The Summer Woods

"Diana! Look at these dandelions! They're so colorful and cute!"

Diana smiled, Akko's childish delight was contagious. As soon the pair entered the forest, Akko's eyes lit up with excitement and awe. Akko happily pointed out all the wonders that caught her eye as they walked hand in hand. They were going to set up camp at the location Diana usually did when she accompanied the professors, which was on a lake bank. Diana found her companion's wonder refreshing. While she had been to the Woods a few times already, she never really got to experience it. The instructors were always so focused on getting what they needed and getting the hell out. As much as Diana respected her educators, it was nice not hearing Professor Badcock whine about the heat or Finnelan grumble about all the vibrant colors giving her a migraine.

"Those are Rainbow Dandelions. They get their unique coloring by absorbing varying spectrums of magic in their environment. They are edible and different colors have different healing properties, like red for soothing burns and purple for treating nausea," Diana explained. Akko continued to look at her with a questioning expression. "Yes, Akko. You can, as they say, make a wish." Diana chuckled.

Akko beamed at Diana before hurrying over to the patch of colorful fluff. Diana watched as Akko carefully picked a cherry red dandelion and closed her eyes. She must be thinking about her wish, Diana deduced. Diana's eyes trailed down to Akko's lips as she gently blew the red fluff with her eyes still closed. After the dandelion dispersed, Akko's eyes fluttered open and she sent a small smile in Diana's direction. Diana felt her heart skip. When they entered the forest, Akko was beaming with excitement. However, the serene smile that Akko was giving her now felt totally different, as if Akko had a secret.

Diana thought Akko was going to return her side, instead, Akko turned back to the dandelions, eyes scanning for something. After she found what she was looking for, the Japanese girl reached out and picked a cute powder blue dandelion. "You should make a wish too!" Akko insisted. "I found the perfect dandelion for you. It's a Diana Dandelion."

"Oh? What makes this dandelion so special?" Diana inquired while Akko delicately handed her the blue puff. Akko blinked. "Because it matches your eyes," Akko said as if the answer was obvious. Diana blushed a bit, How can she be so unintentionally cheesy? Diana found it adorable, but she'd never admit it. Akko looked at her expectantly, waiting for Diana to make her wish. She watched as Diana shut her eyes and gently blew on the dandelion, scattering the powder blue particles in the wind.

It had been so long since she did something so childish, yet it made her heart feel as light and free as the seeds she released into the sky. Diana felt a strange sense of somberness take over. In this moment, she realized how much of her life she spent only looking forward and never around her. She was not only robbed of her mother but of her childhood as well. She threw away her childhood wanting to grow up faster and become the Cavendish that she was expected to be.

It never occurred to her that someday she would miss it.

Diana felt a pair of arms around her waist. Akko hugged Diana from behind, feeling like the other witch might melt into the sky right after her dandelion. Diana put her hands over Akko's, "I'm fine, Akko." Akko gave a gentle squeeze in response and rested her forehead against Diana's back. "I don't know what you're thinking about," Akko admitted. "But I will help you in any way I can. I want you to smile…"

"If you truly want me to smile…"

Akko perked up and listened intently.

"Stay with me."

If I'm with you, I can experience the world instead of just living in it. I want to love life like you do.

Akko laughed, "As if you could ever get rid of me! I'm not going anywhere."

Diana relaxed in Akko's arms.

She was free.

Author's Notes

Since I wrote about Diana comforting Akko, I needed to write about Akko comforting Diana. Balance the gay, end in yay.

Why dandelions? Cause they are full of fluff.

Bad-um-tss.