I've written so much of this genre for them in the past, I struggled to think of something I haven't already done before jkashdks hope this is okay.

Day 5: Hurt/comfort

Disclaimer: I do not own Little Witch Academia.

Chapter 5.

Akko knew she'd been right to be worried about Diana the moment the white-haired witch had confessed to her that she was studying and practicing higher-level spells as of recently. Diana had revealed this to her in confidence, as she didn't even want Hannah or Barbara knowing about it, because she knew they'd only worry.

And of course, Akko worries too, but she's always been the type to cheer someone on in facing a challenge rather than advise them to give up on it.

So Akko's kept to her promise not to tell anyone else about the techniques Diana is currently practicing on her own. Not even the professors are aware. And it isn't because they are forbidden spells or anything terrible like that, but they are very tedious and potentially dangerous, so they are not taught in Luna Nova's curriculum.

But Diana Cavendish is not just any ordinary student. She's read of these spells long ago in her mother's library, and has always longed to master them. So that's what she's going to do, no matter how long it may take.

Today, Hannah and Barbara are out in town, but Akko is with Diana instead. She'd made Diana promise to never practice these spells alone, and Diana has kept her word every time without fail, and has informed Akko each time. Because although Akko has the utmost faith in her, she also knows Diana tends to push herself too hard sometimes, and wants to be sure nothing happens to her.

Being it is a weekend and she has no duties to attend, Diana presently stands on her balcony with Akko watching just a few feet away. This is always how they'd be whenever Diana practiced these spells. Diana had explained it to her before, but Akko asks her again now as Diana is preparing herself.

"So what do these spells do again?" Akko wonders. "One's with the sun and one's with the moon, right?"

Diana nods.

"Yes. When cast properly, the witch who uses these spells will be able to harness the energy of the moon or the sun itself for a brief amount of time, depending on if it is day or night." She looks skyward now, to where the sun is shining brightly surrounded by blue. "My mother researched these spells, though she never got the chance to try and use them herself. Her notes say that once the energy is harnessed, it can be used for great healing. If the witch casting the spell is strong enough, she could save an entire army's worth of dying soldiers in an instant…"

She trails off for a moment, and Akko suddenly feels the urge to go to her. She stands beside Diana and takes her hand quietly. She knows Diana has always wanted to following her ancestors' footsteps and become a healer. And she also knows that, being a descendant of Lady Beatrix, that Diana possesses immense magical power, enough to have gotten it back through sheer willpower alone as a young child when it had been stolen away.

But Akko is also aware that Diana sometimes tends to bite off more than she's ready to chew, especially in terms of magic. She's watched her harness the energy of the moon before, on quiet nights when Akko had snuck over and joined her here on the balcony. It would only last for a second, but Diana would be encompassed by a soft bluish glow.

Diana had relinquished the spell within seconds and explained that she needed to train herself to hold it; the longer she could harness it, the more healing she could do when the time came. The fact that she is thinking so far ahead and working on herself now for what she plans to do many years in the future astounds Akko and makes her fall even more deeply in love with her.

Diana has made good progress with the moon, but she has yet to grasp and harness the energy of the sun. Today, she raises her head high, as if challenging the sky itself. When Diana is ready to begin, she turns to Akko with a small smile.

"Akko. Please stand back."

Akko nods.

"All right. You've got this, Diana! Just be careful, okay?"

"Of course."

Akko lets go of her hand and kisses her cheek before moving back several paces.

Diana waits until she's far enough away, then turns her attention back to the sky. She closes her eyes, lifting her hands up in front of herself to begin channeling her energy. The ancient words come to her without thinking, and she speaks a language lost to time.

To Akko, nothing major appears to happen. Diana is still and quiet as she holds her hands to the sun and utters the spell. The sunlight doesn't flare or grow stronger or anything like that. She can't even tell if the spell is working or not.

But to Diana, it's very different. She can feel the heat of the sun meet her fingertips, then travel through her palms and into her veins. She's succeeded in harnessing its energy. It's warm, but not too hot, so she decides to maintain it a little longer.

But in an instant, the warmth in her veins becomes a sudden boiling, so torrent with heat it sends her reeling back. She yelps, and all at once the spell is canceled as Diana slams back against the glass window. She collapses as the burning sensation fills her from head to toe, as though lighting her on fire from the inside out. A short scream rips from her throat as she clutches herself and curls up in pain.

Akko's panicked cry of her name breaks the air.

"Diana!"

She rushes to her, dropping down beside her and pulling Diana into her lap. Akko turns her on her back and draws her wand, frantically trying to think of a cooling spell. She recalls the words used to treat burns, and can only hope it will work the same way.

"Icyella cirre!"

The magic springs forth from her wand in a flow of icy blue and pours over Diana like rainfall. Diana gasps at the sudden change in temperature. It sends a sharp chill straight through her heart, which then gradually trickles out to the rest of her body. Akko trembles as she holds her close.

"Diana? Diana-?"

Diana hears the panic in her voice, but she can't speak yet to reassure Akko that her cooling spell is working. So Diana reaches for her, clutching a handful of Akko's sleeve to have her lower her wand. Akko understands the message and she lets her wand fall for the moment in favor of hugging Diana as tightly as she possibly can.

Akko clings to her, begging her to be all right. Diana is breathing hard against her, and even in spite of the cooling spell Akko had just cast on her, she can still feel an unnatural heat radiating from Diana's body.

"Diana-" Akko whimpers into her soft white hair as tears threaten to fall.

But Diana doesn't feel the burning sensation any longer. It's been replaced by a calm and cooling feeling, like tiny streams of water. She sighs, reaching up to hug Akko in return.

"I am all right," she murmurs. "Thank you, Akko…"

Akko sniffles as the tears start to fall, a mix of fear and relief.

"Are you sure…?"

Diana gives her a firm squeeze.

"Yes."

"Thank goodness…"

Akko doesn't let her go for a long moment, not even after her tears have subsided. Diana doesn't let her go either.

By now everything has returned to normal. Akko's spell has worn off, and the cold it had produced has now canceled out the heat from the sun. When the two witches finally part, Akko sniffles again.

"What happened…?"

Diana gives her a bit of a guilty look and sighs.

"I harnessed the energy," she explains. "But I held on for a second too long."

"Does it still hurt?" Akko frets. "Should I bring you to the infirmary?"

Diana shakes her head.

"That won't be necessary. The spell you cast just now was more than enough to cancel out the heat. It wouldn't have lasted too long, but your swift reactions truly spared me a lot of pain. I am glad you were here, Akko."

"I'm glad you're okay, Diana." Akko hugs her again, quivering with relief. "Maybe you should take a breather from these spells for a few days."

Diana dips her head.

"I believe I shall," she agrees. "Now that I know it is possible for me to harness the sun's energy as well, I will focus on maintaining my hold on it, little by little."

"Okay." Akko finally cracks a smile. "I know you'll be able to master those spells, Diana! And I'll be here with you every step of the way! Just… be careful, okay?"

Diana smiles and kisses her tenderly.

"I will. I promise. Thank you, Akko."

Akko gives her a squeeze, then slowly helps her up before hugging her again. Diana returns the embrace lovingly.

And though she's quite literally felt what it's like to have the sun at her fingertips, she's certain that heat could never hope to compare to the warmth she feels in Akko's arms.

A/N: I feel this was too short of a story for how immense that kind of spell was but it's what came into my head for whatever reason. I'm just here for the hurt/comfort and subsequent fluff.

Please review!