Time Spent Together (ch3)

Early release for my high-pledging patrons!

Theme for Day 3 is cuddles! (My personal favorite, obviously).

Disclaimer: I do not own Little Witch Academia.

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													Chapter 3. Cuddling Up

Akko tries to sleep. She really does.

And for Akko, 'really trying' something often means making half-hearted attempts for no longer than ten minutes, which is exactly the case about sleeping right now.

Despite her exhaustion resulting from the long day, she's even more antsy, eager, and wide awake. It had just been so much fun, and she can't stop replaying the events in her mind as she hugs her little polar bear to her chest.

She remembers Diana's first time trying amusement park food, their first time playing water gun games, and their first times on the carousel, tea cup ride, roller coaster, and ferris wheel. That being the last ride of the evening, it's still the freshest in Akko's memory now. And the fact that she'd gotten to kiss Diana no fewer than a dozen times on that ride while admiring her flawless, sunlit beauty probably had something to do with it, too.

As she's lying in bed now she just keeps sighing dreamily, rolling around and smiling more than she should be at 11:43PM. She tries not to make too much noise though because she doesn't want to wake her teammates.

But Akko knows for sure she definitely isn't going to be falling asleep anytime soon. In addition to thinking about how much fun she'd had together with Diana today, she also remembers how queasy Diana had gotten from a few of the rides.

/She couldn't even stand after the roller coaster... Maybe I should go check on her.../

And just like that, Akko has the perfect excuse (in her own justified mind) to sneak out and go to Diana in the middle of the night. She's never attempted this before, but she already has a plan.

Giving her polar bear a kiss on the nose, she leaves it behind in her bed as she sits up and very carefully slips her legs off the bed one at a time. She treads carefully across the room to fetch her wand, checks to ensure Lotte and Sucy are asleep, and then breathes the spell in a whisper.

"Metamorphie Faciesse!"

As soon as she's in her mouse form, Akko lands on the desk in front of the window without a sound. She isn't sure why she hadn't considered this method of sneaking around before, but now that it's crossed her mind, she's opting to try this rather than skittering down the hallways in her human form.

Now it's easier than anything for her to climb a pile of books, bound across the window sill, push the hook of the lock up, and squeeze out the window.

Luckily for her it's a rather wind-less night, so there's little risk of her getting blown off the building. She scuttles along the rim of the gutter for a moment before changing forms once again. As a plump pink bird she can't fly perfectly well, but she can still manage to float her way towards Diana's suite more quickly than she could've run as a mouse.

In only a moment or so, she's reached the fancy outdoor balcony. She turns back into a mouse one last time to dart across the marble ground. She reaches the sliding glass door and then prepares herself before sucking in her little mousey gut and squeezing herself underneath. She's never transformed into a bug or anything smaller than a mouse before and she isn't going to risk it now.

She gets her head through, then her front legs, and there's a bit of a struggle when it's time for her haunches, but eventually Akko pops and rolls her way into the huge suite, which is even more enormous to her now.

She's never snuck into Diana's room this way before. In fact, she's never snuck into her room since they'd started dating, only that one time before when she'd accidentally taken Diana's appearance. She feels guilty and excited all at the same time, but she definitely doesn't want to get caught by Hannah or Barbara.

She makes quick work of racing across the carpet to take cover behind the bookshelf that blocks Diana's bed off from the rest of the suite. She pauses to let out a long sigh, both surprised and relieved that she'd managed to make it this far.

Now she looks up at Diana's massive bed. When Akko stands on her back paws, she can just barely peek over the edge of the mattress to see a few waves of silver hair.

Akko scurries forward, deciding to stay in her mouse form for the time being, because if Diana wakes right now to find Akko here hovering over her unexpectedly in the middle of the night, she might have a heart attack.

So Akko goes to work on climbing up the bedpost at the foot of the bed, digging her claws into the sheets whenever she can to help keep herself up.

When she finally pulls herself on top of the bed, she quickly hides behind a ruffle of fabric just in case Diana is still awake. But after a moment of honing in her listening, she can't hear anything else other than deep breathing. Akko pokes her head up and dares to glimpse her girlfriend's face.

Diana's eyes are closed but her expression isn't exactly relaxed. This is the entire reason why Akko had come to sneak in a visit to her tonight.

Diana's brow is furrowed and her lips are slightly ajar. She's breathing a little harder than Akko thinks to be usual, and after only a few seconds, Diana turns herself and rolls onto her opposite side with a small moan. She clearly hasn't been feeling well after all of those crazy rides, so Akko plans to take responsibility for that.

