I had just one more silly little random addition to this story lying around for the time being, so I hope you'll enjoy it!
Disclaimer: I do not own Shoujo Kageki Revue Starlight.
Chapter 46. Sweet Tooth
It finally happened.
After all those daily baumkuchen rolls and occasional late-night sweets or chocolates, and after one too many evenings feeling too lazy to go and brush her teeth so she just ended up slumping into bed beside Claudine, it all finally catches up to Maya.
The next time she ends up going home one weekend so her parents may bring her to her annual health checkup with the family doctor, Maya is given the news that she has a cavity that needs filling.
At first, she was terribly embarrassed and nervous that her parents might be upset, or think she was slacking off at school and having too much fun. But thankfully, they don't seem to mind if a small cavity that no one would have ever seen anyway ended up being the only issue with Maya's health.
They simply inform her that they won't be able to bring her to the follow-up appointment to have it filled due to work. Maya insists it's not an issue and that she'll make it back herself to get the cavity seen to. Maya returns to school the following day, more relieved about having had a smooth day with her parents than anything.
Presently, Claudine and the others are all waiting for her in the lounge a bit anxiously, knowing full-well that Maya could very well be upset and depressed after having spent a Saturday with her stifling parents.
In order to cheer her up a bit, Claudine had gone out with Futaba and Kaoruko to buy some baumkuchen for her, while Nana, Mahiru, and the others had made treats.
Now, all of the sweets and snacks are laid out on the coffee table as they all await Maya's return. Claudine is kneading at her sweatshirt, trying to keep on a pleasant smile while internally prepared to be angry at the Tendos if Maya comes back to her upset. Futaba must notice because she nudges Claudine's side.
"Oy, easy, Kuroko," she murmurs. "Don't get yourself all worked up before we even know if something's wrong."
Claudine draws in a deep breath.
"You're right. Merci, Futaba."
"Sure thing."
They all wait just a few more minutes until they finally hear a lone set of footsteps. And the moment Maya rounds the threshold and steps into the room, the others all burst out.
"Tendo-san!"
"Welcome back!"
"Surprise!"
"Karen-chan, it's not a surprise party."
"Bakaren."
Maya's eyes open wide as she takes in the little celebration they'd thrown for her. She's so touched and happy about their thoughtfulness that a smile instantly spreads across her face. But then she takes in all the food and sweets on the table, and though her body's initial reaction is to produce a trill of excitement, her most-recent dentist visit causes those happy feelings to come crashing down.
The moment her smile drops into a frown, Claudine's does too. She steps up to Maya, coaxing her away from the others for a moment for a bit of privacy.
"How did everything go?" she asks. "Are you okay?"
Right away, Maya shows her an honest smile.
"Yes. I am all right."
"Are you sure? Did they give you a hard time about anything?"
"Not at all," Maya assures her. "Please do not fret, Saijou-san."
Claudine inhales, then lets it out slowly.
"Good. But then, why do you look so troubled? Tell me, Tendo Maya."
Maya grimaces just a little bit as she turns back to the others and all of the beautiful snacks that are waiting for her. She clutches her hands together, fiddling her fingers a little.
"Everyone, thank you very much for going out of your way to prepare all of this for me. I very much appreciate it. However…"
Sensing the troubled tone of Maya's voice, the other girls listen in earnest. Maya sighs.
"Though mostly everything went well, my dentist did discover… a small cavity…" She trails off, blushing lightly. The others fall into a moment of silence as their eyes travel back to the various plates of treats.
"Oh my…" Kaoruko mumbles. "Well ain't this a bit awkward?"
"Ahhh! Oh no!" Mahiru cries. "T-Tendo-san has a cavity?"
"And we prepared all these sweets for her?" Nana gasps.
"A cavity?!" Karen wails. "Uhm! Uhm! D-Don't worry, Tendo-san! We'll just eat all the sweets so you don't have to worry about it!?"
"Then you'll get the cavities, Bakaren."
"Oy, oy," Futaba says. "Don't go eatin' Tendo's stuff. She can have a few."
