Chapter 24

Movin' On Up

Akko sat alone at her desk inside her almost empty bedroom, staring at the only photo left on the wall. The photo was of herself and Olivia, the last one taken of them before her best friend had passed away. As she was packing the items from her desk and walls, this picture made her pause. As she stared, she couldn't help but miss her friend immensely during this life changing event she was about to undergo. Akko wanted so bad to be able talk to Olivia, to tell her about everything that had happened to her in the past year. To tell her about this girl that had turned her life upside down, the girl that makes her happier than she ever thought she could be, the girl she loved more than anything in the world.

"Hey Olivia." Akko whispered to the picture, as if her old friend could hear her. Maybe she could, the brunette could hope, couldn't she? "You wouldn't believe what's going on in my life right now." She laughed quietly and leaned back in her chair. "I found someone, Liv. She's so amazing, and driven, and sweet and...I don't know what I did to deserve her but..." Akko smiled warmly at the thought of her girlfriend and sighed dreamily. "I love her so much. I...I just wish you could meet her. I wish she could meet you. I think you two would have gotten along great." She brought her knees up to her chest and hugged them as her smile turned sad. "I miss you, Olivia. I always will. But I'm healing, finally. That emptiness I've been feeling...I don't feel empty at all anymore. Diana helped me put the pieces back together whether she knows it or not. She...she completes me." After a moment, Akko chuckled. "God that was cheesy, but...it's true. I never knew what that meant until I met her." She stood up and carefully took the picture off of the wall and smiled down at it in her hand. "I'm ready. And I know you'll be with me every step of the way." Akko dropped the picture into the small box housing the others and closed it before putting it in a bigger box on her bed. Only then did she notice the figure standing in the doorway.

"You're right, that was pretty cheesy." Amanda smirked as she folded her arms and leaned against the door frame. "Diana would have swooned hard over how romantic that was."

"Shut up." Akko said, trying to act annoyed, but couldn't keep a smile off of her lips.

"Oh Akko!" The redhead exclaimed in a voice a few octaves higher as she brought both hands up to her heart. "Akko you're so romantic! Love me! Want me! Date me! Marry me!"

"Will you-" The brunette snorted as Amanda jokingly fainted onto the bed next to the open box. "Will you stop?" She asked between bouts of laughter. "You're one to talk." Akko gasped as she put her hands up to her heart, imitating Amanda. "Oh Hannah! My love. Yes, dear. Of course, dear. Anything you say, dear. Smooch smooch smooch-"

"Okay, that's it." Amanda stood up quickly off of the bed and pulled Akko into a headlock and fell back onto the bed. Soon they were both laughing so hard, tears formed at the corner of their eyes. The redhead let go and after a moment of catching their breath, they both sighed in content as they lay on their backs, side by side. "We both got it pretty bad for those girls huh?" Amanda smiled at the ceiling.

"Yeah, we really do." Akko replied with her own lopsided smile.

"I'm gonna miss this. But I'm really happy for you, Akko. For you and Diana. And..." The redhead paused before looking over at the brunette. "And wherever Olivia is, I'm sure she's happy that you finally found your happiness again."

"We're happy for you too!"

Akko and Amanda sat up quickly to find Lotte smiling at them from the doorway, their other three housemates standing behind her also nodding in agreement. Although Sucy's nod was barely visible, Akko could tell from the slight upturn of her lips, even her usually uninterested purple haired friend was happy for her. Suddenly, tears began to pool at the corners of her eyes as she felt the love and support of her friends overwhelm her.

"Lotte, Sucy, Jasminka, Cons," The brunette voice cracked as the tears began to fall freely. "Thank you. I'm going to miss you guuuys!" She opened her arms and Lotte surged forward, her own tears falling now, and crashed into Akko for a tight hug. The brunette then felt three others join the hug.

"You guys do know that she'll only be ten minutes away right?" Sucy interjected flatly.

"But it won't be the same!" Lotte squeaked out from the pile of bodies.

Sucy rolled her eyes and smiled at her friends. She did agree though, it wouldn't be the same without Akko.

"Where would you like us to put this, miss?"

One of the moving men addressed Diana as they were ready to place Akko's piano down in their new apartment. She looked up from the box she was unpacking and pursed her lips for a moment.

"In that corner by the window, thank you." The blonde pointed across the large living area.

The man nodded and began directing the others as they moved the large object. Diana watched closely as they moved it, hoping they hadn't left as much as a single scratch on the thing that Akko had called her baby multiple times when they were researching moving companies together. The blonde didn't think it was possible to be jealous of an inanimate object, turns out she was wrong. She laughed silently to herself and shook those thoughts from her head as she took some items out of the box in front of her and walked to the kitchen to put them away.

"Hey Diana!" Barbara called out from the doorway. She was holding something that had been wrapped elegantly in beautiful wrapping paper, Hannah stood behind her. Once they spotted the blonde in the kitchen, they hesitantly stepped over the threshold.

