Pretty Damn Perfect

[Black Mage of Phantasm]

There was a biting wind that seeped into her bones, but she wasn't cold. Not when a taste of pure, warm bliss filled her to her very soul. In the deepest colds of winter, only she was allowed to feel anywhere close to this warmth thanks to the drink in her hands.


Slowly, Amanda O'Neil took one last sip, and then let out a long, content sigh.


"God damn, this is some good hot chocolate!" Amanda said. Without breaking her pace on the icy sidewalk, she looked over her shoulder, and her smile widened. "Jaz, you're an absolute life saver!"


"All I did was take you to a coffee shop, Amanda," Jasminka said, smiling serenely as she held her own drink; something tea-adjacent that she was struggling to think of the name right now. Masala, she was pretty sure.


"And that coffee shop gave me the best hot chocolate I've ever had!" Amanda took another sip to prove her point. Another sigh left her. "I'm definitely going back there at some point."


"I'm sure Marco would love to see you again," Jaz said.


"You mean he'd love to take my money?" Amanda smirked.


Jaz's lips curled ever-so-slightly upward, which for her, was the same as full on smirking. "Maybe."


Amanda laughed. "Yeah, figures."


"He is a businessman, Amanda. More customers, means he can keep making even better drinks. Or that's what he's told me."


Amanda looked back at her coffee, and grinned. "Well, he keeps making drinks like this, I'll personally keep comin' back every day!"


And she meant that. Wasn't every day she found a coffee shop that actually made a decent cup of choco-goodness. And there really was nothing better than some good hot chocolate on a cold day like this.


Sipping her chocolate, Amanda looked around. Winter was in full gear, and it might not've been snowing hard right now, but the last few days had been heavy with snow, and turned every corner of the town into a picturesque, winter wonderland. Snow covered roofs and buildings with only a few sources of light shining through, showing the life outside. People walking down the mounds of snow in heavy jackets, but still looking pretty cheerful. And with the very light snow falling from the grey clouds, it gave everything that "perfect winter day" vibe that all those cheesy Christmas songs raved about.


It was nice. Different from the winters she was used to in New York. Mostly because of all the space here. In the city, she would've had to avoid bumping into someone every other second. Not so here, where there was so much room that Amanda could run, jump, or even start dancing.


It meant her mind could wander without worrying about bumping into someone. Specifically, to the little gift she had in her pocket. One that honestly felt way heavier than it should be.


Amanda kicked a particularly large mound of snow away, focusing on the crunch of her boot meeting the almost icy snow. Ugh. That wasn't as satisfying as she hoped.


"Was there anything else you wanted to do here?" Jaz asked. Turning, Amanda looked at her friend who was calmly talking a sip of her own beverage. "This will probably be the last time we can come to Blytonburry before all the stores close for the holidays."


Amanda weighed the question on her mind for a sec. "Nah, I'm good," she said. "Got all the shopping done, and that was really the only reason I came here." Amanda rubbed her chin in thought. She glanced back at Jaz. "Wanna go have a big snowball fight in that park over there?"


"I'd love to, but it wouldn't feel right without Constanze."


Amanda nodded sagely. "You're right, snowball fights aren't the same without that gremlin launching snow from a grenade launcher."


"It really isn't." Jasminka nodded back. "Also, we can do that tomorrow with everyone else after the Christmas party if we really want to."


"Yeah, guess so," Amanda agreed, looking up the sky. Her steps slowed, and she let out a breath.


This was it. In less than a day, the big Christmas party she and all her friends—and Diana—had been planning for weeks would finally be here. A party that wasn't actually on Christmas, since most of their friends had plans to spend time back home with their families. But they all wanted to do something together before then, so they had all decided to have the biggest, most festive Christmas shin-dig they could.


But, more than that, it would be where she would talk to a certain Savior of Magic, and give her the cement-heavy gift in her pocket. And then, either things would go really well, or—


Nope. Not thinking about what-ifs. That had never been her style.


Which just made it all the more annoying that her brain kept bringing them up.


She felt two gentle taps on her shoulder, and jolted a little, quickly turning. Jasminka stared back at her, and it took Amanda a second to realize that at some point, she had stopped walking. Right in front of Jaz.


"Ah." Amanda grinned sheepishly. "Sorry, didn't mean to space out. Just thinkin' about how me you and Conz are gonna be the life of that party!" Her voice sounded as confident as it usually was, and she knew her grin had its usual dashingly-charming edge.


Jasminka kept staring. "Hmm."


Amanda blinked. Then frowned. "What?"


"I didn't say anything."


