A/N: Welcome back my treasured readers! This week has been very strange so far, my sense of time just vanished. I hope this didn't take any longer than my other chapters, you'll have to let me know.
Even though this chapter isn't any longer or shorter than previous chapters word count wise, something in my gut makes it feel shorter. Perhaps that's just because of the much larger document I'm working on between writing Day after Day. (tease tease follow me to get that when it comes out.)
Queen Sydon: WOw? ThRee reviews? THaNk you So MUch? I'm glad my fluff can brighten your day my friend, as your reviews certainly brightened mine.
I hope you enjoy the fluff my friends! Reviews are appreciated!
A steady jostling rose Atsuko from her sleep into consciousness, muscles taking a few seconds to respond to commands. There was a breeze against her face, steadily it chilled her nose and whiskers. 'Whiskers?' Akko opened her eyes to see a blanket of purple surrounding her body; the scent was familiar, homely. The strands were soft and silky, brushing against her as the ground shifted underfoot.
Turning to the left, Akko could see the halls of Luna Nova, though everything seemed far bigger.. Like when she...
She was a mouse.
Why was she a mouse.
Akko felt her throat tighten; anxious thoughts swirling in her head as she rose from the ground, leaning against the wall for support.
"Try not to wiggle around so much, it tickles my neck." A voice sounded out nearby, the rumble of a voicebox rolling through her furry form.
"Sucy? What's going on? I don't remember being a mouse." The slight panic from earlier was all but gone, Sucy's gentle voice calming her nerves.
The alchemist stifled a laugh, sending another vibration through the transformed witch's paw. "My potion seems to work a little too well, you weren't getting up for anything; shaking, shouting, tickles, potion fumes."
Akko felt slightly offended that her friends had abused her nose again. touching her now more sensitive olfactory system gently. "So you turned me into a mouse?!"
The rodent felt the 'ground' under her shift as Sucy shrugged. "You're too heavy to carry."
"I am not heavy!" She squeaked defensively, puffing her cheeks like a hamster.
The only response was another laugh, vibrating through her limbs.
"Rude!"
"Metamorphie Faciesse!" Once the girls arrived at their next class, the small creature was transformed back into a witch. Akko immediately wrapped her arms around Sucy's waist in a hug, resting her head on the purple girl's shoulder and giving a quick peck to her neck.
Sucy felt heat rise around the collar of her uniform, huffing an awkward laugh when images of her dream flashed before her eyes. "Had a good sleep then?" Her wandering eyes fell on Lotte, who was staring back with a wide smile and kind eyes. Amanda stood behind her with two thumbs up; one eye closed in a wink.
She had to hold in a sneer.
Atsuko nodded against Sucy's shoulder, pulling back and beaming widely; a slight pink tinge to her face. "Even though every single one of them tastes like sewer water, your potions really do the trick." Removing her hands from Sucy, the brunette jumped and turned around, punching the air with renewed vigor.
"I can take on anything now!"
The alchemist watched Akko's chaotic movements with a loving smile, pride flaring in her chest alongside the usual affection. Her mixtures could heal as well as harm; gears in her head began to turn at the realization, imagining all the different ways she could tweak the mixture.
"I doubt that, but you will certainly try.. and try.. and try." Patting the seat next to her, Sucy pulled out her notebook; ready to drink up every word Professor Lukic said. Her favourite girl, her favourite subject, her favourite teacher, all in one place.
'Paradise...'
Akko finally sat down after what felt like ages, shuffling her chair just that bit closer to the alchemist. She understood how focused Sucy would be on Lukic and stayed silent, simply playing with the witch's fingers when she wasn't writing. They were long and slender, soft despite the harsh chemicals Sucy often worked with.
Alchemy wasn't as world revolving to Akko as her friend, she was no good at it, thus tuning out of most classes. Her information would usually come second hand via Sucy, whom Akko was eager to hear from. Sucy could become so energetic when talking about her potion studies, the brunette could listen for hours, absorbing every detail without fail.
Though perhaps she was just a masochist; having poison shoved down your throat every week would scar most people.
The rest of the day flew by with her friends by her side; effects of Sucy's potion still coursing through her veins. Once their final class was complete, Akko and Sucy split off from Lotte, as it was the ginger girl's turn to pick out a movie tonight. Akko walked hand in hand with the witch, heading towards the greenhouse where Sucy's mushroom garden was stored.
"Hey there babies!" The alchemist cooed, opening the sectioned off room her samples were stored in. "Mommy brought dinner!" Carefully checking each of the gauges in the room, Sucy adjusted the temperature slightly; reaching into the cupboard nearby for a proper measuring cup.
She carefully measured a serving of substrate, gently sprinkling it evenly over one infant colony, remeasuring, and moving on to the next. "You're gonna grow some beautiful pins for momma aren't you?"
Akko could taste the humidity in the air, shifting uncomfortably in her uniform. "Auntie Akko is dying over here, can she wait outside?"
Sucy turned to glance over her shoulder, having seemingly forgotten the brunette was present. "What? No of course not, don't be silly. Come say hello to my children."
'I might as well meet the fungi that will one day be forced into my stomach.' Akko moved further into the room, nearly pressed against Sucy, looking over her shoulder as she measured. Trays of what looked to be black dirt of some description, sat side by side on the table; thick, winding, fungal root systems worming their way around inside.
"They're yours too, you know. You helped me gather everything all up."
Something warm suddenly pressed against her cheek; eyes flicking to the side, the brunette found Sucy's face very close. The alchemist gently kissed her cheek once more before returning focus to the trays.
Akko felt a small smile creep up on her face, watching Sucy act so uncharacteristically motherly. Wrapping both arms around the alchemist's waist, she rested her head upon Sucy's shoulder, murmuring into her ear.
"Tell me what you're doing. I like hearing you talk."
And so she did. Standing there in the greenhouse alone with her beloved, tending to their little garden.
A/N: Aw man this chapter made me all warm inside while I was writing it. That little bit with their 'children' at the end there. Notice how Sucy's anxiety was almost non existent, intimacy and a domestic life aren't so scary when she lets it happen naturally and doesn't think about it.
Akko gets a little more inner looking this chapter; her love of listening to Sucy, who normally stays silent, talk about things she loves. My girlfriend tells me something whenever I prattle on for too long and start feeling guilty about it: She usually has little interest in astronomy or physics; but listening to someone you care about, talk about things they care about, makes it something you care about too. Its like when you have a have a teacher you really like, and pay attention more in their class.
A little bit of my relationship leaking into theirs, but hey that happens when you write.
I hope you enjoyed! Tell me how I did!