Akko's First Patrol

Akko rocked back and forth in her chair. Ursula insisted that Diana and Akko meet up at her room before Akko's first patrol. Feeling restless, Akko arrived early and decided to practice some of her illusion magic until it was time for her shift with Diana. As time drew nearer, she couldn't focus anymore and opted to just sit and talk with her favorite professor.

"Are you nervous?" Ursula asked gently.

"No, it just feels weird being allowed to walk around after curfew."

It wasn't a lie, but it wasn't the whole truth either. Akko was very familiar with the campus after dark, but it was mostly explored stealthily, skulking around in the shadows. Now she would be openly parading around campus without repercussions. It felt wrong.

"Akko, if you need anything, you just need to ask me, alright? How about I make some chocolate? I have mini marshmallows too!"

Akko smiled at her mentor and her role model. "I'd like that. Thank you."

Ursula left Akko to prepare the hot chocolate, thus leaving Akko alone with her thoughts.

What truly had her on edge was being alone with Diana. Diana was her friend, yet for some reason the thought of being alone with Diana made her heart race. Diana doesn't even to do anything, heck she didn't even have to be present to make Akko feel like her heart was about to burst. Just the thought of the beautiful witch made Akko feel…warm? Happy? Anxious? Flustered? Honestly, she didn't know what Diana made her feel, but it was overwhelming. When Akko was feeling all these emotions, one thing stood out from all the chaos.

Akko wanted to be close.

Diana always felt far, even when they were standing side by side. Akko has been trying to close this "distance" physically, clinging to Diana and making contact whenever she could. Akko felt like a puppy begging for attention.

Except she wasn't a puppy. What if Diana got annoyed with her? What if she messed things up between them? When she first met Diana, she couldn't stand her. Now? Akko longed for Diana's attention and couldn't imagine what her life would be like without Diana's little smiles and gentle eyes. And how could she possibly keep her distance when Diana always addressed her with affection. Nobody said Akko's name like Diana did.

"Akko…"

Great. Now she was even hearing her. Akko felt Ursula come up behind her, but before she could apologize for spacing out, she felt a pair of cold hands gently squeeze her cheeks.

Akko craned her neck back, meeting Diana's playful gaze. Her brain stopped working, and before she could stop herself her mouth moved.

"Your hands are really cold." Akko mentally slapped herself. Smooth Akko, real smooth.

Diana raised her eyebrows, playful smile unchanging. "Then you will just have to warm me up."

Suddenly Akko's previous worries evaporated. Diana was her friend, she wouldn't suddenly leave her like that. Akko put her hands over Diana's, "You can count on me!" Akko proclaimed happily.

Diana's expression switched from playful to adoring, "I know."

They remained like that for a moment, holding hands and gazes longer than necessary.

"If you two are done flirting, I have something to give you before you start your rounds."

Both witches jumped at the sound of Ursula's voice. Akko completely forgot she was in her mentor's room. Diana stepped away from Akko's chair, and immediately Akko's puppy syndrome kicked in. She wanted to touch Diana again.

Ursula smirked as she noticed a pout on her favorite pupil's face. Meanwhile, an unhinged Diana was trying to explain what Ursula just witnessed.

I know what I saw, Ursula thought to herself. The older witch was just glad that Akko perked up again.

It was strange seeing the usually eloquent and articulate Diana Cavendish struggle for words. Ursula felt pity for the embarrassed witch and changed the topic.

"The professors, including myself, felt that we should change the patrol routes from time to time. This will make it harder for culprits to avoid detection. We also decided that you two will patrol only twice a week. You are both still students after all. Here is this week's route." Ursula handed a map to Diana and Akko got up to get a better look. "Akko, I also have some new gravity runes for you. These ones are lighter than the ones you usually use so they won't hinder movement, but you will still gain from them. They will also dissipate if you experience fear, allowing full mobility in a time of danger."

Akko nodded her head in understanding and accepted the slips of paper from her professor. She could feel Diana's curious gaze on her as she pocketed the runes. I'll explain while we walk, Akko thought.

"And finally," Ursula placed a thermos, a small bag of marshmallows and two cups in a small satchel. "It would be a shame for this hot chocolate to go to waste, so you two should enjoy it on your patrol." Akko eagerly reached for the bag, but Ursula handed it to Diana instead. Akko faced her mentor with a look of confusion. "Don't give me that face, we both know what will happen if I gave you the bag."

Diana briefly recalled the apple incident from last week. She expected to see another pout, but instead, Akko shrugged her shoulders. She looked at Diana "She's right, it's probably best if you hold it."

Akko exited the room first while Diana put on the satchel. Diana noticed Ursula's hesitant expression.

"If there is anything else you wish to ask me, I'm all ears professor."

"Diana…can you…hold Akko's hand?" Ursula asked hesitantly. "Just to make sure she stays out of trouble!" Ursula quickly added. "You don't have too, of course…"

"If Akko doesn't mind, I don't see a problem…" Diana answered shyly.

