Work Text:
Akko attempted her spell another time, only for nothing to happen. This was the 22nd attempt (and you bet Akko was counting), yet Akko was seemingly making no progress at all. None.
She could feel a lump in her throat develop as the frustration grew. She felt useless. A witch who could hardly practice magic. She knew it wasn’t necessarily her fault, but it was extremely frustrating nonetheless.
Going to a bench and setting her wand down in her lap, Akko put her head in her hands with a soft sigh. She sniffled, ignoring the tears dropping onto her hands. She tried to wipe them away at first, but they soon wouldn’t stop coming. Eventually she broke into quiet sobs, holding her wand close. This was a long time coming, having to deal with her handicap the way she did.
“I have to get good,” she whispered. “I need to master magic and make a name for myself.”
“Akko?”
Akko jumped, before quickly looking back. Diana.
“Akko, are you alright?”
They hadn’t been dating for long, but the two had become increasingly close to one another since Akko followed Diana to her mansion. Akko was healthily obsessed with Diana, that much was certain. Diana was practically her role model, and one of her best friends at this point.
Diana was aware of Akko’s night time practice. Akko would get permission to practice at night, and Diana eventually found that out from her nightly patrols. Akko poured her heart into her craft, yet was still at a point where her lack of innate magic handicapped her severely.
Akko quickly went to wipe her eyes, sniffling. “Y-Yeah, I’m fine!”
Diana wasn’t so sure.
Stepping closer to the bench, Diana gracefully took a seat, looking into Akko’s eyes.
“Your eyes are red, Akko. Are you certain you’re alright?”
Diana gently placed her hand over Akko’s, rubbing the back of her hand. But Akko’s hand was shaking.
Diana felt awful. There was so much she wanted to do to help Akko, but Akko was insisting nothing was wrong.
Akko made a half-laugh. That laugh she makes when she tries to cover up her real emotions. Diana was able to pick up on those things.
“Honestly, I wish you’d be less hard on yourself,” Diana scolded in her typical fashion. She didn’t mean to come across as so “uptight,” (according to Amanda,) but she couldn’t help it. “Please tell me what the matter is.”
Akko continued to look down into her lap, but finally moved. She flipped her hand over to hold Diana’s.
“Diana, how long did it take you to get better at magic after attending Chariot’s show?” Diana raised a brow, and Akko raised her free hand defensively. “Don’t worry! I’m not torn up over it anymore… But it gets frustrating, you know?”
Diana sighed, but tightened her hold on Akko’s hand as reassurance. “I told you before that I have no sympathy for you.”
Akko whined.
Diana tore her eyes away from Akko’s and glanced away, suddenly flushed. “…But only because I know you’ll succeed…” she quietly whispered, and Akko leaned in.
“You mean it, Diana?!” she asked, sudden energy taking hold in her voice.
“I wouldn’t say it if I didn't mean it.”
Diana felt a wave of relief wash over her to hear it back. Akko’s boundless energy and recklessness was something she had grown to truly treasure. When it was seldom gone, Diana was always reminded of how much of a rock Akko was for others.
Diana felt embarrassed as her cheeks developed a touch of light pink from catching herself staring into Akko again. She was really not used to being this intimate with anyone, though she welcomed the change.
Akko was quiet for a long moment.
“I don’t know what I’d do without you, Diana.”
Diana tilted her head lightly, curious.
“I mean, I think I would have gotten too freaked out and quit if I didn’t meet you.” Akko fumbled her other hand on top of Diana’s, a light in her eye. “It feels like whenever I doubt myself, I think of you, or talk to you, and I always get inspired to keep going.”
Akko finally glanced away, flushed. She wasn’t very good at putting her feelings into words, but she spoke from the bottom of her heart.
“S-So, what I mean to say is…” Akko corrected, the silence becoming too overwhelming. “Thank you, Diana.”
“It’s all been you, Akko. You and your believing heart,” Diana giggled, and Akko finally smiled. Diana could melt under that smile.
“Can I help you with practice, tonight?” Diana finally asked, and Akko nodded, suddenly excited once again to get started.
Diana loved how much Akko loved magic. Diana even thought she might genuinely love Akko Kagari, beyond being sweethearts.
She would be there to witness Akko’s journey in magic through to the end, that much was certain.