"That's right," Junna says. "Tendo-san, please eat as much as you're comfortable with."
Maya still looks a little guilty though, so Claudine gives her a soft nudge with her elbow.
"It's all right. Everyone gets cavities from time to time. Now that you know about it, you'll get it fixed soon, right? So you can still enjoy yourself, you know."
Hearing all of her friends' encouraging words, Maya slowly allows her eyes to wander back to the table of treats.
"You all prepared this for me…"
"Right?" Claudine smirks. "You wouldn't want to be rude and refuse it. So just enjoy yourself." The others agree, and everyone takes their usual seats on the couches as Claudine brings Maya to sit in their spots.
Maya naturally chooses a baumkuchen first, and once she's made her selection, everyone else picks up what they'd like. After that, Claudine is glad to see Maya enjoying herself once again, though she does eat fewer snacks than she probably would have otherwise.
And later that evening before bed, she ends up brushing her teeth for twice as long, to the point where Claudine needs to call over to her.
"You know, brushing for too long isn't good, either."
Maya hastily puts her brush away and gets to rinsing, then joins Claudine a moment later to follow her back to her room.
As they settle down in bed together, Claudine pulls Maya close and pets soothingly through her hair, hoping to help her calm down a bit from the anxiety of having a cavity.
"So?" she murmurs. "When are you going to get it filled?"
"Next weekend," Maya says.
"Perfect. It won't interfere with our classes."
Maya is already feeling so happy and drowsy from all the pampering that she doesn't realize what Claudine had said for a moment. When she does, she peeks up at her.
"Pardon?"
"What?" Claudine huffs. "You didn't plan to go alone, did you? You said your parents won't be able to take you, so of course I'm going. Anyone would need some moral support for something as nerve-wracking as that. And what if they give you those drugs that make you a bit tipsy? You'll need someone to look out for you. So I'm coming."
Maya admittedly relaxes, and a rush of relief and joy runs through her. She sighs, clinging a little more tightly to Claudine's back and nuzzling against her chest.
"Thank you very much, Saijou-san. I would… very much like it if you were to accompany me."
Claudine cradles her head and leaves a kiss in her hair.
"Of course. So don't worry about it, Maya. Keep enjoying your sweets as always. You work hard enough, so you deserve every single one of them."
Maya's heart melts as she presses ever closer to her.
"Perhaps," she murmurs. "The desserts are quite nice. But I've got the sweetest thing ever right here with me."
Claudine blushes and rolls her eyes.
"That was a bit much, even for you."
"But your heart did skip a beat, no?"
"Be quiet and go to sleep."
Maya chuckles to herself as she leaves a small kiss on Claudine's collar, then eventually closes her eyes.
Any minor worries she'd been harboring about her teeth or her parents or her upcoming dentist appointment fade away as she cuddles up and gets lost in the cozy rhythm of Claudine's pulse.
In the following days, Maya is very mindful of her sweets intake, until at last it's the day of her appointment.
That Saturday morning, she and Claudine get dressed and eat a light breakfast before taking their leave of the campus - Maya had turned in her dentists' note to the staff in advance, so she had permission to go, and since her parents were unable to go with her, Claudine was approved to go.
They take a bus for about twenty minutes to reach the area of the dentist's building, and only once they step off and start heading down the sidewalk toward it does Maya begin to show signs of nervousness.
"I do hope it can be filled and won't require pulling," she murmurs. "If that were the case, I would have to sit out from dance classes for at least a few days…"
Claudine can't help but smile at how cute Maya is fretting about this, but she doesn't want to be cruel and tease her too much. So she steps closer to Maya and takes her hand for comfort.
"Don't worry so much. If they said it just needs a filling, then it just needs a filling. I'm positive you didn't do irreparable damage in just one week. You'll be fine."
Maya flashes her an appreciative smile, and they continue on.
Once they reach the building and step inside, Maya checks in at the front desk before sitting down with Claudine to wait to be called. They wait quietly and watch a show about kittens playing quietly on the TV for about ten minutes until a nurse calls for Maya. Maya stands stiffly and swallows a bit hard, but not a second later Claudine is right at her side, taking her hand to offer her support.
