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Slowly, summer turned into fall.
The air around them got cooler, it started raining less, people wore heavier clothes, cafés started offering fall related drinks and pastries, and leaves and grass turning from a vibrant green to muted hues of orange, yellow, and red. The transition from summer to fall was quite gradual, unnoticeable unless you looked for it. Maya hadn’t been able to notice, too busy with her new job in the Borscht Bowl and the responsibilities of being a mother. While summer was her second favorite season, only narrowly beat by spring, Maya found that she quite liked the fall. It was cozy and comfortable, and took her back to those days when she and Mia would watch horror movies for Halloween.
After Maya and Trucy had gone for Trucy’s show in the Wonder Bar, Trucy had immediately fell asleep, sleeping through the entire afternoon. It left Maya alone in the apartment for the whole afternoon, which she spent the entire time lazing around. She deserved it, having a relaxing time after another week of working at the Borscht Bowl. Trucy was an active little girl, and while Maya certainly loved every moment with her little ray of sunshine, she needed some time to relax and just be lazy. And that’s what she did now, lazing around as she was snuggled up with a blanket on the couch, eating food and having a Steel Samurai binge. The weather was cool enough to need a blanket, but warm enough to not need the heater. Just the right temperature to be cozy, in Maya’s opinion.
And it was fun, catching up with the latest entries in the Steel Samurai franchise, getting to watch her favorite shows for the entire evening.
Though…it would have been better if Franziska were there with her, enjoying the Steel Samurai binge with her. Franziska, Maya’s wonderful and lovely girlfriend, had been going on overseas trips for quite a while now. Mostly for legal and work related things, and the occasional conference and seminars. As Chief Prosecutor of Los Angeles, and as someone who held such a level of prestige in the legal world, Franziska had to be gone a lot. Maya understood that, but at the same time…she couldn’t help but miss her, couldn’t help but yearn for her every single moment that Franziska wasn’t there with her.
Maya couldn’t help but imagine what it would be like if Franziska were right there with her, if she hadn’t left. She could practically see it, practically hear it. Maya could hear the way Franziska ranted about how foolish and childish the Steel Samurai was, could see the way her face would twist in confusion and rage at any minor plot holes that she noticed in the story. Then, Maya would laugh and say that she loved the Steel Samurai just the same, despite all of its flaws, and then making a comment on how that was similar with Franziska. Franziska’s face would soften, and then the two would end up cuddling with each other on the couch, simply…enjoying each other’s company. Franziska’s embrace, warm and loving, Maya missed, missed how Franziska refused to let go, as though letting go meant losing her forever.
Just as she was deep in thought, she heard the familiar buzz of her phone. A notification, a text probably. Maya paused her episode of the Steel Samurai, picking up her phone and turning it on. At the sight of Franziska’s contact in her notifications, Maya smiled, opening her messages app and reading through the text that Franziska had just sent her.
[Franzy]
Hello, Maya Fey.
That was how Franziska started most of their text conversations, and Maya couldn’t help but laugh each and every time. Even when they’ve been dating for so long, Franziska was still formal as ever. She didn’t mind though, she loved that about Franziska, like she loved every single aspect of her.
[Maya]
Hey Franzy! How was the flight yesterday?
[Franzy]
The first-class flight was quite pleasant, and their food was less dreadful than usual.
[Maya]
Oooh la la! Fancy Franzy in first class!
[Maya]
That’s what I should call you, Fancy Franzy!
[Maya]
Too good for economy, eh?
[Franzy]
You are ridiculous, Maya Fey.
Maya couldn’t help but snicker at that, she could practically hear Franziska’s huff of indignance.
[Maya]
I’m not wrong, either!
[Franzy]
Hmph.
[Maya]
How are you enjoying your trip so far, though?
[Maya]
Where are you again?
[Franzy]
Poland, Maya Fey.
[Franzy]
I am in Poland.
[Maya]
Ahh, I see
[Maya]
How’s your trip in Poland so far?
[Franzy]
I have enjoyed it thus far, though my conference starts tomorrow.
[Franzy]
For now, I am in my hotel room. It is pleasant, though not the best that I have seen.
