Through The Blaze (ch9)

A quick aftermath chapter...

Disclaimer: I do not own Little Witch Academia.

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											Chapter 9. Proceeding With Caution

As soon as she wakes the next morning, Akko all but jumps out of bed. She's still tired, but not enough to let it hold her back.

It isn't even time for them to wake up yet, but she scrambles her way into her uniform and leaves Lotte and Sucy sleeping as she dashes out into the hallway, making a beeline for the infirmary.

When she arrives, Nurse Isabella is seated at her desk, and she doesn't seem all that shocked to see her.

"Good morning, Miss Kagari. You're up early."

"Good morning. Um, c-can I-?"

"Go right ahead."

"Th-Thank you!"

Akko hurries through the lobby and skids to a halt outside Diana's door. She stops to catch her breath, steeling herself internally for what she might see-

No... She's okay now. She's gonna be fine...

She gulps, inhales, and pushes through the door.

The room isn't anything like what it had been last night. She can already hear the monitor, and it's beeping at a slow, steady pace. As Akko steps around the corner, a swell of relief rises up in her chest.

Diana is lying on her back as Akko had left her last night, but she looks ten times better. Her skin isn't scorched red with fever anymore, she isn't tossing and turning, and her breath is slow and even. She's actually resting peacefully.

Akko lets out a tiny sob in just how happy she is to see her like this, no longer in such awful pain. She makes her way over to the bed and sits as she had been yesterday, then reaches for Diana's hand. Her skin isn't hot anymore. It's just a normal temperature.

"Thank goodness..."

Akko moves close and leans herself forward, gently draping herself over Diana in a soft hug. Diana doesn't jolt or whimper beneath her anymore. She's still and quiet, breathing evenly. Akko eases back to plant a small kiss on her lips.

"Sleep as long as you want," she murmurs. "But not too long, okay? I miss you."

Just as she sits herself back up, a timid knock sounds behind her. She turns to see Hannah and Barbara, looking as though they'd dressed themselves in 20 seconds flat just to get down here. Akko grins sheepishly.

"You guys too, huh?"

They nod and walk in slowly, hand-in-hand.

"How is she?"

"Does she still have a fever?"

Akko shakes her head.

"Nope! She seems like she's all better!"

"Thank goodness," they sigh.

They tell Akko they've made plans for the day so that Diana won't ever be without someone at her side. Hannah plans to stay with her in the morning while Barbara goes to class and takes notes for them, and then they're going to switch at lunch. Akko's glad to hear they've thought of an arrangement like that, one where if Diana wakes up she won't be alone.

The three of them converse in soft voices for a while, but when it's time to head to breakfast, Akko and Barbara leave together as Hannah begins her shift.

Akko does her best throughout the day to focus on the lectures, but it's just no use. She isn't like she'd been before Diana had fallen ill; she doesn't participate and arrive super early and impress the teachers today. She's back to her usual distracted self, but no one can blame her. In fact, everyone seems a little off today, even students who'd had nothing to do with last night's expedition.

The professors can tell, and that's probably why for the first time ever, Finneran dismisses them all ten minutes early from their final class of the day.

"Rest up tonight, all of you, and be more attentive tomorrow!"

Everyone is shocked, but no one asks any questions.

Akko jumps up from her seat with an excited whisper to her teammates.

"Hey, hey! She never assigned any homework!"

"Shut it before you remind her," Sucy warns.

Akko clamps her jaw shut, but even as they all file out of the room, Finneran never pauses them to add any assignments. Akko finds herself rushing out before the older witch can change her mind.

Once they're out safely in the hallway, Akko breathes a sigh of relief.

"It's a miracle!" she sings. "I wonder what I should do with ten whole extra minutes?"

"Maybe some of your other homework?" Lotte offers.

"Come onnn Lotteeeee..."

"It's just an idea."

"Or!" says a gruff, familiar voice as an arm slings across Akko's shoulders. "Ya could come practice broom-riding with me!"

"Amanda!"

"Whaddaya say?"

"Hmmm..." Akko ponders, but before she can decide on an answer a flurry of footsteps announces a new arrival.

"Guys!" Hannah gasps. "Barbara just messaged me! She said Diana's awake!"

"Really?" Lotte smiles. "That's wonderful!"

"Yeah, more good news!" Amanda agrees. "On top of gettin' outta class early!"

