Chapter Text
It had been nothing like this in the afternoon, when they’d arrived, to check out the piano, do a soundtrack, get familiar with the acoustics and put their clothes and makeup in the room the hotel had set aside for them. Now, as Maki watched the double door into the back of the ballroom, it seemed to be bending, ready to burst, holding back so much bustle and building noise that Maki could almost feel the surge of pressure from the bubbling crowd. But Nico, undaunted, with a happy flip of her sable hair, creaked it open enough to peek through, Eli behind her, towering over the mini maestro.
“So many people” Eli sounded awed.
“Nico knows.” Nico’s response was clipped, almost subdued.
“Really?” Maki’s voice trembled as she raised her foot to step forward..
Nico spun, to push Maki back, “No, you can’t look.”
“But I want to.” Maki couldn’t help how her attention focused on what was beyond the door or how her voice had had tremor that turned it into a whine.
Nico was insistent, a rare frown darkening her expression. “You just need to look at Nico.”
Eli stood behind Nico, tall, very serious, and a lot pale, nodding her head, “You can’t unsee it.”
“I can hear them.” Maki had to shout a little, but Nico and Eli were more solid than the doors, refusing to let her through.
The noise kept rising. Maki could see it in her imagination. People drifting in from their dinner events, free of their coats, best clothes shining and pressed, each eager for entertainment, ready to pull someone into their arms, to twirl around the ballroom, to have a cozy against the winter dose of holiday romance and sparkle. And Maki was ready to step out and claim the piano, smile at Nico, and belong to the music.
Nico stepped forward, hands on Maki’s cheek, which stunned the taller woman for long enough that Nico could pull her down into a long, lingering kiss before pushing Maki through the door, Eli laughing as she lifted her saxophone. Maki’s head was swirling, her pulse racing, all the noise around her gone as her ears filled with the percussion of desire. Then the piano was right there, awaiting her, keys cool, Eli was warming up on her sax, and Nico’s hand was resting on Maki’s shoulder, a solid comfort.
“We got this, Maki.” Nico paused, almost gleeful, her other hand quickly ruffling Maki’s hair, “Just listen to Nico, sweetheart.” No sarcasm, so much affection, so different from the first time Nico had uttered a musical demand. Maki glanced up to catch Nico’s wink as she bounced by, hand out to grab the mic, hair flying behind her, silver dress glinting. The moment froze for Maki, like the shots from the Life article that she’d spent months deriding as pinups. But since her first glimpse of Nico, even on a page, vivid in black and white, Maki had been unable to ignore Nico’s vitality, her charm, the emotions that would roil so quickly in eyes even deeper than they were wide. And here, in something she never would have dreamed, Maki was, in front of a piano, Nico just three steps away, vivid in living color, warmth from her hand still lingering on Maki’s shoulder, Maki’s every sense waiting for Nico’s next hint.
Nico stood next to the mic, gleamed at the audience, bounced on the balls of her feet, clapped her hands together, “1, 2, 3, 4,” voice snapping with joie de vivre, Maki smiled at the French phrase her mind hooked onto, Nico would have called joy de fever or something. And it was a fever raging, unleashed, across the ballroom, infecting the crowd, as Eli’s sax shimmering like icicles and sleigh bells and the pocket of air under a horse blanket and then there was Nico’s voice, hot enough to slice metal, set fire to the paper the notes had once been written on, to lick flames on Maki’s skin until it was sweaty slick...
“Sleigh bells ring
Are you listening”
And they were. The entire ballroom. Maki glanced up as her fingers found the keys to unfurl the melody under Nico and the hundreds...hundreds...of New Year’s Eve party guests has paused, all conversations, all shuffling, all entropy had just iced. But Nico’s voice was sparks and crackling fire...
###
And in a blink it was over...Nico singing a swoony soft version of the “The Best Is Yet To Come,” surprising Maki by settling onto the bench, hips touching, while couples danced with their arms around each other, low murmurs.
“Out of the tree of life I just picked me a plum
You came along and everything's startin' to hum
Still, it's a real good bet, the best is yet to come”
And then, back to the plan, Nico on her feet, introducing the “elegant Eli” again, raising a wave of applause for ‘Maki the genius.”
“Before Nico say says good night and Bibi goes to bed, now that the clock’s started ticking on a New Year, we’ll leave you with this thought.
Best is yet to come and babe, won't that be fine?