She walks with Maya to meet the nurse, who then leads them down the hallway to a room. The dentist waiting for them is a woman with a pleasant smile, who must be the Tendo's family dentist, because Maya bows to her with familiarity. Claudine stands back a pace as the dentist addresses her patient.
"Now then, Tendo-san," she says, flipping through some papers on a clipboard. "It would seem you're in for a basic cavity filling today, yes?"
Maya dips her head.
"Yes, that is correct."
"Very good. It shouldn't require any anesthetic. Please have a seat."
Maya swallows, but slowly does as instructed. Claudine catches her eye from the corner of the room and gives her a compelling look. But Maya is already too far gone, too nervous and pale to say anything more. Claudine sighs softly before taking action herself. She approaches the dentist as she's putting on her gloves and arranging things, then politely finds a moment to speak.
"Excuse me."
The woman smiles at her.
"Oh! You're here to offer her some support, yes? I don't think there's much to worry about."
Claudine shakes her head and lowers her voice a little to converse more privately.
"She's been nervous all week, and right now I think she's about to pass out. Would it be possible to give her something just to help her relax a little? She always acts so prim and proper, but the truth is she's never been the best with doctors or dentists or these sorts of things."
The dentist blinks.
"Oh my. She's always been so calm whenever she's come to me in the past. But then again, she's never actually had to have anything done until now…" When they both glance back at Maya now, laying on her back with her hands folded on her stomach as though she's preparing for the worst, it becomes clear just how stiff she is. "All right," the dentist says. "Thank you for bringing it to my attention."
Claudine gives her an appreciative smile, glad she'd spoken up on Maya's behalf. As the dentist goes back to her patient, Maya blinks one eye open, looking quietly panicked like a deer in the headlights.
"Tendo-san?" the woman says kindly. "Would you perhaps feel more comfortable if I were to have you sleep for this procedure?"
"…Eh?" Maya looks to her dentist, to Claudine, and back again, and then she looks away down to the floor. "I… yes, perhaps that might be best… I'm sorry for the trouble."
"It's no trouble at all. Your comfort is my main concern. I'll be right back with some anesthetic, then." With this, the dentist takes her leave for a moment. Claudine takes the opportunity to step closer to Maya, placing a hand over the ones Maya has clutches in a death-grip onto her shirt. Maya looks up at her with withering eyes.
"Saijou-san…"
"It'll be all right." Claudine leans down and kisses her forehead. "I just thought it might be easier for you if you were asleep so you didn't have to worry so much. She's a professional and she knows what she's doing. And I'll be right here with you, too." Claudine picks up one of Maya's hands and brings it up to her lips.
Maya actually looks like she remembers how to breathe for a second.
"Saijou-san… will you stay with me?"
Claudine's heart throbs.
"Of course I'm staying with you. Why else do you think I came here today? I'm not going to leave your side for a second, Tendo Maya."
Maya's eyes quiver a little bit, but her lips eventually curve into a small smile.
"Saijou-san… thank you very much for accompanying me here today. I feel very much at ease with you here by my side."
"I'm glad."
In that moment the dentist returns, and Claudine catches her eye. The two of them come to a mutual understanding. Claudine keeps talking to Maya so she will stay focused on her and not think about anything else.
"Why don't you close your eyes for a minute?" Claudine suggests. "Just take a breath."
Maya gives a slight nod and slowly closes her eyes. Claudine keeps hold of her hand as she catches the dentist's eye, and the woman promptly tiptoes over.
"That's it," Claudine says to Maya in a soothing voice. "Just relax. You'll be fine, Maya. I'm right here with you."
As she speaks and strokes her fingers gently over the back of Maya's hand, the dentist takes the small needle of anesthetic and pricks Maya's arm. Maya flinches just a little bit, but she doesn't even get the chance to open her eyes again before her expression begins to relax.
