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“So you’ve been hogging the kitchen all day to make…charcoal?” Claudine notes with amusement, her gaze flickering between Maya and her failed baking attempts on the kitchen counter. “You do realize there’s central heating in the dorms nowadays?”
“And what of it? It’s still my reserved kitchen time, I can do whatever I want…” Maya grumbles, stepping protectively in front of her admittedly extremely dark cookies. A sigh escapes. “Though maybe I have indeed left them in the oven a little bit too long…”
“A little? More like an hour!” Claudine huffs exasperatedly. “How did you not notice this?”
“Maybe I wanted to bake all black cookies to woo you?” Maya says, closing one eye sheepishly. “They have the same pretty color as your revue uniform after all.”
“Really now?” Claudine blinks at her in disbelief, raising an eyebrow. “That’s what you're going with?”
“Yes,” Maya decides. “So do you want one? Kuro-chan~”
“God, please stop.” Claudine pulls a face. “And while we’re at it, I don’t want to hear that nickname from your lips ever again.”
“Fair enough.” Maya chuckles, then her grin turns sharp. “There are far more enjoyable things I could do with my lips anyway~”
If looks could kill, then Maya would be dead in an instant, slayed by the searing glare Claudine sends her way.
“There are indeed,” Claudine growls in the back of her throat. “Like being silent and never speaking a word again.”
“I’m afraid that’s not possible. But if you ever fancy something else…” Maya tapers off, her smirk only growing wider each second. A pause, then she continues, wondering, “Why not Kuro though? Everyone else is allowed to call you so…”
“But you’re not everyone else.”
“So you’re saying I’m special?”
“Yes. Especially annoying.” Claudine attempts to scowl at her, but it can’t quite hide her smile. “You insufferable woman…”
“Any other special nickname on your mind then?” Maya prompts, her eyes dancing. “You seemed to be particularly fond of…ma Claudine?”
“H-hey now!” Claudine yelps. “That was uncalled for!”
“I’m merely stating facts.” Maya smiles in delight as she drinks in Claudine’s flustered state.
“Just shut up and tell me what got you distracted enough to burn the cookies to a crisp!”
“Shut up or tell you? Which one?” Maya’s lips twitch in amusement. “Getting some mixed signals here.”
“Both! Neither! Uggh. Why are you so frustrating!” Claudine lets out a dramatic huff.
Maya just shrugs noncommittally, relieved not having to admit the embarrassing truth: Being so caught up in daydreaming about Claudine that she’d missed the timer.
“So what brings you here?” she asks Claudine. “I thought you’d appreciate having the training room all to yourself today?”
“I wish…” Claudine lets out the biggest sigh. “But Kaoruko was there too and well…” she tapers off, suddenly unable to meet Maya’s gaze.
“Oh? Tell me more.” Maya grins.
“There’s nothing to tell!” Claudine huffs defensively, but the cute flush on her face says otherwise. Nothing, huh?
Maya makes a mental note to ask Kaoruko about the conversation later, even though she just knows she’d end up being teased mercilessly for it. But anything for the off chance that Claudine might’ve called her cute.
Claudine clears her throat, focusing on Maya again. “But enough about Kaoruko, I’d rather know what you tried to bake.”
“Charcoal,” Maya deadpans.
“Aren’t you funny today,” Claudine rolls her eyes, but it's somewhat ruined by the grin tugging at her lips.
“I’m always funny,” Maya quips while stealthily trying to reach out for the recipe book still laying open on the counter. But just when she’s about to get hold of it, Claudine suddenly lunges forward and rips it right out of her hands.
She throws Maya a triumphant grin, incredibly pleased with herself. Cute if not for the fact that she's about to discover just how badly Maya has failed.
Nothing Maya can do about that anymore though, so she assigns herself to accept this cruel fate, heaving out a long defeated sigh while Claudine studies the affronted page with glee.
