On This Night, Which Is Ours (ch2)

It's been a while, hasn't it? I wanted to make sure to have something big for Maya's birthday this year, so this story will be getting a chapter 2! Even though it's been a year since I posted chapter 1, this chapter takes place right after the events of the previous one. I hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Shoujo Kageki Revue Starlight.

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						Chapter 2.

The evening sun sets slowly, and with it, it takes the scrutiny of daylight.

As the boisterous oranges and golds slip away, quieter blues take their place, providing a more welcoming and vulnerable world in twilight.

Several days and nights have passed for the two girls, and each one since has been just the slightest bit awkward, with neither being certain if they should initiate something as they had on the night of Claudine's 18th birthday.

Having done it once, it seemed almost impossible to refrain from it every night that followed.

For nearly a week, they had enjoyed the softer, calmer nights wrapped in each other's arms, sharing gentle kisses and pressing close until the beats of their hearts had overlapped perfectly and lulled them both to sleep.

But ever since that first night, the heat has begun building up anew, and it was only a matter of time before neither could bear it any longer.

Tonight, only the scenery has changed. There is no canopy coating the bed, nothing to shield them and maintain their privacy from the night.

And yet, that makes it all the more exciting.

Several small charms in the shape of birds dangle from the lamp shade and sway gently in the breeze that slips in through the open window. The summer night lets in warm air from somewhere far away, fresh and motivating, the kind of air that - when inhaled - drives one to move rather than to settle.

Though the room has changed, the participants and the heat inside of them have not.

With another day of rigorous training and lessons behind them, Maya takes Claudine by the hand and guides her to the bed. And even though Claudine follows, Maya feels just the slightest bit of resistance from her; not in the sense that she doesn't wish to join her, but rather as if there is something else on her mind to preoccupy her.

Maya pauses just shy of the bed and turns to her curiously, inquiring with her eyes. Claudine shakes her head to convey it's nothing, but Maya sees through her with ease. With an inviting tilt of her chin, she takes a seat on the edge of the mattress and has Claudine sit beside her.

"Saijou-san?" Maya traces her thumb over the back of her hand in slow, soothing strokes. "Is something the matter? Do you feel all right?"

Maya's concern is unwarranted, but so touching that it sends Claudine's heart into a fluster, which both annoys and delights her.

"I'm fine. It's just…" She hadn't expected to be asked about the topic or to put words to it, so she's at a loss. In trying to focus her attention on her thoughts and words, her eyes end up traveling down Maya's front with a bit of a telling intent in them, and her grip on her hand tightens ever so slightly. Maya interprets that glance just perfectly, and has to hold herself down from sounding too excited.

"Would you perhaps care to…?" She leaves it at that, and waits a moment for Claudine to fill in the rest. Once she understands, Claudine stutters instantly.

"N-Not that! I mean-"

It's embarrassing how the topic had come up so quickly, but that tells her it's been at the forefront of Maya's mind just as strongly as it had been at hers. Feeling a blush coming on already, Claudine casts her gaze to their entwined hands. Drawing in a deep breath of the evening air, she calms her heart and chooses her words with delicacy.

"It's just that… on my birthday, we did it… because I finally turned 18…" She tapers off, clearly unfinished. Maya understands it's difficult for her to say such intimate things outright, so she reaches up her unoccupied hand to card it through Claudine's hair, stroking the backs of her fingers softly against her neck, encouraging her to continue. Claudine exhales.

"It just… It was sort of unfair, don't you think?"

"Eh…?" Perplexed, Maya pauses her movements as a beat of discomfort passes through her chest. "Did I do something wrong? Did you not like it after all…?"

"No-!" Claudine flashes her hand up to quickly grab Maya's, holding it in place against her cheek. She shakes her head vigorously. "No! Mechante va- interpreting it in such a way... No, that's not it. I didn't say it properly. I loved everything about that night. Everything." She watches the beginnings of panic melt away from Maya's gaze as clarity takes its place. Claudine slips her fingers between hers to interlock them. "Don't go jumping to conclusions before I've finished."

"My apologies."

"It's fine." Claudine exhales slowly, if not a bit shakily. She can already feel Maya's hands trembling a little bit too. "What I meant to say was… that night seemed unfair to you."

"…Eh…?" Now Maya is exponentially more puzzled than before. Her mouth hangs open a little, as if she truly can't comprehend anything now. "Saijou-san… Whatever could you mean? That was, without a doubt, the best night of my life. I, too, loved every second of it. More than words can express." Unable to hold herself back from touching her more, Maya leans forward to kiss her cheek. Claudine huffs, but pulls her closer nonetheless, until she has Maya wrapped in a small embrace.

