Healing Kisses (ch8)

This is a commission for unoriginalfailure! They requested Kuromaya's first kiss during a waltz!

Disclaimer: I do not own Shoujo Kageki Revue Starlight.

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															Chapter 8.

Another evening of personal practice in the dance studio finds Maya and Claudine a bit melancholy. It isn't often they run out of numbers and lines to go over, but both refuse to turn in early unless they've practiced until the last possible moment.

Claudine is seated on the floor after a water break, flipping through scripts and booklets, trying to find something they can go over to no avail. She sighs.

"We've already gone over everything for the upcoming performances."

Maya is crouched across the room at the CD player, rifling through the dozens of discs to try and find a number they haven't practiced in recent weeks.

"I'm sure we'll find something," she says. Her eyes scan the names of song titles as her mind instantly connects them to which scene or play they go along with. She hears Claudine groan from behind her.

"But we've already done everything we need to."

And as if on cue, Maya stops rifling at the sight of a familiar title. She smiles.

"Then instead of something we need to do... what about something we just want to do?"

"What are you on about?" Claudine gets up and struts over to her, bending down to peer over her shoulder. Maya reveals the old title she'd found. She doesn't miss the slight blush that comes across Claudine's cheeks.

"Isn't that...?"

"Indeed it is." Maya puts the CD into the player and gets to her feet as the first few notes of the music begin. "The song we were dancing to when we first-"

"You don't have to say it!" Claudine yelps, turning away, face red. "We didn't even finish the dance that time because... well, you know..."

Maya chuckles and reaches out her hand.

"Then let us try to finish it this time. May I have this dance, mademoiselle?"

Claudine is already getting swept up in the tune of the familiar song, a song that holds a special place in both of their hearts. Before long she accepts Maya's hand.

"You may..."

"I'm honored."

Maya puts her hand in position on Claudine's waist and begins to lead her in the waltz. Their bodies get swept up in the movements like clockwork, a dance they've danced so many times before.

At the same time their minds wander back to the first time...

. . .

Claudine had wandered back to the empty dance studio after lessons in hopes that she could do some practicing on her own. But she'd only gotten a few numbers' worth in before a knock comes at the sliding doors. She whirls around to find a girl with long brown hair and a blue leotard. Claudine huffs.

Unbelievable. Why her? Why couldn't it have been anyone else?

"Tendo Maya," she says levelly. "What brings you here at this hour? Did you forget something?"

Maya enters now that she's been noticed.

"Not at all. I simply wanted to do some more practicing."

She walks with movements that radiate confidence, a confidence that Claudine knows she should be admiring on a fellow performer, but this girl just annoys her. Best in the class and probably the entire Academy, Maya Tendo both rubs her the wrong way and draws her in at the same time. But Claudine can't let her know that.

"Well, I got here first, and as you can see I'm already practicing something. So unless you have your own music to work with you'll just have to find somewhere else to go."

"Au contraire," Maya says smoothly. Claudine bristles; she hates when this girl speaks in French to her. It feels patronizing. She narrows her eyes in a glare that could be filed under "if looks could kill."

But Maya just keeps up her confident walk, her lips curved in smugness.

"I was hoping to practice together with you, Saijou-san."

"In your dreams."

"Indeed, it's happened in many dreams of mine," Maya confirms. "It would be an honor if you would make those dreams come true."

"You are so full of yourself!" Claudine glares as hard as she can, hoping her frustration will manifest itself somehow and chase her off. But Maya maintains her infuriating casual smile and refuses to budge. Eventually, Claudine has to admit defeat, and she does so with a long, growling sigh.

"I guess I can't get rid of you, so you might as well join me then..."

Maya dips forward into a low bow.

"Merci."

"Don't do that," Claudine snaps. "Your accent is terrible."

"My apologies. Now then, what number were you working on, if I may ask?"

"A solo piece," Claudine snaps. "And you should do the same. Over there." She jerks her head in the opposite direction of the empty room. "You use that half and I'll stay here."

Maya bows her head respectfully.

"As you wish."

So she turns and goes, and Claudine is surprised to actually feel a little disappointed to see her give up so easily. She almost wished Maya would've put up a bit more of a fight and stayed with her-

What in the world am I thinking? I must be getting tired. Delusional.

So Claudine continues practicing to her music on her side of the studio, while Maya practices only basic leaps and twirls to whatever songs she has in her mind.

It isn't long before Claudine begins feeling guilty about hogging the only CD player available. She shakes her head.

I shouldn't feel bad. I got here first. I'm entitled to the equipment.

She steals secret glances at Maya, who seems perfectly content in doing things on her own without music. Of course she'd be fine. She's one of the top students. She's serious and focused enough be able to practice anytime, anywhere.

Claudine knows this better than anyone, because they are the same.

But she is entitled to the equipment and the space as much as anyone else...

It bothers her to the point of distraction, until she can't even get through a single piece without pausing or messing up. Ultimately, Claudine's emotions pile up and up until she can't hold them down any longer.

"Fine!" she shouts, her voice shattering the pleasant silence of the classical music that's playing. Maya stops in her routine to look back at her.

"Pardon?"

Claudine stamps her foot.

"I said fine! Come over here and practice with me!"

Maya blinks.

"Why the sudden change in heart?"

"Never mind that! Just come here!"

"As you wish." Maya crosses the studio and makes her way back to her flustered classmate. Claudine looks away as she offers out her hand, clearly bashful.

