onhirel

[onhirel]

Never Gonna Give You Up

If there was one thing that Akko genuinely enjoyed doing, it was pulling a fast one on her friends. Her prank wars with Amanda were things of legends, and she was finally gaining the confidence to actually start getting back at Sucy after being her test subject for who even knew how long. Some of her friends were strictly off limits, like Lotte and Jasminka. Both were too sweet to prank. Constanze was also out because her reaction to being pranked might actually be... oh, who was that one Italian writer? Mochiavelli? Akko was pretty certain it was Mochi-something, though why an Italian was named after mochi eluded her. Anyway, yeah, Constanze might actually obliterate Akko if Akko tried anything. Hannah and Barbara were prime targets, of course, which felt a bit therapeutic after their bullying.

There was, however, one target that Akko had thus far not been able to prank:

Diana.

Oh, Akko wanted to prank Diana so bad! Diana was so amazing at so many things that really pulling a fast one on her would be such an accomplishment as well as a tongue-in-cheek nod to Akko's professed rivalry of Diana, even if Diana never saw Akko as a rival... or so she said.

Akko suspected otherwise.

The question was which prank to do? It really had to be a good one. Diana deserved nothing less than the best, after all. Physical pranks like a harmless hex to turn her skin purple or to make is so that she only spoke in limericks or something didn't feel right. Plus, trying to prank Diana with magic was asking for trouble and there was no guarantee that Akko could actually pull that off, not with how fast Diana was on the wand. Amanda had tried something like that only to get hit with a counterspell so powerful that she spoke backwards for the next day.

Akko didn't relish the thought of experiencing the same thing.

She also wasn't fond of the idea of using her skill at transformation magic to try and do a jump scare or the like. That, too, Diana didn't deserve. If she got pranked, it would have to be a good one and not something that was going to cause Diana distress or harm. With all that in mind, there really was only one option:

The classics.

Akko realized which one she wanted to do when she found out that there were actually video recordings of the broadcast of her and Diana fighting against the Noir Missile. Diana had absolutely no idea about anything internet related, which was both wildly hilarious and also deeply frustrating, but it was also an opportunity here. Diana had NO idea what memes were, and what better meme to use to prank her than the King of Memes?

Akko made the video herself, and actually felt pretty accomplished with it, given how it wasn't an instantaneous transition between the videos. She added a sharp camera pan to the right, complete with a blur effect before the new video started. Not the best she'd ever seen for this particular meme, but pretty darn good considering that she was doing this on her phone.

Luckily, the opportunity to actually spring the prank on Diana happened sooner rather than later. It was actually the weekend after Akko finally managed to start flying on her own. She was still terribly slow and couldn't quite manage to fly every time that she cast Tia Freyre but everyone else still wanted to celebrate her success, so they all went out to Blytonbury together. For the first hour or so they all humored Akko, getting ice cream and checking out the Last Wednesday Society. Akko definitely wanted to get Diana alone because she just totally knew that Amanda would spoil the surprise if given the chance, and Akko really wanted to get Diana with this. So, after lunch, Akko gave Diana a beaming grin. "Hey, hey, Diana! Mind if we go swing by the fountain real fast? I have something I want to show you!"

The way that everyone else looked at her, you'd think that she had grown another head or something! Sheesh, she was just asking Diana for a moment of privacy, was all! Amanda opened her mouth, only to release a muffled cry as Hannah clapped both her hands over her mouth. Barbara, for her part, was all but shoving Diana towards Akko. "Go on, Diana!" she said... with a blush, of all things. Lotte, too, was blushing, while Sucy and Constanze looked somewhat exasperated. Jasminka merely kept eating the remainder of her fries, though her smile seemed warmer than it had just a moment ago.

Akko gave her friends a suspicious look before she and Diana headed off alone together. "That was weird, wasn't it?" she asked, only to notice that Diana, too, was giving her a strange look. "What?"

"Oh, it's... it's nothing," Diana said as she waved one hand dismissively. Was it just Akko's imagination, or were Diana's cheeks pink, too? Why was everyone being so weird? "What did you want to show me?"

Akko mentally shook herself before she grinned again. "Did you know that there are recordings of the two of us fighting the Noir Missile?"

Diana's eyebrows shot up. "No. I didn't. Are there, really?"

"Yeah! And I figured that it would be neat to watch the video with you without anyone else making comments!" That sounded perfectly reasonable to Akko... so why did Diana look almost disappointed? "We, um... we can show them a bit later. It just feels right watching it the first time with you, since it was just the two of us up there when the broadcast was happening." They had entered the town square, and Diana nodded as they sat down at the fountain. Huh. Diana's shoulder was bumping Akko's, which... well, that wasn't entirely like Diana, was it? Usually Akko was the one with, ahh, boundary issues, so to speak.

