On the lake bank

"Seriously? Diana, why do you always get the cool stuff?" Akko pouted as she explored the "room".

When Diana said she was going to set up camp, Akko wasn't expecting this. Diana made a door materialize out of thin air (actually, it was stored in the magic cache) and placed in it the middle of the floor. Then Diana uttered a complex spell Akko couldn't even imagine trying to pronounce and opened the door to reveal a bedroom with a small bed, a wooden desk, and a cramped, but functional bathroom. "There's even running water!" Akko called from the bathroom. "Why do they always put me in a flimsy tent when they could do stuff like this? That's it, I'm positive Finnelan wants me to be eaten by bears," Akko concluded dramatically. Though, it was partially true. Diana was the only student allowed to use the magic station until now.

Diana rolled her eyes at her friend's antics while she continued to unpack. "Akko, we aren't here to play, we are on an assignment." Diana reminded. "Be grateful they lent us this base. The evenings here are uncomfortably humid." Diana commented.

"What!? This thing comes with magic AC too?" Akko ranted. Diana heard her plop on the bed. "And this bed is so fluffy! It's like a cloud! My own bed at the dorms isn't this nice! And they couldn't stay for more than a day! psssh"

"Akko, why don't you go collect firewood? I still need to set up a couple of safety measures around the camp." Diana suggested. Akko rushed over to Diana, eager to help her friend. Diana smiled at the childish witch and handed her a red backpack. "This is also magic cache. It's bulky compared to the ring, but it is easier use. Just organize different types of resources in different pockets. You can put the firewood in here, as well as any ingredients if you happen to come across any."

Akko put on the backpack excitedly, "Ya know, Diana, I'm really good at finding things!" she boasted. "Oh, is that so? Well, I expect to be impressed," Diana smirked. "A challenge from my rival? Prepare to be amazed!" Akko replied confidently. Before Akko could run off, Diana caught her "Don't go too far…in case I need your help with something else." So I can keep an eye on you. Akko nodded enthusiastically before dashing off. Diana proceeded to put up protection spells around the camp and could hear Akko humming Chariot's theme as she wandered between the exotic wildlife. Some things don't change I suppose.

Sometime later

Diana finished her preparations, listening to the sounds of the woods. Everything was so peaceful—

Wait. Where is Akko? It had been some time since she last heard Akko and Diana glanced around to see if she could find her red backpack amongst the other vibrant colors. "Akko!" Diana called. When the only response she got was more chittering from the forest dwellers, Diana sighed and started to look for her friend. She didn't have to look long, just a bit deeper in woods, she found Akko standing in front of a rotted log. However, what really got Diana's attention was the shimmering sword in her partner's hand.

"Ursula taught you how to use sword magic?" Diana asked disbelievingly. While the heiress knew Ursula had a lot of faith in her pupil she didn't think her mentor would allow Akko to run around with a blade in her hands. Akko turned to face Diana, "She didn't want to at first, but I convinced her!"

Diana could empathize with her redheaded teacher. She could imagine Akko tailing behind the professor like a puppy and no one could outmatch Akko's persistence. "I've been using this to hack up logs for firewood. They never see it coming!" Akko joked rather lamely.

"May I have a closer look at your sword? It's quite stunning…" Diana asked. While Ursula's blade was made of solid magic energy with a simple round hilt, Akko's sword was a spectral katana with a transparent blue blade, as if it were made of glass. It shimmered with starry light, chasing away shadows cast on the forest floor. "Akko, this is amazing…," Diana marveled. Akko reddened from Diana's praise, fidgeting a bit. "Thanks, I worked really hard on it! I'm hoping that one day I can use it in a performance. I've always liked hero stories and myths. They save the day while inspiring others and go on all sorts of adventures…" Akko reminisced. Diana smiled at the way Akko's eyes lit up as she talked about her dreams.

"I would love to see it in action…" Diana said. A grin broke out on Akko's face.