“Wait, you tried to bake macarons?” Claudine blurts out, her eyes flicking to Maya, lips parted in surprise. ”The hell, Maya, why are you making macarons?”
For you.
“For reasons.”
“For reasons,” Claudine echoes, squinting her eyes in suspicion. “Care to elaborate those…reasons?”
“Not a chance you’d just leave, instead?” Maya tries, cursing herself for not coming up with a better excuse.
“Nope,” Claudine shakes her head. “You clearly need my help.”
“Excuse me?” Maya frowns deeply. “I’m naturally good at everything, I don’t need your help.”
Claudine pointedly eyes the sad black heaps on the baking tray. “Wanna try saying that again?”
“I don’t need your help,” Maya repeats, sounding pathetic even to her own ears.
“Well, that’s too bad,” Claudine decides, her eyes sparkling in amusement, enjoying this way too much for Maya’s tastes. “I’m staying or you’d never have a chance to produce something even remotely edible.”
“Can’t I ask Daiba-san instead?”
“Are you insinuating I can't bake macarons?” Claudine snaps, irritation briefly flashing over her face. “Or would it be so terrible asking me for help for once in your goddamn life?”
“N-no…” Maya relents meekly. “It's just…”
“If you want me to leave that badly just say so!” Claudine’s crimson eyes flash ablaze, practically piercing through Maya in their intensity.
When Maya fails to respond right away, Claudine’s fiery gaze dies down just as quickly. She lets out a wry laugh, then throws the recipe book back down onto the counter, slowly turning away. “Fine…”
“Saijou-san, wait…” Maya calls after her, feeling her chest growing tight. “It’s just…” she hesitates for a second, then forces herself to finally say, “I wanted to make them for you.”
“W-what?” Claudine whirls back around, eyes widened in surprise. “For me?”
“Yes,” Maya says quietly, owning the statement. When Claudine only continues to stare at her, uncomprehending, she continues, “but apparently I can't even do the simple task of baking my favorite person's favorite snacks…”
“Favorite?” Claudine chokes on air.
“Wait, did I get that wrong?” Maya momentarily panics. “You don't like macarons?”
“N-no! I like Macarons just fine, actually they're great. I meant the other part of the sentence!!” Claudine’s cheeks turn pink, spreading into an impressive blush.
“Claudine, I’ve been flirting with you for months now, this shouldn’t exactly be a surprise,” Maya groans in frustration, throwing up her hands. “For god’s sake I haven’t been subtle either.”
“Wait, you meant that all for real?” Claudine sends her a baffled look. “I thought you were just messing with me…”
“No, I’m serious,” Maya lets out a shuddery breath. “Always was.” After a pause, she blurts out, “I’m in love with you, ma Claudine.”
Claudine’s sharp inhale echoes through the room.
Maya freezes, her mind in the beginning of a panic, still trying to grasp that she had actually just confessed. To her Claudine. On a total whim nonetheless. Oh god…this is definitely the most terrifying and embarrassing thing she’d ever done in her whole life.
“W-what!? This is unfair!” Claudine screeches, throwing a glare at Maya. “You can’t just say things like that, I wasn’t prepared!”
“Well, I’m not taking it back,” Maya says defiantly, crossing her arms. “But won’t mention it again if it bothers you…”
“Wow, can you maybe stop with the assumptions and let me answer first?” Claudine growls, taking a decisive step towards Maya.
And then she wraps her arms around her.
“S-saijou-san? ” Maya splutters, her heart throbbing violently. “What are you doing?”
“It’s called a hug,” Claudine murmurs, her breath washing over Maya’s ear, making her shiver. “Do I have to teach you everything?”
“I-I know what a hug is!”
“Well, apparently not, or else you’d know you’re supposed to put your arms around me too.”
“I know how to hug people…” Maya grumbles, slowly embracing Claudine back, carefully resting her chin on her shoulder. They'd never hugged before, and Maya certainly hadn't imagined it would ever feel this good. And oh, she certainly had imagined things.