Slowly, carefully, she begins walking toward her. She decides to walk on the sheets directly on top of Diana's body, because if Diana moves or rolls over suddenly and Akko's underneath or next to her, she could get trapped.

So for now Akko treads lightly along from her ankles to her hip without issue. But when she's perched on Diana's side, the other witch turns again. Akko barely swallows back a squeak as she quickly scurries to stay on top.

From there she continues walking up Diana's arm to her shoulder, pausing once her paws touch soft white hair. That's when Akko runs into her next problem.

/Um... how am I gonna do this without scaring her half to death?/

She hadn't really thought it through this far. She'd just wanted to get to Diana tonight, but she hadn't considered how she'd change back into her normal form without startling her.

"Uuuhhh..."

She quickly realizes she's said that out loud when Diana makes another small sound. Akko quickly ducks into the crook of her shoulder, half-hidden beneath her hair.

Thankfully Diana doesn't shift her weight on top of her, but she does turn more to one side again, unconsciously trying to find a more comfortable position to sleep in.

Akko is still for a moment as she thinks about what to do. She knows she can't just sleep here like this, because as soon as she's unconscious the spell will wear off.

/But I can't just go back to my room either! Not when I know Diana's not feeling well... But no matter what I do, when I transform back I'll probably scare her.../

She debates with herself for a few minutes while huddled up against Diana's collar. She moves up and down slowly with the rise and fall of Diana's breath, which seems a little weak. In addition to that, she can feel Diana's pulse beneath her paws, and it shakes through Akko like jolts from an earthquake.

/Jeez! I definitely can't leave her like this.../

For a moment Akko curls up on Diana's collar at the base of her neck, touching her skin directly to find it warm. In this form, it actually feels very comfortable to Akko, but she knows it isn't right for a human.

She finally stands up and tries out her best plan of action to rouse Diana without surprising her too badly. Akko reaches her paws up to gently pad at Diana's cheek and calls for her in a whisper.

"Diana. Hey, Diana!"

Her girlfriend moves a little bit toward the source of Akko's voice. Akko jumps down onto the pillow and waits for her to stop moving before trying again.

"Heeyy, Diana it's me!"

As Diana rolls over yet again, Akko strains up to bump their noses together. The contact combined with the sound of her voice are what make Diana's eyelids begin to flutter. Akko nuzzles her nose in encouragement and hums softly.

"Di~a~naaa~"

Akko puts on a big mousey grin as Diana groggily opens her eyes. Her vision blurs into focus, but even that's hazy, Akko can tell. She throws her paws up in excitement.

"Hi, Diana!"

But she has to consider what this must be like from her girlfriend's perspective. To be restlessly trying to sleep, and then manage to get most of the way there, only to wake up and find a mouse talking at you right in front of your nose-

"Ah-"

A gasp heaves from Diana's throat as she jolts upright in bed, her eyes wide and mouth agape. But the dizzying movement, on top of her discombobulation of sitting up so quickly after being asleep, cause her weight to tip back off the edge of the bed.

Akko instantly cancels her spell without a second thought and pops back into her human form. She reaches out to grab Diana's wrists just in time before she can fall backward off the bed.

For a moment, both girls are suspended there in a fluster, Akko panicked that she'd almost watched Diana fall off, and Diana panicked about finding a mouse in her bed that just transformed into her girlfriend.

Both witches breathe a little frantically for a moment as they look into each other's eyes. Diana's still leaning toward the floor as a single word trembles out of her mouth.

"A-Akko...?"

It's enough to make Akko realize Diana's just one shift in weight away from crashing to the floor, so she gives a good tug to both her wrists and pulls her safely back onto the mattress.

"Eheehee~ Yep, it's me!"

Diana takes one of her hands back and covers her pounding chest with it. Now that she is certain this isn't some ridiculous dream, she stares incredulously at her girlfriend, just barely remembering to keep her voice low.

"What... on earth are you doing here...? At this hour-?"

Akko sheepishly inches forward, until her knees are touching Diana's.

"Well, I kinda got the feeling you weren't feeling so great after today, s-so I um... I came to see you. B-But I didn't really think through how I'd get here or what I'd do..." Her shoulders slump and her eyes turn guilty, giving her the exact appearance of a puppy if a puppy could be human. "Sorry I scared you so badly. I wanted to wake you up but..." She tapers off and looks down into her lap. "I really am just too impulsive, huh?"

But before she can feel too dejected, she feels a squeeze on her hand.

"You only meant to help, did you not?" Diana murmurs. "Though I must admit I was... rather startled... I am glad you are here, Akko."

"Really?"

"Of course I am."

Diana makes the first move to pull her in, cupping Akko's cheeks in her hands and leaning in for a small kiss. Akko's hands find their way to Diana's hips and sides, tracing up and down softly.

