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“Mrs. Telli, do you mind if I ask you some questions?”
Franziska glanced over at Maya, who was currently interrogating the witness, and she smiled.
It had been quite a while since Franziska and Maya had been assigned to the same case. She had been too busy with her trips to Europe, and when she was in Los Angeles, she was often preoccupied with all the bureaucracies of her job as a prosecutor. Franziska had to admit, she missed this. She missed the investigations where she would search for clues on what happened, the mind battles where she had with Maya Fey that made her fall in love with her more and more, the quiet moments where they would be at the Fey & Co. Law Offices and trying to figure out the case together. Whenever the two brainstorming, Franziska smiled when Maya let out a delighted cry whenever she had a revelation.
This case was another murder case, Devina Telli, a single mother, murdered in her apartment. Her teenage daughter Mina Telli was accused of the murder, to which Maya had immediately offered to take her case. It was always admirable how determined Maya was, talking on and on to Franziska about how Mina didn’t have any Psyche-Locks when they met at the scene of the crime. After they had sufficiently investigated the crime scene, the two of them finding clues about what happened on the night of the murder, they both then went to the witness’s apartment, Devina’s older sister Fortuna Telli. Even with the arrest of Mina, Fortuna still insisted that her niece was innocent.
Fortuna was a tall woman, luscious black locks that cascaded down her shoulders. She was beautiful, though Maya was the most beautiful woman in the world, Franziska was sure of it. Especially with the determined smile on her face, and the bubbly aura that practically emanated from her, an aura that Franziska loved with all her heart. Though, she had to admit, she didn’t like the way Fortuna was smiling at Maya. Surely she wasn’t…
“It’s Ms. Telli, darling.” Fortuna corrected. “Mrs. Telli was my mother…and my sister.” She then gave Maya a smile. “Me? I’m single as can be.”
Maya seemed a little confused, as though she wasn’t sure if she was picking up on the right insinuations of Fortuna’s words. Franziska wasn’t sure why she was confused, it was obvious as could be that this woman was flirting. A scowl immediately made its way on her face, though she shook it off. Maybe she was just overthinking things, and Fortuna was an important witness. Hopefully it was nothing…
“Oh! Sorry, Ms. Telli. Anyhow, the questions?” Maya said.
Fortuna flipped her hair dramatically. “Ask away, darling. I don’t bite.” She then winked. “Not much, at least.”
Goddammit.
Franziska bit her tongue, resisting the urge to butt in their conversation.
“Um, alright then.” Maya cleared her throat, taking out her notepad, which had a list of questions she had for the witnesses. “Anyhow, about the night of the murder…”
Maya went on with her questions about the case, and though Franziska was looking through the evidence they had already, trying to piece together what had happened that night, she couldn’t help but listen in on their conversation. It had become increasingly clear, as he heard more and more of their conversation, that Fortuna was flirting with Maya. That damn coy look on her face and the purring teasing tone in her voice made it all the more clear. Franziska gripped at her notebook, grip on it tight and wrinkling the paper. She knew that Maya would never actually entertain the thought of going out with her, but there was a small part of her that doubted that, the same part of her that doubted if she deserved any happiness she had in her life.
Franziska knew this emotion, an ugly cacophony of emotions that she knew all too well. A unique combination of anger and sadness.
Jealousy.
Franziska sighed, calming her breaths as she looked back at her notebook, loosening her grip and trying to compose herself. She looked through the notes she had made, though her mind was still on their ongoing conversation, listening in no matter how hard she tried to concentrate on her notes.
“You sure are asking a lot of questions for someone who isn’t a detective, darling.” Fortuna remarked in a teasing tone.
“Oh! That’s ‘cause I’m Mina Telli’s lawyer!” Maya announced, unpinning her badge from her lapel and showing it off. “See?” She pinned it back in its place. “I’m trying to figure this whole thing out, so don’t mind me asking questions too much!”
