Everlasting (ch5)

2-DAY EARLY RELEASE FOR MY HIGHER-PLEDGING PATRONS!

So from here is where you'll start to see some more little tidbits I included and created for their secret relationship. This chapter begins directly at episode 12, where the mirror incident occurs.

Disclaimer: I do not own Little Witch Academia.

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													Chapter 5. Midnight Meeting

Akko knows she should just try to find Diana.

If she finds her and explains everything to her, Diana will understand. Diana could help her change back to normal.

If Akko could only find her.

But being that she's now got Diana's exact appearance, she can't catch a break.

Everyone keeps finding her firs and asking her to do things, and it's all Akko can manage to make up excuses or pussyfoot her way out of the situations.

/Geez! As if Diana's not busy enough on a normal day, but I have to get pranked to look like her the day before the Festival when there's tons of work to be done!/

Of course, she does take a brief moment for herself to abuse her 'power' as Diana and get back at Hannah and Barbara. But for the most part, Akko is running around the school, searching for Diana whenever she can while simultaneously trying to avoid responsibilities, to little avail.

/It'd be better if I could just lock myself up somewhere and do nothing! But this is worse! Because in trying to do stuff, I'm doing it poorly and that's just making Diana look bad! I'd rather just do nothing at all!/

At the very least, maybe she could find Professor Ursula and explain the situation to her. After all, it isn't like she'd done anything wrong. She'd merely fallen victim to a prankster mirror, but it wasn't like it was off-limits to stand in front of it or anything. It was all just one big accident.

/I just wanna be me again.../

Though she had to admit, she'd learned a lot about Diana she might never have learned otherwise.

/Like how people need to leave her the heck alone!/

And now, here she is, making a fool of herself (or rather, making a fool of Diana) putting forth a sorry effort to change the pose of Jennifer's statue. She tries and tries, but nothing happens, and she can already hear everyone else mumbling and muttering.

/Crap! I'm just making Diana look worse-/

"Ansolow Aeiro!"

A familiar voice rings out louder than the gossiping chatter. Akko perks up and watches as the statue begins to move due to the advanced spell cast upon it. And then, everyone is shrieking in surprise.

"Akko?!"

"Huh?" Akko looks herself over to find her hair is brown again, her sash is red, and her appearance is her own. "I'm back?"

And then it hits her that the jig is up. She's been exposed.

/Ahh but I guess this is for the better... Now everyone knows it's me that screwed everything up, not Diana.../

Nervously, Akko turns around to face the grumbling crowds.

"Ah, th-there's a very good reason behind this..."

"This was the work of the mirror, I presume. It is easy to imagine."

Diana's voice comes from the rightful owner's lips this time, not Akko's. Akko whirls around to face her girlfriend.

"Diana!"

And part of her wants to run over and throw her arms around her and tell Diana what an insane day she's had so she can start explaining everything to her properly.

And she would've done just that. If not for all of the other people standing around watching.

So Akko needs to keep up her act. She meets Diana's eyes only briefly, and they share a quick, knowing glance before Diana commences her own part of the act. She keeps her eyes narrowed, her body posture strictly unimpressed, and her tone harsh.

"More importantly, I just had a meeting with Lotte and Sucy about your sacrifice duty."

"Ah-"

"Were you really so irresponsible as to forget?"

If they hadn't been so used to this guise by now, Akko might have taken offense. But as things are now, she's actually doing her best not to burst out laughing.

She bites her tongue and tries to keep up her end by pretending to be defensive. But she actually did forget about the meeting, so she uses a bit of that guilt to add to her ploy.

"S-Sorry. I just can't get on board with being a sacrifice..."

"And you think that justifies your pointless prank?"

Akko can't look her in the eye. Everyone else thinks it's because she feels guilty about it all. But in reality, she's just trying not to chuckle.

She hears Diana heave a sigh, and then proceed with chewing her out in order to satisfy the public.

"Whenever something does not go your way, you sulk and lose all motivation. You play at being Chariot without the slightest knowledge of the history or tradition of magic. You have no right to learn at this academy!"

Akko actually flinches a little bit at that. She knows Diana doesn't mean it, but she's being extremely convincing right now. So Akko just uses that raw emotion to snap a reply.

"I am motivated! I'm serious about following in Chariot's footsteps!"

Diana acts unconvinced.

"Serious? You are?"

"I'll prove it to you. That my passion for magic is the real deal!"

