Chapter Text
Franziska ate her slice of black forest cake, idly listening to Edgeworth and Phoenix’s conversation.
The two had invited her for lunch, and with nothing to do for the day, she decided to accept the offer. They went to a local bistro that Edgeworth and Phoenix apparently frequented quite a lot, if the hostess immediately seating them at a table without asking if they had a reservation had anything to say about. The sounds of people chatting, glasses and silverware clinking, and the soft music filled the air, joining together in a calming mundane symphony. Sunlight filtered through the windows, and it bathed the faded brick and dark floor in a warm welcoming glow. It was a nice place, and the servers were nice, a smiling redhead greeting them and giving them the specials for the day. Edgeworth and Phoenix got their usual, and Franziska ordered their ribeye steak.
It wasn’t often that Franziska had a day off, much less going out with friends to eat lunch. Her father always told her not to waste time, to utilize every second in the day to its fullest potential. Franziska remembered being in elementary and middle school and high school, spending her time either studying or helping her father hunt for mermaids, and far too busy to “hang out” with her friends or whatever foolish nonsense they said. In fact, most of her friends quickly moved out of the town for college, something about seeing the big wide world or something. Edgeworth was the only one who stayed behind, happy and in fact eager to take over his father’s library. It was just him for a bit, and then Phoenix moved in and the group of two became a group of three. And then Edgeworth and Phoenix started dating, damn sentimentalists.
Franziska rolled her eyes whenever the two fools sitting across from her giggled at each other or did any other foolishly foolish romantic nonsense. Apparently they’d been dating for quite a while, and they were being absolutely foolishly obnoxious about it. But aside from that, she had a nice time with them, talking and catching up on each other’s lives. The library was recently more active with the upcoming finals week for the high school in town, Phoenix’s research was going well, and Franziska sold quite a lot of mermaid’s blood and scales to Thalassa. Franziska liked this, she decided, eating her slice of cake while passively listening to Edgeworth rant about some unruly teenagers who didn’t clean up after themselves in the library. It was mundane and everyday, but something about that was comforting.
“You know, there’s a festival coming up in a few weeks.” Phoenix said.
“Really, what for?” Edgeworth asked.
“Who cares, there’s probably food there!” Phoenix replied, and then he said. “Man, I can’t wait for it, I hope there’s Filipino street food. I’ve been craving kwek-kwek like crazy.”
“Well, I think it’d be nice to go there together.” Edgeworth said.
“Yeah.” Phoenix directed his attention to Franziska. “You should take that girl you like with you, Franziska.”
Franziska stared at him. “What?”
“That girl from out of town that you like.” Phoenix clarified. “You should invite her here to look around the festival, I think it’d be a great way to spend time together.”
“Ah, err…” How was she supposed to tell the two that this “girl” was a mermaid? “She’s…busy?”
Edgeworth raised a brow at her. “You said that like a question.”
“Fine.” Franziska scoffed. “She’s busy. Happy, fool?”
“Too busy for you?” Phoenix asked.
“Yes. We are both women with rather accomplished careers. I’m sure she doesn’t have time to gallivant through a foolish festival with me, as much as I don’t with her.” Franziska said.
“Well, if you love someone, you’ll make time for them.” Phoenix said, then shooting Edgeworth a smile. “Isn’t that right?”
Edgeworth smiled back. “I’ll always make time for you, Wright.”
“Eugh.” Franziska scrunched up her nose.
“Oh, you wouldn’t understand, Franziska.” Edgeworth said. “It’s love.”
“Love doesn’t inherently make you a foolishly sentimental fool, Miles Edgeworth.” Franziska replied.
“Hey, love is powerful.” Phoenix said with a shrug.
Franziska scoffed.
The conversation soon carried on, Franziska passively listening to whatever foolish nonsense Miles Edgeworth and Phoenix Wright were talking about. She sat and enjoyed the sensations around her, the faint chatter of bistro-goers joining the soft music that filled the air, the feeling of warm sunlight on her skin, the bittersweet chocolate accompanied by sweet cream and tart cherry, and the view that the window they were seated at was overlooking. From where Franziska sat, she could see the ocean, glistening like the smooth sparkling surface of a deep blue sapphire. That was where Franziska spent most of her life, at the sea. And at the sight of it, she thought of Maya Fey.
