Healing Kisses (ch13)

EARLY RELEASE FOR MY $20+ PATRONS!

Monthly story for nadie95! They asked for something involving Maya and Claudine seeing their potential future selves, and how they might react!

Disclaimer: I do not own Shoujo Kageki Revue Starlight.

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														Chapter 13.

It is rather common for the persons that compose a young couple in love to wonder about their future years together. Maya and Claudine were just like any other pair in that regard.

What is much less common, however, are the methods they have chosen in hopes of getting answers about their potential future together.

Unlike most, who may ask a gifted one to read palms or use magic to peer into their futures, Maya and Claudine have a bit more unconventional means at their fingertips. After all, not many others have the ability to ask a mysterious, time-altering giraffe that lives beneath their school's performance stage, now did they?

But Maya and Claudine do.

They'd come to him tonight in hopes of answers, even if they might have been vague, as his often proved to be. He had pondered their request for a long moment before giving his reply.

"Duel."

This was his price. To have them battle one another for as long as he saw fit, until he was thoroughly entertained.

"After all-" he had bellowed. "Is your purpose of standing upon such a magnificent stage not to entertain others?"

And so Maya and Claudine had drawn their weapons and done battle together. They held nothing back, clashing swords with all their might, parrying hits and pushing one another back before rushing in again. They didn't pull any punches, so to speak. Because they knew he would never accept anything less than their absolute fiercest fight.

It's their chance to demonstrate just how far they've come this year at Seishou, to show him just how much they've learned in their secret underground revues.

They clash for a long while, swinging without mercy at one another's jackets, dancing and twirling and leaping in perhaps the most gracefully-deadly battle yet.

But theirs is an honorable fight. Whenever Maya staggers, Claudine waits for her to regain her balance. And whenever Claudine stumbles, Maya helps her back up and waits for her to catch her breath.

They fight with everything they've got to appease him, quickly losing track of time and instead getting engulfed in the trance of the stage.

They fight - with passion and with grace, with ferocity and with power. It truly is a sight to behold.

They fight until both girls are nearly at the point of collapse, but even then neither is willing to be the one to fall first. After all, they are equal.

But it is beginning to weigh on both of them.

Claudine can feel aches and pains all over her body, and her hair has gotten in the way of her eyes as she stands, panting, on her side of the stage, sword raised.

And Maya's fingers tremble around the hilt of her blade, her breath coming in rather short and her clothes ruffled.

They never take their eyes off each other for a second. They can tell one more collision will be the last for both of them.

But after both have caught as much of their breath as they're going to get, Maya lifts her chin, and Claudine gives a small nod in response. They charge in tandem, swords ready, not knowing who will be victorious or if they'll both go down at once or-

"Very good, that's far enough."

The giraffe's voice interjects at long last, and both girls stumble to stop themselves from striking. They can't cancel out their momentum, so instead they drop their weapons and crash into each other's arms in a beautifully-breathless embrace.

As the clatter of the fallen swords fades, the only sound remaining is the girls' wheezing breaths. They hold each other up, murmuring comments of encouragement.

"Se lever, Ma Claudine… we cannot fall now… not before the curtain does…"

"Worry about yourself… If you collapsed now, it would be… rather unsightly…"

They cling tightly to one another, both refusing to let themselves or the other waver. From somewhere within the darkened seats of the unseen audience, an applause rises up.

"Bravo," the giraffe utters. "That was quite an exquisite performance. I would expect nothing less from Seishou's top stage girls. You've both come a long way since your first revue."

Maya is able to catch her breath first. Keeping an arm around Claudine, she straightens herself up and glares defiantly up at him from where he sits perched above.

"We have. And it is thanks to our rigorous training, and no doubt your revues as well."

"But of course," he replies. "You have managed to hone your skills just shy of perfection. Now that is a revue I would very much like to witness… but for now, this will suffice." One of his long ears flicks. "Now then, tell me your request. I am a giraffe of my word."

Maya hesitates. She isn't sure how she should be wording this. She casts an uncertain glance to Claudine, who has composed herself enough by now. Claudine nods, indicating she will handle the conversation from here. She turns to gaze up at the giraffe far above.

"We want to know what our ideal future would be," she proclaims. "Both of us. Together." She blushes slightly at saying it out loud, and Maya feels her own face warming up a bit too. But she stands firm, keeping her arm steady at Claudine's hip, and leaning into her support in turn.

The giraffe blinks slowly.