Just for show, Akko puts on a heavy pout, clenches her fists, and stops past Diana in a huff. Already, she's just thinking about when she'll be able to see her in private again.

Some of what Akko's said is indeed true. Of course she's serious about following Chariot's lead. But having Diana challenge her dream so Akko can defend it is a script they'd agreed upon, as it is exactly what others would expect them to argue about.

Still, just for good measure, Akko whirls around and shouts one last bit at Diana from afar.

"Kagari Atsuko will be chosen as the Moonlit Witch during the Samhain Festival!"

And with this declaration, she continues storming off. She makes sure to go in the direction Diana had come from, keeping her eyes peeled for something familiar...

And she spots it immediately – a small piece of paper tucked into the side of the building's door. Akko swiftly plucks it out and takes it along with her as she goes.

Once she's out of sight and alone in the hallway, she unfolds the paper. What's written on it in flowing calligraphy is very concise:

"8:05, Location C"

This is hers and Diana's code by which they communicate in their secret notes and letters. Diana had given her a page that elaborated on the code so Akko would not forget.

Presently, she pulls the decoding sheet out of her skirt pocket and scans it over.

"Okay, so the hour is always 3 numbers later than what Diana said, so... 8 means 11. And the minutes are uhh, let's see... oh! The minutes are always twenty minutes ahead so... 45... So the time is at 11:45 tonight!And then Location C, that's... oh! That's behind the history wing's building! Got it!"

Diana had been the one to propose and concoct this secret code of theirs. She had insisted on the time-change aspect of it, despite Akko's complaints that it would be too difficult for her to remember.

"This way," Diana had told her. "If someone else should happen to come across one of my notes to you, they will not understand what each location is referring to. However, to avoid anyone accidentally stumbling upon one of those locations at the written time, I propose we alter the timeframe significantly to avoid any possible detection."

It had taken Akko a moment to understand Diana's reasoning, but it made plenty of sense. To her knowledge, no one else had ever found one of Diana's notes before Akko herself had, but it was much better to be safe with this than sorry. And besides, now that Diana had written out the code for her, Akko doesn't find it terribly difficult anymore.

"All right, so 11:45 tonight behind the history building. Sounds good." Akko carefully tucks both pieces of paper deep into her pockets before scurrying off.

For the remainder of the evening, she reflects on what she'd learned about Diana today. She recalls how luxurious but lonely Diana's bed is, how neat, but cryptic her diary is. And of course, she now realizes just how busy Diana is, and how much the other students and staff demand and expect of her on a daily basis.

That evening, Akko apologizes to Lotte and Sucy for missing their meeting and has dinner together with them as per usual. But as soon as they retreat to their room and lights are out, Akko waits until her teammates are asleep before instantly getting back out of bed.

She still has a few hours before her designated meeting time with Diana. So she changes into her robes again, takes the Shiny Rod with her, and sets out for the New Moon Tower.

She lies there on the edge of the balcony, trying to collect her thoughts and her bearings, reflecting and pondering, considering how she might make her sacrifice duty at the Festival more worthwhile.

She's been mulling it over for a few hours when Professor Ursula finds her.

And that's how she gets her idea for the Samhain Festival.

By the time Professor Ursula leaves her, Akko is feeling ten times more energized and excited as she had been previously. And it's almost time for her to meet with Diana.

"I can't wait to tell her my idea!" Akko jumps up, still clutching the Rod, and begins scurrying back into the tower and down the winding staircases. "I wonder what Diana will think of- oh! Maybe I shouldn't tell her! Maybe I should let it be a surprise~"

She agrees with herself not to reveal her plan to Diana after all. She wants her girlfriend to be genuinely surprised just like everyone else.

"Yaey! I'm gonna make this sacrifice duty stuff a huge success!"

Akko hums merrily to herself as she jumps off the final step and gives a spin, then continues on her way. She hurries along toward the history building, checking the moon overhead to ensure it's still before midnight.

The roof here overhangs slightly on one corner, providing excellent coverage from anyone patrolling by broom. Akko rounds the corner and spots Diana already there waiting, her broom in-hand. Akko places the Shiny Rod in the grass and bolts straight toward her, throwing her arms out and slamming into Diana full-force.

"Diana~!"

Her surprise arrival takes Diana aback, and the white-haired witch yelps and stumbles against the impact, using her broom to steady herself.

"A-Akko! Keep your voice down!"