Now that she thought about it, gazing at the deep blue crystal of the sea, it would be…nice to show Maya Fey around town. Maya already showed her all around the underwater city, and she talked a few times about how curious she was about human life. So why not? Just the thought of Maya with tan long legs, grinning as she ran through the road lined with stalls, begging to try whatever human food she’d never tried before, brought a smile to Franziska’s face. She was sure that Maya would look beautiful bathed in the soft light of the moonlight, her eyes sparkling like the stars that twinkled so proudly against the deep velvet of the night sky. Though she was always beautiful no matter what, her smile shining brighter than the sun on a summer morning.
That would be impossible, of course. The underwater kingdom banned all contact with humans, much less magic that gave mermaids legs and the ability to walk like humans. But…there was no harm in dreaming, was there? No harm in hoping that she could lead Maya through the festival to show her everything that humanity had to offer? Before Franziska would’ve scoffed at the idea of a human and mermaid even being friends, but now the thought of Maya’s—a mermaid’s—delighted shining eyes and bright wide smile brought about a gentle wave of happiness in Franziska’s chest that was as warm and gentle as an ocean wave, and as passionate and all-encompassing as the sun on a hot summer’s day.
“…Franziska? Franziska!”
Franziska blinked, staring at Edgeworth. “Huh?”
“I was just telling Wright about going to the movie theater this weekend.” Edgeworth said, then asking. “Do you want to join us?”
“Is it for that foolishly immature children’s show?” Franziska asked.
“It is not immature.” Edgeworth immediately replied indignantly, and then he said when Franziska raised a brow at him. “…But yes, it’s the Steel Samurai.”
“I’m not going, then.” Franziska said.
Edgeworth frowned.
“If it makes you feel any better, I don’t wanna go either.” Phoenix said, then shooting Edgeworth a grin. “But I love this dork, so I gotta.”
“That does not make me feel better.” Edgeworth grumbled.
Phoenix cackled.
The conversation carried on, and Phoenix and Edgeworth talked about some guy in elementary that they knew and were currently gossiping about, but Franziska didn’t listen to a word of it. Instead she stared out at the sea, the great deep sea, with waters as blue as sapphires and as vast as the open skies. What ifs lapped at her brain like waves, unrelenting yet calming in its own way. What if she and Maya Fey could become something that bloomed beautifully in the sun? What if either of them were found out, their lives crumbling before their very eyes? What if life was merciful enough to let them love each other—if Maya Fey ever loved her at all?
What if?
⊱ ─── ⋅💙🐚💙⋅ ─── ⊰
“I gotta say, thank you again for helping us, Franzy!”
Franziska rolled her eyes as she and Maya swam up to the door of her house, Maya grinning widely. After another day of fighting whatever monster was seen around the city, she accompanied Maya to the laboratory before they made their way back to her house. It’d become routine at this point, a part of Franziska’s life that was no longer novel to her, even the magic engulfing her when she gained a tail or fighting underwater with mermaid knights and Maya Fey. So far, none of the Pearl Knights seemed to question her or where she came from, though Franziska was pretty sure that was because they were scared of her. When she glanced at them, they quickly averted their gaze, and when she talked to them, they always seemed a little nervous. It didn’t bother her, she was used to people being intimidated by her.
But Maya wasn’t, in fact she seemed delighted by Franziska’s presence, always grinning when she saw her. Sometimes, Franziska could hear the Pearl Knights trying—and failing—to “quietly” talk to Maya about Franziska, about how scary she was and why she was asking help from a banished mermaid. She always said some foolish nonsense about second chances, and after enough insisting, they were almost convinced, almost convinced to be kind when the world was so cruel. And Franziska knew that if they knew she was a human, they wouldn’t be kind to her. But Maya was kind to her, even when she knew that Franziska was a human, even when she had tried killing Maya in the past. But the weight of blood and a family legacy didn’t matter to Maya, she’d probably help Franziska out with a grin on her face.
She was grinning now, and Franziska rolled her eyes. Even when she was being annoying, she was still being so foolishly endearing.
“You don’t have to say that every time, Maya Fey.” Franziska said.
“But I like thanking you!” Maya said, then adding with a giggle. “You smile a little when I do.”