"I'm glad. Even though it was obvious how we were both feeling at the time, I'm glad to hear you say it again." It truly makes her heart unspeakably happy to know Maya had enjoyed herself just as much as Claudine herself had. She wants that again.

"What we did that night… It was for my birthday, right? And yet, we couldn't do anything the week before on your birthday, because we had wanted to wait until I was officially of-age…"

Putting it into words is making Claudine's heart pound. Maya feels it thumping quickly against her chest, lively and nervous and genuine. As the meaning of Claudine's words begins to register, Maya locks her arms more tightly around her. Again, she tries not to sound too excited, but a hint of hopefulness does leak its way into her tone.

"I see… so then…?"

Claudine breathes out slowly, burying her face into Maya's hair and shoulder. She nuzzles the fabric of the blue nightgown aside to reveal the white skin underneath, and presses her lips to it. A shiver shoots up Maya's spine, and a hum escapes her lips.

"Tonight-" Claudine huffs. "I want it to be your belated birthday present."

The meaning of those words is clear enough. Something warm and vibrant blossoms within Maya's heart, eager to fan its petals wide beneath her light.

Truth be told, she has been in dire want of touching her again over the past few nights, but for fear of sounding too greedy or impatient so soon after their first time, she had kept the feeling to herself.

Maya is so wrapped up in her mirth and her excitement now that she doesn't respond clearly right away. Which of course leaves her partner feeling just a little hesitant.

"That is…" Claudine adds a bit nervously. "Unless you would rather not…"

And just like on that first night, the swiftness with which Maya responds is almost childish, but so dearly honest.

"No! Not at all!" She hugs Claudine tighter, spreading her hands wide across her back. "That is… Saijou-san… Claudine… I want to. Please."

Claudine tries not to let her own eagerness show through, but it must be evident in the way her hands have become warmer, enough to seep their warmth in through the nightgown and touch Maya directly.

A moment passes between them as they savor what this means - what is about to happen. The moonlight is pale as it mists over them, turning everything to seashell colors, glowing and secretive.

As their pulses move in time with one another's, they let the reality wash over them like the tide. And as it recedes, a familiar heat is left in its wake. A heat that has existed for several days now, and perhaps had begun re-forming as soon as the morning after that first night. It has been dormant for a few days and nights, spreading slowly.

But now, with the mutual knowledge of what is to come shared and accepted between them, it branches out all at once, filling their veins and rushing through every inch of them.

But even so, they breathe slowly and keep their thoughts as clear as possible.

"Tonight…" Claudine murmurs against her neck. "It's as if it's your birthday, Tendo Maya. We can do whatever you'd like." And right after saying such a suggestive line in her low, rasp of a voice, Claudine adds on a bit more nervously. "Th-That is, within reason. I'll do my best to do… whatever you'd like…"

Hearing such words from her is a bit too much for Maya all at once. She bites back a soft squeal and simply pulls her closer, locking Claudine in her arms.

Of course, Maya has fantasized about many things, but she would never dream of asking Claudine to try anything that would make her uncomfortable. For those, Maya will wait for a time in the future, when they are both more experienced with this sort of thing together.

For now, tonight - her belated birthday night - she already can hardly fathom the freedom Claudine is offering to her, the endless options of what they could do, both to and for one another.

Maya takes a moment to think it over, all the while feeling the beat of Claudine's heart against her own. There is so much she could request that Claudine do for her. And yet… And yet…

After a few moments have passed and the moonlight has shifted, Claudine begins to wonder if Maya might have gotten so ahead of herself she'd all but passed out since she has grown so quiet, though her fervent grip on Claudine says otherwise. Even so, Claudine nudges her softly around her sides to gain her attention.

"Hey, Tendo Maya? L-Listen, even though I made such an offer, don't go thinking about anything crazy. Right now, there's only so much I can-"

"Of course." Maya shakes herself off, pulling her thoughts from the reverie as she eases back finally, enough to meet Claudine's gaze. The pink in her eyes is bright with nervousness, and Maya apologizes with a chaste kiss to her lips.

"I apologize if my silence put any pressure on you. I was merely trying to think of how we might begin tonight." Maya smiles gently, carding her fingers through her girlfriend's hair and down the length of her back. "But… even though you have made such an impossibly generous offer to me… one I'm sure took quite a toll on you… After all, it's just as I thought…"

"What?" Claudine huffs. "Just spit it out."

Maya dips her head, blushing faintly.

"Even though you made such a generous offer... to do anything for me… As I thought… the thing I want most right now is to touch you…"

Claudine stiffens a little - not because of anything negative, but rather because it was such a thrilling thing to hear.

If not slightly vexing.

