Every Second (ch3)

EARLY RELEASE FOR MY HIGHEST-PLEDGING PATRONS! THANK YOU SO MUCH!

An idea sparked somewhat from the events of episode 12, but I had to change it up a bit in order to work with this AU. You'll see what I mean. But other than that main idea, this involves a lot of fluff~

Disclaimer: I do not own Little Witch Academia.

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													Chapter 3. Heart And Mind

Akko can feel her consciousness creeping in early this morning, while their bedroom is just barely touched by the faintest glow of sunrise. She doesn't open her eyes right away, but rather allows her senses to come back to her.

Before anything else, the sensation of warmth floods through her – the blankets, the sunlight, the overall comfort of the bed she shares...

And of course, Diana.

There is absolutely nothing in the world that can make Akko feel quite as warm as her wife can.

She listens first to the sounds of Diana's reserved, quiet breathing, but knowing there won't be much time left before they have to leave this heavenly bed prompts Akko to blink open her eyes.

Diana is lying on her side with her back turned to Akko. Even though they always fall asleep in each others' arms, it isn't uncommon for them to end up separate by morning. Akko can't help but muse to herself that Diana turns away from her unconsciously because she's already preparing for the next day's work even before she's aware of it.

But Akko still has a bit of time to be alone with her this morning, and she's not going to let it go to waste.

Slowly, she shifts her arms and legs, letting the prickles of stiffness melt away until she can feel her limbs once again. When she's able to, she sidles herself closer to her sleeping wife. Not wanting to wake her before she needs to be woken, Akko is very meticulous in moving her arms around Diana.

She slips one beside her neck, between the space of where her head meets the pillow, and drapes the other across her upturned side. Akko presses herself close to spoon her, resting her chin on Diana's shoulder, her cheek cushioned by that soft, wavy white hair. A raspy, contented hum vibrates in the back of her throat as she half-sighs and relaxes against her wife.

It's moments like these that seem the most surreal. After all, the moments they share together just before they will inevitably have to part ways and start the day's work are some of the most precious.

Akko savors everything.

As the milky sunlight slips in through the curtains, it bathes Diana's form in a diaphanous glow, almost angelic.

Akko takes in the beautiful sight of her, using her eyes to trace the outline of Diana's figure, up the rise of her shoulder, then down the slope of her side.

She closes her eyes for a time, allowing her sense of touch to take over.

She feels the slight movement of Diana's body as she breathes, her ribs pushing ever so slightly up against Akko's palm before sinking back down. Akko can't help but hug her closer.

Diana's heartbeat thumps in her neck, and Akko can feel it clearly through her scarred back as well, enough so that it fans out against the top of her chest.

Akko has long-since gotten used to the irregular rhythm.

There's a part of her that still fails to believe Diana survived the first attack, let alone the second. That one is still rather fresh in her mind, and she shudders.

It's only been three months since Croix's ambush, and only two months since Diana had been discharged from the hospital again.

Just reliving the memories of that devastating day is enough to bring a stinging sensation to Akko's eyes. She squeezes them shut, not willing to cry first thing in the morning. If that's what Diana wakes up to, she'll only fret.

So for both their sakes, Akko takes a deep breath, reminding herself that Diana is alive and well and safe in her arms.

She nestles into her shoulder, focusing on her beloved wife, longing to be as close to her as possible. Her ring glows faintly beneath the blankets as she moves her hand up Diana's stomach and settles it there.

For a while, Akko is still. She allows the pace of Diana's breathing and the rhythm of her pulse to calm her, put her mind at ease.

She'd committed Diana's arrhythmic heartbeat to memory many years ago. And every time Akko has asked her about it since then – which had been quite a few times – Diana has always insisted that it doesn't bother her, let alone hurt her.

Akko feels it might hurt her more than it hurts Diana. Not her heartbeat itself, but the things that had caused it to become like this.

Akko wishes that, if only for a day, she could give Diana her pulse back.

/After all... it's my fault it's like this now.../

Even though Diana has told her countless times that she's never for a second blamed Akko for the actions of the ones who had harmed her, Akko can't help but suffer from that guilt. Even though she was not directly responsible, she believes she might've been able to prevent the attacks at the very least.

/Just once... why couldn't it have been me instead...?/

She feels that prickling sensation again, and pushes the thoughts away. Times late at night and early in the morning are when her mind is most prone to such vulnerable thoughts; when she's yet to eat or move much or focus her attention on her work or her students.

/Dang it... I don't wanna waste my time with her thinking about that stuff. It won't be much longer before she has to wake up.../

So Akko does her best to forget all else other than the here and now.

She hugs Diana around her stomach and collar, pulling her in to her chest. Akko presses close to her back, sharing all the warmth she can manage.

It's at this point when she notices a minuscule change in Diana.

It's such a minor alteration that no one other than Akko – who has spent so much more time being close to Diana than anyone else – would notice.