Franziska raised a brow. “I do?” She then said when Maya nodded. “Perhaps I should stop doing that…”
“No, don’t! I like it. You look…” Maya trailed off, bashfully smiling. “…You look pretty when you smile. But you’re always pretty!”
“Thank you, Maya Fey.” Franziska said. “You’re pretty too.”
Maya giggled and reddened a bit, and then she said. “Well, come in! I’m gonna get your tears and blood for you, and I don’t want you waiting outside.”
Franziska nodded and went inside the house, looking all around. It was a familiar sight to her at this point, the warm light of the marble, the sofa made from driftwood and made with woven kelp pillows, and the shelves filled with seaweed books and whatever trinkets the Feys were collecting over the years. The Feys had this house for generations, Maya always told her, given to Ami Fey by her husband when they first moved from the outskirts of the kingdom to the city. It was pretty, simple in a cozy way. Franziska could see Morgan reading one of the books—made from seaweed fibers—who looked up to see the two, smiling cordially at the sight of Maya and Franziska.
“Hello, good ma’am.” Morgan greeted, her gaze flickering to Maya. “Mystic Maya.”
“Hey, Aunt Morgan.” Maya greeted back, then asking. “Where’s Pearly?”
“At school.” Morgan replied.
“Ah, okay! Well, I was just gonna get something for Franzy. We’re back from the kelp forests.” Maya said.
“Yes, I fought a sea serpent valiantly.” Franziska said, then stretching her arms. “Dear lord, I feel sore.”
Morgan stared at Franziska, narrowing her eyes at her. “What is that?”
“What’s what?” Maya asked, confused.
“That birthmark…” Morgan sounded suspicious of Franziska. “Show it to me.”
Franziska immediately knew what she was talking about. “I’d rather not.”
“Show me, now.” Morgan demanded.
“Aunt Morgan, what’s going on?” Maya asked.
“If I’m right, then…” Morgan swam over to Franziska and grabbed her arm, examining the von Karma sigil birthmark on her arm. “…Dear me.” Her gaze flickered up to Franziska's, her eyes sharp with suspicion. “You’re…not who you say you are, are you?”
Franziska was scared. “What?
“That birthmark, I’ve only ever seen it on one kind of people…” Morgan narrowed her eyes at Franziska. “…Mermaid hunters.”
Franziska’s heart dropped.
They were caught.
“…Aunt Morgan, I can explain-”
“Mystic Maya.” Morgan interrupted her. “Did you know about this?”
“U-Um, you see…”
“I think you do know about it, Mystic Maya.” Morgan said, pointing at the aquamarine on Franziska’s necklace. “This magic…it’s mermaid magic, not human.” Her words, though calm, were laced with a warning that burned through the cordial façade. “You gave it to her, didn’t you?”
“…Yeah, I did.” Maya said defeatedly.
“The von Karmas, that’s what their name was.” Morgan said, giving Franziska a pointed look. “I’m sure Mystic Maya thought it was perfectly sane to befriend a mermaid hunter like you. Tell me, what did you tell her to trick her into this?”
“She’s innocent!” Maya said. “I was the one who told her to help me, I was the one who…” She whimpered at her aunt’s scrutinizing gaze.
“And why would you do that?” Morgan said.
“I just wanted to help her!” Maya tried. “And she could help me! I…I thought it was…”
Morgan scoffed. “Why would you ever want to help a human?” She spat out that word like it was poison. “You put yourself, the Pearl Knights, and maybe this entire city, just to what, gallivant around with a mermaid hunter?”
“She’s not just a mermaid hunter!” Maya said, her voice soared with a fiery determination, the same fiery determination that Franziska had grown to love. “She’s one of the smartest, kindest, and strongest people I know! Just because she’s a human means nothing!”
“It means quite a lot to the Pearl Council now, doesn’t it?” Morgan retorted.
“Fine! Report me to them, see if I care!” Maya replied, she’d never sounded surer of anything in her entire life. “She’s been kind and helpful to me! She cares about me! Certainly more than you!”
“Mystic Maya…how dare you!” Morgan scowled. “Perhaps I should report you to the Pearl Council, you’ve clearly lost your mind!”
“I’m right and you know it!”
