he hops down.

"Eat up, Alcor."

He caws his gratitude and begins pecking at the seeds. Chariot stands beside him and watches fondly, enjoying this quiet moment together with him. They've been through so much together over the years...

She snaps out of her reverie when Alcor lifts his head to look at her. Without saying a word this time, he picks up a seed in his beak and then places it on the desk near her hand. Chariot blinks, but understands his meaning.

"A-Ahhh, no, no I'm fine! After that start I suddenly found I'm not hungry! Thank you, Alcor." He holds her gaze for a long moment, but Chariot feels the guilt rising up in her chest and looks away. "A-Anyway, since I'm wide awake and already dressed, I guess I should do some housekeeping."

She doesn't simply use her magic to clean things this time around, but rather goes about the room adjusting things with her own two hands.

She rearranges some of her books and the other items on her shelves, occasionally talking out loud, sometimes to Alcor and sometimes to herself.

After an hour or so, Chariot's begun to sweat a little bit. Pausing, she wipes her sleeve across her brow and sighs. Her eyes travel downward over herself, and a frown forms on her lips. Slowly, she moves both hands to her stomach and hips, feeling the soft fat underneath. She sighs again.

"I really do need to lose a few pounds... Why does it never stay off? My manager was right..."

Her throat suddenly clogs up with a familiar tightness. Chariot limps to her desk and sits heavily in her chair. She presses her elbows into the wood and buries her face in her palms. Slipping her fingers beneath her glasses, she begins to massage her eyes, feeling wetness slipping out.

"I really have to lose some weight..."

A flutter of wings crosses the room as Alcor takes off, then lands on her shoulder. He bumps his head against hers and drops another seed onto the desk. Chariot watches it roll to a stop in front of her, but she shakes her head.

"I'm sorry, Alcor. I can't..."

Her shoulder shudders beneath his claws, and a drop of water falls beside the seed he'd given her. Alcor coos softly, nudging her again, but his mistress is unresponsive.

However, the sound of approaching footsteps catches his attention. Alcor takes off once again, flying to the door just as it's pushed open.

"Chariot?" Croix calls. "Are you ready for- oh!" Croix takes a step back, startled to find Alcor right in her face, cawing loudly. She lifts up a hand to pacify him. "Alcor, you scared me. What's got you so-"

But her suave smile vanishes the second she steps into the room and catches a glimpse past Alcor's flapping wings.

Chariot is sitting at her desk with her head in her hands, her posture slouched. This isn't the first time Croix has seen her like this. She's seen this many times before, back when they were younger, back when Chariot was on the stage...

She'd be lively and bubbly and full of life during her shows.

But then, as soon as she came back to her dressing room or spoke with her manager, Croix would often find her like this, sometimes in tears.

She'd thought that was all behind them. But seeing the same image of her now sends Croix rushing across the room to her in a panic.

"Chariot?!"

The second she reaches her, Croix can tell her shoulders are trembling. She drops to her knees beside her chair, trying to look up into her face. Her voice is tight with worry, yet soft.

"Chariot? Chariot, what's the matter?" Croix places both hands on her old classmate's knees, beseeching her to say something. "Chariot...?"

And it takes Chariot this long to realize that someone else has entered her room and is already right here next to her. She hadn't even gotten a moment to clean off her face. She lifts her tearful gaze and sniffles, finding two familiar green eyes looking back at her, ridden with worry. She's seen this many times before too in the past.

"Croix..." Chariot quickly wipes her eyes, then drops her hands into her lap. "I'm sorry. I'd forgotten we had plans-"

"Who gives a damn about that?" she snaps. But although her words are harsh, her tone is still all but cracking with concern. Her hands are gentle as she covers Chariot's with them and squeezes. "Chariot, what's wrong? Don't tell me..."

Slowly, Croix raises one hand to Chariot's face. Softly, more softly than she's ever been with anything or anyone else before, she rests her palm against her cheek. She can feel the residual dampness on her skin from where she'd been crying.

/She was crying alone again.../

"Chariot..." Croix moves an inch closer, boring her gaze into crimson. "You're so pale. Don't tell me you haven't eaten yet today."

But Chariot can't look her in the eye, and that's answer enough. Croix grits her teeth, but not at Chariot. "That bastard. This is all his fault. That shit manager of yours. I should've pummeled him while I had the chance. He'd better hope I never see his face again or else I swear I'll-"

"Croix..." Chariot's voice is thin and weak, as is the smile on her lips. "It's all right-"

"It's not, Chariot! He did this to you! And he made you do it to yourself... even so long afterward..."

