Recovery

Quick author's note! I took a couple days of break from writing because I wanted to make sure that I wouldn't go dry with it. Also, at the end of the chapter I have a question I would like people to let me know about! Enjoy!

Due to accelerated healing from magic, Akko was released from the medical ward after only one more day. All of her friends were happy to see that she was okay, but Akko was put under medical conditions. Firstly, although magic could help healing, It couldn't get rid of her concussion. She was put on bedrest for 2 weeks, which meant she couldn't do anything exciting.

No flying, no extra outside activities other than class. In addition, Akko still had a broken wrist and bruised ribs, which meant she had to be extra careful not to hurt herself.

Akko slumped on her bed, "These next two weeks are going to be TORTURE!" Akko yelled.

"At least you get excused from any homework until your wrist heals." Lotte said, in her always positive attitude. Akko sighed.

"Yeah, but I can't go anywhere or do anything! It's going to be so boring!"

"You could be my guinea pig…" Sucy suggested. Akko shot her a glare.

"Never!" Lotte let out a little giggle. There was a pause as Lotte and Sucy let Akko drown in her misery. "I mean, I can't even come to the meetup on friday!"

"Diana's going to be disappointed…" Sucy said quietly.

"What was that?" Akko inquired.

"Oh nothing."

The three girls got ready for classes. Akko had to be especially careful getting ready so she didn't end up hurting herself again.

The three girls walked through the hallways, and just about every person they passed greeted Akko and added a comment like 'I'm glad you're okay!'. Seeing how much everyone cared for her made Akko feel a little warm and fuzzy. Maybe it was just her concussion. Who knows.

Akko was talking to Lotte and Sucy when she saw a familiar figure catch up with them and match stride.

"Diana!" Akko said.

"Good morning Akko. Did you sleep well?" The taller witch responded.

"Kinda restless, but okay I guess."

Diana had come by to check on Akko the previous day to make sure she was okay.

"You still owe me a hug you know…" Akko whispered to her. Diana looked a little flustered for a split second, but a moment later her composure was back.

"I-I suppose I did say that didn't I… Maybe later." Diana responded. Akko pouted.

I was looking forward to a hug. Akko found herself thinking, Diana never agrees to hugs…

Soon, they arrived at magic history and the girls all found their seats. Akko spaced out as she always did in magic history, staring off into the distance trying not to fall asleep. She rested her head on her hands, staring out the window.

Akko imagined herself outside, flying on her broom, free to go wherever. Then she remembered that she couldn't do that for two more weeks until she recovered from her concussion. Akko forced her eyes from the window to keep herself from thinking about her predicament.

And found her eyes resting on something else.

Diana was leaning over her seat, taking notes on the lecture. Her long silvery hair flowed over her shoulders, spilling onto her desk. Her pen scratched on the paper in long,elegant strokes. She looked pristine.

Akko had conflicting feelings about Diana. For a while after she arrived at Luna Nova, Akko actually disliked Diana, as she saw her as stuck up and privileged. Then, after helping Diana at the Cavendish Manor, she and Akko had become closer friends. Then after the Missile Crisis, Diana and Akko had become as close as friends could be, even to the point where she was as comfortable around Diana as she was around her roommates.

Yet, something had changed after Akko's injury. Something about Diana's willingness to be with Akko and taking responsibility unto herself had touched Akko. She hadn't expected anyone to go to such lengths for her.

Akko felt grateful, sure, but there was something else. It was like a sort of admiration, but in a different way than she had admired Shiny Chariot. It was more of an admiration on a personal level. The way that Diana cared for her so much to feel responsible for Akko's injury, the way that Diana was caring as a friend, even though she didn't show it often.

Diana was still leaning over her paper, looking up at the professor occasionally, just to go back to the notes. She looked like she was scrambling to write fast enough. Her hair started to fall in front of her, getting in her face. Somehow gracefully, Diana flipped her hair back behind her head before going back to writing.

She looks...pretty Akko found herself thinking. Then she caught herself.