Claudine strokes her face gently while also keeping hold of her other hand. She can feel Maya's grip steadily growing limp, until she's fast asleep. She and the dentist share an accomplished grin.
"That was for the best," Claudine says. "She hates needles."
"I see. You're a very good girlfriend to Tendo-san."
"Wh-" Claudine sputters and her face instantly turns red, but she can't exactly deny the statement. She looks away as the dentist gets started.
All throughout the procedure, Claudine stays close enough to hold Maya's hand, but makes sure not to get in the way of anything. The dentist finishes up within about half an hour.
"All set," she says. "I'll just be in my office taking care of the paperwork. Tendo-san should be awake soon."
"Thank you very much." Claudine dips her head as the woman takes her leave, then gives her full attention back to Maya.
She's still asleep, and Claudine has been holding her hand all this time. Claudine reaches down with her free hand to pet through Maya's bangs, twirling her fingers through the soft hair gently.
And just a few minutes later, she notices Maya's brow beginning to twitch. Her lips part with a small moan, and her fingers curl against Claudine's. Claudine crouches down a little beside her so she won't be towering above Maya when she wakes. She brushes her thumb over Maya's cheek and calls for her softly.
"Tendo Maya? Are you finally awake?"
Maya makes a cute sound as her eyelids flutter. Claudine smiles and gives a light squeeze to her hand.
"There. Take it easy, all right? You're probably going to be tired from the drugs." She can already see the confusion in Maya's eyes as she blinks up at the ceiling, and when she speaks there is a bit of a drowsy slur in her tone.
"This isn't my room…"
"No," Claudine chuckles. "You're at the dentist. You got your cavity filled already and you're all done now. I'll take you back to school when you're ready."
Maya blinks a few more times, then slowly turns her head to the source of the voice talking to her. The moment Claudine meets her eyes, she can't help but want to reach out and kiss her, but she has to refrain for now. Maya looks so lost and confused, truly like a puppy. But the second she lays eyes on Claudine, her eyes fill with tears.
"Ah…" Maya opens her mouth with a soft whimper.
Immediately, Claudine feels a pang of worry shoot through her chest.
"Maya-?"
Maya is already trying to push herself up, so Claudine hastily reaches out to help her. As soon as Maya is sitting up straight, a tear drips down into her lap. Claudine panics, though she tries her best to keep her voice as calm as possible.
"Maya? What's the matter? Does it hurt?" She looks frantically to the door, wondering if she should call the dentist back in if Maya is experiencing pain.
Maya's hand squeezes hers back shakily, and after wiping her face a little she looks back up at her, voice wobbling.
"No…" she sniffles. "It doesn't hurt. In fact… I should be the one asking you…"
"Huh...?" Claudine tilts her head, puzzled. "Ask me what?"
Maya sniffles again, covering her mouth with her free hand.
"I should be asking you… if you're hurt… If it hurt when you fell from heaven…"
"…Hah…?" Claudine blinks. All at once, the worry that's been prickling in her chest vanishes in a spilt second as she realizes what's going on here. Maya sobs again, nodding her head a bit heavily.
"You… Miss, you are so lovely… I'm sorry but it just brought me to tears…"
Claudine understands everything all in that moment. She grimaces, putting a hand to her forehead.
"Right. Of course this would happen… Of course you'd react this way…" Claudine is too flustered and delighted to be embarrassed, but she definitely doesn't want Maya to keep crying, no matter how pure and silly the tears are. She stands up fully beside her, patting Maya's head gently.
"All right, easy now. There's really no need for tears."
Maya wipes her eyes again, trying to get ahold of herself.
"Miss… you-"
"Claudine," she reminds her. "Saijou Claudine. We're classmates, dance partners… Does any of this ring a bell?"
Maya just blinks up at her, totally stunned.
"We… you and I are classmates? We are…? We dance together?"
Claudine has no idea how long the effects of the drug are going to last, but the Maya in front of her right now truly is innocent and has no idea what's going on, so at the very least she deserves an explanation.
"That's right," Claudine says. "We've known each other for a while now."