Why was everyone being so darn weird?

Akko put that out of her head as she pulled out her phone. "Ready?"

Diana nodded as she leaned in closer to see better, and a flutter hit Akko's tummy. Must've been the food she had eaten for lunch mixing up with the ice cream from earlier. Ignoring her tummy rumbles, she pulled up the video and hit play.

She had to admit that it was a little weird to see her and Diana flying high like this. At the time, they had been so busy just trying to survive that there was no time to think about how they looked, but... well, they looked good, even if it was weird to see herself and Diana like this, flying in tandem and fighting for their lives. She had left a good minute of the broadcast intact, and Diana hummed softly as she leaned in closer.

Only to make a small and confused noise as the video transition happened. It was at the moment that Akko realized that her brilliance had a flaw: anyone else would have immediately recognized the opening notes of the meme song and given a groan of exasperation, which would give Akko her victory.

Diana wasn't anyone else. She was Diana. She had no idea what a Rickroll was.

Cue Akko's second mistake: she hadn't kept the meme video down to its meme format of, what, ten or fifteen seconds? No, she had put in the entire video and Diana was giving the phone her full attention as the instrumental intro ended. It felt like it would be really rude to pause the video or lower the phone. So, she panicked and kept the phone up, and the video continued playing.

We're no strangers to love You know the rules and so do I A full commitment's what I'm thinkin' of You wouldn't get this from any other guy

Diana's right eyebrow had raised when the video had first transitioned. As Rick Astley started singing, her left eyebrow shot up to join the first, and her gaze grew all the more focused on Akko's phone. The song continued.

I just wanna tell you how I'm feeling Gotta make you understand Never gonna give you up, never gonna let you down Never gonna run around and desert you Never gonna make you cry, never gonna say goodbye Never gonna tell a lie and hurt you We've known each other for so long Your heart's been aching, but you're too shy to say it Inside, we both know what's been going on We know the game and we're gonna play it And if you ask me how I'm feeling Don't tell me you're too blind to see

Oh. Okay, um... that was actually kind of romantic, wasn't it? Oops. Akko felt herself blushing as the video continued, and she was amazed that save for Diana's laser focus on her phone and her raised eyebrows, she was as cool as a cucumber.

Or... at least... that's what Akko was seeing.

For Diana? She rather felt like a duck. On the surface, she was calm and composed, the product of countless etiquette classes and stiff resolve. Internally, below the metaphorical surface of the water, she was desperately kicking to try and stay afloat. She had been flustered from the moment that Akko had asked for a moment of privacy. Diana... was fully aware of her feelings for Akko but didn't know how Akko felt back. She hadn't wanted to presume anything and make a move and ruin everything. She wasn't even certain if Akko liked anyone, much less her! Perhaps Akko just wasn't ready for a romantic partner. That was fine. Diana would cherish her friendship. Having Akko in her life was what was important, whether that was as a friend or as something more.

So, yes, when Akko asked for privacy, Diana almost panicked. Had she missed the signs? Then Akko mentioned the subject of the video, and the pendulum swung firmly back to the domain of friendship. Of course Akko would want to share the video with her in a moment of privacy. Reading any further into it would only lead Diana somewhere that Akko wasn't ready to go.

That was fine.

Then the new video started, and Diana wasn't so removed from Mundane life and culture that she didn't recognize it as a music video... one decades old, judging by the clothing styles and the quality of the video itself. At first she was only confused. What did this have to do with the Noir Missile.

Then the lead singer started singing and Diana bloody well nearly had a heart attack. A full commitment? Akko wanted to tell Diana how she was feeling? Line after line hammered home the theme of love and support. The vernacular was perhaps a bit slangy for Diana's tastes, but the message was unmistakable.

Akko was never going to give Diana up. She was never going to let Diana down. She was never going to desert Diana. She was never going to make Diana cry. She was never going to say goodbye. And, oh heavens, Akko was so much more perceptive than Diana expected! Yes, Diana's heart had been aching, and yes, she was too shy to say it! Bloody hell, maybe she was too blind to see Akko's feelings for her!

As the verses repeated themselves, Diana felt like she had heard enough and so turned to Akko, who paused the video and lowered her phone. "Yes," Diana said.

Akko's eyes widened. "Huh?"

Oh, did her darling wish to hear all the words? Very well. "Yes, I will happily date you, Kagari Atsuko."

Diana had never seen Akko's face get that red before. "Eh?! N-n-nani?!"

