The restricted section of the library had become her favorite place in all of Luna Nova – not only for its collection of rare and valuable books, but because only one other student had been granted special permission to access the archive.

She wasn't quite sure why Professor Ursula had given Akko a special library pass, but Diana was thankful that she had. The long evenings they spent together – evenings that sometimes drifted into nights – Diana savored them; they brought her comfort.

Diana looked down – Akko's head was resting on her lap. She was dozing, curled up – not quite asleep, but on that delicious cusp of dreaming. Diana reached down and ran a hand through Akko's hair. Akko murmured softly. Something about baloney? Diana couldn't quite make it out. It didn't really matter.

They sat on the floor, far and away in a corner, a small nook between the endless shelves. This was the best spot in all the restricted section, for it was the most private, and the quietest. The dull, steady tick of a clock was the only reminder of the outside world.

With one hand she turned the pages of her book, with the other she played with Akko's hair. Here, time moved slow.

A place where they could be alone. Alone together. Diana considered this. She had always valued her privacy. It was a precious commodity. Being alone had always meant time for private reflection, and serious, hard study. But being by oneself was not so different from being in the company of others. Social expectations, social pressures gave way to private ones, to the high standards she set for herself. It was a different kind of stress. Yet here, now, she felt something else entirely. She felt at ease. Genuinely, honestly at ease.

How strange it was, she thought, that she was more comfortable being with Akko than she was with being alone. Here was a place she could linger.

Akko stirred. "What are you thinking about?" she asked sleepily.

Diana brought a hand to her mouth and stifled a yawn. "Nothing important," she said. "Nothing important at all."

Akko squinted her eyes skeptically. "It didn't look like nothing."

"Oh?"

"Your face was all scrunchy."

Diana laughed. And because she was genuinely, honestly at ease, her laugh too, was honest and genuine. It was a giggle, and it was a surprise to her that she could even make such a noise.

She smiled down at Akko. "How long have we been doing this?" she asked. "Surely less than a month."

"Three weeks. Four, next Wednesday."

"You've been keeping track?"

"Ah, don't look at me like that," said Akko. "I just happen to remember."

Akko yawned, and stretched. "Want to switch?" she asked. "My lap's all ready for you."

Diana looked up at the clock. "No, I have a meeting soon. It's almost six."

"Ack!" Akko jumped to her feet. "I'm late! I'm supposed to meet with Ursula!" she cried, shoving her belongings into her bag.

She rushed out. "I'll see you tomorrow!" She shouted back to Diana as she ran.

Diana got up. It was about time for her to get going as well. She started packing up her things, slowly, for she was in no rush. She had often thought that some things were best done slowly: Making tea, practicing piano, playing chess; if one hurried, mistakes could creep in.

And now hugs. And Akko. These were two more things Diana thought best to take slowly.

Her and Akko. Akko and her. Diana knew that someday, perhaps someday soon – one of them, she wasn't sure which, would do something, or saying something that couldn't be ignored or rationalized away, and they would be forced to define this thing they were doing. They would be forced to define what they were to each other.

But that was at some unknown point in the future, not the present. There was no need to rush, she didn't want to make a mistake. And whatever this was, it was enough for now.

She was just about ready to go when Akko came running back in.

"Wait!" Akko cried, rushing up behind her, "Hold on! Almost forgot today's hug!"

Before Diana could turn around, Akko had grabbed her by the waist. She squeezed her from behind, almost lifting her off of her feet in a massive bear hug. She rubbed her nose against the nape of Diana's neck, and held her tightly.

For a moment their legs were intertwined.

Diana blushed, and was thankful Akko couldn't see her face. "I thought you were in a hurry?"

"I am," said Akko.

She didn't let go.