"I'm gonna go see her," Hannah says. "Do you wanna come?" Though she'd told the news to everyone, Hannah looks directly at Akko now.

And though Akko and Diana had tried to keep their relationship a secret, it's evident that some people – especially roommates – have an inkling.

Akko wants to go super badly.

"O-Of course I wanna! But... I'll wait for a little while. You and Barbara stay with her for now. I'll come by later if that's okay."

Everyone seems to be surprised by her answer. Hannah blinks, but dips her head.

"All right. I'm going, then."

And with this she takes off down the hall.

Lotte and Sucy and Amanda all turn to give Akko puzzled looks.

"Are you sure you don't want to go, Akko?"

"Doesn't sound right."

"I figured you'd shoot right down there the second she woke up."

Akko fidgets a little and looks down.

"She's probably tired. I'll go see her later."

The others share a puzzled look, but don't say anything more on the matter.

Akko can't really explain it herself. She's been dying to see Diana all day, and now that she can – and should – she's getting cold feet.

So she follows Lotte and Sucy to the library to complete some of their homework for now. She has to avoid a certain area though - the area where she and Diana usually have their study sessions.

And after a few minutes it seems Lotte isn't too thrilled to be back in the library again after last night, so the trio eventually decides to take their materials elsewhere.

They end up in the courtyard where a lot of other students are enjoying the afternoon, either on-foot or on brooms. Akko mulls through her work without speaking much, befuddled by her own melancholy.

When she finally finishes, she almost wishes she had more to do.

Amanda finds her shortly afterward and hands her a broom, encouraging her to do a bit of practicing. Akko lifts off and flies with the usual wobbles, but still can't bring herself to complete a front-flip in midair; the last time she'd done this had been when Diana had fallen from her broom.

Akko seems to have lost her spirit today. Every thought seems to bring her back to Diana; how unnaturally warm she'd been, how much pain she'd been in...

"Oy, Akko!"

"Huh?" When she looks up she finds Amanda floating directly in front of her with one eyebrow raised.

"Did ya hear anything I just said?"

"Uh, n-no... sorry..."

"Then that's all the more reason to end it here for today."

"Huh? B-But-"

"Akko." Amanda reaches out from her broom and gets close enough to grab both of Akko's shoulders. "Stop messin' around. Go see her."

"But-"

"Listen! The only reason ya keep delaying it is cuz you're scared. You said it yourself last night, right? That she was doin' better? Didn't you see for yourself?" Her green eyes are firm and shockingly serious for once. "Now I dunno about you, but if I was Diana, I'd sure as hell wanna see the person who'd stayed next to me all night long and helped me through it. See what I'm sayin'?"

There's a tiny hint of something in her gaze, something that might suggest she knows more about their relationship, but Akko can't be sure.

Either way, it's the exact pep talk she's been needing all this time. Akko draws in a deep breath and shakes herself off – literally.

"You're right! I-I gotta go!"

"Atta girl!" Amanda gives her a slap on the back, propelling her forward on her broom. "Go, Akko!"

"R-Right!" Akko evens out her broom and glances to Lotte and Sucy below. "Lotte! Sucy! I'm going!"

"S'about time."

"Okay! Good luck, Akko!"

Akko grips her broom's handle and takes off toward the school. She lands just outside the door, tosses the broom aside, and hurries into the building.

She races down the hallways – normally Diana would catch her on patrol and tell her to slow down – but today Akko runs at top speed toward the infirmary. She runs herself right out of her funk, realizing the truth in Amanda's words.

Akko had only been so reluctant to go see Diana now because she was scared of what she might find; scared Diana has gotten worse again, that she'll be as bad as she'd been last night, that she'll still be in pain. Some darker part of Akko's mind still believes the worst was true.

I'm such an idiot!

She lets her legs carry her more quickly than a broom. She wants to see her. She's wanted nothing more all day long.

Diana!

Akko skids around the corner that puts her in the infirmary wing and finally slows down a bit. Nurse Isabella lets her in with a nod, and Akko finally stops to catch her breath. She walks down the hallway toward Diana's room a bit stiffly, still nervous about what kind of state she might find her in. She doesn't want to see her like she'd been last night ever again.

The sound of soft voices reaches her ears, and when she next looks up she spots Hannah and Barbara leaving the room, closing the door behind them. They perk up when they spot her.