It's just a slight increase to her breathing and heart rate, but Akko can recognize it right away. These are the telltale signs that a nightmare is about to take hold of Diana.

Defiantly, Akko squeezes her wife as if to shield her from such dreadful things.

/Like hell I'll let that happen to her if I can help it./

Akko pulls herself away from Diana, then gently rolls her onto her back. She wastes no time in patting her shoulder very gently, calling for her with a soft, calm voice.

"Diana?"

Akko watches and waits as her wife stirs, making a small whimper in the back of her throat. Akko thumbs her cheek, then kisses it.

When she pulls away, Diana's eyelashes are fluttering, until a vibrant sky-blue is revealed. For a second, she remains in the haze sleep has left behind before clarity and recognition fill her gaze.

"Akko..."

Akko offers her the warmest smile, just as a ray of sunlight slants in and turns her brown hair chestnut.

"Morning." She dips down to kiss her wife's lips briefly. "Are you okay?"

Diana can tell she was about to experience a nightmare. Her heart is still beating rather thickly, but the worst of it has been avoided.

"Yes. Thank you, Akko."

She reaches up, loops her arms around Akko's neck, and pulls her down.

Akko can't comply quickly enough, nuzzling herself into Diana's nightgown, laying her ear over her heart.

For a moment, both of them are quiet. Diana gets her bearings and begins thinking about the things she needs to do today, while Akko waits until Diana's pulse has returned to its usual unusual pace. She stays there for as long as she can, until she feels Diana give her back a soft pat.

"It is time to get up."

Akko moans.

"Noooooo..."

"My apologies."

Diana kisses the top of her wife's head, then gently peels Akko off herself. Akko does her best to keep clinging to her nightgown, but eventually admits defeat.

Once she's finally managed to get herself on her feet, she helps Diana make their bed, then begins preparing breakfast in the kitchen while Diana showers.

Despite the somewhat rough start to the morning, it feels like today will be just another ordinary day. And Akko is more than willing to welcome it.

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Once she's finished teaching her classes for the day, Akko will more often than not head to Diana's office and wait for her to finish her work before walking with her back to their room.

But today, Akko has something else on her mind.

Of course, it is still in relation to Diana - because her mind is very rarely ever not occupied with thoughts of her cherished wife - but today she heads back to their room rather than Diana's office.

She pauses at the miniature library – four, double-sided shelves' worth of books that Diana set up herself.

Akko scans the spines of the books that are so neatly and rigidly organized by author, content, and language. She isn't certain of what she's looking for exactly, but she has a general idea.

Of course, it would be infinitely easier simply to ask Diana directly, but Akko doesn't want to talk about this yet, especially if there isn't actually a spell or incantation for the thing she has in mind.

She pulls out a few books and leafs through the pages, looks over the indexes, and ultimately puts them all back one by one. She does this for about half an hour, and she begins to feel more like her wife than ever before.

"Speaking of which, I should probably go get her soon before she overworks herself..."

But Akko decides to try just one last book.

The title reads "Complex Comprehension of the Magical World".

She pulls it out and looks for something that might be relevant to her intents. She glances over the index, then finds a chapter that catches her eye.

After the chapters on the Complex Comprehension of Flaura and Complex Comprehension of Fauna, there is a chapter on the Complex Comprehension of Fellows.

Akko turns to that page and scours the paragraphs, from the spell itself to the results it will bring.

"This should work. This might be it."

She pulls the ribbon on the book's spine into that page to mark it, then slips it back into its place on the shelf.

She doesn't plan to propose the idea to Diana tonight, or on any other school night. But perhaps when the weekend approaches and they have a bit of free time.

With her decision made, Akko bolts to the door and dashes down the hallway to Diana's office to pick her up. Literally.

As soon as Diana permits her entry, Akko rushes over to her desk without regard for Diana's paperwork, and with a zealous cry of her name, picks her right up out of her chair and twirls her.

"Dianaaaa~" she sings. "School is over! You're all mine again once the final bell rings, remember~?"

With her feather-pen still in-hand, Diana stares over Akko's shoulder down at the unfinished signature she'd been writing. She smiles hopelessly and hugs her wife in return as best she can like this.

"Yes, that is what our agreement was," she concedes. "However, would you allow me to finish just this final page I am working on?"

Akko mulls it over with a hum, then sets her back down.

"Okay. But as soon as you're done, we're gonna go have dinner."

"Yes, of course."

There had been times in the past, mainly Diana's first few weeks as headmistress, when she'd overworked herself to almost a dangerous point. And this had been even when Akko was with her.

Before Akko had made herself known, it had all been much worse.

Back during a time when Diana had believed Akko to be gone, she'd nearly worked herself half to death multiple times, nearly drowned herself in it so she might forget the pain Akko's absence had left in her heart.

But a lot has happened since then.