She exhales slowly over Maya's shoulder, then kisses the side of her neck. And this time, she presses her teeth in lightly by means of scolding.

"Mechante va… It's supposed to be your birthday, and yet you want to do things for me…"

"Perhaps do not think of it as 'for you,' but 'to you.'"

"Wh-Why you-! Don't say such things so blatantly!"

"Oh? Even though we are about to-?"

Claudine bites.

"If you say it again so thoughtlessly I might have second thoughts."

Maya chuckles, and it ends in a soft moan at the pressure against her neck.

"In any case… is my selfish request one you might be able to consider tonight, Ma Claudine?"

Claudine huffs. Truth be told, what she had wanted most from this was to be able to take care of Maya properly as Maya had done for her. But tonight isn't about what she wants. So if this is Maya's wish…

"Of course I'll do it…" Claudine relents. Not that she is unhappy about it, of course, but perhaps just a bit unsatisfied. Therefore, she makes a request of her own. "But after, if you're still fine with it… I want to be selfish with you, too. Got it?"

Maya purrs, easing her into another embrace, pressing them close together.

"You say that as though I will not always be fine with doing such things with you, Claudine."

Claudine growls in the back of her throat.

"Fine. Then I won't hold back."

Maya eases back with a smirk.

"Oh? For you to have the confidence to think you'll have so much energy left once I'm finished with you… How cute."

"Why, you insufferable woman-"

Maya silences her with a kiss, her hands already roaming freely across Claudine's body. Claudine shudders softy beneath her touch, much more willing than irked. But still a bit irked. She's going to make sure to repay Tendo Maya properly. But for the moment…

"Ah-" A small squeak slips out when Maya kisses her with a bit of force, and at the same time lets one of her hands slip down to Claudine's chest. Maya smiles at her reaction and drinks her in, feeling the way her body arcs towards hers, even so early on. Cradling one hand behind Claudine's head, she massages the other across her chest, feeling the familiar softness yielding beneath her palm.

In turn, she feels Claudine's arms curl around her shoulders, and a light scrape of nails against the back of her neck. They've only done this once before and seen it through, and yet now their bodies move as though they are much more seasoned in the act.

As Claudine kisses her, Maya divides her focus between her hands - one to support her back, and the other to fiddle with the sash at her hip. It holds for a moment, which adds a bit of fun to the challenge, but with Maya's impatience and intent driving her, the sash soon comes undone, and seems glad for it.

Following the heat in her stomach, Maya pushes Claudine down onto her back, and as Claudine draws her legs up onto the bed fully, Maya lies herself between them.

As she had done the last time, Maya braces some of her weight on her elbows on either side of Claudine, but she does let a good amount of her weight settle directly over her. Such a pressure accomplishes two things; not only does it make Claudine feel a bit more comfortable and steady, but it also lets Maya's intentions be very clearly portrayed.

Already, Maya's knee is between both of Claudine's, and making its way higher. At the same time, one hand touches the exposed skin of her thigh and travels upward, beneath the shelter of the nightgown.

Claudine pulls her down into another heavy kiss. The sensations are all over her body, in every place Maya is touching her, spreading completely; she almost feels it so strongly that she feels nothing at all. Heart and mind racing, she feels a bit guilty in pulling away from her and panting her request.

"M-Maya…"

The second Maya hears the slight hesitancy in her voice, she stops immediately and draws back to find her eyes.

"Yes? What is it?"

Claudine is quiet for a moment, debating with herself if she should've spoken up and interrupted the pace. But when Maya eases in to leave a light kiss on her forehead, she knows Maya wants to hear her honest feelings above all else. Claudine sighs.

"It's just… a bit fast."

Maya tilts her head. She rests her hand over Claudine's heart and waits a moment, then dips her head.

"Indeed it is."

"Not that!" Claudine snaps. Her face becomes a darker shade of pink. "What I meant was…" She gives Maya a compelling look, begging her not to make her say it out loud.

It takes Maya a moment, but she soon understands. After all, she had been quite eager just now, and definitely set quite a fast pace for this. It was likely a bit too overwhelming for Claudine right at the start.

Maya lays over her once more, kissing her gently, sweetly.

"My apologies."

"I-It's not a big deal," Claudine huffs. "I just wasn't sure if you intended to be going that quickly. You can do whatever you want tonight, after all."

Maya shakes her head.

"I'm afraid you're mistaken. What we are doing… such a thing should require both of us to be comfortable, no? So I apologize if the pace was too quick. I'm very glad you told me as much." Maya kisses her lips, willingly slowing things down a little. "You are absolutely right, Claudine. I allowed my greed to consume me for a moment, when in truth I want nothing more than to savor every second of this. Of your gift to me tonight…"

Maya hugs her against the mattress and lies over her for a moment, feeling Claudine return the embrace, folding both arms across her back. Maya nuzzles into the side of her neck. Letting her lips brush against the shell of her ear, she breathes out a whisper.

