Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Dianaaaaaa…”

“You need to keep trying, Akko.” Diana chuckled, watching as Akko for some reason decided the best course of action for spell-learning was to wave the wand around a bunch when it didn’t work. “You’ve shown time and time again that your comprehension of magic is a lot better than you make it out to be, you’ll get it in time, love.”

“But it’s just so hard… ” Akko pouted. “Why does every spell ever have to have such a convoluted name and a specific way of casting it?!”

Diana got up from her seat on a bed in the blue team dorm, and walked behind Akko, resting her hands on Akko’s shoulders. “You’ve done this spell a few times before, Akko. I assure you, you can do it again.”

“But that’s the thing, Diana…” Akko whined, raising her head up with a loud groan of frustration. “I’ve already done all sorts of reflection spells and what not when we were going through the Horologium Chamber and all of those weird labyrinths or whatever they were- but ever since then I’ve just… not been able to do it!! It’s so frustrating...”

As Akko slumped down in defeat, Diana gave Akko a peck on the cheek, and urged her back up. “Would you like me to assist you this time, then?”

“Mhm…” Akko pouted.

“I know you wish to do these things yourself, love, but never forget- we are in a school. Asking for assistance is okay.” Diana smiled, as she took her wand from her belt, and pressed herself right against Akko’s back. “Let’s go through the motions together, shall we?”

Akko nodded, and put her hand on Diana’s wand.

“ Meikraig Kristiare is a general reflection and defensive spell. One’s magical power directly reflects the strength of the shield…” Diana began, as she slowly raised the wand above the two- with Akko following. “The idea is to imagine a sphere around yourself in your mind’s eye.”

With the wand pointed skyward, Diana and Akko both closed their eyes. As Akko took a deep breath, Diana started again. “As long as you have a clear mental image of the shield around you, you’ll be able to cast it without a problem.”

“A clear, mental image…” Akko mused to herself. “Got it.”

“Are you ready, Akko?”

“Let’s do it, Diana!”

As the two stood there, Diana and Akko started to move the wand in a slow circle above them, and began to say the incantation at the same time.

“Meikraig Kristiare!”

A barrier quickly formed around the two, with a blended crimson and viridian color gradient that warped and shimmered around them, that quickly made its way onto the floor, sealing the two in a glowing, sparkling, semi-reflective bubble of magic.

“Do you see how it works now, love?” Diana smiled, as she rested her head on Akko’s shoulder, and used her other hand to move Akko’s head close, and planted a kiss on her lips.

After a small giggle, Akko nodded. “Yeah, I see it now. Thanks, Diana.”

“Of course.” Diana pat Akko’s shoulders, and the shield around them dissipated around them. “Now, you try.”

Akko nodded, and pulled out her own wand again. “Gotcha, let’s do this…”

Diana sat back down in front of Akko, and nodded. “Remember, you need to imagine the shield around you as much as you can. Imagine the sphere we saw surrounding you.”

“Imagine the sphere…” Akko nodded to herself, as she closed her eyes again.

Raising her wand up above her like before, she tried her hardest to get that mental image of a sphere around her once again in her head- that shield that Diana mentioned. 

With a slow spin above her head, Akko suddenly opened her eyes, and shouted the incantation: “Meikraig Kristiare!”

A purely red shield slowly started to form from above Akko, shimmering and sparkling as it slowly made its way downwards, forming a half-circle that surrounded Akko in her entirety.

“YATTA!!” Akko screamed, pumping her arms in the air as she started to laugh. “I DID IT, DIANA!!!”

Before Diana could even properly react, Akko jumped right out from the bubble shield, and right onto Diana- making them fall back onto the bed that Diana was sitting upon.

As the two started to giggle and laugh, Diana gently pulled Akko’s face over, to plant a much more proper kiss on her lips.

“That you did, Akko. Masterfully well done.”

“This means we get to go out on a date then tomorrow, right~?” Akko smirked.

Diana chuckled even more at the adorable, confident look on Akko’s face, and gently stroked a hand through Akko’s hair. “Ah, of course- I did say that we would go out on a date if you managed to successfully perform that spell, didn’t I?”

“Dianaaaa!”

“Yes, love. Of course we will.”

“Yay!!”

Chapter Text

“Diana.”

“Hm? What is it, Akko?”

“Level with me here, Diana. Why do you trust me so much?”

Diana took her hand off of the small mast controller, and looked over at Akko quizzically. 

