Healing Kisses (ch15)

EARLY RELEASE FOR MY $20+ PATRONS!

A reward for nadie95! They asked for a little something based off that one official image of Maya helping Claudine stretch out, which is super not-heterosexual. I know I already did something similar in this fic, but this chapter of it is going to be a little bit more dramatic.

Also, there are a few winks to my other fic Upon Our Fated Stage, which was my interpretation of their 'origin' story.

Disclaimer: I do not own Shoujo Kageki Revue Starlight.

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													Chapter 15.

The first day back training after a longer weekend is always a bit tougher than the training sessions after the usual Sunday off.

Even though it had only been two full days off instead of one, Claudine and Maya are both more determined and more energized than usual during their private after-school practice session today.

Two consecutive days of rest had left them both eager to get back to proper practice routines, more than just the mediocre little bits they'd practiced within the confines of their bedrooms.

Now, with the entire rehearsal room at their disposal, the necessary leotards to move in, and the equal passion of their partner to fuel them, they hold a rather rigorous two hours of dancing, singing, and acting. The pent-up desire to move had built itself up over the past two days of rest and left them both bursting at the seams.

Whatever flawless twirls and graceful jumps Maya demonstrates, Claudine mimics with even a bit more than her usual passion. Whatever notes she sings, Claudine matches or even bests in her own octave.

With each of them a bit more lively than normal, they take everything up a notch; they dance a little faster, sing a little higher, push a little harder. Their breaks are few and far between, only ever a few sips of water and a few seconds to breathe before they jump right back into things.

It's easy for them to get swept along into the flow even on a regular evening, but tonight in particular they end up staying nearly until the dorm building is closed.

It's Claudine who realizes the time when they've only got about half an hour left until curfew. It's her first and only breach of focus the entire day as she suddenly pauses as Maya makes an effort to guide her into the next part of the song.

"T-Tendo Maya!"

Maya has no choice but to stop, the number now halted at an unsatisfying point.

"Is something the matter, Saijou-san?"

Claudine is very breathless from the dance, so instead of speaking she reaches out to hold Maya's chin and slowly turns her head toward the clock. Maya's eyes blink wider.

"Oh my. Is it really that late? I hadn't noticed."

"That's… why I'm telling you we need to stop…"

"Hm? Are you sure it isn't because you're short of breath, Saijou-san?"

"Shut up."

Maya chuckles and lets go of her so Claudine can retreat to her nearly-empty water bottle. She drops to her knees a little shakily and drinks whatever is left. Maya follows behind and kneels beside her, already having caught her breath after the dance. To Claudine, it's infuriating as ever that she's so unfazed, even after all that.

Maya drinks as much as she needs to, but leaves a little behind to offer it to her partner.

"You still look a bit thirsty. Please drink mine."

Claudine is still panting a bit heavily and gives her an almost suspicious glare.

"Really? I think it's you who's thirsty for an indirect kiss."

"Oh. That hadn't even crossed my mind, but now that you mention it-"

"Mechante."

But even Claudine isn't stubborn enough to deny her body's needs, so she accepts the bottle and drinks the rest of the water. Maya seems awfully happy about it. Claudine glowers up at her.

"Quit gawking. Go turn off the music."

"Ah, yes."

Maya stands and crosses the room to silence the radio and unplug it for the evening, putting all the CDs they'd used back into their proper cases. She retreats to the locker room for a moment to fetch them each a clean towel to dry the sweat with. Claudine accepts hers with a little huff as Maya sits beside her once again. She's still panting a bit and glancing at the clock, but they still have twenty minutes to clear out. Maya leans in against her side for a moment, letting the towel fall onto her shoulders.

"That was a very impressive and invigorating session, wouldn't you say?"

"Good," Claudine mumbles. "We can't allow ourselves to get soft just because of an extra day off."

"Indeed." Maya leaves her towel on the floor and stands, offering her hand. "On that note, shall we do some final stretches to wind down before we leave?"

Claudine drops her towel onto Maya's and reaches up to accept her hand. They go back-to-back and lock arms, taking turns holding one another on their backs. This stretch in particular always brings back memories. Claudine can't help but chuckle a bit once she has Maya on her back, suspended in the air.

