I decided to cut this into two parts. I hope you guys enjoy this. Don't forget to tell me what you think!

Croix Meridies was a stubborn woman. If she didn't like nor want something, you would have to try really hard to convince her, and even then, she still wouldn't want to do it.

Today was one of those days.

She looked both annoyed and offended by her beloved, who was currently trying to make her wear a tie. Not only did she get her into a suit, now she needed to wear a tie? And for who? For Daryl Cavendish of all people?!

"Croix, are we going to this all day?" Chariot said with a sigh, as she leaped towards the older woman, trying to put the tie around her neck. Unfortunately for her, the lilac haired witch had good reflexes.

"We can if you want to." Croix growled. "I'm not wasting my time to dress properly to impress that woman. Diana told me I can come in a hoodie!"

"You are NOT going in a hoodie." The redhead said, trying again to make her wear the tie. "Just because it's her doesn't mean you should go looking like a homeless woman" She said, frustrated.

"Excuse me?!" Croix asked, offended. "I am hotter in a homeless woman's clothes than that monstrosity!"

"Look I know you hate her-"

"Obviously. She tried to kill you! She poisoned you!"

"That's in the past."

"How can you forgive her so easily?!"

"I did not forgive her, but if she is trying to make things right with Diana, then we should at least give her a chance." Chariot said, letting out a long sigh. "We should do it for our daughter's sake."

"Okay, fine… You're right." Croix said, finally giving up as her shoulders fell down and all of her defenses were gone. She then perked up, realizing what her girlfriend said. "Wait, did you say our daughter?"

"Please wear this tie so I can finally wear my dress." Chariot said, looking exhausted. As much as she loved Croix, she was too much to deal with at times. She will make sure to tease her about her behavior once this day is over.

She had a feeling it would be a long one.

"A dress?" Croix's smile grew wilder. "I can't wait to see it. I'm sure you would look beautiful." She said, and Chariot blushed, then pouted.

"Are you saying I don't look beautiful now?"

"You're always beautiful, in and out." Croix's features softened, before giving her lover a peck on the lips.

If Chariot's face was red before, it was definitely a darker shade now.

How could Croix go from completely childish and unreasonable to suave?

This was definitely going to be a long day.

-Sanctuary-

Daryl had arranged a dinner and told Diana that she can invite anyone she wants, so obviously she invited her two professors, and Akko.

What she did not plan to was, that her dear friend Akko, would invite HER own friends, to what was supposed to be a small private dinner. She and Daryl were already walking on eggshells, and this?

This would only drive the woman insane.

She and Anna stared at them in disbelief.

The green team and red team stood at her door, dressing in the most casual clothes possible, and grinning at her dismay.

"What's up Diana? Are you not letting us in?" Amanda teased, with a smug smile. "To think we went through all the trouble to make ourselves look presentable."

Diana's eyebrow twitched.

It would be rude to kick them out, but she was tempted to take away their brooms and wands and make them go back to the school walking.

Sucy was snickering, Jasminka was eating her ships like usual, Constanze was looking stoic as ever, lotte seemed nervous and apologetic, while Akko grinned happily with no sign of regret.

This is it. This is how Diana Cavendish commits murowa.

"Wow, see? They all came here casual, and you made me wear this."

Her anger was put aside when she heard the lilac haired witch's voice. Her heart warmed up right away, and she smiled softly as Croix and Chariot landed near them.

"Hello Diana!" Chariot said, then stared in surprise at the sight of her students. "I didn't know you invited everyone." She raised an eyebrow, then looked at the prodigy with a raised eyebrow.

"Hey mo-" Croix's face lit up. "Meridies." Croix's face fell down. "I did not invite them, they invited themselves, apparently."

"Well would you look at that."

They heard a new voice, and turned to see a stern looking Hannah, and a worried Barbara behind her. The two were dressed up nicely for the occasion.

"You invited them." Hannah started, crossing her arms. Diana hasn't mentioned any dinner to them, yet she had to overhear Akko to find out. "Yet you didn't bother to mention anything to us."

"Hannah, Barbara?" Diana looked at them in confusion. "I didn't really invite them-"

"I invited them!" Akko intervened, trying to save her friend from this situation. The others just watched silently.

"And who invited you?"

"Diana…"

Hannah just glared, before looking away. "Whatever."

