Another small idea I have been wanting to write for the last few weeks since the anime began. We still don't know too much canon info about Diana at this point, but at the very least we can all assume she has some expectations to live up to, right?
Could be connected to my previous fic A Visit, but doesn't have to be. I wrote it so it could work with or without it.
Disclaimer: I do not own Little Witch Academia.
Back To Back
When classes end for the day, Diana doesn't always go back to her dorm room right away.
Sometimes, she comes up with some kind of excuse to tell Hannah and Barbara; that she plans to stay behind and discuss something with the professor, that she plans to head to the principal's office to discuss something with her or the Headmistress, that she has to begin her sentry duties early, that she needs to go to the library to look something over.
She's become an expert at making up excuses to satisfy them, though she knows she doesn't even have to go that far. They'd blindly accept and support her no matter what she does.
She doesn't always prefer that side of them. But sometimes, it makes her life a little easier.
Times like now.
Of course, she does really do the exact sort of things she tells them she does, to some extent. But usually not for the entire length of time that she's away. She always makes time to do what she'd truly intended to do.
Presently, she makes her way down the hallways, which are mostly empty due to everyone being at supper or in their rooms. Only a few other students linger here or there, chatting and gabbing.
Diana recognizes some of their voices, but she doesn't stop to acknowledge anyone else. She just keeps walking, back straight, chin high, eyes focused, giving off the usual impression that she's got somewhere important to be, and for good reason.
She doesn't spare anyone a second glance, especially not the people attached to the voices she recognizes.
Little does she know that she herself has been recognized and taken an interest in.
She continues on without knowing as much, until she's reached the nearest exit doors. Upon opening them, a warm breeze pushes past her as she takes in the outside scenery.
The sun is just beginning to set, bathing the property and surrounding fields in golden light. The sky is vibrant with warm, red colors, and the clouds are rimmed and shaded with orange and pink.
This is perhaps Diana's favorite time of day. When all of the activities and assignments are over, and there is still a bit of warmth left to savor. So she often makes it a point to do just that.
She advances into the grass, until she reaches one of the small stone staircases. She sits on the top, adjusting her skirt and curling her legs so her shoes rest on the step below. The breeze wraps around her again, calm and quiet and warm, nothing at all like the day she'd had. Nothing at all like most of the days she has.
Hands folded in her lap, she tilts her chin skyward and gazes up at the canvas that looks like it's been splattered with colorful, tropical fruit. Even the grass all around her is shimmering with sunlight.
It makes her feel warm, just for a few minutes. That's all she needs. That's all she ever really gets, anyway.
Slowly, she closes her eyes on that beautiful image of the sky, peacefully inhaling a breath before releasing it once more.
She doesn't know that she's been followed, quietly, in contrast to that person's usual way of acting.
Diana's just in the middle of another therapeutic breath when a sudden voice nearly causes her to choke.
"Diana? What are you doing out here?"
Akko had caught sight of her in the hallway earlier. She knows Diana always gets special jobs and privileges granted by the school, such as night-watch and sentry duties. She'd just wanted to go and ask her about those jobs, why she got them, and what they entailed. It's something she'd been meaning to ask her for a while now.
So she'd told Lotte and Sucy to go to supper without her and scurried off, hiding behind the corners, pillars, and doors every few seconds so that Diana wouldn't see her even if she turned around. Half of Akko had been expecting Diana to find her out anyway. But she must've been so focused on going wherever it was she was going that she didn't even think to check behind herself.
Akko had been thinking she'd be following Diana to the Headmistress' office, or to some restricted spot on campus to check for abnormalities.
But the only abnormality Akko finds now is Diana herself, sitting alone outside on one of the staircases, looking forlorn and forgotten.
Of course, that reserved, withdrawn image of her is quickly shattered when Akko announces her own presence and says Diana's name. The white-haired witch sputters and whips around with her blue eyes wide.
