Another post already? I've got quite a lot of chapters ready so posting should be pretty regular until I inevitably get writers block and have a panic over where I'm going with this. Even so, enjoy!

- Chapter Five -

Pen Welfare

Oddly enough I don't really see Maya around in the next few days. I think about calling her a few times. Well, more than a few times. Most hours. In fact, the more time passes the more frequently I think of her. I wonder whether this is deliberate, or she's just forgotten my slightly drunken invitation.

Datz calls by with Rayfa for a brief, yet slightly awkward visit whereby I'm unsure of how to act around her and Datz makes some jokes about Maya. I half hope Rayfa will catch on, but I half don't want her too. I'm no stranger to the feeling of liking someone who's gone and decided they like someone else, right in front of you. Then again, I haven't seen or spoken to Maya in days so does Rayfa even have anything to be jealous of?

At the same time, I struggle to find our interactions easy the way I previously did, constantly worrying I'm encouraging her crush, or coming across cold. I have a feeling Rayfa would be mortified by the knowledge that, not only do Nahyuta and Maya know about her supposed feelings, but I do as well.

"You seem a bit strange today, Horn-head. Are you ill?" Rayfa demands after I fail to laugh at one of her jokes. In all honesty, I'm not sure I totally understood it.

"Uh, no, not ill. I apologise, it was a great joke."

She narrows her pale eyes and glares at me, "how dare you patronise me."

"Rayfa I didn't mean -"

"That's Your Highness to you, you insolent, patronising spikey-headed…"

I recoil, half expecting her to attack me, but instead she seems to be wondering how to finish off the insult.

"Take it easy on Apollo, Your Highness! His brain's mush at the moment. I doubt he was even concentrating on your joke," Rayfa glares at him, "which was hilarious by the way. I mean, I laughed!"

"You're an idiot though, so that's little consolation to me."

"Who's an idiot?" comes a voice from the doorway. My head turns at lighting speed and my brain actually does turn to mush. Maya.

"Datz," Rayfa says coldly, failing to even look over at her.

Maya grins, "you got that right," she digs Datz on the arm playfully.

He frowns, "why does everyone think that?"

"You can't even listen properly, Datz," Maya jibes, her eyes lingering on me and giving me a almost imperceivable wink.

"Hey, what's that supposed to mean? Look, I'm outta here, you guys are being extra harsh today! I'll see you later."

"Hmmph, I'll be leaving too now. I doubt I'm wanted anyway."

"Rayfa, that's not -" but she's already halfway out the door.

Maya waits until they've both left before speaking, "well someone's managed to get on the Princess's bad side."

I groan and sit down in my chair, my head falling back as I look at the ceiling on the law office. It's filthy.

"It's not my fault, I don't know how to act around her since you told me that stupid thing about her having a crush on me…"

Maya shrugs, "it's not even a sure thing. I seem to recall I told you these things seem to work themselves out and not to worry too much."

I'm still flopped down, "easier said than done. We all know she kicks off when she's actually upset. How did this even happen? I mean, surely she's got bigger fish to fry? I mean, she's royal. Why would someone royal even get a crush on some deadbeat lawyer who's overworked, overtired and has poor taste in wine?"

"Hey, are you doing that thing where you say bad things about yourself in the hope I'll compliment you?"

"Not especially, but please, feel free to compliment me as much as you like."

"Hey, that was pretty smooth, Apollo," she says, tilting her head to one side.

My heart lifts a little at the thought of impressing her.

"You haven't seen smooth until you've been on a date with Apollo Justice," I reply, ignoring the hammering in my chest in favour of a little fake confidence.

Maya's cocks her head to the side, "that was a little much," but she laughs afterwards.

"So about this date," I begin.

"That's actually why I'm here," she says.

"Oh?" is all I come up with.

"Yeah, I've been thinking and I don't think it's a great idea."

My heart absolutely

P

L

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T

S.

I swallow back my saliva and try to recapture semblance of the bravado I faked earlier, "and how do you figure that?"

She gives me a sympathetic look. I suddenly feel the size of an ant.

"I have my reasons. A few in fact. The main is I'm working very closely with Rayfa right now and I'm not sure the best thing for Khura'in is to have it's two leading ladies in competition over a man."

I snort, "what competition? Rayfa's a teenager. I don't want to go out with her."

"Yeah, exactly. And how is that going to make her feel?"

"What happened to "these things tend to work themselves out?"?"

This silences her. She fiddles with one of the pens on my desk, clicking the nib out and then clicking it back inside. Her eyes won't meet mine.

"Look, something the other day just ...reminded me of how awful it is to like someone who doesn't like you back."

I feel a stab of jealousy and I try to think of something to say back, but it's clear she's made her mind up. I need to try and be an adult about this. Not argue with her, but respect her wishes. I also remember she said she had "a few" reasons for declining me. The words play in my brain and I realise she must not like me very much after all.

"Right, if that's how you feel, I suppose that's very honourable of you," I say.

"Hmm, maybe," she replies staring at my desk, still clicking the pen in a way that's actually quite jarring.

"Still, I don't think my pens should suffer at the hands on your decision," I say, reaching over and gently taking the pen from her. As our hands touch my face glows red and so does hers. I wonder whether her hand is tingling the way mine is and I feel hopeful for a second. A feeling I'm quick to extinguish.

She smiles a little, "sorry, I promise, no further harm will come to any of your pens."

"Well that's always been my primary concern," I assert, not taking my eyes away from hers. She does hold my gaze and I wonder whether I look intense and brooding, or just like a staring idiot.

"This won't affect our friendship will it?" She says, tearing her eyes away.

"Of course not."

But I can't help but wonder what friendship? We don't really know each other that well. The majority of our recent interactions have stemmed from Datz's need for a hearing aid. I silently curse him. Why did he have to tell me that and make me realise how Goddamn attractive she is?

"I should get back to my work," I start, breaking the slightly awkward silence.

"Right, of course," she agrees. I expect her to make an excuse to leave, but she says, "do you need any help? I've got quite a bit of experience. Excellent references. You can call Nick and check if you like."

I almost smile. It's not that I don't want her to stay, but surely this so called "friendship" is only going to complicate things. But I can't quite bring myself to say no, either.

In the end, I simply shrug, "if you're up to it? I need all the help I can get…"

It's not untrue. I truly have an absurd amount of work to do.

And so she stays and I'm left with a lingering feeling that I'm going to live to regret this.