“Would you really ruin your whole life for someone like…her?”
“If you mean the most remarkable woman that I’ve ever met, then yeah, I am!”
Maya looked determined, more determined than she’d ever been in her entire life, even when her life was threatening to collapse all around her, and it was all Franziska’s fault. Because she couldn’t hunt a mermaid like her father did, because she was foolish enough to hope that their worlds could ever merge beautifully, because she was naïve enough to fall in love with someone that she could never be with—someone that the world kept apart through worlds of water and land. Franziska was fine with losing everything, she knew—some small part of her, anyways—that she =couldn’t ever be a mermaid hunter the moment she patched up Maya and threw her back in the water. But not Maya, Maya was just kind enough to help her, no matter how foolish it was.
Franziska couldn’t let her do it.
Why would she let her whole life collapse…for someone like Franziska? Someone who couldn’t even make her father proud, someone who was supposed to hunt and kill creatures like her, someone that she wasn’t supposed to care about. But Maya cared about her, cared about her more than anything, and Franziska would never understand it. And Franziska cared too, cared about Maya like the sun cares about the vast blue skies, and she couldn’t let Maya throw it all away…for her.
“…No, none of that is necessary.” Franziska interrupted. She looked at Maya, and she knew this was the last time she’d ever see her again. “I’ll leave, and I’ll never bother any of you ever again.”
Morgan scowled. “Yes, my good ma’am. Leave, and never come back.” She then added. “Let’s not get the Pearl Council involved, no?”
“Franzy, no!” Maya swam over to Franziska, she looked close to begging in desperation. “This isn’t necessary, please. My aunt is just bluffing.”
“I’m sorry, Maya Fey.” Franziska murmured, her heart breaking at the desperate look on Maya’s face. “I’m not worth ruining your entire life over.”
Franziska left before she could say anything, couldn’t bear to see the heartbreak that she knew would be on Maya Fey’s face. Leaving the Fey residence and looking up at the underwater city, Franziska knew this would be the last that she’d ever see of it, a whole new world that was taken away from her as quickly as it was introduced to her. Franziska sighed and swam to the surface of the water, and all she could think about was how desperate Maya looked, desperate to have Franziska in her life, even though she didn’t understand it. Maya…she cared about her, enough to fight with her aunt, for her.
They were foolish for ever coming up with that harebrained scheme, for thinking that it could ever work, but if Maya hadn’t come up with it and Franziska hadn’t agreed, they wouldn’t have ever met, their relationship couldn’t have ever almost bloomed. And though it stayed a bud, cut off before it could bloom…they nurtured it together, and nobody could take it away, even though Franziska’s heart ached knowing she’d never see it bloom.
Hoping it’d have the chance to bloom, especially now, was foolish.
But that never stopped hope before, did it?
⊱ ─── ⋅💙🐚💙⋅ ─── ⊰
Franziska had not seen Maya Fey in weeks.
At first she tried to move on with her life, tried to accept that the part of her life with Maya was over now, never able to return to it again. She visited Thalassa’s shop and sold the last of the blood and tears and scales that she had, went out to lunch with Edgeworth and Phoenix, and even thought about going out to sea to become a fisherman. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t get Maya off her head, couldn’t wake up in the morning wishing she could go back to the ocean and see her smiling face. Her heart ached when she woke up in the morning and looked out at the ocean, a sea of opportunities she couldn’t reach anymore, no matter how much she stretched her arms out to graze its cold waters.
Maya was gone from her life.
She occupied such a small portion of Franziska’s life, she knew. It was foolish to yearn for a woman, a mermaid, for all of her heart. Just a few years ago Franziska would have killed her without a second thought, or at least would have watched her father kill her. But now images of her smile, her dark radiant eyes, her black flowing hair, it all filled her mind, reminding her of what she couldn’t have in her life anymore. It shouldn’t have bothered her so much, she should just move on with her life and go back to hunting mermaids, but how could she? Maya showed her so many wonderful things, taught her to see mermaids as more than just animals to hunt, made Franziska feel like she was worth loving just as herself—and not as a von Karma.