"Hello, girls." Diana smiled warmly at her two best friends as she stood up and closed the cabinet she had opened. She noticed her friends looked downtrodden as they walked slowly over to where she stood.

"So how is the unpacking going?" Barbara asked meekly. He usual bubbly nature all but gone, saddening Diana.

"Oh. It's going alright. Just unpacking some essentials before the party tonight." The blonde clasped her hands behind her back and looked down at the ground. An awkward silence fell over the three girls for a long moment before Hannah stepped forward.

"We brought you something. For your new place." The auburn haired girl smiled genuinely, nudging Barbara slightly and reminding her she was holding a gift.

"Oh! Right. We...uh...we made this for you as a moving out gift." The black haired girl held out the gift for Diana to take, letting a small smile show through.

"So you won't forget us." Hannah added.

"Girls, I literally moved three doors down from you." The blonde arched her eyebrow in amusement as she took the gift and removed the wrapping paper. She let the paper fall to the ground as she stared at the framed picture in her hands. A bright smile instantly made it's way onto her face as she saw three excited girls staring back at her, all holding up peace signs and smiling as if it was the best night of their young lives. It was a picture of Diana, Hannah and Barbara on the first night they had lived together. One of the blonde's fondest memories frozen in time for her to look at whenever she would miss her friends. Her gaze paused on her younger self. It had only been a year, but that girl she saw was a very different person than who she was now. That girl thought she was happy, she thought that she had everything, that she didn't need anything or anyone else in her life. If only that girl knew that in less than a year, she would be proven wrong. She would find everything she didn't know she needed in a beautiful, hyperactive Japanese girl. And that girl would become her everything. Of course a younger Diana would have rolled her eyes and scoffed at the very idea of it. But the blonde had never been so happy to be proven wrong in her life.

"So..."

Barbara's voice snapped Diana out of her thoughts. How long had she been spacing out? The blonde looked up to two pairs of expectant eyes and grinned at her best friends.

"I absolutely love it. I...thank you, girls." She looked down at the picture once more, now focusing on the other two in the picture. "You both have been so good to me. I'm so lucky to have you in my life."

Hannah and Barbara beamed and shot forward, enveloping a giggling Diana in a tight hug.

"And I expect you two to be over quite often. I'm sure to go through some kind of withdrawal without my best friends." The blonde said softly as her hold became a little tighter around the other two girls.

"Of course we will. You would go crazy spending every minute alone with that dunce." Hannah's tone wasn't insulting at all as she had grown to actually enjoy Akko's presence, but she would never admit it out loud.

After a fit of giggles from the three girls, they finally let go of each other and stepped back.

"Do you need any help, Diana?" Barbara asks hopefully. "What about the party? Do you want help picking out what to wear? Do you know what you're wearing? What? Why are you laughing?"

While the black haired girl was rambling on, Diana had begun shaking with silent laughter. After shaking her head she smiled adoringly.

"I'm going to miss this. But yes, I do know what what I'm wearing." The blonde then smiled mischievously and arched her brow. "Do you want to see?"

Hannah and Barbara opened their mouths and looked at each other in confusion before nodding slowly. They followed the blonde toward what they figured was the bedroom.

"I was quite surprised to find out the dress code was to be formal. Odd, don't you think?" Diana asked as she opened the door and walked into the room, followed by her friends. The bedroom was still quite empty except for a very large bed against the far wall.

"It was Amanda's idea actually. Apparently she wants an excuse to wear a suit or whatever." Hannah rolled her eyes, but her nonchalance was betrayed by the slight blush creeping up her cheeks. She hoped the others wouldn't notice, but that hope shattered when she noticed Barbara smirking at her. Instead of replying, she stuck out her tongue and focused her attention on Diana who was walking out of the large walk in closet holding up a black garment bag.

The blonde strode over to the bed and laid the bag down flat before unzipping it to reveal what was inside. What was inside made Hannah and Barbara's jaws drop. Diana took the dress out and held it up as her friends circled around it to see every angle.

"Wha...I...wow." Barbara sputtered out as she stared wide eyed.

"Yeah." Hannah agreed as she slid her fingers down the dress, tracing the outline of where the back should be. "This is..."

"Gorgeous!" The black haired girl finished excitedly.

"Do you think Akko will like it?" Diana asked as she scrutinized the dress.

"Is that a joke?" The auburn haired girl's eyebrows rose in surprise. "Diana, she might actually die tonight when she sees you."

"RIP Akko." Barbara added in agreement. "Speaking of, do you know what she's wearing tonight?"

"I honestly have no idea. I'm not sure what kind of formal wear she even owns." Diana bit her lip and looked at the dress one more time. "Maybe this is too much. Maybe I sh-"

"NO!" Hannah and Barbara both screamed in unison, making the blonde jump. The two looked at each other in surprise before turning back to their friend.

"You definitely should wear this!" The black haired girl urged.