She and Akko now have the aforementioned agreement – that as soon as the final bell rings, Diana will stop working, unless it is for rarer outstanding cases of extremely critical importance. Diana has held true to that agreement for several months already, and both she and Akko have enjoyed much more tranquility, better health, and improved levels of energy during this time.

Once Diana finishes the paper, as promised, she puts everything else away and follows Akko down to the cafeteria. They've made it a habit to eat dinner with their students as often as possible, save a few special occasions when they choose to be alone.

For now, Akko pushes thoughts of the spell she'd found to the back of her mind, fully intending to tell Diana about it when the weekend draws near.

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Of course, Diana can tell when there's something on her wife's mind.

No matter how skilled Akko believes she is at concealing her secrets, Diana sees right through her every time now for all the times she'd failed to do so in the past.

Akko only keeps her plans to herself until the next day at lunch when Diana casually calls her out on it.

"Tell me, Akko. What has been on your mind since yesterday?"

And Akko nearly chokes on her potato salad. She smacks her chest while Diana pats her back more calmly, until Akko can speak for herself.

"W-What? I have no idea what you're-"

And Diana just gives her that look. Akko admits defeat with a sigh.

"Fine... There's... There's this spell I wanted to try out with you. I was gonna wait till this weekend to tell you though, cuz I didn't want you to be swamped with work and stuff."

"A spell?" Diana raises an eyebrow with interest. "This is new. You do not typically make these kinds of requests. May I ask what kind of spell?"

Akko purses her lips and hums.

"It's... I think it's something that will help us... understand each other a little more."

Diana's expression remains to be one of surprise.

In all their months of marriage, on top of all the years they had been together beforehand, she was under the impression there was little left they had to understand about one another.

They knew everything – everything – about each other. They knew things the other didn't even know about herself.

But this doesn't mean Diana is opposed to the idea of potentially learning more about Akko. She longs to become as close to her as possible, in any way possible.

Therefore, with a smile, she nods. She reaches out to take her wife's hand, left with left, their rings clinking together softly.

"Then I would very much like to give it a try with you."

Akko's eyes light up.

"Really? W-Well we can discuss it more later. You can decide if it's something you think you might wanna try or not. We don't have to."

She never wants to make Diana feel like Akko is forcing her to do something she might not want to do. She doesn't want to insert the sense that Diana is obligated to do this.

But Diana reassures her with a gentle kiss to the cheek.

"Do not fret. We shall look over the spell when we have the time, and we can decide from there."

Relieved, Akko nods.

"Yeah. Okay!"

Diana pulls her into a brief hug, and Akko can feel their hearts beating together again for just a few seconds.

When they part, Diana gets to work on dabbing a napkin over her wife's lips, while Akko chuckles sheepishly.

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When the week finally comes to an end, Diana finishes all of her paperwork early on Friday night, and surprises Akko by arriving at their room before Akko can even leave to come fetch her.

Delighted, Akko hurries over to hug her tightly, peppering her with kisses. Diana enjoys the moment in her arms before drawing attention to the matter they've been waiting all week to explore.

"Now then, please show me the spell you had in mind."

Akko takes a step back and nods.

Keeping hold of her wife's hand, she guides Diana into the bookshelves and goes directly to the tome she'd marked. Akko has been looking the spell over every day just to ensure it's the one she wants.

Diana notes which book it is right away as Akko pulls it out.

But she doesn't open it right away. Instead, she leads Diana back to their bed, where they both remove their boots, then sit down, leaning back against the pillows and headboard. With the book between them, Akko opens it to the designated page and points out the spell she'd found.

Together, they read over the description passage:

"The Complex Comprehension of Fellows: This spell will not alter the physical appearance of the participants, but rather will alter the other conditions of their forms, primarily internal. It is meant for brief usage, which will allow participants to gain a better understanding of one another without the risk of losing their own identity.

This spell is most typically used in the medical field, allowing doctors to temporarily experience the pain of their patients in order to make a proper diagnoses. Additionally, it can be used in the cases of better understanding those with disabilities or impediments who cannot properly express their emotions or ailments on their own.

Participants need merely to join hands and cast the incantation as follows : Contrefique ilu Vamorna. The spell will be broken once contact is relinquished."

Akko has already memorized the passage, so she finishes looking it over much more quickly than Diana does. She squeezes her wife's hand a little anxiously as she waits for her to finish.

"S-So... what do you think...?"

Diana doesn't look up at her just yet. Both she and Akko take a moment to think it through.

It is a spell that requires nothing more than physical contact and an incantation.

However, it will result in very major effects, even if they are only temporary.

In performing this spell, they will be letting everything be laid bare for the other to experience.

Of course, there is little left for them to learn about one another. After all, they have cast the spell that reveals the strength of the connection of their very souls, a spell that has such a low success rate that most people tend to avoid it for fear of unfavorable results.