“I figured. Well darling, ask as many questions as you want, anything to help my dearest little niece Mina.”
“Of course! So, Ms. Telli, what was Mina and her mother’s relationship like?”
Fortuna gave Maya a coy smile, batting her eyelashes at her. “Oh darling, just call me Fortuna.”
“Oh! Sorry, Ms. Telli- I mean, Fortuna. I’m just trying to be professional.”
“Ah, you’re being very professional, darling. It’s quite adorable.” Fortuna said.
“…How is being professional adorable?” Maya questioned, a brow raised.
Fortuna shrugged. “I don’t know, but you’re living proof of it.”
“Um…” Maya trailed off, playing with the magatama attached to her belt.
“Why don’t we go out for dinner some time, darling?” Fortuna asked.
“H-Huh?”
“Not now, of course. You’re obviously very busy with being Mina’s lawyer. But after this whole thing blows over, why don’t we go out for dinner some time? I’d like to get to know you better.”
“Oh! Fortuna, that’d be wonderful, but I’m very busy in general! Thanks for the offer, though.”
Fortuna pouted. “Too busy for me, darling?”
“Yeah, too busy for you…since I have a girlfriend.” Maya said, deciding to be firm.
“Oh!” Fortuna seemed surprised for a moment, but she then let out a good hearted laugh. “Ah! I figured that a gal like you would be taken. No hard feelings, darling. Your girlfriend is a lucky woman.”
“Yeah…” Maya glanced at Franziska, their eyes meeting. She smiled. “I’m a lucky gal, too.”
Franziska smiled back.
Maya continued on with her questions, and thankfully, Fortuna wasn’t flirting with her anymore. She seemed to have taken the rejection quite elegantly, which Franziska was thankful for. Now that Fortuna wasn’t flirting with her, Franziska could focus on the evidence. Though, a small part of her mind was still on Fortuna. Maya was in love with her, she told her that with every opportunity she got. But what ifs clouded her mind, bothering her like incessant raindrops that assaulted her mind in strong downpouring thoughts.
What if Maya…
“Hi Franzy!”
Franziska was snapped out of her thoughts when she heard Maya’s voice, looking up at her.
There was a smile on Maya’s face, as she offered her notepad to her. “Here’s what the witness said, might be able to help us when we figure things out later.”
Franziska hesitated for a moment, and then she said. “I have no need for that, Maya Fey. I heard your entire conversation.”
Maya frowned. “Even Fortuna…”
“…Yes, even Fortuna Telli flirting and asking you on a date.”
“Oh…” Maya visibly cringed at that. Though she recovered quite quickly. “I was flattered, really, but I’m not interested in her. Sure, Fortuna is beautiful, no doubt about that! But not my type.” She then smiled at Franziska. “Besides, I have you, and that’s enough for me.”
Franziska smiled back, her smile faltering when she saw Fortuna sat on the couch, beautiful and elegant.
Why didn’t Maya go out with Fortuna, actually?
Fortuna was a beautiful woman, elegant and tall, a charming smile and a smooth voice. Anyone would be out of their mind to reject someone like her. But…Maya did, for Franziska. For a woman who had done so much wrong in her life, for a woman who shook just at the idea of a thunderstorm, for a woman who could be rendered into a crying mess just at looking at blinking lights. Maya must’ve been frustrated with her, and how much work she had to do with her. Even if Maya had told her over and over again, which Franziska did believe, but her doubts lingered in her mind. What if Maya left her, what if Maya realized how horrible of a person she was-
“-ranzy? Franzy!”
Franziska, blinking, looked at Maya. “Huh?”
“Were you listening? I was telling you that Fortuna said that she saw her sister go to a milk tea shop before the night of the murder. We should go there to see if we can find any clues there.” Maya said.
“Of course, Maya Fey.”