“I’m literally a pirate who launched you out of a catapult in a barrel. Why did you decide that, out of all people, I’m one of the ones you trust enough to take with you on your… weird, adventure quest?”

The King of Red Lions slowly moved to a stop in the middle of the Great Sea, the waves slowly moving up and down around them, rocking the boat idly.

“Like, y’know my entire job is to, like, hunt for treasure and probably end up stealing stuff along the way, right?” Akko laughed, before leaning back a bit, and starting to idly scratch the back of her head. “I could just… backstab you at some point. Literally, too- I have a sword.”

When Diana didn’t respond, Akko grumbled, and slumped down, resting her chin on her hands. “Whatever… Just sayin’...”

“...I admit, I understand where you’re coming from.” Diana began, putting her hand back onto the King of Red Lions’ control, and starting up their voyage once more. “But, for whatever reason- you’re omitting all of the other important facts about your statement.”

“Like…?” Akko raised her eyebrows at that, and looked at Diana with a confused, wide-eyed gaze.

“For starters, it’s clearly obvious that you have a kind heart.” Diana chuckled, as she moved to make the boat turn. “You wouldn’t have helped me save my sister if you didn’t.”

“W-Well, we needed to get in there ourselves anyways!!” Akko quickly retorted back, crossing her arms and looking away from Diana’s direction with a huff. “You coming along just… helped us out a bit with getting revenge!!”

“And, need I add…” Diana continued, throwing a smirk in Akko’s direction. “You decided that, out of the kindness of your heart, that you’d be willing to follow me on my journey after that.”

“B-Because… Akko peeked over in Diana’s direction, and whipped her head away the moment she saw Diana’s smirk. “B-Because you’re clearly inexperienced!! You need someone who’s been on the sea like me to help you out!!”

“Exactly my point.” Diana smiled, as she turned the boat again, leading up to what looked to be a massive… tree, sprouting out of the sea. “You’ve shown me already that you aren’t a bad person, and that you only wish to help. While I don’t understand fully why, I know enough that you’re trustworthy.”

Akko’s lip began to quiver as she held back on a retort, and eventually just opted to groan loudly. “I don’t understand you island-folk…”

“I promise you this, I’m not like most other ‘island-folk,’ I just trust in my own judgment.” Diana turned ahead, as the King of Red Lions once again started to slow down, stopping right in front of a small outcropping of rock that just barely made it above sea level. “Here we are, our next stop.”

“A… big tree?” Akko stood up, and got on her tippy-toes to look even higher. “Well, there’s also some rocks and stuff, but…”

“This is the location of the next Goddess Pearl, if you forgot why we’re here.” Diana said, as she stepped out of the boat, and put on her sword and shield again. “You don’t have to come, if you do not want to, you know.”

“Oh no, I’m coming with, being in that cramped boat is too much for me.” Akko quickly hopped out, and onto solid ground with a stretch. “No offense, boat man.”

The King of Red Lion’s just gave a gruff nod and a huff in response.

“So, we’re getting a green sphere this time instead of a red one?”

“Yes, a Goddess Pearl.” Diana corrected. “And after this, we need to get one more.”

“Gotcha, gotcha…”

“...”

“I do trust you a lot, Akko.” Diana sighed, with a small smile. “I don’t quite understand why you have your reservations with it, but I guess being a pirate means you are hard to trust others, hm?”

“...To be honest, I thought you were just blind to the fact that I’m basically a criminal.” Akko sighed. “But, I guess it’s nice to be trusted? By someone that isn’t my crew, I mean.”

“And it’s quite nice to make new friends!” Diana’s smile turned more full, and the smile she gave Akko practically turned her to mush. “Now, let us continue our journey, hm?”

“Right!”

“I don’t think I want to deal with plants ever again.” Akko groaned, as she slumped down onto the grass right before the Kind of Red Lions. “Getting a magical, flying leaf thing was cool, but I don’t think I can ever deal with all the merky plant water, those weird giant moth things, OR those big, scary spiky ball things ever again.”

Diana took off her green cap, and swung it around a bit- causing a few leafs, and a Morth to fall out of it, and onto the ground, before dying in a small puff of black smoke. “It’s hard to say I don’t agree, given how much of that place was covered in more hostile plant-life than what I’m generally used to.”

“I can’t even begin to describe half of the weird monsters we see, and that’s saying something- my profession is literally traveling the seas.” Akko sighed, before pulling another small vine out of her hair. “But, we got that pearl thing at least.”