She hums happily, but then she’s suddenly not content with merely holding Claudine loosely anymore. She wants more and pulls her in as close as physically possible, burying her head deep in Claudine's neck, breathing in her scent. What if this is not only their first, but also their last hug?
“You clearly don't know anything,” Claudine wheezes. “Can’t you relax for a bit, it’s getting a tad difficult to breathe? I promise I’m not going anywhere.”
“Sure?” Maya asks, not giving a damn that she's behaving quite pathetic, clinging to Claudine as if she's her last lifeline. Though she doesn’t want Claudine to feel uncomfortable, so she loosens her hold a bit, heaving out a long sigh.
“Of course! What are you even thinking?” Claudine huffs. “Especially now with us…”
“With us…?” Maya repeats eagerly. Has to.
“Don’t make me say it!”
“Well…” Maya murmurs. “If you’re fine with me winning in the confession department…”
“Haaah! No, you won’t!” Claudine bristles, leaning back a bit to give Maya a fierce stare. “Yours was pretty lousy anyway if we're entirely honest...”
“But at least I did confess,” Maya brags, just knowing she has Claudine on the hook now. So easy.
“That’s true…” Claudine admits grudgingly. “You utterly vexing woman…” She takes a deep breath, her gaze growing soft, then says quietly, “But I do love you. With all my heart, ma Maya.”
Maya's breath hitches.
“More than you, actually,” Claudine adds quickly, throwing Maya a triumphant look which is somehow even more endearing from merely a few inches away. “Which means I win!”
“But I fell in love first, so overall it’s still my victory,” Maya shoots back, grinning goofily, her heart thrumming with so much affection she can barely stand it. Finally hearing those words from her Claudine truly is everything. She just knows she’s going to replay this moment in her head for the rest of the day. And night. Or just the whole week.
“But you suck at hugging, so that makes us even!” Claudine argues. “At least!”
“Maybe I’m better at kissing.” Maya bats her eyes.
Claudine snorts. “In your dreams maybe!”
“Certainly so.” Maya grins. “But no worries, you weren’t too bad either~”
“Not too bad either?” Claudine’s mouth drops. “I’ll show you ‘not too bad either’!”
“Ready whenever you are~” Maya purrs, her gaze already dropping down to Claudine’s lips, barely believing her luck that all of this is actually happening and not just one of her dreams again.
“Wow, you’re awfully forward for someone who doesn’t even know how to hug.” Claudine lets out a puff of air and takes a step to the side, to Maya’s utter disappointment breaking the hug.
“And what of it?” Maya shrugs, pouting a little as she feels the loss of warmth already. “You know very well that practice is the first step towards improvement.”
“Fair enough.” Claudine chuckles. “But speaking of: You most definitely need some baking practice. I can’t have my girlfriend suck at making cookies…”
“Yes, no, that would be terrible.”
“Then why are you grinning like a maniac?” Claudine’s eyes narrow.
“Well…” Maya blinks, the biggest smile plastered all over her face. “You just called me your girlfriend.”
“I…uhm…” Claudine trails off, nervously shifting her feet. “A-are we not?”
“We are!” Maya leaps in, quickly reaching out to take Claudine’s hand into her own. “I want us to. More than anything.”
“Good…” Claudine exhales slowly. “Me too.” She gives Maya one of those earnest smiles, intertwining their fingers and giving them a gentle squeeze.
Maya happily returns the gesture. “So…about those macarons…does your offer to help still stand?”
“Of course! We can make them together!” Claudine’s eyes light up. “How about we make chocolate chip cookies instead for today though? Should be easier in case we get a little…distracted…” She blushes and clears her throat.
“Oh~?” Maya raises an eyebrow. “Could you elaborate a bit more on how we could get…distracted? Maybe a demonstration would help?” She grins and licks her lips. “Just to make sure I understand the plan correctly, of course.”
“You!” Claudine laughs a little, giving Maya a playful shove.
“Yes?”