"Uweeeh I'm sorryyyy, I just missed you so muuuch!"

"You saw me but a few hours ago."

"Yeah, but not when we could be alone like this!" Akko nestles herself into Diana's shoulder again, sighing in relief now that she gets to behave honestly around her. Diana also can't stop herself from putting an arm around Akko.

"I must admit I agree..." Once again, she rests her hand on Akko's back, in the spot where she knows to have hit her with a spell. Akko recognizes Diana does this almost every chance she gets. With a sigh, Akko pulls back a bit and looks up into her eyes.

"Dianaaaa, stop worrying. That was weeks ago, and it was an accident. I told you it's fine."

"Even so..."

"Diana..." Akko headbutts her lightly and nuzzles into her collar. "You worry too much. About everything. All the time. I got to see that for myself today..." Sheepishly, she properly apologies for the day's events. "S-Sorry about all that. It was an accident. One second I was me and then the next-"

"I am aware. You must have stood in front of that mirror before I had the chance to spread the faery dust over it."

"Yeah..." Akko hides her face deeper into Diana's neck. "I-I was trying to find you, cuz I knew you'd be able to help. B-But then everyone just kept finding me first and asking me to do stuff! I mean, I know you're usually always so busy, but when there's something like the Festival coming up, your workload triples! I dunno how you do it, Diana..."

"Practice has a way of conditioning," Diana murmurs. "But I apologize for any distress this may have caused you."

"What? Why? It's not like you cast the spell on me. I should be the one apologizing for making you look bad..."

"Everything has been resolved now," Diana assures her. "There is no need for you to apologize."

"Okay... then same for you."

Akko lifts her head and bumps her nose against Diana's before kissing her softly. She sighs against her mouth, silently revealing just how badly she'd missed this.

Diana tightens her hold on Akko's shoulders, moving her lips in time with hers.

Akko can't keep her hands still tonight. She just wants to hug Diana every possible way she can. She hugs her shoulders, her sides and back, her waist, and then every combination of those. She plays through Diana's hair and cups her cheeks and holds onto her upper arms.

Eventually, Diana can't help but fidget.

"You are awfully active tonight."

"S-Sorry!" Akko freezes her hands on Diana's sides. "I'm just... really happy to get to be with you. And I'm relieved you're not mad at me."

"Of course I am not. However..."

She doesn't finish right away, though her last word has Akko's full attention. She suddenly becomes nervous that Diana is having second thoughts about something. Perhaps about them.

"W-What...?" she mumbles. "What is it, Diana?" Her chest starts to feel tight as Diana takes a step back, checking their surroundings once again.

Then, with a dip of her head, Diana invites Akko to have a seat in the grass. Timidly, Akko obeys.

Diana leans her broom against the wall and sits beside her. With their backs pressed against the building, they curl their legs beneath them. Akko instantly scooches as close to Diana as possible, so their shoulders are brushing. She finds Diana's hand and slips hers into it, squeezing gently.

She waits for Diana to finish her thought from earlier. However, Diana seems content with the silence for now.

But it's killing Akko, so she has to break it.

"D-Diana...? What were you gonna say before...?" She keeps her gaze on Diana's profile, but the white-haired witch seems to be having difficulty in looking at her directly.

Instead, Diana turns her eyes up to the night sky.

"I... had wanted to apologize..."

Akko tenses up a little bit.

"F-For what...? A-Are you..." She tries to swallow, but the lump in her throat pushes back and makes her words choke out. "Breaking up with me...?" Her voice is so small and thin and breakable.

Diana's eyes fly open as she quickly whips her head around to face her.

"Akko!" Diana doesn't even care that she's raised her voice this time. Her blue eyes spark with a fierceness Akko's never seen before – not quite like this. Akko doesn't realize she herself is about to cry until a sniffle works its way out.

"S-Sorry. I just-"

But Diana cuts her off by suddenly pulling Akko forward into her arms. She locks her arms around Akko's back with surprising strength – with fervor.

Almost like she never wants to let go.

Akko would be fine with that.

She returns the sideways embrace, tucking her arms beneath Diana's and burying her face in her shoulder once more. Diana pulls her closer still, almost defiantly.

"Akko..." Her voice all but trembles against the shell of Akko's ear. The brunette whimpers for having worried her unnecessarily. But she listens as her girlfriend goes on. "I promise you that I will do... everything within my power to prevent something like that from happening. I will not allow outside forces to influence us. That is not what I intended to tell you."

