Back to the more lighthearted pace of chapter one, and like chapter one, it has both young Charoix and then later/present time. After seeing Chariot literally piggyback Croix out of danger in ep24, I had to write something about it.

Disclaimer: I do not own Little Witch Academia.

Chapter 3. Simpler Times

"Croix, Croix! Watch me!"

"I'm watching, Chariot."

A delighted little laugh fills the evening air as Chariot gives a spin, twirling in the firefly-lit grass.

With a wave of the Shiny Rod, she changes forms yet again, this time transforming herself into a pegasus. She whinnies and climbs high into the sky, flapping her pink wings as the wind tugs through her mane and tail. After that it's a leopard, then an eagle, then a mermaid.

Croix sits on the little rock wall with her elbows on her knees, her chin in her palms, and a smile on her face. She's lost count now on just how many times Chariot has brought her out here at night to show her her transformation magic. It's improving more and more each time she sees it, and Chariot's able to maintain her forms for longer periods of time, and do more tricks while in each of them.

Croix hates to feel envious of her, but it's inevitable sometimes. She, too, had always dreamed of being the wielder of the Rod. She, too, wants to revive the world reconstruction magic.

But she just has to accept that it wasn't her that was chosen.

Every day, she tells herself she accepts it a little more than she had yesterday.

Watching Chariot like this always helps. She's so pure of heart, so innocent, so driven to make her dreams come true.

Croix tells herself she can't be envious of such a girl. She just can't...

Shaking her head, she clears it before the darker thoughts can start tugging at the corners of her mind.

For now, she wants to enjoy Chariot's dazzling presence as much as possible. It's got a different feeling to it when it's just the two of them and not an entire audience full of strangers. Every time Chariot invites her out here like this, Croix can't help but smile. It makes her feel special.

Presently, Chariot takes the form of a dolphin, squeaking and leaping through the air merrily. She changes one more time, into a peacock with rainbow-colored feathers that display mesmerizing light.

And at last, with a pop, she's back to normal, falling down toward the grass. At the last second before she lands, she tries to be extra fancy and gives a twirl. But she misjudges the distance, and as she hits the ground, her ankle twists.

"Kyaa-!"

With a yelp, she crashes into the grass, disrupting a dozen or so fireflies. Croix's smile vanishes as she jumps up from her makeshift seat.

"Chariot!"

Hurrying over, she finds her in the grass, rubbing the small of her back.

"Owww... Oh! Croix, did you like it?"

Crouching beside her, Croix puts a hand on her shoulder.

"Right up until the end. For your next show, I'd recommend omitting the spin."

"Ahaha..."

"Are you hurt?"

"I-I don't think so."

Chariot puts the Rod into her sash and holds onto her upperclassman for balance. Croix steadies her, helping her to her feet.

"Wah-!" But Chariot staggers and sways, unable to put weight on her left foot.

Croix tightens her hold on her so she won't fall, pulling her in close.

"You dummy. You probably sprained it."

"I-It'll be fine!"

Croix rolls her eyes.

"How do you plan on getting back to your room like that?"

"A-Ahh, I can just transform back into a bird-"

"No way," Croix denies her. "You're too exhausted. No more magic for tonight, Chariot." Heaving a sigh, Croix coaxes the girl to keep her hands on her upper arms and shoulders to support herself. Croix turns around slowly and crouches into the grass. "Come on. I'll carry you back."

"E-Eh? Y-You don't have to-"

"Come on, I said."

"Y-Yes!"

Timidly, Chariot curls her fingers into the material of her best friend's robes, holding firmly onto her shoulders. Slowly, she eases herself forward, until her chest bumps against Croix's back.

"I-Is this okay?"

"It's fine, Chariot."

Croix reaches back to get a grip on her legs, looping her hands beneath her thighs to support her, taking care not to touch her injured foot.

With a squeak, Chariot wraps her arms fully around Croix's neck and leans close to her, pressing her full weight against her back. At the very least, Chariot's glad that Croix can't see her face, because she can feel for herself how hard she's blushing.

"A-Am I heavy...?"

Croix actually laughs.

"You're funny, you know that?"

Chariot all but overheats, her cheeks as red as her hair. She buries her face into Croix's hair and refuses to look up again.

Still chuckling, Croix braces herself to stand. She takes her time, keeping Chariot balanced comfortably against her back until she's on her feet enough to begin walking.

There's a slight chill in the breeze tonight, but that doesn't matter anymore. Chariot's warmth spreads out against her back, fending off any potential shivers.

Chariot doesn't tremble either. Croix can feel the flutter of her heartbeat against her back. Shrugging a little to get her passenger's attention, Croix angles her face to try and look back at her.

"You okay?"

Chariot moves her head in some kind of fashion, but like this, Croix can't tell if it's up and down or side to side. She sighs again.

"Talk to me, Chariot. I can't see you."

"Mmhm."

"Close enough, I guess."

They finally reach the school, leaving the quiet night behind them. Croix wishes she could've savored it longer with her.

She wishes they could just enjoy their school term together as normal students.

She wishes there was no Claimh Solais, or if there were, that it would've chosen someone else and stayed out of their lives.

She just wishes she could have a normal life together with Chariot, without all these awful feelings...

Even now, holding her like this, Croix can feel the Rod against her wrist. It doesn't burn her like it did the first time, but it still sends unpleasant little shockwaves through her it. It makes her upset, makes her angry, makes her want to wield it more-

"Croix."

Chariot's voice is a whisper in her ear, and Croix halts. She'd been so absorbed in her thoughts she'd passed the designated dorm room. She retreats a few steps, then crouches to her knees. Chariot hobbles off, putting a hand against the wall.

