It was a Saturday evening, sun was slowly setting above Luna Nova Academy, painting the whole place in orange tint.
Ursula, flying on a broom, was coming back from the town where she went shopping on a whim, full bag hanging from the hook on the front of her broom.
Having just returned by leyline, she took a scenic route back admiring the sunset on a warm summer day.
Basking in sun's glow, her flight slowing to a crawl her mind drifted to her lovely student, bright, young witch that stole her heart.
She wanted her to be here, with her, for her, share even smallest things, she craved for her touch, her warmth, everything.
She loved Atsuko Kagari.
Yet, she hesitated with voicing her feelings, she feared, she couldn't help memories of her failed relationship surfacing, only feeding her uncertainty and self-esteem issues.
She longed for the little witch closeness.
When she was next to Akko she could let go of her mask a bit, she could be her old self again, joyful and bright. Yet she couldn't help but worry because of her, because she - Chariot was Akko's idol, "How will she react when I tell her?" was thought that started to plague her with increasing intensity, along with "What will change?", and "When should I tell her?".
Ursula sighed, and focused on the scenery before her, trying to chase away her thoughts and just enjoy the moment.
"I wish Akko was here" was thought that soon surfaced in her mind, "I should have asked her to go shopping with me today, or anything, we had almost no time to see each other this week", she sighed again.
Ursula found herself thinking about activities she could invite Akko to. Firstly the was shopping, she would love to dress up Akko a bit, and spend whole day roaming the town, she also could invite her to a Coffee shop, she knew some great ones near the academy, road trip with Akko's friends was another idea, especially since there would be few school-free days next month, and there was stargazing, she was astronomy professor after all she could invite Akko, or even use one of her detentions, using help with my research as an excuse...
Deep in thought she continued to drift on her broom, until her concentration was broken by a few green and blue stars colliding with a brim of her hat.
Suddenly alert, blue haired witch, grabbed her broom tightly and scanned the ground.
She quickly noticed colorful stars of different size and shape were striking from small glade, where she could see a figure with a familiar rod in hand, twirling around, casting spell after spell, fairies dancing around her.
She smiled, and lowered her flight, now noticing details of the scene. As she came closer she heard music playing, it was familiar, similar to the tune she used during her days as Shiny Chariot, but with small alterations. She smiled as she saw familiar shining musical notes circling around the glade, the mark of familiar spell she herself used, she couldn't help but be proud of her students improvement with spellcasting.
Another peculiar thing she noticed is that Fairy Queen of the local summer court seemed to be present.
Landing on the edge of the glade, unnoticed by Akko, she bowed slightly at the Queen, receiving court nod in turn.
She watched as unaware of her, Akko wove intricate illusion, making it seem as clearing was middle of the galaxy.
Young witch finished her performance making the start form a sphere, not unlike the sun, which exploded into thousand butterflies made of light.
Ursula couldn't help but be at awe of progress Akko has made. She clapped her hands as her student curtsied before her audience.
Akko almost fell over as she turned towards louder clapping sound, and saw her mentor walking slowly to her with a soft smile.
"Ursula! What are you doing here?" she blurted, yes wide.
"My, I hard not to notice such a beautiful witch" older witch replied with a teasing tone, her smile widening. "It also seems you gained a quite grand audience" she added, as she stood next to her.
"Ehehe, thank you~" Akko answered with a satisfied tone. "Wha-" was the only sound that escaped her as Queen of the Fairies stood up and stated to speak in her language.
Finishing her speech, Queen smiled, and gestured at her court which then proceeded to leave the clearing.
Akko inched closer to Ursula, "Did you get what she said? I only got that she was thanking me for the show" she spoke with wobbly smile.
Ursula's smile widened, "It seems I'll have to give you more homework on fairy language" she said giggling as she saw Akko 's face freeze in terror.
"Kidding, kidding" she added seconds later in an airy tone, "She thanked you for a splendid performance, wished you success on your path, and stated she had great expectations of you as successor of The Shining One"
Akko blushed in response, "But I'm not that great at all..., I still got a lot to learn" she said embarrassment evident in her voice.
"True, you're still learning but that does not mean you are not great" Ursula replied, reaching with her hand and stroking smaller witch's head.
Akko thoughts scrambled at the touch, deciding that arguing was not worth it, she just leaned into blue haired witch hand.