But they are among the few who had been successful. Their souls and their hearts are bound together more closely than most others, and more uniquely than any others.

But although they have been and continue to be entirely open about their feelings and their troubles throughout their relationship, there are certain things they simply cannot expression to one another, even if they might like to.

Those things exist on a much more organic level, one that can't be explained - only experienced. And this spell will allow them to do just that.

Their desire for closeness is embedded in an innate desire to understand one another, to connect with one another in a way no one else ever has or will be able to.

This proximity they seek is one that doesn't stop at the physical touch, but goes beyond to something much more spiritual. They long for a connection even more unbreakable than the one they already share, a connection that will allow them to become ever closer.

They want to know what the other is feeling, even when she cannot express it properly herself.

They want to know what it is they might be able to do in order to help, in order to provide comfort for one another in a way that might not have been possible previously.

Akko curls her fingers amongst Diana's even more tightly as she waits for a response. At last, her wife lifts her face, her eyes shimmering, her smile soft.

"I believe we should try it."

Akko dips her head and leans forward to rest their foreheads together.

"Okay."

"However, not now," Diana says. "Tomorrow might be best, after we have both eaten and had some time to prepare ourselves."

"Yeah. That sounds good."

So for now, Akko puts the spellbook aside on the nightstand, and the two of them go about their evening routine.

They head back out to have supper with their students, before retiring to bed once again.

Akko opens her arms to her wife, and Diana holds her around her back, resting her head at the crook of her neck. Akko hugs her close, her cheek cushioned both by the pillow and Diana's silky tresses. She rests one hand over Diana's hip, and the other over the scar on her back.

They often make a habit of switching sleeping positions like this. Whenever Akko is the one being held, she feels protected. But just as much as she enjoys that feeling of security, she likes returning the favor and making Diana feel safe as well.

She holds her wife close to her chest, petting through her wavy hair until Diana mumbles her goodnight wishes and falls asleep.

This is something still fairly new to Akko.

For the longest time, Diana would never allow herself to fall asleep first. She always felt she needed to go last, to ensure everyone else – or in most cases, just Akko – was taken care of before herself.

But since their marriage, Diana has become comfortable enough to fall asleep first, and Akko is very glad for that.

She watches over Diana, until she can feel the weight dragging at her own eyelids.

At last, Akko lets sleep take her to the place where Diana is.

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Weekend mornings are their favorites.

They laze around in bed without worries about the consequences, tangling themselves together beneath the bed sheets, exchanging kisses, hugs, and massages.

For a time, Diana pampers her wife, running her hands all up and down Akko's sides, absolutely spoiling her with kisses and gentle touches. Akko feels she might fall back asleep from it all, but she wants to stay awake to experience this bliss to the fullest.

Diana traces her fingertips with featherlight touch along her sides, then caresses her hair as she kisses her cheeks in turn. She combs through Akko's bangs, dips down to kiss her shoulder, then her lips once more.

Akko sighs and whimpers through it all, feeling so relaxed she can barely keep her eyes open.

But she wants to see Diana with her hair frazzled from sleep, her clothes ruffled, her eyes still glazed with that little bit of laziness she never displays at any other time.

Akko loves this side of Diana very much. There's a certain charm to her less formal and more honest self.

After an hour or so of being spoiled, she decides it's time to repay the favor.

Akko pulls Diana down into her arms for a moment, coddling her, then gently turns her over until she's lying on her stomach. Akko sits up and leans over her, pressing her palms to her stiff back and shoulders in the beginnings of a massage.

Diana is always a very professional, very serious person. But these are some of the very rare cases when she can't help herself.

Little moans of contentment and whimpers of bliss work their way out of her lips as Akko rolls her palms along her back, kneading her fingers into her sides. She giggles whenever Diana makes one of those irresistible little sounds, which only serves to embarrass her further, and causes her to bury her face deeper into her pillow.

Akko presses down gently on Diana's lower back, then begins making her way up her sides, over her ribs, and back to her tense shoulders to help them loosen up. Diana squeaks again, and Akko laughs.

"You are just too cute, Diana!"

And Diana huffs into her pillow.

"You are... certainly being unfair this morning..."

"Heehee, but you deserve this~"

Akko continues her massage, though is always subconsciously certain to avoid putting too much pressure on her old wound. And since Diana had been hurt in the same spot again so recently from Croix's attack, Akko takes extreme care when touching that area.

Only once she's felt every last drop of tension leave Diana's body does Akko finally stop. She lifts Diana up a little and turns her over onto her back now, then dives in to nestle into her chest. Giggling, Akko rests her weight lightly on top of her.

"Hee~ Diana, your heart's beating so quickly again~ Is it because I said you were cute?"

"W-Would you please be quiet for a moment..."

"Okay, okay~"

Akko relishes the feeling of being cuddled up close to her for as long as possible. Diana feels the blush fade from her cheeks, but the second her stomach rumbles, it comes right back. Akko laughs until her own stomach growls even more loudly. Diana smirks and paws her off.

