WITH A BOLT OF YOU
Maki looked beautiful in the soft lighting of the foyer, adorable, shy, reaching out with the rose. Elated, fizzing with anticipation about all the evening promised, Nico slid her fingers up the smooth fabric of Maki's lapel, settling the rose in. Feeling the redhead's heart pound, Nico suddenly realized how near she'd stepped to Maki, how right it felt. And familiar. Maki's eyes were hidden, screened by her tousled hair, but Nico had to see them, her hand brushing through silken hair as Maki leaned into her touch, humming contentedly, and Nico relaxed at how easy this all felt, Maki vibrating against her palm, so warm, head lowered, eyes...Nico was close enough to see the tiny flecks of green pulsing in the lavender glow, neon green, unnatural green, Princess green...Awareness punched into Nico. Princess. Time froze.
"Pouty puppy eyes...Nico should have listened to Nico...ha!...barked at Nico...all over Nico's room...sleeping on Nico's couch...laughing at Nico with her friends...friends didn't know her name, Nico is so stupid…" Nico picked up speed; Maki matched her pace, keeping within arms's distance of Nico. Nico glanced over her shoulder, shook her head quickly and then picked up her pace again before Maki could say anything…"Nico is too busy for this…"
Maki's sense of everything spinning out of control increased with each step and each grumble of Nico's, both booming to her hearing, even in non wolf form. Nico had said 'you will talk later' and 'no running off' so surely Maki would get a chance to explain that none of this was on purpose. Nico had just smelled friendly and pleasant...or would that description get her in trouble as well? People usually said looked pretty or was smart or seemed kind or acted nice or dressed cute. Smell came with bad connotations. Humans relied on their noses so much less than other species, even though it affected so many decisions. They just refused to acknowledge its importance. Or didn't realize. Nico must like Maki's scent...she'd been happy to have Maki snuggle into her side while watching that movie that made Nico laugh so many times. So, if Nico felt comfortable around Maki in wolf form, Maki just needed to get Nico to realize Maki without the fur could be equally enjoyable company.
Nico turned into a walkway, slowing her pace slightly. Must be the location of the party. She opened the door with a key, confusing Maki until she remembered Umi must also spend a lot of time there and it made sense for Nico to have an emergency key.
Umi was the first person Maki sensed, determination mixed into cedar and sea, tweed pants and vest sharp, standing resolutely in front of Nozomi, amusement mingling with the scent of sage, flowing flower patterned dress rippling. Nozomi was frightened. Had Umi done something? Standing behind Umi, blue eyes narrowed was a blonde woman, green cable turtleneck, gray pants, earth and mint and apple.
"Hand it over, Tojo. This is an alcohol free party and I intend to keep it that way." Umi gritted out, hand extended.
"I'm sure Nozomi isn't smuggling anything." the blonde spoke in Nozomi's defense, although her voice cracked a little and Maki smelled doubt.
Nozomi giggled, her arms thrown open, sleeves loose "Why don't you search me, Umi?" Nozomi winked salaciously, leaning over Umi with a jiggle and Umi nearly crawled up the blonde to get away. "I'm sure Kotori wouldn't be thrilled at the way you're treating her friends."
Nico sighed, stopped, Maki nearly bumping her. "Hold this," Nico hissed as she shoved her purse in Maki's midriff. Then she crept up on Nozomi, quickly stepping around her, reaching a hand down where Maki couldn't see and pulling out a flask, "Here you go, Umi. The Women's Christian Temperance Union would be proud." Nico patted Nozomi on the shoulder, "Weak, my friend." Then she winked at the blonde "Don't try anything I haven't."
Maki dropped the purse, Umi spluttered, Eli went pale and Nozomi's raucous laughter attracted the attention of the entire party as she smacked a kiss on Nico's cheek, "You are intoxicating, Nico-chi."
"You're welcome." Maki couldn't tell if Nico had said that to Umi or Nozomi but both nodded as if she had meant it for them, "Come on, Neruda by Moonlight." Nico scooped up her purse and grabbed Maki's hand to pull her past the crowd at the door. Maki was too busy staring at her hand tingling in Nico's fingers, the grip warm and strong, to notice where they were heading.
