The third time (part 2)
When she wakes up the next morning, Maya is still sleeping soundly next to her.
Claudine sighs relieved upon seeing her and stays in bed for a little bit longer watching over her, realizing how over the night, her hand has moved from Maya's hip bone to the other side of her waist until she ended up with her arm wrapped loosely but securely over the brunette's waist, making her blush at the discovery.
Claudine quickly but carefully removes her arm and watches over Maya's face to see if she has woke up the brunette with her sudden movement.
She sighs relieved again at the sight of Maya's imperturbable expression and brings her hand up to tuck a couple of stray strands of hair behind Maya's ear, getting lost looking at her wrinkled forehead and nose, giggling at it before she grazes a finger over them to smooth the wrinkles. Then, she caresses Maya's cheeks with her thumb, passing over her jawline delicately, almost feathery to not wake her up.
She looks closely at her, taking in her beauty even though she still looks slightly pale and blushes as she finds herself staring at Maya's lips and closes her eyes to forget about it.
Claudine then takes a quick last look at Maya and places a light kiss on her forehead, deciding it's about time she gets out of bed to go and make some croissants for breakfast, making sure Maya is well tucked and warm, letting her sleep more time, before she gets out of her bedroom.
As she leaves, Claudine misses the way Maya smiles after have been feeling her ministrations and caresses the entire time.
Claudine prepares the croissants, opening them in half to butter some strawberry marmalade in them. She also makes some hot chocolate.
She isn't sure if Maya will like such breakfast or not, but she's letting her stay with her and use her bed for free, not talking about the hell she made her go through taking care of her and stitching her wounds, so she better not complain about it!
She tells herself, chuckling as she goes upstairs with the tray of food in her hands, opening the door carefully to place it on the nightstand.
- Wake up infuriating woman – she says, poking Maya's cheek who just smiles and opens her eyes to look at her sleepily.
As soon as she sees the ash-blonde's face so close to hers, her smile widens turning into a big grin, making the half-French woman blush lightly.
- Méchante va… – Claudine mumbles under her breath, turning around to hide her blush from Maya, making her laugh lightly at how cute she is. But it last shortly as she starts to cough slightly, making Claudine help her to sit up and make sure she's okay before she fits the pillows behind her to make her be comfortable enough and she takes the tray of food, placing it between the two of them.
Maya gladly accepts the food without saying a word. As much as she likes to rile Claudine up and see her bothered expressions, she's still tired from so much blood lost and she feels grateful for everything Claudine is doing for her.
- I hope you like it but if you don't, then that's good, m-more for me – Claudine says, looking down to hide the light blush tinting her cheeks and Maya can't help but laugh lightly.
- Don't worry, I'm sure I'll like it. Thank you, Claudine.
Claudine blushes even more and starts to eat in silence, both of them sat one next to the other, their skins almost touching. None of them know what to say to erase the awkwardness between them, yet both of them are too lost in the pleasant feeling of the other next to them with their skins touching and the feeling of not being alone that they really don't need to say anything at all.
Once they end up eating, Claudine gathers everything they used to wash it to then go to read the script for her upcoming play while Maya, still tired, goes back to sleep for the rest of the morning until it's time for lunch.
Claudine finds this amusing, comparing the other woman to a cat before she wakes her up again, poking her chubby cheeks while giggling. They eat together in silence again, this time less awkward than their previous meal and spend the afternoon together watching movies on the tv of her room, laying comfortably in her bed.
Neither of them can't deny how nice it feels to be in the company of the other, commenting on the movies or just laughing along with them. It's something strange but definitely welcome and even though they still bicker from time to time, Maya loves to see Claudine blush or getting angry at her witty remarks and playful teases.
- Claudine? – Maya asks softly, gaining a hum from Claudine as she pauses the movie they're watching and turns her face to face her – why do you own so many musical or theatrical movies?
- You realized… – Claudine mumbles, a strange feeling taking over her as she realizes how Maya may has been paying attention to her collection in the living room – I had always loved them since I was a kid.
- Just that? – Maya presses, wanting to know more about the ash-blonde, tilting her head in a curious and cute way.