"Knowing Amanda, she will take care of Akko. I'm sure...oh." Hannah paused and put a finger up to her chin. "What if Akko wears the suit this time? I wonder how she looks in a suit? ...Diana?"

Hannah furrowed her brows at her blonde friend, who seemed to have stopped functioning. She waved her hand in front of Diana's face, but was met with nothing.

"Is...she broken?" Barbara poked the blonde's shoulder to test out the theory.

"I...don't know. Come on Barb, let's...uh...go get some lunch." Hannah backed away slowly, and turned around to walk toward the door. Barbara followed and once they made it into the hallway, the auburn haired girl continued. "I'm going to have to give Amanda a call."

"You're not going to..."

"Akko is going to be in a suit. Even if I have to pay for it myself."

"Well, this is going to end well."

"Akko! Akko come out!"

"No!"

"Why not? I'm sure you look fine!"

Amanda stood outside of Akko's former room, doing up her tie and waiting for her friend to come out. But for some odd reason, the brunette was refusing.

"But it's...weird!" Akko whined from inside the room. "Why am I wearing a suit again? This is Diana's thing!"

"Because you don't have any formal clothes! Beggars can't be choosers Akko!"

"Ugh! I hate you!"

"Love you too, friend. Now come out."

The door opened just a crack, the brunette's glaring eye staring right at the redhead.

"Akko, stop being so immature. People will be here soon." Amanda raised her wrist up and tapped on her watch.

Akko sighed and opened the door all of the way, revealing her full outfit. Amanda's eyebrows rose as she looked her friend up and down. A dark red dress shirt, sleeves rolled up to her elbows, and a black tie tucked into a black suit vest. Lower was a pair of form fitting black suit pants leading down to black….

"Converse shoes? Where'd the dress shoes go that I gave you?"

"I'll wear your suit, but I draw the line at shoes." Akko folded her arms in defiance and stared back, unwavering.

The redhead snickered at that while she put her hands up in surrender.

"Okay, okay. What about the hat?"

"The fedora? You really want me to wear a fedora?"

"You'd look bad ass, Akko. And just think about what Diana's gonna think. Eh?" Amanda wiggled her eyebrows up and down suggestively. Akko narrowed her eyes and bit her lip before looking back into the room in contemplation.

"You think she'll like it?"

"Dude, just trust me on this one." The redhead put a reassuring hand on the brunette's shoulder and nodded confidently.

Akko sighed and retreated back into the room and returned with the black fedora in her hands. She fidgeted with it nervously before she brought it up to her head and put it on. She looked sheepishly up at her friend, waiting for a reaction. Amanda just smiled brightly and nodded vehemently before putting two thumbs up.

"Now you're off to Lotte for make-up."

"EH?!"

"Akko! You look amazing!" Lotte bounded down the hallway with sparkles in her eyes.

"EEH?! Make-up? Why do I need make-uuuup?" Akko whined as she was being dragged into the bathroom before the door was shut and Amanda was left alone in the hallway snickering to herself.

"Do it for your princess, Akko!"

"I hate you!" The brunette called out from the other side of the door.

Amanda laughed out loud and made her way down the stairs and into the kitchen where the champagne and wine were set up on the table, bottles and fancy glasses ware organized on an elegant table cloth. She poured herself a glass of wine and looked at her watch once more and then pulled out her phone, noticing that she had an unread message from her girlfriend. Hannah had been hounding her about Akko's suit, and she was struggling to figure out why the auburn haired girl had all the sudden become so concerned about Akko's wardrobe. But she shrugged and replied before chugging the rest of the wine in the glass and looked toward the empty space where Akko's piano had once stood. It was odd, the feelings swelling up inside of her when she thought about her best friend moving away. She was happy for Akko, of course, but for over a year, the brunette had been by her side through everything, they had been together every day, they had countless memories of happy and sad moments in this house. And tonight would be the first night that Akko would officially not live there. She felt like breaking down and crying, but she also felt like smiling for her friend at the same time. It was confusing, and she didn't like it.

Amanda sighed and poured herself another drink before Akko and Lotte came into view as they walked down the stairs. The redhead watched them bicker for a moment and smiled as the orange haired girl fixed the defiant brunette's tie. After Lotte walked away, Akko loosened her tie once more before walking over to where Amanda stood at the table and poured herself a glass of wine and grimaced at the first sip, not used to the taste of the liquid. They stood there in silence, a sudden somber mood surrounding them as neither girl knew what to say. Luckily there came a knock on the door and both girls put their wine glasses down as the rest of the girls made their way down the stairs in their formal dresses, except for Constanze who refused to get dressed up. The brunette was a little envious of the short girl, wishing she could have worn jeans and a t-shirt instead of this uncomfortable suit. Ever since she'd put it on, she wondered how Diana wore these things so often. And then it hit her, what if her girlfriend wore a suit? That would be weird right? Or would it be? She honestly had no idea. Akko was so lost in thought she hadn't noticed that Amanda had left her side to answer the door, and when she returned, the brunette perked up, thinking that it was going to be Diana trailing after but to her disappointment, it was just the neighbors, Avery and Mary. Akko's shoulders slumped and she picked up her wine glass once more to take a sip.