“That we did.” Diana smiled, as she pulled it out from her satchel. “The second of three goddess pearls.”

“You should just be lucky I made it easy, thanks to me yoinking some of that sacred water~” Akko shot her finger guns at Diana, and Diana just laughed.

“Yes, I suppose you’re right, I can’t imagine how much more annoying that battle might’ve been without it.”

“...Although…” Diana continued, looking at Akko while putting her cap back on. “What made you want to pick up that sacred water?”

Akko shrugged, and smirked. “Wanted to sell it. Sacred water isn’t super common, right?”

“Honestly, Akko…” Diana shook her head, but nonetheless smiled. 

“Now, where are we going next, again?”

“An island called ‘Greatfish Isle,’ is where we’re off to next, according to the Great Deku Tree.”

“Gotcha. Off we go, then!!”

Chapter Text

“Geez…” Akko whistled, as she floated around Diana’s crimson companion. “It’s been a while since I’ve seen a loftwing up close like this.”

Diana was gently stroking through Farore’s crimson feathers, and gently plucking out various bits of dirt. “I can only imagine, you always wish to stay in the Goddess Sword whenever we fly. Diana chuckled, as she plucked out a particularly big bit of dirt.

“Well, there isn’t really much room for two people on a loftwing, now is there?” Akko huffed. “I would try flying along with you, but I don’t think I can fly that fast myself- I need to stick next to ya!”

As Diana finished combing through Farore’s feathers, she gently stroked the back of their neck, and smiled as they laid down against the ground of their stable. “I suppose that makes sense. Although, you can move quite fast.”

“I think I’d rather stick hanging out in the sword than flying behind you, I get a nice view either way.” Akko sighed, before stopping next to Diana, and hovering down to lean into her. “You guys get a loftwing the moment you’re born, right?”

“Not quite.” Diana pressed a quick kiss on Akko’s cheek- to which Akko giggled at- and started to gently pet her loftwing. “We get them around when we’re ten or eleven. It’s around that time, when a loftwing comes for its companion. The color completely depends on the person, but I don’t quite know how the goddess determines those sorts of things.”

“So, for example…” Akko rolled her hand in thought, and made an audible ‘hmmm’ noise. “For people like Lotte, they’re very safe, but because of that- they’re also pretty thoughtful. So, the goddess chose a loftwing that would fit perfectly for her style, one that's super all rounded and stuff. Sucy, they got a speed demon one because Sucy is scary and likes the thrill of flying, as well as mixing potions and stuff.”

Akko leaned in further, and gave Diana a smirk. “And for you, my lovable green hero of a girlfriend~” Akko chuckled. “You got the best of the bunch- the crimson loftwings are very exclusive. It’s hard to really say how crimson loftwings are chosen for people, because it's entirely dependant on the person, but I guarantee you got one because you have all the aspects and stuff that makes up our hero of legend.”

“That is… certainly something.” Diana chuckled. “What of the other people in the past who have received crimson loftwings?”

“I couldn’t tell ya, wasn’t really around to witness that stuff. Was just waiting on you!” Akko laughed. “The most I can say is that crimson loftwings are just given to people who have a lot of promise. Like, people who are gonna be big or something like that.”

“Ah, I see…” Diana hummed. “Well, I guess I should be eternally grateful, Farore here has saved me from quite a few close shaves when I was younger, and more recently.”

“Crimson loftwings are really strong, yeah.” Akko nodded. “They’re the most aware of all the loftwings, really adept with their partners too. They’re fast, can maneuver really nice, AND they’re red, which is just the best color, obviously.”

“I prefer greens, personally.” Diana chuckled, as she moved to lean a bit into Akko, entwining her free hand with Akko’s. “But, getting some form of information directly from… some form of direct source, is quite interesting.”

Akko laughed, and held Diana a bit closer. “Oh, believe me, I only know so much myself. Loftwings are just sort of their own thing most of the time, really all I know is general details and such.”

“...So all loftwings and their types just depend on the person, and who they will become?” Diana mused. “I suppose that makes sense, but it also goes against our knowledge of the bonds of the rider and the loftwing being the most important aspect of riding them. If they were determined based on our personalities, we should all be natural at flying, no?”

“I see what you mean, but not quite.” Akko giggled, before moving to stand up. “The thing about loftwings is that they’re chosen for a person, and picked from a pool of various different types. Buuuut, that doesn’t mean that every loftwing is a perfect match- it just means that it's more suited to you.”

