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“Where shall we go first?” Madeleine asked as she lay a measuring tape against Claudia’s arm, her hands lightly grazing against her skin.
Claudia hummed quietly, contemplating. There were so many possibilities, and she couldn’t wait to experience them all with Madeleine. It reminded her of New Orleans, how excited she had been to travel the world alone when she got on that train. Back then she was so naïve and childish, she felt like a completely different person; hardened from Lestat’s treatment and her experiences of the world. There was a comfort in knowing this time she wouldn’t be stopped by Lestat, she wouldn’t be nailed to the floor again.
When Madeleine noted down her measurement, she moved to the next one, her measuring tape travelled all across her body, learning every little detail. Madeleine leaned into Claudia, her arm reaching around her side to slip the tape measure around her waist. The smell of her perfume was strong and almost overpowering to her vampiric senses, but beneath it there was her natural scent, sweet and tantalising.
Claudia loved it – the closeness, the comfort, the attention. Madeleine’s eyes were stuck to her and as were Claudia’s in the three mirrors. The calm, focused expression on her face as she worked was beautiful and there was an elegance behind each of her movements that comes only with practice. Claudia couldn’t look away.
Though, there was a weight hanging down on her, as there always was, not quite allowing the moment to be perfectly peaceful. Stood in the mirror with Madeleine was herself, a reminder of her small, stunted body. The attention on it made Claudia hyper aware of every issue and incongruence. Unlovable, a labelled she’d ascribed it and carried with herself for decades, unwanted. A broken thing. Yet, Madeleine had looked past the flaws of her exterior, had seen Claudia for her true self, and had stayed, not only that she desired her. It was everything Claudia longed for her whole existence. Her other half. She’d killed hundreds trying and failing to create a companion all those years ago. Now she had one who accepted her fully eternally.
Suddenly, the realisation hit Claudia that she didn’t care where they went. All of it seemed so small and trivial, all she wanted was to be with Madeleine. Anywhere in the world was nothing compared to her. Any beauty in a painting or landscape couldn’t beat Madeleine’s. Any person she met couldn’t come close. For the first time in her life Claudia didn’t care where she went. Though, she knew for a fact she didn’t want to stay in Paris.
Instantly she was pulled out of her thoughts when Madeleine carefully slipped the measuring tape around her breasts. Claudia’s breath hitched on a sharp inhale and, in the mirror, she saw Madeleine smile slightly, pleased to have arose a reaction from her. Claudia’s body burned, aflame with desire, not helped by Madeleine’s breath brushing against the back of her neck.
Finally, she responded to Madeleine’s question, “I don’t care as long as I’m with you.” Madeleine let one side of the tape fall to the floor as Claudia turned to face her. “I would follow you anywhere.”
Madeleine smiled at her softly, “As would I,” she replied, and Claudia knew with almost absolute certainty it was true.
They stared at each other, a confession of devotion and commitment in the air. The desire coursing through Claudia only grew stronger and her eyes shifted to Madeleine’s lips. They looked so soft.
Tension filled the room, so thick it clouded Claudia’s thoughts. Without being entirely aware of it, she was leaning closer towards her. They were so close their breaths mixed.
Unable to take it anymore, Claudia stood on her tip toes and brought her lips to Madeleine’s. Immediately Madeleine tilted down, making it easier for Claudia, and gently caressed her cheek with her hand. The kiss felt like an exhale after holding your breath for too long. Euphoric, relieving, and just right. Madeleine’s lips felt just like Claudia had imagined and then came the tongue. Claudia could feel her fangs start to extend, desire so akin to hunger. She grabbed onto Madeleine’s hips to keep balance as she grew lightheaded.
Eventually Madeleine pulled away, breaking the kiss, yet she stared down at Claudia with eyes shining full of love and joy. It was as though she needed to remind herself it was real. Claudia was sure her expression was as lovestruck too, since all she could think was that she couldn’t wait to spend the rest of her eternal life with her.