You think you've seen the sun, but you ain't seen it shine
“A-Wait till the warm-up's underway
Wait till our lips have met
And wait till you see that sunshine day
You ain't seen nothin' yet”
Maki had never put as much of herself into a symphony as she took the solo, Nico leaning on the piano, chin on her hand, as focused on Maki as any of the dancers were on each other, Eli watching through a window again. Maki reveled in Nico’s attention, the ardent, amorous flare in her eyes, the playful upturn at the corner of her luscious lips, the way for this moment, Maki was the only other person in the room. And Nico’s voice forged all that into one promise.
“The best is yet to come and babe, won't it be fine?
Best is yet to come, come the day you're mine”
Come the day you're mine
I'm gonna teach you to fly”
Maki was proud, a quick caress of her shoulder by Nico was a thrill Maki transferred into the keys, not a distraction from the music, her anticipation weaving into a new texture, a rising tempo that fueled Nico’s grin as she turned once again to their audience.
“We've only tasted the wine
We're gonna drain the cup dry
Wait till your charms are right for these arms to surround
You think you've flown before, but baby, you ain't left the ground
A-Wait till you're locked in my embrace
Wait till I draw you near
A-Wait till you see that sunshine place
Ain't nothin' like it here
The best is yet to come and babe, won't it be fine?
The best is yet to come, come the day you're mine
Come the day you're mine
And you're gonna be mine.”
Maki could feel the tears in her eyes as Nico’s voice gained a new depth, bold and resonant, the timbre inviting, confident, the emotions a symphony in one treasured instrument, one single spark, one star bright enough to birth the day. Maki knew tomorrow her arms would be as heavy as a subway car, but tonight, fizzing through her muscles was music, the tender truth in the love songs a froth, a glamour, that brightened everything around Maki as the audience swarmed the stage, surrounding Nico. She lifted her fingers from the keys, caught Eli’s eyes and received a glorious smile as thanks as Eli raised her sax in a salute before Nozomi bounded up, wrapping her arms around the blonde as Eli’s adrenaline faded. Maki stood, stroking her arms through the air for a stretch, wondering what familiar faces she would see, listening to Nico’s joyful chirps of thanks and well wishes.
###
Throngs of people surrounding Nico, pushing to get nearer, compliments and questions rushing her faster than the crowd. It was a dream, a dream happening now, here, onstage, NYC, New Year’s Eve, Nico Yazawa triumphant and hugging people as they came into reach. Kotori and Umi were among the first, and Kotori leapt into the hug, squealing with happiness. “Oh my god, Nico, that was amazing.”
“Nico knows.” Nico looked back to where Umi was shaking Maki’s hand and Eli leaned into Nozomi, “They did so well.”
“Everybody LOVED you. People couldn’t stop talking about how they could feel the songs…”
Nico took a towel and wiped the sweat off her face, “Well, Nico always makes the audience swoon, but this time…”
“Uh huh.” Kotori’s gentle hum was a nudge.
Thinking of Maki, eyes drifting closed as she swam into the swell of the music, Nico grinned and released Kotori after another squeeze, “This time Nico felt it too. And the dresses...we were the complete package.”
“You certainly were.” Tsubasa Kira, in a practical but sharp tweed, came up, wrapping Nico in a another hug, “I regret suggesting you keep Bibi together. Europe and UTX Swing will be missing out.” Standing next to Tsubasa was a even more stylish woman in a gold and white gown, white stole around her shoulders, taller even than Eli.
Nico threw back her head and laughed, catching Maki’s attention, who said something to Umi and moved to Nico’s side, “Nico’s a headliner.”
“Nico’s a bandleader.” Maki stated as she slid next to Nico, “And a good one. I’m very grateful Umi convinced me to play with you.”
“I think Nico convinced you.” Nico smirked.
Maki shook her head, sharing a glance with an amused Umi, but then bit her lip, “Well, I did take you more seriously once I met you.”
“Oh right,” Nico laughed again, “Apparently Maki used to have daydreams about Nico’s Life photoshoot.”
Maki, turned perpendicular to the crowd arcing around Nico, fidgeted with the hair pin Nico had gotten her.
“We’ll have to acquire a copy of the article. We might be able to use an excerpt for publicity purposes.” Tsubasa’s escort had a deep gravelly voice, with a slight flattening of vowels for an accent, “I’m Moira LePierre.”
“Yeah, Tsubasa said you were coming. Nico Yazawa, pleased to meet you.” Nico shook LaPierre’s hand, “Weren’t these girls amazing?”