Chariot sniffles, still unable to look her in the eye a second time.

"I'm sorry, Croix..."

"Why are you apologizing?" Croix lifts herself up just a little, resting her forehead against hers. "I'm the one who was shouting when you're like this. I'm sorry, Chariot."

She closes her eyes, but she can still hear Chariot weeping softly, still feel the tears dripping onto the back of her hand. Croix wraps her arms around her and pulls her in, lets her hide.

"It's all right, Chariot. You don't have to lose any weight. You never did. You're perfect just as you are. You always have been."

"C-Croix..."

Chariot buries her face in her friend's shoulder and cries, her fingers curling weakly into her palm.

Croix reaches back to shift her cloak from over her own shoulder and drapes it across Chariot's back.

The sounds of her sobbing have haunted Croix for years. Even now, Chariot sounds exactly the same when she cries – just like a scared little girl who never did anything wrong.

Croix pulls her closer, pressing a small kiss to her temple. She'd never do this for anyone else. Only Chariot. It's only ever been Chariot. And it always will be.

Croix keeps Chariot in her arms for a while, stroking up and down her back and through her bangs. At one point, she removes her hat and glasses for her so Chariot can cry freely and press as close as she needs to. Alcor watches from nearby, dipping his head to Croix in gratitude. She sees the birdseed on Chariot's desk and sighs.

"You know it's gotten bad when even Alcor's been trying to feed you..."

Chariot hiccups into her neck, clutching Croix's clothes wherever she can.

"S-Sorry..." she whimpers. "Sorry... Croix... It seems like... every time we're together recently, I'm either yelling at you o-or crying..."

"I already told you you don't have to apologize." Croix tightens her embrace a little more. "It's okay, Chariot. I'm just glad I came when I did."

As if the tears and the shaking weren't enough, Croix can tell Chariot is truly getting emotional now when her hair starts turning purple, and then bleeds into red. Croix pets through her ponytail, tucking Chariot's head beneath her chin.

"It's all right. You're fine, Chariot. You're fine just as you are."

And then, Chariot's voice bursts out into louder, unbridled sobs. Wailing, she clings to Croix with such force that her knuckles turn white.

"Th-Thank you... thank you... Croix..."

Croix brushes their cheeks together and kisses her temple again.

"Easy, Chariot. You cry too much."

"S-Sorry..."

"Idiot. Don't apologize." With a sigh, Croix coaxes Chariot to her feet and stands with her. This way, it's much easier for them to hold one another close. "You've always been this way," Croix murmurs. "Always crying about things you have no control over. You're too selfless, Chariot. You need to think about yourself too, you know."

Still sniffling, Chariot nods as best she can. Croix eases back, tilting her partner's face up. Her crimson eyes are still wet with tears, and now there's a redness about her cheeks that matches her hair. Gently, Croix tucks a few loose strands of hair behind her ear and thumbs away another tear.

"Easy," she murmurs. "Breathe, Chariot."

Softly, Croix presses her lips to hers in a tender, warm kiss, giving her something else to focus on. Chariot hiccups against her mouth, but eventually gets ahold of herself as much as she can.

Croix supports her back and hip, tracing her palms in slow, cajoling circles.

At last, Chariot is calm enough to reopen her eyes and pull away from the kiss. Croix blinks at her, still concerned.

"Are you all right?"

Chariot offers a wobbly smile.

"Much better. Thank you, Croix." She hugs her senior again, a little more fully. Croix sighs, patting her back softly.

"I've got my hands full with you. Ever since the day we met I've had to keep an eye on you or else you'd do something stupid. But even now, Chariot... if you need me, just send Alcor for me. I'll always come no matter what."

"I'm sorry."

"There you go again," Croix sighs. "Didn't I tell you not to?"

"A-Ah, I-I'm s- I-I mean-"

"Just stop talking."

Croix quiets her with another kiss, and Chariot willingly falls silent.

Croix can be a little intense sometimes. Usually, her kisses are fiery and hard, and Chariot can often give her a run for her money as well.

But at times like now, Croix is so careful, so gentle.

"I've hurt you enough in the past," she'd once told her. "I won't hurt you ever again, Chariot."

Remembering her words now, Chariot feels fresh tears dripping down. But this time there's a smile on her lips.

They part, and Croix gives her an inquiring look. Chariot responds by kissing her this time, adding a bit of energy into it. Croix tightens her embrace and kisses back in turn, moving her hand slowly up to the back of her head to draw her closer.