"Do you know the dance to this song?" she mutters.

"But of course. It is a classical waltz-"

"Good. Then do it with me."

"Eh?"

In truth, Maya just wants to make her say the words. Claudine exhales slowly.

"Please... practice with me... Tendo Maya."

Maya smiles, and it's different from the smiles she's shown Claudine until now - those smug, haughty grins.

This one is... softer. More honest.

Claudine feels her heart stirring and her cheeks flushing. She promptly turns her face away with a huff.

Maya accepts her hand, and though Claudine had been wanting to make it a point to take the lead, right now she's so flustered she misses her chance, and Maya begins guiding her.

Claudine struggles to regain control, but Maya is so smooth and natural with her movements Claudine can't ever find the right second to reverse things. She gets swept up in Maya's flow, terribly aware of the hand resting on her hip as she brings her own onto Maya's shoulder. There is something about Maya's touch that differs from any previous dance partner's. There is a bit more warmth there, a bit more passion-

"You are rather dazzling, Saijou-san."

The comment catches her off guard, and Claudine nearly trips.

"Eh? I beg your pardon? Where is this coming from all of a sudden?"

"Surely you must've already known what I think of you. I don't make it all that subtle." She sways with her, slow controlled steps, their bodies pressed close. Claudine glares up at her.

"And surely you must know what I think of you. Annoying, insufferable-"

"Infuriating?" Maya guesses. "Yes, you've told me many times. But no matter how many times you say such things about me, you never truly push me away. You always accept me and stand by my side." She pulls her into a slight twirl. Claudine does her best not to stammer.

"Idiot. When have I ever done such things?"

"Why, just here, this evening," Maya smiles. "You may have a very convincing act you put on, but your honesty is event more beautiful."

"Are you flirting with me?" Claudine grunts, unwilling to be swayed by her charms without a fight. "Because it sounds like you're flirting with me."

"I assure you, I am only flirting with you if that is what you want."

"That doesn't even make any sense."

"Does it need to?"

"Honnetement-! You are unbelievable, Tendo Maya."

"Isn't that just another way of saying I'm too good to be true? Am I nothing but a fleeting dream to you, Saijou-san? Am I a treasured fantasy of yours?"

"I'd kiss you right now if it would mean you'd shut up."

"Oh? Is that a challenge or a promise?"

"You tell me."

They pull each other forward, both wanting to be the one to initiate, but in the end both of them are so eager it's really impossible to tell.

They kiss in the middle of their waltz, which they eventually put an end to in favor of focusing on their lips. It's deep, heated, and a little angry on Claudine's part, and Maya matches her vigor, her passion, perhaps even surpasses her.

Certainly not the tender, timid first kiss they'd both envisioned.

But then again, until now they'd been envisioning such kisses with imaginary people - coy, uncertain people.

It's in this moment – in the middle of their real first kiss – they both realize those fantasies are foolish. Neither of them would ever be able to make it work with some fairytale prince. Some nervous blushing schoolgirl crush would never suffice.

They need someone who can match their competitiveness, their unabashed, shameless passion.

And if this first kiss has anything to say about it, they've found that person. No doubt about it.

The kiss feels like a dream, until Claudine's chest begins to tighten from a need of oxygen. When she pulls away she finds Maya Tendo gazing back down at her, her eyes shimmering and her cheeks pink.

Claudine is just the same. Only she's furious. At Maya, at herself, at the fact that she enjoyed it-

"Wha-?! What was that?!"

"It was wonderful, is what it was."

"Shut up! It was a moment of weakness!" Claudine retches herself away from her, but Maya stays close.

"Really, Saijou-san? Because I've never felt stronger in my entire life than I did just now."

"Enough!" Claudine shuts off the music, heart fluttering. "We just got c-caught up in the moment, that's all! It won't happen again!"

"Of course."

But as they both already knew deep down, it would happen again.

And it does.

Again.

And again.

And many more times after that...

. . .

Claudine groans as she remembers the incident of their first kiss.

"I was such an idiot," she sighs, continuing to follow as Maya leads them through the very same waltz.

Maya, who had just been reliving the moment as well, tilts her head curiously.

"Why do you say that?" she wonders, giving her a twirl before catching her. "Do you regret that kiss?"

"Of course not," she snaps. "I don't regret kissing you that night. I guess I just regret... not doing it sooner..."

"Oh my." Maya actually pauses in the dance for a second. Claudine had been prepared to keep going, so she pushes into her by accident.

"Why did you stop?"

Maya bows her head, letting her hair cover her face.

"It's just... you made me very happy just now with that comment..."

Claudine blinks.

"Are you blushing? Is the mighty Tendo Maya blushing? Because of me?"

"Perhaps... only a little..."

Claudine can't help but smile now. She reaches out to clear Maya's bangs from her face, tucking the stray locks behind her ear so she may drink in that adorable expression of hers.

"Why you insufferable woman... you're making me want to kiss you again."

"Then, if you wouldn't mind."

"Me'chante..."

Claudine keeps her word and kisses her, holding both sides of Maya's face, letting her fingers caress her cheeks. Maya hugs her waist and the small of her back, bringing Claudine as close as possible.

Once again they fail to finish the waltz, but they much prefer the distractions anyway.

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A/N: Ahhh this was so much fun to write! The dialogue especially! Each line just came to me one after the other~

Thanks again to unoriginalfailure for the commission!