"I did not sign up for teenage drama." Croix whispered to her girlfriend, who was staring at the scene with worry. "What do we do?"

"Perhaps we should go inside? I'm sure your aunt is waiting, Diana." Chariot said with a gentle tone that somehow managed to ease up the tension in the air.

Diana turned to her, and there was some relief in her eyes.

"Yes, perhaps we should."

Daryl Cavendish was anything but pleased.

She asked her niece to invite some people so that she could at least try to make amends somehow by showing her that her intentions aren't malicious anymore.

But now, she was starting to think about using that poison again because her mansion was full of irritating kids and one adult.

She said ONE adult because someone was acting anything but their age.

"Hello, Daryl." She smirked. "I see you're still alive, unfortunately."

"I see you're not dead, unfortunately."

"Been there, done that." Croix winked.

Before the woman could question what she meant by that, her attention shifted to Paul Hanbridge and his son, Andrew, walking in.

"Oh my! I'm glad you made it!" Her demeanor changed immediately.

"From a snake to a lamb, huh? What a bit-" Croix shook her head, then smiled at the sight of the young boy.

She walked towards him, and before he could greet her, she threw an arm around his shoulder, giving him a one armed hug.

"Hey! It's nice to see you." She said, startling the boy, who was avoiding his father's questioning gaze. "Your haircut doesn't look so bad now that I'm seeing it again."

"I saw the newspaper the other day, you had a similar hairstyle." Andrew said, dryly.

"Which I changed." She pointed at her own hair, then pulled away when his father coughed.

"I see that you two are… close." Paul commented, with narrowed eyes.

" ! It's good to see you again." Croix said, shaking his hand.

"Miss Meridies." He greeted. "I didn't think I'd see you again so soon. I'm looking forward to discussing things with you."

"Likewise." She smiled, while Daryl gritted her teeth.

Croix was about to say something to spite her, but Chariot took her by the arm and dragged her away, not wanting the two to be at each other's throats.

"Croix, can you please stop antagonizing Diana's aunt?" Chariot asked, tightening the grip on her lover's arm.

"Aw, but it's fun!" The lilac haired witch pouted, only for her girlfriend to lightly punch her shoulder. "Okay, okay. I will behave."

"Good." The redhead smiled, before kissing her cheek.

The two walked to the balcony, appreciating the view. The last time they were here, they were too busy trying to save the kids, that they barely felt their time at the Cavendish estate.

"Hey Chariot, what do you think of living in a mansion?" Croix asked. "Your tower is great and all, but is it enough for our upcoming nine kids?"

"You're not actually serious about that, are you?" Chariot chuckled, remembering the date they had a while ago. It was a wonderful night.

"It's a nice thought." She answered, kissing her forehead. "You know, we probably would have had some by now if it weren't for what happened a decade ago…" She stated sadly, and with that, the mood changed.

They were both silent.

"I'm sorry."

"No, don't be." Chariot reassured her. "This isn't something we can just shake off. I still have nightmares too." She sighed, and felt her lover place her hand on her waist, pulling her close. "Still, maybe if you get me a ring, I would consider the kids." Chariot's tone changed into a teasing one as she gently poked her side, causing Croix to chuckle.

They stood there, watching the beautiful sunset, admiring the sky as its warm comforting color gradually disappeared.

"Professors! It's time for dinner!" Akko came to them, wearing a cute pink dress. The lilac haired witch raised an eyebrow, while the redhead smiled. "Oh, this? It's a dress Diana gave me, apparently she wore it when she was twelve…" The brunette frowned, and Chariot was about to comfort her but her girlfriend beat her to it.

"It's okay, Akko. Chariot has been there. Look at her now."

"Hey!" Chariot slapped her arm.

"Really? I can't wait to have that growth!"

"H-HEY!"

Chariot scoffed and walked inside with Akko, as the lilac haired witch laughed.

She was about to follow them, but stopped, and let her eyes drift to the forest.

Blood red eyes stared back at her, and memories of that night came back, running through her mind.

She received two of her scars here. She felt the poison running through Chariot's veins, and the heat of the fire around her.

She was reliving them like they were the first time, like she was lying in that same spot, bleeding.

She closed her eyes, and the forest went back to how it was.

She let out a deep sigh, and looked one last time. She touched her scarred hand, rubbing her thumb on the wound, and with a heavy heart… she walked inside.