Behind Closed Doors (ch2)

FOR HIGH-PLEDGING PATRONS! THANK YOU!!

This was an idea I got that I just really wanted to see play out. Just a quiet, simple scenario. Based on what we now know about in episode 6, you can imagine for yourself what happens with Diana in this.

Disclaimer: I do not own Little Witch Academia.

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														Chapter 2.

They'd planned to go shopping in town today. Hannah and Barbara always make sure they allow themselves to have some fun together, at least on the weekend.

And they were more than happy to invite Diana along.

More often than not, their teammate is busy with her special chores, or is too intent on studying to be bothered for such an outing.

But today, she'd told them she would come along. It was her own goal to try and spend more time with them, to become more than just a teammate.

Those two share a closeness with one another Diana knows she'll never be able to mimic, be it with either or both of them. But she wants to, at the very least, ensure they know she cares for them.

Though she's never been good at expressing herself around others, Diana is determined to make an effort this time. She's never had teammates before. And although many people believe she could easily accomplish all she needs to get done at Luna Nova entirely on her own, Diana herself longs to experience what it is like to be a member of a team.

Naturally, she takes on a leadership role, which her celebrity status elevates to astounding degrees, even when that was never her intention. But with things the way they are, she wants to understand what it is like to be able to rely on others, to know there are people who will support her when she cannot do so herself, and even when she can.

Therefore, she's done her best to take those first steps toward closing the intangible gap between herself and them.

Hannah and Barbara themselves are both anticipating Diana's accompaniment into town this morning.

But as is customary, Diana had wanted to check with the Headmistress first, and ensure there were no exclusive tasks that needed immediate attention. She'd told them the visit would take no longer than ten minutes.

Therefore, during the meantime, Hannah and Barbara content themselves with getting ready.

Though they must still wear their Luna Nova uniforms, they take extra measures to look presentable today. Barbara fumbles with the ribbon on her uniform, but it ends up skewed. Hannah waves her over with a sigh.

"Geez, do I have to do this for you every time?"

"But it's like, so much easier when someone else does it!"

Barbara giggles as Hannah adjusts her ribbon, then grabs the hair brush.

"All right turn around," Hannah instructs. "You've still got behead."

They sit on the edge of Hannah's bottom bunk bed as she begins to comb through Barbara's long, dark tresses.

Hardly a day has gone by in their lives when they haven't done this sort of thing. Hannah has been brushing Barbara's hair for her since it only reached the tops of her shoulders, and now it is as far down as the small of her back.

As Hannah goes through the repetitive motions, Barbara hums and leans back into her touch, closing her eyes. Hannah playfully tugs on her ear.

"Hey, don't fall asleep on me."

"I won't~"

Once Hannah has deemed her task completed, Barbara reaches for the other hair brush on their nightstand.

"Your turn!"

Barbara pinches the ends of the yellow ribbon in her friend's hair and pulls it free. She is the only other person besides Diana who has ever seen Hannah's hair when it's down. Spindly and thin, Hannah always complains about how much she envies Barbara's thicker hair, while Barbara refutes and insists thinner hair would be better.

She begins to comb Hannah's shorter hair for her, still humming as she does so. A moment later, she reties the yellow ribbon securely, then claps her hands.

"All done!"

"Thanks."

With themselves now all ready to go, they need only wait for Diana.

A glance at the clock tells them it's been fifteen minutes since she's gone out. It's not like Diana at all to miscalculate how long she'll be somewhere without good reason.

When a few more minutes pass and there is still no sign of her, Hannah and Barbara begin to fidget. They don't say anything, for fear that they might jinx the situation.

But before much longer, they can't help themselves. Barbara keeps swinging her legs nervously over the side of the bed, and Hannah is stiff as she watches the door with unblinking eyes.

"I wonder what's keeping her..." she mumbles.

"I hope everything's okay-"

No sooner had the words stammered out of Barbara's mouth than the door opened. Both girls jump a little bit, then quickly compose themselves as Diana steps into the room.

"Diana~!" Barbara sings.

"W-Welcome back!" Hannah stutters as though she's walked in on them doing something they shouldn't have been.

With her return, they're both prepared to put on their shawls and get ready to leave.

However, something about Diana's demeanor makes them stop.

Her hands aren't folded strictly behind her back in her usual manner, but rather they are limp and almost helpless at her sides. Her eyes don't seem to be in focus, and it seems to take her great effort to look in their direction.

