Reverse Cinderella
Wedinburg was seeing a renaissance. Parts of the manor which had fallen into ruin were being resurrected, paths cobbled anew. Inside the walls there was not a cobweb in sight. Diana herself had seen to it that each and every heirloom pawned off in the family's time of need was reclaimed; epic tapestries in mithril thread, a harp imbued with a former matriarch's memories, a bow made of a king stag's antlers. She took pleasure in passing these treasures in the corridor, not least because they distracted from the door it led to. She knocked.
"Pardon."
"I was beginning to wonder if you'd dozed off down there! No, don't waste time on excuses. You've got things to do– 12 things, in fact. Here," Aunt Daryl pressed a folder into her niece's hands. "First we must decide what to do with those troublesome few acres on the northern side… then there are the interviews– for two new maids and a horse groom, today– and the tallying of expenses for the month. It's time you started thinking about bringing in some revenue– if you're so opposed to trading our… material assets. Ah– and then the Earl of Hanbridge will be coming at four to discuss that new bit of legislation– oh, it had some fancy name. Anyway, I trust you'll put the family's interests first!"
You mean your interests. The woman never stopped talking, not even as she left Diana in the study, her voice trailing off down the hall. That voice nagged her even in her sleep. Not that she got much of it these days, as the official head of the Cavendish clan.
She could tell it was noon, from down in the ancient library, by the sun's disk outlined on the semiopaque ceiling. Lunch would have to wait. It was easy enough to restore a clock or a statue with a wave of a wand, but books were different. Books contained a complexity several orders of magnitude greater than any machine; and here she had an entire collection to fish out of the gutter. One by one she treated them, reaching back into history, into minds and meanings, in overwhelming detail. Certain books required a few lengthy sessions; Leech's Philology and Semantics of Proto-English Incantation was such a tome. She struggled to concentrate, on paper jumping back into its bindings, words knitting themselves together– when everything went dark, she threw out a hand to steady herself, and caught only air. She heard her wand clatter as if from a distance. The floor was warm and uneven, but at least it was solid. Frankly, she was too exhausted to care.
It was… very warm.
"…ana? Diana!"
She groaned and shifted in Akko's arms, but wouldn't open her eyes. Beads of sweat dappled her forehead. Akko moved a stray lock back into place and bent closer to her ear.
"D-diana, can you hear me? Can you get on my back? Oh this is bad. How did it go, that one spell? Uh– labi– labibaa–"
"Don't… you'll turn us into newts."
Akko stifled a squeal of joy in the neck of Diana's cloak.
"Hey! I'm getting better." Akko pouted. "Just what the heck are you doing to yourself down here? You're lucky someone was looking out for you. Me. I was looking out for you."
Blue eyes softened.
"Yes, lucky."
Akko was never quite prepared when Diana turned her own clumsy, sarcastic affection back on her. Velvet fingertips alighted on her cheek.
"Thank you, Akko. Please don't fret about me."
"Hoh! That's rich coming from someone who can't stand up by herself. No– don't. It's your lucky day, miss– you get to ride the Akko express!" Nice recovery!
"But I'm… taller than you."
Raspberry-studded cream tarts. Profusely stuffed sandwiches. Trays of this and that… it seemed Akko had told the kitchen they were expecting company. They were not. Still, it was a fine day to eat in the garden. Diana looked up from her rumination just as Akko held out a biscuit to her, which she bit into gratefully.
"I told you I'd help you with all this, didn't I? Back when I barged right into your ceremony in freshman year…" Akko sounded nostalgic. "But you have to let me."
"I… wish I could accept your help, Akko. Truly."
"But why nooot?"
"The Cavendish clan… must always be under Cavendish leadership. That's even more important now than before. The world is watching, Akko. And my Aunt is watching. I must present a singularly strong and steadfast face to them all, lest rumors spread that Cavendish is in the hands of an incompetent little girl…"
Crash. The tableware jumped as Akko slammed her palms down.
"Diana Cavendish, you are the strongest, steadfast-est, competent-est leader I know! And if anyone says otherwise, I'll fight 'em! I'm not gonna let you run yourself into the ground like this… just because of what some shithead noble might think!"