"Akko? W-What is the meaning of this? W-Why did you follow me here?"
"Cuz I wanted to know what you were doing!" she replies simply. "Mind if I join you?"
Diana turns away promptly and makes a move to stand.
"You may do as you please. I was just leaving-"
"Hold on a minute, Diana!" Akko plops down beside her on the step and grabs her hand, preventing her from getting up just yet. "You don't have to leave just because I came here, too."
"You did not simply happen to show up here by coincidence," Diana huffs. "You followed me."
"Only because I wanted to find out what's up with you!"
That earnest little sparkle finds its way into Akko's eyes, the one that always takes Diana aback no matter what. The tightened grip on her hand does its job and prevents her from slipping away, too. Diana stays on the defensive, but not quite so adamantly now.
"I haven't the slightest idea as to what you're referring to..."
She looks away, out over the golden fields that stretch out as far as the forest beyond. The trees are casting gray shadows now as the sun begins to disappear behind them. Diana feels a chill run through her as the warmth begins to fade.
It's not much, but Akko feels that chill in the way Diana's hand trembles beneath hers. When she looks her over, she can see a drastic change in the Diana she thought she knew so well.
Her eyes are not strictly focused ahead, on whatever prestigious future she's aiming for. Rather, now, they are downcast, flicking, uncertain.
More notably, her back is not as straight and stiff as it always is. Her shoulders have slumped forward a little, and her posture has slouched, allowing some of her hair to slip forward over the front of her shoulders.
She gives off the overall impression of exhaustion, and even a bit of guilt.
Akko has never seen her like this before. She can safely assume that no one else has, either.
The only time that came close was a few weeks ago, after they had freed the Papilliodya from their chrysalises. While Lotte, Sucy, and herself had flown around the campus along with the butterflies, Diana had stayed solemnly on the ground. Even when Akko had waved and smiled at her, Diana had hardly reacted.
At that time, she'd looked so stern, and definitely a little guilty about what had happened.
But now, she looks more tired than anything.
Of course, Diana can't show this side of herself to anyone else, lest she risk her reputation.
But maybe the fact that Akko is a nobody in the magical world works in her favor in this case. Diana doesn't really care if Akko sees her like this.
Perhaps she knows Akko would never tell or make a big deal about it, or that if she did, no one would take her word for it.
Either way, Akko is just glad Diana isn't running away from her now, nor is she trying to disguise how she really feels.
The breeze slips around them. Akko feels it pulling through her own hair just as easily as she can see it moving through Diana's. For an instance, ivory and brown flutter together, lightly touching.
The silence has ensued for a few minutes now, but Akko feels the need to say something else. Or rather, she feels she needs to prompt Diana to say whatever is on her mind. So she looks to her again, still never having removed her hand.
"Hey, Diana? What are you thinking about?"
She watches a smile form on Diana's lips, but it isn't the nice kind, not the kind she likes to see on her. It's one of those fake, bitter smiles.
"Surely, it is nothing someone like you would understand."
It isn't meant as an insult, and Akko doesn't take it as one. It's merely a statement, a fact.
Akko's knows it's true. She can never understand what kind of pressure Diana walks around with on her shoulders every day.
She still doesn't know much about her, but she knows there are tons of expectations and responsibilities she has to uphold and see through.
That's why she has an answer for every single question asked in every single class.
That's why she tried so hard to help the Memorial Tree on her own.
That's why she was so determined to win the broom relay.
Akko was never angry or resentful towards Diana for those things. It just meant she herself needed to work a little harder, and Akko is always more than willing to do so.
But she doesn't like seeing Diana as her rival. Diana doesn't seek to actively antagonize, taunt, or otherwise demean Akko, or her aspirations in any way. She's just trying to do whatever it is she needs to do in her life.
And that includes knowing the correct answer to every question, refining her reputation by completing extraordinary tasks, and winning trophies for all to see.
Akko knows she can never understand Diana completely.