Akko gently leaned down to run a hand through Farore’s feathers, and smiled when the large bird sighed contently. “You still gotta form a bond with them. You’ve gotta care for them like any other pet- they’re just a lot easier to get along with because they’re suited to your personality. Still gotta learn all the basics and stuff, is what I’m saying.”

Diana stood up as well, and nodded. “That does make sense… although, I suppose I’m a bit surprised- why did Amanda end up with a purple one, instead of a crimson one?”

“Well, Amanda talks a lot of big game, so she got a speed-demon bird just like Sucy has. They’re fast and maneuverable, but require a lot of good control, and tend to fizzle out pretty quick too. Amanda’s just got a personality that wants to compete, but ends up forgetting that you gotta put a lot more into it than just speed.”

“That makes… a surprising amount of sense, yes.” Diana laughed, as she absentmindedly moved a strand of hair behind her ear. “If you don’t mind me asking, Akko… given you are a servant of the goddess- what kind of loftwing would you receive?”

“Oh, obviously I’d have a crimson one too.” Akko boasted with a satisfied look on her face. “I got all the makings to be something great, and I already am something great as well, so it’s not like it's a hard question to answer~”

“Hmm…” Diana gave Akko a smirk, and patted Akko’s shoulder. “I believe a yellow one is more fitting, personally.”

“Eh?!” Akko squeaked, before jumping back a bit- only to end up causing herself to float in the air. “What do you mean yellow?!”

“Well… Yellow loftwings are often used by those with potential. They’re weak at the beginning, but are known to be some of the best with training, and effort.” Diana chuckled. “It fits you perfectly, you have a lot of potential, after all.”

“B-But I’m the spirit of the sword- the voice of the goddess!!” Akko huffed, puffing up her cheeks. “I’ve already reached my full potential!”

“Nobody is perfect, love.” Diana put a kiss on Akko’s cheek, and patted Akko on the head. “Even beings like you have room to grow.”

“DIANAAA!”

Chapter Text

Exams had just ended, and summer was soon arriving. With a few days until the students of Luna Nova were due to start moving back home, two particular witches decided to use those days to be with each other.

And today, they decided one of the best ways to celebrate was with a simple picnic date on the school’s grounds.

“Uwaaaaah…~!” Akko sighed with delight, rubbing her hands around through her girlfriend's coat of their equestrian half. “You’re so warm and soft, Diana…~”

Diana chuckled, as she moved her tea cup back onto its saucer in her other hand. “I take a lot of pride in making sure every part of my coat is washed correctly every morning. Although, magic is quite the help with that, though.”

“I can only imagine- but that’s not important- you’re just so soft!!” Akko squealed, rubbing her hands more along Diana’s coat, and sighing with content as she lowered her head to press her cheek against it. “You’re so warm too… I’m so envious, Diana…”

Diana turned her head to look over her shoulder, and she couldn’t help but laugh a little at her girlfriend’s actions- her whole upper body pressed against her, right between Diana’s wings on her lower half, and sighing with content with her bushy, large tanuki tail shifting from side to side.

“I suppose you must really enjoy this kind of snuggling, then?” Diana smiled. “I wish I could do a bit more in that regard myself, but it is quite hard given… well, the obvious.”

“Don’t worry about it, Diana!” Akko quickly sat herself back up, crossing her legs with a wide, slightly spiky smile. “I’m more than content with this, and all the hugs and kisses and whatnot I can do too. So don’t worry about it, ‘kay?”

“Okay, I’ll try not to.” Diana’s smile turned more full, and her gaze more soft. “Despite all the perks I have, I can’t deny that I’m just a bit envious of not being able to have just two legs… and proper feet, I suppose. But … being able to still enjoy moments like these with you, make those problems a lot less important.”

Akko shimmied her way closer to Diana’s human half, and wrapped her arms around under Diana’s, and her legs lightly wrapped around Diana’s lower half of her torso. “We’re all born differently, Diana. That’s why we just gotta love what we do have that makes us unique, y’know? And, we also gotta love what the other person has too that we don’t!”

In a world of mythical beasts and creatures in place of normal people, it’s of no surprise that magic was common among them too. And, within the current class of Luna Nova, stood two oddities...

Akko moved Diana’s hair out of the way, as she gave her a kiss on the cheek. “I couldn’t possibly ask for a more beautiful, stunning, and overall amazing girlfriend, y’know!! You don’t give yourself enough credit!!”

