This drabble is set during JFA.
Maya hummed quietly to herself as she walked down the street towards the office. She had left early the previous day to go visit a friend who had come over from Kurain to visit her. When she left, Pearl had been bugging Phoenix to watch the latest episode of Pink Princess with her but Phoenix had seemed so buried in case files that he hardly even heard her. Maya secretly hoped that the case they were all working on would be solved soon so the three of them could have a little day out together. She knew Phoenix would adore Pearl if only they actually had some time to be with each other and bond a little. Suddenly Maya stopped in her tracks as she remembered how Phoenix had looked after her when her sister had been murdered. Pearl only really had her now after what happened with her mother and Mimi Miney. While Maya was grateful to look after her little cousin, she knew she shouldn't be the only person Pearl could turn to. Phoenix had been there for Maya when she had no one else and she hoped he would eventually do the same for Pearl. Shaking herself a little, she pulled herself out of her thoughts and continued walking towards the office.
Once she finally made it up to the office she was exhausted- since the elevator wasn't working she had no choice but to walk up the whole six flights of stairs. As she approached the door she heard voices coming from inside, but they were slightly muffled and Maya realised the voices were coming from the TV rather than anyone inside. She frowned to herself for a moment, presuming Phoenix had left the TV on the previous night and she knew how much that would raise the electricity bill- extra money they could not afford to pay right now. But as she unlocked the door and stepped inside, she saw a very different picture to the one she had been expecting. She had been right in the fact that the TV was on. But sat on the couch in front of it was Phoenix with his arms wrapped around Pearl's shoulders as she lay curled into his side. There was a blanket draped over them and they were both fast asleep. Not even the knowledge of how big the electricity bill was going to be could stop Maya's smile or her heart from soaring in her chest as she looked at the two of them. As she walked towards the TV to switch it off, she saw Pearl shuffle her body slightly before she grumbled quietly and eventually opened her eyes.
"Good morning, Mystic Maya. You're here early" Pearl said as she tried to stifle a yawn, squinting at the sunlight coming in through the windows.
"How did you sleep?" Maya smiled, tilting her head towards Phoenix who was also waking up. Pearl giggled but said nothing as Maya sat down beside her and gave her a playful nudge.
"What time is it?" Phoenix asked Maya before yawning loudly and stretching out his arms, narrowly missing the top of Pearl's head as he did so.
"About 9:30. I see you two had a late night. The case keeping you up?" Maya directed that last part mostly to Phoenix but before he could reply, Pearl butted in.
"Mr Nick watched a whole season of The Pink Princess with me! We stayed up for hours" Pearl beamed and Maya looked over to see Phoenix smiling down at her cousin. And that was when she finally saw it- the same look that had shone in his eyes when he had read her sister's final message which had given the company to him and their friendship had begun. It was not directed at her this time, but rather at Pearl. Maya smiled with so much happiness that she was certain her cheeks would burst. Suddenly, she pulled the two of them forwards, squashing them into a hug. Pearl laughed and hugged her cousin back tightly.
"What's brought on this sudden bout of affection?" Phoenix questioned lightheartedly as he wrapped his arms over Pearl and onto Maya's shoulders.
"I'm happy" was her only reply.