But she wants to at least try.
So she tries another approach, one that's a bit more personal, a bit more direct.
"Diana...? Are you okay?"
Diana flashes her a sidelong glance.
"What kind of question is that? Of course I am."
"I dunno. You don't look okay. Your back's all slouchy."
Diana hadn't realized her own poor posture until now. She makes an effort to straighten up, but ultimately resorts back to her previous position.
"It just hurts a little. That is all."
And something tells Akko that Diana isn't simply referring to her back.
Akko decides to change the subject, just for a moment, as a better idea comes to her mind. She reaches with her free for her wand and draws it. Diana blinks in surprise.
"Akko, what are you-"
"Raea Odorae!"
With a flick of her wrist, she successfully completes the spell. Both she and Diana direct their gazes out across the open fields.
Within seconds, the fading sunlight is reenforced by a different kind of light. Tiny, familiar, glowing white orbs begin to emerge from the grasses.
They are forest sprites that often emerge at dusk, but rarely reveal themselves unless prompted by magic. But now, with the spell cast, they are beginning to flit and dance around in quite a dazzling display of light, almost like a parade of fireflies. Joyous, lighthearted, free...
Diana is too enchanted by their beauty. She can't look away, but she does make another attempt at speech.
"Akko-"
"Flaura Conte Kantor!"
The brunette casts a second spell, this time one that enchants the grass and flowers around them. The leaves and stalks of grass come to life, swaying and bouncing and waving all on their own, without the assistance of the breeze.
The sprites instantly begin to bounce and play on the dancing grasses. Tiny, gleeful squeaks of their laughter and merriment begin to fill the air, like tinkling wind chimes.
Akko smiles as she takes in the sight of her spells come to fruition.
The last reddish hues of the sunset glow around the little balls of white light sprinkled throughout the swaying grasses. Even with the shadows setting in, the light is still prevailing.
Akko hears a small gasp from beside her, and dares to glance over.
Diana's mouth hangs open just a little in her wonder, and her eyes seem to sparkle with their own little rays of light.
Akko's always admitted to herself that Diana was pretty.
But she's never been prettier than she is right now.
With the fading rays of yellow sunlight glowing in the highlights of her hair.
With her sky-blue eyes reflecting dozens of sparkling, magical lights.
With her lips finally curled upward in one of those rare, real smiles.
Akko can't stop herself from grinning as she admires this more honest side of Diana. This is the side that appreciates magic for all its wonders, not necessarily its more practical uses.
Akko wholly believes that every witch had a profound moment in their life when they were first touched by magic.
For herself, it was undoubtedly when she'd first discovered Shiny Chariot. She has no idea what Diana's moment might be, but it has the same effect on her.
It makes her remember that magic isn't just something that needs to be mastered and perfected for professional purposes.
It reminds her that magic can also be fun, innocent, and beautiful.
That's all Akko ever wanted to do for her.
And she's glad she can do it here and now, even if just a little.
But she doesn't feel like leaving yet. Though the wonder of the moment is indeed enchanting, it won't last forever. She doesn't want Diana to be alone again when the magic fades and reality settles back in.
So Akko puts her wand back beneath her belt and continues to admire the sights before her, though more often than not, she's looking at Diana rather than the dazzling fields.
"Lotte taught me that first one," she says simply. "Leave it to her to know all the spells about sprites. And Sucy taught me the second one. Of course, 'cuz it was about plants, right? I wasn't sure if they'd work together. I've never used them like this before. Well, actually, I've never used them at all. But I think it turned out all right!"
Grinning, she flashes another glance at Diana, hoping for some kind of response.
She knows Diana hears her, because she gives a small nod. But she's still too enraptured by the sight of the sprites that she can't tear her eyes away just yet.
That's more than fine with Akko.
Feeling as though she's accomplished one of her goals, she prepares to accomplish the next one.