Maya looks up at her hopefully.
"Have we? Oh, that sounds wonderful…" She smiles, bashfully touching her face with the hand Claudine isn't still holding. It would seem Maya isn't really fully aware of herself, because she hasn't understood the implication of Claudine still holding her hand by now. When she looks back up at her, Maya's cheeks are flushed, and her eyes skitter nervously as they try to meet hers.
"S…Saijou Claudine-san…?"
Claudine tries to hold back a chuckle at the odd use of her name.
"Yes?"
Maya fidgets in her seat, her fingers clenching and unclenching in Claudine's hand.
"Please… forgive me for asking so suddenly… but are you perhaps… single…?"
Claudine had assumed this was coming, but even so it still sends her heart into a flurry when Maya actually says it. She brings her free hand to her mouth and inhales deeply, trying to stay composed.
"I'm not," she replies. "I'm actually taken."
And it was cruel of her, she knows it, but she just had to tease her this much. Maya's hopeful smile falls away into a blatantly crestfallen frown, and her shoulders slump with rejection.
"Oh… I see…"
Claudine can only justify her actions in making Maya show such an expression because of how she's going to fix it in a moment. But just for a second, she drinks in this adorably pure reaction of hers for as long as she can bear to see it.
When Claudine can't take it anymore, she finally steps forward and caresses Maya's cheek, gently tilting her chin back enough so she can look down into her eyes.
"Oui," she murmurs. "I'm very happily taken. And do you know by whom?"
Maya shakes her head sadly. Claudine gives her hand another squeeze and gazes down into her eyes for another moment, but the poor girl really doesn't get it. Claudine can see more tears forming in her eyes, but she can't let them fall anymore.
Claudine cups Maya's face and leans forward to kiss her lips gently, being cautious in case her mouth is still sore. She eases away just a little, then kisses her again a few more times, lightly and softly, then nuzzles Maya's nose. She gives Maya's hand another squeeze and smiles down at her.
"Well? Do you understand now?"
Maya blinks up at her hazily, like a child in the presence of some magical being.
"Saijou-san…" Maya sniffles again and shakes her head. "But… the person you are seeing would surely be upset if you were to… do such things with me… Even though it was… it was so wonderful… B-But I-"
"Maya," Claudine rolls her eyes playfully. "Fine. I'll spell it out for you. You're the one I'm dating."
Maya blinks again, still hazy.
"Eh…?"
Claudine nods, holding up Maya's hand that she's been holding all this time.
"Oui. You and I. We're an item."
Maya looks at their entwined hands as though she honestly hadn't notice them all this time, then touches her lips again and looks back at Claudine.
"Eh…?"
The whimper of shock seems to be the only sound she can muster right now. Claudine steps closer and leaves another kiss on her forehead.
"You're a little out of it right now," she says. "You'll remember soon enough."
"Eh…?" Maya shakes her head, looking up at Claudine again, back down at their hands, and up at her again nonstop. In a matter of seconds, more tears start spilling down her cheeks. "I… you an I are…? Oh…"
"M-Maya-?" Claudine wraps her arm around Maya's shoulders, pulling her in against her chest for fear she might fall over. Maya sobs loudly against her shirt.
"I… how could this happen? How could I ever have been so lucky…?"
"Easy," Claudine says, patting her back lightly. "Don't be so dramatic."
Maya continues sobbing for a moment, so loudly that the dentist pops back in the doorway. Claudine catches her eye and waves her off with a dismissive smile. A moment later, Maya eases herself away. She looks down at Claudine's hand in hers as if she still can't comprehend that she's holding it. She turns it over, lacing her fingers timidly through Claudine's until a gasp suddenly flies from her lips.
"Oh-"
Claudine can assume it isn't a sound of pain, at least. She follows Maya's gaze down to her left hand.
"What's the matter?"
Maya shakes her head.
"Your hand… Saijou-san… you don't have a ring."
"…Hah?"