[Maya]
Ah! That’s good, glad you’re enjoying it!
[Franzy]
Thank you, Maya Fey.
[Franzy]
Sadly, I must go now. It is 6:00 AM, which is breakfast time for me. I must place my towel on the pool chairs while I get my breakfast.
[Franzy]
Goodbye, Maya Fey.
Maya felt a fleeting pang of disappointment, though she didn’t exactly understand why. Maya still had plenty of time to text Franziska later, her seminar was on Wednesday, which gave her plenty of time to chat with Franziska. It wasn’t like she was disappearing off of the face of the earth. Despite this, Maya still felt…sadness, at how she couldn’t see Franziska, at how she couldn’t hear her. Setting aside her feelings, Maya typed in her response to her girlfriend.
[Maya]
Alright! Bye Franzy!
[Maya]
Enjoy Poland!
[Franzy]
I will, thank you Maya Fey.
[Franzy]
I hope you enjoy the rest of your day, too.
[Maya]
Thanks Franzy!
[Maya]
Love you!
[Franzy]
I love you too, Maya Fey.
[Maya]
:3
Maya stared at her phone for a moment, then typing out another message.
[Maya]
And I really miss you too, Franzy
Maya stopped as she was about to hit send, frowning at her typed in message. She couldn’t send that, it was too needy. She deleted the message, sighing as she put her phone back in her pocket. She looked up from her phone and then at her TV, before looking around her apartment.
It seemed, that in her empty apartment, that the whole world had gone still. It felt…unreal, how quiet everything was, the only sound coming from the ongoing traffic from outside her window. It was calming, soothing almost, how the distant noise of the traffic seemed to be just pitter patters outside. The perfect time to be alone…and yet, the perfect time to be with those she loved. But it was 9 PM at that moment, and everyone was either busy or asleep. Feeling thirsty, Maya picked up her mug, staring down at the liquid in the mug. She took a sip of the tea, and she smiled. Though that smile faltered at the absence of Franziska with her, the absence of Franziska holding her in her arms, the absence of Franziska’s hands interlocking into her own.
Maya sighed, taking another sip of her tea.
Was there not a song for this feeling? For missing and autumn? It was highly probable, there were songs on every kind of feeling that a person could ever comprehend. But there was a specific song for that, one that she found on YouTube. Maya loved music, loved expressing her feelings though music, she was a guitar player and singer for a reason. Taking one last sip of her tea, Maya put it down on the coffee table, taking her phone out of her pocket and then searching through her Spotify playlist. She soon found the song, listening to it for a few times, letting her absorb the words and feelings that the artist felt as he made the song. It was beautiful…and just what she had been feeling.
After listening to the song one last time, Maya searched up guitar tabs online. Then, she picked up her guitar, and started playing.
━━━━ ❰ ･ ❉ ･ ❱ ━━━━
Trucy was worried about her mommy.
Lately, Trucy had noticed that her mother was…moody. Really, that was the best way to describe it. Maya smiled less, she laughed less, she sighed much more, and she started longingly looking out windows with a wistful expression on her face. They were small changes, changes that anyone else wouldn’t have noticed, but Trucy had. Trucy knew her mother like the back of her hand, just like how her mother did with her, so Trucy knew that something was bothering Maya. But…what could it possibly be? What could be bothering her mother to this degree? Whatever this problem was, It had been serious enough that Maya didn’t even cackle when Trucy had made a dad joke. She had just unenthusiastically chuckled, and that’s when Trucy truly became concerned.
If Trucy just knew what was bothering her mother, she may be able to fix the problem.
Today was Saturday, and one of the rare Saturdays that Trucy didn’t have a magic show in the Wonder Bar. Trucy woke up with a yawn, stretching as she got up from her bed. Despite just having woken up, all Trucy could think about was how her mother was still bothered by something. Though, that could wait until later, she was starving. Trucy exited out of her bedroom and made her way to the kitchen, determined to make herself a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. However, as she walked through the hallways, she heard a sound. A sound that was so familiar, a sound that Trucy had heard so many times already, and yet the sound was…different.
She heard the sound of…music?
