Back To Back (ch7)

EARLY RELEASE FOR MY $20+ PATRONS!

Been a minute since I did some good ol' Dianakko! I based it off one of my favorite comics ever by one of my favorite artists, Ticcy! I'll link the comic at the end so as not to spoil the story~

Disclaimer: I do not own Little Witch Academia.

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														Back To Back
														 Chapter 7.



It's only been a few days since things had finally quieted down at Luna Nova.

That is, they'd quieted down in the sense that there were no more secrets and dangerous creatures lurking about. However, in more of a literal sense, Luna Nova has never experienced this much noise, all from one certain witch.

Ever since Akko had floated on her broom, she'd been on it religiously after classes every single day striving to improve and regain control of her magical abilities. Her teachers and her friends had seen her enthusiastic about something before, but never this much enthusiasm.

Lotte, Sucy, and Amanda and a handful of others were constantly by her side, giving her tips and advice.

But due to her duties and patrols, Diana had not been able to visit Akko and observe her progress during the school week. She'd been planning to go support her on the coming weekend, rain or shine. After all, the two of them had become much closer in the past month or so.

But of course, it's that Friday afternoon when Diana receives word of an accident.

She's making her rounds through the hallways as per usual when a flurry of footsteps comes trampling up behind her.

"Please," she says, turning. "No running in the-"

"Diana!"

"Diana!"

It's none other than her own teammates. Hannah and Barbara come to a clumsy, breathless halt in front of her.

"Girls? Whatever is the matter?"

They share a worried glance and take turns explaining.

"Akko fell off her broom!"

"From like, really high up!"

"Eh?" Diana feels a twist in her stomach and her heart starts to pound. "Where is she? Is she all right?"

The others share another uncertain look.

"She seemed kinda fine-"

"But she asked us to tell you."

Diana can't bear to stand here another moment. She takes off at a brisk march past her teammates who call out after her.

"She's out of the infirmary!"

"She's in her room!"

Diana pauses briefly to turn back to them, drawing in a steadying breath.

"Thank you, girls."

And with that she hurries off toward the dorms. S

he isn't quite sure why she feels so sick with concern this time. Akko has fallen off her broom plenty of times before, and gotten injured in much worse situations. But for some reason, Diana can't shake this feeling of dread and panic.

Perhaps it's because, more often than not, she'd been present at the scene of whatever explosion or accident Akko had caused, and thus had been able to asses her condition and assist her promptly if necessary.

Perhaps it's because they've grown closer, and the thought of her getting hurt is simply too disturbing for Diana to handle, enough for her to abandon her patrol shift without first sending word to the Headmistress.

She arrives at the dorms in minutes and heads straight for Akko's, already able to hear the murmur of voices.

"Geez, Akko! I know you're excited that you can fly now, but you've still gotta be careful!"

"Now you're forbidden to fly for two whole days cuz of the concussion."

"Gaaaah, geez, I already know that!"

Diana remembers to breathe again at the sound of Akko's voice, sounding as loud and obnoxious as always. Akko makes an exaggerated huffing sound, and then yelps.

"Ow! Uggghhh, I was doing so well too! I'd wanted to show Diana how good I was getting..."

Diana's heart jumps a little at the mention of her own name, but she quickly snaps out of it. She intends to eavesdrop no further, so she lifts her hand to give a knock.

"Akko? Are you there? May I come in?"

She hears a bit of scrambling on the other side and might've smiled if she wasn't still so worried. It's Lotte's voice that responds.

"Diana! Yes, please come in!"

Diana opens the door and finds almost the exact scene she'd pictured. Lotte and Sucy are still in-uniform standing on the opposite side of the room, and Akko is sprawled out on her bottom bunk. She'd been changed into her more casual wear of t-shirt and shorts to show she was not to be out and about on campus for the rest of the evening.

Just about all of her exposed skin is covered in bandages and patches, with various little scrapes and scratches still visible. But the most concerning of all are the bandages wrapped around her forehead and back through her hair.

Diana's heart quivers with worry, but Akko's eyes are bright and wide in contrast.

"Diana!" She sits upright in her surprise and ends up hitting her head on the underside of Lotte's bed. Lotte and Diana both shriek her name while Sucy snorts.

"Geez, Akko!" Lotte reaches her right away and helps lie her back down.

"Ow, ow, ow... oops..."

Diana, whose hands had reached out helplessly, now brings one to her own forehead with a weighted sigh.

"Heavens, Akko. Be more aware of your surroundings and your condition."

"Sorry, sorry." She chuckles dismissively from her pillow, still grinning. She turns to look back over at her teammates. "Anyways, I'm good now Lotte! You and Sucy go do what you were gonna do!"

"Are you sure?" Lotte frets.