And Akko feels as though a painful weight has been lifted off her chest. She releases a long, long sigh into Diana's wavy white hair, and hugs her a little tighter around the waist.

"Okay... I'm glad..." She sniffles one last time before she can feel a smile spreading back across her lips. Leaning back, she seeks Diana's azure eyes in the darkness. "So then, what are you apologizing for?"

Diana looks down at the grass, and her fingers squeeze Akko's a little nervously.

"I had feared... that I had gone too far earlier today. I challenged your aspirations of becoming like Chariot. Even as I was saying those things, I regretted it. I was worried I had hurt you..." She turns her face away shamefully, and her hair provides a white screen, hiding herself from Akko.

But Akko reaches up with her free hand to tuck Diana's hair behind her ear, so she may see her face again.

"That's it? Diana, it's okay! We'd said way ahead of time that that's a good script for us to use since it's what people expect of us anyway! I know you didn't mean it." Akko's so relieved that this was all that had been troubling Diana, and not something much more serious.

Akko pulls her close and vigorously nuzzles into Diana's collar. "You worry way too much. But I guess that's better than not worrying at all and then assuming things are fine when they might not be. So..." Akko sits back now and presents Diana with a wide smile. "Thanks for worrying about me, Diana."

Diana feels a small flutter within her chest. The moonlight streaming down over Akko in this moment highlights her hair with silver and brings out the earthen color of her eyes, which are sparkling more than the night sky itself.

Again, Diana can't help herself. She cups Akko's face in her hands and wordlessly leans in to steal a small kiss from that smile. Akko purrs and giggles, giving her girlfriend another squeeze.

"But you shouldn't worry too much, okay, Diana? Cuz then I'll start to worry about you worrying about me! If that makes any sense..."

Diana offers a small smile in return.

"I understand your meaning," she assures. "Now then..." She turns her gaze back to the sky, reading the crescent moon for the time. "We have about twenty minutes remaining."

"Oooh, then I know what I wanna do!"

Excitedly, Akko leans herself back against the building again, then shifts her knees apart. She opens her arms invitingly and grins wider than before. Diana blinks, puzzled.

"What exactly... is it you want?"

"I wanna cuddle!" Akko declares. "See, you come sit right here, Diana!" Akko pats the space between her knees expectantly. Diana raises an eyebrow.

"I fail to see how this will be comfortable for either of us."

"Just trust meeee!"

"...Very well. But first..."

Diana moves herself away from the wall for a moment and draws her wand.

First, she casts a spell on the bushes and trees nearby, having it so that their leaves and branches lean a little more conveniently over the spot where the two of them are sitting. Next, she aims her wand at the wall behind Akko and murmurs a familiar spell.

"Slonhon Deance."

Almost instantly, Akko can feel the hard wall behind her back softening as little flowers begin sprouting over the surface. They cushion her back much more comfortably, easing the soreness in her shoulder blades.

"Ahhh, this is so niiiiice~" Akko wiggles herself contentedly against the soft petals. She grabs at the air, encouraging Diana to hurry. "Mmm c'mon, c'mon, Dianaaaa~"

"Just a moment." Diana slips her wand back into her sash before looking Akko over once again. She had indicated Diana was to sit between her knees.

Slowly, Diana does as Akko had instructed and sidles herself in the designated spot. Akko doesn't wait even two seconds before she reaches out and wraps her arms snugly around Diana's stomach and pulls her back as close to herself as possible.

"Yaaaey~ Twenty minutes of having Diana all to myself~"

"A-Akko..."

Diana's never been held in such a position before. With Akko's arms around her stomach and her legs on either side of her now, Diana feels heat rising up to fill her cheeks.

Akko nuzzles Diana's hat off her head so she can bury her face in Diana's hair without holding back, pulling her up close against her chest. Akko giggles into her girlfriend's shoulder, squeezing her a little tighter.

"Ahhh, it's so nice~ You're so warm, Diana~"

Diana doesn't know how to react. She herself can feel just how heated her body has become at this intimate proximity.

Part of her is grateful for the fact that she's turned away from Akko so that the pinkness in her cheeks isn't visible. But there are plenty of other things to demonstrate how she's feeling right now.