"I saw that."

The brunette jumped and turned around to find Sucy standing next to the table looking bored.

"Saw what?" Akko raised an eyebrow at her friend.

Sucy sighed and rolled her one visible eye before taking a step closer to the brunette.

"You two have been together for months, Akko. Yet you look nervous as hell right now. What gives?" The purple haired girl almost sounded interested in the answer as she poured herself a glass of champagne.

"I don't know. It's just...different. Everything's changing." The brunette rubbed the back of her neck before continuing. "This is the first night of my new life. I feel like it's our first date all over again." She laughed nervously and chanced a look at Sucy who looked back at her, expressionless.

"And another chance to make a fool of yourself all over again."

"Hey!"

"Ugh. I can't do this. Tell Lotte I tried."

"What? What does that-"

Somebody cleared their throat loudly to get attention of the two bickering girls. They both looked around in confusion as everyone stared at them in amusement before Akko's eyes landed on a figure in the entrance to the kitchen. Suddenly the world faded away as she took in the sight of her girlfriend. An angel, a goddess, all the words Akko could think of at that very moment to describe Diana just didn't seem to do her justice as she stood there in that dress. The color was the lightest of blues, a soft fabric flowing down to her ankles. From where the brunette stood, she could tell the dress would be backless, as the fabric wrapped around the back of her neck and crossed over her chest, the neckline plummeting down so far that the brunette's mouth went completely dry at the sight. Her hair was up in an adorably messy bun with stray locks of her adorning each side of her beautiful face. Sparkling jewelry completed the ensemble, adding the last touch of elegance. Nothing could have prepared Akko to see the blonde like this, and she was left wondering why this gorgeous person had chosen to be with her. It was definitely not the first time she had wondered that, and probably far from the last time. She was truly blessed to call Diana hers, and she would remember to thank whatever God that was listening for this wonderful person's existence.

Diana smiled shyly as Akko continued to stare opened mouthed. The blonde was bumped from behind, and when she turned, Hannah was smiling knowingly at her. The auburn haired girl nodded toward the brunette and then walked toward where Amanda was standing in the living room, watching the whole scene in amusement and nursing a glass of wine. The blonde glared at her slightly and then turned back to find Akko finally making her way toward her. Her heart began to race as she took in the brunette's appearance. Diana couldn't have imagined how good Akko would look in a suit, and honestly, she hoped it wouldn't be the last time she'd see it.

"Hey." The brunette said shyly as she stopped in front of the blonde, finally averting her eyes as to not overexert her heart more than she already had.

"Hello, Akko." Diana replied softly, smiling at her suddenly blushing girlfriend. "You look wonderful tonight."

"Eh? W-well...thanks. But do you see yourself?" Akko held out her arms and looked over the blonde once more. "You look amazing, Diana! I didn't think it was possible for you to get anymore gorgeous, but here you are wearing...that. Are you even real?"

"I..." Diana trailed off, her eyebrows raised at the question. A warmth immediately made it's way to her cheeks as she opened and closed her mouth a few times, trying to come up with a reply to the sudden compliments. "T-thank you, Akko." She said quietly before grinning and reaching out to tip Akko's hat back. The blonde then leaned in and placed a quick kiss on the brunette's lips before pulling away only slightly. "Remind me to thank Amanda for making this a formal event."

"Yeah." Akko breathed out as her eyelids fluttered open, now gazing at bright blue eyes only inches away.

For a moment, they stared lovingly at each other until Diana remembered they were not alone and there were probably many sets of eyes watching her completely losing herself in deep crimson. She immediately straightened up and looked around and took a deep breath in an attempt to compose herself. Akko caught on and finally snapped out of her daze just in time to hear a clinking of metal on glass. The pair turned to see Amanda standing on the coffee table in the middle of the large living area with a glass of champagne in one hand and a fork in the other.

"I just wanted to thank everyone for being here tonight. Please help yourselves to drinks and appetizers provided by our own Jasminka. In just a few minutes, we will be beginning the main event of the evening chosen by our special guest, Akko. So enjoy everyone!" She lifted her wine glass and everyone who had a glass in their hand held theirs up as well before they all took a sip together. The redhead then jumped down and began chatting with Constanze in front of the TV, the shorter girl holding a handful of wires.

"Akko?"

"Hmm?" Akko hummed as she downed the last of her wine.

"Exactly what is the main event?" Diana asked hesitantly. She loved her girlfriend very much but any activity she might choose for a party had to be on the crazy side. The thought was confirmed when the brunette flashed a mischievous smile her way.

"Karaoke." Akko sang as she held up her hand, acting as if she was holding an invisible microphone.