When the kiss is over, Akko pulls Diana in as closely as possible, running her hands up and down her back. She feels Diana's hands doing the same, inadvertently massaging over her sore back from when she'd squeezed under the door earlier. Akko sighs and melts against her chest, squeezing Diana a little more.

"Sorry for scaring you," she mumbles. "I bet that didn't help with your stomachache."

Diana pauses and eases back a little.

"How did you...?"

"Well, I just kinda sensed it, I guess. I couldn't sleep, and I remembered you were a little woozy after the big rides. And when I came in here to see you, it didn't seem like you were sleeping very well."

"Which is precisely why I am grateful to you for coming." Diana pets gently up and down her back, then begins playing through Akko's hair. "I haven't slept longer than ten minutes tonight. I presume it is due to the combination of those rides and unfamiliar food, but also too a residual sense of excitement. I truly did have fun with you today, Akko. That much is entirely true."

"I'm so glad!" Akko brushes their cheeks together like cats do when claiming a person as their own. "But if you're still not feeling well, let me help! That's why I came here!"

"I am afraid I am not sure if there is anything you can do."

"Well... I don't think I could sneak out and find any medicine or anything like that, but I have a few ideas! Here, lie down first. Lemme help..."

With a smile, Akko slips her arm across Diana's shoulders and eases her down onto her back. She tucks a bit of wavy white hair aside, then lies down facing her girlfriend. Akko keeps herself propped up on one elbow, draping her free hand across Diana's stomach in a loose embrace.

To start off her healing treatment, she leans over and kisses her softly, lingering for a moment to nuzzle her nose and cheek. Just that earns a soft giggle from Diana, which encourages Akko to continue.

"How bad does it hurt?" she murmurs.

"Not badly."

"On a scale of one to ten."

"Five."

"That's still too high! I won't allow it!" Akko hugs her gently, peppering more kisses across her cheeks. Diana returns the kisses, but cautions her with a hush.

Akko remembers she'd snuck in here in the middle of the night, and while Hannah and Barbara discovering them wouldn't be the end of the world, it would still be highly embarrassing. So Akko takes her voice down a notch and continues in a whisper.

"Okay, just relax. Close your eyes and breathe reeeal slowly."

Though Diana is happy to have her here now, she is still extremely exhausted and doesn't find it difficult to close her eyes. As soon as she does, Akko pecks her cheek one last time and gets to work.

She slides her hand across Diana's nightgown to her stomach and rests it there for a second to let Diana know what she's doing. From there, Akko begins tracing her hand around in easy circles, barely pressing down more than is necessary to make contact.

But the very slight pressure does wonders for Diana right from the start. A sigh slips out, and her brow furrows just a little, prompting Akko to pause.

"Diana? Are you okay?"

The white-haired witch doesn't open her eyes, but she wraps one arm around to the back of Akko's head and curls her fingers softly into her hair.

"Yes. Very."

"Okay. If you're sure. Just lemme know if the pain gets any worse."

Diana knew that was doubtful. As Akko starts moving her hand once again, the uncomfortable prickling in her stomach begins to disperse and then fade bit by bit. Every breath comes a little more easily than the one before, which makes it all the easier for her to actually start relaxing.

Akko rests her head on Diana's shoulder as she continues her ministrations. She glides her palm across her stomach for a few moments, then dips down to each of her sides in turn. She makes her way up as far as her ribs then goes back down once more.

She trusts Diana will speak up if anything is bothering her, but she knows Diana is a quiet person by nature, especially in intimate situations. In class or in public, she'll go off on discourses, but when she's alone with people she cares about, she's content to be quiet.

Akko knows this better than anyone, but Diana's silence still worries her sometimes, so she feels the need to check. Titling her head, she looks up at her face, where Diana's expression is still a little tight.

"Diana...?"

She waits for a moment as Diana breathes, feeling her stomach rise and fall beneath her palm. Then-

"Three."

"...Huh?"

"On a scale of one to ten," Diana clarifies. "Three."

When it finally clicks for Akko she grins. Knowing that she's helping only motivates her to keep going.

So she doesn't stop massaging her girlfriend's sore stomach or peppering kisses across her collar and cheeks until Diana has quietly breathed out the number:

"Zero."

Akko turns Diana onto her side to face her so she can easily pull her in for a hug.

"So," she mumbles. "Operation Tummy Rubs was a success! Step two is to keep you nice and warm!" She hugs her tightly, but not too tightly, wrapping both arms around her back where she gets busy rubbing up and down in patterns.

Diana has to admit Akko's treatment is working far better than any medicine ever has or could. She just feels so at ease, so comfortable, so loved. But she wants to make sure Akko isn't left out in all of this.