“Well then…” Diana began, “I couldn’t ask for a more lovable, adorable, cuddly girlfriend myself.” She smiled, and used her hand to coax Akko closer, and gave her a proper kiss on the lips. “Although, your playful nature can be a bit much, but I suppose you pride yourself on that, hm?”

Akko rested her head on Diana’s shoulder, and snickered. “ Mmmhm! I’m quite the gremlin, what can I say~?”

“That you are, love.”

...The tanuki girl, Atsuko Kagari- who, despite their behavior, misunderstanding of magic, and lack of ability, managed to successfully revive magic... and the noble Diana Cavendish, an esteemed member of the Cavendish family, and one of the very few Unicorn-Centaurs left in the world.

Akko nuzzled more into the cook of Diana’s neck, and kissed the small of it. “Hey, I’ve been meaning to ask… because you’re like, yknow, part unicorn and all, does that mean that you can just… naturally use magic?”

Diana hummed for a moment, and took a sip of her tea- using some basic magic to hover the saucer near her person- before responding. “I can, yes. But, in comparison to the spells I can use with a wand, it’s not nearly as much.” Diana then used her free hand to gesture to the horn on her head. “My horn is essentially a wand, but I also require magical power the same way wands do, as I cannot make the magical power myself. I usually just use it for flying, as well as simple spells.”

“Mmmm.” Akko hummed. “I was wondering that for a while, but I never really thought to ask until now… That isn’t, like, a rude thing to assume or anything though, right?”

Diana chuckled, and turned her head to give Akko a quick peck. “Don’t worry yourself, love. There aren’t many beings like myself in the world after all. I don’t blame you for not knowing much about the intricacies of my anatomy.”

Akko moved her hands to gently stroke Diana’s brilliant white and glimmering wings, sighing with content as she did. “I only asked because, like, I knew you could fly on your own without a broom, but I never like… knew how, y’know? I thought it was just the wings.”

“Unfortunately, despite my wings being large, and my wingspan being quite the length, I don’t quite have enough power to lift all of my weight. So, I use my own magic to aid in levitation in order to fly.” Diana smiled, and gently whispered to Akko to “let go for a moment,” as she sat her tea down onto the blanket beneath them, and expanded her wings out fully.

With a gasp of awe from Akko that Diana couldn’t quite get used to (and admittedly, couldn’t help but blush slightly at,) she then moved to stand up fully. Her platinum colored coat shimmering in the sunlight as she trotted away from their picnic site, the glimmering blue hues beneath her wings dazzling Akko easily.

As Diana readied her legs, putting them in a partially outstretched position, she looked back at Akko with a playful smile. “Would you like me to show you first-hand then, how I fly, Akko?”

Akko let out a small squeak of surprise, but nonetheless started to shake her head furiously up and down, with a wide and excited smile on her face. “Oh my gosh, of course I would, Diana!!”

Diana turned back ahead with a giggle. “Then I would be more than happy to. Just make sure you hold on tight, and keep your arms and legs around me, okay love?”

“Okay!”

As Diana leaned a bit forward in anticipation, her wings on her sides rose outwards to their full length- the shimmering, glittery effect on her feathers now glowing even brighter, along with the horn atop her head- with a similar, sparkling light blue hue, that gave off a magical, vibrant light that would’ve put any wand to shame.

“Are you ready, Akko?”

“I was born ready!!”

“Then, let us be off!”

Akko could barely hold on for a moment, thanks to the sudden bolt forwards that Diana then followed up with. The wind began to blow faster and faster in her hair as Diana gained more and more speed, and Akko could barely contain all the excitement welling up in her, it starting to now come out as giggles and laughter.

She turned her head back in order to see Diana’s tail bounce up and down, and her hind legs just barely peeking out from beneath her rear, as small patches of dirt picked up from the landscape below the two. The sheer speed Diana was going at was proving to be the most shocking part- Akko didn’t even know Diana could run this fast. 

In a few more moments, Akko could feel a shift in weight beneath her, as Diana slowly began to rise up off of the ground, and into the air- the massive wings at her sides now starting to flap majestically in the wind.

As they went higher and higher into the air, Akko watched in amazement as the grounds of Luna Nova began to slowly get smaller and smaller beneath them, as they went farther and farther away.

Diana then started to make a small, arcing turn back towards the school, as they continued to rise up higher, aiming to keep their trip within the school’s proximity.

“I take it you’re enjoying yourself?” She could hear Diana slightly shout towards her.

“This is amazing!!!” Akko shouted back, letting her grip around Diana’s lower waist slacken. “I didn’t even know you could run so fast!!”