"Of course. Why am even surprised?" The blonde laughed exasperatedly and shook her head.

"You're going to sing right?" The brunette hugged Diana's arm and looked at her hopefully.

'Don't look at her. Don't look at her. Don't look at her.' The blonde thought over and over in her head. If she avoided eye contact, she could say no. She would be fine. Right?

"I don't think so, Akko." Diana said, attempting to keep her voice from wavering.

"Come on Diana! Pleeease?" Akko moved to stand right in front of her girlfriend, looking up at her with her bottom lip out. Although the blonde did not see that lip as she was now looking straight over the brunette's head.

"No."

Akko reached up and cupped Diana's cheek. The blonde leaning into it on instinct and closed her eyes.

"Please Diana? For me?"

Diana froze at the quiet pleading from her girlfriend and opened her eyes slowly. That was a mistake. Because what she was met with was the most adorable pout she'd ever seen, and that's saying something coming from Akko. The blonde let out a long exaggerated sigh and rubbed her forehead.

"I really need a drink."

"Ah. This way gorgeous." The brunette winked and took Diana's hand to lead her to the drink table.

The blonde giggled and her mood lightened a bit at the playful remark, but the anxiety was ever present in the back of her mind. Karaoke. She had never sang in front of anyone but Akko before, although she's sure Hannah and Barbara had heard her sing in the shower at one point or another when she'd get carried away. But karaoke? Singing in front of all these people who had nothing better to do than listen to her, and watch her, and judge her. God, she was taking this way too seriously.

"Your wine m'lady." Akko held out a glass of wine and bowed to Diana, making the blonde chuckle and roll her eyes before reaching out and taking the offered drink.

"Just how much have you had to drink already?"

"Only one glass. But damn, that stuff is strong. You might want to take it..." Akko trailed off as she watched Diana down her whole glass of alcohol in one go. "slow." The brunette arched her brow at her girlfriend. "Wow. You really needed that drink huh?"

"Yes. In order to endure the upcoming...activities, I think a copious amount of alcohol is essential."

"Why are you talking weird?"

"This wine is very strong." Diana tipped her glass up side down before eyeing the drink table before coming to the decision that she needed more. Before she could walk toward it, a hand grabbed her own, stopping her from moving any further.

"Hey, Diana." Akko pulled the blonde closer and leaned in, lips only an inch away from her ear. "Don't drink too much. I want you sober for later." She whispered and then quickly retreated into the living room where everyone was now gathering.

Diana swallowed thickly as she watched Akko go, thoughts of 'later' suddenly clouding her mind. Now she had a very important decision to make. Drink to make karaoke a little more bearable, or not drink for…'later' things. Well that's about the easiest decision she'd ever have to make. Diana set her glass down on the table and set out to find her girlfriend, who was saving her a place next to her on the couch. The bright smile she received when she approached Akko elicited a fluttering in her belly as usual. The blonde reciprocated the smile and sat down, immediately nuzzling into her girlfriend to get comfortable as the brunette put her arm around her shoulders. Diana sighed happily as she crossed one leg over the other and readied herself for what was going to be quite the show.

To start off the main event of the evening, Amanda performed a stirring rendition of 'Baby Got Back' by sir mix-a-lot. Hannah had her face buried in her hands through the whole performance, no doubt rethinking her choice in her romantic interest, especially when the redhead would turn around and shake her butt during the chorus.

Next came Lotte, who dragged Sucy on stage with her. The pair teamed together to sing 'Time After Time' by Cyndi Lauper. While Lotte sang most of the song, Sucy would join in with her usual monotone voice during the chorus, making for a very unusual dynamic. But nobody failed to notice the slight smiles the purple haired girl would flash her girlfriend when they would look into each other's eyes as they sang, even if Sucy tried her best to keep an uninterested expression throughout the performance.

Hannah and Barbara walked up to the front of the room together and spent a while picking out a song. Although Diana had a very good idea of what they would choose after knowing them for so long. They had an odd obsession with a certain female singer that always puzzled her. The song started and the blonde's suspicions had been correct. The pair sang 'Hit Me Baby One More Time' by Britney Spears. Akko snickered quietly next to Diana, who smiled adoringly at her closest friends. Hannah and Barbara rather enjoyed the spotlight and gave a very entertaining performance if the blonde was being honest.

"Akko! You're up!" Amanda called out as she walked over to Akko and Diana with a microphone.

Without hesitation, the brunette shot up from the couch and bounced on her heels happily as she took the offered microphone. She then turned to Diana and leaned down until she was eye level with her girlfriend.

"This song is for you, Diana."

The blonde's heart melted from the warmth Akko was radiating. The song dedication and the amount of love she could see in those bright crimson eyes reminded her just how lucky she was to have Akko in her life. Her girlfriend was truly amazing. Of course, that warmth lasted only until the music began and she could immediately tell what it was. The brunette had sang this song to her in the car, and it had made her blush fiercely. Now she was in a room full of people, and Akko was singing directly to her while dancing rather scandalously.

