Follow My Lead (ep2)

EARLY RELEASE FOR MY $30+ PATRONS!

Yes, this is their shotgun surprise honeymoon so yes, they will be doing what couples do on honeymoons. It's only my second or third NSFW fic ever, but it's not explicit! My sexual content is not the usual, and I hope you'll enjoy it!

Disclaimer: I do not own Shoujo Kageki Revue Starlight.

-----------

															Epilogue

															 Part 2.

Judging by the fact that they'd had their wedding the very day before, it's no surprise that Claudine falls asleep mere minutes after getting seated on the plane.

They'd had a bit of time to change out of their wedding dresses, before boarding, but Claudine had insisted upon taking the gowns with them.

They'd said goodbye to their parents and friends, then spent nearly half an hour getting swamped by hugs and words of congratulations at the airport before they'd gotten on board just before midnight. The announcement had been made that they were newlyweds, and their entire flight had cheered and clapped for them.

And now, just moments after getting their seats, Maya feels Claudine's hand go slack in hers. Maya isn't far behind. She falls asleep beside her beautiful bride as the plane to their honeymoon destination takes off.

They sleep for hours until the first layover, where both of them take turns in the restroom, and then order a bit of food to snack on. Once they take off again they're able to admire the dazzling views of the world below, shrouded in purple nighttime, the cities and streets speckled with thousands of lights down below.

They sleep again, long content hours until they reach Europe, and eventually their destination.

It all goes by so quickly from there.

They land when it is early morning in France's time, and while Maya is a bit groggy, Claudine is bursting with energy. She's absolutely beaming, much brighter than the early-morning sunshine showering down across the airport as they roll out their luggage.

A car is waiting for them, and Claudine excitedly speaks in her native tongue to the driver, barely able to keep up her professional, calm demeanor.

Maya chimes in here and there with a bit of her clearly unnatural accent, informing the driver of which hotel to take them to. She'd booked it under her new name; Maya Tendo-Saijou. The joint last name would take some getting used to for the both of them, but it shouldn't be very difficult.

She'd booked the room for a full week, and then they would fly back to Japan for the remainder of the summer to begin apartment hunting.

But that excitement would all come later.

For now she sits beside Claudine, fingers interlocked and squeezing tight as the car takes off. Maya had done a lot of research on France solely for the purpose of learning some of the language in hopes of impressing Claudine in their earlier school years. But all the photographs and videos she'd seen could never hope to compare to the actual, genuine charm of France; the architecture, the language, even the clothes people wear all emit an unmatched, poetic, and very romantic feeling.

Thanks to a bit of corroboration with Claudine's parents, Maya had booked them a hotel in the heart of Paris. When their car finally parks, bellhops are waiting at the doors to help with their luggage.

The bustling city blossoms all around them, sights and sounds and smells Maya has never experienced before, but Claudine is perfectly at home. She's so exceptionally giddy that in simply holding her hand Maya can feel her pulse dancing.

In spite of their eagerness to sightsee, they first check into their hotel and get settled. They take the elevator all the way up to the top floor, where the Eiffel Tower is within their sights from their room.

From there it's an hour or so of unpacking, showering, eating, and getting dressed. They're far more eager to explore than they are tired, so the newlyweds power through the minor jet lag for the time being and jump into France without hesitation.

And the country welcomes them with open arms.

Claudine has little recollection of Paris, but she leads the way with a confident gait, and for once Maya is the one following her lead.

They walk the streets surrounded by cars and people and buildings and life itself, the scents of fresh breads and even fresher flowers filling the air. With Maya in a cooling white skirt and blue blouse, and Claudine in a dazzling red sundress, it had been no real conscious decision of theirs to be wearing the country's flag colors. They surely must appear to be tourists.

But the second Claudine opens her mouth, she speaks with unparalleled perfection in the accent, with not so much as a hint of Japanese drawl on any syllable.

Maya loves listening to her speak, even when she can't comprehend everything.

Claudine orders their food at a humble cafe, awkwardly switching between French and Japanese to translate for Maya, oftentimes mixing the languages together in the same sentence, which always earns a laugh from her partner.