LaPierre was staring at Maki, her open admiration making the pianist feel fidgety. “Tsubasa said Miss Nishikino had no jazz experience until two weeks ago but I find that hard to believe.”
Nico’s eyes were twinkling at Maki, “Yeah, she’s pretty amazing. Smarter than three Nicos, worked as hard as Eli and I combined.”
Maki didn’t agree but with Nico in full work the room mode and glowing at her, Maki knew anything she said now would come out as a croak and rather than continuing to compliment her, everyone would just laugh. She glanced to Umi, who nodded, looking pleased that Maki had come so far thanks to her ‘join Bibi’ suggestion, but seemed to be urging Kotori toward an end of their evening. So no help there, but wait, was that Professor Melton talking to someone in a tuxedo. When Maki made eye contact, Melton waved.
Maki touched Nico’s hand, “Excuse me for just a minute, Nico, Professor Melton’s here.”
“Yeah, Nico put her on the list. Since your parents were booked.” Nico squeezed Maki’s forearm, “Just don’t forget you’re Nico’s ride home.”
Maki nodded, diving away as Nico, Tsubasa, and LaPierre chatted. She really was curious what Professor Melton had thought.
“Professor!”
Melton stepped away from her conversation, hand out. “Happy New Year, Maki!”
“Thank you for coming.” As Maki spoke, Melton’s grasp was warm and firm.
Melton flipped her shawl in imitation of one of Nico’s favorite gestures, “Oh, I’m a long time Yazawa fan, she always entertains. And I wanted to see how you managed fitting into Bibi.”
There was a silence, a little awkward for Maki, but Melton seemed at ease, waiting for her pupil to say something.
Maki finally shrugged, earnest and wry wrestling in her tone. “Thank you...for being more stubborn than I was.”
Melton chuckled, “I’ve had more practice.”
Maki felt herself relaxing. Melton was a frequent enough guest of her parents that Maki could easily add the family party vibe to her post concert buzz, “It’s nice to find someone I know.” Maki glanced at the stage where Nico and LaPierre were in a five way conversation with three people Maki had never seen before, Nico animatedly explaining something, her arms whipping through the air as she made points. Maki was surprised she couldn’t hear the singer, “Nico can talk to anyone but I’m....” Maki shrugged, her smile shy and familiar to someone who’d known her since her preteen days.
Melton chuckled, glad to see Maki at ease enough to be honest, “Nico’s a natural, making herself the center of attention since the day she set foot in the conservatory; the rest of us just watch in awe.”
Maki knew what that was like, to watch Nico in awe, but if they stayed on the subject of Nico, she’d be drifting into very private thoughts. Time for a change of topic, “What did you think of our concert?”
Melton paused, thoughtful, then wrapped her shawl closer around her,‘That performance gave me life.” Professor Melton nodded at her charge, ‘You did well to keep up with them.”
Maki laughed, finally able to acknowledge the insane schedule she’d been keeping, rubbing a thumb over her palm. ‘It took every hour I had.’ Hours she would have rather spent with Nico, talking, eating, sparking...when Bibi was both their full time jobs, would that mean more rehearsals or now that Maki was almost up to speed, more time available for other...
Professor Melton could tell she was losing Maki’s attention. “Do you need that letter? I’ll be in my office tomorrow.’
Only half listening, Maki had gone back to watching Nico, who was now engaged in a serious conversation with Nozomi and Eli, Tsubasa and LaPierre nowhere to be seen.
“Maki? Lucerne? Letter?”
“Hmmmm?” Now all of Maki’s attention had been stolen by tonight’s triumphant troubadour, who was glaring at Nozomi skeptically while Eli made reassuring gestures.
Professor Melton grinned and whispered “thought so” as she left her student to whatever fancies she might wander toward.
###
“All right. Nozomi said she put our bags in your car.” Nico was holding Maki’s coat. They’d decided to wait to change, “And we’ll go back to my apartment.”
“Where are Eli and Nozomi?” Maki wondered as Nico wrapped her arms around Maki’s waist for a quick hug.
“They’re taking the room the hotel gave us...did Nico not tell you?” Nico put on her own coat as Maki pulled her Christmas present over her curls and found her keys in her other pocket.