Straightening up, Croix puts a hand on either of the girl's sides to steady her.

"See the nurse tomorrow," she murmurs. "For tonight, just be careful with it."

"I will. Thank you, Croix."

Chariot hops forward, slipping her arms around Croix in a brief but tight hug. In turn, Croix drapes both arms around her back, keeping the contact light. Every day she feels less and less worthy of her touch-

"Goodnight."

-and her affection.

Chariot strains up to press a quick kiss to her cheek, then disappears into her dorm room.

Croix lingers outside for a moment longer, fingers brushing over her cheek. But to preserve the kiss or to wipe it away, she can't be sure.

. . .

"Chariot, I'm fine."

"That may be so, but you need some fresh air."

Chariot steps into the infirmary room where Croix has been in recovery ever since the Noir monster had attacked her in Arcturus Forest. Clearly repenting for her wrongdoings, she'd refused to speak to or accept food from anyone other than Chariot these past few days.

Chariot is glad to care for her now, like Croix used to care for her back when they were younger. But she does still have a bit of a stubborn streak.

"Just open a window then," she grumbles. "That's enough."

Chariot struts over to the bed and puts her hands on her hips.

"Nope!" she chides. "Croix, you've been in bed all day. You're going to get lazy." There's a hint of her childish self in her stance and her tone, one Croix knows she'll never be able to argue with. Arms crossed, she heaves a sigh.

"Fine. You win again, Chariot."

"Glad to hear it."

After all had been said and done, Croix had redeemed herself in the headmistress' eyes, enough for her to be allowed to remain at Luna Nova until she recovered. What she did after that was up to her.

But until then, she is forbidden to use any magic on campus, which includes her evolved brooms. And being that she is still recovering from the injuries she'd sustained in Arcturus, she isn't very steady on her own two feet yet.

Bearing all of this in mind, Chariot gives Croix her back and crouches on the floor at her bedside. She removes her hat so the rim of it won't bother Croix or get in her face.

Croix checks to ensure no one is passing by the doorway before she carefully peels the covers off herself. She's been wearing loose pants and a simple t-shirt during her recovery to be as comfortable as possible. And after being cooped up in bed all day, she has to admit it feels good to finally move her legs a bit.

She half-drags herself to the edge of the bed where Chariot waits for her, resting both hands on her shoulders.

"Take your time," Chariot soothes. "I'm not going anywhere, Croix."

Sighing, Croix catches her breath and steels herself before shifting her sore legs onto Chariot's sides and leaning onto her. Chariot waits until she's certain Croix is settled, but checks just to make sure.

"Are you ready?"

A grunt.

"Talk to me, Croix."

"Yes, Chariot," she says a little smartly.

But Chariot takes no offense. She merely smiles.

"All right then. Hold on tight."

She lifts Croix with ease, then waits for her to adjust before heading out into the hallway. A simple push with her boot opens the nearest door to the outside, which is warm and bright with spring.

And Croix has to admit it's nice to get a breath of it all.

Of course, it's even nicer when it's mixed with Chariot's scent, which is like breathing in magic itself.

Chariot walks with ease despite the extra weight on her back, never so much as hunching too much or breathing too hard. Croix smirks and decides to tease her a bit.

"I'm surprised you can manage this, Chariot. You've come a long way from being such a little squirt."

"H-Hey! I was never that much shorter than you."

"Are you sure about that?"

"Croix..."

"What's wrong? Are you pouting, Chariot?" She reaches up to pinch one of her cheeks, making her whine.

"Croix!"

And Croix laughs, for the first time in a long time.

And despite her blush, Chariot cracks a smile as well.

Without even having to ask, Croix knows exactly where her old friend is taking her. The tree is in sight before very long, its flowers in full bloom providing a wonderful aroma.

Chariot takes great care in lowering herself and helping Croix off her back. Their favorite old rendezvous spot is nearby, and seeing it always brings back memories of better, simpler times.

But all things considered, right now things aren't that bad anymore.

They could certainly be a whole lot worse, that's for sure. But they aren't.

Chariot lifts her arm invitingly and Croix leans into her side, resting her cheek against her shoulder. She sighs again and closes her eyes for a moment.

She tries not to think about everything that's happened until now. She doesn't want to. She just wants to think about right now.

Being here. With Chariot.

Just like she'd always wanted.

Perhaps that simple life is now within her grasp. She might have to work for it, but Croix is ready for that.

She's vaguely aware of a small, thin breath from above her. Chariot very clearly tries to stifle her yawn so Croix won't notice. Croix is just about to call her out on it when she pauses and reconsiders. Instead, she fakes a yawn herself.

"I think I'm going to sleep for a while." She leans herself back and lies down in the soft grass, keeping her eyes on Chariot. "Care to join me?"

Croix's little smirk gives it away that Chariot had been found out. She sighs as well, removing her glasses as she lies down beside her.

"I suppose."

Croix stretches out her arm, offering it for a cushion to support her head. Coyly, Chariot rests the nape of her neck against the crook of her elbow. Croix sidles closer until her lips find Chariot's cheek softly.

"Night, Chariot."

And even though it's the middle of a sunny day, Chariot smiles. She turns just to peck Croix's nose, then closes her eyes as well.

"Goodnight."

A/N: So I wrote this back after ep24 and before the finale aired. I've just been saving it (hence why I wrote Croix was staying at Luna Nova for recovery and didn't write her going on her journey yet). I just decided to post this now for the last day of Chariox Week.

I love writing a reflective conversation of when they were younger versus their present selves. There's just so much about these two I feel could've reversed in their later years, and yet so much that'd stay the same.

Please review!