"As per your request, I shall take my time with you tonight, Ma Claudine."

The way Claudine shudders beneath her upon hearing those words is irresistibly enticing for Maya. But she minds her self-control now that Claudine has reminded her of its existence, feeble as it may be in this situation. Maya has her fun with the tease, but soon softens with another kiss to Claudine's cheek.

"I shall take the chance to be a bit selfish tonight, so please forgive me. But please don't hesitate to tell me what you are feeling. The good and the bad."

Claudine huffs weakly, too touched to be irritated anymore.

"You know I will. Someone's got to keep you in check, don't they?"

"Indeed. And there is no one else who could accomplish such a trying feat."

"Trying is right… It's a miracle I'm still sane."

At this point, Maya raises her knee until it makes contact with a soft warmth.

"Then please. Allow me to test that sanity of yours tonight, Saijou Claudine."

"As if you aren't already…"

Maya chuckles and dives in for the next kiss.

Her hands continue doing as they please, slowly rolling up Claudine's nightgown at the waist and pulling it down from her collar until her shoulders have been exposed. Maya delves into the majorly-untouched skin; that is, untouched by anyone but her. She presses her lips to the junction of Claudine's shoulder, the side of her neck, and across her throat and chest, branding her with the scorching heat of her affection.

In return, Claudine leaves a few marks of her own down Maya's back, as she has also been focused on the task of undressing her. Maya feels the nails raking softly down her spine, pulling her down closer, deeper into the kisses.

The moonlight covers them both where the clothing has fallen aside, and another fresh breeze drifts into the room, which has begun to turn warm.

Maya massages her way down Claudine's bare chest, letting her own torso rest against hers so their hearts may beat together. Claudine gives her a hazy look, clouded-over but still fighting for clarity. She twirls her fingers through a few locks of Maya's hair and gives a tug. Maya happily obeys and indulges her in another heated kiss.

Even though they have only done this once, they are both comfortable enough now to know exactly what the other needs, and how, and when, and where.

But even though she knows, Maya, of course, still wants to hear her say it.

After spending several moments tending to Claudine's chest with her hands and lips alike, Maya makes her way back up to her face.

"Well?" she purrs. "How is it so far?"

Claudine is torn between salvaging her own pride, or letting Maya hear what she wants to hear, being that this is her belated present. She settles for a breathlessly-vague response.

"F-Fine…"

Maya frowns.

"Oh my, is that all? I suppose I'll have to put in a bit more effort then."

Saying as much, Maya hikes up Claudine's nightgown as far as her hip and presses her knee up against her. Claudine jolts, and her legs twitch together around Maya's as a moan escapes her. Maya grins.

"Saijou Claudine, you are absolutely perfect."

"Sh-Shut up…"

Maya leans over to kiss her chest again, gliding her lips over the smooth white skin, bare and warm. She trails the kisses upward, and at the same time moves one hand up her inner thigh.

Claudine isn't sure which part to focus on. Her mind truly does feel as though it's slipping already, but she holds tight.

When she next opens her eyes, she finds sliver pools like the midnight ocean staring back at her, watching bemusedly and with love. Claudine doesn't let her get a word in and pulls her into another kiss.

At the same time, Maya touches her through the final piece of fabric that separates them. Claudine makes a criminally-cute sound, as if she had tried to moan but it had gotten trapped between their mouths, so it had spiraled back down her throat and then withered out her nose in a helpless breath.

Maya wants to keep having her make such noises all night long if possible. She had said she would take her time, after all.

And yet, her greed and impatience really are too strong for her own good - or anyone else's.

She wants Claudine now.

Even Claudine must be able to read how little self-control Maya already has left, because she rolls her eyes just a bit.

"Maya?" she asks in a knowing voice.

Maya bites her lip just a little.

"Claudine… may I…?"

"Like I said, you can do whatever you want. Of course you can."

"Is this pace all right for you? Are you ready so soon?"

"At this point-" Claudine fidgets just a bit beneath her, turning her face to look elsewhere. "I think I'd prefer it sooner…"

Maya is joyously delighted. She kisses Claudine on the lips, pausing her occupied hand for just a moment where it is. With her free hand, she pets through Claudine's hair and caresses her cheek, then kisses her nose. Claudine huffs, pulling her down by her shoulders to nip at her neck a bit. Maya responds by gliding the fingers of her lower hand. Claudine whines.

"You're so unfair-"

"Indeed, I am. Perhaps I should tease you a bit more after all."