- I… I also aspire to be a star one day, you know? I'm a theater actress but I'm an average one so, I… one day I want to be important enough to see my name shining brightly in the theaters' lighted signs all over Japan – Claudine admits embarrassedly, making Maya smile fondly at her dream.
- I bet you will get there one day Claudine. Just keep working as hard as you're doing and everything will pay off.
Claudine blushes more at Maya's encouraging words, looking away to hide it, yet she can't help but look back at Maya, staring at her curiously.
- What about you? What do you do?
Maya's smile falters briefly, but she quickly pulls herself together.
- Well, I... uh, I guess I just do some small works here and there enough to earn a living – she says vaguely, not wanting to tell Claudine the truth about what she does.
- I see.
Claudine wants to press her and know more about her and about those small works she talked about, having a feeling they are related with her wounds but she decides to not push it and un-pauses the movie to keep watching it together.
Hours go by quickly between movies, laughs and bickering, and soon dinner time comes, similar to their previous meals but this time eating the sushi they decided to call for take away, enjoying being sat one next to the other, their skins touching.
As the night completely falls, the sleep time comes.
- Are you going to sleep with me tonight too? – Maya asks Claudine softly, almost cheekily, making Claudine look away to hide the light blush tinting her cheeks.
- If I don't have any other choice – the ash-blonde murmurs and Maya smiles happily, just like a kid giggling at the ash-blonde's stubbornness, making room for her in bed.
- I won't steal your bed for much longer though – the brunette says as Claudine gets under the blankets, making sure Maya is completely tucked in.
- Don't be stupid. As much as I don't like to be deprived of my wonderful bed, you need to rest properly to recover well.
Claudine senses the double meaning in Maya's words: I won't steal it for much longer, I won't stay here for much longer… but she chooses to brush them off, afraid to admit she doesn't want Maya to leave.
She has already got used to her company and the mere thought of not seeing her as she wakes up or laughing with her as they're watching movies together, just brings pain to her heart.
She doesn't understand why though, and she's not sure she wants to figure it out yet.
And just after that little conversation, the both of them fall asleep, Maya's head turned slightly to face Claudine, while Claudine faces her, sleeping on her side to make sure Maya is comfortable and with an arm draped loosely but securely over the other woman's waist.
When morning comes, Claudine wakes up with Maya still sleeping next to her.
She sighs relieved, and just like the previous day, she notices how her arm has moved in its own over the night and this time her hand is holding Maya's hand. Claudine blushes deeply but rubs a thumb on Maya's smooth skin, gazing up to admire her face and beauty, noticing how she doesn't look so pale anymore and there's a calm smile on her face.
Ah, Claudine wishes Maya would always look at her with that smile and not with her infuriating and unabashed grin, but even so, she can't deny she's starting to like the other woman and spending time with her.
And that's something that terrifies her, to have feelings for her…
She shakes her head not wanting to think about it and caresses Maya's smooth skin one last time, kissing her hand chivalrously before she gets out of bed and goes to the kitchen to prepare some pancakes.
Again, she misses Maya's smile widening at her sweet gesture.
They repeat the same routine as the previous day, eating in silence while enjoying the company of the other and chilling out watching more movies, this time more assorted ones and not only musicals.
The only exception is that Maya upon feeling less tired over the day and somewhat guilty for everything Claudine has to do for her, tries to help with the housekeeping duties only to be dismissed by Claudine as she protests the entire time and tries to oblige her to sit on the couch.
According to Claudine, it's because she doesn't want the stitches to open up again and have to deal with a bloody mess, but Maya knows she's just worried about her even though she doesn't want to admit it.
- Why can't you just listen to me, you infuriating woman? Just sit on the couch while I do it. I don't want to have to suture you up again or have to catch you as you faint – she says grunting and Maya can't help but laugh.
- But ma Claudine, I just want to be a nice guest and help you out – Maya says cheekily, making the other woman blush at the nickname.
- Urg, do whatever you want but if the stitches open up again, I'm calling an ambulance whether you grunt at me or not.
With that said, she turns around and Maya looks at her with an amused expression on her face, helping her to prepare their meals while the tv is still on sounding in the background and they playfully bicker at one another.
They somehow discover that they love the playful banter they share.