Some kind of fruit landed with a watery thud on the flagstones. Diana found herself trapped by Akko's gaze. She should land a critical argumentative hit before this girl could take it any further. She should insist on honor. She should know that it's not all about her.
She should definitely not be this relieved.
"Eh? Are you… crying? Did I make you cry?! Oh jeez. I got carried away. I'm sorry."
"It's strange…" Diana shook her head, smiling through tears. "I believe the last person in my life to show me such kindness was my mother. Perhaps I forgot how to show it to myself…"
The sounds of the garden intruded on them once more. A fountain splashed, birds chirped in the bushes. Roses spilled their scent at the slightest breeze. Diana straightened, her eyes clear. I really am taller than you… Leaning in, she tucked a strand of hair behind Akko's left ear, before planting a soft kiss below the same, eliciting a shiver. For a minute– which they both felt went too fast– they sat in silence, knees and foreheads touching, fingers mingled.
"Akko… I'm afraid it's nearly four. I have an appointment with the Earl."
At this Akko let out a long, unladylike groan.
"Fine… but first, I'm gonna get what I came to find you for today in the first place. A date!"
Diana's eyebrows arched.
"That's right, I'm gonna show you how we peasants like to take a load off. You'll be, like, reverse Cinderella. I'll get you some rags to wear and everything."
"On what day? First I should…" Diana stopped to take in Akko's expression. "If it's you, Miss Kagari, I would be delighted."
The date was set for May 1st– Beltane, also known as May Day. Halfway between the spring equinox and summer solstice, herdsmen would be driving their cattle between two bonfires to ward off disease, and sharing their feasts with the local aos sí. Preparations for Luna Nova's own celebration were underway; first-years were busy decorating the halls with yellow May flowers, excited chatter floating overhead. Second-years built and adorned the Maypole while third-years like Diana were charged with the assembly of the great bonfire. More specifically, she'd been nominated as the head organizer for the project, and had yet to touch so much as a splinter. About a hundred feet away on the crown of a little knoll, the foundations of the fire were just taking form.
"Hey, Captain!" A brazen voice rang out from Diana's right. Two witches were trundling along a wheelbarrow full of kindling. Akko had her sash tied about her forehead, panting as she pulled their load by a rope at front. Amanda gave a mocking salute with one hand while pushing with the other. "How's it looking from up there?"
Diana pressed her lips into a line. They were practically on the same topological elevation.
"The hectagonal base seems to be satisfactorily regular, and we are right on schedule. Ahead of schedule, even."
"Yeah, 'cause you're a slavedriver!"
"I doubt anyone could make you do anything against your will, Amanda O'Neill."
"Hah! You've got that straight."
Amanda chuckled, then removed both hands from the handlebars. To Diana's amazement, the overloaded wheelbarrow continued on at the same pace! The loafing little devil was taking advantage of Akko!– who, oblivious, kept on like an ox.
"I dunno what you did for this airhead, but she's even more fired up than usual. No pun intended."
"How could y–"
"Dianaaa–!" Akko burst out gleefully. "This is gonna be the best– haah– bonfire Luna Nova's ever seen!– haah– I promise!"
Diana's throat clenched. What did I do to deserve you?
"I promise, too," she managed to get out.
"Woohoo!" Akko howled, before taking off with both wheelbarrow and Amanda in tow.
She'd get O'Neill for that later.
A sudden cold front had pushed Diana and the rest of Wedinburg indoors. April isn't done with us yet. The hearth-fire's glow danced behind her eyelids, becoming a vision: of roaming highland meadows, astride her white mare, the hounds loping beside them. The wind in her hair. The feeling of Akko's arms wound around her giddy stomach, just like their first broom ride together in first year, and every one after… She blinked it away– no sense in self-torment.
"I say, Merril. It looks as if Diana's having another argument with herself."
"Hm! I wonder what could possibly be wrong in that pretty little head?"
Diana slowly raised her eyes. Merril and Maril seemed to suck the heat out of any room they entered.
"I admit these conditions have made me somewhat… restless. The coming of summer will be welcome."
"Ah, yes, yes! Beltane is but a week away," said Maril.
"I hear that Luna Nova's celebration is in your hands, isn't it?" said Merril.