"I don't think leaving you by yourself is such a great idea," Sucy mutters.

"It's okay! Diana can stay with me for a little while, right?"

All three of them turn to look at her expectantly, as if they need any confirmation that she'd been planning to stay. Diana stiffens, but confirms their thoughts.

"Yes. If it would be all right, I have some time to spare. I can stay with Akko."

"Didn't you have a patrol?" Sucy yawns.

"Sucy!" Lotte snaps at her before turning politely back to Diana. "I'll let Headmistress Holbrooke know you're here watching over Akko for us. Sucy and I are going to the library to do some assignments."

Diana dips her head.

"I very much appreciate it."

Lotte smiles sweetly, then turns back to Akko. "Sucy and I will pick up some supper and bring it back for you later, so for now just do what the nurse said and get some rest."

"You have a chaperone now," Sucy reminds her.

"All right, all right, just go!" Akko whines.

Diana and Lotte exchange one last look before Akko's two teammates take their leave. When they're gone, Akko lets out a groan.

"So did they seriously send for you to be my babysitter? N-Not that I'm complaining."

Diana finally feels able to smile. She makes her way over to Akko's bed and sits down on the edge.

"Not at all. Hannah and Barbara informed me of your accident. They said you'd been asking to see me."

"O-Oh yeah. Right."

Akko would be lying if she said she felt anything but giddy and elated to have seen Diana walk through her door just now. Her whole body has been aching and prickling since the fall from her broom, and even after the nurse had cast a healing spell and given her some medicine, she's still pretty sore. That's probably normal, considering she'd fallen down into a small forest and crashed through a dozen trees and all their branches. But Diana is nothing if not a worrywart, and Akko isn't about to tell her that-

"My goodness, Akko," Diana sighs. "You must've fallen into a forest to acquire such injuries."

"Geh. U-Uh, I mean... kinda..."

"Akko-"

"I-It's fine! I'm fine! It's happened a million times, Diana!"

"And that is precisely why you need to take precautions."

Akko nearly opens her mouth to say more, but the genuine upset and concern in Diana's eyes wins, and Akko closes her mouth with a pout.

"Sorry for making you worry..."

"So long as you're all right. How is your head?"

"Thick as ever! Don't worry about me!" Akko gives a thumbs up and grins, though there's a slight wince to it as well. Diana gets that chiding tone in her voice.

"Akko-"

"Dianaaaaa, stop worryiiiiingg."

"I would, if you would stop putting yourself in perilous situations."

"Flying a broom isn't perilous!"

"Doing so alone, when you still aren't acquainted with how to fly, can be."

Akko pouts again and crosses her arms, refusing to admit that her head is still throbbing a little. In spite of her scolding, Diana's eyes soften as she shifts the slightest bit closer to Akko. Akko admits defeat, but is glad to do so if it means she gets to spend her afternoon with Diana. She heaves out a big sigh, then lifts up her arms needfully.

"Dianaaaa-"

"Yes, Akko?"

"Come closerrr."

Diana blinks, and Akko can see both confusion and playful suspicion in her eyes, but her natural instinct to care for someone injured wins out, as Akko knew it would. Diana lowers herself very slightly over her. Akko triumphantly rests both hands on her shoulders to guide her down a bit, but Diana stops much farther away than she would've liked. Akko's little grin turns back into a pout. Diana keeps her cool.

"Yes?"

"Does this look 'closer' to you? I have to tell you a secret!"

Diana holds her ground.

"Akko, there is no one in the room besides us, and I think I can hear you quite fine even if you whisp-"

"Dianaaaa! That's not the point! Come down here!" Akko's impatience wins out and she lunges up to lock both arms around her girlfriend's waist, pulling Diana down sideways over her. Diana yelps.

"A-Akko!"

But Akko clings to her tightly, refusing to let go as she happily nuzzles into Diana's collar. She's so warm and soft, and she smells really nice.

"Mmmmuch better! I can't get up right now, so this is the only way, right?" She squeezes Diana some more, curling her fingers into her uniform beneath the softness of her hair, letting out a big sigh. She can feel Diana resisting very slightly, clearly because she doesn't want to put too much weight on the injured witch and risk causing her further pain.

"I... I'm sure there are more appropriate ways to ask for a hug. Especially in your condition."

"It's fiiine~!" Akko pulls her down fully, having gravity on her side. Diana relents, though it seems just a little reluctant.

Akko enjoys her victory, snuggling into her shoulder and hair, loving the feeling of Diana's weight on top of her. It's a nice, soft, comforting pressure, and it gently fights off the aching in Akko's body. Diana's presence is like the best healing magic she could ever ask for.

Akko sighs, hugging her as tightly as she can, closing her eyes as she feels the beating of Diana's heart over hers.