They eat in the morning, then window-shop through just about every store within their sights. Every so often a passerby or shopkeeper smiles and compliments the beautiful couple. Claudine always blushes and replies humbly, but Maya catches onto a few words like "mariée" and "femme", which she knew to be "married" and "wife."

Hearing those words makes Maya blush every time, without fail.

Which made her realize she had yet to address Claudine as such; as her wife.

'Bride' had been the word for yesterday, for their wedding.

But now...

Now she is her wife. Now and forever.

She needs to start using that word.

As they shop, Maya buys her a beautiful silver necklace with a heart-shaped locket, and Claudine buys her one to match, only in gold. They walk out hand-in-hand, hearts leaping. Claudine loops her arm around Maya's elbow and saunters close to her side, letting out a dreamy sigh.

"Now the only matter is to decide which picture to put inside. We have so many lovely ones."

"Indeed we do." Maya tilts her head to kiss her atop the head. "That can be one of many upcoming projects, to go through the photo albums."

"That could take years. I'm sure my mother used up ten cameras' worth..."

"As she should've. You were absolutely stunning. You still are."

"Flatterer."

"I speak only the truth about my incomparably beautiful wife."

The word must catch Claudine off guard because she stumbles on the sidewalk. Maya is swift to steady her, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her in as though it were a dance.

Claudine has showed her many adorable blushes over the years, but this one truly is the most adorable yet. The pink shades her skin as far up as her ears and as far down as her neck, and her eyes start to water instantly.

"I... that..." Claudine swallows, and Maya can feel her heart thumping. She can feel heat in her own face as well, and she even loses the smug smirk for half a second to chuckle.

"It's a word we'll both have to be getting used to, no?"

The pair is beginning to attract attention, giggles and glances of all sorts. Claudine looks about to faint. She throws her arms around Maya and buries herself into her shoulder to hide her face.

"Me'chante...! My heart wasn't ready for that..."

"Forgive me, ma princesse. I shall make it up to you with interest."

"Fine..." Claudine eases back, but latches straight back onto Maya's arm. "Let's go to the park."

"Are you sure you're up for it? We did have a rather eventual forty-eight hours, and we have an entire week left to sight-see." Maya speaks reasonably, but Claudine already has that beaming smile on her lips again.

"I can go a bit longer yet." And then the same old challenging spark in her eyes. "Can you?"

Maya's smirk returns.

"Absolutely."

So they venture to the park, taking photos on their phones, first of the scenery but ultimately of each other. They are very certain to show off their sparkling wedding rings as well. The simple act of glancing down at their own hands or the other's is enough to make each of their hearts sing.

They get swept up in the romance of such a beautiful country and end up dancing together, walking down the flower-lined paths hand-in-hand, sitting by the glistening blue pond and kissing...

By sundown they've retreated back to town for a small supper, and eventually make it back to their hotel room. The elevator ride up finds them drowsily leaning against one another, and when they enter their lavish room it is dyed in the warm pastel pinks and golds of sunset.

They saunter over to their suitcases and dig out nightgowns that haven't changed much over the years; Maya's still in blue and Claudine's in pink. They dress quietly, brushing their teeth together at the sink, brushing through each other's hair in turn.

When they return to their main room the sun has gone down and the sky has turned purple. Claudine wanders to the wide windows and simply gets lost in the beauty of her country. Maya comes up quietly and wraps her arms around her from behind, resting her chin on Claudine's shoulder.

They are still for a long while, relishing the reality that's almost too good to be true; married, newlywed, wives, honeymooning in France...

There is only one thing left Maya wants to do with her.

She tightens her hold on her wife just a little, feels every breath enter and leave her body, feels the profound beat of her heart. Her hands begin to roam aimlessly, across her stomach, up along her sides, holding her still. Claudine shudders involuntarily, and a small gasp escapes her.

Maya nuzzles against the nape of her neck where the chain of the necklace is cool against much warmer skin. She kisses her there, then trails her lips up along to her cheek. When she speaks, her voice is husky and honest.

"Would you mind terribly... if I paid you back with that interest tonight, Ma Claudine...?"