“Have you not seen me run properly before?” Diana chuckled. “I will admit, having a unicorn’s bottom half has plenty of benefits in regard to speed.”

“Well, it gets put into an entirely different perspective when I’m on your back while you run!!” Akko laughed. “Seeing you run normally is like, ‘wow!’ And seeing you run while I’m on you is like, ‘woah!!’ Yknow? And, you were going a lot faster this time- it felt like you were running as fast as a car!”

As they began to fly at an even level, their speed now slowly lowering, Akko took the chance to slacken her grip on Diana a bit more.

“I suppose I see your point.” Diana turned herself back towards Akko with a smile. “Well, I at the very least hope you’re enjoying the view.”

“Ohhh, the view is amazing, Diana!” Akko beamed, as she scooted right up to Diana’s upper half, and gave her a tight, loving hug, as she put her head to once again rest on Diana’s shoulder. “ You’re Amazing, Diana.”

Their flight started to turn more into a soft glide, as Diana’s wings started to flap less frequently, but with a bit more weight to keep them up. “I appreciate the sentiments, Akko... truly. But, you mustn’t sell yourself short either... you’re quite amazing as well.”

“As if I could do something like this!!” Akko chuckled, turning her head to give Diana a kiss on the cheek. “This is something only you could do, Diana. I’m just happy to be able to experience it with you!”

“ And, need I remind you, Akko, reviving magic was only something you could do as well.” Diana turned her head to give Akko a kiss herself. “So, you mustn’t act like you aren’t just as amazing, if not even more so.”

“Yeah, yeah, I know.” Akko smiled, as she nuzzled her head against Diana’s neck. “But seriously, I just want you to know how amazing you are, Diana. You do so much for everybody, you do so well in your studies and stuff, and you’re most definitely the most beautiful person in school- no bias~”

Diana chuckled. “I appreciate all the kind words, Akko, but I fear you may be just a bit biased in your judgment at the end there.”

“No no no, I couldn’t possibly be~” Akko giggled. 

As the two continued to glide in the air above the school, they fell into a comfortable silence, the only sounds in the air being the soft, warm summer breeze, and the flapping of Diana’s wings.

“I love you so much, Diana. I couldn’t even imagine where I’d be without you.”

“I love you too, Akko. If you hadn’t been, well, yourself , I’m not quite sure where I’d be either.”

The two enjoyed the silence as time passed around them, the sun now slowly starting to set, with the blue sky around them now slowly but surely starting to mix with orange hues.

“Geez, how long have we been out there? Wait, how long have you been flying, Diana?”

“I’m not quite sure.” Diana laughed to herself. “It’s been a while since I’ve flown like this, so I admit that I’ve been quite lost in thought.”

“This isn’t, like, super stamina taxing on you, right?” Akko had asked with a bit of a worried tone. “I can’t say I’ve had experience riding someone like this, so I’m not really sure…”

“I’m fine, Akko, I assure you I’m perfectly fine.” Diana smiled at Akko. “To be honest, you’re barely even that heavy. I could probably manage quite a long while with you on my back like this.”

“Well, that’s good.” Akko sighed. “I was worried that I’d be tiring you out.”

“...Although, I think it would be good to return back to the ground now.” Diana sighed. “We’ve been up here quite a while, and we likely don’t have much time until we’re to return to our dorms for the night.”

“Awww…” Akko pouted, arching herself backwards to make an emphasized groaning noise. “I wanna be with you longer…”

“Then, I suppose you can join me in my dorms tonight, would that sedate you?” Diana chuckled.

“Mhm!!”

“Good.”

Diana started to lower the two down towards the field, with big, flapping beats of her wings to keep them from going down too fast.

“...Diana?”

“Hm? What is it, Akko?”

“I’ve been wondering… you’re basically part horse and all that, right?”

“...Yes?”

“...So, does that mean you can fall asleep standing up?”

“I… I’ve never tried it myself, but I don’t think I will any time soon.”

“So you’re saying you could?”

“...It’s also important to note that I’m not saying I will.”

“Dianaaaa…”

“I prefer the ability to snuggle in bed under the covers, rather than standing up straight without a blanket.”

“...Fair.”

Chapter Text

“Diana.”

“Hm? What is it, Hannah?”

“You can do better than her, you know.”

Diana gave a deep sigh, and put a hand up to rub her forehead- trying to avoid her horn. “ Hannah, my love life is absolutely none of your concern.”