"Have I not yet proposed?" Maya sounds horrified with herself. "I must-! If it is you I am with, Saijou-san, then I must-"
"H-Hold on just a second!" Claudine grabs both of Maya's hands and gives a slight pull, making Maya look at her directly. "We're only in high school! There's no need for any of that right now, all right? Seriously."
"But-"
"The thought enough is appreciated," Claudine mumbles, face already bright pink. "Honestly. Let's not rush this, all right?"
Maya is quiet for a moment, but eventually she concedes.
"Very well. So long as you are with me, I shall wait however long. I shall wait until the ends of time if need be."
"Okay, hopefully not that long," Claudine sighs. "But for now, do you think you can stand? Do you feel sick or anything?"
In response, Maya beams up at her with pure, childish innocence.
"To know that I am dating such a wonderful person as you… I can honestly say I have never felt better in all my life."
Claudine's heart bounces a few times and her blush deepens.
"A-All right… Then let me help you up."
She hugs Maya and steadily helps her onto her feet. Now that Maya knows it's acceptable for her to do so, she hugs Claudine back with gusto, giggling to herself.
Claudine keeps an arm around her and has Maya drape one across her neck, then slowly begins leading her to the door. Claudine limps with her out into the main lobby, where the secretaries and staff seem to understand right away that Maya is still under the influence of the anesthetics. Claudine dips her head to express hers and Maya's gratitude to them all for the day, while Maya clings to her and hums and purrs nonstop.
The moment they step outside, Claudine lets out a loud sigh.
"How long exactly before this wears off...?"
By now, Maya is barely standing on her own because she is dedicating all of her focus to snuggling Claudine in broad daylight for all the world to see.
"I guess it's probably best to get you back to the dorms as soon as possible…" Claudine adjusts her hold on Maya, then gives her a nudge. "Come on. We've got a bus to catch."
With a bit of coaxing, Claudine manages to bring Maya down the building's steps and onto the sidewalk. But when they're only about halfway to the bus stop, she feels Maya sagging against her a little. Claudine pauses to hold her up.
"Maya…? Don't fall asleep on me now."
Maya lifts her head, still very much in her daze.
"Mm… Saijou-san?"
"What is it?"
"May I kiss you…?"
Claudine exhales slowly, letting her heart get back under control.
"Sure."
Maya makes a happy sound and straightens up as best she can. She closes her eyes and leans in, and Claudine waits for the contact. But Maya never goes through with it. Instead, she starts mumbling to herself.
"I… On second thought, I cannot… Saijou-san, you are just too lovely…"
"Oh, honestly," Claudine wheezes. "How precious can you be? Come here." She pulls Maya in and kisses her lips, a bit more firmly than before. Maya makes a cute sound in the back of her throat and tries to kiss back, but Claudine can tell she's too flustered to do much in return. When they part, Claudine gives a small huff. "There. Now let's make the bus, please."
Maya says nothing, too giddy to speak.
Once they board the bus with Claudine still supporting most of her weight, Maya begins turning to random people and babbling.
"Saijou-san… she is my girlfriend… We are dating."
A pair of older women chortle softly before Claudine catches Maya and apologizes for her behavior.
"She's still getting over some anesthetic," she explains politely. Then she rounds on Maya with a soft hiss. "Don't trouble other people!"
"But I want them all to know that you are my beautiful girlfriend."
Claudine nearly chokes, but she can't say anything in response to that. All she can do is turn bright red and pull Maya closer to her; so close that she won't be able to bother anyone else.
Maya seems perfectly content to just hug and hang all over Claudine on the ride back, which earns them a few glances. But at the very least they aren't in their uniforms on the weekend, so they won't be giving the school any trouble with their behavior in public.
The moment they reach their stop, Claudine drags Maya off as soon as possible. The dorms are only a five-minute walk, so Claudine tries to get her to make it.
But after just a few steps, it's clear that Maya has become too drowsy for even gushing words anymore, let alone walking. Claudine has no choice but to sit her down on a bench. Maya sways a little, so Claudine has to keep both hands on her shoulders. Maya tries to look up at her, but she can't even keep her eyes open.