They're setting the table, when a beautiful and sparkling gem catch both of their attentions, making them look at the tv at the same time to stare at the black gem in a silver chain being announced in the commercials.
- It's beautiful – Claudine breathes out, staring mesmerized at it while Maya looks at her with the same astonishment sparking in her eyes.
- Do you like it? – she asks her out of curiosity.
- Of course I do! Who doesn't, it's beautiful – Claudine lowers her gaze, sadness flashing in her eyes.
- What's wrong?
Maya takes a tentative step towards her, wanting to caress her face to erase that sad expression from the other woman's precious face but refrains herself, afraid of over stepping certain boundaries.
Claudine just shakes her head and gives her a tight smile.
- Uh uh, nothing, I just thought about something silly.
- I'm sure it isn't silly – Maya tells her calmly, tilting her head in such a cute way that she knows Claudine won't be able to resist it and will tell her what she has thought about.
- I just... thought how nice would it be to have it, but... it's silly because I could never afford it.
Maya looks at her sadly, this time feeling brave enough to leave a soft caress on the other woman's cheek.
- Maybe one day you will.
She tells her sincerely, smiling at her and Claudine blushes, looking away and putting some distance between them as she feels her heart racing hard against her chest with just that simple caress and smile.
- W-we should keep setting the table if we want to eat today.
Maya grins at her nervousness but says nothing, following the ash-blonde to take the glasses and place them on the table before they start to eat in silence, watching the news playing on the tv from time to time as both of them get lost in their own thoughts, thinking about what just happened. Thinking about the pleasant feeling of seeing the other smile, of their soft skin and touch...
They try to brush it off and keep eating before it is too late.
As night falls, Maya can't help but take Claudine's hand, pulling it softly towards her.
- Are you sleeping with me tonight too? – she says cheekily and Claudine can't help but snort, taking her hand back before she crosses her arms across her chest, an outraged expression on her face trying to disguise the blush tinting her cheeks.
- Could you stop phrasing it like that?
- Oooh don't tell me it's embarrassing to you? - Maya asks her teasingly, loving to see the light blush tinting Claudine's cheeks even thought she tries to hide it.
- Shut up or I swear I'll make you sleep on the couch.
- Then does that means we're sleeping together in your bed? – Maya teases her more, seeing Claudine glaring at her still with a light blush tinting her cheeks, before she passes her and gets in her own bed leaving enough room for Maya.
- Hmph, don't get mistaken! I'm just making sure you're okay and your stitches don't open, you don't know how hellish is to even have to clean them so carefully twice a day…
Maya smiles softly, recalling how careful Claudine is as she examines her stitched wound, making sure none of the stitches are out and cleaning it before she applies the antiseptic and bandages it again, leaving a soft, almost imperceptible caress on her stomach that makes her heart flutter with the soft gesture.
Maya loves to see the look of pure concentration on Claudine's face as she does it, as well as her features softening relieved at seeing that the wound is healing well.
- I don't know about it, but still thank you for it.
Maya flashes her a grateful smile as she tilts her head cutely, making Claudine blush even more and grunt exasperated at her infuriating cuteness, hiding her face into the pillow. Maya giggles at how cute she is but says nothing at all, not wanting to risk having to sleep on the couch as Claudine has already warned her.
She slips under the blankets to lay next the beauty by her side, facing her.
Maya doesn't really want to risk having to be deprived of Claudine's warmth and protection as she drapes her arm over her waist securely and both of them close their eyes to fall asleep, a pleasant feeling growing inside them towards one another.
And sooner than what Claudine would have liked it, Monday comes and with it, an irrational fear of leaving home, thinking about that if she does it, Maya will disappear and she won't see her ever again.
Maya opens her eyes slowly to notice the concerned and thoughtful expression on Claudine's face, bringing a hand up to smooth the wrinkles on the other woman's forehead with her thumb.
- What's wrong?
- Uh? – Claudine is brought back to reality abruptly, blushing as she sees Maya looking at her and caressing her face so fondly.
- N-Nothing! It's time to get out of bed and have some breakfast.
Claudine tries to conceal her nervousness by getting out of bed quickly to go to the kitchen to prepare their breakfast. Maya chuckles, yet follows her close enough to help her, buttering their croissants at the same time, brushing their hands accidentally from time to time.