"Ah, yes. Of course a passion kindled by the stage would flourish to such a degree. A love born elsewhere is only strengthened by the experiences you share together in revue. It shows in your battles, in your movements, in every last part of your performance." He turns his head a little, then dips it. "Very well. I shall honor your request as promised. But I can only show you what you have asked; an ideal, not a guarantee."

And suddenly, everything vanishes in a flash of white.

Gasping, Maya and Claudine cling more tightly to one another, fearful of separation. But they aren't forced apart. They cast nervous gazes around the blankness.

"Where… are we?" Claudine murmurs.

"I'm not sure…" Maya doesn't know what to expect - if the giraffe was being truthful or deceitful. But when she inches her hand down to feel at her hip, her sword is still missing. Warily, she pulls Claudine closer to her side. "Stay close. We don't know if-"

But suddenly, both of them flinch at the same time as something sends a pang through their heads.

"Ah- Wh-What is this-?"

"I… don't know-"

But just as quickly as the pain had come, it vanishes. A moment passes before both girls cautiously open their eyes again.

They find themselves looking into the room of some unfamiliar apartment. It's quite nice, having all the necessary space and furniture. But the most shocking feature of the image they're being shown is a familiar person.

There is a young woman there, probably in her early to mid-twenties. She has long brown hair with a blue ribbon at the back, and a dancer's figure. She is cooking something in the kitchen and humming a familiar tune.

It's clear who she is. After all, they had asked to see their ideal future selves.

Claudine blinks in disbelief as she looks to the girl at her side, and then to the girl in the image she's being shown. It's like watching a film; the older Maya can't see or hear them, and when she turns to exit the kitchen she fazes right through them.

Maya gets chills at the sight of what might some day be her future self. It feels like she shouldn't be here right now…

But a soft grip on her hand melts her uneasiness away. When she glances to Claudine, she's steady and grounded.

"Well, it's good to know you don't start getting wrinkles at a young age," she says as a playful jab.

Maya smiles a little.

"Is that a compliment? Do you mean to say you are still attracted to me at that age?"

"Wh-" Claudine scoffs, unable to make a comeback, so she simply mutters something in French.

Maya chuckles.

"Thank you."

"I'll bet you're an awful cook, though."

"You may very well be correct with that guess."

They both chuckle, but it's a little forced, a little nervous. There's just one thing troubling the both of them now; if this is Maya's ideal future, then where is Claudine? Is she not meant to be a part of her life? Does this mean the two of them are best off apart? Does this mean their relationship isn't meant to persist?

As the images of an older Tendo Maya continue playing in front of their eyes, Claudine's heart begins to ache for every second she doesn't see herself in that future.

Maya tightens her hold on Claudine's hand, brushing in close to her side. She can feel her trembling, hoping...

They watch for a few moments longer, following this older version of Maya around the apartment. There is evidence that two people are living there, but they can't make sense of the other party's belongings or identity.

Then, there must be someone at the door, because the older Maya hurries over to greet them.

Claudine holds her breath. She dreads the notion of watching some man walk in, or some other woman. Anyone else but herself. It has to be her… right?

She closes her eyes and sends out a silent prayer.

"Oh, Ma Claudine…" Maya whispers into her ear, nuzzling her cheek softly. "You haven't changed a bit."

Claudine slowly opens her eyes and looks up to the images playing in front of her.

The young woman who walks through Maya's apartment door is dressed in a fancy tan trench coat and black leggings. Her hair is wavy and silvery-blonde, curled all down her back.

Claudine sniffles and lets out an irritated, but happy, little sigh.

"Thank goodness…"

Maya purrs into her ear.

"Are you relieved?"

"Wh-?! Don't be so full of yourself! Of course I'm…"

But Claudine tapers off as she watches this older version of herself open her arms wide to her Maya, who pulls her into a deep, warm kiss.

Both of them fall into an amusedly awkward silence, fidgeting now as they watch these projections of themselves being so intimate. Claudine blushes and looks away briefly, back up to her own Maya. She's bemused to find her blushing as well.

"So…?" she prompts. "What do you think of me?"

Maya blinks, then shakes her head, as if snapping herself out of a small trance.

"But of course. Your beauty remains incomparable, even this many years later, Ma Claudine. Your skin is still just as fair and flawless, your hair is just as luscious and lovely, your figure is-"

"A-All right, that's enough!"

"But my compliments for you know no end."