"Nico!" A trill of a voice and the soft, feathery smells that surrounded Umi and Honoka drew Maki's attention as Nico released her hand.
"Kotori!" Nico waved her hand at the red lanterns with the painted figures of the Chinese Zodiac hanging everywhere, making the dim room seem like a series of light pools, "This is gorgeous."
Kotori, dressed in a very non seasonal crimson sarong with a gold floral border, glanced past Nico, her gaze lingering on Maki while whispering 'so is that' in an intake of breath.
"Maki, this is Kotori, host of the party and the best clothing designer you'll ever meet. And Nico knows the best. Kotori, this is Maki…" Nico paused, frowning, searching for words.
Maki stepped forward hand extended, "I have the honor of escorting Nico. For tonight, anyway. It's very nice to meet you, Kotori. I appreciate Honoka inviting me."
Kotori giggled, "Honoka was right, you are dreamy."
Nico glared at both of them as Maki bowed her head, acknowledging the compliment. Nico pushed Maki further into the party, muttering again, "So now you can talk."
"Greeting the host is expected." Maki explained.
Nico's trajectory put them in a quiet corner lit by a rabbit lantern, not yet claimed by any of the other 40 or so party goers. Maki recognized a few scents, Kashima, who really did need to not bathe in cologne, most prominent.
Nico snapped, eyes bright "So you can be polite. Is keeping things from Nico polite?"
Maki's throat started to close as Nico hovered…"I...I thought you didn't want...to talk...party…performance."
Nico kept staring, considering, arms crossed, fingers of one hand tapping her elbow, while Maki tried to sort through the confusion of feelings she was sensing from Nico...anxiety, curiosity, concern...one that Maki was having a hard time classifying, protectiveness? Another different and even more confusing cocktail of sensations just seemed to be pulling Maki Nico-ward, without any active effort on Maki's part.
Without warning, Nico chirped "Nico has to go." and rushed forward, pulling off her parka, not leaving any time for Maki to clear out of the way and once again, Maki's arms were full of Nico, for one sharp, vibrating, glorious moment, and then Nico bounced away, leaving Maki with her parka, "Be polite and put that away for Nico."
Maki nodded, resisting the urge to let her nose dive into Nico's coat while she watched Nico adjust her own hair with quick hand as she approached a group of partygoers with a cheerful smile.
Maki had taken refuge on the balcony. She didn't know anyone at the party and Nico was ignoring her, except for an occasional glare Nico threw her way, barely interrupting Nico's flitting through the entire open room of the loft, flirting, hands on shoulders, arms, lips pursed, kissing cheeks, throwing in a few quick dance steps here and there, once letting Kashima twirl her. And that was when Maki decided the balcony was a good hiding place.
She pulled out her phone to text Hanayo and Rin.
M: Nico knows.
Rin's response was immediate. She must have been in the middle of a game.
R: (ᗒᗨᗕ) Now we can play!
M: No, Rin. Nico's mad at me. She thinks we were all laughing at her.
H: Oh.
M: Oh?
H: ('A`) I was afraid that might happen.
M: ? And you didn't...never mind. What do I do now?
R: KISS HER (~ ̄³ ̄)~
M: NOT HELPING
H: Did she say anything?
M: "You WILL talk later" but now she's ignoring me unless she's glaring ●.◉
H: Just be patient, Maki. I'm sure everything will be fine (っ´▽`)っ
R: Kayochin is right. You know Nico likes you ඩ⌔ඩ
M: No, I don't.