But Diana doesn't really return any of the contact. She remains cautious, with her hands on the bedsheets and pillows rather than on Akko, and the brunette can tell it's because she's still worried about her.

Or, it could be something else.

Akko knows she tends to get a little carried away sometimes, and can often fail to consider the other person's feelings. She's a little concerned she's pulled Diana too far out of her comfort zone. Akko opens her eyes again, still smiling, hoping she's wrong, but needing to check anyway.

"Is this too much...? Do you wanna get up?" She wiggles her fingers over Diana's back, tapping gently. Diana lets out a quiet breath.

"N-No... I'm just afraid this position isn't quite suitable for your current s-state. You're recovering from multiple injuries. You should be more careful."

Akko pouts playfully.

"I already said I'm fine~ Besides, this is much more comfortable for me! As long as you're okay, too."

A pause, then another exhale.

"I find it to be... rather nice as well."

"Yeay~!" Akko gives her another squeeze, keeping her close. A few heartbeats pass between them. Akko closes her eyes, just about ready to take a nap like this when she feels Diana shifting slightly, tucking her face into Akko's shoulder, no doubt to conceal a blush.

"So?" she murmurs. "What is so important you needed to say in such 'secrecy'?"

"Oh!" Akko shimmies excitedly beneath her, nuzzling her nose through Diana's soft hair to whisper in her ear. "Ready? Ahem: I! Like! You! Like... a whoooole lot!"

She wishes she could see Diana's expression right now, but instead she just hears the sharp intake of breath.

"Oh, good heavens, Akko!"

"Aha...!"

"You could have said that without all this fuss, you know!"

"Aw, but it wouldn't have been the same! It's much better when you're flustered!"

"Akko!"

"Heehee~"

Now Diana is simply too embarrassed to get up, and there's also the notion that she likely doesn't want to let Akko see her blushing so she can revel even further in her little victory. So she remains where she is with her face buried in Akko's shoulder. Akko grins and gives her another squeeze.

"Diana, your heart's beating so fast~"

"Please be quiet..."

"Kaaay!" Akko gladly clams up for a moment, enjoying the time passing by with Diana so close to her. She loves it. She just wants to stay like this forever...

A yawn comes, and she lets it out loudly. In spite of her position, Diana doesn't miss the chance to fret.

"If you're tired you should rest." She just begins to make an effort to pull herself up, but Akko stops her with a pathetic whimper.

"But I'm coooold!" she whines. "Can you stay like this with me? Pleeeease?"

She can feel Diana pausing, debating in her mind what would be best in this situation. Eventually she relents and relaxes.

"I-If that is the only way to help you get some rest... then I suppose..."

"Yaaaay~" Akko hugs her more and snuggles up to her, grinning as another yawn comes. She's actually starting to feel tired for real with just how cozy and comfortable she is like this. "So... you'll stay with me a little while...?"

Diana is quiet for a moment, but Akko feels her shifting again. There's a soft kiss to her cheek, and she nearly squeals.

"I did agree to be your caretaker, did I not?"

"Mm!"

"Then I shall stay."

"Yeay! Thanks, Diana!"

"Enough talking now. Get some rest."

"Are you gonna nap with me?"

"No. It is my responsibility to watch over you."

"Aww, okay..." So Akko gets comfortable beneath her, stretching out her legs a little and moving her arms to a better position around Diana's back. She knows Diana is letting her move however is best for her, but Akko wants her to be comfortable too. "Is this okay?"

"Yes." Diana kisses her again. "Rest, Akko."

"Mmmkay..."

Akko blinks up at the underside of Lotte's bed and yawns again before finally closing her eyes. She feels Diana finally relaxing against her, having succumbed to her fate of staying in this position with her a while longer.

Akko loves the feeling of Diana's heartbeat against her chest, the rise and fall of her back as she breathes, her scent like feather pens and ink, the soft, gentle warmth overall. She yawns again and can feel her mind beginning to slip.

But not before she recognizes that Diana has fallen asleep first. Akko holds back a little giggle.

"Diana~?"

No response. Akko has to hold herself back from snuggling her harder. If there's anyone at Luna Nova who needs a nap more than she does, it's Diana.

Maybe they could make this a more frequent thing.

It's an idea she plans to suggest to her when the two of them next wake.

But for now Akko lets the quiet afternoon and the flutter of Diana's pulse lull her into sleep as well.

All of the little prickles of pain and soreness have faded, and only a soft, comforting warmth remains.

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A/N: Gosh this is just one of my fav comics/art pieces of Dianakko ever created. Just the positions and the reasons for their closeness and their dialogue and aaahhhh. I just adjusted the ending a little bit.

Link for the comic: ticcytx,tumblr,com/post/179903502659