You so fuckin' precious when you smile

Hit it from the back and drive you wild

yeah yeah

Diana's face turned bright red in record time as Akko winked at her while she sang. 'Oh my gooood' she internally groaned while she watched.

Girl, I lose myself up in those eyes.

I just had to let you know you're mine

Akko was certainly putting on a show now. This was really the first time Diana had heard her girlfriend sing seriously since they had met, and she was very impressed by the brunette's singing. She'd probably be even more impressed if the lyrics Akko was singing and the way she was dancing wasn't currently turning the blonde's face into a blazing furnace.

Hands on your body, I don't wanna waste no time

Feels like forever, even if forever's tonight

Just lay with me, waste this night away with me

You're mine, I can't look away, I just gotta say

As the song went on, whoops and cheers came from the small crowd, especially at the times when the lyrics would surely embarrass Diana the most. Akko had caught on to the blonde's embarrassment about half way through the song and took advantage by acting extra seductive at the most appropriate, or inappropriate, times. By the grace of the gods, the song was short one. Diana made a point to avoid eye contact with the brunette when she came to sit back down, making Akko chuckle and kiss the blonde on her still burning hot cheek. Unfortunately for Diana, the embarrassment wasn't over.

"Alright Cavendish, your turn!" Amanda stood in front of the blonde, who didn't immediately take the microphone from her hand. "Come on princess, I know you have a great voice."

"My level of talent is not the issue here O'Neill." Diana glared up at smirking redhead, who was not affected by the look at all.

"Look, Diana. You really don't have to if you don't want to. But I have a song queued up that's perfect for you. Just trust me." Amanda said, her tone turning serious.

"Trust you?" The blonde scoffed before she chanced a glance at Akko to her right.

"It's okay if you don't want to." The brunette reassured her girlfriend. "I don't want you to feel pressured. I was joking earlier you know." Akko's eyes were full of genuine concern as she noticed just how nervous Diana actually was.

"No. No, I want to. I just..." The blonde trailed off as she swallowed dryly and let out a shaky breath. "I think I'll be fine once I start singing."

"Ayyee! That's our girl!" Amanda once again held out the microphone and Diana didn't hesitate to take it this time.

With a determined nod, the blonde stood up and walked confidently to the front of the room and the redhead took her place at the computer controlling the whole karaoke system.

"Ready?" Amanda called out one last time.

Diana took one more look at Akko, who gave her an encouraging double thumbs up. The blonde smiled and nodded in the redheads direction, confirming that she was indeed ready. Amanda clicked a button and a piano melody filled the room. Diana recognized it immediately and glared her most poisonous glare at the redheaded girl who was obviously begging for a slap to the face. The blonde shook her head and began walking angrily back to the couch but was intercepted by her girlfriend before she could make it. The music stopped and Amanda stifled a laugh at Diana's reaction. Akko gave the redhead an exasperated look before pulling the blonde to the side.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know she was going to pick that song." The brunette whispered in a hurry. "But it is a good song. I actually really like it. But you don't have to sing it if you don't want to. I understand complet-"

Akko's ramblings were cut off as Diana's finger was pressed to her lips. The blonde sighed and fidgeted with the microphone still held in her hands.

"Will you...sing with me, Akko?" Diana asked sheepishly.

The brunette's eyes went wide but she smiled brightly when she realized that the blonde was agreeing to sing the song.

"Of course!" She replied excitedly before dragging Diana back to the front of the room.

Amanda gave her an odd look but turned the song back on after Akko nodded fervently in her direction. Again the sound of a piano filled the room and went uninterrupted into the first verse. Diana and Akko sang quietly, the blonde still obviously nervous but everyone's jaws dropped when they heard the CEO sing for the first time.

The snow glows white on the mountain tonight

Not a footprint to be seen

A kingdom of isolation

And it looks like I'm the queen

With every sentence they sang, Diana's voice grew a little louder along with her rising confidence. Akko hadn't taken her eyes off of the blonde, a mix of surprise and pure adoration on her face. Even Amanda, who was sure this performance would be comedic due the song choice and a certain likeness between Diana and a certain Disney princess, couldn't help but watch in shock.

The wind is howling like this swirling storm inside

Couldn't keep it in, heaven knows I've tried

Diana was finally getting into it, finally smiling appreciatively at her girlfriend for being up there with her. That's when everyone noticed that she wasn't reading the lyrics. This was the only thing Amanda found funny at the moment. She wondered how many times Diana had sang this sing in private. Akko's voice suddenly became very quiet, but the blonde didn't seem to notice.

Don't let them in, don't let them see

Be the good girl you always have to be

Conceal, don't feel, don't let them know

Well, now they know

Diana laughed into the microphone when the rest of the room joined in on the chorus. Because who doesn't know the chorus to this song?