Wait...Did I just think that? Diana had always been said to be pretty, to some even beautiful, but to be honest, Akko hadn't really ever payed attention to it previously. But now, looking at Diana, she could tell that Diana was pretty. The way she kept her hair in perfect condition, not allowing a single stray strand, also the way that she kept her uniform in likewise shape.

Why am I just now noticing this… Akko thought before shaking away her thoughts. She realised she was staring. It would be difficult to explain if anyone caught her.

I mean, I can't even explain to myself why I was staring…

The rest of the class felt like it took forever, and Akko was grateful when the bell finally rang. Akko turned to leave with Sucy and Lotte. Diana trotted up behind them just as the stepped out the door.

"Here, Akko." Diana said, handing Akko a small stack of papers. On it was elegant cursive writing in blue ink. Akko looked up in confusion.

"What's this?"

"Since you can't write, I figured I would make you a set of notes." Diana explained.

That's why she was writing so much in class! Akko realized. Akko took the papers from Diana.

"Diana you didn't have to!" Akko said.

"Nonsense! Even though you don't have to do any of the homework, all the content will be on the final exam. We don't want you failing." Diana explained.

"What a nice gesture. Is there a particular reason you felt like being so nice?" Sucy said, a weird inflection in her voice as if she were teasing. Diana, as always looked calm.

"Well, Akko is my friend. Of course I would want to help in any way I can. Also, the more she knows, the less I have to tutor her on." Diana explained. Lotte's eyebrows raised.

"You're tutoring Akko? Isn't that Professor Chariot's job?" Akko immediately flushed.

"Akko didn't tell you? I'll be tutoring her on the subjects that Chariot isn't well versed in, such as linguistics and history. I thought she would have told you…" Diana explained.

"No she didn't tell us." Sucy said.

"M-must have...uhh...slipped my mind" Akko said nervously. Realistically she was worried that her roommates would have made fun of her for getting tutoring from Diana. Instead, Sucy and Lotte just shrugged.

"Makes sense." Sucy said. They four made their way to the next class.

It had taken all of Diana's concentration to stop herself from being flustered by Sucy's tease.

That girl is onto me. Diana thought as she walked back to her dorm room. She needed to get away and think for a little bit, and she also needed to rest. Making two sets of notes for every class would get tiring after a while, but it was worth the trouble.

Diana remembered what she had said to everyone as her reasoning.

"I'll have to tutor her less…" Diana said under her breath. If anything, she wanted the opposite. The more she had to go over with Akko, the more time she got to spend with the reckless girl.

Diana found herself wondering why Akko hadn't told her roommates that Diana was going to be tutoring her.

Maybe she's embarrassed… Diana found herself thinking, before shaking the thought.

She just probably forgot. She did only have one evening before the accident Diana resolved. She arrived at the door to her dorm room and gently turned the handle. Inside, Hannah and Barbara were waiting for her on the couch, eyes like they were angry or something.

"Good afternoon." Diana said, turning to go to her part of the room.

"Why did you walk with Akko today?" Hannah said.

I hope they're not onto me. Diana sighed.

"I made notes for Akko to study for her exams since she can't write. I needed to give her her copy after class each time. It just seemed easier to walk with her since we all have the same schedule anyways." Diana said, maybe a bit too quickly. Hannah looked at Barbara.

"I guess that makes sense. You kind of left us hanging, though." Barbara said.

"My apologies. I'll try to walk with you after giving Akko her notes after each class." Diana said.

"Wait, you're going to make notes for every class?"

"Of course." Diana said.

"But why?"

Diana sighed again, "She needs to be able to pass her finals. Even if the professors hold her in a higher light than before, failing your finals means an expulsion. We don't want that. Plus, Can't I do a nice thing for her?" Diana explained.

"Yeah I guess. Just don't spend too much time with that dweeb." Hannah grumbled.

"I won't abandon you two or anything if that's what you're thinking." Diana said, walking behind her bookshelf. She peeked her head back from around the wooden furniture for a moment, adding, "And Akko's not a 'dweeb'"

Hannah turned to Barabara again.