Her indulgence came to an end all too soon as Ursula took two steps back and side mounted her broom.
Brunette wondered if her disappointment showed on her face as she proceeded to transform Shiny Rod into its broom form, before she was interrupted by the other witch's voice.
"Fly with me" she simply stated with an inviting smile, reaching out her hand to young witch.
Akko wasted no time, quickly changing the artifact back and tucking it securely behind her belt, and accepting the hand she was offered, taking place next to her love.
Ursula flew gently increasing the altitude, smiling as she felt smaller witch hold on to her, until she flew over the philosopher stone tower, where she evened her flight.
"Whoa~" she heard behind her, turning she saw her student, eyes wide and huge smile on her face.
"I'm glad you like it" she stated, turning towards the sunset, "We got almost no time for ourselves recently so I thought you might like it" she continued.
Akko vigorously nodded, "It's great" she confirmed.
Ursula remembered something. "Say, Akko" she began, "Didn't you tell me that you had detention with headmistress today?" she said with a bit subdued tone.
"I did", young witch answered, "Professor Holbrooke let me out sooner than expected" she explained, "I looked for you after I finished but Alcor said you went to the city" she added, noticing her mentor subdued mood.
"Anyway" she started, inching closer to her teacher, placing her hand on top of hers and leaning on her mentors shoulder, "I'm glad you found me" she said with a voice full of mirth.
Ursula blushed, letting Akko intertwine their fingers, "I'm glad too" she spoke softly, resting her cheek on top of brunette's head.
They flew together enjoying their closeness to each other, watching the sunset.
Akko felt giddy, it was always dreamlike, spending time like this with Ursula, she turned her head, marveling at her beauty, now emphasized with light of setting sun.
Feeling her companion stir, taller witch also turned her head towards her, seeing her love looking at her with those lovely red eyes, she couldn't help but smile.
That was it for Akko.
She always followed her instincts, doing what her heart told her was right.
And now, skipping a few beats, her heart told her to act.
She acted quickly, letting go of her hand, reaching out and cupping Ursula's face before pulling her in, kissing her.
It was slow, Akko taking her time, amazed by the softness of her love's lips, trying to convey all the love and adoration she felt, the kiss surpassing her wildest fantasies.
Ursula was briefly stunned at first, her heart almost stopping from the sensation.
Recovering, her mind flooded by the feelings she had for Akko, she responded in kind, matching the love and adoration she was receiving with her own, herself marveling how well their lips fit together, and the warmth she was feeling.
It was a long moment until they parted, blushing but with their eyes filled with joy.
Ursula felt elated, the kiss making her feel alive like she hasn't felt in a long time, yet at the same time she could feel the fear and uncertainty creep in, reminding her that she was a teacher and Akko was her student, reminding her of the secret she kept.
Akko felt like her chest was going to burst from happiness. A bit breathless from the kiss, she rested her head on her mentor's shoulder, sneaking one hand on her waist, pulling them closer, while using the other to caress Ursula's blushing cheek.
Brunette was set on her course, while she was sure she would remember this kiss for the rest of her life, there was still so much more to her feelings, even now gazing into those brilliant red eyes filled with so much love she could see the uncertainty buried deep within them.
She was determined to quench those fears.
"I love you"
Ursula's eyes widened, overwhelmed with joy, "She loves me" she could only think, "She loves her shy, clumsy mentor", only to be stricken with fear seconds later "What if...".
Her conflicting emotions must have shown, since Akko's smile changed into a look of concern.
"Ursula?" she asked simply, her concern evident in her voice.
"I...you..." Ursula started babbling, her mind being chaotic mess.
Seeing this Akko did what she thought was best.
She hugged her tightly .
The embrace broke Ursula out of stupor. Noticing the position she was in, she returned the hug, the warmth and closeness chasing away the doubts, comforting her.
Yet, she still craved confirmation.
"Are you sure you are fine with me?" she asked quietly.
"I wouldn't want anyone else" young witch responded, hugging her tighter.
Ursula was stunned once again, this girl...
This girl was her guiding light.
"Well..." she thought "Maybe I've earned a little happiness for myself"
"Akko".
Young witch only nodded.
Ursula smiled lovingly, her eyes soft.
"I love you too".
They kissed again, getting lost in each other.
Staying in each other's embrace, they flew until the night.