"Sure!" she responded. While Diana was curious about Akko's magic skill with the new sword, she mostly wanted to give Akko a chance to show off. While Akko had improved her magic skills, there were still so many times her spells went wrong. After the Missile Crisis, she enjoyed a brief period of fame, receiving much praise from her peers and even the professors. However, even though Akko saved the world alongside her friends, her magic didn't improve overnight and the moment passed. While everyone knew that she helped save the world, most of the credit was given to Diana. It just didn't seem like "the dunce of Luna Nova" could have possibly been much help during the Crisis when she could barely do proper magic. The other five witches were also infamous for their mischief and soon the Academy fell back into its usual routine (except with an increase in the amount of trouble), until the day Diana and Ursula made their proposal.

Diana watched as Akko took a stance and prepared to slice the innocent log. Although the sword was gorgeous, Diana couldn't stop staring at its wielder. Diana could now properly appraise just how much of Ursula's physical training paid off. She could see the definition of developing muscle in Akko's back and shoulders. Toned arms and legs flexed when she swung the blade downwards, muscle rippling under soft skin. The only thing that stole Diana's attention from her partner's lean frame was the luminous trail that followed Akko's sword as she slashed. It was as if the sword left behind a trail of stardust while it cut through both the air and wood. Akko neatly sliced the log into triangular blocks, ending her performance with a flashy twirl of her blade and looked over expectantly at Diana with a smug grin, "Impressed?"

Diana snapped back to reality, "Well done." Diana applauded. The smugness left Akko's face and a warm smile took its place. "If you need more firewood, you can leave it to me!" she responded happily unaware of the effects she was having on her admirer. Akko's method of collecting wood was extremely inefficient, but she was so elated to show off her new technique, Diana decided she would continue to let Akko do it. I wouldn't mind seeing that again, thought Diana. That simple thought made the heiress falter. Because of the sword! I would not mind seeing the sword again.

Akko "sheathed" the sword, turning it back into a wand and started to put the freshly chopped wood into her bag. "I used my notes to find wood that's safe to burn since some of them give off fumes and stuff, but I'm not a hundred percent certain about it. Can we look at them together later to make sure it isn't dangerous to burn?" When she got no response, she looked glanced over at the pensive blonde. She approached Diana and gently touched her shoulder, "Are you ok?"

Diana jumped at the sudden contact before relaxing when she met Akko's worried eyes. "Yes, I'm fine. I was just thinking about where we should start looking for the ingredients." Akko didn't look convinced.

"Let's head back to camp and organize what you found so far. We will start our search afterward." Diana suggested while she reached out to pat her friend's head. She could tell Akko was still concerned for her, and it made her feel warm all over. The once foreign feeling began to become familiar as she spent more time with Akko.

"Akko, you're so—," Sweet. She immediately retracted her hand when she touched slick tresses. "—Sweaty…"

"Sorry, it's pretty hot out here…," Akko replied sheepishly. "I did a lot of running and I chopped a bunch of wood too."

"You must have been working very hard," Diana responded, "Have you been drinking water? You need to stay hydrated." Akko nodded, still embarrassed. Diana noticed her partner's discomfort and took her hand. "Wait! Diana, I'm all gross!" Akko stammered. "You most certainly are," Diana stated, "and I don't care."

Back at camp

Akko decided to wash up while Diana started to go through the things she collected. Honestly, Diana was indeed impressed. Akko managed to find quite a few ingredients on her own and she even managed to capture some of the more evasive critters as well. No wonder she was sweating so much, she was chasing down these annoying beasts, Diana thought as she eyed a very grumpy Hightail Lizard. Since the influx of magic, the creatures were faster and stronger. Poor Akko caught them all by herself in this heat.

Diana observed that while Akko had trouble focusing on textbooks and such, she was very skilled at noticing things others would have missed. Akko's eyes seemed to skip around everywhere, taking in her surroundings. Diana remembered when they first entered the Summer Woods, the way Akko pointed out even the smallest dragonfly that Diana would have otherwise missed. She wasn't a dunce, she just learned differently and Ursula was the only professor who acknowledged that. Wait until they see what we accomplished together. Diana thought as she finished up putting the resources away.