Diana begins to run her hands up and down Akko's back as well, gliding her nails up from her bangs down her scalp and all the way to the ends. She breathes light kisses onto her cheek and temple, pulling her in a little closer. Any pain that had been plaguing her this evening has completely vanished, and now only warmth and comfort remain in its place.

As Diana pets through Akko's hair and returns every kiss given to her, and then some, she succeeds in calming Akko's excitement down a little bit. Not that she dislikes it - she merely wants her to relax as well.

And relax she does. Akko all but melts under Diana's loving touch.

/Leave it to a Cavendish. Her motto is "affection," after all.../

And being that Akko is the first and only person Diana has ever been romantically involved with, she gets a lot of that affection.

Akko has to stop herself from letting out a string of huge happy sighs and instead limits herself to just a few, only when Diana's completely tamed her.

"Gosh, I love this. I love you." Akko snuggles into her shoulder and squeezes her side. She feels a kiss on her cheek.

"I love you as well." Diana leaves a small kiss on her forehead and Akko squeals into her hair.

For a few more moments they hold each other fondly, sighing in bliss. Akko rests her chin on Diana's shoulder now, pressing close to her, enough to feel Diana's pulse and share her own.

The room is quiet, but when she listens carefully she can make out the chirping of crickets outside. And despite the cool glow of the moonlight, she's perfectly warm and snug.

Diana hasn't spoken in several minutes now, and Akko can feel that the hands playing through her hair are becoming less active.

Now she's beginning to dread every passing minute, because she knows she'll have to leave her soon. Part of Akko wants to stay until Diana has fallen asleep, but another part knows she herself might fall asleep too. She knows she should leave before that happens.

So after five whole minutes of steeling herself, Akko pulls away from her girlfriend with a sigh.

"I guess I should get going, huh?"

Diana, who had been peacefully and happily about to doze off in her arms, opens her eyes right away and gives her a stern look.

"Absolutely not."

"Wh-"

Akko's surprised, of course. But it takes her a second to realize Diana isn't actually upset with her.

Instead she's... pouting. In her own way of course.

She'd been so comfortable, so happy. She doesn't want Akko to leave now.

Even if they risk being discovered in the morning, for once Diana isn't worrying herself over future consequences that might not even come into effect. Instead, she's just focusing on being happy in the moment. Here and now. With Akko.

And Akko can't be happier about that.

"You mean... I don't have to leave...?"

In response to her question, Diana gathers Akko in to her chest, tucking the brunette's head beneath her chin and pulling the blankets up over her back and shoulders.

"Though you are an uninvited guest... you are never unwelcome."

Akko isn't quite sure what it is about that phrase. But it sets a very soft, very warm flame ablaze in her heart. A small rush of emotion fills in behind her eyes. She clutches to Diana's back and buries her face in her collar.

"Thanks, Diana. I mean it."

"As do I. Thank you, Akko."

It's been a long time since either of them have gotten to hold anything while falling asleep. For Diana, it had been her prized teddy bear many years ago. For Akko, it's usually her Alcor plushie, though now it could be her new mini Arcas, too.

But neither of them have ever gotten to hold each other.

It's so wonderfully indescribable, to be lucky enough to hold the person you love when falling asleep on a quiet night.

Diana is confident she can wake Akko early in the morning and send her on her way without suspicion, even if that means having her transform again. Either way, she isn't about to let her go before the sunrise.

And and Akko has no intentions of letting go before then either. She nuzzles herself into Diana's collar, turning her head to one side to listen to her heartbeat. She's done this before as well, but never while getting to fall asleep with her.

It's so profound, so calming, so lovely. She loves Diana's heartbeat so much. She loves Diana so much. And she knows Diana loves her equally.

Akko feels her girlfriend trailing tiny kisses through her hair for several more moments until her hold on Akko becomes a little looser. Diana's breathing deepens, and her pulse slows down to a slow, steady thumping.

At last, Akko has succeeded in her mission of cuddling Diana to sleep.

For a few minutes she keeps herself awake simply so she can savor this wonderful time with her. She traces her palm up and down Diana's side and across her back, kisses her shoulder and threads at her hair, all while listening to her heart.

At last, Akko can feel her conscious slipping. She leaves one last kiss on Diana's chest before closing her eyes and allowing sleep to sweep her away.

She's definitely going to have to sneak into Diana's room more often.

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A/N: I'm totally gonna do more fics of her sneaking in. Eventually. Anyways, what better way to spend cuddle day than pampering a tummyache? It was the best way I could fit all the events of each chapter together.

Next chapter is going to be the most intense.