She can't see her expression directly, but she can feel her reaction; the tensing of her shoulders, the skip in her pulse, the tremor in her exhale. Claudine lays her own hands over Maya's and leans back against her – trusting. It's all about trust. It always has been, and it always will be.

"I wouldn't mind at all."

Claudine reaches back until she can gather some of Maya's hair in her hands, guiding her to tilt her face in for a sideway kiss for all of France to see.

Maya indulges with a controlled vigor; but the next part is not something she's willing to share with the rest of the world.

She steps away to close the curtains and turn off all the lights but one dim lamp across the room. When she returns to her wife, Claudine has removed her silver necklace, then does the same for Maya's gold one.

"We wouldn't want them to get snagged," she explains. She puts them on a small table decorated with a flower pot, and then turns back to her.

Maya smiles, something just a hint devilish, and grabs her around the waist, pulling her forward into a kiss much more heated than any they'd shared in the past few weeks. Their hands wander to places they normally would never venture to, passing boundaries that had been set in the past, only to be broken on this unforgettable night.

The kiss is deep and it lasts long, becoming an unspoken challenge of who can hold out the longest.

Claudine puts up her best fight. She really does. Maya gives her plenty of credit, considering the hectic events of the past few days.

But Maya had been Top Star for a reason. She wins out, and Claudine is forced to pull away for breath, clearly irritated by the loss. Maya, on the other hand, basks in the glory of victory.

"A valiant effort," she purrs, nipping softly at the juncture between her neck and shoulder. "But it's my win, ma princesse."

Claudine huffs, and it only shakes a little bit.

"Fine. Do as you wish..."

Maya smirks against her skin.

"Oh, I absolutely will."

She scoops Claudine into her arms and carries her the only fitting way – bridal style – to the king-sized mattress. Maya lays her down with a bit of a bounce, a careful amount of force, and covers Claudine with her own body. She presses her down, her arms alternating between holding her and pinning her, though it's never too hard.

Claudine returns every touch, every kiss with just as much spunk and vigor as Maya gives her, if not more.

Maya places her knee between Claudine's and leaves it for now, running her hands up along her sides and across her chest, dipping down to kiss anywhere and everywhere she can; she starts at her forehead, then follows her hairline down to her temples, sideways across each cheek in turn, then to the bridge of her nose, eventually down to her lips where she lingers for a moment, then continues down her neck to her chest.

Claudine's breathing becomes erratic and shallow, her mind going blank for seconds here or there as she forgets how to use her lungs. But each kiss from Maya sends a shiver of heat straight to her heart, which is given no chance to calm down.

They've waited so long for this, nearly caved and fallen victim to the mutual desire many times before, but they'd managed to hold off by some miracle.

It's here, on the most perfect night, in the most perfect place, where they can finally succumb to temptation. Years upon years of affection and passion are set free at long last.

And it's so very worth the wait.

Nearly an hour is spent just as they are, with nightgowns just slightly skewed and unkempt, focusing mostly on the more innocent touches to help calm the nerves of such a thrilling, life-changing night. Whispers of names and sweet nothings, both in Japanese and in French pass between them, woven into the air and into the fibers of their skin like tapestries.

Things become a bit softer for a time, but neither one is tired anymore. Not now. They've waited so long.

But even Maya can't take it much longer.

She wants her. She wants Claudine Tendo-Saijou for everything she is.

She begins pressing her kisses in a little harder, letting her wife know exactly what she's thinking. Her knee shifts a little higher, and her arm glides down Claudine's back, arcing her stomach up against hers. Maya kisses her eyelids in turn, coaxing her to open them.

Claudine's lashes flutter open into half-lidded pools of cherry blossom pink, a pink that matches the color of her cheeks.

And in spite of the preceding passion, the mischievous touches, and the devilish glances, now Maya softens. She gets lost in Claudine's eyes, in the warmth of her body, in the beat of her heart. She lies herself down over her, so she may feel that pulse flush up against her own, nuzzling Claudine's nose.

Claudine waits, impatiently patient. Her breathing is somewhat heavy, somewhat quick, and her heart is racing.