The karaoke had started and Maki was only half paying attention to the party. You might have thought no alcohol would improve people's vocal performances, but no, they all just sounded tense. She heard an unexpectedly jazzy lead in and suddenly, Nico came into sharp focus again, excited, scared. Maki dropped her phone into her pocket and stepped back into the room, just as Nico lifted her leg up onto a coffee table, arching her slippered foot, Umi standing next to her, arms crossed, bow tie not an inch askew, clucking disapprovingly. Maki could feel all the heart rates that just skipped faster, the sudden surge of attention focused on Nico as Nico winked at Umi, and then flipped her already short dress hem up to adjust the lacy garter on her thigh high stocking. People stepped away as Maki's low growl turned into a whine while Nico's fingers traced their way up the stocking. Nico must have heard the growl because her eyes blazed at Maki for a moment and then her voice rolled out, slowly, sensuously as she turned in, beckoning Umi.
"In olden days a glimpse of stocking,
Was looked on as something shocking
Now heaven knows
Anything goes"
Umi took Nico's hand and spun her out, a mischievous wink as she picked up the duet
"Good authors too who once knew better words
Now only use four letter words,
Writing prose,
Anything goes"
Maki was in some kind of a new torture zone, sensations lancing into her awareness from so many people, so many angles, while Nico's voice teased and twisted every nerve Maki had. Nico's performance pummeled all her senses until Maki was breathless as Nico draped herself around Umi. Maki desperately wanted to return to the balcony, swallow the saliva gathering in her mouth, the want whimpering out through her lips, then vault to the ground and escape the tension knotting her into a statue but Nico's voice had cast her in stone.
And then the duet ended. Maki took the three steps backward, and slammed the door shut behind her, hanging her head over the balcony railing, breaths too fast. No howling, no running away, she told herself, which left only echoes of want. Nico did like her, Rin was right. There was something there when Nico focused on her, something that pulled at Maki so tightly breath and thinking were cut off, something demanding, but nothing she could articulate. Ignoring the urge was impossible but Maki wasn't an animal, although the nearly full moon was not her friend at the moment, pouring wild temptations into the confusing swirl.
And then another presence: Honoka, jasmine, honey, cinnamon, Christen Press Red Stars jersey, ripped jeans, grabbing Maki, dragging her back to the party, "You have to sing with me, Maki! Nico stole Umi, so I get you."
"W...what...wait.." Maki tried to hold Honoka back but the ginger's momentum dragged them both forward.
"You know One Direction, right? Kotori's going to play "Beautiful." The music started, Honoka released her and started to sing, urging Maki to join her, blue eyes full of eager hope. Maki didn't know where to look so she started singing and copying Honoka's dance moves, quickly catching the ginger's enthusiasm, matching her daring, happy for a release. Honoka flipped her hair and shimmied toward Umi while Maki turned to where Nico was gawking at her
"Baby you light up my world like nobody else
The way that you flip your hair gets me overwhelmed
The way you smile at the ground it ain't hard to tell"
Nico looked away, Maki grinned, suddenly feral, nearly at her ear.
"You don't know oh-oh!
You don't know you're beautiful!"
Nico slid behind someone, and Maki laughed, dancing back to Honoka and doing a goofy modified Charleston at her, which Honoka copied. Their audience cheered.
"Right now I'm looking at you and I can't believe…" Maki caught Nico staring again and winked, wondering why Nico was getting angry. Nico huffed and shuffled her position again.
They finished with a bow, Honoka boisterously wrapping up Maki in a side hug. So much like Rin, so Maki enjoyed the affection and the physicality. It was nice not to have to hold back. Nico had started a conversation with someone Maki didn't know, so Maki let Honoka drag her into Umi's orbit. People were rushing to surround them, congratulate them, but neither cared. Honoka was focused on getting to Umi and Maki was trying to figure out where Nico had ended up.
"See, if Nico can borrow you for an awesome song, I can borrow Maki," Honoka announced proudly as they neared her girlfriend.
"People are not bartering units," Umi stated sternly, but her smile was pleased as she undid her bow tie and top button. "Thank you for assisting Honoka, Maki. I am sorry we were not properly introduced at the door."
"You were busy." Maki took off her jacket, too hot after the dancing, sweat making her t-shirt cling to her back.
"Yes. Nozomi enjoys ignoring both rules and the comfort of others." The smile leveled to a frown line, although Maki found the specificity of Umi's complaint amusing. "How's Princess?"