The two walked out of the apartment, through the hallways and down the stairs. Franziska’s minds were busy, partly about the case they were working on, but mostly about Maya. The what ifs that plagued her earlier came back, even louder, refusing to let her rest even just for a moment. Really, it would be so easy for Maya Fey to leave her, and it’d be-
At the feeling of Maya holding her hand, she looked up at her, who was giving her a small gentle smile.
Franziska attempted a smile back, but she knew that Maya could tell it was faked.
━━━━ ❰ · ❉ · ❱ ━━━━
There was obviously something on Franziska’s mind.
It had been obvious, ever since they had left Fortuna’s apartment, and even when they went to the milk tea shop that the witness had talked about. And even now, as the two sat at the table in the Fey & Co. Law Offices, trying to piece together the case. Franziska was usually observant and concentrated, so whenever she was distracted, it became painfully obvious. That was, to Maya at least. The way she always seemed to be deep in thought, quieter than usual, having to be reminded of key evidence that Franziska should’ve known. Even now, as Maya summarized what they knew at that moment, Franziska was staring out the window, her eyes both fixated and unfocused at the same time.
“Franzy?” Maya tried to get Franziska’s attention.
Franziska didn’t seem to hear, her eyes still on the window.
“Franzy.”
Still, Franziska didn’t answer.
“Franzy!”
That seemed to catch Franziska’s attention, turning to her. “Yes, Maya Fey?”
“You’ve been quiet a lot…” Maya remarked with a frown.
“Ah, I suppose I have.” Franziska merely said.
Maya gave her a concerned look, as she then asked. “Franzy, are you okay? There’s something on your mind, and I wanna know.”
“I’m fine, Maya Fey.” Franziska insisted.
Maya sighed, taking Franziska’s hands into her own and squeezing it gently. “No you’re not, Franzy. And that’s okay, sometimes we just aren’t fine.” She smiled at Franziska reassuringly. “So, if you’re ready, tell me. What’s wrong?”
Franziska was quiet for a moment, and Maya waited patiently. She knew better than to rush or urge Franziska. If Franziska was ready, she was going to tell her, and if she wasn’t…then she wasn’t. But it seemed that Franziska was ready now, trying to find the right words to say. After a few more moments of silence, Franziska finally spoke up in a whisper.
“Would you…ever leave me?”
“What?”
“Would you ever leave me? For some other man or woman. Like…Fortuna Telli.”
“Franzy, I told you that I wasn’t interested in her. Why would I leave you for her?”
“I am aware that said that, but…” Franziska let out a deep sigh. “She is a beautiful woman, Maya Fey. And I have no doubts that she’s less work than me. She isn’t scared of blinking lights or thunderstorms, she isn’t plagued by nightmares every night…” Her grip on the table tightened, knuckles going white. “I just…find it unbelievable that you would pick me over her.”
Maya’s eyes widened as she realized what was going on.
“…Are you jealous, Franzy?” Maya asked.
Franziska let out a humorless laugh. “You could say it like that, yes.”
“But…why? I told you already, I wasn’t interested in her.”
“Yes, you did say that. But…that foolishly foolish bastard was quite brazen with her flirting. Am I not supposed to be jealous?”
Maya could sense it, Franziska was hiding something else. She didn’t even need her magatama to sense that something else was on her mind. But she had to be gentle, not force it out of her. She then said, trying to strike a balance between firm and gentle, quizzical and reassuring.
“This isn’t just about Fortuna, Franzy.” Maya’s voice was gentle.
“Don’t call her that.” Franziska said, scowling.
“Okay, I won’t.” Maya nodded, then adding. “This isn’t just about Ms. Telli, Franzy.”
Franziska scoffed. “What makes you say that?”
“I can tell, Franzy. We’ve been with each other long enough, so I know when something is on your mind. So…” Maya trailed off, and then she asked. “What is it?”
Franziska sighed, quiet for a moment until she spoke up. “I…fear. I fear of the day that you realize that I’m not worth it, or that I’m not perfect. Then you’ll leave me for another woman or man.”