"I guess our suspicions were wrong." Hannah said softly.

"Yeah. Mystery solved I guess." Barbara paused for a moment, realizing something. "But…"

"But what?"

"Akko never studies for any of her exams or takes notes anyways. Why would Diana need to make her notes?" Barbara said, eyes lighting up.

"Mystery not solved?"

Akko decided to stop by Professor Chariot's room to see her for the first time since her broom crash. She knocked on the door of the room at the top of the tower.

"One moment!" She heard Chariot say from inside. The door creaked open slowly after a few moments. Once Chariot saw who it was, she opened the door all the way, sweeping Akko into a hug. Akko winced.

"I'm so glad you're okay!" Chariot said, not letting go of Akko.

"Professor…" Akko gasped. Chariot loosened her grip. "My ribs are still bruised…"

"Sorry." She said, letting go of Akko, "Come in." Akko walked inside Chariot's room and sat on the chair next to the bed.

"I just wanted to say hi!" Akko said as Chariot walked over.

"Well, Hello. I'm glad you're okay. And on that note…" Chariot paused for a moment.

"IF YOU EVER ENDANGER YOURSELF LIKE THAT AGAIN, ATSUKO KAGARI, I SWEAR I WILL STRANGLE YOU!" Chariot yelled. Akko winced at the outburst and use of her full name.

"Sheesh, mom, okay!" Chariot flustered.

"Did you just call me…?"

"Well, you're acting like my mom, so," Akko said. She could tell it made Akko uncomfortable.

"I'm not even old enough to be your mom…" Chariot said.

"This is a weird topic."

"Yes it is."

"Moving on…Are you excited for your new classes to teach next semester?" Akko asked.

Chariot sighed, "Two classes to teach is going to be really difficult, but I suppose so. It beats lame old astronomy for sure." Akko let out a little squeal.

"I'm so ready to take your performing magic class!" She said. Chariot smiled.

"I'm excited for that one as well. I won't need to practice for it nearly as much as combat magic. It'll be nice to get let off the patrols though…" Chariot said.

"Patrols…" Akko looked puzzled. Chariot realized with a start that she said more than she had meant to.

"Forget I said that! I'll explain everything at the start of next semester." The end of the current semester was a week and a half away, then a week long winter break. Akko eyed her.

"I promise! It will all make sense. Just focus on passing all of your exams." Chariot said. Akko sighed.

"Fine, you get away this time." Akko relented.

"Hey so what did Diana say about tutoring?" Akko flustered a little bit. She mumbled something, "What was that?"

"I said she said yes." Akko said.

"I told ya so." Chariot teased. Akko punched her on she shoulder.

"It's gonna be super awkward." Akko complained.

"Why would that be? She's just a friend helping you out."

"It just will be." Akko's mind went back to the staring she did unintentionally in class, and the conflicting thoughts she had afterwards. Chariot raised an eyebrow at her. Akko stayed quiet.

"Why don't you ask yourself why you think it would be awkward. If you can find the answer to that, you can find the way to make it not awkward." Chariot advised.

"What kind of advice is that?" Akko asked. Chariot smiled at the brunette.

"The best kind. Now shoo. I have papers to grade." Chariot ushered Akko out the door, leaving the small witch in an empty staircase. She made her way back to her dorm room to wallow since she had nothing better to do on bedrest.

As Akko walked the empty hallways, Chariot's words echoed in her mind.

Why don't you ask yourself why you think it would be awkward. If you can find the answer to that, you can find the way to make it not awkward… Akko thought, trying to search for the answer to the question.

Why do I think it will be awkward?

Hey everyone! As I said, I took a break, but I'm back and better than ever! I hope you enjoyed. Dianakko shipping is heating up so i think you'll start to enjoy even more!

I have a question for people who are fans of both this story and my other one:

Which would you prefer that I upload more frequently? This story or the rewrite. I'm leaning towards this one.

EVERYONE please leave a review to let me know!

And drop a review on your thoughts as well!