"My only capacity is as head organizer. I depend very much on my classmates' efforts."
"It's your last Beltane at the Academy, isn't it? Doesn't that make it special?"
"Indeed," Diana perked up. She had almost overlooked that reality. Now it hit home. "I can't think of a more special occasion, before graduation…"
The cousins' grins could barely contain their teeth. Just then, a flutter of cream-colored silk announced Aunt Daryl's entry into the hearth room.
"What a nice picture you all make. Diana, I've looked over the plan you left. Very astute. I hope you enjoy this little vacation the weather's afforded us– here's next month's list so far."
Diana took the paper and tilted it towards the fire.
"May Day… Summit for Magical Relations?"
"The first in this age. I can only wonder why it took so long to institute it after the Triskelion was released. Those bureaucrats. It'll be held every year from here on out– and we'll be attending, naturally."
"No."
"What?" Daryl spun around.
"I– excuse me, I have my duties at school and cannot possibly–"
"Oh, but you can! I've already contacted Principal Holbrooke, and she understands perfectly that the duties of a Cavendish take precedence! Another student will take your place at the festival."
The world blurred, and Diana steadied herself on the chair's arm. When had she gotten to her feet?
"Aunt Daryl. Consider– the festival needs an active leader to guide it through the unexpected, while a Summit would only require my symbolic presence–"
"Do you think you are so irreplaceable that Luna Nova can't possibly manage one measly campfire without you?! Do you?! Tell me– what is it that you have planned for Beltane that is so important to you? Who needs you?"
"I– it's–" Say it, say something or may you burn upon a stake!
"Right then! Smart girl. I don't regret letting you become the family head– don't give me a reason."
"Ack! Brain freeze!" Akko screwed up her face.
"That's the fourth time. I've experimented on goldfish that learned faster than you." Sucy drawled.
Lotte was showing her hapless friend how to press your thumb to the roof of your mouth to relieve the pain, when a dark suit flashed across her spectacles.
"Hey, isn't that…"
Akko turned. One Andrew Hanbridge was making his way to a bookstore across the street.
"AHNGRHUU!"
He turned. For some reason, or no reason at all, Akko Kagari was yelling at him from across the street, with her entire thumb in her mouth.
... ... ...
"… But isn't it hard to have a date in the middle of a festival?" Andrew sighed. Lotte and Sucy had started back to the dorms, leaving them alone on a bench.
"Not at all, my boy! You can try all the food and dance around the maypole, and watch the fire together… Fire is romantic, right?"
"I suppose. I don't know about five-story-tall fires though."
"I say the bigger the better!" Akko grinned into what was left of three scoops of rocky road. "But that's not really the date part, y'know."
Andrew did his best to look unimpressed.
"The real show happens at sunset… there's someplace I wanna take her where we can be alone. A special place. That I'm pretty sure she doesn't know about. Oh god– what if she already knows?!"
"How did you manage to find this place if its so secret?"
"Oh you know– when you've fallen off a broom this many times you actually get to know the land better than most."
"That's… the most optimistic thing I've ever heard."
Clouds passed over the face of the sun. Andrew stood up, tucking under his arm a glossy new copy of Magical Relations in the Modern Era.
"Three days till May, huh. I confess I'll be surprised if you can keep a secret that long."
"Hey! I'm just telling you 'cause you're the ladykiller here. Got any pro tips?" Akko wiggled her eyebrows obscenely.
"See you later, Akko."
"I was kidding! Wait–!"
Andrew walked fast, a specter on his heels. How long had this feeling haunted him– a year? It felt longer. Only after stumbling over a crack in the pavement did he slow, take a long inhale, relax his grip on the book. He needn't throw away his dignity over… You had better be grateful, Diana.
Two students lingered in the majesty of Luna Nova's library, a single book between them. Two candles, dwindling to stumps on the desk, barely kept the night at bay. More than the dim flame, Akko's body heat let Diana know her study-mate was still there. There was something so… intimate about reading together. Akko sat on the right, where she could turn the page– at her own pace, since Diana would certainly reach the end before her– and hand it to Diana on the left. Each turning was a kind of exchange. In between, the only dialogue came in breaths– abbreviated, sharp, pensive– and when occasionally Akko pointed out an archaism for clarification. It was a fine arrangement– too fine for Diana to break. I need to tell her. In the half-minute of freedom after she finished the second page, she let her eyes wander. Akko's profile floated a few inches away, rosy and indistinct against the gloom. She was focused– it wouldn't do to disturb her… No, no more excuses. I must tell her tonight. She braced herself, gently laid a hand on Akko's thigh and–
"Per–! Perigee? Huh?" Suddenly Akko was staring intently up at her.