"Great! But only tell her I told you too if she asks!" Ursula said seriously.

They will thank me for this later, Ursula thought slyly.

"Alright, I will take my leave now." Diana exited the room and headed for the corridor where Akko was waiting. She smiled the moment she saw Diana.

"Jeez, what took you so long? I was beginning to think you ran off with the hot chocolate," Akko joked.

Diana let out a small chuckle, "My apologies, I was just assuring Professor Ursula that we'd be fine. Shall we begin?"

Akko and Diana began to walk side by side. Diana took a deep breath before tentatively reaching for Akko's hand. For some reason, it was more difficult to hold hands than their previous encounter. Ursula's jest bounced around her head. Flirting? We weren't flirting…we were…

Diana hated not knowing the answer to things.

The moment Akko felt Diana's cool fingers brush against her own she intertwined their hands and gave Diana's a small squeeze. Diana relaxed and was relieved Akko didn't any questions.

Until she did.

"Diana, can I ask you something?"

Diana gulped. Akko would definitely be upset if she heard Ursula's request.

"Go ahead, Akko" Diana steeled herself for her companion's imminent question.

"Can I hold your hand on our other patrols too?" Akko requested. While her voice was quiet, but the amount of longing in her red eyes spoke volumes. Diana was taken aback at first. She wasn't expecting this.

Mistaking Diana's silence for rejection, Akko looked away and her grip loosened. "Sorry, that was a dumb question. Forget I asked."

"No!"

Akko jumped and immediately let go of Diana's hand after Diana's outburst.

Did I make a mistake? Maybe she touched my hand by accident…, thought Akko.

"Akko, I want to hold your hand too! I'm sorry, you just surprised me!" Diana assured. She reached out and held both of Akko's hands in her own.

Akko looked into sincere blue orbs. "Are you sure?"

Diana smiled, "Yes, I am certain. I…would like to hold your hand more often. If that is alright with you, of course."

Akko beamed at Diana, "Sounds good to me!"

The two continued their patrol hand in hand. They joked and shared stories with one another. Diana showed Akko the spirits' concert, and the two listened to the soothing music for a bit while drinking hot chocolate. However, they had to move on with reluctance because they needed to stay on schedule. Eventually, their conversation lead to the runes Akko received from Ursula.

"I can't stay out of trouble", Akko started.

"I noticed", Diana replied. Akko playfully bumped her shoulder before continuing.

"One day, I'm going to become one of the greatest witches you've ever seen! But that's further down the road. Right now, my magic skills kinda suck. Whenever other witches are in trouble, they rely on magic, but my magic isn't always reliable. I want a backup plan, in case my spells go haywire or don't work. One day, I'll get there, but right now I'm still learning. I can't be so careless anymore. Which is why I have been doing physical training with Professor Ursula. I mean, she can punch dragons! She's like a superhero!" Akko's eyes gleamed with admiration for her mentor.

"I usually fall back on my athletic ability when things get too sticky, so I figured I'd start improving there. I use gravity runes on my regular clothing so that I can get a bit of extra training in. They make things heavier, so it's like weight training. Whenever Professor Ursula sees that I'm able to run around even with the runes equipped, she gives me stronger ones. I remove the runes during flight practice and stuff, but usually, they're equipped. It's really starting to pay off."

"Did you start physical training after the Missile Crisis?" Diana asked.

"Yeah, how did you know?" Akko inquired, slightly surprised.

"Sometime after the Crisis, you started getting into a lot more trouble," Diana answered pointedly.

"Nothing gets by you, detective," Akko replied sarcastically. She braced herself for one of Diana's lectures.

"With great power comes great responsibility. You shouldn't be using your new strength to cause trouble. I don't think Professor Ursula would like to hear that you are using her teachings to raid the kitchen."

"It was only a couple of apples!" Akko whined.

"It's still wrong," Diana replied while pinching Akko's face for added emphasis.

Why is this so fun? Diana still couldn't find an answer.

After their little squabble, the two continued their patrol, finishing it on time despite all their merriment. Akko theorized this was because the schedule was planned by old people who took forever to get anywhere, earning a laugh from Diana.

It was time for them to turn in, though neither witch wanted to part ways. Akko insisted on escorting Diana back to her room. "You can escort me next time!" Akko suggested happily, and Diana agreed. Once they arrived in front of Diana's door, they knew that it was time to say goodbye. Akko pulled Diana in for a hug before saying goodnight and heading off toward her own room.

Diana couldn't help but watch Akko's retreating her form. She looked like the same cheerful and clumsy girl she met at the beginning of the school year, yet at the same time, she was different. Akko had changed.

I wonder if this is what growing up feels like. Akko still has more growing to do though.

Diana knew she changed as well. Diana almost never smiled or got flustered before coming to Luna Nova. Now laughter was part of her everyday life.

What will we be like years from now?

For now, Diana decided to focus on the present and finally go to bed.

Both witches slept peacefully that night.