Diana felt a blush touch her own cheeks. Only it wasn't a good blush. Doubt and embarrassment were swelling up. "That... that was very romantic. I... am impressed at... at how much effort you put into confessing your feelings. So, I accept." Diana nervously wet her lips. "That's... what that was, right? It was a confession?" she asked, the words faltering towards the end. "Or... did I misunderstand?"

Akko stared at her with wide eyes for a long moment, her mouth working soundlessly long enough that Diana started to feel utterly confused and humiliated. What signs had she misread? That was completely romantic! Akko had tied in a video of the moment where she and Diana had been as close as two people could be with a romantic song professing devotion! What was Diana missing? What didn't she understand?! Her eyes were stinging and she started to try and blink away the gathering tears. "I-I'm sorry. I must have made... made a mistake. S-sorry." She began rocking forward to stand up, only to freeze when Akko cupped her cheek with a warm hand. Akko turned Diana's head towards her before leaning in to kiss her with slightly chapped lips.

Again, Diana froze, only now it was because her heart was soaring just as high as she and Akko had. After a moment, she sighed and relaxed as she returned the kiss. This was right. This is what she needed. The kiss lingered and tingles ran through her body, warm and pleasant and perfect. Then, finally, Akko pulled back. "So... girlfriends?"

Diana blinked a few more times. "Yes. Was that not the intention of that?"

Akko giggled. "Well... let's just call it a perfect and happy accident. I promise I'll explain it all later. But right now? Right now, I think I want to kiss you again."

When she leaned in, Diana pulled back with a small shake of her head. "Before that happens... Akko? I promise you that I am never going to give you up."

Akko stared... laughed aloud... shook her head... leaned back in. "I'll tell you why that's so darn funny later," she said, her eyes twinkling with mirth, and Diana was a moment from inquiring further when their lips met again, and...

...well, that was enough, wasn't it?

Also found on AO3!

[onhirel]

Crossed Blades, Joined Hearts ch. 9

All stories must come to an end, but a story's end does not necessarily mean an end to happiness and joy. Years have already passed by, but many years still lay ahead. For our two champions, there were some downs but many more ups in the course of their lives together. They had crossed blades, yes, but they had also joined hearts, and that? That was the most special thing of all.

Found on AO3, 947 words

[onhirel]

Crossed Blades, Joined Hearts ch. 8

The Women's Individual Foil Event continues, with Akko starting the Round of 32 against Hannah, who she's feeling confident about facing. If and when she wins, she'll be starting the Quarterfinals versus either the impressively strong Jessica Guo from Canada or the incredibly skilled left-handed Lauren Scruggs from the USA. That match is honestly the one that Akko is the most worried about, given what she's seen of her potential opponents' abilities. Will she be able to win and continue on to the Semifinals and then Finals? How will the rest of Akko's fencing experience in the Paris Olympics go? One thing was for certain, though: Akko's experiences thus far had been nothing like she could have ever dreamed of. It was exciting to think about what was coming next!

Found on AO3, 5958 words

[onhirel]

Crossed Blades, Joined Hearts ch. 7

With Diana's help, Akko was able to get back on the road of fencing competitively. Through a great deal of hard work, she managed to qualify for the Paris Olympics. What adventure awaits her and all her friends in the City of Love?

Found on AO3, 8122 words

[onhirel]

Crossed Blades, Joined Hearts ch. 6

Sometimes, life isn't fair. Sometimes, life will drag you into the depths of despair. That doesn't mean that all hope is lost. Sometimes, the guardian angel makes it through the lines of battle. Sometimes the most important people in your life keep their promises. Sometimes the people who you love will save you from yourself. Even when it seems like there is no hope or goodness in the world, tomorrow always presents an opportunity. Sometimes, all that's needed is to believe in a believing heart.

Found on AO3, 7591 words

Only one more chapter to go!

[onhirel]

Crossed Blades, Joined Hearts ch. 5

For the rest of the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics, Akko and Diana get closer still and in several different ways, which... well, which isn't all that surprising, given the circumstances. After she returns home, Akko turns her gaze towards the rest of high school and Keio University (and the dreaded entrance exams) beyond. Unfortunately, something is coming. Something that will change the entire world...

Found on AO3, 6388 words.

[onhirel]

Crossed Blades, Joined Hearts ch. 4

Through very hard work, Akko has made it to the Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires, Argentina. There, she will finally have the opportunity to show Diana how much work she has put into being her rival. There at the Olympics, their blades might finally clash together. What is to come from this fateful meeting of theirs?

Found on AO3, 9548 words

This chapter features art by @maximasmac ! I've had it saved to my computer for ages and I love it to bits!