Let it go, let it go

Can't hold it back anymore

Let it go, let it go

Turn away and slam the door

I don't care what they're going to say

Let the storm rage on

The cold never bothered me anyway

As they music played, she laughed aloud with Akko at the ridiculousness of this whole situation. Who could have ever imagined Diana Cavendish doing karaoke, singing a Disney song no less. The blonde herself couldn't believe she was actually doing this but as she stood there holding onto her girlfriend's hand, it didn't seem so silly. Again, this girl convinced her to ignore her urge to be a stick in the mud and allow herself to just have fun, and she was having fun. It was apparent to everyone in the room, too. As she sang, the feeling of the brunette's hand continued to give her courage as they sang to each other through bouts of laughter.

It's time to see what I can do

To test the limits and break through

No right, no wrong, no rules for me

I'm free

Again the room joined in on the chorus, a little louder this time. The song went on and the small crowd really got into it, cheering and laughing at the antics of the pair in front of them. At the end of the song, and after a super impressive note hit by the blonde, the crowd stood up, clapping and cheering for the entertaining performance. Akko and Diana stood there hand in hand, laughing breathlessly. Without a second thought, the blonde leaned down and quickly kissed her girlfriend, eliciting more cheering and whistling, mostly from a brash redhead in the crowd. Diana smiled into the kiss and pulled back.

"Thank you." She whispered just loud enough for her girlfriend to hear.

"You're amazing." Akko responded as she through her arms around the blonde's neck.

Karaoke ended after that as no one volunteered to follow that performance. The rest of the party was full of drinking and conversation, and some crying. This party was a going away party after all. And what happens when you get a bunch of drunk girls together for a going away party? Crying.

Finally it was time for Akko and Diana to go home. Their new home. After they both slid into the back of the town car that was there to take them to their apartment, the drive was mostly silent. The pair content to just enjoy each other's presence. Until the brunette's leg began to bounce up and down as the car drew closer to the apartment building. The blonde set her hand on Akko's knee and smiled reassuringly at her girlfriend, and it must have worked because the knee stopped bouncing and the brunette took a deep breath and smiled back.

Once the car stopped in front of their building, they got out and held hands as they entered the front doors and entered the elevator before Akko pressed the button and smiled excitedly at Diana. The blonde chuckled and shook her head slightly.

"Excited?" Diana asked with an arched brow.

"Of course! The last time I saw the place it was completely empty! And..." Akko looked at the ground and blushed slightly. "I'm excited to start this new life with you." She said the last part quietly, just barely loud enough for Diana to hear.

The statement filled the blonde with a joy she'd never felt before. She bit her lip, not knowing quite what to say. Any words she used could not describe how happy she was. So she did something that she always did when words just wouldn't cut it. She kissed Akko passionately, the brunette deepening the kiss immediately as she pushed Diana slowly until the blonde was pinned against the wall of the elevator. The space was silent other than the sound of quiet moans until the elevator stopped moving and a quiet 'ding' sounded out. Akko immediately stepped back, both girls clearing their throats and wiping their mouths as the doors opened, revealing an older couple, the girl's next door neighbors Akko would later find out. The couple looked at the girls suspiciously as they passed, Diana nodding curtly before they walked away quickly down the hall hand in hand, both failing to contain their laughter after they knew the older couple had gotten onto the elevator.

Diana and Akko finally reached their destination and stood outside their apartment door for a moment. The blonde fished some keys out of her purse and unlocked the door before grabbing the knob and opening it. But as the door swung open, Akko grabbed onto Diana's arm, preventing her from stepping over the threshold.

"Am I supposed to like, carry you over the threshold or something?" The brunette furrowed her brows as if thinking through a silent puzzle.

"I think that's for married couples, Akko." The blonde replied in amusement.

"But, what if I wanted to?" Akko asked shyly, looking through the opened door rather than her girlfriend.

"I...but why-GAH!"

The brunette threw the blonde over her shoulder, eliciting a loud shriek from Diana. Akko laughed loud as her girlfriend's limbs began flailing around.

"Put me down! Akko! This isn't how you're supposed to do it! Don't you dare drop me!"

Once inside, Akko closed the door behind them and finally let Diana down very slowly. The blonde glared at her and immediately straightened out her dress and hair before pointing a threatening finger at the brunette. But words seemed to fail her as she saw a mirthful smirk on her girlfriend's face. It was infuriating. It was then, though, that Akko remembered where she was and began to gaze around the apartment, her apartment. Diana had paid to have it decorated and it was fully furnished. It was spacious and nice. Very nice. This was usually the kind of place that she'd be afraid to touch anything for fear of breaking something she could not afford to replace. But this place was hers now. It was theirs. She now lived with Diana. Akko tore her gaze away from the room around them and placed it back on her girlfriend, who was now looking at her with amusement.

"What do you think?"

"Beautiful." Akko replied as she took her hat off and tossed it onto their counter top.