Maya does just that, moving her fingers certain ways until Claudine reacts the way she wants her to and makes more of those adorable sounds. Maya kisses her collar slowly, grazing her teeth here or there. Claudine tilts her head back, eyes squeezed shut as she tries to muffle another heavy moan.

"Claudine~" Maya hums. "Sing for me, ma chérie~"

"Haa-?!" It was most likely meant to be a sound of outrage, but with her current position and state of mind, it sounds much more like a flawless response to the command. Maya chuckles.

"Well done. You deserve a reward now, yes?"

Maya moves her legs to ease Claudine's apart, then finds the elastic that still stands in their way and starts to pull it down. Claudine helps, moving herself as she needs to until she's free of it.

Out of habit and modesty, she naturally attempts to bring her legs closer together, but Maya's knee interferes. Hunching forward, she pins Claudine to the mattress with a hungry spark in her eyes.

"This is your last chance to change your mind."

Claudine snorts softly.

"As if."

"Then please pardon the intrusion."

Maya cups her cheek, and both girls close their eyes as they indulge in another kiss.

The heat is palpable now, from every inch of their bodies which scream silently to be touched more. Claudine interlocks her fingers together behind Maya's neck and holds tightly, gasping as Maya breaks the kiss. Silver eyes pass over her body with an innate hunger.

"You truly are so beautiful, Ma Claudine."

"You're insufferable."

"But of course."

Maya takes her lips once more, and at the same moment pushes inside. The soft warmth surrounds her, and at the same time Claudine lets out an incorrigible sound.

"Ngh-"

Maya remembers her request not to rush. She pauses, letting Claudine adjust and shift as she needs to.

In the meantime she contents herself with peppering kisses across Claudine's chest once more, listening to the melody of her hitched breathing. And in spite of her insatiable greed and hunger, right now, all Maya wants to do is whisper the honest truth to her.

"You are so beautiful, Claudine. I want you to feel good."

She feels a twinge around her fingers as Claudine's whole body shudders. Claudine exhales, giving her a needy, half-lidded look.

"Then do it already."

Maya steals her lips again.

"With pleasure."

She begins to move, slowly at first, remembering how she had built it up the previous time. Mindful of Claudine's reaction, she does what is best for her, setting a specific rhythm and angle.

All the while she kisses her silly, her lips and her other hand roaming as relentlessly as the hand between her legs.

It isn't long before she feels Claudine's grip on her neck begin to tighten. Nails score Maya's back, clinging, and Claudine's breathing falters. Maya knows she is close.

But in the moment, a cruel streak of curiosity strikes her. She knows Claudine prefers a faster pace.

So Maya does just the opposite and slows down.

Immediately, Claudine whines in protest, letting out a sharp breath through grit teeth and she raises her hips needfully. Maya bites her lip at the sight of her, trapped in limbo just seconds shy of nirvana. She savors the moment just a little.

"Oh?" With a hum, she lays more heavily over her. "Is something the matter…?"

Claudine tries to glare. But whatever fury she tries for is drowned out by desperation.

"M-Maya-"

"Say it," Maya commands, then adds more gently. "If you would...?"

Claudine gasps softly, trying to hold onto the feeling that's already fading so quickly. She swallows her pride, telling herself it's not begging; it's just what Maya wants to hear.

"S'il vous plaît."

'Please…'

Maya has had her fun. This is more than enough for her. Pressing down over her, she begins to move again.

Instantly, Claudine arches into her touch, embracing her so tightly that Maya is impressed she has so much strength left in her. She kisses her lips briefly, then recoils in order to let Claudine use whatever fractured breath she can gather at the moment. Her breathing becomes wild, and the heat inside her reaches a boiling point. Maya feels it, and she moves toward it.

Claudine whimpers, drawing her attention. Maya finds her gaze without letting up her pace.

Claudine gasps thinly.

"M-Maya…"

Maya can already see in her eyes that she is about to lose herself.

"Yes?" she says sweetly. "Tell me what you need. Anything."

Claudine can barely get the words of her request out.

"T-Tell me-"

She can't say anymore, because she loses her breath.

Luckily, Maya knows exactly what she means. So she gives it to her with all the love in her heart.

"Sing for me~ Je t'aime, Ma Claudine."

"Aah-!"

Claudine tenses, her whole body curling up against Maya's and locking them both in place. Waves of heat crash through her from head to toe, surging around Maya's fingertips.

Maya holds her down, allowing her to feel the full effect of it for as long as possible. In her opinion, the pleasure seems even stronger than what she had given Claudine on her birthday, which strokes her ego a good amount.

It lasts longer, too.

