Day 3: Cuddles
"Awww c…can't we… just…" Akko's head bobbed up and down as she struggled to keep her half lidded eyes open, "… like… can't we stay loooonger."
Diana giggled quietly as she watched her girlfriend fight against her own inclination to sleep to stay together with her for even a moment more.
It was sweet. Really, just the fact that Akko was pushing herself like this made Diana feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside.
But…
"Akko, you know we can't." Diana lightly chided, her hands under Akko's arms as she attempted to keep the brunette from drooping back down on to the grass. "Ignoring the fact that curfew is upon us, you are clearly in no condition to try and stay awake any longer."
"Buuuut Diaaanaaaa" Akko sleepily whined as she stretched her arms out on Diana's shoulder before resting all of her weight on the taller, more composed witch.
Diana held herself firm, both physically and mentally. She was not about to let Akko fall down… and she was not about to let her adorable sleepy girlfriend convince her to stay out any longer.
"No buts Akko, you have to go to sleep. We have class tomorrow morning."
"Fiiiiiiiine." Akko pouted. "But can we sleep together tonight?"
It was a tempting thought. A truly tempting thought. After all, the nights she spent with Akko cradled in her arms, or herself cradled in Akko's, were always among the most restful nights of sleep she had.
Strangely enough, it was a thought she had failed to entertain throughout the night.
However, despite how wonderful sleeping together with Akko always was, it never failed to have a rather unfortunate result, especially when there would be classes the next morning.
After all, comfort could be a double-edged sword.
"Akko, you know we can't do that." Diana smiled apologetically.
"But why noooooot."
"You know that every time we sleep together, we never wake up until much of the next morning has passed."
"That's cause you're so comfy!" Akko lightly giggled as she wrapped her arms around Diana's neck.
"The sentiment is mutual." Diana muttered with a kiss on the brunette's forehead, eliciting even more sleepy giggles. "But as I said, we have class tomorrow. Neither of us should miss it."
"Fiiine! Be that way." Akko complained before drooping even more onto Diana. "Carry me back to my room?"
Diana laughed as she felt all of her girlfriend's weight press onto her.
"Very well."
Carrying Akko back to the dorms was a struggle… especially because she demanded she be carried like a princess.
Then there was the fact that they were at the literal furthest point from the dorms, and Akko insisted on giggling and shaking in the blonde's arms making it very difficult to keep a good grip on her.
This is not even mentioning Akko's insistence on peppering kisses on Diana's jaw and collarbone, constantly shooting jolts and shivers through the blonde's nerves, which always made her legs feel like jelly.
It was pretty clear to her that Akko was trying to make her slip up, to abandon this endeavor to put the brunette in bed… and it worked extremely well to some extent. After all, each kiss made it harder for Diana to think about anything other than the wickedly cute girl in her arms.
On several occasions, Diana entertained the idea of stopping where they were, finding a relatively comfortable corner somewhere, and sleeping together right then and there.
But Diana was a Cavendish. Her family had resolve. Honor. Dignity.
She was not about to just let herself sleep on the floor.
More importantly, she was not about to let Akko sleep on the floor. That girl deserved nothing but the best sleeping conditions available.
So, with much resolve… and with more than a few kisses in retaliation, Diana finally made it to Akko's room, where she slowly laid the brunette onto the bed.
She placed one final kiss on Akko's lips before whispering to the girl.
"Good night, Akko. I shall see you tomorrow morning… I… I love you." Diana muttered. Her cheeks grew rosy as she uttered the phrase.
They had just first said it to each other recently, so it was taking some time to get used to saying it whenever they parted… but she never felt happier than when she said it to Akko.
Akko smiled sleepily."I looovve you too Diana."
Except, perhaps, when she heard Akko say it to her. If saying it made Diana's heart feel light and bright, hearing it from her love made her heart feel like it was soaring through the sunlit sky.
Diana smiled fondly as she watched her girlfriend's breathing slow to a steady rhythm. Once she heard that familiar, barely audible, snore, Diana carefully got up and walked towards the door. As she stood by the doorframe, she took one last lingering glance at the brunette, her arms spread out on her bed. She looked so serene, so inviting.