"Mmmn, Saijou-san… I don't think I can walk anymore… I apologize…"
"You're fine," Claudine murmurs, bending down to kiss her head. "I should have guessed this might happen. Do you think you can hold onto me? I'll carry you back."
"Hold…?" Maya drawls the world with a hum. "I… want to hold Saijou-san…"
"I thought so. You need to stay awake and hold on as tightly as you can, all right?"
"Yes!"
Claudine gives her head a pat, then turns around and crouches in front of her. Maya all but throws herself onto Claudine's back and hugs her around her neck. Claudine chokes just a little before reaching back to grab her legs.
"A-All right… Just relax now, okay? No moving around."
But Maya has already nuzzled up to her neck so much and started sighing so blissfully that Claudine isn't even sure she'd heard her.
As long as she stays put it's fine.
Claudine begins the rest of the walk back to Starlight Hall. All the while, Maya mumbles happily in her ear.
"Saijou-san… my girlfriend… Saijou-san is so soft… So warm…"
Claudine can't stop her heart from flipping with every mumble out of Maya's mouth. She hurries back to campus and in through the automatic doors, relieved that no one has seen her yet. She wants to get Maya back to her room as quickly as possible, before anyone can spot them and start asking questions.
Claudine makes it as far as the lounge, but of course she can't simply pass by and ignore her friends who are lazing around inside. She stops by just for a moment to peek in.
Mahiru spots her first and almost calls out until she notices Maya is asleep on Claudine's back. Mahiru resorts to waving instead and calls out in a whisper.
"Is Tendo-san all right?"
Before Claudine can answer in the affirmative, Karen whirls around and spots them.
"Oh! Kuro-chan and Tendo-san are back!" she blurts.
"Shhhh! Karen-chan! Tendo-san is asleep!"
"Wah!" Nana squeals much more softly. "So she is! How cute!"
"Did they give her anesthetics?" Junna asks.
"Oh~?" Kaoruko purrs. "That stuff that acts like a truth serum? Do tell us what she said to you, Kuro-han."
"Mind your business," Futaba grunts, though she passes Claudine a curious glance anyway.
Claudine checks to ensure Maya is fast asleep before she steps in for a moment to address everyone.
"She's all right. The filling went well, but they gave her anesthetic to be safe. I just want to bring her back to her room now."
"Do you need help?" Nana offers.
"That's all right. I've got her."
"Do tell," Kaoruko grins. "What kind of drunk is she?"
"Wouldn't you like to know." Claudine smirks back smugly. Kaoruko clicks her tongue.
Just then, Claudine feels her passenger stir a little and lowers her voice.
"I'm going to stay with her until she wakes up just to make sure she's all right."
"Sure sure," Futaba says. "Take all the time you need, Kuroko. Just tell us all the details later."
"We'll see about that…"
Claudine takes her leave and hurries on to Maya's room. After pushing her way in and closing the door behind her, she brings Maya over to the bed and carefully deposits her.
After removing Maya's shoes and then her own, Claudine lies her down on her back comfortably. Maya stirs just a little, and her eyes open just a crack.
"Saijou-sa… Clau…"
"Easy," Claudine murmurs, leaning down to kiss her cheek. "I'm right here. I'll stay with you as long as you'd like, Maya. How are you feeling?"
Maya sighs, trying to reach her hand out for her but missing, so Claudine takes hers instead.
"Claudine… I feel like… want to hold you…"
Claudine lets out a long, long sigh.
"I meant how is your tooth feeling?"
"Tooth…? What tooth…?" Clearly, Maya doesn't even remember the procedure or her cavity and isn't aware of any pain or discomfort at all.
"Well, that's good, then…" Claudine takes a seat on the edge of the mattress, and the moment she's in range, Maya starts reaching for her in a feeble effort to pull her down with her, but she is so tired and already fading that she doesn't have the strength to bring her close enough. She whimpers, begging for Claudine to stay.