"Diana! I had a great idea in the shower!"

Diana turned to face Akko who was wearing a plain T-shirt and jeans. Diana didn't like the way she missed Akko's shorts and tank top. She ignored her strange sense of disappointment, "Let's hear it."

"Ice runes!" Akko exclaimed. "We can use ice runes to stay cool! Ursula gave me gravity runes to make my clothes heavier, what if we used ice runes on our bodies to keep cool?"

"That…may work," Diana replied thoughtfully. "You would need to recreate the rune directly on your core for maximum effect."

"So, I need to draw it directly on my tummy for it to work?"

"Correct."

Diana went into the bathroom to draw the rune using the mirror. It was tricky since ice runes were complex and even more so if one tries to do something as advanced as maintaining body temperature. After her third attempt, Diana successfully created the rune and immediately felt its benefits. Diana exited the bathroom to find Akko on the bed studying the picture of the rune, she then looked at her belly. "Why is it upside down!?"

Diana giggled at Akko's frustrated pout and took a seat next to her.

"Having trouble?" she asked already knowing the answer.

"I thought I had it that time. What about you? Is it working?" Akko inquired.

"Wonderfully, the ice runes were an excellent idea," Diana smirked.

"Aw man, now I'm going to be the only one getting all gross again…unless" Akko met Diana's eyes, "can you draw it for me?" she pleaded.

Diana froze. She should have expected this, but she still wasn't prepared. Diana was thinking of an excuse to decline with, but her mouth betrayed her. "Alright." No, not alright!

Akko thanked her friend and gave her a quick hug before laying down on the bed and rolling her shirt up to reveal a toned stomach and smooth warm skin. Diana turned her wand into a pen shape and started to draw the rune using magic. "It tickles!" Akko giggled while squirming a bit. "Don't move", Diana chided, "I need to focus so stay quiet for a bit." Akko nodded and tried her best to restrain herself.

While Diana was the perfect picture of cool and collected, she was internally fighting a new emotion that threatened to consume her. Usually, Akko made her feel like she was enveloped in warmth and everything was light. However, right now everything felt hot. The pleasant warmth turned into a raging fire. Instead of feeling light and free, the sheer intensity of these emotions threatened to take control of her.

The moment she was done she dropped her wand, fixed Akko's shirt, and draped herself on Akko resting her head on her chest. Surprised, Akko gently combed her fingers through Diana's blonde waves. She used her other hand to rub circles on her back. "What's wrong?" Akko whispered. How am I supposed to answer if I don't know myself? Thought Diana. "It's hot," Diana muttered. The burning continued, she needed to get closer to Akko. But how? "Did the ice runes not work?" Akko inquired, "I feel pretty cool right now."

Diana remained silent.

"Diana~"

"Miss Cavendish~"

"Miss…Cantaloupe~"

That got a reaction. Diana's head shot up, "You know how much I despise those stupid names." Diana fumed. "Didn't you learn your lesson last time." She continued while placing her head back on Akko's chest. It was strange, how the seemingly untamable fire simmered down into that familiar warmth so easily. Akko was both the poison and remedy.

"I honestly thought my face was going to tear," Akko chuckled. She never stopped her administrations and Diana could feel herself drifting off. I feel like a child, Diana thought. "How about we make a deal? You do the name game once and I'll never do it again." Akko challenged. Diana wasn't sure what was going on with her, but she did know she couldn't let Akko revive her old habit.

"Deal." Diana agreed. After a beat of silence, Diana responded tentatively, "Kiwi Kagari?"

Akko squealed and hugged Diana tightly. "That's too cute Diana! Can I hear it one more time?"

"No," Diana responded while getting up. "We still need to finish our collection errand."

"Come on, please?" Akko begged.

"Absolutely not."

"Diana! You were being all cuddly just a minute ago! Pleeeaaaase?"

"I'm going to make you sleep outside." Diana threatened though both witches knew that she wouldn't.

"No, you won't," Akko smirked. "Because I'm your Kiwi!"