"I'll always remember the first time we did this together. You just had to hold me up a second longer than I held you, right?"

"But of course." Maya pulls herself downward back onto her feet. "As the future Top Star and number one student here, I had to assert my dominance from the beginning."

"You are so full of it."

They do a few more basic stretches, then Maya drops into a split, laying her chest down and stretching her arms out flat on the floor in front of her to make a perfect T-shape. Most of the girls at a dance and theater school could do just the same, but Maya's split was just a fraction more perfect than the rest.

"Saijou-san? Would you mind pushing me?"

"As if I even need to…"

Nonetheless, Claudine gets to her knees behind her and pushes on Maya's lower back, though her stretch is already so perfect Maya doesn't even budge from the contact, as she's already as close to the floor as she can get. Claudine holds her for twenty seconds or so before she moves away.

"All right, no need to rub it in. That's long enough."

"Oui, mademoiselle." Maya sits up and pulls her legs back in, then invites Claudine to switch places. Claudine heaves a sigh, but not even her worries about the time will outweigh her knowledge that it's essential to stretch both before and after such an intense practice.

So she gets into a split of her own and leans forward onto her elbows, then gradually starts stretching out her arms and lowering her chest. She can't lie completely flat like Maya can; there's always been just the slightest bit of space between her abdomen and the floor, though most of her stomach and all of her chest and shoulders touch nicely.

She almost jolts a little as she feels Maya shifting behind her, like a cat ready to pounce. Maya puts a hand on either of Claudine's thighs and pulls them both an inch or so back. She then leans forward, laying her chest over Claudine's back directly.

"After such a session," she drawls. "It would be best to hold out your stretches a bit longer than usual to help relax your muscles. Is that all right, Saijou-san?"

Claudine huffs beneath her, so heavily it makes Maya bounce on her back.

"Whatever. Just keep an eye on the clock, would you?"

"But of course. We still have fifteen minutes."

Maya holds the rather intimate position for a moment. Claudine is thankful for the fact that her face is hidden by the floor and her hair. She'd gotten used to touching and being touched by Maya like this - not only in terms of theater, but also too in terms of their romantic relationship. But that doesn't stop her cheeks from blushing and her heart from racing.

Maya's weight is warm on her back, spreading across her body in a way that melts away any remaining tension. Claudine closes her eyes and concentrates on her breath.

Maya admittedly indulges herself for a moment, but miraculously refrains from kissing her or anything like that. Gradually, she slides her hands up from Claudine's legs and settles them over the small of her back, easing back to put her weight into pushing her a bit.

Claudine feels a twinge of something straining in her back, but she toughs it out. More often than not, the kinks in her muscles will disappear after a bit of pressure is applied.

She keeps trying to reach out farther, pulling herself more by her nails as she inches out. Behind her, Maya pushes her down a bit more and holds her there.

"Shall we keep going?" she asks.

And it probably wasn't meant as such, but Claudine interprets it as a challenge.

"Of course. I can handle a bit more."

And so Maya pushes her a little harder, even past the slight resistance she feels from Claudine's chest meeting the floor.

Claudine keeps her eyes squeezed shut and forces herself to swallow. She can't tell if her back is hurting or not. It just feels like the usual soreness after a good workout, but-

"Saijou-san? Are you all right?"

Claudine snorts.

"I'm fine. Keep going."

In retrospect, she'd probably dug her own grave.

Maya pushes down on her even harder, balancing one hand at the small of her back and moving the other up a bit higher. She leans her weight into her palms and holds.

Claudine feels herself wince, but she bites back the whimper that tries to work its way up her throat. She should be able to handle this. She was fine. She was-

And then something gives. She isn't quite sure what it is, but that tiny distance between her abdomen and the floor is suddenly covered all at once due to Maya's pushing. There's a twinge of pain in Claudine's back, something that she knows isn't just a good kind of soreness. It sinks through her and wraps around her waist to the front of her stomach as well. She can't keep quiet anymore.