Maya frowned. “Is that…something you think about a lot?”
“…More than I’d like to admit.” Franziska admitted.
“Well…just know that it’s not true, Franzy. I love you, and I’d never leave you. No matter how imperfect you are. I mean, we all aren’t perfect. And in my opinion, you are really worth it.” Maya then giggled. “I mean, you were a big part of why I became a lawyer. Isn’t that evidence enough of how much I love you?” Her giggle transitioned into a gentle chuckle. “And it’s all worth it, Franzy.”
Franziska gave her a smile, the first genuine smile she had in a few hours. “Thank you, Maya Fey.”
“No problem! I know it won’t make it all go away, but please know that I’m yours and only yours. Really, I love you, and I’ll always love you. I mean, I’m not subtle about it at all!”
“That you are not, Maya Fey.” Franziska said, chuckling a small chuckle. “It is…getting better, but these doubts of mine sadly have haunted me my entire life.”
“Well, I’ll help you get rid of those doubts! You watch me!”
“I have no doubt that you will, Maya Fey.”
Maya laughed, and Franziska chuckled. She was feeling better, Maya knew. But she would need a little more than just words to reassure her. But…as Franziska and Maya continued to work on their case, Maya was slowly forming an idea in her head.
And for that plan…she’d need her best friend’s help.
━━━━ ❰ · ❉ · ❱ ━━━━
“Hey, Nick?”
Maya and Phoenix had both been quite busy over the months, spending less time with each other than they did when Maya had first taken over the Fey & Co. Law Offices. Maya was often busy with her latest cases, and Phoenix went away with Miles and Larry to trips away to other countries. Sometimes he would go as a collaborative artist with Larry in his picture books, though he mostly helped Miles with his trips helping Interpol. Though, whenever Phoenix was in Los Angeles, he made sure to spend plenty of time helping Maya. Sometimes he even accompanied Maya in her investigations and trials, something that Maya couldn’t believe she was nostalgic over.
Today, Maya and Phoenix had gone out to park for the afternoon, spending time with each other and making jokes that ranged from the funny to the painfully unfunny, though they laughed at each one all the same. Maya had to admit, she missed this, getting to spend time with Phoenix. Sure, she got to spend time with her other friends, but Phoenix was and always was her best friend. Even as they sat on a bench, Maya’s bag on her lap, the two silently eating some food they had bought at a stall, Maya still enjoyed his company. She liked how their friendship was strong enough for them to have both bouts of rambunctious laughter and comfortable silence.
Then, Maya remembered her plan with comforting Franziska. It had been a few days since their conversation, but Maya could tell that it still bothered her, even if it was only slightly.
Phoenix looked over at her, curious. “Yeah, Maya?”
“Do you know how to sew?”
“Hmmm…” Phoenix rubbed his chin in thought. “I took a few classes on sewing, yeah. Why?”
“Well, I was gonna ask you if I could make a special commission…” Maya trailed off.
Phoenix frowned. “You aren’t going to ask me to make you a Steel Samurai cosplay, are you?”
Maya laughed at that. “No, Nick! Not yet, at least.” She giggled when Phoenix rolled his eyes. “Actually, I wanted something else.”
“And that is…?”
“It’s a special little thing I wanna do…” Maya fished through her bag looking for what she was looking for. She took out a big antique locket, an aquamarine gemstone on the top of the locket, gold holding the gem in place. The gold looked old and tarnished, while the gemstone shone so brightly that it seemed brand new. “I actually wanted you to work with this!”
“Woah. Can I take a look at this?” Phoenix took the locket from Maya, examining it. “Where did you get this? It looks expensive.”
“It was Mom’s, just an antique that Grandma got from Grandpa. It didn’t have a gem on it though. My mom loved aquamarines, so Dad got it customized.”
“Wow…” Phoenix breathed out in awe.