Maki sighed. Another detail missed. The past 24 hours had been a dizzy blur, so many things to take in, that Maki really didn’t know how much she would remember once she finally managed to get the first decent night’s sleep she would have had in three weeks. Although, she was pretty certain she’d forgotten how to sleep so perhaps the rest of her life would just be this blur of music, stomach flips, and soft, warm touches from Nico leading her to a series of stages in Canada.
“Maki?” Nico’s throat was a little ragged. She probably wanted tea, Maki thought.
“Tea?” Maki asked.
Nico’s smile was gentle, “Yes, when we get home.”
Home, Maki thought, Nico’s apartment. No rehearsals, concert a success, their joint trip to Montreal and Quebec City practically booked. Nothing scheduled until dinner with her parents tomorrow night. Maki didn’t know her hands had clenched until she felt them relax. Her legs went too, but Nico was right there, sliding under her arm.
“Yeah, the concierge is going to call us a cab.” Nico decided, “Come on, Maki. Let’s sit you down.”
“I can drive.” Maki complained through several yawns as Nico levered her onto a chaise.
Nico snorted a little, “Sure you can, Beautiful. Tomorrow. Tonight, we are tucking you into a bed.”
More yawning as Nico found the energy to zoom down the hall, Maki fascinated by the rhythm the sable hair was bopping to as Nico got smaller. Then she closed her eyes, just for a brief moment.
###
Maki woke up, startled, heart racing, not sure where she was. Last she remembered she was in a corridor at the hotel and Nico was leaving...Maki sat up, panicking. She was in a bed, in a nightshirt, not her bed, not her nightshirt, Nico looking down at her from the wall...Maki blinked her eyes, found a lamp, and turned it on...Nico’s picture from the Life article was framed on the wall, portrait sized, Nico about to jump off the wall into bed, Maki’s memory coloring in the mischief and desire sparking in the spicy sweet red peppermint swirls. Maki giggled, half fun, half fear and dove back into what she now knew was Nico’s pillow, pulse thrumming, to inhale the fruity musk smell that lingered whenever Nico was near her. Where was Nico?
Maki stood, pausing to take in the details of the small room, the pink, the pillows, the family pictures, the framed photo of The Half Note next to Nico’s portrait. They’d have to get a gig there, Maki decided, so they could take a picture together on the stage. In case Nico ever wanted to redecorate.
Opening the door into the rest of the apartment, Maki couldn’t see Nico...maybe she’d gone into Eli and Nozomi’s room? But then Maki heard Nico’s voice, sleepy and worried. “Maki?”
“Nico?”
The blanket lump on the couch sat up and it was Nico in undershirt and thermal underwear, afghan wrapped around her, “Everything all right?”
Maki shrugged, “I guess. What happened?”
Nico shook herself and stood, grabbing Maki to pull her to the couch and wrap the afghan around both of them, “You slept walked your way through a cab ride, changing into a nightshirt I borrowed from Eli, and being tucked into my bed.”
“Nice picture of you on your wall. Couldn’t miss it.” Maki leaned into Nico.
“Want one for your bedroom?” Nico teased, playing with Maki’s hair, tendrils of which were standing out from her head, nearly knotted.
“Nah,” Maki yawned, settling into Nico’s shoulder, “want the real thing.”
Nico could work with that. But as Maki started to snore again, Nico realized it would have to be some other night.
“I love you, Maki.” Nico said softly, kissing Maki’s forehead, “Get some sleep. You earned it, kid.”
###
Maki was a mess. Almost as nervous as the concert, but Nico had been there with her that night. And this was nerves on Nico’s account. Her GIRLFRIEND had been in Troy for three days spending time with her family before Bibi started their Canadian tour. Maki had driven her up, stayed over one night, and only gotten a dozen questions from Nico’s mother about her future plans. And then she’d returned to New York City so Kotori could take her on a whirlwind two day shopping spree, buying new threads deemed suitable by Kotori for Bibi’s two month string of engagements. Maki had chosen her favorite of them, a black crepe silk Peggy Hunt dress, with bright slashes of color across its pleated breasts and hourglass form, to wear for tonight’s event, the 12th Day Of Christmas concert. Nico was meeting her there. And then tomorrow, they would be on the road for Canada, Eli and Nozomi opting to take the train and meet them in Montreal. Eli had already loaded all their luggage in the Mercury Colony Park Cruiser Maki’s parents had insisted on gifting Bibi. When Maki saw Eli’s luggage and imagined what Nico would have, she was glad her parents had talked her out of a sedan. Tonight, though, she was driving the convertible. And she double checked her coat pocket, yes, ALL the keys were still there. That was so important.