Perhaps if she were to just embrace Akko for a moment...
Diana shook that thought away, knowing exactly where that train of thought would lead.
She sighed before sending her sleeping girlfriend a smile. She then walked out of Akko's room and back to hers.
As soon as Diana got to her room, she immediately changed into her nightdress, ensured her homework was complete for tomorrow, and laid herself into bed. There was class tomorrow, and she needed to be sure she would be perfectly rested for it as she always was.
She covered herself in her blanket and rested her head on her pillow.
Sufficiently tucked in and alarms ready to wake her in the morning, Diana closed her eyes, expecting sleep to come for her shortly afterwards. After all, just like Akko, she was pretty tired herself. It had been a long day, and, other than her time spent with Akko, it was a pretty stressful one as well.
However, as time passed, Diana realized sleep was absolutely eluding the girl's grasp. Tired as she was, she couldn't seem to get her mind to rest. Plus, for some reason, she couldn't find herself growing comfortable enough to fall asleep… which was preposterous in and of itself.
In the past, her family, as well as other noble families, had donated the highest quality mattresses for Luna Nova to use. In addition to this, at the insistence of her maids and servants, she had brought with her the highest quality bedding, blankets, and feather pillows for her room. The idea that she could find even the slightest bit of discomfort with these conditions was beyond ludicrous.
So the fact that she now found herself uncomfortably hot under her blanket was rather vexing.
And yet when she removed herself from her blanket, she found herself surrounded by a chilling cold.
She tried to sleep with part of her body in her blanket and part of it outside her blanket, but all that did was leave half of herself burning while the other half froze.
And did her neck always bend like this on her pillow whenever she slept?
How could anyone sleep under these conditions?!
Diana tossed and turned, trying to find some position… any position that would allow her to rest comfortably enough to drift off to sleep.
She tried to sleep on her side… on her front. She tried curling herself up then spreading herself out on her bed. She even tried brewing herself a cup of chamomile tea, in the hopes that it would soothe her mind and body. In a way it did, but she still found sleep just barely out of her reach.
Diana huffed as she scowled up at her ceiling.
How could she possibly be feeling so restless right now?
Just earlier, she was outside in the chill wind of the night, yet she was perfectly warm, as opposed to the unbearable heat she felt under her, usually perfectly fine, bedding or the biting cold she felt above her blanket.
Just earlier, her head was perfectly rested, even without the best pillow money could buy her.
How could she possibly feel this uncomfortable in bed, when just earlier she was perfectly content laying on the grass with Akk-
Oh.
Diana groaned quietly.
So that was her problem right now.
If only Akko hadn't put that thought in her head...
Diana sighed and shut her eyes, hoping that the knowledge of the problem would enable her to shake it away. Unfortunately, all knowing and acknowledging it did was leave her feeling even more uncomfortable. In addition to the discomfort of her neck and the either unbearable heat or cold, her arms now felt noticeably empty.
She opened her frustrated eyes, lamented her current state of unrest, turned to her side, and thought about what she should do now. After all, it was... pretty clear to her that she wouldn't be getting any sleep without Akko tonight.
Though... if she slept together with Akko, there was always the problem that they might not actually wake up until late in the morning, if not in the afternoon. Whenever the two of them woke up cuddled together, they had a really bad habit of forgetting just about everything else, always insisting on staying in bed together for hours longer than they should. It was... really something they needed to practice getting over, but attempting to do so tonight would be far too risky for Diana's tastes, seeing as classes would be in session. Missing those would be rather unfortunate.
That being said, it wouldn't do any good for her to be too tired to pay any attention anyway… Not to mention Akko would likely sleep in her classes regardless of what happened tonight. The brunette would need to borrow her notes afterwards, so it would be best that she were actually well rested enough to take them. Anyway, she could always just set up as many fail-safes, such as alarms, as possible to ensure an early awakening.
But, there was the issue that the time for curfew had long since passed. Seeing as she had forgone patrol duty for her impromptu date with Akko, she should not be outside of her room now. If she were caught on her way to Akko's, she could find herself in trouble…
Though she could always just make up some excuse. She was quite confident in her ability to think on her toes. Plus, all the professors seemed to trust her unconditionally, and while this was not something she should take advantage of… it's to be with Akko. She'd go to any lengths for Akko.