“I wanted to give it to Franziska, but…I wanted to customize it for her.” Maya said, and when Phoenix raised a brow at her, she asked. “Do you think you can help me, Nick?”
Slowly, Phoenix smiled. “You know what? Why not? I need a good challenge. And no need to pay me, I’ll do it for free.”
“Really? Oh thank you, Nick!”
“No problem! But I’m only doing this as your friend.”
“Best friend!” Maya corrected, grinning.
Phoenix rolled his eyes, though he was still smiling. “Best friend.”
The two started to talk about Maya’s plans for her gift for Franziska, and the entire time, Maya grew more and more excited.
She couldn’t wait to see Franziska’s face when she saw what she had planned for her.
━━━━ ❰ · ❉ · ❱ ━━━━
“Hey Franzy! I’m here again!”
Franziska looked up from her laptop and at Maya, giving her a smile.
It was always nice seeing Maya visiting her in the prosecutor’s office, something she had started to do more often when they had started dating. Maya always brought food whenever she visited, mostly home cooked meals, and sometimes food from other restaurants and cafés whenever she was too busy to make something. Food was her main language, Maya she had told Franziska with a grin. And now, as Maya brought plastic bags of food, Franziska knew it was true. It seemed to be one of those times that she bought something instead of cooking, though with how busy Maya had been lately, Franziska didn’t exactly blame her. She watched as Maya sat on the sofa next to Franziska’s desk, placing the plastic bags of food on the coffee table.
“I just got some food from a Khura’inese restaurant. I hope you don’t mind.” Maya said.
“I do not, Maya Fey. I quite enjoy Khura’inese food.”
“Good!” Maya said with a grin. “I got us extra col’duncrimis! I noticed how much you liked them last time, so I got it.”
Franziska sighed, though she was smiling.
The two then talked with each other as they ate, the topics of their conversation being whatever happened to catch their fancy at that particular moment. Maya was someone that Franziska always loved to have a conversation with, she was always had unique and refreshing perspectives on things, and she was so honest about her opinion, saying it with such passion that always left Franziska smiling. They were even talking as they had finished the food, throwing it away in the outside garbage can. As they talked about Phoenix’s excitement over Christmas gifts, which was months away, Maya then gasped, as though she had remembered something.
“Oh actually, Franzy! About gifts, I got you one!” Maya said.
Franziska raised a brow. “A gift?”
“Yeah! Hold on…” Maya searched through her bag, then taking out a present with colorful wrapping paper, showing it off to Franziska. “Tada!”
“Ah, thank you Maya Fey.” Franziska was confused, even as Maya handed the present to her, looking up at her and then asking. “Any special occasion, Maya Fey?”
“Nope! Just wanted to give you something!”
Franziska simply stared at Maya, a questioning look on her face.
“Hah! Can’t lie to you, can I Franzy?” Maya said with a laugh, then adding when Franziska nodded. “Well, remember the whole thing with Ms. Telli, and your doubts about me leaving you? Well, I wanted to show you that I’m really yours, for the rest of our lives. I know it’s just a little gift, but I hope it can like, reassure you a bit.”
Franziska frowned, so this was what it was about. Maya really was too kind to her. “Maya Fey…that is not necessary. I was being foolish.”
“Foolish or not, they’re still doubts. And well…I’ll do anything to help you.” Maya said, and then she urged. “So please, open the gift! I wanna see what you think of it!”
Franziska nodded, slowly and delicately unwrapping the wrapping paper, and then opening the box. What was inside was….a bow. A satin white gold lined bow, with what seemed to be a gemstone in the center. The gold that held the gemstone was old, tarnished and faded, older than the gemstone that it held. It was frankly, beautiful, in its own simple way. It reminded Franziska of her own bow that she used to wear around her collar when she was first starting as a prosecutor, before she had moved to a jabot with a gem. The cloth of the bow seemed new too, brilliantly white and soft to the touch, Franziska looked up at Maya, and at the excited grin on her face.
