Diana looked on as Akko and her friends chatted and laughed together across the dinning hall. Akko was in an in-depth conversation about her home in Japan.
"I wish there were athletic clubs here!" Akko sighed resting her head on her palm.
"I mean there's broom racing" Lottle replied smiling at her homesick friend.
"It would be more of a competition on how long you can stay on your broom for you Akko." Sucy snickered.
"Hey! Come on, you can't deny I've gotten better!"
"Better at not hurting yourself."
Akko pouted, but Diana smiled.
"Anyways! I used to love running track and field, and playing soccer."
"I wouldn't doubt it Akko you're uncharacteristically athletic for your age."
The trio continued their conversation.
Diana couldn't help, but wished she had known Akko then. Just imagining Akko's bright smile as she scored goals, or won races in itself made Diana fill with pride over her friend.
Diana sighed, but at least she knows Akko now, especially after everything that's happened to them at Luna Nova. The two had become close friends, often studying and relaxing with each other, as normal friends would.
"Diana… Diana!" Barbara called out.
"Are you ok Diana?" Hannah asked worried. "You've been zoning out for a while now."
"Y- Yes" Dianna snapped out of her day dream. "I am fine."
Barbara and Hannah looked at each other and decided to not push the subject, whatever Diana was thinking about had to be important.
And it was. To her at least.
Akko peaked up and made eye contact with Diana. In the moment Akko's crimson eyes looked met her own, Diana panicked, and as an unconscious defense mechanism, Diana huffed and looked away.
Akko shrank back into her conversation, shyly looking away. Guilt rose in Diana.
Why did I just do that? Someone… Please… End me. Diana thought embarrassed.
One of the few classes that Akko had been able to pass with flying colors was of course their Applied Spells class. Similar to P.E in a typical high school.
What the brunette lacked in magical skill she made up for in physical ability. Thus, she was also able to beat out most students. Class was set up like an obstacle course, where students had to dodge, defend, and fight off things that popped up or got in their way using spells learned in class.
While other spent time muttering incantations for barriers to protect them, Akko could easily dodge and out run combatants. Akko was also pretty good at thinking on her feet, using whatever terrain they were put in to her advantage. She didn't waste time using spells unless she absolutely needed them or if it was a spell she had mastered enough to not destroy anything on accident. Diana wasn't the only one in class who enjoyed watching Akko use little to no magic to finish the course, it was pretty amazing to watch, and because it was so impressive the professor never failed her despite her magical skill.
Diana watched as Akko stretched, and warmed up. Not that their P.E uniform was scandalous, but it didn't leave a lot to imagine. Especially when Akko insisted on rolling her shorts and sleeves. Saying it helped her move better.
Diana smiled encouragingly at Akko. "You got this." She mouthed. Akko grinned from ear to ear and gave Diana the thumbs up.
Akko was the first up. She took a deep breath as she bent down in her set position, as if she was getting into runners blocks in a track race. Diana blushed when she realized Akko butt was in line with were she just so happened to be standing.
What was the term again? 'dat booty tho…'?
Diana shook her head. These feelings were getting hard to ignore.
"Set…" Their professor raised her hand up. Akko perked up and leaned forward a bit. "Go!" The professor chopped her hand down like a knife, and Akko took of running in full sprint.
Immediately the goblin helper dressed as enemies began casting faux spells to distract Akko and to make her lose balance. But it was all for naught, Akko hurdled, dodged and out- maneuvered everything. Akko threw rocks and kicked up dirt to distract and blind the goblins, only using small spells to knock the goblins down. In this particular obstacle course, the average time to finish it would be about 15 minutes, the fastest being 12 minutes. Akko finished it in 8. Almost more than half of a typical witch.
The brunet skidded to a halt after crossing the finish line. It seemed that despite her clumsiness, Akko could demonstrate a high degree of coordination and strength.
"Dammit! You literally destroyed my time by 6 minutes!" Amanda said throwing her hands to her face. "And you didn't even use magic!"
Akko bent over her hands on her knees trying to catch her breath. There was another side though. Because Akko didn't use magic and relied on physical ability, it seemed to take a harder toll on her body than a typical witch.
"You… gotta practice like… Like you've never won…. And… perform… Like you've… Like you've never lost." Akko said in between breaths.
"Jeeze…" Amanda threw her arm around Akko. "Come on buddy, chest up. Otherwise you'll pass out."
Diana watched as the two walked towards the water station. Amanda and Akko seemed close, so much closer than Akko and herself. Once again, she had wished she had known Akko before, before she knew her now.
Could you blame her though? For wanting a little bit more. Akko was brave, Diana lacked courage. Diana was stiff, Akko was versatile. Diana was boring and Akko was endlessly fascinating. All she wanted a little more of Akko for herself.
Diana walked over to the two intending to only speak to Akko, but of course the American witch would never allow that.
"Yo Diana!" Amanda greeted. "You saw that? So not only can you not beat me, but it looks like Akko is at the top of that list too" Amanda said rubbing her knuckles into Akko's head.
"Come on Amanda, I'm tired still!" Akko tried to free herself. Usually she was stronger than even Amanda, but Akko had given her all into the obstacle course, there was no way she'd be able to hold her own.
"Chill Akko, just giving princess over here a taste of her own medicine." Amanda said grinning at Diana.
"My own medicine?" Diana inquired. "I do not have the slightest idea what you're implying Amanda."
"Really now?" Amanda raised an eyebrow. She let go of Akko and stood in front of Diana. Akko collapsed on the ground. The grass never felt so good to her. "You're telling me that you've forgotten about all those times you put us down, especially Akko. All those times to fuel your ego and superiority complex?"