“Diana, ever since you’ve come back from wherever the hell you went, you’ve been acting so… so different!” Hannah continued to press, her tone starting to get louder. “And out of all people, you choose to go out with Atsuko Kagari?!”

“ Again, Hannah-”

“You choose to go out with a raccoon over quite literally anybody else-”

“THAT IS QUITE ENOUGH, HANNAH!”

The blue team dorm went silent, as Diana’s firm, loud, and commanding tone silenced Hannah entirely.

“You are not to judge who I go out with, who I choose to be close with in my life, and who I choose to be around!” Diana continued, stamping one of her hooves down for emphasis. “I am my own person, Hannah, and while your concerns are noted, I will continue to be with whomever I choose to be with.”

Barbara was out helping Lotte with something at the moment, so as far as Diana was concerned, it was just the two of them.

Diana had known both of her blue team compatriots ever since they were kids… and yet, she feels like she barely even knows them that well anymore. 

Hannah had always been… well, the best descriptor was; a bully. They’ve been demeaning towards other students, demeaning towards others in general… and it even seemed like they looked down upon those who weren’t as “mythical” as herself- as if being a Harpy was some form of high pedestal that meant she had the grounds to look down upon whomever she deemed beneath her.

Barbara had been somewhat the same, but at least within this recent school year, she’d been a lot nicer in comparison. As if she herself had her own sort of awakening towards Hannah’s behavior. And, if Diana was being honest- it made no sense that Hannah had such a view of herself when all Barbara was, was a simple Cyclops. Just a girl with one big eye.

After the silence had gone on for what felt like a lot longer than it should’ve, Diana let out another deep sigh.

“I’m heading out.” Diana said as she walked over to the door of their dorm room. “And, I do not wish to talk about this matter any further. If you have your grievances, you can keep them to yourself. I am under no obligation to break up with Akko just because you deemed her unworthy of me.”

As Diana opened the door, and walked out into the dorm hallway, she softly shut the door behind her, and she could immediately hear some muffled screaming of some kind.

“Honestly…”

As Diana started to make her way down the hall, she noticed that Sucy had been standing right outside of the red team’s dorm room, eyeing her intently.

“...Good afternoon, Sucy.” Diana bowed lightly.

“Cavendish.” Sucy responded curtly.

“...Do you need anything?”

“Akko’s upset.” Sucy sighed. “She’s in the room.”

Diana could feel herself go a bit cold the moment Sucy had said the word ‘upset.’ “May I talk to her?” She quickly asked back.

“Yeah, but I feel like you should tread a bit lightly.” Sucy sighed again. “She said she was gonna head over to your dorm room- I imagine a half-n’-half reasoning of “I need help studying” and “I wanna cuddle my girlfriend,” but she came back with a bit of a sniffle, so…”

“Bloody hell, Hannah…” Diana sighed. “Would you let me in?”

“You go right ahead, I’m not qualified to deal with an upset Akko.” Sucy shifted away from the door, and outstretched a hand as if to welcome Diana. “I’d probably end up saying something too morbid and make her more upset.”

As Diana moved in front of the red dorm room, she rested her head against the door, putting her ear against the wood.

She could hear faint sniffles just beyond it.

“I’ll talk to her, Sucy.”

“Again, go right ahead, I’m not about to stop you.” Sucy rolled her eye. “I’m not asking you to be quick or anything, because I wanna put in some extra study work, but don’t be too long either.”

“I’ll see what I can do in regards to my quickness in this matter…” Diana sighed. “...Nonetheless, I appreciate you letting me help, Sucy.”

“It was either you, or me and Lotte would’ve tried and taken a lot longer.” Sucy shrugged.

Diana wasn’t really sure of what she thought of Sucy. The tall Drow girl was practically an enigma; all she knew was she enjoys potions, enjoys making potions- against school rules of doing so in the dorms, she might add- and enjoyed testing them on Akko.

She’d chew Sucy out for it, but there are more important things to worry about currently. Although, she wished that Sucy wasn’t nearly as tall as her. It’d work much better if she was taller than her by a wider margin, in regards to intimidation.

“Excuse me…” Diana bowed again at Sucy, before she quietly opened the red team dorm, and walked in, as Sucy walked away.

Akko was turned away from the door, her large, bushy tanuki tail practically obscuring her whole body from view. But, Diana could hear Akko’s sniffles a lot more clearly now.

“Akko?”

