X. Dancing
Lotte lead Frank into position and tried to maintain their conversation while looking around for Diana. Akko was about to follow Andrew.
"Akko." Diana called from behind her.
Akko whipped around expecting Diana to be mad at her for something. Akko's childish excitement got the best of her when she saw Diana's attire.
"Wow! Diana! That's the whitest suit I've ever seen! Its almost sparkling!" Akko exclaimed with a wide smile.
Diana blushed hard all the way up to her ears. Akko was wearing a puffy pink dress with plenty of bows. Akko stopped fawning over Diana and cocked her head to one side.
"Hey, why are you wearing a suit? At Andrew's party you wore dress." Akko asked innocently.
Shit. Shit. Diana hadn't come up with a good answer to that very obvious question. Diana swallowed and composed herself.
"I like the color palette, I also thought that it would compliment your outfit." Diana said trying to turn the conversation away from her.
"Really? Aww, That's so nice Diana! Hey, Wait a minute…" Akko said, her eyes narrowing. Diana held her breath, the plan wasn't as fool proof as Amanda made it seem.
"Why are you being so nice? Usually you show up to tell me how wrong I am or how I need to study more. Wait. You have a date, don't you? I mean you being so popular and all. Why are you even talking to me?" Akko rambled going through a range of emotions.
Diana adjust her suit as she thought of a solution to all of the questions that were just hurled at her. She went with her gut. Offering Akko her hand, Diana lit up her face with a smile.
"How about we gather some refreshments, find a table and I promise I'll do my best to answer all of your questions." Diana beamed.
Akko smiled and cheerfully agreed, taking Diana's hand. Diana loved the feeling of Akko's hand in her hers. It just felt like both hands were met to hold one another. Diana and Akko both got snacks and drinks. Diana smiled as Akko piled her plate high with snacks and decided to indulge in a few more to humor Akko.
Diana glanced over to Amanda and Andrew they were deep in conversation. Even as things were falling into place Diana knew time was short. Akko pointed out a table and Diana followed. After sitting down Diana decided to take control of the conversation.
"I know you think that I like giving you constructive criticism, but I want you to know it's because I think you can do better. There are times that you genuinely empress… like the way you look tonight." Diana said finishing off on a flirtatious note.
It was Akko's turn to turn red, as she swallowed the food she had had in her mouth previously.
"You really think that? I thought you'd say it's childish." Akko said drinking some punch.
"No, I think you look stunning. To answer your second question, I don't have a date. I prefer your presence instead. I don't want anyone else distracting me from your company." Diana said confidence growing.
Akko stopped shoving food and drink in her mouth and wiped off her mouth, stunned.
"Really? Well, You sure spend a lot of time with Hannah and Barbara. Why aren't they here now?" Akko countered trying to hide her growing blush at Diana's last comment. Diana sipped her punch.
"They can be careless when it comes to words, but there's no other friends I'd rather have but enough about them." Diana took the opportunity to slide her chair closer to Akko.
"I'm being nice to you because I fancy you. You're childish but that's one of the things that draws me to you, your not as jaded as someone like me. But more importantly, I'm talking to you because I eventually want to ask you to dance with me." Diana said laying her hand dangerously close to Akko's. She liked being more forward than usual.
Akko was blushing, red mess after all this. She drank some her punch before replying to Diana. Diana was smiling flirtatiously at all the quirks and mannerisms, indicating nerves.
"I… I don't really know how to dance, but you I know you're an excellent teacher, so...I guess I'm saying yes." Akko said, blushing lightly dusting her cheeks.
Diana smiled and finished her punch and stood up from the table.
"Well, let me show you what I know." Diana said as Akko took her hand and led her to the dance floor.
Diana was brimming with happiness. A few days ago she would have been to scared to even attempt to ask Akko. She would have been a wallflower watching Andrew and Akko dance. But somehow how, just following and trusting her instincts was working, even though on the inside it scared her shitless. Her dream of being with Akko and wearing a suit was being actualized.
Couples on the dance floor were staring at Diana and Akko as they found a place. They were the only same sex couple dancing and a slow song started playing. Diana gently placed her hand on Akko's waist and Akko placed her hand on Diana's shoulder. They started off slow with Diana guiding Akko and gently showing her the right way. Akko's expression changed from concentration on her feet placement to pure joy once she got the hang of it.
Diana was crying with happiness. It had actually happened. She was dancing with Akko in a suit at the ball. Her usual reservations crumpled away. Her standoffishness, aloofness and the way she cared so much about people thought. Diana let go for a small window of time and felt freer than ever before. Diana was so overwhelmed, that tears fell from her eyes.
"Diana, what's wrong? Did I say something?" Akko asked looking at her with pleading, concerned eyes.
"Nothing's wrong, I'm just really happy I got to dance with you." Diana said with a mirthful smile.
Akko smiled and rested her head on Diana's shoulder and rested more of her chest against Diana's. A wave of warmth went through Diana and she knew that she wanted this moment to last forever.
"I like dancing with you too. I was nervous to dance with Andrew but with you… it just feels right. I don't want to dance with anyone else tonight." Akko said closing her eyes.
The rest of the room had long melted away as Diana and Akko slow danced. Diana loved the sweet and soft smell of Akko's hair and the feel of Akko's breath on her chest. Akko loved the soft smoothness of Diana's suit and the smell of her cologne. Diana lead them slowly. She really was a prince charming in this moment, strong and tender at the same time.
Croix and Urusla watched Diana and Akko dance from across the room. Most of the other dancers had moved away from them, leaving them exposed to the whole ballroom.
"Oh, Croix. They remind me of us years ago." Urusla said blissfully.
"Yeah, but I recall a little less foreplay and a little more-" Croix said slyly.
"Croix! Stop, there are children here." Urusla said bashfully as Croix wrapped her arms around her.
Sucy, Constance and Jasminka all watched with satisfied smiles. Lotte looked on wishfully. Amanda smiled and winked at Diana. Andrew happened to turn around and was stunned to see the dance floor. Diana and Akko were the only ones on the floor.
Akko's expression said it all, Andrew stepped back crushed. Amanda smirked and folded her arms above her head.
"There's a lot of fish in the sea, Andrew. Lots of gay fish. Akko's a gay fish just let her go. Trust me, you'll save yourself a lot of heartache."
Amanda suddenly stopped smiling as she stopped someone making a beeline for the happy couple. Lotte followed Amanda's gaze and tried to intercept the person but they were undeterred. They shoved Lotte out of the way as Frank rushed over to help her up. Diana was suddenly ripped out of her bubble with Akko by the one person she feared.
Aunt Daryl.