The sea called to her in a desperate wail whenever Franziska saw the deep waters from her window. It told her, in tender whispers that Franziska couldn’t discern if they were genuine or a cruel prank, to come to the sea. There might be a chance you’ll see her again, it kept telling her as the sound of waves washed over her, she might be waiting just like you are. Franziska still remembered the way Maya fought with her aunt Morgan, how willing she was to stay by Franziska’s side. And some small part of her hoped, hoped that when she went to the beach Maya would be there, waiting for her, her eyes lighting up once she saw Franziska, and they’d be together again and the world wouldn’t matter anymore. She hoped, hoped and hoped and hoped.
Hope was foolish, but so was she.
Before she knew it, she had driven to the beach, the very same beach where she had first met Maya. The afternoon sun was hot, warm just on the border between pleasant and unpleasant, though Franziska was used to it by now. She sat on the mossy rocks by the shore, watching the sea horizon with delicately dancing sunlight. It was so beautiful, seeing the deep crystal blue of the ocean waters, with a whole world under the surface that Franziska wouldn’t have ever known about years ago. The sound of ocean waves lulled her into a somber serenity, a sky of melancholic blue with stars of hope that twinkled against the deep velvet.
And then she saw it, a blur of purple from under the water’s surface. It surfaced, and the very same mermaid she hadn’t seen in weeks was staring right at her.
Franziska couldn’t believe her eyes. “Maya Fey?”
“I…I felt like you’d be here.” Maya said.
“What a coincidence…I felt like you’d be here, too.” Franziska replied.
“I was worried about you.” Maya said, and then she added. “Don’t worry about me, though. My aunt didn’t report me to the Pearl Council.” She then let out a bitter laugh. “She cares more about the family legacy than me.”
“I wouldn’t worry about me, either.” Franziska said. “The guild didn’t find out I was helping a mermaid.”
“Yeah, okay.”
They were silent, unsure of what to say, or if they should say anything at all.
“I just…wanted to say goodbye.” Maya said, and she sighed. “It’s been so weird not having you around, and I didn’t even get the chance to say…how much I’d miss you.” She laughed, soft and sad. “You didn’t even get to show me around your town like you said you would.”
“I would like to do that.” Franziska said, and she held Maya’s hand in her own. “And I should.”
Maya stared at her, confused. “What do you mean?”
“Go to the sorceress you got my necklace from.” Franziska clarified. “Do whatever foolish magic nonsense it will take to have legs…and I can show you around the festival tonight.” She smiled, squeezing Maya’s hands, which felt warm in hers. “Our last night together…I want to have one last night with you.”
“Franzy…” Maya’s eyes were wide, but full of hope. “That’s so risky.”
Franziska chuckled. “When has that stopped us before?”
“…Okay.” Slowly, Maya smiled. “Come back here just as the sun sets.”
That was all Maya said as she splashed into the water and disappeared, and that was all Franziska needed. She got up from the stones and carefully went down to the sandy shores, making her way up the stairs and to her car. When Franziska got in her car, she looked at her rearview mirror, where the aquamarine necklace Maya had given her hung. She didn’t have the heart to throw it away, and it was insane to think that after tonight…this necklace would be the last remnant of Maya in her life.
Franziska sighed, igniting her engine and starting to drive.
⊱ ─── ⋅💙🐚💙⋅ ─── ⊰
Franziska parked her car and turned off her engine, getting out and helping Maya out of the car.
She had gone back to the beach when the sun started to dip below the horizon, and she saw Maya there, balancing precariously on her two legs. The sorceress had given Maya an amethyst necklace that turned her into a human on land, just like how Franziska’s aquamarine necklace worked. She was naked, of course, and Franziska embarrassedly gave her some clothes that she thankfully had the sense to bring. Maya looked lost on what to do with her legs, and Franziska had to help her learn how to walk a bit before she led her back to the dock and to her car. Maya looked so amazed at everything, the feeling of sand and the ground on her toes, how everything wasn’t bathed in blue waters, how plush the car felt on her back when she sat down on the passenger’s seat. Maya was so intrigued by the car, asking if she could press every button on it—which Franziska said that she couldn’t.