Maya doesn't move for the duration of it, not until Claudine's arms sag around her and she goes limp. Once it's over, Maya removes her fingers and lies down on top of her, feeling her bask in the afterglow.

Claudine gasps for air, her breath somehow heavy and thin at the same time. Maya trails her lips across her throat, up her neck to the side of her face, then across her temples to her forehead, down the bridge of her nose and finally back to her lips. She can feel Claudine's pulse pounding through her entire body, and she quivers from tremors of bliss.

Maya can't kiss her enough, slipping both arms around her sides and beneath her to bring herself closer to her.

It takes Claudine a few moments to come down from the high, shaking and sweating, her hair and what remains of her clothes ruffled and in disarray.

No matter how many times they might do this in the future from now on, Maya knows she will never tire of this sight.

When she is finally able to speak again, Claudine glowers up at her.

"Quit gawking."

"Oh, but this is exactly what I wanted for my present. To see such a beautiful sight~"

"Mechante va…"

"How was it?" Maya coos. "Did it feel good?"

Claudine blushes so red it's notable even in the darkness.

"What do you think? Don't make me say it!"

Maya laughs, then nuzzles into her neck.

"I am glad. This is all I wanted, Claudine."

Claudine huffs, her heartbeat finally settling down. She can feel her strength returning to her.

"Oh, no," she snorts. "Don't think you're going to weasel your way out of this one. I said I'm going to do something for you, and I meant it."

"Eh?" Puzzled, Maya eases back a little. "But you've just… Are you certain you wouldn't rather relax for now?"

"This isn't about me, you idiot. This is about you tonight. And I want to do something for you. That is, unless you don't want it-"

And just like before, Maya responds instantly and honestly.

"Not at all!" She shakes her head quickly. "I would never refuse such an offer from you, Claudine."

"Good." Claudine braces herself up on her elbows and meets her eyes directly. "Then it's my turn. I hope you're prepared."

Had Maya been standing, she might've gotten weak in the knees to the point of collapse.

Claudine grabs handfuls of her hair and pulls her down into another heated kiss, putting an amount of force into it that tells of her intentions. She is in charge now. That much is very clear.

Maya relents, sinking into her slowly. She feels the moment when Claudine begins to shift their body weight, rolling Maya onto her side, and then her back.

Claudine rests on top of her, her torso only haphazardly and poorly covered by the pink nightgown that dangles off her shoulders. She heaves warm breaths across Maya's skin, doing her the favor of removing her nightgown now as well. The second the material has slipped off, Claudine feels a heat wafting up from underneath. She smirks.

"Well now, it seems you've been holding back a bit, haven't you? Impressive, for someone so greedy."

Claudine sits up, straddling her hips. Maya gazes up at her in awe - her chest just enticingly exposed by the silken fabric, her hair shining silver in the moonlight, her skin glistening with warmth, her eyes fiery pink.

Only now does Maya realize just how badly she craves Claudine's touch.

Maya grabs one of her hands and pulls her forward, trying to maintain her composure for as long as possible. Claudine laces their fingers together, but uses her free hand to begin exploring Maya's torso.

Maya sighs, closing her eyes and tilting her head back. It isn't that she'd been deprived of touch - far from it, dating Saijou Claudine. But it wasn't so often this direct, or on such places as Claudine gives attention to now. Maya shivers beneath her, and Claudine settles back over her to keep her warm.

"How can you be so perfect?" she mutters against her ear. "Seriously. It isn't fair."

Maya lets out a light laugh, folding her arms around Claudine's shoulders.

"Claudine…" It isn't a request or a question, but simply her name. Maya just feels like saying it.

Claudine starts off by kissing her temple, easing her lips down the side of her face. She pauses at Maya's lips and bites softly, all the while letting her hands move across her chest. She pauses them to feel Maya's heartbeat, noting how it's begun to speed up already. Claudine smirks.

"For someone who was so determined to do things to me, you're quite impatient when it's your turn, aren't you?"

And normally, Maya would have a retort to send right back at her. But as she is now, she can't find the sense to make a comeback. Claudine is satisfied with that.

"Oh? The mighty Tendo Maya is suddenly speechless, hm? Good. I'm only getting started."

Claudine pries Maya's knees apart with her own, planting herself between her legs. She moves upward until she makes contact with a soft heat. Maya squirms a little, and Claudine tries not to be too cruel about it.

She moves back in, letting her hands do as they please, running up Maya's sides slowly, massaging her chest and collar. Claudine tends to her lips once again, feeling another kind of heat stirring inside herself now. Unlike before, this is slightly different. Rather than being taken care of and given the pleasure, there is a different joy that comes from being the one to provide that pleasure for someone else.