It was coming from Maya’s bedroom, Trucy realized. Maya was a singer and guitar player at the Borscht Bowl, so her singing wasn’t a surprise, but…this song, it was different from the other songs that her mother usually sang. Sadder, softer, a far cry from the upbeat songs that Maya usually played and sang in the Borscht Bowl. Guitar strums filled the air, and so did Maya’s angelic voice, Trucy only barely able to make out the words that she sang, could only barely hear the chords that came out from the guitar. Despite the fact that Trucy couldn’t make out the words, she could hear that the signing was sad, could hear the longing that her mother felt just with the way her voice sounded alone. Curious, Trucy approached her mother’s door, opening it slightly, taking a peek inside.
Maya hadn’t even gotten dressed into her usual outfit yet, still in her pajamas as she strummed her guitar. It was clearer now, her mother’s words and the guitar, and Trucy could all the more hear the sadness that came from Maya’s voice. The song was undeniably beautiful, it really was, and it was made all the more beautiful in her mother’s wonderful voice. Almost as though her voice was the fall night, each note that she sang the stars that sparkled in the black velvet of the night sky. But just like the fall night, there was almost a…bitterness to it, a bitterness that seemed to overtake her.
“…When the seasons change, you won’t feel the same at all.” Maya sang, strumming the guitar along with the words that she sang. “Because summer will turn into fall.”
Her voice was softer than usual, but that didn’t make her melancholy any less strong, didn’t stop the sadness that practically dripped through every word she sang. With each word, with each strum of her guitar, fluttering through the air like yellow and orange leaves, came the longing that emanated from the way she sang, the way she played. It was desperate and raw, made itself known in the loudest way it possibly could, practically screaming through Maya’s soft singing. Just by the strums of the guitar, going along with the notes of her voice, perfectly complementing the beauty of Maya’s voice, Trucy could feel exactly what her mother was feeling. She knew in an instant the emotions that swirled in her mother’s heart, knew in an instant the thoughts and feelings of her mother, just with her voice alone.
A perfect display of who she was a person, her hopes, her thoughts, her ideas.
Her fears.
Maya’s voice was getting louder and louder with each and every word that she sang, but it never truly became too loud, as though Maya refused let her true feelings be made known, as though she refused to let her true feelings be known, as though she refused to know her own feelings. But it was obvious, no matter how much she wanted to deny it, it was obvious.
“Then you’ll leave me, you’re gone. You don’t need me at all.” Maya continued to sing. “Like the trees in the autumn breeze, it’s ironic the way that you leave.”
Trucy looked at Maya’s face, and the expression on her mother’s face broke her heart. Maya’s brows were furrowed as she hummed along to the song, her eyes transfixed on the ground as though it had all the answers to her problems, tears that she barely held back. Trucy knew that this was an even more serious problem than she had thought.
She needed to help her mommy.
“Like the trees in the autumn breeze. It’s ironic…the way that you leave.”
With a few last strums of the guitar, the song soon faded into silence. The silence that overtook the air, it didn’t know about whatever was on Maya’s mind, whatever bothered her at that particular moment. The silence was unaware of the emotions that Maya felt, the emotions that practically dripped from every word that she sung. Trucy knew, though. She knew that something was on her mind, she knew that something was bothering her mommy. As she stood by the doorway to her mother’s bedroom, watching the lone tear that Maya allowed to drip down her face, Trucy knew that she had to help her mommy, no matter what it takes. Just so whatever made her mother frown would go away, just so her mother would smile.
Maya looked up, noticing Trucy. She smiled, hiding away the sadness that was just on her face moments ago. Trucy never understood, why her mother hid away her emotions from her. No matter how much she tried to hide it, Trucy knew, and she was willing to help as much as she could.
“…Did you hear the whole thing. Trucy?” Maya asked.
“I heard some parts of the song.” Trucy replied, then adding. “And it’s a really pretty one!”
“Yeah, it is.” Maya said with a smile, patting the spot on the bed next to her. “C’mon Trucy, sit next to me.”
Trucy smiled at her mother, going over and bouncing on the spot next to Maya, giggling as Maya lovingly ruffled her hair. The sadness that her mother felt, it was still there, but it was subdued now, unlike the desperate and raw melancholy that overtook her voice only few moments ago.