"I recognize that 'hmm,' Jaz. That's your 'I-think-you're-hiding-something-and-am-trying-to-figure-out-how-to-get-you-talking,' hmm." She crossed her arms. "And I'm not hiding anything."


"Hmm."


"Jaz!"


"That one was just to mess with you," Jasminka said, mouth tugging up ever-so slightly. Let it never be said that Jaz didn't have her own mischievous side like, well, everyone of her team. The small smile faded though. "It's just…"


Amanda's eyes narrowed. "What?"


Jaz lolled her head to one side. She didn't frown, but her eyes did that slight, crinkle thing that told Amanda she was thinking deeply about how to phrase what she should say next.


Amanda tried to be patient, but it was hard when one, she never was, and two, she saw Jaz glance down at her pocket, the one that had the gift, and she had a very good idea about what Jaz was about to—


"Are you worried about giving your gift to Akko?"


Yeah. That.


Amanda couldn't help but bristle a little. She also couldn't help an increasingly familiar heat that rose in her chest, one she desperately tried to smother before it showed.


"H-huh?!" Amanda didn't shout, but it was a near thing. "Why the hell would I be nervous?"


"Because you're giving a Christmas gift to your crush." Jazminka's reply was as quick as it was blunt.


Crush.


This time, Amanda couldn't fight off the blush that worked it's way on her face. Just hearing that one word, that summary of every little emotion she'd been feeling for so long, somehow made her heart beat even faster than it was before. It was like hearing it out loud made it more real, made her feelings even stronger.


Most of which was sheer embarrassment.


"D-don't say that so loud!" Amanda whispered harshly, dropping her hot chocolate to the ground as she waved her arms. Her eyes darted around, face feeling warmer by the second.


"I haven't raised my voice at all, Amanda," Jasminka said. She made a big gesture with one hand at the snow-covered buildings around them. "Also, no one else is out right now."


"That we can see!" she all but hissed. "For all we know, Akko's around here, practicing some invisibility spell or something! Or, or she could be flying around as some bird or something, and then she would've heard you! Look! That big chicken over there's probably her!"


Amanda pointed at a small, sparrow sized bird—a snow bunting, thank you Diana—hopping around on a bench. It then leapt off the bench, flew down to the snow-covered curve, and picked up adiscarded piece of what looked like a donut, and ate it..


Jasminka looked back at Amanda.


"We've seen Akko eat grosser."


The bird then flew up, heading towards a tree. Amanda squinted, and could make out a nest, full of small, baby birds that she would be surprise if they were old enough the cheep. The bird-that-might've-been-Akko landed on the nest, getting the babies attention. then opened it's mouth above her babies, and—


Amanda looked away. Right at Jaz, and the pointed eyebrow raised right at her.


Amanda wilted a little, her blush deepening with a different kind of embarrassment. "Okay," she said. "That's probably not Akko."


Jasminka kept staring. "Only probably?"


"Okay, so I'm overreacting! But I—I don't want to take chances!" Amanda spread her arms wide. "It'd be a disaster if someone heard that I liked Akko! Not before I…"


The lead in her pocket got three times as heavier. Almost as much as her tongue.


Amanda swallowed, and looked away.


"Before you…"


Amanda glared. "Jaz, you know."


"I do." Jaz's eyes crinkled in that way that just made her look almost…motherly. "But I think you should still say it. It helps to say your worries out loud sometimes."


That didn't mean Amanda wanted to say them. She angrily shoved her hands in her pockets. But unfortunately, that meant her right hand came in contact with the gift in her pocket


Amanda stiffened. Then, realizing just how stupid she was being, scowled. Her fingers gripped the gift, and for a moment her frustration—and something else—almost made her squish it.


But not only was that even more stupid, one look at the gentle expression on Jaz's face killed any thoughts about doing that.


Amanda's shoulders sagged, the tension leaving her. Most of it anyway. Letting out a sigh, and with more care than she usually bother with, she slowly took her hand out of her pocket.


And in her gloved hand, was a perfectly wrapped, red and white Christmas present.


Amanda slowly met Jaz's gaze. She let out another sigh, and said what Jaz wanted her to.


"Before I…" Her cheeks were warm. "Before I have a chance to give my present to Akko…and tell her I like her."


Just as soon as the words left, her heart sped up, and her cheeks got even warmer. It felt like a furnace lit itself in her chest, and she wouldn't exactly call that sensation unpleasant, it sure as hell was distracting.


So yeah. Saying her worries out loud didn't do shit.


"Happy now?" Amanda bit out.


"I was hoping it might make you happy. Or at least, feel better." Jaz was frowning, and to Amanda, there were small, worried lines all over her face. "You're even more worried about this than I thought."