However… it would be a shame to wake Akko up just because she couldn't sleep by herself tonight. It would be pretty needy of her, especially after she specifically told Akko the two of them couldn't sleep together tonight. She knew her girlfriend, and she knew Akko would not fail to take the opportunity to tease her ceaselessly.
Then again, Akko would not deny such a request, especially if Diana explained it was so that she could fall asleep. Sure Akko would probably tease her about it, give her a hard time, but she would undoubtedly stop and hold her if the heiress ever asked to be held. The girl was pretty clingy when she wanted to be… honestly, she'd probably jump at any chance to cuddle with her. Akko always had, and it never failed to make Diana feel like the luckiest witch to have ever walked the earth.
Before she knew it, she was already seated on her desk, writing a note for Hannah and Barbara for when they awoke to explain the situation to them and to insist that, no matter what, they wake her up tomorrow should she not already be awake. She placed it on the coffee table in the middle of their room.
She also had set up multiple alarms on her desk, just in case.
All preparations set, Diana opened up her door, fully intending to walk over to Akko's dorm.
"Oh, heyyyy Dianaaa, uh, fancy meeting you here?"
However, it seemed she was too slow in her deliberations.
Akko was already in front of her door, still looking as sleepy as when she was put to bed. She had her pillow in one hand and her other hand was raised up in a fist.
Diana heart warmed as she watched Akko, who was dressed in her white t-shirt and red shorts, bashfully sneak glances at her.
"Akko, what are you doing here?" Diana questioned softly, already aware of the answer.
"Well… uh… I woke up earlier and I…couldn't fall asleep again." Akko mumbled, face facing towards the ground as it began to blush, her eyes shyly glancing up to Diana's face. "And uhm… I know you said we shouldn't, but I wanted to see if maybe you changed your mind and you'd let me… sleep with you tonight? In your bed? …Hugs would be nice?
Diana kept her mouth shut, forcing herself to bite back the grin threatening to show itself on her face. She didn't trust herself right now to respond vocally in any way that wouldn't cause her girlfriend to laugh at her or reveal her original intentions.
And really, despite resolving herself to be subjected to it, Diana could do without giving her girlfriend any ammunition with which to tease her.
Besides, why would Diana do anything that could possibly prolong the wait until she could hold her adorable girlfriend fidgeting at her door.
Instead, she quickly grabbed Akko's hand, pulled her into the room, closed her door, and guided the brunette to her bed.
As soon as Akko was seated on the objectively fluffy cloud that was the Cavendish heiress's bed, Diana hurriedly went to make sure all of her morning preparations were in order, ensuring the alarms were set and the note was in a very noticeable area for her roommates to wake up to. Once she was sure, she swiftly returned to her area of the room, where her girlfriend was waiting.
"You know, I'll never get used to how nice all of your bed stuff is Diana." Akko offhandedly said as she grasped at Diana's bedding and sunk her hand into Diana's pillow. "You must have no trouble falling asleep."
Diana laughed silently before pushing Akko down onto her bed and wrapping her arms around brunette's waist, trapping her.
Diana then moved upwards, her hands still holding onto Akko's sides. She moved up just enough so that her mouth was right beside Akko's ear.
"You would be surprised." Diana whispered, with just a hint of irony in her voice, before pressing a light kiss on Akko's cheek.
"W-woah" Akko's heart jumped as she felt Diana's lips press against her cheek, which was now beginning to heat up, "someone's affectionate tonight." She joked, hoping to keep her reactions at least somewhat in check.
She didn't exactly want to be squealing about how much she was enjoying the attention she was receiving, considering it was the dead of night.
"Akko, would you please be quiet and hug me?" Diana quietly commanded, before moving back down and resting her head on Akko's chest.
Akko grinned hearing Diana's commanding tone. Diana never used that tone with her unless she really wanted something from her... and seeing the situation they were in, Akko was going to give Diana the best, most warm hug her arms and legs could give.
Slowly, Akko brought her arms up, her left arm wrapping itself around Diana's shoulder and her right arm brought up so that her hand could rest itself in Diana's hair.