"It is, isn't it?" The blonde looked around, appreciating the décor.

"I wasn't talking about the apartment, I was talking about you. You're beautiful."

Diana's gaze snapped back to her girlfriend. She was speechless yet again. How is it that Akko could do this to her? She was supposed to be the poised one. The one that had a way with words. She was losing her touch. The blonde tilted her head and smiled before she pulled out her phone and pushed a few buttons. Akko looked at her curiously when suddenly music sounded out throughout the apartment, making her jump.

"Whoa! That's so cool!" The brunette beamed with joy as Diana approached.

"I thought you'd enjoy it." The blonde smiled warmly and held out her hand. "Dance with me my love."

Akko giggled and immediately complied with the demand, slowly wrapping her arms around Diana's neck. The blonde set her hands on the brunette's waist before they began to sway side to side in time with the slow melody. They were silent at first, electing to gaze into each other's eyes until Akko nuzzled into the crook of Diana's neck and sighed.

"Are you happy?" The blonde asked softly as she began to trace shapes onto her girlfriend's back, still swaying slowly.

"You have no idea." Akko looked up and placed a few kisses along Diana's jawline. "There are no words." The kisses trailed upward toward the blonde's ear. "But I could show you how happy I am." She whispered before nipping at her girlfriend's earlobe, making Diana let out an involuntary moan.

Diana looked down at the brunette with fire in her eyes, eyeing the tie around Akko's neck. She reached out and traced her fingers down the brunette's neck and onto the black tie. Suddenly she grabbed the tie and pulled roughly, forcing Akko's lips to crash into her own. This time, it was the brunette who moaned loudly into the kiss from a mix of surprise and being utterly turned on. As they deepened the kiss, their hands began wondering over each other's bodies. Hastily, Akko's vest and dress shirt were taken off with ease and thrown to the side as they clumsily made their way to the couch, all the while never breaking their kiss. When they were close enough, Diana pushed Akko backward onto the soft sofa, the brunette letting out a squeak of surprise as she fell. Before Akko's mind caught up, the blonde was already pulling off the brunette's pants and tossed them behind her.

Akko laid there on the couch breathing heavily and looking up at the intense stare of her girlfriend. Slowly, painfully so, Diana lifted the fabric that laid around her neck up and over her head before letting the dress drop to the floor, leaving her with nothing but her underwear on. A wave of heat flowed over the brunette, beginning at her face and traveling down her body until it settled in her lower belly. She jolted upward and pulled a surprised Diana forward until she was close enough for Akko to begin placing kisses on the blonde's hips while she hooked her fingers in the band of Diana's underwear and pulled them down slowly. Her kisses then trailed lower as she slid off the couch and onto her knees.

"A-akko." Diana breathed out as the sensations of the lips tracing her thighs were overwhelming her in the best way.

Suddenly the blonde was being turned around and pushed gently down to a sitting position on the couch, Akko still kneeling before her. As she looked down into lust filled crimson eyes, she suddenly understood what the brunette had in mind. She bit her lip and spread her legs voluntarily, noticing the slight parting of her girlfriend's lips and the quickened rise and fall of her chest. Ever so slowly, Akko lowered her head and kissed just above where Diana needed her, causing the blonde to whimper slightly. The brunette was never one to make her girlfriend wait too long, though, so she slowly went to work with her tongue, reveling in the taste of her love.

"AH!" Diana gasped at the contact, her hips involuntarily rising up off of the couch in search of more contact. She tangled her hand in Akko's hair and urged her forward as increasingly loud gasps and moans escaped her. The brunette increased her pace, knowing the blonde was so close until Diana's back arched off the couch and a scream escaped her lips as a wave of ecstasy washed over her. Her body began to shake as Akko intertwined their fingers and kept up her pace until the blonde rode out her high. When Diana's body fell limply back onto the couch, Akko let go of her hands and wiped her mouth before she crawled up Diana's body and kissed her lips softly. The blonde's eyelids fluttered open when the brunette pulled away slightly.

"I love you so much, Diana."

"Mmm. I love you too, Akko."

"Tired?" Akko smirked and arched an eyebrow playfully.

The blonde narrowed her eyes and looked down at the tie that was still loosely hanging around her girlfriend's neck before her eyes met Akko's once more.

"Hardly. I am far from done with you, Ms. Kagari."

Akko's eyes widened a fraction before Diana abruptly stood up, causing Akko to stand up as well, less she be knocked over onto the floor. She took hold of the tie and smiled mischievously as she leaned in for one last kiss.

"Let's take this to our bedroom shall we?" Without waiting for an answer, she turned and led a very flustered Akko toward the bedroom by her tie.

The brunette bit her lip as she followed the blonde. This had been a perfect night. A perfect start to their new life together. If their first night living together was this amazing, she couldn't wait to see just how incredible the rest of their nights would be. Because they would finely be together, always. And there's nowhere else she'd rather be. She was home.