Maya can't help but feel a hint of concern. She exhales and it trembles.

She's always dreamed of this night, of doing this with only her. She'd always imagined how wonderful it would be.

What she hadn't imagined was how scared she'd be.

She realizes now that's what it is.

Maya is scared. So, so sacred.

She doesn't want to hurt her, or even make her uncomfortable in any way. To commit such a sin would be something she'd never be able to forgive herself for.

The fear begins creeping into her heart. What if she hurts her? What if Claudine only goes along with it out of obligation, to make her happy? What if-

"Maya."

A soft, inquiring voice, and the caressing touch of fingers on her cheek draws Maya out of the depths of her thoughts. When she refocuses her gaze, an angel is gazing back up at her.

Claudine drapes both arms around her shoulders and eases her down into a chaste kiss, short and sweet. Maya swallows, whimpering softly against her lips.

"You..." she rasps. "You have to tell me... if I should stop. At any time, for any reason."

She feels like she might cry, just from the sheer emotion of it all – too many emotions. She wants Claudine to know just how much she cherishes her, just how deeply she loves her... Words alone can't possibly manage such a feat, and perhaps even these actions won't either. But she wants to do anything and everything she possibly can to let her know.

There's a small hum in her ear, as though Claudine is mulling things over. She sighs, elated and ecstatic, and brings Maya's face closer for another small kiss.

"I appreciate the offer," she whispers. "But it won't be necessary."

Her answer is as clear as the night sky sprinkled with stars. Maya nearly sobs in her relief, in her bliss; just like that, Claudine has dashed any and all ounces of fear or misgiving she'd felt. The flicker of passion is rekindled and starts to burn more brightly.

Claudine starts it off with another deeper, longer kiss, tangling her fingers through Maya's hair in the process. The heat of the flame spreads through their bodies, culminating at their cores.

After what feels like hours of feeding it and building it up, Maya finally decides to douse it.

The nightgowns ruffle, but even in the darkness she feels she isn't worthy of seeing her bare, so she has the sheets cover them both as well. In the end, no articles are removed, only readjusted.

Maya slips her hand to where it needs to be, gliding across untouched skin. Claudine shudders beneath her, her breath becoming shallow and flustered, her voice slipping out in criminally irresistible fragments of sound.

Maya traces her fingers and waits, kissing her lips over and over, whispering the sweetest of sweet nothings.

"Ma princesse..."

Claudine breathes with her entire body, trying in vain to keep hold on whatever semblance of composure she has left. Maya kisses her brow to get her to open her eyes. Claudine can only bear to look at her for a second before she has to close them again.

Maya holds her hip with her free hand to keep her still, rubbing her palm up and over her side to help her relax.

"Ma jolie femme... my beautiful wife..."

The words do their job to distract Claudine for the moment, and Maya shifts her fingers lower. Claudine can barely breathe. Her voice is nothing but pleas.

"Ma... Maya..."

A plea Maya can't possibly ignore.

She gives her what she needs, exactly how she needs it.

She begins to move, paying close attention to Claudine's reaction, to the whimpers and the shivers and the breathy whispers of Maya's name.

Maya kisses her over and over, feeling Claudine's pulse through her entire body. She may be cruel for doing so, but she engraves this image of Claudine in her mind, helplessly teetering on the edge of bliss, just barely shy of it, breathless and impossibly gorgeous-

"Ma Claudine..."

And Claudine finally crosses the border, engulfed in the warmth of Maya's love.

"Ma... ya... haa-!"

Her voice is so small, so happy, so weak with relief it turns into a sob. Maya heeds her call, kissing her softly, gently, with all the tenderness in the world and then some. Every ounce of affection she harbors and has harbored over the years pours into that kiss before she eases back to let Claudine catch her breath.

Maya stays still until Claudine goes limp in her arms, at which point Maya readjusts her nightgown for her, pulling it back down to her knees. She then uses both hands to caress her beloved wife, who is still trembling in the most wonderful feelings.

Gazing upon her beauty in this moment, Maya's convinced she isn't just a princess, or even an angel, but surely a goddess.