It was so fascinating to see the things that Franziska thought were normal, that she had taken for granted, seemed so new and foreign to Maya. Maya said that she didn’t expect trees to make noise, when she heard the branches rustle in the cool night breeze. Walking, trees, the sky, so many new things to her that Franziska saw every day. Maya asked Franziska about things that she hadn’t given as much as a second thought about, and there was something so…charming about explaining what a bird was. Seeing the delight on Maya’s face as she watched the surroundings pass by and the cars around them and the buildings that lined the streets made Franziska smile a little. The way her eyes sparkled was just so beautiful.
When they made it to the festival, even Franziska was in awe at how beautiful everything was. Stalls selling various food and drinks and different homemade trinkets lined the public park, bathed in a soft glow by the hanging fairy lights and the pale silvery moonlight. Chatter filled the air as people went to every stall to buy food or marvel at whatever crocheted keychain caught their eye. Franziska scanned the area, searching for Edgeworth and Phoenix, who she saw were talking to each other by one of the stalls selling various matcha drinks. Franziska took the hand of Maya, who was looking around at everything in awe, and she led her to her friends.
“Miles Edgeworth, Phoenix Wright.” Franziska greeted them.
“Franziska.” Edgeworth said curtly.
“Franziska, there you are!” Phoenix greeted them, then looking at Maya. “And you’re her friend, right? Maya?”
Maya nodded. “Yep! I’m Maya, her friend!”
“Hello, Maya.” Edgeworth greeted. “I hope you’re enjoying our little town thus far.”
“I am! It’s amazing.” Maya said with a grin.
Edgeworth raised a brow. “I wouldn’t call it amazing.”
“Ignore him, he’s an asshole.” Phoenix said, and then he introduced himself. “I’m Phoenix Wright! The red jerk is Miles Edgeworth.”
Edgeworth rolled his eyes.
“Phoenix! That’s an…interesting name!” Maya said, then asking. “Can I call you Nick?”
Phoenix shrugged. “Sure, that’s usually my nickname.”
“Well, Nick!” Maya grinned. “Is there any good food, I’m starving!”
“There’s burgers.” Phoenix said.
“Burgers?” Maya hummed in thought. “Never heard of that before, is it good?”
Phoenix and Edgeworth both shot her a strange look.
“She’s joking!” Franziska immediately said, glancing at Maya. “Right, Maya Fey?”
“Huh? Oh…um, yeah! I’m joking!” Maya giggled. “I’m a joker!”
Phoenix looked at Edgeworth, who shrugged.
The four went around the festival looking at everything, going from stall to stall and telling the vendors that they’d be back, Franziska making a mental note to go back to a German bread stall—with authentic German bread—as Maya led her around excitedly looking at everything. It was so endearing seeing Maya looking at everything like it was so new and novel, and to her, it was. She looked beautiful, kissed by the gentle light of the fairy lights, her eyes wide and her mouth in a wide grin, as she dragged Franziska around to look at whatever caught her interest. Franziska was just happy to see a world she was so familiar with…in Maya’s eyes.
At some point, Edgeworth and Phoenix went off on their own adventure to look for Filipino food, so Franziska was happy to keep Maya company. And just like Phoenix had recommended, she wanted to try a burger. They went to the stall of a local burger joint that Franziska bought chicken sandwiches from every now and again, and Maya ordered their signature cheeseburger with a large strawberry soda. She was bouncing up and down while waiting for the burger, talking about how delicious it smelled. And when the burger and soda were finished and she took a bite of the burger, she lit up.
“Wow!” Maya stared at the burger in awe, like it was the greatest thing she’d ever had in her life. She looked up at Franziska, grinning. “This is the best thing I’ve ever had! I can eat this every day!”
“I wouldn’t recommend that, they’re very unhealthy.” Franziska replied.
“Aw, no fair!” Maya pouted. “Why are the yummy foods always unhealthy?”
Franziska chuckled. “That I do not know, Maya Fey.”
“Well, I’m gonna buy more!” Maya said.
“I’m going to buy more.” Franziska corrected.
“Whatever, Franzy!”
Franziska rolled her eyes, though a small smile made its way to her face. Then, she saw the ketchup stain on Maya’s lips. “Ah, there’s some ketchup on your face, Maya Fey.”