Amanda wanted to deny that, say that she never got worried about anything, and the only thing she felt was rapidly rising anger over Jaz's pestering questions, but…that would be a lie.


She was worried. Maybe even more than she'd ever been.


All over a damn Christmas present.


Amanda dragged one hand down her face. "I'm being so dumb," she muttered. "Aren't I?"


"No you aren't," Jaz said, shaking her head.


"I'm freaking out over just the thought of giving Akko her present."


"Because you like her, and you promised yourself you'd confess after you give it to her."


Amanda's hand once again met her warm face. "Ugh, why did I make that promise? And why did I have to tell you about it?"


"You said you didn't want to risk 'wussing out' and wanted Constanze and I to hold you accountable."


"That was a rhetorical question," Amanda grumbled.


"But besides that," Jaz continued. "You're acting so nervous because despite being so flirty, you've never confessed to someone"—Amanda flinched—"have never had a romantic partner of any form"—she flinched even harder, like she'd been stabbed—"and because you think Akko is, and I quote, 'the cutest goofball you've ever met who has gorgeous eyes, silky hair, smooth hands, and toned legs that make me act down bad'—"


"YOU DON'T HAVE TO SAY ALL THAT!" Amanda screamed, her face an inferno.


"No, I did," Jaz said, a micro-grin on her face yet again.


Amanda reached down, picked up some snow with one hand, and chucked it right at Jasminka's face.


Despite the snowball hitting her dead on, Jasminka didn't even flinch. She calmly wiped the snow off her face, and was still grinning.


"But the biggest reason…" Jasminka's smile turned into something impossibly soft, and her tone was just as gentle. "Is that Akko is important to you, and you want to make sure your gift makes her happy."


Amanda stared.


…Yeah. That was why.


Amanda wasn't usually the type to worry this much about what kind of gifts to get her friends. Yeah, she always put in some effort to get something she was reasonably sure they would like, but if they didn't? Well, that was why she always kept the receipts, and had little letters full of cash to give them as a backup.


But, that was for friends. Not for crushes. Not for the girl that she had been thinking about more and more the longer she got to know her. And she definitely had not ever plan to give a gift and then immediately confess her feelings.


This was the first Christmas present she would ever give Akko. Her friend. And if everything went right, hopefully, her future girlfriend.


It had to be perfect. After she realized she liked Akko—and that had happened when Akko smiled at her, sappy as it was so say, she saw her smile and thought "I want to see that pretty thing every day for the rest of my life"—Amanda had tried to confess before but…her attempts were a bit…horrible.


When she approached Akko with a rose in hand, the moment she was about to tell it was for her, her tongue stopped working, and she immediately said that it was for her herbology class. When they were alone and she tried to teach Akko some tricks on her broom, the sun setting behind them as she leaned in, just about to confess, she slipped on her broom, crashed through several trees, and landed in a bird's nest; the eggs were okay, but the big, magical momma was pissed, and Amanda made Akko swear never to tell anyone what it did. Similar failures felt like they were happening near daily after that, to the point she wondered if that bird's curse wasn't lifted. And then there was the time she wore yoga pants and a sports bra when they all hung out in her room…


The only positive that day had been seeing Cavendish—plus about a third of her friends—blushing like crazy when they saw her. . To bad she never saw how Akko would've reacted,, as Akko had been laser focused on the tv playing games, and when she started teasing Diana mercilessly after Cavendish started scolding her for her outfit—leaning in close and being oh-so-very-smug—Diana shoved her. Amanda then tripped on some random mess on the floor, and landed right in a bowl of Guacamole. Guac she had filled to the brim with magical habanero peppers.


Yeah, even after getting healed with magic, she wasn't doing much seeing that day.


After that disaster, Amanda had honestly thought maybe it was the universe telling her to keep quiet about her feelings. But, even if that was the case, like hell she was gonna let something as small as the universe stop her from telling Akko she wanted to date her! But the problem was, after those last attempts, she needed to do something really good to impress Akko. And just as importantly, needed to make sure she didn't chicken-out. Which was why she told Jasminka and Constanze about her feelings for Akko—but both of her friends had long since figured out her feelings, which…she kinda expected. Point was, she wanted some help in figuring out what the best way to confess to Akko was, and for them to make sure she actually went through with whatever plan she came up with.


And that was when it had started to snow outside her window. She looked out, and saw Akko practicing magic with Ursula. Akko was setting up some kind of pseudo-light-show with her magic, making Christmas trees and snowmen and snow women out of green, ethereal energy. Ursula clapped enthusiastically, and Akko laughed, looking on in pride at what she had created.