Akko always loved how her girlfriend's hair felt. It was always so ridiculously soft in her hands. Every moment she saw Diana's platinum blonde tresses cascade down her shoulders whenever the witch moved was a moment that Akko longed to run her fingers through it.
As such, every chance she got, Akko would brush Diana's hair with her hand, feeling every soft strand tickle the in-betweens of her fingers. Judging from the smile and hum her girlfriend always gave her, Diana clearly enjoyed the touch as well.
Akko curled her legs around Diana's waist, effectively keeping her in place right in Akko's hold.
Feeling Akko's legs around her, Diana sighed happily. The mattress and pillows her family had spent quite a fortune on paled in comparison to the softness that surrounded the blonde heiress.
Wanting absolutely nothing more than to lose herself in the comfort that was her dear Akko Kagari, Diana pulled herself closer to the brunette. She was close enough to feel every single one of Akko's rhythmic heartbeats against her cheek… Close enough to be lulled by the steady rise and fall of Akko's chest.
"You're not cold, right Diana?" Akko whispered, just to make sure Diana didn't need a blanket or anything of the sort.
"Not at all," Diana grumbled groggily. The warmth she felt from Akko's hold was just enough… was always enough.
"And you're comfortable enough like that?"
Diana felt her eyes beginning to close, her mind growing cloudy and unfocused as sleep finally began to overtake her. "Per…fectly fine."
Diana held onto Akko's waist more firmly. She was so soft... so perfectly warm. She made the heiress feel loved and safe, much like she used to feel when she held the teddy bear her mother gave her when she was a child.
Akko smiled as she stroked Diana's hair and rubbed circles on her shoulder.
Her girlfriend's soft ministrations brought Diana ever closer towards the wonderful reverie of sleep... Just a few more moments of silence...
"So no complaints?"
As soon as she had asked the question, Akko heard a tired whine leave her girlfriend's lips.
"My teddy bear won't stop talking." Diana murmured, her voice almost like that of a child's.
Akko burst into fits of barely silent laughter once she heard the absolutely adorable statement leave her girlfriend's lips.
However, Diana, feeling the body under her convulse in laughter, grasped onto Akko's soft cotton shirt, a growing pout forming on her face.
"Akko, stop." Diana mumbled, her voice rasping."I'm trying to sleep."
"I'm sorry Diana! But you can't just call me your teddy bear and expect me not to laugh!"
Ordinarily, Diana would find herself absolutely horrified for having said such a childishly embarrassing statement earlier, but at this moment her mind was far too dulled by the need to just drift off to sleep to particularly care. Instead, she was just a little frustrated that the only solution to her current restlessness was also moving too much to soothe said restlessness.
"Akko pleeeease." Diana whined, arms tightening around Akko's waist, "I am much too drowsy to think properly right now. Just keep it to yourself, and you can tease me about it or whatever it is you want to do right now tomorrow."
"Fine, fine" Akko giggled out, trying her best to keep her laughter in check. She pet Diana's head as a sort of apology. "I'll behave. I'll be the perfect teddy bear for my perfect girlfriend."
"Good." Diana smiled, her voice airy and light. She slowly loosened her grip on Akko's shirt, allowing herself to once again drift away.
Akko kept her word, saying nothing as she coaxed Diana into sleep through soft touches and gentle kisses.
Once again, Akko's touch filled Diana with a soothing warmth. She could feel her consciousness slipping away, as everything else disappeared, aside for her and Akko.
"Thank you Akko. Love… y…ou." Diana muttered before finally falling into a deep slumber.
Akko watched as all signs of tension left Diana's face, a small smile gracing her lips.
Akko grinned as she felt all of Diana's weight rest onto her.
Usually, when the two of them slept together, Diana would be the one in Akko's position right now. She often insisted on it, having every desire to spoil Akko.
And Akko loved every second of it.
But other times, on very rare occasions such as this, Diana would ask Akko to hold her, relying on Akko to help her feel safe, relaxed, and warm. At times like these, nothing could stop the brunette from jumping at the chance to do this for her.