- Are you nervous about the play? You said this week is the final one of rehearsals before the premiere, isn't it? – Maya asks her while Claudine nods at her, surprised that she was even paying attention to anything she said – then don't worry, just focus on them and everything will be okay.
Maya ends up telling her with a soft but reassuring smile on her face and Claudine lets out a nervous sigh.
- W-Will you come to see me to the premiere?
There's a trace of hesitation flashing briefly on Maya's face before she pulls herself back together and smiles calmly at Claudine again.
- If that's what you want then I'll be there.
Claudine nods and smiles at her, finishing eating before she has to get ready to leave to rehearsals.
- I'll come back late at evening, please stay and don't dare to break or burn anything – Claudine warns her, glaring at the brunette as she puts her coat on ready to leave. Maya just rolls her eyes at her playfully, chuckling at her warning.
- I can't promise anything – the brunette answers playfully, gaining a light shove from Claudine before waving goodbye to her – Be careful and don't push yourself too much.
Claudine snorts but smiles back at her before closing the door after her, a pleasant feeling in her chest at having somebody to say goodbye before she has to leave for work.
As soon as the door closes and Maya sees Claudine go away towards work through the window of the apartment, her smile drops.
- Goodbye, ma Claudine – she whispers sadly to the window, placing a hand on the crystal.
She might not be an actress as Claudine herself is, but she's still good at acting, keeping a smile the entire time to make sure Claudine doesn't worry about seeing her had gone once she comes back home.
She sighs and turns around to clean the apartment, do the laundry and take a quick last look around the apartment, around the place that felt like home for these couple of days before she leaves.
As she's on the living room, she takes one of Claudine's pictures in her hands, leaving a soft kiss on it before heading to the front door.
A tear rolls down her face as her hand reaches the doorknob, resting over it while she glances back at the apartment once again to make sure she doesn't forget anything and everything is in perfect order, it's the least she can do for Claudine.
- I'm sorry ma Claudine. I wish you the best for the play.
She whispers, opening and closing the door behind her as she leaves, ready to not come back again, ready to disappear from Claudine's life once and for all.
When Claudine comes back to her apartment a little sooner than she had told Maya she will, she opens the door to find her apartment dark and in silence.
She furrows her brows confused and enters completely, turning the lights on to notice the living room empty.
- Maya?
She calls the brunette's name out, going through every single room of her apartment searching for her, calling the brunette's name repeatedly.
As soon as she starts to notice that Maya is nowhere to be found, Claudine starts to worry and panic equally.
- Please not again – she whispers shakily.
Maya, once again, has vanished completely from all existence except for the note she left for her lying on the living room's table.
"Thank you for everything you did for me over the past couple of days ma Claudine. For letting me stay with you, take care of me and heal me even when it was really tedious.
I wish you the best for the premiere. Don't worry and don't be nervous, you'll shine as the star you are.
I'm sure your name soon will be shining brightly in the theaters' lighted signs all over Japan.
Regards, Maya"
- Idiot.
Claudine says, tears rolling down her eyes as she crumples the note against her chest and falls on her knees.
She should have expected it. She should have listened to the feeling she had that same morning, that little voice in her head telling her to call her director and ask for another day off, but she was a fool for leaving, thinking and hoping that these past days would had make Maya change her mind and unlike the previous times, she'd actually want to stay with her.
Claudine bangs the floor with her fist out of frustration, tears falling onto it.
Maybe she should have expected Maya to vanish again, but it doesn't make it hurt any less.
She doesn't even know why she's so upset about it, it's not like Maya promised her to stay or anything but even so, she still hoped she'd stay.
She really wanted to wake up next to her and see her beautiful face and calm smile, she really wanted to come back home and find her there waiting for her and spend more time with the brunette now that she finally accepted that she had started to feel something for such an infuriating woman.
Claudine shakes her head and wipes her tears away with the sleeves of her coat furiously, trying to regain some composure, trying to be strong.
She then stands up and goes to her bedroom to save the note in the bottom of her drawer, almost hiding it and claps her face lightly, determined.
She can't let this affect her like the previous times, she has a play to premiere. She has to shine like the star she is, whether she wants Maya to be there watching her shining or not, whether it hurts her or not…