"Come, then. Let us eat."

"Kaaay~"

They tidy up the bed, and then make their way to the kitchen to start preparing a meal.

Their weekend morning routine is a peaceful one, especially since Diana has no specific tasks to oversee or tend to at the time.

They take their time eating together, as Diana scans the newspaper that was delivered to their room. Out of habit, they change not into their usual teachers' uniforms, but into robes that are still professional enough should any of their students see them today.

However, once they have completed all the most basic tasks this morning, Akko realizes the time to try out the spell together is drawing nearer by the minute. She almost wishes she hadn't eaten first, because her stomach is beginning to flip.

It doesn't take long for her wife to notice her discomfort. Diana puts down the newspaper she'd been looking over and walks calmly to Akko's side, putting an arm around her back.

"Are you having second thoughts on this? We do not have to go through with it if you have changed your mind."

Akko chews her bottom lip and leans into Diana's touch.

"N-No... I still want to. I'm just nervous."

"And what is there for you to be nervous about? It is a very simple spell, might I remind you, and you are now a very experienced witch, Akko. And I do not intend to sound so arrogant when I say this, but you will be casting this spell together with me."

Diana smiles and tilts her head. Akko cracks a smile too.

"Yeah. You're right. It's not like it can go wrong or anything."

"Be mindful of what you say," Diana advises her. "No spell is ever guaranteed to go smoothly. I merely believe the two of us have a rather high success rate. After all, we did succeed with a spell much less likely to bear favorable results." She raises her left hand, where her ring is glowing softly. Akko lifts her left hand as well and lightly bumps their rings together.

"Yeah. You're right."

"Even so, should you have any doubts, we do not have to go through with this spell," Diana reminds her. "It is not a necessity."

"I know. But I still want to. If it'll help me understand you in a way you might not even be able to explain otherwise, then I'll do it." Akko cups her cheek and kisses her briefly. "But it's the same to you. If you don't wanna do it, you have to tell me, Diana."

"I have no misgivings about this," she assures. "The spell will end once we break contact, so we may cancel its effects whenever we like. Should even a few seconds' worth of it prove to be too much for either of us, we can simply let go."

"Yeah." Feeling more confident about it now, Akko decides it would be best to try it sooner rather than later. "Do you wanna try it now?"

"That would be fine."

So Akko leaves her side only for a moment to fetch the book they'd read over yesterday. Diana waves her over to the bed, knowing they might both be a bit more comfortable there.

They kneel down on the mattress, facing one another. The spellbook is open between them and turned sideways so they will both be able to read.

Akko takes in a few deep breaths first. She's never seen this spell cast before, let alone done it herself. She isn't sure what to expect from it, despite the description the book gives.

Diana, on the other hand, seems rather calm about it. After all, being the headmistress, she's experimented with many, many spells, so the prospect of casting a new one – particularly with Akko – excites rather than worries her.

But she can tell Akko is still at-odds about this, and Diana doesn't want to pressure her into it. She waits patiently for her wife to get her bearings, then reaches out to tap her shoulder.

"Akko. Are you certain about this? I am confident it will be all right, but if you are truly that concerned-"

"No. We can do it." Akko straightens her back and puffs out her chest. "Whatever happens, we'll look out for each another."

Diana nods.

"Then are you prepared to begin?"

Akko holds up her hand in a gesture that asks Diana to wait a second. Leaning forward, Akko cups her wife's face and pulls her into a kiss.

They've made it a habit to kiss one another whenever they need to part ways, even if it is only to teach their classes. After all they have been through, they have learned not to take one another for granted.

So they are sure kiss one another before doing anything now, just in case it might be the last time they could ever do so.

Diana returns the kiss tenderly, letting it last as long as Akko needs it to.

When they part, Diana draws her wand with one hand, and upturns her opposite palm. Akko draws her wand as well, then slips her free hand into Diana's, curling her fingers around her wife's wrist.

She closes her eyes again and takes one more moment to collect herself. She can feel Diana's pulse beneath her fingertips, calm and steady, even when it jumps from the arrhythmia.

Diana gives her hand a squeeze, asking Akko if she is ready. Akko reopens her eyes just to take in the sight of Diana one more time before they commence the spellcasting.

They cross their wands, read over the spell, and then speak it in unison:

"Contrefique ilu Vamorna!"

There's a rush of adrenaline despite the fact that they are merely sitting in bed. The magic flows out and swirls around their wands, taking on a bluish color.

Both witches close their eyes and concentrate, allowing the magic to do as it will. Their grip on one another tightens just a little – almost defiantly – as the spell begins to take effect.

For Diana, it is truly a shocking experience.

A heavy sense of anxiety washes over her, prickling in almost a static-like manner, covering her from head to toe. She shudders, but soon realizes this emotion is not her own.