She had no clue why Diana was this insistent on it tonight, considering the blonde was originally against the idea, but Akko knew better than to question it.
After all, Akko loved being able to be the one to spoil the heiress. She knew Diana went through far too much during the day, and that even the perfect student would need love, affection, and care eventually. Akko relished knowing that, as Diana's girlfriend and apparent teddy bear— which she was most definitely going to tease Diana about in the morning when they were both more awake—, she would be the only person who would ever get to see and hold Diana like this.
The thought made her heart swell, leaving Akko no choice but to hold onto her girlfriend just a little bit closer. Unconsciously, Diana's smile widened as she rubbed her head against Akko's collarbone, fluffy blonde hair tickling her skin.
Gaaaah, she's just so adorable sometimes, Akko gushed as she felt Diana's head shift against her chest, a sleepy moan escaping her throat.
Considering how stern and composed Diana kept herself throughout the day, Akko could never get used to seeing her girlfriend like this, clinging on to her with the most innocently peaceful child-like smile. If anything, every time she saw Diana acting like this, it just got more adorable.
It took everything Akko had to not let an adoring yelp build in her chest, knowing the sleeping blonde would probably be able to feel it. Considering how light a sleeper Diana could be, the rumble might even wake her up, and it would be an absolute shame to ruin something so cute.
Akko took a peek at the multitude of clocks on Diana's table.
Looks like Diana prepared to wake up tomorrow, Akko pondered. There had to be at least ten clocks on that table. As she glanced over to count the excessive number of alarms Diana had set, Akko just happened to see the time.
Her eyes widened, not realizing how late it already was. Akko sighed before turning her attention back onto a sleeping Diana.
After taking one more long look at her girlfriend's adorably peaceful face, Akko laid back onto Diana's pillow, finally feeling like she could fall asleep again.
The beautiful girl she was wrapped around helped quite a bit too. As did the gentle beating of the girl's heart, stunningly in sync with her own.
"Love you too Diana." Akko muttered, before finally drifting off into dreams of her and the heiress.
EXTRA:
When Hannah and Barbara woke up, Hannah spotted Diana's handwritten note on the table. She picked it up and read it.
"Hey Barb, looks like Akko slept over last night."
Barbara rubbed her eye with one hand as she stretched herself out.
"Oh really?"
"Yeah" Hannah raised up the note, "Diana told us to wake her and Akko up if they weren't up by the time we woke up."
"Alright." Barbara hopped off of her bed, "Wanna go check on them?"
"Yeah."
The two girls checked behind the bookshelf and almost simultaneously sighed out the most exaggerated "Awwwh".
Diana was cradled in Akko's arms and legs, sleeping like a baby, while holding tightly onto Akko's waist.
Whenever Diana's awake, she always had such a serious face. Seeing her like this was always enough to tug at their heart strings.
Sure it was… more than a little weird the first time they saw that look on her face, but they quickly got over it when they realized that it meant Diana was actually relaxed and happy.
"That's so sweet, isn't it Barbara?"
"Yeah… why don't you ever hold me like that?"
"You don't a- Barb what's that?" Hannah pointed at Diana's table.
"What do yo- oh." Barbara's eyes widened.
There were several circular burn marks on the heiress's desk. Each circle was surrounded by gears and metal, which appeared to be the scattered remains of various alarm clocks. They turned back to the adorable couple, and their eyes popped open in fear when they saw the wand in Diana's hand.
Both girls' hands instinctively linked with one another's.
"… D-do we really have to wake them up Hannah? It would be, like, a total shame to end something so terrif- beautiful right?"
"… Diana said to wake them up no matter what… and I'm about as afraid of an angry awake Diana as I am a cranky sleepy Diana."
The two of them gulped before taking one more look at the smiling couple cuddled up to each other, fearing what troubles those two might cast upon them.
This was the first of the prompts I wrote tbh. In which Diana was actually trying to go to sleep, but she couldn't...
Yes I'm aware I ended the first three prompts with them falling asleep. When I finished writing day one's fic, I realized this... Sue me, it was an accident.
Jokes aside, thanks again for any reviews you may leave or really just taking the time to read this! It means a lot.
I really hope you enjoyed it~