Diana narrowed her eye. "I have not forgotten…" She whispered bitterly.
"Ah, what was that princess?" Amanda asked sarcastically, cupping her ear.
"I came her to simple congratulate Akko on her victory, and you continue to antagonize me." Diana was beginning to lose her cool. She just wanted to talk to Akko. Have a conversation that didn't have to do anything about studying or magic.
"Amanda, chill." Akko said sitting up looking worriedly at Diana.
"You may fool everyone else Cavendish, but I know better. I saw the way you looked at her during lunch. How do you think Akko feels to be brushed off despite her great feats? " A tone of playfulness was hinted in Amanda's statement. She was antagonizing Diana, but not to start a fight. She was leading on to something else.
Dammit…
The double meanings.
"You may for everyone else Cavendish, but I know better."- I know how you feel about Akko, despite your cold demeanor towards her….
"I saw the way you looked at her during lunch" -Your stupid smile could be seen miles away
"How do you think Akko feel to be brushed off despite her great feats" – You keep treating her that way and you're gonna lose her…
Diana softly gasped to herself.
"Amanda." Akko said pulling herself up. "That's enough. Diana isn't like how she used to be anymore. Trust me. Things are different now." Akko smiled brightly.
Diana had literally brushed her off hours ago, and here was the brunette defending her from someone who had been with Akko from the beginning.
"Thank you, Akko. B- But I did not ask for your protection." Diana spun around on her heels, and walked away. "I shall see you for our tutoring session."
Akko sighed. "Jeeze, what was that about? I can't even begin to describe her…"
"That right there Akko, is a tsundere" Amanda stated proudly.
"H-How do you even know what that is?!" Akko stuttered, completely flabbergasted by the fact Amanda was familiar with that word and its meaning.
"Oh? You didn't know? American's love anime." Amanda grinned.
"N-Nani!?"
Diana scanned the library looking for her favorite brunette. As she passed through many book shelves she finally came upon a sleeping brunette in a separate study room. The brunette had her arms crossed in front of her and her head laid snuggly on top, looking to the side. She was probably still tuckered out from the obstacle course. Diana sat silently next to Akko and laid her head on her arms much like the position Akko was in and watched her sleep peacefully for a moment, but alas. Something beneficial had to come from this session.
"Hey…" Diana spoke softly. "Akko, wake up." Diana reached out and pushed back some loose strands of hair behind Akko's ear.
If it hadn't happened already, it looks as if Diana had stumbled right into the palm of Akko's hands. Diana's heart fluttered as she bit her bottom lip. This was the most affectionate she had ever been to Akko, and the brunette wouldn't ever know.
Slowly Akko was starting to come to. "D-Diana?" Akko pulled herself up and leaned back against the chair stretching her sore muscles. "What time is it?"
Diana sat up and moved some books in front of Akko. "Time to study."
Akko groaned. "I'd rather do another obstacle course."
"I'm sure you would. Now what subject first?"
"How bout we start at Magical History, and then work our way to the less boring subject."
Diana giggled, and smiled. "Alright, whatever you say."
After a few hours of painful studying Diana closed the last book. "You should be fine for tomorrows test."
Akko gave a big smile. "Yeah, I actually feel prepare for once." The room got a quiet. It was almost deafening. "Have you been feeling ok lately Diana?"
Diana looked away from Akko. These feelings were so hard to ignore. "Yes Akko, I'm fine."
"Liar." Akko said bluntly.
Diana snapped her head towards Akko. "Can you blame me?" Diana blurted out.
"B-Blame you? For what?" Akko was visibly confused, but what seemed to bother Diana more was how dense Akko could be.
"Never mind, Akko" Diana pushed her seat back preparing to stand up.
"Diana, I'm not very smart. I'd like to think I can read people's emotions pretty well, but lately… Lately you've been so hard to read. One day we're having a great conversation, the next I'm being ignored." Akko grabbed Diana's hand almost desperately. "Just… Just stay ok? We don't have to talk about it. I- I like… I like these little study sessions."
Diana sat back down. "They… They don't bore you?"
"Never. You could never bore me." Akko stated with such confidence, that it shook Diana's core. The room was awkwardly quiet again. Akko was just about to say something to break the silence but was cut off by Diana.
"Am I crazy for wanting a little more?" Diana started.
"A little more of what?" Akko asked softly leaning in. The warmth radiating off of the brunette was intoxicating. It took ever shred of Diana's being to not lean closer towards Akko.
"A little more of you…" Diana bit her lip and looked at the ground. Once again silence ensued, and this was the worse one yet.
Akko was in shocked. "What…?"
Taking the response as a form of rejections, Diana instantly stood up looking towards the door. She was so embarrassed. There was no way they could fix this, no way she would be able to get over this. However, Akko had great physical ability, and almost as quickly as Diana stood up, Akko stood up too, quickly sliding her arms around Diana's waist and pulling her in against her body.
"A-Akko!" Diana felt like she was going to fall, but she didn't. Akko kept a firm, protective grip around her. Diana could feel the heat of Akko's body raising along with hers. She could almost hear the brunette's heartbeat, or was that her own? "Please… Say that it's the same…" Diana said almost like a question.
Akko leaned her face into the crook of Diana's neck. "It's… It's definitely the same…" Akko whispered. "In fact," Akko pulled away and leaned her forehead against Diana's forehead. Deep red blushes painted both girl's cheeks. "I want a lot more…"
Diana gasped softly, and wrapped her arms around Akko's neck, pulling the brunette closer. "As much as you want…" Diana whispered before she closed the gap between their lips.
A/N
Song of the story: A Little More- Alessia Cara