This is what Akko feels. Not only just right now, but... all the time.

Diana had been thinking Akko would give her a feeling of elation, freedom, liberation of sorts, a lack of all the responsibilities Diana herself must tend to.

It takes her a moment longer to realize why she is experiencing this.

She feels this anxious all the time... not because of her work or her secrets... but because she is constantly worried about me...

It's something she can't help, either.

Suddenly, pieces of foreign memories flash through Diana's mind.

She... She can see herself. Through Akko's eyes.

She watches the sorcerer impale her, watches the blood pour out, watches herself almost die...

Then she watches it all over again when Croix had betrayed her, running her through from behind.

She watches herself fall into a puddle of blood, and feels as Akko desperately tries to heal the wound in her own chest.

These are the things Akko can't help but remember seeing every day of her life. Even when she knows Diana is all right, her mind lapses back to these memories, and there's nothing she can do to stop it.

Diana's mind is a jumble of emotions – panic, terror, more anxiety.

But her mind isn't the only thing affected by the spell.

Something in her chest changes as well.

The spell allows all internal conditions of the first person to be experienced by the second participant.

Diana can feel her heart changing.

The pulse she's gotten used to over the many years since she'd nearly been killed now begins to alter, beat by beat.

Soon, the arrhythmia is gone. Simply vanishes.

Her hearts beats freely now.

It is a little more lively, like it once used to be; like Akko's still is.

Her body jolts at the alteration.

In these later years, it has gotten used to how her heart has come to be.

But there is still some part of her that remembers how it had been before the sorcerer's attack.

Her body is conflicted in trying to decide which pulse it prefers now – the one from her younger years, or the one from her present ones. It feels both wrong and right at the same time.

As she is now, however, Diana is finding it slightly difficult to breathe. She squeezes Akko's hand as tightly as she can, just to ensure her wife is still here with her.

Only a foot away from her on the bed, Akko is experiencing her side of the spell.

Where she had been jittery about all of this before using the spell, now she is feeling much calmer. She instantly recognizes this as Diana's natural confidence and conviction.

But along with that comes an almost crushing weight on her shoulders.

Akko feels like she needs to go do something right now. Anything. She has so much work to do...

Akko knows this is how Diana often feels. Although her physical demeanor may not always crack under that pressure, her body still feels the effects of that stress every day, no matter how subtly.

Diana's stress manifests itself differently than Akko's does. Rather than making her feel jumpy, it settles quietly over her back and chest, exerting a faint, but constant, amount of pressure.

Diana has told Akko about her past and her family, but even now, Akko can see some of those memories; the times her parents had yelled at her, and the times they had presented her with quiet anger, the times she almost wished they would yell instead. Summers spent alone studying instead of playing, nights locked in her room training herself how not to cry...

She watches herself get struck in the back by Diana's own spell, and a sickening sense of nausea grips her stomach.

And then the most debilitating agony of all.

During the months when Diana had believed she'd lost Akko forever.

The pain is so great, Akko nearly chokes. It consumes her, until she feels like she can't breathe...

Akko could never feel these things before, only imagine them.

But now, she seems to be living them for herself.

All of Diana's loneliness, her fears, her pain. It all swirls around her heart.

And her heart-

Akko's pulse is no longer her own. It slows down, thumps several times, and then jumps without warning. Akko gasps out loud when it happens.

That is what ultimately urges Diana to open her eyes and break the silence that's fallen between them.

"Akko..."

When Akko hears her wife's voice, she too, opens her eyes.

The faint blue glow of the spell is still surrounding them, light and airy despite the weight and pain they are both experiencing now. Tears are dripping down Diana's face, and Akko realizes the same is happening to her.

Akko clings to Diana's wrist until their fingers start turning pale. She doesn't even know where to begin.

"D-Diana... your heart..."

It jumps again, and Akko flinches. Diana swallows, her voice taut.

"Let us cancel the spell."

"N-No! Not yet..."

"Akko-"

"Please..."

She wants to feel it more. She wants to understand the pain Diana hides – be in consciously or not – on a daily basis. She wants to share that pain, and relieve Diana from it, if only for a moment.

Diana understands that much. She is content to tackle Akko's pain for herself. Hers is much more mental than it is physical, and Diana has always had a very strong mind.

Likewise, Diana's pain is more physical, and Akko has always had a more capable body.

Their hands stay connected, and their wands remain crossed. As the seconds tick by, both witches begin to get used to the other's internal conditions.

Diana gets accustomed to the fretful thoughts running through Akko's mind.

And Akko gets used to the extra beat in Diana's heart, and the ache that fills her chest and back.

Though they suffer different pain, there is one aspect that is similar to them both.

They mainly see themselves in the other's mind.

Akko's thoughts of Lotte and Sucy lead back to Diana, and Diana's thoughts of Hannah and Barbara lead back to Akko.