"Ah-"

The whimper that slips out of Claudine's mouth is something so soft and vulnerable, Maya almost doesn't hear it. But as soon as she does, she knows something is wrong.

Suddenly, she can feel that Claudine is breathing harder, her ribcage expanding much more quickly and harshly beneath Maya's fingers. Maya's eyes widen in shock and confusion.

"Saijou-san?"

She eases her weight off of her now, though she keeps her hands on Claudine's back to rub up and down her sides a little.

The second the pressure is removed, Claudine pushes herself up right away with a soft gasp and curls her legs in beneath herself. Her hair falls over her shoulders to conceal her expression, so Maya hastily moves to sit in front of her.

"Saijou-san-?" Her tone rises in panic when she sees her partner's face. Claudine's cheeks are flushed red, her breathing is off and distressed, and her eyes are watering. As Maya gets a good enough look at her, a tear actually falls down Claudine's cheek. Maya's heart nearly stops.

"Claudine!" All formalities are forgotten now as she reaches out to hold her shoulders, gently clearing Claudine's hair back behind her ears and away from her face. Claudine quickly wipes her face, inhaling shakily.

"I'm fine-"

"Claudine!" Maya raises her voice a little louder than she'd intended, which makes Claudine flinch and blink up at her. Maya mentally chides herself and lowers her tone immediately. "Why didn't you say something if I was pushing you too hard?"

"It wasn't that bad. I told you, I'm fine."

"Claudine-"

"We have to go." Claudine staggers to her feet, out of Maya's touch. When she straightens up, she still seems a bit stiff from the pain. She turns away and picks up her towel and empty water bottle, then heads for the locker room.

Maya is left on the floor, appalled and upset with herself. She quickly gathers her things and follows after her partner.

Claudine changes rather quickly and exits the locker room to wait for Maya in the hallway. Once Maya has hurriedly put her uniform back on, she rushes out to her. But before she can say anything, the janitor who cleans and locks up the rooms appears, and they're obliged to partake in the usual lighthearted social greetings and well-wishes for the evening.

It's just sunset now as they exit the building. On their walk back to the dorms, Maya is torn between wanting to say something to her, or keeping quiet for fear of further injuring Claudine's pride. But she ends up staying silent, and she doesn't make a move to reach for her hand to hold it on their walk like she normally does.

They eat in the cafeteria, clearly both struggling to find random topics of conversation to avoid the bigger matter at hand. When they retreat to the showers, Claudine hums and sings like she always does, but to Maya it's a clear effort to conceal the fact that all of this is bothering her. They still dry each other's hair like they always do, but hardly a word is exchanged between them in the process.

By the time they're heading back to their rooms, Maya is at her breaking point. She finally takes Claudine's hand and leads her into her bedroom, closing and locking the door behind them. Maya needs to talk to her about this now.

And Claudine knows that's what Maya wants to do, but she herself would rather not. So she slips out of Maya's grasp and heads for the bed, trying to sound casual.

"I'm exhausted. I'm sure I'll sleep like a baby tonight." She sits down on the edge and paws through her hair a few times, removing the headband and placing it on the nightstand.

Maya walks slowly over to her, stopping just in front of her. Her voice is solemn and serious.

"Claudine, please. I want to talk."

Claudine regards her a bit warily. She'd wanted to avoid discussing it because it was embarrassing for her. But now, looking up into Maya's distraught eyes, she understands she'd just been being selfish as usual. This is truly bothering Maya, and Claudine can't allow herself to keep quiet about it if it's going to upset her further. She exhales in defeat and pats the space beside her.

"Well, you can sit and talk, then."

Maya accepts to seat, but Claudine notes how she keeps a few inches of space between them, something the greedily-affectionate Tendo Maya never does with her. Claudine can only assume she's punishing herself or is too concerned of hurting her again to touch her. She doesn't like it.

So Claudine covers the distance herself until she's leaning into Maya's side. Even she knows when it's time to lie down her pride for the sake of more important things.

She waits, and after a moment, Maya finally speaks.

"Claudine… Why didn't you tell me I was hurting you?"

With their current positions, neither girl can see the other's expression. Claudine is a little thankful for that, because if hearing Maya's voice is killing her this much, she knows that seeing her face would do her in for good.