“You have a pretty voice too, Mommy! I love listening to it.”
Maya smiled. “Thank you, Trucy.”
“You’re welcome!” Trucy said, then asking. “Why’d you pick the song?”
“I just thought it sounded nice, no other reason than that.” Maya replied.
Trucy could feel it, she could sense it, her talent going to work. Her mother had lied, that much was obvious, but why would she be lying? Maya missed someone, that much was obvious. But…who was she missing?
Perhaps it was…Auntie Franzy?
Now that she thought about it, Maya was always moody whenever Franziska had gone away overseas. And Trucy saw it, she saw the way Maya’s face would light up when Franziska came back, the way she laughed and the way she smiled in the presence of her Auntie Franzy. Her mommy and Franziska were dating, they were in love, and clearly, Maya was missing her, missing her with each moment that they weren’t together. It was so obvious to her now. And honestly, Trucy felt stupid for not connecting the dots sooner.
Now, she just needed to fix the problem, prompting her into asking one question.
“…Mommy? When is Auntie Franzy coming back?” Trucy spoke up,
“I think this Sunday.” Maya replied.
Right, Sunday. Today was Saturday. Franziska was coming back soon, soon enough for Trucy to execute her plans.
Slowly, the cogs in Trucy’s head turned, the seed of an idea sprouted.
Trucy grinned.
“Oh! Okay! Thanks, Mommy!”” Trucy said.
“You’re welcome, Trucy darling.” Maya said, then asking. “Why do you ask?”
Trucy smiled innocently. “Nothing, Mommy! Just wondering!”
“Alright Trucy.” Maya said, then getting up from the bed and stretching. “Now, on to more important things…like breakfast?”
At the thought of breakfast, Trucy’s stomach growled. “Pancakes?”
Maya smiled. “Pancakes.”
“Chocolate chips?”
Maya’s smile became wider. “The best for my dearest daughter, of course.”
“Yay!” Trucy cheered.
Trucy followed Maya, making their way to the kitchen. And though Maya’s problem was still on Trucy’s mind, so was breakfast.
━━━━ ❰ ･ ❉ ･ ❱ ━━━━
Franziska was glad to be home.
Don’t get her wrong, she liked the overseas trips that she went on, but nothing beat home. Her stable job as the Chief Prosecutor, her friends and practically family that lived in Los Angeles, the comfort of her home, her relationship with Maya Fey, they were all things that Franziska knew would always be waiting for her when she went back to her home to America. There was something comforting about that, comforting about the fact that her life would be waiting for her, that she no longer had to fear the people she loved going away from her the moment she wasn’t there anymore.
After long flights from Poland to Los Angeles, Franziska was glad to see the familiar sight of her house. After paying her driver, she took out her keys and unlocked the door, stepping into her house. Miles Edgeworth and his boyfriend Phoenix Wright had stayed in her house while she was away in Poland, so her house was still as clean as ever. Franziska never really liked to hire housesitters, she found them too unpredictable, and the last time she hired one she had almost killed her pet betta fish. She closed the door to her home and just took a moment to…take in her home. The familiar sights, the familiar noises, the familiar smells, Franziska found it all quite comforting.
All she needed was the warmth presence of Maya Fey and Trucy Fey, and everything would be perfect.
Franziska smiled.
“Hi Auntie Franzy!”
Well, that was unexpected.
“DEAR LORD!” Franziska screamed out in surprise, then turning to Trucy. Then, that startle turned into confusion. “…Trucy Fey? What on earth are you doing here?”
“I came to see you!” Trucy replied.
“…That much is obvious.” Franziska murmured to herself, then realizing something. “Hold on, Trucy Fey…how did you get inside? My house was locked.”
“I borrowed Mommy’s replica of the key!”
Franziska was bewildered. “Trucy Fey…you stole her key?!”
“Borrowed.” Trucy corrected.
“And you broke into my house with the stolen key?!” Franziska continued incredulously.
“Visited, and borrowed.”