"Just like my irritation for you knows none…"

When their older selves finally part, Maya's counterpart take's her Claudine's hand and kisses it, then begins leading her into the living room area. And though Claudine's older self is clearly acting bashful, she joins her in a slow, whimsical waltz around the couch.

Maya nudges her partner as they observe.

"You're still as adorable as ever, I see. What was the term that Hoshimi-san once used? 'Tsundere'?"

"Quiet, you!" Claudine huffs. "If you're still this infuriating in the future, I have to wonder how I've managed to put up with you for so long…"

Maya ends up chuckling perfectly in sync with her projected self, just as each of their Claudines flush pink.

They watch their older images as they speak words they can't hear. Maya appears as suave and flirty as ever, and Claudine equally as irked but accepting of her behavior. But as soon as they start to dance, they both get very involved with it.

They strut and twirl and laugh, moving with ease and grace, steps that demonstrate familiarity. There are movements they both know all too well, motions and steps they already recognize they've learned, and then some they haven't taught themselves yet.

As the two of them watch, their hands come apart so they may wrap their arms across each other's backs.

"Good to see you haven't lost your touch," Claudine comments. "Though that twirl just now was a bit stiff, don't you think?"

"I haven't the slightest idea as to what you're talking about."

"You're in denial. Look at those steps! You're out of practice."

"I assure you, you're seeing things."

"Am I? Who is it that appears to be a stay-at-home wife here? I'll bet I'm the one going to work onstage."

"Oh, Ma Claudine, can't you tell? It is clear we both work in theater together in this world. I simply came home early in order to prepare you a surprise dinner."

"Y-You're still doing such unnecessary things, even in the future…"

They're both so caught up in their little banter as usual that neither really notice how Claudine had just assumed Maya would ideally be her future wife.

Their older selves continue to dance, and once the playful bickering has subsided, it's the same as always.

They're both smiling, laughing, being as close as possible…

As Maya and Claudine watch, they can't help but move closer to each other, sighing happily at the possibility of their future together. It seems like such a simple, but perfect life. And even though it is only an ideal, not a guarantee, it's safe to say they can absolutely make it a reality together.

Before very much longer, the projections of their potential future selves begin to dissipate. Maya and Claudine hold tightly to one another as their surroundings melt away, and their senses jumble a bit.

The next thing they know, they are waking in each other's arms, finding themselves in Maya's bed. The aches and pains from their revue have vanished, and the only indication any of it may have been real is a slight but mutual dizziness.

They blink at one another before groggily pushing themselves up on their elbows. They both know full-well by now that their revues often end up being shared dreams.

As Claudine gets her bearings, Maya runs her fingers through her curls and pets slowly down her back.

"Well," she hums. "That was certainly interesting. How do you feel?"

"Fine," Claudine replies quietly.

"Are you unhappy with what may be our ideal future together?"

"Not at all."

Maya leans over her to steal a soft kiss. Claudine curls her arms around Maya's shoulders and hugs her closer. When they ease apart for air, Claudine gives her the tiniest pout.

"There is… one thing that bothers me though…"

Maya kisses her nose. "Please do tell."

Claudine fidgets a little bit, twirling her fingers through Maya's hair.

"…Was she prettier than me…?"

It takes Maya great effort not to chuckle outright.

"Ma Claudine… could you be jealous of yourself…?"

"Quiet! That's not what I mean! You just seemed to be ogling her quite a bit… Do you have a thing for older girls?"

This time Maya can't stop herself from laughing. She slips her arms around Claudine's waist and rolls them both over, now holding her girlfriend snugly on top of her chest.

"I swear on my life that the only person in the world I have a 'thing' for is you, Ma Claudine. If I was staring, it was only because she was you."

"But prettier, right?"

"Nonsense." Maya strains up to peck her cheek. "You are always the prettiest you could ever be. Until tomorrow, because then you become even more beautiful, somehow."

Claudine's face begins to heat up. She ducks her head into Maya's shoulder and huffs.

"I suppose... you weren't half bad-looking yourself… Though I still prefer you as you are now."

"I'm quite honored." Maya hugs her for a long moment, and Claudine wriggles her hands around her sides as well. There is a soft, warm, happy pulse beating between them. As Maya nuzzles Claudine's cheek, she leaves a whisper in her ear.

"I've no doubt we can turn our ideal into a reality."

Claudine plants a tiny kiss on her temple.

"Nor have I."

After all, knowing the two of them, anything and everything is possible.

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A/N: There you have it! The request was that these two glimpse a vision of their future selves, and then react accordingly.