"It didn't hurt," she says. "Not badly. Not until the last second-"

"Then you should have said something before it got that bad." Maya's voice is strict now, like a teacher lecturing a child who had gotten caught in a lie.

Claudine's heart twists a little bit when she realizes that's essentially what she was in this situation - a foolish child. She sighs.

"I know. I'm sorry..."

She's hoping it can just end here.

But Maya is obviously still perturbed by the situation. She moves back a little and turns to face Claudine now, her eyes still hard and stern. But they're beginning to waver, like mighty towers starting to crumble.

"I hurt you-" Her voice breaks, and she has to bring a hand to her mouth before trying again. "Because you tried to tough it out... solely so you could try to prove that you could handle just as much as I could… I hurt you, Claudine." She clutches her hands together in her lap and bows her head so her bangs cover her eyes. "I wish you didn't feel the need to conceal your exhaustion and your pain around me. If keeping up with me could put you at risk, then I wish-"

"Don't you dare say another word."

Maya lifts her gaze again to find Claudine giving her a fierce stare now. Just as Maya is serious in her guilt, Claudine is serious in her warning.

"If you planned to say you wish you'd never became my partner or something idiotic like that, you can get out right now."

Maya blinks.

"But this is my room-"

"Did I stutter?" Claudine snaps. "How dare you imply that anyone else might be half as good as me in keeping up with you? All because of a little ache in my back?"

"You were crying-!" Maya's voice rises up again in frustration. "I was nearly ill with worry when I saw that… I'd hurt you enough to make you cry… That's something I never - never - wanted to do... but I was careless, and since you didn't tell me to stop, I-" She tapers off, bringing her hand over her eyes again, cradling her forehead beneath the sting of guilt. "You should have told me…"

Claudine knows she should just give in and let Maya have this one. But she has a right to put in her two cents on the matter as well, doesn't she?

"You're one to talk," she mumbles. "Do you know how many times I've seen you stubbornly overexerting yourself, even when I'm constantly telling you to take it easy? Lecturing me about keeping quiet and pushing myself too hard is the definition of the pot calling the kettle black, you know."

She'd never come at anyone else who was on the verge of tears like this. But since it's Maya, Claudine knows she can be honest and express her own frustrations on her right now.

But she does soften her tone - just a little - when Maya looks up at her with such torment in her eyes.

"Maybe," Claudine says. "If you'd be a little more honest about when you're hurting or exhausted… I wouldn't feel so inclined to conceal it when I'm feeling that way…"

But when the words come out, she realizes it sounds like she's placing the blame for all of this on Maya, so she quickly goes on.

"What I mean is… you being number one and all… it makes me want to push myself harder to reach you. And if you keep quiet about things that are bothering you, then I feel like it's all right for me to do the same…" She stops herself before she can ramble or say something insensitive.

Claudine bows her head now and curls her fingers in her lap. Her chest feels a little tight, and her heart is beating a bit harder than usual. They've never had a discussion or argument quite like this before.

And though Claudine feels uncomfortable at having been so blunt, there's a part of Maya that's grateful she didn't pull any punches. Claudine laying it out so brutally honestly like that had made Maya see she was right.

Maya did often conceal her own exhaustion and play off any injuries, no matter how minor, all for the sake of her reputation. She'd never really considered that doing it herself would invite Claudine - and anyone else who looked up to her - to copy the same destructive behaviors.

When that truth hits her now, it has her stomach twisting a little.

But before she can figure out what to do or say next, Claudine beats her to it. She lifts her head and meets Maya's eyes directly to apologize - something Maya knows must be very difficult for her.

"I'm sorry," Claudine says truthfully. "You're right. I should've said something. It's my own fault this escalated so much. You know better than anyone how prideful I can be…"

Now that she's spoken her mind and called Maya out on her own dishonesty, Claudine is trying to alleviate the pressure on her by taking all the blame for herself. Maya sees right through her, and she won't have it.

"No…" She shakes her head slowly, letting out a long breath. "No… that isn't right at all, Claudine. You're the one who is right about me. I've been unknowingly putting even more pressure on you than you already put on yourself, and that's already a suffocating amount."