She stays there until she can feel Chariot becoming a little tense. Typically, Croix will linger until they're both breathless, but not this time. Now isn't the time for messing around.

So Croix breaks the kiss, stroking her fingers across Chariot's temple.

"Are you sure you're all right?"

"Yes. Thank you, Croix. I- a-ahh-"

But Chariot cuts off when her stomach suddenly begins to howl, twice as loud as her voice. Her face turns redder than her hair and her eyes combined. Croix can't help but burst into laughter at the sight of her.

"Chariot! Your face-"

"Ahhh, oh my..."

Croix continues laughing and simply pulls her in again. She waits until Chariot's hair has turned blue once more, indication that she's regained control over her emotions.

Croix turns to pick up the glasses on the desk and slips them back onto Chariot's nose for her, keeping one arm slung across her shoulders.

"Come on, Chariot. You said you'd have lunch with me today, remember? Unless you'd rather have birdseed?"

Alcor caws from his perch across the room. Chariot finally smiles.

"I suppose I can't break my promise."

"It's on me, so get whatever you want." Croix kisses her temple again. "I mean it, Chariot. You're perfectly fine. If you won't eat by yourself then I'll just have to come share every meal with you. Maybe I'll bring you some of my ramen."

"E-Eh?" Chariot grimaces. "N-No, I don't think that's necessary..."

"I'm telling you, you'll love it if you try it." Croix begins to lead her to the door, nodding to Alcor as they leave. Chariot follows, leaning into her side as they make their way out of the building. Once they're outside in the courtyard, Chariot begins to fidget.

"C-Croix, we shouldn't be like this in front of the students-"

"Oooouh! Professor Ursula! Professor Croix!"

A voice they both know all too well fills the air as Akko scurries over to them both, leaving her teammates behind on the bench where they'd been having lunch. As always, Akko's got stars in her eyes and a smile on her face.

"What are you two doing?"

Before Chariot can reply, Croix cuts in.

"A lunch date."

"E-Eh?! C-Croix-"

"Oooh that sounds like fun! They have some really good tarts today so be sure to try them!"

Looking at the bubbly girl gives Croix an idea.

"Say, Akko."

"What's up?"

Chariot's been trying to slip away from Croix's arm all this time, but now Croix pulls her back in front of her student.

"What do you think of Professor Ursula? Be honest."

"What do I think of her...?" Akko puts a finger to her chin for only a second. "That's easy! She's super nice! The nicest Professor ever! She's really smart and supportive and helpful too! And she's super pretty!"

Chariot freezes in her fidgeting.

"E-Eh?"

"Yeah!" Akko beams. "You're definitely the prettiest professor at Luna Nova! Everyone thinks so!"

"E-Ehhhh?" The heat rushes back to Chariot's face more quickly than she can find words to respond with.

Akko grins, waves, then wishes them goodbye before hurrying back to her friends.

Chariot is stiff as Croix smugly leans against her.

"See? Told you you're perfect."

"C-Croix, did you tell her to say that?"

"Course not. That girl can't tell a lie to save her life, and if she'd been coached she would've sounded like a robot reading lines. That answer came from the heart and you know it." Putting both hands on Chariot's shoulder, Croix turns her around to look her in the eyes again. "See, Chariot? Sometimes you can't see things for yourself. Only other people can." She pulls her into one more hug.

Chariot locks her arms around Croix with force this time, silently showing her appreciation.

"Croix..."

But with their students all around, they can't stay like this for long. Croix pulls back, but keeps her arm around Chariot's shoulders.

"To think I'd be seeing the prettiest professor in Luna Nova. For once in my life I finally lucked out."

"W-What Akko said can't be true," Chariot mumbles. "I can't possibly..."

"You heard her. Everyone thinks so."

"But I doubt Professor Finneran..."

"Finneran's always been a stickler, remember? Maybe she doesn't envy your teaching skills, but she sure as hell envies your looks. Trust me."

"E-Eh? Th-That can't be..." Another blush begins creeping across her cheeks. Croix leans in to peck her nose, then begins leading her inside the main building.

"Now then, I believe I heard something about tarts."

Chariot hugs her again.

And this time, she doesn't care if anyone's looking.

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A/N: I wrote this before the finale aired, so I'm not sure what kind of setting this is haha one where Croix is still at Luna Nova amiably I guess. It's a more serious kind of issue being dealt with, so I hope I handled it well and with sensitivity.