“Dear lord…” Franziska rubbed at her temples, feeling a headache start to form. “Trucy Fey, you are aware that theft and breaking into someone’s house are illegal, right? You are lucky that I am fond of you, otherwise I would’ve called the police!”
“I know that’s bad…but this is serious, Auntie Franzy! I need your help!”
Franziska raised a brow. “You need…my help?”
“Yeah, Auntie Franzy! Something’s wrong with Mommy…and you’re the solution!”
“…Something is wrong with Maya Fey?”
“Mhmm! And I know what’s wrong with her, I just need you to come with me.” Trucy said, adding at Franziska’s skeptical face. “Mommy needs you, Auntie Franzy!”
“She…needs me?”
“Yeah! She does, she needs you a lot. Mommy loves you, Auntie Franzy…and every second you’re away, she’s hurting.”
That got Franziska’s attention. “So, you are saying that Maya Fey…misses me.”
Trucy nodded.
“…How much does she miss me?”
“I can show you, if you’ll come with me.”
Franziska thought about it for a moment, and then she nodded. “Very well, I will come with you.”
“Alright! So, I can pay for a cab, I brought extra money-” Trucy tried, but she was cut off.
“That is not necessary, Trucy Fey.. I can merely drive us there.”
“Oh! Okay! Lead the way, Auntie Franzy!”
Franziska and Trucy exited out of the house, and after Franziska had locked the door the two were soon in the car, Franziska in the driver’s seat and Trucy in the backseat. However, as they drove to Maya’s apartment, there was only one thing on Franziska’s mind, and that was Maya Fey.
━━━━ ❰ ･ ❉ ･ ❱ ━━━━
Franziska wasn’t sure what she was expecting.
Trucy was currently dragging Franziska up the stairs of the apartment complex, her face with a determined expression. Even if they weren’t related by blood, sheer stubborn determination was something Trucy and Maya Fey both shared. It was admirable really, just as much as it was terrifying. She wasn’t even sure why Trucy was dragging her through the place like she hadn’t visited the apartment complex before, Franziska had visited the place quite a number of times. Franziska wasn’t sure how Trucy had the strength to drag her so hardly either, that girl was nine years old, how was she so strong?
Soon, they made it to the apartment, Trucy taking out her keys and opening the door as quietly as possible. She turned to Franziska and pressed a finger to her lips, no doubt a signal to stay quiet. Even now, as Franziska stood outside the apartment, she could hear a faint sound, it was…music? She looked at Trucy, confused, and Trucy merely nodded. The two snuck into the apartment, Franziska following Trucy as she led her through the living room and then into the hallways. As Franziska walked, the sound of the music grew closer and closer, and pretty soon she could make out the familiar sound of Maya’s guitar.
Then, the two were standing by the doorway to Maya’s bedroom, Trucy opening the door slightly ajar. She beckoned Franziska to come closer, and she did, going next to her and then peeking into the bedroom. They both saw Maya sat on the bed, playing her guitar. Chords that cascaded through the air, as clear as a brook in the summer morning. Maya’s gaze was transfixed on the ground, as though she were solely paying attention to the song that she played. Then, after a few moments, Maya began to sing, her voice soon filling the air.
“Love is a walk in the park, that’s how it feels at the start, pretty until it gets dark.” Maya started, her voice in the transition phase between singing and talking. “Love is a walk in the park, ‘til you get bit by a dog, I never knew you could bark.”
Franziska raised a brow, this is what Trucy wanted her to hear? Maya Fey singing about…parks and dogs? She looked at Trucy, who gestured for Franziska to continue listening. Franziska turned back to Maya, continuing to listen to her sing.
“When the seasons change, you won't feel the same at all.” Maya’s voice was now fully singing. Her voice, familiar, complementing the guitar almost magically. “Because summer will turn into fall.”
It was odd, hearing Maya’s usually cheery voice be so…melancholic. Maya’s voice, which was always happy, always optimistic, always smiling, always laughing. Even through the worst moments of her life, Maya’s voice was still happy. But now, now as she played the guitar and sang, there was an undeniable sadness in her voice, a loneliness that she could no longer hold back, a sadness that she just had to let out. She had to let it out, before it ate her up from the inside, before it destroyed her from the inside out, before she burst from the pressure of holding it all in.