Of course, Maya always assured her that she was satisfied with everything they've done up until now. But this will be the first time she'll actually be receiving it like this.

When Claudine realizes this, she pauses for a moment and eases back. Maya's eyes are closed comfortably, but she opens them with an unspoken inquiry. Claudine dips down to brush their cheeks together.

"Hey, Maya? Are you all right so far? This isn't… too much for you, is it…?"

A trill of warmth and love spreads through Maya's chest. She hugs Claudine close and kisses her cheek.

"Certainly not. I am perfectly fine, Claudine. More than fine, in fact. I love everything you are doing, and I love you."

Claudine exhales slowly, relieved to hear it.

"All right. But- if anything feels off… if anything hurts or-"

"I shall tell you right away," Maya reassures her. "Of course. But I truthfully don't think you will need to worry about that at all."

"All right." Claudine swallows, then prepares to continue. "Then if there's anything specific you'd like..."

Maya perks up just a little bit, and Claudine tilts her head.

"Oh? What is it. Tell me and I'll do it for you."

For once, it's Maya who blushes more strongly of the two of them. She turns her head coyly to one side.

"Then if you wouldn't mind… could you use your teeth?"

"My-?" Claudine blinks, then smirks again, more devilishly. "Oh? You mean like this~?" With a rasp of a voice, she leans close and kisses Maya's neck, then curls her lips back to graze her teeth against the smooth skin.

Maya tenses and fidgets in delight.

"Ahn-"

Claudine nearly sputters at the sound Maya makes. She likes it a lot.

As such, she continues downward to her collar, using her teeth to nip and bite softly. Maya moans in the back of her throat with each one.

Claudine experiments with the amount of force, just enough to find the right amount for Maya's preference. All the while, she feels the heat at her knee growing hotter.

For a while, Claudine leaves light marks along Maya's shoulders and neck, stroking her fingers back through her bangs and down her sides. She elicits all kinds of sounds from Maya in this manner, sounds she's never heard before, sounds she wants to keep hearing from her.

But before long, it becomes quite evident that she has other things to tend to.

With one last biting kiss to Maya's lips, Claudine begins directing her attention a bit lower. Pulling the blue nightgown up to Maya's navel, she replaces her knee with her hand. Maya exhales tautly.

"Is this what you want, Tendo Maya?"

Maya blinks hazily up at her in the moonlight.

"Yes… more than anything right now, Claudine… I want you to touch me…"

"Why you- saying it so brazenly... But there's no way I can refuse that request." She hunches over her, close enough to let her teeth tickle her ear in a heated whisper. "After all, I want to touch you, too, Tendo Maya."

For all her confident talk, Maya now has nothing to say but a whimper.

Claudine takes pride in the fact that only she can reduce her to mush like this, that only she is privileged enough to see and touch and hear her like this.

Oddly enough, it's in this moment when she understands Maya the most. Even though it is supposed to be Maya's birthday treatment right now, Claudine feels selfish. Because she is enjoying this immensely. She can only hope Maya is enjoying it even more.

Maya has waited long enough.

So Claudine removes the elastic as Maya had done for her previously, sliding it down to someplace unimportant. Heat pools between their bodies, stemming most strongly from Maya's, and understandably so.

Claudine takes a moment to pause and appreciate just how impossibly gorgeous she is. The refined and distinguished Tendo Maya now lies on her back before her in an unkept, unceremonious position, one that would prove embarrassing for anyone.

And yet she still makes it look so beautiful.

Claudine wants to ruin the perfection, just a little. She wants to see Maya make an expression she's never made before.

But first, she just has to be sure.

Planting a kiss on Maya's forehead, Claudine then kisses the backs of her eyelids until she opens them. She pauses her hand at Maya's stomach, rubbing softly.

"Are you sure this is all right?"

Maya's heart swells at her concern. She curls her arms fully around Claudine's shoulders and kisses the tip of her nose.

"Yes. Please, Claudine. I want you. More than anything."

Claudine nuzzles her gently.

"All right. Then let's do it."

With that warning, Maya is able to prepare herself. She trembles with anticipation, feeling Claudine's hand slide lower and lower.

Claudine touches her directly for the first time like this, stifling a sort of squeal. But in this situation, even the refined Tendo Maya becomes a bit more vocal.

"Mn…"

Claudine hears the moan, feels Maya's hips moving toward her fingers. Claudine tucks into the side of her neck and bites gently as she slips inside her.

It's so warm, so soft. More than she ever could have imagined.

Maya makes an assortment of noises beneath her, moving her legs to let Claudine in more. Claudine runs her free hand along her side, kissing her throat as she pushes in a little deeper. She pauses then, waiting for Maya to adjust.