"Akko!"

"Thank goodness! Did you come to see her?"

"We were just going to get some supper. It's a relief we won't have to leave her alone now."

"She'll be happy."

Akko glances back and forth between them, almost as if she can't believe their words. But those words only fuel her desire to burst through that door.

"Yeah. I'm gonna see her now, if that's okay."

The pair share a glance and a smile.

"Of course it's okay."

"She was asking for you earlier."

"She tried not to make it sound too obvious-"

"-but she really wants to see you, Akko."

Akko swallows, feeling a twinge of warmth in her heart. Her eyes begin to sting, but she squeezes them shut for a second to stop them from watering.

"Thanks, you guys. I'll take care of her from here."

They each give her a pat on the shoulder.

"Thanks, Akko."

"We're counting on you."

And with this they walk off together hand-in-hand.

Akko doesn't waste another second. She pushes through the door slowly and steps in.

It's quiet this time, without the monitor beeping. Akko tiptoes her way in, until she can see the foot of the bed. She swallows and carefully calls out.

"Diana...?"

Akko peeks up at last.

Diana is sitting up in bed, leaning back against her pillows with a book in her lap. She looks up sharply, and her eyes go wide.

"Akko-!"

Akko feels the tears coming on immediately, and there's no hopes of stopping them.

"D... Diana..."

She's okay. She's really okay now.

Akko can hardly believe her eyes. Only yesterday Diana had looked so horribly different, so weak and in pain. And now she's more or less back to her old self.

It's the biggest relief Akko's ever felt in her life. She takes a trembling step forward, sniffling as the tears begin to dribble down.

"Diana..."

And before she knows it she's running across the room. Diana's book slips off her lap as she lifts her arms toward Akko. Akko softly collides with her, wrapping both arms around her and pulling her in tightly. Diana lets out a breath somewhere between a chuckle and a sob.

"I'm so glad you came, Akko..."

"I'm so glad you're okay, Diana."

Akko lets out a long sigh, savoring the reality of Diana safely in her arms now. As it finally begins to settle in that she's healed, all of the images of her suffering start to fade away.

It's over...

Akko sobs quietly into Diana's hair, whimpering in relief in between murmurs of her name. Diana hugs her back as tightly as she can.

"Thank you, Akko. I've gotten to thank the others, but not you yet. You stayed with me throughout the night, and for that I am truly grateful, from the bottom of my heart."

Akko can't speak, so she just nods. Diana pets through her hair. "If you could please pass along my gratitude to Lotte and Sucy as well, I would deeply appreciate it."

Akko just nods again and doesn't let go.

Diana is content to stay like this for a while. She's already regained much of her strength and now puts it to good use in holding Akko. They both need this.

The minutes pass by before Akko can finally compose herself enough to ease back. Her face is still a mess, and Diana fondly reaches up to brush some of the tears away. She cradles Akko's cheek and coaxes her in for a sweet, tired kiss. When it's over, Akko heaves another sigh.

"Thank goodness..."

"Thank you," Diana repeats. "All of you."

Akko sniffles again and shakes her head a bit to clear it. She sits on the edge of the bed, keeping her hand over Diana's.

"So when can you come back to class? Don't rush or anything! You gotta get better first!"

"Don't fret," Diana says gently. "Nurse Isabella says I can return to classes after one more day of rest."

"That's good."

"And we may resume our study sessions as well."

"That's even better."

Diana sighs. "And we are going to primarily focus on studying."

"I know, I know~"

They giggle a little before eventually coming back together for one more embrace. Akko squeezes her shoulders to bring her as close as possible.

"Really though... I'm glad, Diana... I was so scared..."

Diana's voice becomes quieter.

"As was I... But it's over now, thanks to you." She presses a soft, thankful kiss to Akko's cheek. Akko returns the favor and finally pulls back.

"Get some rest. I'll come visit again tomorrow."

"Thank you."

Akko doesn't want to leave her, but she forces herself to get up. And just as she does, Hannah and Barbara re-enter holding trays of food for supper. Akko relinquishes her position to them. They thank her and wish her goodnight.

And though she's sad to leave Diana again, Akko all but skips back to her dorm room that evening and jumps into bed.

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A/N: Seems all is well, no? Oh, but wait! I have one more chapter...