Claudine looks down again.

"Please. It isn't as bad as all that-"

"But it is." Maya reaches out and takes her hands now, squeezing them tightly enough to gain Claudine's attention again. "You're absolutely right, Claudine. Sometimes, I truly do neglect to consider those who weren't born with the same heritage as I was. And I especially neglect to consider you sometimes, because you are always so perfectly in-tune with me in all that I do.

"The biggest problem with being a 'prodigy' is that so much comes naturally to me. I oftentimes forget that others actually have to work hard and put in so much more effort just to achieve a fraction of what comes to me normally. And you, of all people, work yourself to the bone day in and day out. I should have been more mindful about how my own poor tendencies could rub off on you…"

Claudine's heart flutters a bit, but she can't tell if it's a good thing or a bad thing. She's glad Maya is seeing her side of things, but she's also fed up with how deep this has gotten and how upset it's made the both of them. She's more than satisfied with this and wants it all to be over and done with now.

"All right." Claudine cups Maya's face gently in her hands and looks sweetly into her eyes. "Enough of all this. We both should've known better, especially by this point in time. We can share the blame, just like we share the victories."

She lets her hands slip downward now until she's looped her arms around Maya's shoulders, pulling her into a much-needed embrace. Maya slowly reciprocates, circling her arms around Claudine's waist and back, running her palms lightly over the sore spot.

"Indeed... By now, you'd think we'd be a little bit better about being open and honest with one another. It seems we've still got a lot to learn." She turns her face in against Claudine's hair, nuzzling the side of her neck. "I'm sorry, Claudine. I never meant to hurt you."

"Idiot. Don't you think I know that?" Claudine locks her arms a little tighter around Maya. "I'm sorry, too. I never meant to let it get this far that'd you be blaming yourself over something so trivial."

Maya tightens her hold in turn.

"It seems we've got a bit more work to do in terms of communication. That, above all else, is key in any kind of relationship. But especially in one as intimate and intricate as ours."

"Then say it," Claudine declares, easing back to look her in the eyes again. "Whatever it is about me that bothers you the most, tell it to me straight - right here, right now."

Maya gives her a curious glance, but Claudine doesn't waver. So Maya does as she's told.

"You are far too stubborn, Ma Claudine," she confesses. "And while I love every part of you dearly, that is one part I wish you would trade to some degree for a bit of honesty."

"Fair enough," Claudine nods. "I'll have to work on it from now on."

"I'm glad to hear it," Maya says kindly. "Now then, I can already tell you're eager to tell me my faults, yes?"

"Absolutely," Claudine grunts. "You're far too high-and-mighty, Tendo Maya! That conceitedness will give others the wrong impression and eventually be your downfall if you don't keep it in check. And as much as I want to dethrone you, I want to do it fairly, not because you burn yourself out."

Maya dips her head as well.

"As you said, that's fair enough. I shall do all I can to continue improving myself - for both our sakes - Ma Claudine."

"Oh, and one more thing-" Claudine huffs. "You're also infuriating."

Maya smiles.

"Sadly, I'm afraid there isn't much I can do about that."

With everything out in the open now and all the uncomfortable feelings dashed, they meet for a soft kiss. Claudine is so relieved this is all over with that she doesn't even realize that she's being pushed down until she's already on her back. Maya leans over her, lavender eyes gazing deeply into hers. Claudine blushes and turns her face away.

"And what is the meaning of this?"

For once, Maya isn't being mischievous. Rather, her eyes are pleading.

"Please… allow me to atone."

"For what crimes? Didn't we agree we're sharing the blame equally?"

"Then this will be partially to atone, and partially because it would make me immensely happy to do it."

"So you're just being selfish then," Claudine sighs. "Though, I guess you deserve that. Fine. Do what you will."

Relieved she's been granted permission, Maya crawls the rest of the way onto the bed and slips her arms beneath Claudine. She lifts her up against her chest, holding her for a long moment before lying her back down on her stomach this time. Maya kneels beside her and begins gently pressing her hands against her back in a light massage.