“MakiMAkiMAKI” Rin rarely took time to breath between words when excited. And Maki felt her ribs crunch as the tiny ginger percussionist hugged the air out of her. “YOU’RE HERE!”
Maki pried herself out of Rin’s grasp, “I said I’d be here, Rin. Nico’s coming too.”
“I know I know I know… Nico’s already here. And her dress is so pretty.”
“”Nico’s here already?” Maki could hear the nervous in her own voice.
“Yeah, come on,” Rin started dragging Maki down the hall, but Maki set her heels and forced Rin to a standstill. She wasn’t going to see Nico for the first time in days being dragged around by Rin like a cat with a string.
“I can walk, Rin.”
“Ha! But if I get to Nico first I’m gonna kiss her.” Rin made a kissy face at Maki and turned to sprint but Maki lunged forward and caught Rin by the collar.
“No way.” Maki snarled.
“Hey, you’ll tear my dress, Maki. LET GO!” Rin waved her arms ineffectually.
“See Nico knew you’d be wrestling each other before 5 minutes had gone by.” Nico’s voice surprised Maki and she froze, Rin nearly off the floor as collar slid around her neck. Nico’s dress really was pretty, an elegant black swing dress with sharp lines and a close red polka dot pattern. “Put down the percussionist, Hanayo’s getting jittery.”
“Kayo-chin needs me, Maki!” Rin cried as Maki released her, the ginger bopping Maki on the head as she hurried back to the green room.
“Hi.” Nico stood in front of Maki, eyes twinkling up at her girlfriend, “Did you get taller? How have you been? Did you miss Nico?”
Maki shrugged, “Kotori didn’t leave me time for anything but shopping.”
“Ooohh, are you wearing one of the new dresses? Kotori called me to rave about them.” Nico’s hands reached for Maki’s coat buttons and Maki’s response was to bat them nervously away. Nico raised her hands, palms out, and took a step back, “Sorry. Nico got too excited.”
Maki lunged forward again, crushing Nico against her, hiding tears in Nico’s ticklish hair, “I missed you.”
“I missed you too.” Nico’s hold was just as tight.
###
Switching Rin to alternate percussion had given μ’s a unique, rhythm driven mood that suited them. Umi’s arrangements were loose and any flaws were more than made up for by the charm of the players. And Maki thought, sitting here, with Nico next to her, Eli on Nico’s other side, watching their friends have so much fun onstage was a new way to enjoy music. At the opera or the symphony, Maki had never felt quite the level of personal satisfaction as she did when Hanayo finished with heartfelt solo during Silent Night that had Eli openly bawling into a handkerchief as Nozomi held her hand, Nico with tears sliding down her cheeks, and Maki nearly as emotional. She was proud of her friend, who had been reluctant to perform in front of an audience. But Maki could see Hanayo drawing confidence from the other musicians around her. Then Umi took the lead with her clarinet planning a mellow evening by the fire as "The Christmas Song" segued back to a more modern night. And then, Honoka stepped forward as Rin snapped open a trumpet case.
“For our last song, we have a special guest...Nozomi Tojo, who wanted our help to give a very special Christmas present to our friend, Eli.”
Nozomi stood, her long purple gown with a double row of silver stars across the bosom fitting in nicely with the rainbow array of formalwear on the stage. For the holiday, μ’s had opted not to default to the usual formal black and all the women had chosen something brighter.
Rin had also stepped forward to the mic, a string of bells in one hand and Nozomi’s trumpet in the other. Nozomi’s smile was sly as she winked at Rin and claimed her horn. Eli was sitting forward, hands clasped together, tears still glistening.
Nozomi put the horn to her lips, and the pure, soft brights had Maki edging forward too as she recognized Irving Berlin’s ‘White Christmas’. She hadn’t ever heard a trumpet sound so supple, so tender, so personal before. Nico was leaning back, arm casually draped over the back of Maki’s chair, nodding along as Nozomi’s solo lengthened. “She’s been rehearsing for weeks” Nico whispered when Nozomi lowered her trumpet and Rin gently shook the bells, beginning to sing in a voice that tinkled like chimes. Maki elbowed Nico, not wanting to be distracted from this moment of magic.
###
Maki approached Nozomi very formally, bowing her head, “That was lovely. I didn’t realize trumpets could be that…" Searching for a word, Maki reverted to her classical training, "teneramente."