Always each other.

But by now, Diana can tell Akko is nearing her limit. They had promised to cancel the spell should they think it best for the other person's wellbeing. Diana believes it is time to end it.

But when she releases Akko's hand, Akko keeps a firm hold on her wrist.

"No... wait..."

Diana tenses. She fears if Akko gets too accustomed to this, she might relapse once she goes back to normal.

"Akko," Diana says sternly. "This is enough-"

"No... There's something else..."

Akko shakes her head, then lifts her tearstained face.

There is misery reflected in Diana's eyes. Her misery.

But that isn't the only thing.

Once all the pain has surfaced and been laid bare, something else really does follow it.

They feel it at the same time.

The stifling loneliness and anxieties begin to melt away, little by little.

Something much calmer replaces them.

It is a mutual warmth, one they can both feel equally now, despite having their bodies somewhat switched.

It makes them each feel safe.

This is love.

Each one of them gives it the same way she receives it – with all her heart and soul.

They can both feel it now, filling their chests, gently pushing aside all of the other hurtful things. It does not mean to eradicate those feelings, as they are parts of Akko and Diana as well. Rather, it lessens their effect, makes them less painful, bit by bit.

This is something they can both feel equally. The love they harbor for one another is much stronger than anything else they have felt. It is stronger than Akko's guilt, and stronger than Diana's loneliness.

Now, they are able to breathe a little more easily.

Akko loosens her grip on Diana's hand, but they do not let go yet.

It almost feels as though they are back to the way they were before they cast the spell.

Because the love is the same for each of them.

They do not need the spell in order to experience how the other feels, because it is already the same as she herself feels. If not for the extra beat in Akko's chest, and the lack of it in Diana's, they might've thought the spell had cancelled.

But before very much longer, their eyes meet. With the pain mostly gone, something much more tender takes its place.

They agree it is time to stop.

They uncross their wands and let go of one another's hands, and the blue glow of the spell fades.

Instantly, Akko can feel her heart turn back to the way it's always been. She puts a hand to her chest, admittedly relieved that it's back to normal.

Diana, too, is strangely relieved to have her own pulse returned to her. Akko's had felt familiar in a sense, but she's gotten so used to the irregularity of her own that it only feels right to her now.

For a moment, both of them simply hold their chests, breathing a little heavily, tears still running down their faces. It feels like they've just woken from a shared dream, like none of it had been real, even though they can both clearly feel the remnants of it.

Without saying a word, they let their wands fall aside as they throw their arms around one another, just as they burst into tears.

"D-Diana..."

"Akko..."

Akko squeezes her wife as tightly as she can, her hands fanning out over Diana's back to cover the scar beneath her clothes.

"Diana... I'm... I'm so sorry... I didn't c-come back to you sooner... I-I... I knew all along it was hurting you, b-but... I-I never thought... it was killing you..."

Diana sobs into her shoulder at the mention of those memories. It all happened a few years back, but it doesn't feel so far away now.

"N-No... you did what you thought was best, Akko. I am merely grateful... to have you back at all..." Diana cradles one hand behind Akko's head, and pulls her in by the small of her back with the other. "I... must apologize... Because of everything that happened, y-you are plagued by paranoia... A-And there is nothing I can do to help..."

Akko shakes her head vigorously.

"N-No! Th-That... that isn't true, Diana. You do help... You are helping. Every day. Just being here..." Akko exhales a shaking breath as more tears pool down her cheeks. "I... I just..."

"No," Diana whispers. "There... there is no more need for apology."

Akko sniffles and swallows hard.

"Y... You're right..."

Because in what's left behind in wake of all those sorrows is something much kinder. Something neither of them needs to be afraid of.

Diana leans herself back against the headboard and pulls Akko into her lap, readjusting her hold on her. Akko clings to her shoulders, cuddling into her neck.

A calmness begins to overcome them now, the return to normalcy after such a peculiar experience. At the very least, they are both warm and safe in each other's arms.

They stay that way for a while, the still-open spellbook sitting beside their wands a little ways away. Diana can feel Akko shaking slightly, and she tightens her hold on her.

"Akko? Are you all right?"

"Y-Yeah!" she sighs. "I'm fine. Just still... trying to take it all in..."

"I understand."

Akko lifts her face a little to kiss her wife's lips.

"But... I'm glad we went through with it."

"As am I."

Diana allows Akko to settle against her for a while, and both witches close their eyes.

They rest, just for a short while, absorbing everything they had felt, seen, and learned about one another.

Only the sounds of rumbling stomachs rouse them both again. Diana chuckles, running a hand back through Akko's bangs.

"Let us go eat. I believe it will do us well to walk around a bit."

"Yeah."

They climb off the bed and put their wands away. Akko closes the spellbook and places it back in its proper place on the shelf before putting on her robes.

Once they are both ready, Diana offers her hand.

Akko doesn't let go all throughout dinnertime.