Claudine sighs beneath the careful pressure of her palms, especially when they pass over the sore spot from earlier. The pain had subsided almost entirely already, but Maya cancels it out once and for all now.

She kneads her fingers across Claudine's sides and rolls her thumbs into her shoulder blades, occasionally rotating her hands over to use her knuckles. Claudine doesn't flinch or wince once throughout the treatment, which boosts Maya's confidence in touching her more freely.

Every once in a while a tiny moan will accidentally slip free from Claudine's lips, which strokes Maya's ego and makes her smirk just a little.

She spends a good ten minutes spoiling her partner, finishing the massage by simply rubbing all up and down Claudine's back and over her sides. Maya curls up and lies her head on Claudine's back to feel her warmth and breathing.

Claudine doesn't mind the odd new position, but after a few minutes she has to say something before either of them fall asleep.

"You're going to wake up sore tomorrow if you sleep so strangely, you know."

"Mm… But you are so comfortable as a pillow, Ma Claudine."

"Fine. Suit yourself. But I won't give you a massage if you end up stiff."

"Very well. You've made your point."

Maya sits herself up and lies down properly beside her now, pulling the blankets up over the both of them. She takes Claudine into her arms without wasting a second and kisses her tenderly, caressing her cheeks and combing through her hair.

Claudine welcomes the weight of Maya's chest against hers. She curls her fingers around long dark strands of hair and glides her nails gently up and down her back, sending little tingles up Maya's spine.

They part from the kiss with a sigh. With a bit of coaxing on Maya's part, she gets Claudine to lie on her back again and begins to pepper light kisses across her forehead. Claudine chuckles very softly and kisses her cheek when she can.

Their hearts flutter and dance together until they are both faintly breathless.

When Maya eventually eases back a little, she nuzzles her nose with Claudine's before finding her eyes once more. Claudine sees the flicker of nervousness creep its way back into them.

"Claudine," she murmurs. "Are you sure you're all right now? Are you hurt at all? Anywhere, for any reason…?"

Claudine holds her gaze without wavering.

"Nothing hurts, Maya. I'm all right. I promise." She sees the relief come back into her partner's eyes, and Claudine is glad for it. "What about you? Are you all right? You're not still beating yourself up, are you? Because if you are-"

Maya shakes her head.

"Not anymore. Now that we've made a vow to be a little more honest with one another, I feel much better."

"Good." Claudine opens her arms and folds them around Maya's shoulders. "Now come here. I'm tired."

Maya willingly eases herself down on top of her, settling her weight over Claudine's body and hugging her sides loosely. She rests her head on her chest, seeking out her pulse as if her life depended on it.

Claudine presses a kiss to the top of her head and hugs her tightly, keeping Maya secure on top of her. She can feel her heartbeat too, matching perfectly with her own. She closes her eyes and relishes that weight, that warmth, that pulse. For once, she wants to be the one to say it first.

"Bonne nuit, Ma Maya."

Maya presses closer, listening as Claudine's heartbeat gradually becomes slower and deeper.

"Bonne nuit, Ma belle Claudine."

A huff.

"Seriously?" she mutters. "Trying to one-up me now?"

"I can't let my guard down, now can I?"

Claudine smiles just a little, and exhales long and slow just as she drifts off. Maya enjoys the bit of a ride she gets from the rise and fall of her chest. She turns her face just a bit to kiss Claudine's collar, then rests her head once more.

Sleep comes easily and warmly.

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A/N: In conclusion, they're both idiots who push themselves too hard and then get Soft and Concerned about the other.

I kinda liked (?) writing their mini argument (if you can even call it that). I feel if they ever did argue or have a heated discussion, it wouldn't be one person lecturing the other, but rather they'd both take their shots and, like I wrote, be confident that the other can handle it. I like a couple that can be brutally honest with each other without that fear of "I don't wanna say something wrong/upset them!" and then they end up being all reserved. I feel one reason this pairing is so good is because they aren't 'scared' of offending the other one; they can say their part and skip all the dramatic stuff, because they know the other person well enough to be confident in speaking their minds outright.

You know what I mean?