"Claudine… ma Claudine…"
"All right, don't hurt yourself. I'm staying, okay?" Claudine stretches out her legs and lies herself down facing her. Maya instantly latches onto her like a magnet, burrowing into the crook of her neck. Claudine hasn't even finished folding her arms around her before Maya has already drifted off. Claudine sighs, pressing a kiss to her forehead.
"You're such a handful…"
She cradles her close and strokes through her hair, finally letting herself rest a bit as well after the hectic morning.
She dozes for a short while, but just when she feels she's about to fall asleep, she hears a soft moan. Maya's arms give a light squeeze around her back, and Claudine opens her eyes in time to kiss her awake.
"Maya?" she prompts sweetly.
Maya makes a bit of a face as she finally remembers how to open her eyes. She blinks, and her eyes are still a bit hazy, but recognition is clear in them this time.
"Saijou-san…"
"So you know who I am this time. That's good."
"Pardon…?"
"Don't worry about it."
Maya pushes herself up onto her elbow a little bit, still puzzled.
"I… I don't exactly recall what transpired…"
"That might be for the better," Claudine murmurs. "I went with you to the dentist and she gave you some anesthetic. When you woke up… well, you pretty much acted like your normal self, for the most part."
"Did I?"
"More or less." Claudine pecks her nose. "Does anything hurt? Tell me honestly."
Maya shakes her head.
"Not at all. I feel perfectly fine, if not a bit tired."
"That's normal. You had a bit of an exhausting day, I suppose."
Maya blinks hazily a few more times, as if trying to piece together fragments of her memory.
"You… Saijou-san, did you carry me back here…?"
"Just for a few minutes. You were nearly asleep on your feet."
"I thought as much," Maya mumbles. "I can so clearly remember your scent, your warmth, the beat of your heart…"
Claudine starts turning red again.
"A-All right! You don't have to say everything out loud, you know."
"My apologies… I hope I did not cause you too much trouble."
"Not much more than you usually do." Claudine pulls her close and kisses her lips. Maya hums in delight and kisses her in return.
And as amusing and honest as the spaced-out side of her had been, Claudine is glad to have the more competent Maya back to her old self.
"You were quite adorable, though," she tells her once the kiss has ended. "You cried so easily… I thought you were in pain."
"Was I?"
"No. You just couldn't believe we were a couple."
"Oh…" Maya blinks, blushes, then smiles. "I suppose that is cause for emotion. Sometimes I still cannot believe it's true. You are just so wonderful, Claudine-"
"A-All right! You really aren't any different…"
Maya grins with a hum, then moves in close once more to kiss her a little more deeply. Claudine sighs against her lips, glad to have Maya back to her usual self. But when they part, a small tear drips from Maya's eye and lands on Claudine's cheek. Claudine sputters.
"Wh-? M-Maya-?"
Maya simply smiles and shakes her her head.
"I am all right. I simply… love you so much, Claudine…"
Claudine deflates, reaching up to lock both arms around her and pull her down into a firm hug.
"Honestly… stop scaring me like that…"
Maya nuzzles into the side of her neck.
"My apologies."
As Maya settles comfortably against her pulse, Claudine welcomes her weight and warmth. She eventually lets her eyelids close.
"But… me, too. Je t'aime, Maya."
Maya purrs and cuddles up closer.
"I truly am so very lucky…" Her thoughts travel to the hands that have settled themselves around her back, to Claudine's left ring finger. "And one day…"
But Claudine has already faded off into a much-deserved nap. Maya turns her face to kiss her cheek, then closes her eyes once again to join her in slumber.
No matter how many treats she might enjoy and indulge in, she knows nothing could ever be sweeter than her beloved Claudine.
A/N: Incorporating Maya's fear of needles that I established in a previous chapter a long time ago, as well as a need for exploring what kind of "drunk" Maya would be, as well as satisfying a personal desire for piggyback rides... Such an all-encompassing chapter!
This was so much fun to write - just a fun, silly, casual event with them both being sweet and cute. I think Maya would definitely be that person who, when intoxicated, would just cry because they love their girlfriend so much hahah~
Please review!