(A/N: I apologize for not working on my other two ongoing stories; I'm lacking any inspiration to write them. So here's this short story about Edgeworth and Franziska! =D)
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Franziska woke with a start. Heart beating rapidly, she looked around her darkened bedroom. It…was just a dream…just a foolish dream. Her lips curved upward in a smile. Only something fools would believe.
She stole a glance at her clock. 1:00. Her brow furrowed. Ugh, she thought. It's much too early. Tired, she slumped back on her well-stuffed pillows. She tried to go back to sleep, but was bothered by the sliver of light penetrating her room from under the door.
Who on Earth is up at this hour? Franziska wondered. Father is in America; those lazy, foolish servants wouldn't be working…
In realization, her eyes narrowed in suspicion. Miles Edgeworth.
Violently throwing her blankets off of the bed, Franziska ran downstairs. She spotted him, sitting at his desk in the study. His back was turned to her, as he was quickly scribbling something down.
"Miles Edgeworth!" she shouted. He jumped in surprise.
"F-…. Franziska," he said slightly shakily. "What are you doing here at this time of night?" He paused, and noticed her current appearance and grinned. "Your hair's messed up."
"Shut up!" she yelled, but at the same time she was self-consciously fixing her hair. "Anyway," she continued. "What are you doing this late at night? Your presence here is disturbing my sleep."
"Oh, really?" he replied, smirking. "I didn't know Your Highness was so sensitive to light."
Franziska made no response to this, but said "…Well? You still haven't answered my question, Miles Edgeworth. Why are you awake? If you're attempting to surpass me, no amount of late-night studying could possibly help you…"
"No, that's not it." Miles shook his head and turned back to his work. "I…had a… nightmare, and couldn't sleep, that's all." He continued to write.
Franziska walked up to his desk and leaned over his shoulder. "Then, what are you doing?"
"Working."
"Aha!" she cried in triumph. "You are trying to get ahead! You should have known trying to lie to me was foolish—"
"No!" Miles turned back to his "sister". "Why do you always have to make everything into a such a competition?! For goodness sake, I'm just using the time I have to catch up on work."
"…" Franziska looked away guiltily. "…I'm…. sorry," she spoke quietly, as though the words were foreign to her.
"It's alright." Miles continued to write. Franziska didn't move, but instead observed him for a few minutes. Sighing rather melodramatically, Miles put down his pen and looked back at her. "Shouldn't you be going back to sleep? Or is there something else I can help you with?"
"I was just…wondering what exactly you were working on, Miles Edgeworth. Besides, this light would only keep me awake until morning." She still tried to sound professional; it made him smile. "Then pull up a chair and we can read the file together," he said.
As suggested, Franziska carried another chair toward Miles's desk, and he politely scooted his chair over so she would have a place to set it. She got seated. "I'm reading up on this case," Miles stated as he indicated a folder. "State v. Johnson. It was a bit of a gruesome murder case." He looked at her uncertainly. "Are you sure you can handle it?"
"Of course, Miles Edgeworth," she snapped. "I'm not a child."
"Of course you aren't." Though he kept a straight face, his eyes were smiling. However, he quickly redirected his attention and continued to read the file. Franziska tried to follow, but could not manage to concentrate. It was much later than she would normally ever be awake, and all she could notice was her little brother. She could not help but stare at his calculating grey eyes, focused on the page of text, scrutinizing every piece of information. Or how he had grown past the "awkward adolescent" stage, and had grown into such a…striking young man, yet always so earnest in his goals. His slightly disheveled hair hung over his eyes, fueled by his determination. Though she loathed him for surpassing her in almost every aspect of her life, she couldn't help but admire him.
"…Franziska?" He had caught her staring. "Is there something wrong?"
"I…No!" she said quickly. "It's just that…" She looked him in the eyes, smirking slightly. "…Your hair. It's a mess, Miles Edgeworth."
She slowly brushed some of his bangs back, so they wouldn't hang over his eyes so much, but to no avail. She smirked. "You look…ridiculous, Miles Edgeworth."
"Well, I could say the same about you."
"What are you talking abou—?"
Miles leaned in and tousled her hair. She cried in shock, "Miles Edgeworth! How dare you!" In retaliation, she stood up and messed up Miles's hair.
"Ha!" Franziska grinned triumphantly. "Now you look twice the fool, Miles Edgeworth."
They both glared at one another for a minute, but soon broke out into smiles. "Hmph, I see how it is," said Miles in mock anger, still smirking. Franziska yawned. "Let us continue to read, then, shall we, Miles Edgeworth?"
They continued to examine the file, Miles taking meticulous notes of the intricacies of the case, while Franziska stared at the file, eyes glazed. Then, he said, "Would you like me to make some hot chocolate for you? You seem a bit…tired."
"Fool! I'm not tired at all." Franziska said boldly, trying to stifle a yawn. "But…I suppose hot chocolate would be… effective. In order to keep working."
Miles nodded. As he left for the kitchen, he heard Franziska say, "I'll just lie down on the couch in the meantime…"
Five minutes, Miles returned with a tray with two steaming mugs, only to find Franziska fast asleep. He smiled. At heart, she really is just a child. He went upstairs to fetch a blanket, and returned to delicately drape it over her doll-like body. She stirred slightly in response, but continued to sleep, with a contented smile on her face.
Miles sat back at his desk, occasionally looking over his shoulder to check on her. Throughout the night and until daybreak, he would glance at her and think one thought.
Sweet dreams, Franziska.
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I hope you enjoyed this! I was wondering if I should do a few more short stories like this, about Miles and Franziska. So, if you'd like to read more, please review! Thanks! =)