"My apologies, ladies," she says in a tone more reserved than usual. "But I am afraid I will have to withdraw my prior statement to join your excursion."

She can't seem to look at them for a second longer. She looks away, and a breath so small and fragile it's almost inaudible passes through her lips. But Hannah and Barbara notice, and they can tell right away that something isn't right.

Diana passes them by without so much as showing them her face again. She sits on the edge of her own bed, and goes to great lengths to keep herself angled away from them. Her arms come up to cross over her stomach, and her hair covers her expression completely.

Hannah and Barbara are at an absolute loss. They hadn't had any specific plans in mind, but they'd been excited for today, nonetheless. Even more so because Diana had been intending to come along with them.

And this wouldn't be the first time Diana has needed to go back on her word. It's happened multiple times before; Diana would agree to do something with them - be it go out to town or join them for supper or even simply study - and then something more pressing would come up. She'd needed to cancel on them more times than she cared to admit or account for, and they could tell it always made her feel guilty.

Diana is the kind of person who would never agree to spend time with someone if she didn't truly want to.

Therefore, whenever her presence was demanded elsewhere, she was always regretful to leave Hannah and Barbara hanging.

But this time, it's different. Diana isn't putting in as much effort to hide her emotional state as she always has up until now. And they suspect it's because she just can't.

Hannah and Barbara don't know the intimate details about her personal life, but they are well-aware that the Cavendish family is closely integrated with Luna Nova's fiances.

More often than not, Diana is forced to miss spending time with her teammates in favor of holding private, important discussions with the Academy's higher-ups. She plays an active role, and yet she never lets anyone else know exactly what that role is, not even her own teammates.

It was always inevitable that the pressure and stress associated with her job would eventually lead to cracks in the foundation.

Things have probably been slipping through the cracks since the very beginning. Diana's always been skilled enough to conceal it all.

But now it's different.

Diana can't muster the strength to put on such an effective act this time around.

Hannah and Barbara stare, first at Diana, and then at each other. There are so many questions pushing behind their teeth, but they try to swallow them down. Even if it's what she's asked of them, they can't just up and leave her here like this without even making an effort to show their concern.

Shocked and a little nervous, they come to a silent, mutual decision. Barbara clings to Hannah's forearm, both to steady herself and support her best friend. Hannah swallows, but tries to keep her voice level.

"B-But, Diana... didn't you say you wanted to come?"

"Y-Yeah," Barbara squeaks. "L-Like, if there's something else you've gotta do, we can totally wait for you! We don't mind!" There's a hopeful hint in her tone, and a smile to match on her lips.

But Diana doesn't so much as turn in their direction.

"Please," she murmurs. "Do not concern yourselves. You two made arrangements to go to town today, and you should go. I would prefer to rest here."

Anyone else might have taken the cue and let her be. Hannah and Barbara both considered doing as much without pestering her further.

But another shared glance between them prevents them from giving up just yet.

They've been straining to become closer to Diana, and abandoning her in her moments of weakness isn't going to help close that gap. They both know this, and so they squeeze each other's hands with a determined grip and keep trying.

"But, Diana," Hannah says. "We'd made plans for the three of us to go out today. Not just the two of us."

"If you, like... really want us to leave, then we'll leave," Barbara says softly. "But..." She tapers off, hoping the offer will speak for itself.

The two of them wait with baited breath for a response, mainly expecting Diana to straighten up, insist she is fine, or perhaps even snap at them.

But this really is different from all those other times. She can't manage to put on her usual brave face. Her breath wavers uncharacteristically, sounding so fragile and helpless. Even her voice trembles and cracks on its way out.

"Girls... p-please..."

But she cuts off when a small droplet slips off her chin.

Hannah and Barbara don't miss it. They conceal their shocked gasps by cupping their palms to their mouths, sharing a wide-eyed, horrified look. Barbara looks as though she is about to cry, while Hannah is in disbelief.

But it doesn't matter what Diana's next words might've been. Whether she'd been planning on telling them to go, or begging them to stay, they've already made their decision.

They don't waste another second.

Hannah and Barbara stand instantly, and without making a sound, hurry across the room. They sit down on either of Diana's sides with Hannah pulling her in, allowing Diana to rest her chin on her shoulder. Barbara slips both arms around Diana's back and stomach, and hugs her without a second thought.

And Diana can't even fend them off.

Maybe it's because she knows her voice will only taper and wobble pathetically. She knows nothing she says or does now will be able to chase them away.