It hit her then, that December had started, and Christmas was coming up.


And she was quickly hit by an idea. One that had her smiling from ear-to-ear.


Confess to Akko at Christmas.


It was cliche, yes, but she knew Akko well enough to say that she would love some big, sappy confession on one of the biggest holidays of the year. And as Amanda stared at Akko laughing as she and Ursula had a sudden snowball fight, she thought of the gift, and a perfect plan began to form.


Sadly, that plan died a very painful death.


The first hitch had come when she learned Akko was going back to Japan to spend the holidays with her family. That was pretty bad, but thankfully, Akko had plans to have a big Christmas party before she, and everyone else with plans, had to leave, and invited Amanda and everyone else to help plan it out.. Alright, so she wouldn't exactly give her a gift on Christmas, but it was close enough that it wasn't that big of a deal, right? Her plan was still completely fine.


Unfortunately, it had been a few days after that, when the second, and biggest hurdle came: the gift.


Amanda knew she had to get a gift Akko would love with all her heart, so she asked herself: what exactly did Akko Kagari love the most. And she, like anyone that knew her for longer than five minutes, came up with an answer: Shiny Chariot.


Who just so happened to be a teacher at her school.


It had been obvious what to get her then: a broom signed by Shiny Chariot herself. Why a broom? Because she knew Akko had been complaining a lot about how she was tired of repairing her old one, how even with all the advances she made with flying, it didn't "feel" right. So, Amanda ordered one of the best brooms her money can buy, and when it arrived, she rushed to Ursula, and asked if she could sign Akko's gift. SHe even came up with a nice little message: "To the girl with the biggest believing heart in the world, Akko Kagari."


She had been so proud of that part.


That is, until she saw the very nervous, sweaty face on Ursula. She had asked if something was wrong, and to her regret, Ursula explained.


Akko had already asked for her autograph. A few months ago, in fact.


And Ursula had written a message that was almost word for word what Amanda requested.


That shouldn't have been as shocking as it was, because in hindsight, Akko asking for Ursula/Chariot's autograph a few months ago was something she probably should've seen coming from the biggest Shiny Chariot fan in existence. So, she had quickly picked her jaw off the floor and tried to act like she expected Ursula to say that. It was no big deal, she could just have Ursula write a different message. Besides, Akko would probably be more than happy to have two autographs from Ursula. And it wasn't like she had a signed broom with Chariot's name on it, right?


Ursula had looked sweaty when Amanda finished.


With dread as heavy as lead in her stomach, Amanda asked Ursula if she had signed a broom for Akko. Ursula had shakily said yes. Knowing she'd never seen Akko gushing about owning a broom like that, Amanda asked if a broom with Ursula's signature was Ursula's own gift for Akko. Ursula had told her no.


It was Sucy and Lotte's gift.


Apparently, they had also gotten Akko a broom, one they had custom made, that they even helped build, and had asked her to sign for it just a few days before. Around the same time Amanda came up with her own idea for a present, but their's very clearly blew hers out of the water.


That…had sucked. A lot.


The worst part might've been Ursula desperately trying to comfort her and cheer her up. She clearly hated just how disappointed she made Amanda, so she tried to convince her that Akko would love having more than one broom from both of her friends. And yeah, she probably would—and would probably need more than one broom as a spare, considering her luck—but…it would definitely make Amanda's own gift feel less special.


So, she quickly ditched any plans of giving Akko a broom. She told Ursula as much, and asked her if she had any exclusive merch from her time as Chariot that she could sell to Amanda so she could give to Akko. Ursula told her that she did have one piece of merch that not even a superfan like Akko had, but one look at that nervous face told Amanda all she needed to know.


That merch was Ursula's gift to Akko.


Ursula had tried to still give her that merch—not sell, give, for literally nothing—but Amanda refused. She'd have to be a special kind of asshole to take someone else's gift and claim it as her own, especially from someone Akko practically viewed as a mother. Which meant…


Which meant it was ten days to Christmas, and Amanda had nothing to give Akko. The broom thing was her best idea for a gift, and she honestly couldn't think of anything else. She…she could still confess, but without a gift, she knew it would just be so…disappointing.


Ursula had hugged her then. It was…a nice hug. Made her feel less like an absolute idiot, in that moment. After a while, Ursula talked to her, trying to reassure her. Ursula knew that just saying she could get Akko anything and she'd love it wouldn't help her worries, or be something she'd want to do for Akko. So Ursula looked her right in the eyes, and gave one piece of advice.


"It doesn't have to be expensive, or something all that practical. Just make it something that Akko will never doubt is from you."