She's still as stiff as ever, and no matter how much Akko coos and cuddles her, Diana remains tense. Akko presses her chest close to Diana's back to hug her, but like this, she can feel just how quickly Diana's heart is pounding. When she realizes she's the only one enjoying this, Akko's smile fades.

"S... Sorry..." Gently, Akko loosens her hold on Diana and lets her go. "I-I didn't consider how you might feel about this, Diana. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable..."

But the second Diana can't feel Akko's arms around her any longer, she shivers.

"Not at all..." She doesn't think she can bear to turn around if it means she'll risk seeing Akko's dejected expression, so Diana merely continues looking down at her own boots. "It is not that I am uncomfortable. I am simply adjusting myself."

Slowly, Diana slides herself a little closer toward Akko, until her back bumps against her girlfriend's chest again. Diana curls her legs closer to herself and leans her head back against the front of Akko's shoulder. She closes her eyes and lets out a steady breath, gradually allowing herself to relax.

Akko hesitates, her hands still in midair, unsure of what to do.

"Are... Are you sure?"

"I am."

"O...Okay..."

Gingerly, Akko moves her arms around Diana's sides again and puts her hands back into place across her stomach. She gives a little squeeze, lifting her knees up on either side of her girlfriend to shield Diana from the breeze.

The smile gradually finds its way back onto Akko's face as she cuddles Diana from behind, keeping both of them pleasantly warm.

Now that Diana has had a moment to adjust, she truthfully begins to enjoy this closeness with Akko. A bit of tension drains from her body as she allows herself to lean back against her girlfriend. She lifts her hands up to lay them over Akko's, covering them where they rest around her stomach.

Akko giggles again, glad that Diana is finally letting herself relax. She rests her chin on Diana's shoulder, turning her face just a little bit to steal a peck on her cheek.

Diana smiles as well, resting her head fully against Akko's shoulder. She knows she never would have accepted such intimacy with anyone else in the world other than Akko. And she knows Akko would never like to have it with anyone other than her.

Akko just keeps hugging her tighter, trying to pull Diana as close to herself as possible. But she catches herself when Diana makes a small sound, and Akko realizes she's holding a bit too tightly beneath her ribs, so she loosens her grip a little. Keeping her voice a low hum, Akko cradles Diana in her arms.

"You did so much work todaaay. You should rest, Diana."

"There is hardly ample time for that."

"Then just take a nap!"

"It is not that simple. Oftentimes, I wish it were."

Akko frowns. Of course Diana is one of those people who can only fall asleep in a proper bed after an hour's worth of mentally tiring herself out. Unlike Akko, who is the type that can fall asleep anywhere, any time, at any second.

"Mmm then just close your eyes and relax~ I'll let you know when our time's up." Akko glances up at the moon, making note of its position.

Diana is a little uncertain at first, but soon decides to trust her. Therefore, she closes her eyes and leans herself back against Akko.

And Akko gives another giggle of delight and cuddles into her, shifting herself a little bit so Diana's head rests in a better position.

Akko uncurls her fingers and begins gently tracing circles over Diana's stomach. She feels Diana jolt just a little bit at the contact, so Akko pauses. Gradually, Diana relaxes beneath her touch, and Akko continues her ministrations.

She doesn't say anything, as she really does want to encourage Diana to rest. But Akko does make happy little sounds in the back of her throat, and sighs repeatedly.

She's in absolute bliss right now, with comfy, fragrant flowers at her back and Diana's softness and warmth spreading across her chest. She snuggles her as much as she can without moving Diana, ensuring she is as secure as possible in her arms.

Once Akko finally stops fidgeting, she begins to notice much more intimate things about Diana.

Like the way she breathes, so softly and lightly. Her exhales are longer than her inhales, as though she's always trying to give more than she takes.

When she really focuses, Akko can decipher Diana's pulse thrumming lightly against her chest. She's never felt it quite so closely before. She wonders if it would be all right to listen.

Akko indulges herself and turns her head just a little, resting her ear at the center of Diana's shoulders, the nape of her neck. She can barely hear anything from this spot. But when she closes her eyes and really focuses on both her hands and her ears, she can make out the rhythm of Diana's heart, very faintly.

/It's really nice.../

She wonders if Diana is still awake. If she is, and she doesn't like this, Akko knows she would've said something. So Akko hugs her a little closer – as close as she can.

As the minutes pass by, she can feel Diana's pulse begin to slow and her breathing begin to deepen. Most likely, the only time Diana can actually fully relax is when she's asleep, but even then, it's limited.