“Huh? What’s ketchup-”
Franziska leaned in and wiped away the ketchup from her lips, making sure to keep her touch gentle and delicate. She only realized how close she’d gotten when she saw Maya’s wide eyes staring at her, her face dusted with a gentle warm pink. She actually did that, she had gotten so close to Maya. A few inches away and their lips would touch, and they’d be kissing. Franziska could just imagine just how soft those beautiful pink lips would feel against hers, how warm and tender her embrace could be. Maybe she was foolish to think that would ever happen, that Maya Fey would ever kiss her, but…in this instance, she didn’t mind being foolish all that much.
“Franzy…”
“Ah…too bold?”
“No, but…” Maya’s eyes flickered with a light of fond determination, it was beautiful. “But what I’m about to do might be.”
Maya grabbed Franziska’s collar, uncaring about the burger that fell to the ground as she captured her lips in a kiss. She tasted like the savory burger and sweet strawberry soda, and though it wasn’t how Franziska dreamed her first kiss would be like, she didn’t mind at all. Not when Maya’s lips felt so soft against hers, or when Maya held her tenderly like she was afraid letting go would mean losing her forever, or the way the world seemed to fall away as they kissed each other. She could stay in her embrace forever and be happy, be happy to know that Maya loved her and that she loved Maya too. They separated from the kiss, and Maya’s face, a wide smile and with a dusting of pink and kissed gently in a soft glow, was the most beautiful thing she’d ever seen.
“That…was the first time I did that.” Maya murmured.
“Me too.” Franziska said with a chuckle.
Maya giggled.
At some point they rejoined with Edgeworth and Phoenix, the latter of which seemed quite happy with himself, eating a stick of kwek-kwek. And Franziska never wanted the night to end, wanted to stay by Maya’s side from tonight until the end of time. But all good things had to come to an end, didn’t they? After they wandered around all of the stalls that the festival had to offer, Franziska knew that the night was coming to a close. As the stalls were starting to close late at night and everyone went home, Franziska looked at Maya as they walked back to her car. She looked so beautiful in the pale moonlight, and she hated how this would be the last time she’d ever see her.
The car ride to the dock was in silence, they both knew that as the car drew nearer and nearer to the ocean, their time together would end. They’d have to move on with their lives, a barrier of oceans and air between them and never letting them love each other. She didn’t know how she could ever let go, let go of the one person who made her feel like she was worth something, not as a von Karma, but as Franziska. She hated it, hated how she’d never see her eyes light up, or how she’d grin and laugh at some bad joke, or the way she got so determined over the smallest things. Once they arrived at the dock, Franziska walked with Maya down the stairs and to the beach. She said nothing, neither of them said anything until they were near the water.
“That was fun, Franzy.” Maya said, smiling sadly. “I’ll never forget this night.”
“I’ll never forget this night either, Maya Fey.”
Maya dipped her toes into the water, and immediately, she was engulfed in a purple glow, and she had her tail again.
This was really it.
“I…guess this is goodbye.” Maya said, a tone of solemnity in her voice.
“Yes…it is.” Franziska didn’t want to, but she had to, she had to say goodbye. “Goodbye, Maya Fey.” She said, and she couldn’t bear to see Maya go. She turned around to leave, but she stopped when she heard Maya’s voice call out to her.
“Wait!” Maya looked a little sheepish when Franziska turned to her. “Kissing you after eating something like a burger…it wasn’t very nice, was it?”
“It wasn’t how I imagined it’d go.” Franziska conceded.
“So wanna…try it again?” Maya smiled shyly. “I want to end the night…on a positive note.”
Franziska smiled back. “Of course.”
She leaned in and captured Maya’s lips in a gentle somber kiss. It was a sweet yet painful reminder of everything she was letting go, letting go of the one person she loved with all of her heart. When they separated from the kiss, Franziska’s heart broke when she saw Maya look close to bursting into tears. She had to let go, and she hated it, hated how hard it was. Why was life so cruel? To let her meet someone who was amazing, remarkable, only to take her away from her? Franziska tenderly cupped Maya’s cheek, as if that would ever convince the world to let her stay in Maya’s arms, even just for one moment longer.
And then…
A voice.
A familiar voice.
“Well well well! The great Franziska von Karma, fond of a mermaid! Now isn’t that…fascinating?”
Franziska’s eyes widened, she knew who that was.
She turned around, and she was met with the unsettlingly wide grin of Damon Gant.