She could hear Akko squeak in surprise, and nearly sat right up fast enough to bonk her head against the bottom bunk of their bunk bed, but just barely managed to not do so. She turned her head quickly to face Diana- as if she was caught doing something she wasn’t supposed to- with wide, wet eyes.

“Akko…” Diana sighed as she walked over to her, lowering her body down to her level. “Are you okay, love?”

It took a moment for Akko to respond, as she used the sleeve of her uniform to wipe away the tears in her eyes. “I... I-I’m fine, Diana… don’t worry about me… haha…”

“You’re not good at hiding it, Akko.” Diana softly smiled, as she stretched her arms out, asking for Akko to join for an embrace. “Would you like to talk about it?”

“...Mhm…” Akko sniffled again, as she shimmied over to Diana, and wrapped her arms around her. “...Sorry if I get your uniform wet…”

“It's okay, love. Don’t worry about me…” Diana wrapped her arms around Akko in kind, gently starting to rub circles into Akko’s back. “What is important right now, is you.”

As Akko nestled herself more into Diana’s shoulder, Diana could hear a frustrated whimper. “I just… are you… are you okay with… being with me…?”

Diana cursed Hannah in her head, as she continued to rub circles into Akko’s back. “Of course I am, Love… of course I am.”

Akko nodded into Diana’s shoulder, and wrapped her arms around her tightly. “I… you don’t… are you… okay, with being with someone like me…?”

‘Damn you, Hannah…’ 

“Akko... you being a tanuki is absolutely of no concern to me, in regards to being with you romantically. You’re you, Akko. That’s what I care about.” Diana squeezed a bit tighter, and kissed Akko’s cheek. “I take it… you overheard my conversation with Hannah?”

Diana could feel Akko nod against her shoulder.

“Well, if that is the case…” Diana nuzzled herself further into Akko. “I need you to understand, that I love you for a multitude of reasons, ones I hadn’t realized were such a beautiful part of you, until you showed up out of the blue at my home…”

Diana moved to kiss Akko’s cheek again, before putting her head back onto Akko’s shoulder. “Your energy… your charisma… your ideals… you’re just, such a real person, Akko. And that’s what I love about you most, your heart is just so big. Sometimes it clouds your judgment, but that’s exactly why I wish to be by your side. To be there to help you, to be with you in those moments you catch yourself in a bind…”

Diana moved her head away, and Akko moved in kind, looking at Diana with wide, teary eyes. Diana raised her hands to cup Akko’s cheeks, and smiled. “I love you for you, and that big, believing heart of yours, Akko. Just because you’re a tanuki and I’m half unicorn, that doesn’t mean I wont love you the exact same way I would anybody else.”

Akko’s wide smile she gave back made Diana’s heart flip, and she couldn’t help but smile even wider herself. “I love you so much, Akko. Truly, I do.”

In a flash, Akko closed the distance between the two, and went right for a kiss on the lips. Diana was a bit stunned at first, but quickly adjusted, and wrapped her arms around Akko once more.

After what felt like an eternity, Akko finally pulled away, and gave Diana another big smile, that just felt so warm, so pure, so Akko. “I love you too, Diana. More than anything.”

“Are you feeling better now, love?” Diana chuckled.

“Yeah… yeah, I’m feeling better. Thanks, Diana.” Akko laughed back wiping the remaining wetness from her eyes. “Sorry for all that.”

“Think nothing of it, love, it’s alright.” Diana smiled, as she placed a hand on Akko’s thigh. “You were upset, so I helped.”

 Akko sighed, and slumped back against her bed, and used her hands to cover her face. “I just wish I wasn’t so dumb and just… didn’t listen to Hannah. I shouldn’t have let it get to me.”

“Akko…” Diana sighed. “It’s okay love, okay? Don’t let Hannah’s words bother you.”

“I know, I know…” Akko groaned, as she sat herself back up. “It just… sucks. That she’s probably not the only one who thinks that way- and that she thinks like that in general.”

“I’ll talk with Hannah more about it at some point, Akko.” 

“Thanks, Diana.”

“...”

“Akko…” Diana began again, eyeing Akko curiously. “If you don’t mind me asking, why did you want to come to the blue team dorms anyways?”

“Wellllll…” Akko sheepishly smiled. “I kind of uh… I needed some help studying, so…”

“...You mean you wanted to snuggle, and take a nap on top of me again, is that correct?” Diana smiled.

“No!!” Akko pouted. “I really do need study help!! And the snuggles would be nice too…”

“Honestly, Akko… What will I ever do with you?”