“You’re terrible.” Claudine shakes her head in mock-desperation.
“Just admit you’re into that,” Maya banters back, grinning giddily.
“I admit nothing.” Claudine scrunches up her nose. “But to go back to the plan: Can you please check the amount of ingredients we need? Well, if you can manage to avert your eyes from my pretty face for half a minute?”
“Very funny…” Maya grumbles.
“Prove me wrong then~” Claudine challenges her with a teasing smile, shoving over the recipe book.
“Easy,” Maya lies, letting out a puff of air before reluctantly focusing on the recipe.
230g sugar
That's quite a bit. Are these cookies going to taste as sweet as Claudine’s lips? Not that Maya has any idea how they taste.
Yet.
She determinedly shakes her head, as if that would help getting rid of those thoughts, forcing herself to continue reading.
125g warm butter
Well, they have a microwave in the kitchen, that shouldn't be too difficult. Though how warm is warm? As warm as Claudine's hands? Oh, how she longs for Claudine to hold her hand again. That brief moment earlier just hadn't been enough.
She lets out a long sigh.
180g flour
Claudine's birthday is on the 1st of August…and she had played Flora in Starlight. Another sigh escapes. Was that already half a minute?
It should be. Feels like an entire eternity anyway.
“Alright, alright, I can't take this anymore, please stop,” Claudine huffs and seconds later Maya can feel herself being encircled in a gentle hug from behind, Claudine loosely leaning into her. “Better now?”
“Yes,” Maya says, but her voice comes out scratchy. “A lot.”
“Damn, how are you this cute?” Claudine murmurs, her breath washing over Maya’s ear. “It’s almost a bit unfair…”
“You think that’s unfair?” Maya argues, futilely trying to ignore the shivers running down her spine. “If anything, then you’re the unfair one…”
“Is that so?” Claudine purrs, squeezing herself closer to Maya.
“Yes,” Maya breathes out shakily. “This is your last warning: You better stop now or…”
“Or…?” Claudine rasps in that low tone of her voice. She doesn’t wait for Maya’s answer though, instead pressing a soft kiss on the nape of her neck.
Like electricity the touch travels to every nerve in Maya’s body, making her shudder once again.
With a low growl she turns around just enough to grab Claudine by the hem of her hoodie, finally hauling her into a scorching kiss, like one of those she’d always dreamed of.
None of those dreams could have prepared her for reality though. Maya feels like she’s about to lose her goddamn mind when Claudine kisses her back just as fervently, quickly adjusting her hold on Maya to pull her as close as physically possible.
This is everything. Thrilling, intoxicating and wonderful. Maya sighs into the kiss, gladly leaning her weight fully onto Claudine while her hands abandon the hoodie and slide into Claudine’s incredible soft hair.
If only they could continue forever.
But the cruel lack of air forces them apart way too soon. Both breathe heavily, staring deeply into each other’s eyes, everything else fading away for the moment.
“You really have no self-control.”
“Self control is overrated,” Maya rasps, not the least bit apologetic.
“You’re right.” Claudine nods slowly, her eyes turning dark. “It really is.”
That's Maya's only warning before Claudine yanks her forward by the collar of her sweater, right into another burning kiss.
And once again it’s like stars erupt in front of Maya’s eyes. God, how can kissing feel that good? How is Claudine so naturally talented at this?
Not that Maya minds. Not that she minds anything right now.
Until Claudine dares to break the kiss.
Maya groans in protest.
“Don’t get me wrong, it’s not like I want to stop either, but..maybe we could continue this someplace else?” Claudine says, teeth tugging at her bottom lip. “I really don’t want anyone to walk into us. Especially not Kaoruko…”
“Yes…no. Absolutely not.” A pause as Maya tries to regain her senses. “Your room?” she asks, breathless.
“My room…” Claudine repeats, already grabbing Maya by her hand and pulling her towards the hallway.
Turns out the only ingredients you need for love are a little honesty, and your feelings baked in black.