"Uh– perigee. The point along the moon's orbit closest to the earth. See, here." Diana rushed to jab at the diagram.
"Aha."
Diana waited for her to turn back to the book, unsure what kind of face she wore. But she didn't. Instead, her right hand traveled down to Diana's own.
"We might lose the page…" Diana began.
"Page 388. Second paragraph." Akko smiled.
She wondered if Diana knew how otherworldly she looked in the candlelight. Was it the light that made her expression seem so unusually fragile?– as if she might recede into the darkness without warning. It made Akko want to hold on to her just in case. Diana concentrated on breathing as warm hands found their way under her hair, stroking the back of her neck and settling above her shoulder blades.
"We're like the moon and the earth…"
"Huh?" She found herself leaning into the contact. Bloody cognitive dissonance!
"Our schedules don't match up. So times like this are really precious to me, y'know. Ahh…" A hint of bashfulness. "This is like… our perigee. Am I making sense?"
As if to hide her blush, Akko licked her thumb and forefinger and doused the nearest candlewick. Tell her you coward! She deserves to know! Just– Diana's whole body tensed as Akko slid onto her lap.
"I'm sorry," Diana blurted. "Something's... come up."
When the concern in those eyes became unbearable, she focused instead on the bow at the base of the girl's throat.
"I've been summoned to a major conference in London. On the first of May."
She felt Akko stiffen, fingers ceasing their play.
"I argued with Daryl, to no avail…"
Generous silence.
"That doesn't change the fact that I have been lying–" well that tastes awful– "by omission, to you, for the better part of a week now. For that I have no excuse." Steeling herself, she looked up. "From the bottom of my heart, I'm sorry, Akko."
But Akko's face could have melted steel on sight.
"But… but… why not tell me right then? Were you worried about my reaction?"
"Well– yes– and since then we've barely had ten minutes together, and there's simply no way to satisfactorily explain in ten minutes–"
"Are you a perfectionist about everything?!"
"…I'm sorry."
Determined not to make any more excuses for herself, Diana gave her partner the floor. Amber eyes held her.
"I just wish…" Akko began, then shook her head. "No, I get it. You're in a tight spot… but you took this on yourself at that ceremony, and I know you'll see it through to the end. You're gonna be the best head yet, Diana."
"Akk–!"
"BUT!" Akko caught the tip of Diana's nose between her knuckles and tugged. "Just when I thought this nose couldn't grow any longer and pointier, you go white-lying! Unbelievable!"
The two tussled until the chair let out an alarming creak. With bated breath, they listened for the footsteps of a night patrol. None came. Then, a firm hold on her shoulders got Akko's attention.
"Henceforth I will do my utmost to be honest and upfront with you. And I will make the date up to you– you have my word, Atsuko Kagari."
"Jeez, you better…" She blinked, then craned her neck, taking a sudden interest in the ornate ceiling. "Well… if we won't have the night of the festival, then… at the very least… I was hoping… I was..."
Diana let her squirm.
"Do you think you could be 'honest and upfront' with me, Atsuko?"
Lips met collarbone, Akko's chest shuddered.
"Not even– mm– not even my parents call me that…"
"Why not? It rolls nicely enough––––"
"*****!"
"–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Off the tongue."
Notes
This is the first serious attempt at a fic I've made in... years! Thanks from the bottom of my heart to TRIGGER for the doki doki waku waku inspiration that is LWA (especially to Megumi Han for having our backs and keeping Yoshinari from pulling an automatic hetero. Nothing against Andrew though).
This is a story I'm seeing through to the end. Next chapters (probably two more?) are already in the works. So many exciting ideas to implement.
Please tell me what you liked and what I can improve on! For starters... how the hell do you write intimacy? Send help.
*Throws rice at Akko and Diana*