[onhirel]

The Werewolf of Luna Nova ch. 1

Diana Cavendish is without a doubt the best student to attend Luna Nova in generations, if not since the very beginning of the school's history. She comes from a powerful pedigree, she's worked hard her entire life to be good at magic, and she is driven to be the best that she can be in order to honor her family's name and legacy. She is also hiding a very big secret:

She is a werewolf.

Diana is enjoying her school year when something totally unexpected happens: a brash witch from Japan pops out of an unauthorized Leyline in the middle of the welcoming ceremony post their autumn break. Normally, such a witch would immediately be expelled and it wouldn't be Diana's problem anymore, but this little witch stays at school. How is this going to change Diana's carefully planned school year? This Japanese witch couldn't be that big of a problem, right?

...right?

Found on AO3, 4133 words. Happy birthday, @maximasmac

[onhirel]

Crossed Blades, Joined Hearts ch. 3

Akko's fencing journey continues, and her performance at tournaments just keeps getting better and better until she realizes that she has improved her skills to the point where she is going to the qualifying tournaments for the 2018 Youth Olympics! Good luck, Akko! You've got this!

Found on AO3, 5710 words.

[onhirel]

Because a certain idiot forgot to verify what profile I was using...

I Feel Safe (In Your Arms)

Shortly after her 24th birthday, Hannah comes home to find out that her cat, Sir Bartholomew Tobias Stealsyourham, is missing. It doesn't take her long at all to piece together that her ex-boyfriend, Louis, broke into her home to steal her Toby. Unfortunately, given Louis' political connections, there's not much that Hannah can do to get her cat back. She's largely given up hope when she gets a mysterious DM from one 69_mustang...

Found on AO3, 7302 words.

Happy birthday, Amanda!

[onhirel]

Crossed Blades, Joined Hearts ch. 2

In the days and weeks following the fencing exhibition in Hamburg, Akko needs to decide how far she is willing to go to make good on her impulsive rivalry with Diana Cavendish. Does she let that enthusiasm that she had felt peter out and fade? Or does she instead choose to focus on her fencing like she had never focused on anything before in her entire life?

Found on AO3, 4060 words.

I'm back, nerds!

[onhirel]

Valley of Our Believing Hearts ch. 2

Akko spends her first full day on the Farm and honestly bites off a bit more than she can probably chew. It turns out that clearing out a bunch of grass and weeds and wood is a lot harder work than she previously thought, and that hard work came with very bad blisters that are undeniably debilitating. Luckily (or perhaps not so luckily) there is a health clinic right in town with a Doctor that Akko kinda sorta really doesn't want to actually see. But when Gus insists with the promise of a discount pizza as part of the bargain, Akko really can't refuse. So how does this second meeting between them go?

Found on AO3, 4656 words.

[onhirel]

Hey! I hope you're doing well. I’m reaching out because I really need help getting more eyes on my pinned post. It’s for a family in need, and a simple reblog could make a huge difference. Would you mind boosting it? Thank you so much! 💛

Reblogged, and thank you for the heads up!

[onhirel]

A Hero's Heart ch. 3

As Akko is changing into the dress that was provided by Diana, she has some revelations as to why she is reacting certain ways. Feeling more confident, she goes to the dinner being provided by Diana, where she has a conversation that will shake the foundations of everything she knew about the war. Things are changing. Her Fate is no longer clear.

Found on AO3, 3399 words.

[onhirel]

A Hero's Heart ch. 2

Akko is in pretty much what can only be the worst position possible. She is disoriented and vulnerable and just tried to assassinate the Demon King. The Demon King absolutely should kill her now. Yet… the Demon King doesn't. Just what is going on, and why is the Demon King offering hospitality?

Found on AO3, 2210 words

[onhirel]

A Hero's Heart ch. 1

Atsuko Kagari is the Hero of the Realm, and she has taken it upon herself to sneak into the Demon Lands alone so that she can find and defeat the dreaded Demon King. If she can just do that, then the Demon Wars might finally end, and peace can return to the land! Unfortunately for her, the Demon King is not like anything (or anyone) that she has ever met before. What's a Hero to do in a situation like this?!

Chapter Summary: The fateful meeting between Demon King and Hero was never supposed to go like this... was it?

Found on AO3, 2667 words.

[onhirel]

Lieutenant Colette Fontaine de Luneray, concept art from a story that I'm writing with @ameliamircalla. She is a Section leader of the 3e Section, Escadron de la Sorciers, Battailon de la Fleur de Lis... that is, the Third Section, Squadron of the Warlocks, Battalion of the Fleur de Lis, the personal Battalion of Princesse Genevieve, the daughter of the Duke of Normandie. Colette is originally from southern France, on the coast of the Mediterranean, but through a series of tragic events ended up in Normandie where she caught the eyes of the Duke.

Colored pencils, pen, and metallic sharpies on a sketchbook.