Akko stands from her spot on the step all too quickly. Her movement and sudden lack of presence beside Diana pull the other witch back into reality. The warmth that's been pleasantly enveloping the back of her hand until now suddenly vanishes.
She's about to look away, to call out for Akko, not realizing how embarrassed she might later feel for doing so.
But thankfully, Akko doesn't leave her.
She promptly sits back down, though this time, it's not beside her. She sits with her back to Diana's and leans in, pressing close against her.
"Y'know, Diana. If it hurts, it's okay to lean on people sometimes."
And this time, something tells Diana that Akko isn't simply referring to her back.
Whatever flicker of worry that has been festering in her chest until now completely melts away.
Diana lets out another sigh as she feels Akko's back bump against hers. It's certainly more support than she's ever physically felt before in her life.
Without saying a word, Diana allows herself to lean back, just a little.
Akko feels the pressure, but it's far from uncomfortable. It feels nice to have someone to lean against, in every sense of the phrase.
She knows Diana's realizing the same thing right about now.
It's nice to hold her up, and to be held up by her.
It's nice to rely on someone, and to be relied upon.
Akko closes her eyes while facing the school, as Diana continues to face the mirroring, open landscape. They can both still hear the little squeaks of merriment the sprites are singing.
But when she focuses, Akko can appreciate something else, too.
She can feel Diana's back rising and falling slightly as she breathes. It's very soft, very slow, very reserved.
Akko feels her own breaths, which are a bit deeper, a bit quicker. The contrast in their breathing is just a part of who they are.
When she tries to match her more enthusiastic inhales and exhales to Diana's much slower ones, Akko feels like she might suffocate. But she can infer that if Diana were to match her breathing to Akko's, she'd probably get light-headed, too.
These are the thoughts Akko entertains herself with as she sits there, leaning back against Diana, letting Diana lean on her.
After a while, it all comes together: the giggling of the sprites, the warmth of the air, the calming rise and fall of Diana's body against hers...
Akko lets slip a yawn as she realizes she's tiptoeing on the borderline of sleep.
But during all that time when she'd been thinking about random, nonsensical things, Diana had been lost in her own thoughts as well.
Now, she straightens her back, causing Akko to slump a little against her.
The spell on the grass wears off, and the fields grow still. The sprites soon disappear back into the trees and the shadows. But they've left behind an overall sense of calm, the kind that allows people to make important realizations.
Akko can feel it as Diana takes in one last breath before they lose contact.
Diana stands, and Akko slumps down into the grass as she's woken from her almost-nap. Puzzled, she stares up at the white-haired witch from this angle and blinks in bewilderment.
That smile is still on Diana's lips. That small, but genuine smile.
Akko reflects it just for a moment.
Diana finally looks down at her, then puts a hand on her hip and quirks an eyebrow.
"What are you doing? You're going to ruin your uniform."
"Hah?" Akko blinks in confusion, watching as Diana steps around her. She offers down her hand casually.
"Come now. We'll be late for supper."
"Ah... right..."
Reaching up, Akko accepts Diana's hand. Diana pulls her up, then helps dust her off, plucking blades of grass off of Akko's clothes and out of her hair.
Neither of them say another word about what's happened between them this evening. They don't have to say anything in order to understand.
Diana straightens her posture once again, keeping a firm grasp on Akko's wrist as she leads her back into the building. Akko catches a glimpse of that stiff back of hers. It seems her prim posture has relaxed, just a little bit.
Akko chuckles sheepishly as she feels the tug on her wrist, and skips along after her.
But rather than behind, she walks beside Diana now.
"Oh! Diana! You have a beetle in your hair!"
"W-What? Get it out this instant!"
"Hold on, hold on!"
Their voices echo through the hallways as the doors close behind them.
They don't have to look back.
A/N: Others and myself have entertained the idea of Akko going to comfort Diana and vice-versa. But I've recently wrote mainly fics where Diana goes to comfort Akko, so I decided it was time to return the favor.
Please review!