-------------

By the time they are back in bed together that evening, Akko is still thinking about everything she'd experienced.

Diana can tell her mind is still occupied, because Akko is rather distracted as she lies beside her now, nestled into her shoulder. Diana pets through her hair, humming softly.

"Akko, please tell me what is on your mind. Perhaps I can assist you in some way."

Akko pulls away and smiles up at her.

"Nah, it's okay. I'm sorry I'm so distracted. I just don't wanna forget the things that I felt today. I wanna commit it all to memory so I can understand you better."

"Do not feel as though you have to do that," Diana murmurs. "The things you felt are commonplace to me. They are most likely things I do not even notice. But if you should dwell on them too much, they might cause you distress."

Akko lets out a conflicted sigh.

"Yeah... you're right."

"Though I can understand why you would want to cast this spell," Diana sighs. "I believe I am more worried about you now than I have been previously."

"Eeehh? You're worried about me? Why?"

Diana looks away for a moment. She slips her hands up across Akko's shoulders, then ruffles the top of her head.

"Your mind is... so occupied. You fret about me far too much, even when it is not your intention to..."

Akko shudders just a little bit. It's true that she's become rather paranoid now, considering all she'd seen happen to the person she loves most. If she's not careful, her mind will take her back into those dark places and horrifying memories. She shakes her head again.

"I'll be okay," she mumbles. "I'm more worried about you..."

"Me?" Diana blinks. "Why in the world?"

Akko fidgets and bites her lip.

"Well... doesn't your wound still hurt? It kinda felt like it did..."

Diana seems truly puzzled.

"Not at all. I have not felt any pain in weeks now."

"...Really...? It felt that way to me..."

"Because you are not accustomed to it as I am," Diana explains. "My body has built up an immunity to that pain. It no longer affects me."

"B-But it's still there, isn't it?"

"If it is, I do not take note of it."

That seems to make Akko feel a little better. She cracks a small smile, but only for a second before it fades again.

"Then..." Akko fans her fingers across Diana's collar. She can just barely see the pink scar peeking out from beneath her nightgown. "What about your heart? That doesn't hurt either?"

Diana kisses her brow.

"Certainly not." Diana cups Akko's face, so their eyes lock. "You need not fret about any of those things, Akko. I promise you."

Akko sniffles, and a tear drips from each eye.

"Then... it's the same for you, Diana. You don't have to worry about me, either."

"Well... I have my doubts that either of us will simply be able to stop worrying..."

"Yeah..."

"But perhaps, now that we understand one another just a little more accurately-"

"-we have a better idea of what we could do to help!"

"Precisely."

Diana brushes her wife's tears away as Akko sidles a little closer. They share another kiss, one that's slower and deeper this time. The contact lingers even when it's over.

Diana coaxes Akko closer, altering their positions from last night. She trails kisses along Akko's hairline and temples, making a tender effort at easing her troubled mind.

In turn, Akko places a kiss at the base of Diana's throat, and rests her head against her chest. That familiar heartbeat thrums beneath her ear, one that's exclusive to Diana and no one else.

Diana cradles Akko's head to her chest, her fingers idly braiding her hair, rubbing down her back and shoulders. Akko hugs her around her sides, closes her eyes, and relaxes against her. Diana lets out a long, steady breath, keeping her close.

This works best for the both of them.

Like this, Akko can rest her head in every sense. The rhythm of Diana's heartbeat eases her mind, and gives her something comforting to focus on.

And Diana doesn't feel quite so bothered by her dissonant pulse when she knows Akko is benefitting from it. She curls her arms around Akko's shoulders and closes her eyes, murmuring words of affection into her hair.

"Goodnight, Akko. I love you so much..."

Akko replies sleepily, but with just as much feeling.

"I love you too, Diana. More than you'll ever know..."

"Hm... I think I may have an idea."

"Me, too."

Akko lifts her head, silently asking for one last kiss. Diana gladly complies.

At last, they settle against one another, and let the night lead them off into slumber.

They find that, after they have overcome troubles as they had today, sleep comes easier, and much more peacefully.

-----------

A/N: I'd gotten this idea from episode 12 with the mirror changing Akko's appearance. I'd wanted to do something similar in Years Later AU with them. But I realized that the mirror in the show only changed Akko's outward appearance, not her internal conditions, which is what they need to swap in this fic (since they are plagued by mental and heart-related issues).

So I had to improvise and concoct a new spell for this, where they keep their outward appearances and swap internal conditions to understand each other better. So basically, it's the opposite of the mirror.

I just really love the idea of having them bear each other's pain for a second. As I said, Akko has always had a more capable body, and Diana has always had a stronger mind. So for Akko to bear Diana's physical pain and for Diana to bear Akko's mental pain for a moment was a concept I was excited to mention.

I'm not sure what I'll have for these two next in this AU, but keep an eye out!