“You’ve been learning a lot.” Nozomi giggled as Eli refused to do anything but stand behind her, and try to pull Nozomi closer than humanly possible.
“I have.” Maki wondered if Nico would ever pull her in like that. “Aren’t you going to miss playing when we’re on the road.”
Nozomi leaned back to kiss Eli on the cheek, “Every once in awhile, they sneak me onstage, right, Eli-chi?”
Eli’s blue eyes were winter joy, “Those are the best nights.”
“I look forward to playing with you.” Maki was struck by her own seriousness. Soon, she needed to sit down and write Professor Melton a thank you for the unexpected cascade of impact Melton’s seemingly random demand had had on her life.
Nozomi chuckled, “Never expected to hear that from your long hair, hey Nico?”
Nico brushed Maki’s hand, a quick gesture which still sent a flush of warmth from Maki’s chest to the tips of her ears. Maki found herself grateful for Nico’s restraint as the smaller woman answered. “It’s been all surprises, a month’s worth of Christmas presents for a very lucky Nico.”
And there was one more, Maki thought as she watched Nico, catching as many details as she could take in as Nico gestured, hair bouncing, glance flitting from friend to friend, agile and animated, for Maki, everyone else in the room as far away as the North Pole.
###
Where are we going?” Nico asked as Maki parked on a street in an unfamiliar neighborhood..
“It’s a surprise.”
“Christmas was last week.”
“It’s Day 12, Nico. And we just went to a Christmas concert…” Maki paused, deciding to switch from arguing to urging, “Just come on…” Maki practically dragged Nico out of the car and up the steps of a brownstone. She handed Nico keys, nearly dropping them when surprise delayed Nico’s grab for them. “Stop asking questions and open the door.”
Maki was practically bouncy so Nico put the key in the lock and turned. Maki reached from behind to open the door and shove Nico across the threshold.
“Slow down. Nico will kiss you as soon as she turns around.” But Maki had rushed ahead, through an archway, looking back briefly to stick her tongue out at a very confused Nico. Nico followed her through the archway and stopped, staring at the redhead gleaming at her from a luxuriously comfortable couch she knew almost as well. Maki was leaning back into its cushions, arms out, smirking.
“Did your parents move while Nico was in Troy? Why is this here?” Nico stood in the archway, suspicious.
Maki swept her hair back over her ear, “You said you wanted to take it home…” Nico kept staring and Maki got self conscious, “I mean...Nico...this can be your...when we get back...our...home….if you want…”
“Explain.” Nico winced at how harsh her voice sounded. Maki paled but when Nico held out the key, she saw a small N inside a heart engraved on the silver Tiffany keychain. “Is this for Nico? ”
Maki nodded and blushed, falling into the couch instead of responding properly.
Nico slid next to Maki, wrestling the cushion away, “You did this?”
Maki nodded.
“Do your parents know?”
“They own the building. We were renovating it for new tenants. I asked if we…” Maki ducked her head, “could be them.”
Nico was flummoxed. Maki was watching, cautious, worried, sitting on her hands, amethyst eyes darkening with every silent moment. Finally she squeaked, “Merry Christmas?”
Nico snorted, glancing around the bare room, with its chandelier, bay window, and burnished hardwood floors, “Are there twelve lords going to leap out?”
Maki shook her head, “No.”
“Eleven ladies dance in?”
Tucking tousled curls behind her ear, Maki pushed herself up, stood in front of Nico and put out a hand. “Just two.”
The silence was getting too long and Maki was about to open her mouth and start chattering nervously when Nico giggled, “You know we’ll have to buy more furniture, a table, a lamp, maybe a bed...”
Maki shrugged, amethyst eyes mischievous. “Why be just like everyone else?”
Nico stepped forward, one arm around Maki’s waist, the other taking her hand, the better to spin their positions, "Oh?"
Nico felt Maki against her, an easy weight, an eager partner, the lush, orchid pink lips opening, tongue flicking as she whispered, “I don’t want to be like everyone else." Then Nico felt Maki lightly press a kiss under her ear, to herald a sensual whisper," And you couldn’t be if you tried.”
Nico was still surprised by Maki’s occasional boldness, but it was only another challenge for Nico, another test to rise to, another dare to meet . And that conquest came with new thrills, the raw silk of Maki’s lips brushing hers, peppermint breath a sweeter treat than candy as Nico closed her eyes and claimed her future.