“Then you'll leave me, you're gone, you don't need me at all.” Maya continued to sing. “Like the trees, in the autumn breeze, it’s ironic the way that you leave.”
Franziska’s eyes widened at that.
…Leave?
She instantly realized why Trucy wanted her here, what she wanted her to hear.
“Love is like riding a bike, scary but then it’s alright. I got the hang of it, right?” Maya’s voice was back to that limbo between singing and talking. “Until you start moving too fast, look up and you’re ‘bout to crash. Why doesn’t love ever last?”
Maya missed her, that much was obvious. But…why didn’t she tell her? Why did Maya Fey not tell her that she yearned for her? Franziska would do anything for Maya, would do anything and everything she could just to make her happy. If Maya had wanted for her to capture a star from the heavens, Franziska would do it in an instant. If Maya wanted a specific blade of grass from the other side of the world, Franziska would get it. If Maya wanted her to stay, she would. Every melancholic word that she sang, every strum of her guitar, every aspect of Maya Fey was one that Franziska loved with all of her heart. Franziska knew that her love for Maya Fey would last for her entire lifetime.
“So call me a pessimist, I think I’m a realist living a lie.” Maya continued. “Every night that I hold you inside of these arms, knowing too well you’d move on, as soon as the warm weather’s gone.”
Franziska had spent years longing for Maya, longing for them to be together again. For so many years, all she could think about was Maya’s warm face, her warm smile, her warm laugh, her warm presence. Franziska knew what missing someone looked like, what yearning for them to be together felt like. She didn’t want Maya Fey to feel those emotions, didn’t want for her to feel the intense melancholic longing that she had felt for so many years. And really, she’d do anything for her to not feel that way, she would do anything just for a single smile on Maya’s face. It didn’t matter to her what weather it was, rainy or sunny, warm or cold, snowing or cloudy, Franziska would always be there for her, always do the most she could for her to be happy.
Soon, Maya’s voice was back to singing. “When the seasons change, you won’t feel the same at all. Because summer will turn into fall.” She sang, strumming along her guitar along with every word that she sang. “Then you’ll leave me, you’re gone. You don’t need me at all.”
That was the most absurd thing Franziska had ever heard.
Franziska would never leave Maya Fey, for all intents and purposes they were stuck with each other until the end of time. Really, she wouldn’t have it any other way. She was going to stay by Maya’s side, she was gonna stay with her through whatever challenges life threw their way. They had been with each other for many years now, had gone through thick and thin with each other, and despite all the challenges that they faced, they faced it together, they stayed together. For all these years, before they were separated and when they met again, they were always together. It didn’t matter what happened, what happens, what could happen, Franziska would never leave.
But…she had been going on trips lately. Franziska had thought about it, taking Maya Fey with her, but she always hesitated, thought that Maya might see her as being too clingy. Now she knew, though. Now she knew that she wasn’t clingy, knew that Maya Fey loved her unconditionally just as much as she loved her unconditionally. They could go overseas together, take trips together, they could be together.
Together.
Franziska liked the sound of that.
“Like the trees in the autumn breeze, it's ironic the way that you leave.”
Franziska had rarely ever heard Maya’s voice sound so sad, and the rare moments she did she was always there for her, there for her smiling voice to cry and sob. But now, Maya thought she was alone, thought that nobody would listen to her crying voice, thought that nobody would be there for her…but that wasn’t true. Franziska was there for her, no matter what.
“Like the trees, in the autumn breeze.” Maya smiled, sad and small, and Franziska found that her heart broke with that expression. “It’s ironic…the way that you leave.”
With a few last strums and final notes hummed, the song ended, fading into a silence. Then, it was like Maya was snapped out of a trance, looking up towards the door. Her eyes widened as she saw Franziska, and Franziska didn’t blame her. For all Maya knew, she was still at her house after a long flight from Poland to Los Angeles.
“…Franzy?” Maya breathed out, flabbergasted.
“Maya Fey.” Franziska merely said.
Silence.
After a few moments, Maya spoke up. “…How long were you there for?”