And if she's being honest with herself, she doesn't want them to go, anyway.

Diana's hands remain unmoving in her lap. She doesn't return the embrace, but she doesn't deny it, either.

Hannah pulls her in closer by the shoulders, allowing Diana to stifle her sobs. Barbara rubs Diana's back softly, unable to stop herself from whimpering as well.

For a while, it's just quiet. Diana does her utmost best to control her emotions and keep her sobs inaudible. But it seems the more she tries to keep it all in, the more desperately it wants to escape.

At some point, she breaks down entirely, unable to help herself.

Barbara begins sniffling as well, too upset to do otherwise. She and Hannah have always wanted Diana to be honest with herself. They know it's probably for the better that she's finally letting it all out.

But it still hurts them all the same.

So they just stay close, providing their wordless comfort, keeping their arms around Diana as her clipped breathing fills the room.

Eventually, she decides there's no turning back, and nothing more to be lost here. So Diana lifts her arms and hugs Hannah loosely in return.

And Hannah feels a surge of emotion rush through her. For Diana to have relinquished her usually-impeccable defenses means she must truly be in pain. She holds her close, and pulls Barbara in a bit as well. Their hands overlap each other's over Diana's sides, keeping her secure between them.

Once Diana gets her voice back enough to speak, she uses it on two simple words.

"Thank you..."

And she's thanked them before. But never like this. It has an indescribable effect on both of them.

Hannah simply nods.

"It's okay..."

By this point, Barbara has done most of her crying into Diana's hair. But now, she sits up and gives a slight tug.

"Diana..."

Hannah helps to slowly turn Diana around to face the other way. Barbara readily pulls her in, sobbing a little louder. Diana hugs her in turn.

"Thank you, girls..."

"Diana..."

They both whimper her name and move in close again. This time, Barbara nestles into Diana's collar while Hannah places reassuring hands on her shoulders.

They don't need to know what exactly happened with her that morning. All they need to know is that Diana needs them.

They refrain from making inquiries about it, both for the sake of not wanting to make her dwell on it, and to be considerate about her family matters.

But Diana knows now that she doesn't necessarily have to tell them anything. She doesn't need to say anything in order to know they'll be here for her.

When at last the three of them have calmed themselves, Diana pulls away and straightens her back, though she refuses to look either of them in the eye.

"I apologize..." she sighs. "I've shown such an unbecoming side of myself, and I've upset you girls in the process."

"Diana, it's okay," Hannah assures her. "We're your teammates! This is your room! This is where you're supposed to get upset and be honest."

"Seriously..." Barbara sniffs. "Like, if you can't even be comfortable here with us, then what else have you got?"

They each reach down to place their hands on either of hers. Only then does Diana find the strength to lift her face again.

"You girls are absolutely right. Thank you."

"You don't have to thank us," Hannah smiles.

"Yeah! We love you Diana!"

Barbara's words send a small jolt through Diana's chest. Her eyes widen just a little, before the smallest of smiles forms on her lips.

Judging by her reaction, they can tell she's never heard those words before in such context.

That both dismays and delights them, to some degree. Both girls share a glance and wrap their arms around Diana one more time. Diana reaches out to either side of herself to return the gesture, pulling them each in.

The three witches let out a collective sigh, and with it go the last of their worries.

"Now then," Diana says, clearing her throat. "If I remember correctly, we had arrangements to go into town today, correct, girls?"

Both of them perk up.

"Yeah!"

"Totally!"

"Then I ask you to give me a moment to freshen up," Diana requests. "I will be out shortly."

She pushes herself up, and Hannah and Barbara each keep a hand on her back for support until they're certain she can stand on her own. With a small dip of her head to them, Diana makes her way across the room and disappears into the bathroom.

Hannah and Barbara watch her go, then share a smile. Hannah chuckles and slides close, then reaches up to brush her thumbs over Barbara's cheeks.

"Your face is soaked. Gross."

"H-Hey! Yours too!"

Barbara giggles playfully, then wipes some of Hannah's tears away as well.

By the time Diana reemerges, she looks infinitely better. Hannah and Barbara have cleaned each other off by then as well.

Diana offers out both hands, and they each accept one of her palms as she helps them up.

They take their rightful spots on either side of her, and together, the trio heads out the door.

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A/N: I really wanted to do a Blue Team comfort fic with Hannah and Barbara helping Diana ;w; I'm sure she has a lot of stress piling up, and while I doubt we'll ever see anything like this happen in canon, I'd love it so much.