Maki startled and Nico exhibited werewolf levels of hearing acuity and began shifting toward them, "...Safe. I have to get a drink."
Umi nodded, "Proper hydration is vital."
Maki dodged in the direction of the punch bowl and across the path of Kashima, who was brandishing fangs at everything dainty and dandy and now targeted Maki.
"Hello, beautiful," Kashima's voice dropped, smile marred by prosthetic fangs, head tilted for a thrust at Maki's neck. "Have we met?"
Maki growled a yes, nearly full voice, Kashima dropped back, frightened, the other party goers in the vicinity fled and then Nico was right there, stripping the fangs out of Kashima's mouth.
"No biting." She glared straight at Maki, who tried to make her eyes as wide and innocent as possible.
"Nico!" Kashima wailed, holding her hand to her mouth.
"Save it for rehearsal, Kashima." Nico slid her arm through Maki's, "I have to talk to Hairy Styles, Jr. here so I'll see you later."
"Can't I be Liam?" Maki teased.
"No." Nico dragged Maki out onto the balcony, scowling at the couple currently occupying, her foot tapping impatiently until they moved.
Nico forced Maki against the balcony rail, voice shaking with anger, "You didn't tell Nico you could sing."
"I..I…" Maki started to stumble through an apology and then realized they weren't talking about the wolf thing. Why weren't they talking about the wolf thing? Nico continue to fret, annoyed, muttering nothing Maki could make sense of, then Nico remembered her audience and her tone became accusatory.
"Is there anything else you haven't told Nico?" Nico squinted suspiciously, watching Maki for any reaction. Maki just thought Nico looked adorably silly and chuckled.
"Hey. Nico is serious here." Her brow shadowed as she got closer to Maki's face, "You can't just go and upstage Nico at a party. Nico is a professional. Umi and I rehearsed; we had choreography."
Maki shrugged, still amused. "You didn't like my performance?"
"Not the point." Nico's arms were now on either side of Maki and her intensity fascinated the werewolf. Nico was gleaming. Maki felt herself swallow again, still thirsty.
"You glow" came out of Maki's mouth before she realized she was speaking.
Nico paused. She was so close, Maki thought. Her lips were almost as bright as her eyes, Maki couldn't decide which to stare at. Nico's fingers under Maki's chin tipped her head enough that their eyes locked onto each other. Maki couldn't tell whose heart was beating more wildly. Nico really was intoxicating, Maki thought, as her nerves fizzed with new thrills.
Nico sighed and pulled back, shivering. Maki instinctively wrapped her jacket around the smaller woman, lingering for a moment, and Nico pulled it close. Maki put a nervous hand in her pocket and remembered she'd brought the scarf along.
"Here. This is yours." She handed it to a surprised Nico, "I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I..I didn't know how." Maki paused, willing every ounce of charm she'd ever had into her eyes, "I like you, Nico. So much."
Nico twisted the scarf, considering for a moment, then gently wrapped the fabric around Maki's wrist and forearm, slowly, her fingers delicate, strong, her touch dancing, even through the thin fabric of Maki's shirt.
"Did you get bitten?" Nico's question was disarmingly casual, her hand reluctantly dropping Maki's.
Maki was still processing sensations, trying to channel them into memory, not action, "Huh?"
Nico snorted at Maki's obliviousness and tried again, "Are the cute ears contagious, you know, like herpes?"
Maki blushed and glanced away, not sure what to do with her hands, "No. Hereditary. Chromosomes. Science." Brilliant. Maki was babbling middle school textbooks.
Nico nodded, humming, stepping closer to Maki, seeing if she could kindle that look in the redhead's eye again, that mix of surprise and need that Nico suddenly craved, just like the moment in her foyer. The humming was getting under Maki's hairs and she trembled as Nico slid a hand up her arm, through her hair, pulling her head down.
"Good."
A/N I hope this clarifies the reveal a bit, without disappointing. Sorry for any confusion. I do hope you are enjoying the party so far ; )