Akko knows she probably has nightmares from time to time, or something that troubles her and keeps her awake, prevents her from having a decent night's rest to the fullest.

But for now - just for these fifteen final minutes - Akko believes Diana truly rests.

She is quiet, still, and safe in Akko's arms. She doesn't have to do anything or think about anything or worry about anything. Akko's glad to give her these few moments of relaxation. She wishes she could give her more...

But before very much longer, Akko realizes their time is almost up. The moonlight has shifted, now only highlighting a fraction of Diana's hair rather than all of it.

/Just one more minute!/

Akko closes her eyes and counts the beats of Diana's heart, savoring the sound, the softness, the warmth...

At last, she forces herself to pull away. Biting her lip, she groans to herself.

/Geez, I hate to do this! I really hate to have to wake her up now!/

Briefly, she considers picking Diana up and bringing her back to her dorm room. But she quickly dismisses the idea. She'd have to take Diana's broom as well, and how would she explain things if someone found her? What would she say to Hannah and Barbara? And Diana still has another shift to complete...

/Aww fine! Guess I have no choice.../

Unlike the conflicted wailing of the voice in her head, Akko clears her through and audibly speaks much more softly.

"Diana?" She presses her cheek lightly against the side of Diana's head and nuzzles her again. "Dianaaa, time to wake up..." Akko rubs her girlfriend's stomach again and eases her forward. She hears a small, tired, but very adorable sound work its way up Diana's throat.

"Mn..."

Akko needs to bite back a squeal and gently shakes her again.

"C'mon, Sleeping Beauty."

Diana's conscious comes back to her slowly. She's never been quite so comfortably warm before in all her life. Akko's scent wreathes around her, fills her lungs, reminds her of where she is. The moonlight is pale as it splashes through the leaves of surrounding plants. Diana can tell from the shadows it's just about time for her next shift to begin.

A small jolt of panic squirms in her chest, and a gasp falls from her lips. But before she can start to fret, Akko pulls her back for another hug.

"Take it easy. You still have a few minutes. I promised I'd wake you up on time, didn't I?"

Slowly, Diana tilts her head to look back at Akko. She's clearly tired, but she had made sure not to fall asleep so she could wake Diana on time.

Diana turns herself around and brushes her palm against Akko's cheek, earning a sleepy smile in return. Akko rests her forehead against Diana's and yawns softly.

"Did you sleep at all?" she wonders.

Diana replies with a small kiss.

"Better than I have in my entire life."

"Aw, you're flattering me."

"I am being entirely serious, Akko." She feels so rejuvenated, so refreshed. She's never felt this way before, not even after sleeping hours on a luxurious mattress. Somehow, napping for twenty minutes behind a corner of the school in Akko's arms was the remedy she'd needed.

But she can tell Akko won't make it back to her own room. Therefore, Diana pushes herself up, and carefully helps Akko to her feet with her. She picks up their hats and places them back atop the rightful witch's head, making sure Diana gives Akko the proper one, lest her teammates find her with a blue-ribboned hat in the morning.

Diana guides Akko to her broom and mounts it, pulling Akko on behind herself. Akko hugs her around the waist a second time tonight and presses close to her back.

Diana casts the lift-off spell and quietly ascends. Within minutes, she's hovering outside of Akko's team's window. She uses another spell to quietly open the hinge and gets her broom as close as possible so Akko can hop off to stand on the sill. Diana keeps a firm hold on her hand just to be safe.

"Get some rest," Diana advises. "I shall see you tomorrow, Akko."

"M'kay. Night, Diana."

Akko holds onto her hand a moment longer, coaxing Diana close enough to kiss her cheek sweetly. Diana brushes her nose against Akko's, smiles, and releases her hand.

"Goodnight, Akko."

She watches Akko climb safely in through the window and then takes off.

Akko watches her go, keeping Diana in her sights until the last possible second.

And even though she sleeps alone that night, that special warmth never leaves her chest.

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A/N: As promised, the chapters are getting longer now! I really wanted to write something involving the "softening spell" so I let them cuddle for a while. Diana, like myself, is probably the kind of person who can't just fall asleep anywhere/anytime, but if the right person coaxes her and makes her feel safe, she'll cave.

I had a lot of fun creating their secret code for this. It sort of reminded me of when I had Diana send Akko on her 'scavenger hunt' in my other fic, A Witch's Confession.