She lifts Claudine's left hand and kisses over the ring - the telltale symbol of their boundless love, their unflagging partnership.

Maya pets through her hair, settling softly down on top of her once again, her touches and kisses now working to bring her down. Claudine's heart is still racing, fast and hard enough for Maya to feel every beat, her chest heaving. Maya pampers her in every way possible, peppering kisses over her collar and above her heart.

"Forgive me," she whispers. "You are too beautiful for words, Ma Claudine. Radiant. Dazzling, Stunning. You are too lovely for this world; ethereal. You are far too precious. I cannot possibly express just how much I love you."

Claudine's arms are still shaking, but she manages to wrap them around her. Her eyes finally flutter open, a temporary glaze over rosy pink pools, her skin still flushed the same color. Maya kisses her lips again.

"Je t'aime, Ma Claudine. Je t'aime..."

She holds her close for a long while, until Claudine's heartbeat has settled back to a lazy, tired rhythm, until her breathing has softened. It only hitches slightly in tiny hiccups, and Maya glances down to find tears running down her cheeks. But before she can be worried, Claudine finds her rasp of a voice.

"Je... t'aime..." she breathes. "More than anything. Thank you for... for falling in love with me... for marrying me... merci... merci... Ma Maya..."

Maya can't lie idly by and allow the tears to keep falling. She thumbs them away gently and leaves kisses in their place.

"I should be thanking you, Ma belle Claudine."

Another kiss from her, another breath from Claudine.

"Not yet you shouldn't be," she grunts. "I need to repay the favor. Let me-"

"Wait, please..." Maya feels her try to get up, but she gently pushes her back. Claudine is clearly exhausted, and rightfully so, but her eyes demand an explanation. Maya draws in a deep breath and tries to justify herself. "Please, tomorrow, perhaps. But for now... this is all I need. Please..." She doesn't want Claudine to work now. All she wants is for her to relish these moments and relax.

Claudine wrinkles her nose a little, in a manner that hasn't changed in all these years. But she must be able to understand Maya's sentiments. She sighs.

"Injuste... you're so unfair..."

"Please forgive me." Maya settles back on top of her and captures her lips in another affectionate kiss.

Claudine admits her defeat tonight, but in all honesty it's quite the victory.

Eventually, Maya slips off to one side of her, though she keeps Claudine wrapped in her arms. She rests her head over her heartbeat and listens. Just listens.

"My wife..." she mumbles. "My beautiful wife..."

Claudine cradles her head, petting through her hair and all down her back, letting Maya rest first after all she had done for her.

"That's my line," Claudine whispers. "I have quite a beautiful wife, too."

Maya sighs against her, not wanting to sleep just yet. She wants these perfect moments to continue on forever...

But then she remembers she's married to the love of her life, her one and only partner. And if that's the case, these perfect moments will continue forever.

"Je t'aime... Ma belle Claudine..."

And just like always, Claudine repeats it back to her, only with a new welcomed version.

"Je t'aime, Ma Maya, ma femme..."

Wife.

Wife.

Hers, forever and always.

When Claudine wakes, she's almost certain she's found herself inside a dream.

A fabulous hotel room looks back at her, and she feels like she'd slept for an entire week. Her body feels light and wonderful, and there is a familiar warmth at her side. Maya is curled there, clinging softly to her in slumber.

It takes a moment for Claudine to remember it all; their wedding, their flight, their day touring France, their honeymoon, their night last night...

No wonder she feels so wonderful and well-rested.

Claudine had vowed to return the favor today; she hadn't specified it had to be at nightfall.

For a while though, she lets Maya sleep, idly braiding small sections of her hair and wreathing tiny kisses between each lock. She listens to her breathe, feels the rise and fall of her body, the faint beat of her heart...

She wants to make Maya as much of a mess as she'd made Claudine last night. She wants to give her a run for her money.

Claudine lazes for about an hour, fully awake even as she drowsily runs her hands over Maya's back.

She launches her counterattack at sunrise, when the first ray of gold slips through the curtains.

