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Maya smiled as she took in the sight of all the market stalls.

When her wonderful girlfriend Franziska had suggested taking them both on a vacation to Germany for the holidays, Maya was ecstatic and seized the opportunity enthusiastically. The idea of it, exploring Germany, seeing where Franziska grew up and seeing all the sights it had to offer her, getting to buy all of the amazing food at the Christmas markets, it had Maya giddy with excitement. She had never been out of the country before, barely even leaving Kurain Village before Mia became a defense attorney. And she always had this deep longing to see the world, but she was always tied down to Kurain Village, to her responsibility and legacy as a Fey. She never had time to explore, to see the world and all the sights it showed off to anyone who was willing to see.

Well, no time like the present!

Franziska had gotten them first class tickets, and Maya was practically bouncing with excitement when they boarded the plane and she saw the comfortable chairs that were way better than economy. The flight may have been 12 hours, but the two had spent most of the time cuddling as they slept or watching Christmas movies with each other, and it seemed that 12 hours was over in just a minute. Maya was glad to finally be out of the plane, the two of them escorted by Franziska’s personal chauffeur to the von Karma estate, where Franziska had grown up and lived in for most of her life.

The von Karma estate was huge, so big that Maya could explore it for months and she was sure she wouldn’t have explored the entirety of it. It was beautiful, rolling fields of snow, forests of bare trees with crystal clear icicles hanging off of them, a mansion with muted red brick contrasting with the snow-covered roofs. Inside was even bigger, if it was even possible. Maya was sure that without Franziska—who somehow knew where everything was? How?!—she would’ve been lost the moment she’d stepped in. The inside was beautiful too, detailed green wallpaper, ornately carved wooden furniture, lights that bathed everything in a soft glow. It was different from the Fey manor, but just as grand.

Though jetlag was horrible, nothing could have ever prepared her for it. Franziska was used to it, but Maya wasn’t, and she was miserable. Though, she cheered up a bit when Franziska made her a cup of coffee that was apparently too sweet, but Maya liked it that way! Though when she’d finally recovered from jetlag—six days, insane!—she was happy to explore around Germany with her girlfriend. Franziska took her everywhere, she took her to German bakeries with bread that was way better than America’s poor excuse of bread, at least according to Franziska, she always called American bread cake. They went to the ice skating rink to skate together, Franziska’s laugh beautiful when Maya kept stumbling and sliding on the ice, holding on to her for dear life.

Tonight, they were going to the Christmas markets, which was teeming with life. Maya could hear the chatter of people—mostly in German, Franziska had to translate for her a lot of times during this vacation—that filled the air along with laughter and warm camaraderie. The night winter air was brisk on their skin, carrying along with it the scent of bread and pastries and sausage. It was beautiful here, everything bathed in the soft glow of Christmas lights, the large decorated Christmas tree in the center of the markets, the stalls lining the streets with different goods and souvenirs that they sold, the families laughing and groups of teenagers exploring and couples holding each other’s hands. It was the pinnacle of Christmas cheer.

Maya had bought so much food that she didn’t know the names of, little trinkets and souvenirs to give to Pearl and Phoenix when she came back to Los Angeles, and even a cute little purple beanie that a kind elderly German lady had hand-crocheted herself. Right now she was walking with Franziska, enjoying the scene of the busy Christmas markets as they walked and held each other’s hands. Though when Maya caught a whiff of hot chocolate, she immediately grew hungry again, lighting up when she saw the stall selling said hot beverage.

“Oh look, Franzy!” Maya grinned as she pointed to the stall. “They’re selling hot chocolate!”

“You just got finished eating a pretzel, Maya Fey. Are you not tired of eating?” Franziska said.

“Eating, not drinking.” Maya shot back.

“It is still consumption, Maya Fey.” Franziska retorted.

Maya rolled her eyes, but she was grinning.

The two went over to the stall and Franziska bought the hot chocolate for her—with extra marshmallows, of course! The marshmallows were shaped like cats, it wasn’t her fault!—and then paying the young teenage boy at the stall the money. They went to a bench to sit for a minute, let Maya take in the sight of the Christmas market and drink it in peace. Drinking the sweet creamy hot chocolate, warm against the cold refreshing winter air, it felt…comforting, it reminded her of when her mother would make tea for them whenever it got cold in Kurain Village.

“How is the hot chocolate, Maya Fey?” Franziska asked.

“It’s good.” Maya said, smiling.

“Good, I would’ve whipped the vendor senseless had it not been.” Franziska replied.

Maya giggled, her laugh transitioning into a loving smile as she said. “The hot chocolate’s not the only thing that’s good, Franzy.”

“Oh?” Franziska raised a brow. “What else is good, Maya Fey?”

“You.” Maya said, leaning over and cupping Franziska’s cheek in her hand. “I really love you, Franzy.”

Franziska had gone red, though she was smiling. She was beautiful, every sharp yet gorgeous feature of her face illuminated by the Christmas lights, those gray eyes she’d grown to love dearly. It was weird to think that usually those eyes were sharp and cold, yet now were warm and softening with fondness. Here, bathed in soft gentle light, against the night velvet of the star-glittering sky, Maya had never seen something so beautiful in her life. Especially when Franziska nuzzling into her hand, murmuring something that made her heart soar.

“…I love you too, Maya Fey.” She finally said.

Maya grinned.

She suddenly leaned in and captured Franziska’s lips in a kiss. Their kiss was as gentle as the gentle glow of the Christmas lights, as sweet as the creamy hot chocolate she had just drank, as beautiful as the stars against the night sky. Maya knew she’d never forget moments, with Franziska, in each other’s embrace underneath glowing Christmas lights.