“I heard the whole thing, Maya Fey.” Franziska replied.
Maya’s brows furrowed. “Oh, um…”
Even more silence.
“…This is awkward.” Trucy remarked.
That was an understatement.
“Maybe I can help with a magic trick!” Trucy continued.
“Trucy dear, I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Maya said, then adding. “Do you mind giving me and your Auntie Franzy some alone time?”
Trucy was confused. “Huh? Why?”
“We would like to have an adult discussion.” Franziska said, adding at Maya trying to hold in her laugh. “Not like that Maya Fey, you fool.”
“Ohh!” Trucy said, she then grinned. “So you two can kiss, right?”
“Trucy!”
“Trucy Fey!”
“Have fun kissing!” Trucy said with a giggle, before she skipped off away.
As soon as Trucy was gone, Franziska turned back to Maya. Maya was silent for a moment, then wordlessly gesturing for Franziska to sit next to her. Franziska complied, making her way to Maya’s bed and sitting next to her. To be honest, she wasn’t sure how she should approach this situation. Does she say what they both knew to be true? Should she be gentle? Firm? Blunt? Subtle? She didn’t know, Franziska had never been good with emotions.
Deciding to just start the conversation, Franziska said. “Trucy Fey says that you…miss me.”
Smooth, Franziska von Karma. Smooth.
Maya chuckled humorlessly. “Hah, I should have expected her to notice. She’s a smart girl.”
“…So, you did miss me.” Franziska said.
Maya hesitated, and then she nodded. “Yeah, I…I did.”
“Why did you not tell me?”
“I didn’t want to burden you.”
Franziska grew serious at that. “You are not a burden, Maya Fey.”
“I know! It’s just…” Maya sighed, pausing for a moment before continuing. “I just thought it was stupid, me missing you. We’re dating, and it’s not like you don’t text me when you’re on your trips. I just thought I was being ungrateful, or too needy.”
“We are human, Maya Fey. We have needs.”
“Yeah, we do. It’s just…” Maya looked up at Franziska, and her gaze softened. “I know those trips are important to you, personally and for your career. I don’t want to get in the way of that.”
At that, Franziska knew what to do. What to suggest, what to tell Maya Fey.
“…It doesn’t have to be a binary choice, Maya Fey.” Franziska said.
Maya raised a brow. “What are you suggesting, Franzy?”
“You can go with me.”
Maya’s eyes widened. “Go with you…?”
Franziska nodded. “Yes, Maya Fey. You can join me on these trips, we don’t have to be separated. We can go around the world…together.”
“But traveling is so expensive! And I have work and Trucy-”
“I will pay for any expenses that are required, Maya Fey. Your job is quite lenient, they will allow you to leave for a few days. And we can take Trucy Fey with us if it were in the summer, or for a few days off from school. And we can always have Phoenix Wright and Miles Edgeworth take care of her for you.” Franziska replied.
“I don’t know…”
“We don’t have to go together on every trip, Maya Fey. But if you want to accompany me on any trips that you wish…I will happily welcome you with open arms.”
Maya slowly started to smile. “When’s your next trip? And where is it to?”
“My next trip is next month, and I am going to Belgium.”
Maya grinned. “I’ll accompany you, then. We’re going to Europe!”
Franziska smiled back. “We are going to Europe.”
“WE’RE GOING TO EUROPE?!”
Maya and Franziska turned to Trucy.
“Trucy, when did you get here?” Maya asked.
“…And were you here the entire time?”
Trucy was silent for a moment, before screaming out. “YOU NEVER SAW ANYTHING!”
Maya and Franziska watched, flabbergasted, as Trucy ran to…wherever the hell she did. They turned to each other, and then, they burst out laughing. They laughed and laughed, together. It felt…nice, the fact that they could laugh with each other.
Once they were done laughing, Maya said. “But…are you serious, Franzy? You’re willing to take me with you on some of your trips?”
“Of course I’m serious, Maya Fey.”
“I’d like that, Franzy.”
“I love you, Maya Fey.” Franziska said.
Maya smiled back. “I love you too, Franzy.”
Summer turned into fall, and throughout every season, Franziska knew that she would always be by Maya’s side.