“A…bow?” Franziska was only able to say.
“A bow for your collar. I had it custom made by Nick.” Maya clarified with a smile, then pointing to the gem that was in the middle. “Open it, Franzy! There’s a surprise for you.”
Franziska flipped it over, noticing that the gold framed gem had a clip on it, was something inside? Flipping the clip open, Franziska opened the locket that was the center of the bow, immediately noticing that something was inside. A folded piece of paper, way too thick and textured to be anything from a normal sheet of paper or notebook. Was it from a sketchbook? She took out the paper out, unfolding it, gasping when she saw what the paper was.
It was a watercolor painting of her and Maya together, with gentle colors and confident strokes of the pen. It was like a moment captured in time, of Maya and Franziska, and the essence of the individual and the together in a stylistic way. It was made by Phoenix, Franziska could tell, she had seen enough of his art to know. He must’ve spent quite a lot of time on this, and Maya must’ve spent money on this. All for…Franziska. Just for Maya to show her how much she loved her. But it wasn’t just the painting, there was writing on it too, neat beautiful words written in glittery purple pen. Maya’s handwriting.
“Yours and only yours
Love, Maya Fey <3”
Franziska found that she was at a loss for words.
After a few moments of silence, Maya gazing on at her expectantly, Franziska was able to murmur out. “Wow…”
“Is that a good wow or a bad wow?” Maya asked.
“A good wow.” Franziska replied.
“Ah! That’s good! I want a good wow!”
“Yes…”
Franziska slightly caressed at the painting, it was beautiful. Phoenix’s art was beautiful, but it wasn’t cheap. Not expensive, but not cheap either. And Maya spent money, for her…?
“Was this…” Franziska trailed off.
“Painted by Nick, yeah.” Maya finished,
“How much did it cost?”
“Oh! It was free, that and the sewing of the bow. He did it for me.”
“I see…” Franziska frowned in thought, folding the painting and putting it back in the locket. She closed the locket, looking at the brilliant blue gem. “But…this locket…” She looked back at the locket, no way this wasn’t expensive. “Where did you get such an item like this? The locket in the center looks like an antique, Maya Fey.”
“Oh, thats ‘cause it is an antique. The locket used to be my mom’s, I just had Nick turn it into the center of the bow.” Maya replied.
Franziska sighed. “Maya Fey, I cannot possibly accept this-”
“I want you to have it.” Maya interrupted. “Franzy, you mean a lot to me, you really do. I want you to know that I’m your girlfriend, and that I’ll always be your girlfriend, no matter what. This gift, it’s a reminder of how much I love you, and I really do! I hope this little gift can show that.”
“Maya Fey…” Franziska trailed off, and she found that she was smiling. “This…this is very thoughtful of you. Thank you.”
“Hey, anything to help my girlfriend.” Maya replied.
Franziska took the bow out of the box. “Help me with putting this on, Maya Fey. I want to wear this every day.”
“Aw! You don’t have to wear it every day, Franzy.”
“I want to, Maya Fey.”
Maya grinned. “Franzy!”
Franziska sighed, though she was smiling. “Are you going to help me out this on, Maya Fey?”
“Oh! Sure! Hold on a sec!”
Maya helped Franziska put on the bow, using the mirror that Franziska kept in her office. As Maya finished tying the bow to her neck, she stepped back and admired her work, griming. The bow…it really was beautiful, and it matched Franziska’s outfit. White and gold perfectly complementing the aquamarine gemstones of the bow and her outfit. And inside the bow, in the locket in the center, was a reminder. A reminder of how much Maya loved her, no matter what.
“You look so pretty, Franzy!” Maya exclaimed, then adding bashfully. “But you’re always pretty.”
Franziska slowly smirked. “You don’t look so bad yourself, Maya Fey.”
At that, Maya laughed.