At this point during her own turn, Claudine had been a fine mess. And yet, somehow Maya's breathing is still quite normal, and her pulse is rather steady. Claudine pouts just a little bit.

"You really are too perfect…"

"Only… because I have you, Saijou Claudine."

"Quiet. Is this all right?"

"Yes. Very much so."

Maya pulls her in for another kiss, eager and warm.

After a moment, Claudine begins to move. Right away, Maya responds to her, moving her hips in time with the rhythm.

Claudine recalls their first time; where she herself preferred a fast pace, she knows Maya prefers force instead. She adjusts herself accordingly, slowing her pace but adding to the strength of her movements.

In just seconds, Maya begins to come undone. Her voice begins slipping out between choppier breaths, and her body moves on its own. Claudine smiles, cupping the side of her face, having Maya turn her head to look up at her. Cheeks flushed, she can barely open her eyes. It's the exact kind of expression Claudine wanted to see from her.

"Well?" she murmurs. "Where is that incredible voice of yours now, Tendo Maya?"

Maya stutters, hands fumbling through Claudine's hair.

"C-Claudine-"

"Hm, not bad. But I know you can do better than that."

She doesn't want Maya to hold anything back. And she can tell Maya is a bit hesitant about it, so Claudine reassures her with another kiss.

"It's all right. I want you to feel good too, Maya."

Maya whimpers as the pressure mounts in her stomach. Her voice comes out a bit louder this time.

"Claudine-"

"Better. You're beautiful, you know."

Maya squeals in between gasps of air. Claudine doesn't let up, putting her stamina into play by maintaining her force and pace. She can feel Maya's tension building, feel her heat pooling.

"What else-?" she asks her, laying another kiss to the bridge of her nose. "What else do you need?"

She moves down to bite her neck softly as she waits for a reply. Maya yelps. She keeps one arm across Claudine's shoulders, but lets the other fall limply at her side on the bed. Shaking, she reaches her palm up just a little.

"Please-"

Claudine can't help but smile. For all of Maya's haughty talk - for all of her teasing antics and power plays…

When it comes down to it in this intimate moment, what she wants most of all is to hold Claudine's hand.

She really is too precious.

Claudine happily slips her free hand down into Maya's palm and laces their fingers together. Maya squeezes back as she starts to lose herself.

"C-Claudine-"

"Tendo Maya~"

Claudine doesn't stop. She pushes just a little harder toward the heat inside her. Feeling the exact moment when Maya tenses, she kisses her lips.

"Je t'aime, Ma Maya."

Claudine bites her neck gently and brings her over.

"Claudine-!"

Maya lets out a short scream, her fingers suddenly gripping Claudine's hand with all the force left in her body. Claudine holds still, wanting Maya to feel every second of it.

Maya jolts as the waves roll through her, charged with electricity. Her mind goes blank for an amount of time she can't make sense of. The sensations are so powerful she almost feels numb, but even so she feels Claudine there with her through it all.

Claudine drinks in the sight of her, engraves the sounds and the feelings into her heart. This is her love for Maya. She wants to keep giving it to her in every way possible.

At least for now, she's made her love known quite clearly.

Maya trembles, and then goes limp. Claudine exits, then brings her hand up to wrap Maya in a hug.

"I love you, Maya."

Maya is nearly in tears for all the right reasons. She nods again and again.

"I love you, Claudine…"

Claudine kisses those tears away, settling gently on top of her. Maya holds her there, savoring her contract and the feeling of her heart once again beating in time with her own.

They lie for several moments in the glowing warmth of their love, sharing everything with one another. Claudine rubs her sides and stomach while Maya rubs her back and shoulders.

Eventually, Claudine brings a blanket up over them. Maya rolls her to one side so they may face one another, slipping one knee between hers to move ever closer as they wrap their arms around each other tightly.

They share yet another kiss, softer now, sweeter. Their eyes shimmer in the moonlight, hazy yet clear.

"Claudine…" Maya coos, stroking through her hair. "Ma Claudine…"

Claudine nestles in, bumping their noses together.

"Maya. Ma Maya. Je t'aime… de tout mon coeur."

'With all my heart.'

Maya chuckles, and a single tear drips free.

"As do I. With all my heart. I love you so much."

The feeling, of course, is mutual.

Hugging each other close, the two girls close their eyes at last.

With a comfortable warmth between them, a familiar softness blanketing their souls, and their hearts beating as one, they drift off to sleep together.

And the moon watches on.

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A/N: It felt only right to add a ch2 for Maya's birthday this year. I hope it wasn't too redundant from ch1. I still poured my soul into it because they deserve it. All the hot rival stuff is great, don't get me wrong, but also just... consider them being soft like this.