Amanda's face had scrunched up. It felt like standard, "the best gift comes from the heart" stuff she'd heard from every Christmas movie. Chariot had laughed, and said it basically was, but, to put it more simply, if Amanda could add something to her gift that could only be from her—like say the autographs she'd already given Akko—it would make for a unique gift, and experience, Akko could never get from anyone else.


And that, while still kinda vague, did give her the faintest hints of what to do. Specifically, when she thought about one word Ursula said:


Experience.


It took Amanda a minute, but then, it hit her like a freight train. She had a new gift to give Akko.


She needed help to make it though, including asking Constanze and Jaz for help, and then going to several specialty stores in the magic districts of Blytonburry. And after days of work and planning, her gift had been completed, she paid the shops for their fantastic work, and now held it in her hand.


A hand that was shaking a little.


Even with her flushed cheeks, Amanda glared at her dumb hand. "I…I shouldn't be so nervous. The gift's perfect." She looked up at Jasminka, and never, in her entire life, had voice sounded so…small. "Ri…right?"


"It is," Jasminka replied instantly. And her neck was suddenly a lot les stiff as some of the tension left it. "Akko will love it."


Amanda slowly nodded. "Yeah. Yeah, she will." Amanda let out a breath. "Of course she will. But…"She looked down at her shaking hand. "But I don't know if…she'll…you know…"


A gloved hand was suddenly gripping her shaking hand. Amanda looked up.


At some point, Jasminka had stepped closer. She was smiling again, and this time, her eyelids were open, letting Amanda see her warm, comforting brown eyes.


"Amanda," Jasminka said, voice soft , but it had Amanda's entire attention. "When you confess to Akko, she'll tell you she feels the exact same."


Amanda stared. The snow fell, and with each snowflake, the embarrassment and the fear she'd been feeling since she got the gift slowly started to fade. Of all her friends, Jasminka was the one that could put her mind at ease like no one else could.


The snow kept felling, and at some point, her hand stopped shaking. Amanda took in a deep breath.


And then she grinned so hard it almsot split her face.


"Yeah!" she shouted. "Akko's gonna freakin' swoon when I tell her!"


Jasminka nodded, eyes closed again. "I'm sure she will."


"After the party, I'm gonna have my very first girlfriend!"


"Yes you will."


"It's gonna be great!"


"Yes it—"Jasminka suddenly stopped talking, and her eyes cracked open a little. "Um, Amanda—"


Amanda didn't let her finish. She was on a roll, her confidence back and stronger than ever, and it made her ignore the fact that Jasminka of alll people stuttered. Or the soft crunching of snow behind her.


"Akko isn't gonna know what hit her!" Amanda laughed, and the crunching, a small part of her mind realize, was getting closer. "When I tell her, it's gonna make this the best Christmas she's ever had and—"


"Tell me what?"


Amanda's heart stopped beating. Everything inside her turned to ice.


No…it…couldn't be….


Amanda turned so slowly it was like she was a human-sized snail. But no matter how slow she moved, she saw the truth with her own eyes.


Akko was standing right behind her, head tilted, and pretty red eyes starting right at her.


Amanda stared back.


Akko tilted her head even more.


Amanda's entire face burned red as she screamed.

Chapter 1: End

Hello everyone! It has been a damn while since I've updated.

So, first thing's first, as part of the LWA secret santa gift exchange, this fic is a Christmas Gift for MissEljebel, who is a fan of some good old Amandakko! Also who's fave characters are Jasminka and Sucy (who I promise will appear later on, I just didn't have the time to write her in this chapter, sorry)! I hope you enjoyed the first chapter of a 2-3 chapter story of Amanda confessing to the lovable little witch that is Akko! The art for this fic was made by my good friend Pili Blueberry, so go check out her all her wonderful art as soon as you can!

Now, for the fans of my other stories, who have been wondering when the next chapter will be, and who have been patiently waiting:

I'm sorry for the massive hiatus. This year, to put it lightly, was one of the worst for me, both in terms of my family's financial situation, my mental health and how awful my old job was. Thankfully, I now started a new job, which as busy as it is still a million times better than my last one, and I am starting to get a better handle on my mental issues. And what that all means is that in 2025, I am going to start updating more! No BS, no broken promises this time, I swear, I will update at least once a month for any of my stories. This time, I have the time and am in a good enough headspace to write again.

So again, sorry for the long wait and radio silence form me. 2025 should be a much better year for me, and by extension you guys as I update some long overdue stories.

And with that, these notes come to a close. Don't hesitate to tell me what you liked and/or didn't like about this chapter in the reviews! This is Black Mage of Phantasm signing off. Peace!