She does as Maya had done for her and starts off slowly, turning Maya slightly and lying her on her back. Claudine braces her weight on her elbows and rests on top of her among the ruffled sheets, caressing her cheeks with ginger touches, leaving one small kiss after another on her forehead. She hums softly, trailing her lips between Maya's eyes, down her nose to pause at her lips.

It's then when she feels her wife stir beneath her, a tired moan vibrating against Claudine's lips. Maya opens her eyes slowly, and just like Claudine, there's confusion for a brief moment until everything registers.

"Ma Claudine..." Her voice is raspy from sleep, in a way that sends a little trill down Claudine's spine. Maya makes an effort to move or sit up, but Claudine keeps her in place with a gentle firmness.

"Oh no you don't," she coos. "You just stay put. I've got something to repay from last night." She doesn't miss the way Maya stiffens out of anticipation. Claudine smiles into another kiss. "Me'chante... You always want to make everything about me. Don't forget I am your equal, the only one who can stand beside you. Whatever you give, I will return in full. Prepare yourself."

She steals another kiss, a bit deeper this time. Maya's arms begin making their way around her shoulders. Her eyes are alight with a lazy excitement.

"I very much look forward to it."

Once Claudine is satisfied that Maya intends to accept her repayment, she begins.

Her hands massage Maya's torso in slow, controlled movements, control Maya hardly ever seems to have around her. Call her cruel, but Claudine intends to make her suffer, just a little.

She messes around with her for a while this morning, tussling with her beneath the sheets, pulling her nightgown aside this way or that to kiss the exposed skin underneath. She kisses her too many times to count, each one a bit heavier than the last, marking her with tender affection.

Maya holds out impressively long without showing her need. Other than a stutter or two in her breath when Claudine's legs shift between her own, she keeps her cool as much as possible given the situation.

It must be after nearly an hour of this passionate cuddling when her heart begins to throb. She starts to fidget, tossing her head from side to side as Claudine kisses up along her neck. One hand strays downward to rest on her stomach, silently announcing her intentions. She knows she's successfully driven Maya crazy when the girl finally caves with a plea:

"S'il vous plait, Ma Claudine... j'ai besoin de vous..."

'Please, I need you...'

Claudine's heart backflips in her chest. She's broken through Maya's stubbornness, which is as strong as her own. There's no need to play with her anymore.

Just as Maya had done once she'd had her fun, Claudine now becomes much more gentle, more tender, more loving. She smiles, dipping down to leave soft, light kisses on the backs of her eyelids, then on her lips.

"Of course. Goodness, you're precious."

At last she returns the favor for Maya, keeping a steady pace. She drinks in every sound from the back of her throat, every whimper and moan and sob of her name. The hands on Claudine's back cling more tightly as she nears.

Claudine waits until the right moment to bring her over.

"Je t'aime, Ma Maya..."

Earnest and full of love, her voice and the curl of her fingers do the trick.

Maya cries out even louder than Claudine had last night, which strokes the latter's ego just a bit. She smiles and kisses her down off the high, and doesn't stop kissing her long after she's regained her breath.

Maya quivers, locking both arms around her. Claudine returns the favor.

"You are mine," she murmurs into a kiss. "And I am yours."

Maya sighs, one of pure elation and love.

"Pour toujours."

'Forever.'

They still have a week of honeymooning to do in France, and then some apartment hunting to do when they get back home before their college semesters will begin.

But for now they simply lay in each other's arms, with loving words and touches wreathing around them, hearts beating together as one.

"Ma Maya-"

"Ma Claudine-"

"Je t'aime."

"Je t'aime."

Golden sunlight streams past the Eiffel Tower and through the curtains, catching in Claudine's hair and highlighting Maya's skin.

They kiss, one of many more to come.

For Maya and Claudine are forever.

----------

A/N: This will officially conclude the epilogue to Follow My Lead! Thank you so much for coming back to read it! As you can see, I don't write sexual situations very explicitly, but instead I have them be tender and sweet, so I just respectfully ask you don't refer to it or use words like "smut" or "lemon" please! Thank you!

I hope you enjoyed reading as much as I did writing!