When we're better (Franziska von Karma x Female Reader)

The Final Straw

I couldn't even speak to her. Damn it! Why was I like this?

"Y/N! Where do you think you're going?!" Franziska called out, indignant as ever.

I froze in place, right before I could leave the Prosecutor's lobby of the courthouse. Every muscle in my arms and legs told me to run, and those stupid tears were blurring my vision as I did my best to hold them back.

"I..." I swallowed, not able to raise my voice much higher than a whisper. "I-I just need a minute..."

"Y/N... you don't sound good. Is this because I raised my voice in court today?" Her voice seemed to be laced with concern, which only made me feel worse.

I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned quickly, flinching. She immediately let go, and for just a moment, I thought I saw the regret on her face.

"Please... at least just sit down with me before you go? What did I do?"

I nodded, my eyes to the ground. I was terrified of airing my grievances. Especially after all the stress we had both been through during this trial...

"O-ok..."

I let her guide me to a nearby bench to sit down. She placed a hand on my back. I took a deep breath.

"Y-yeah. When you yelled at me, I did get pretty scared. I mean, I know you wouldn't hurt me. I know. But... still... ugh it's stupid."

"No, no. Y/N it's not," she was quick to interrupt me, placing her free hand on my arm and giving it a squeeze, looking determined.

"I was... the fool this time. What is this 'stupid' talk but utter nonsense? I lost my temper at the wrong person and you should not punish yourself for getting rightfully mad."

"..."

This empathy... this side of her that was so rare... why did she have to show it now?

"Franziska... I..."

"Hush now. Enough." She pulled me into a secure hug. It somehow still felt bossy. "The trial is over. Where would you like to go to make it up to you?"

"N-no, Franziska you don't understand." My voice was shaking now.

"Then what is it? Go on."

"I... I got an offer..."

There was silence. I felt her grip loosen just a bit.

"An offer...?"

"T-to join Interpol... m-my first assignment would send me to Cohdopia..."

I could feel the air changing. Franziska let me out of the hug, holding me by the shoulders as she stared me down. I could see the confusion in her eyes.

"You refused, right? You're my detective. And my... my girlfriend."

I bit at my lip anxiously.

"I'm supposed to respond by the end of the week... I haven't y-"

"Why not?! Y/N, you cannot possibly be considering Interpol of all the jobs on this wretched planet." Franziska's voice grew strained. She leaned a little closer. What was that expression? I hadn't seen it before. Something the opposite of confidence.

"Why haven't you said no?"

All those feelings, the ones that had been propelling me out the door, returned, sinking my heart into my gut. Making me want to puke.

"Agent Lang... his team... they're so tight-knit, and... and I just need to feel like I belong, Franz..."

"But you do belong, Y/N. With me. Isn't that enough? We're so unstoppable together!"

"Franziska, please!"

I pushed away suddenly. It was a knee-jerk reaction as the panic seeped back into my bones. Franziska's eyes widened in shock as her hands recoiled. It wasn't like me to push back against her, but a dam had broken in me.

"Y-you're so obsessed with being 'unstoppable' or efficient or whatever!" My tears were finally running down my cheeks as I choked back a sob. "B-but it feels like-"

I covered my mouth. This was physically hurting me, but it had to be said.

"It feels like you care more about getting a guilty verdict than about me," I confessed as my voice cracked.

"Y/N... I..." Franziska trailed off. She stared at me with this blank expression. It was so foreign. Was there no retort? I waited, my heart desperate for some kind of objection. For her to call me a foolishly foolish fool for ever thinking she cared more about a win in court than her girlfriend.

...

But nothing came. Nothing except for a hopeless "I'm sorry..."

And with that, there was this wave of coldness that washed over me. Flushing all the tumultuous emotions out of my system. I stood up.

"It's fine. I'm going home," I said flatly, and walked out the door.

"Y/N no no no wait-" She ran after me. The sky was cloudy. A few drops of rain kissed the top of my head. I stopped, but I wouldn't turn around. Couldn't turn around.

"You can't just do that to me," she demanded. I could imagine her rolled up whip being pointed in my direction. "What does this mean?"

The rain picked up.

"I think we need to take a break. I just... I can't be happy not being anyone's number one. We won't be happy right now."

"Well then what am I supposed to do?" Her voice was almost desperate. And angry. "If you're halfway across the world doing God knows what, what am I supposed to do without you?!"

"The same thing you always do, Miss von Karma." I turned my head to look at her one last time.

"Win."