Fairy Lover: Franziska Part Two (complete)

The Red Beetle tribe has settled in with the Bumble, but there is a tension growing between us. This is to be expected, as two cultures are clashing in a very limited space. Both are dealing with giving up things from their lives to make room for this change. There is a slight discomfort everywhere I go now, as if neither party knows which way to move.

Even so, I continue to work with Franziska on building a cedar chest. Frustrated and flustered, Franziska has made progress, but not in the way that they hoped. As far as I can tell, working with their hands is not something they are accustomed to, nor is it something they are comfortable with.

Each day is progress, and each day, I look forward to seeing them. The three days each week we have together sometimes do not come quickly enough. It feels strange to think that I ever felt regret or burden taking on this job. 

Today, I have taken Franziska out into town to pick out the adornments for their cedar chest. Really, this isn’t something that would be an issue, but I know Franziska and how much they enjoy the finer things and small details. This also allows me to teach them about locks, hinges, and a few things that could easily be looked over.

It’s a blustery day, and Franziska is wearing a heavy red cloak. They seem bothered by the breeze and more out of sorts than usual.

“Are you cold?” I ask them.

“How can you not be?” they chide. “It’s awful, and this wind makes it so much worse!” They narrow their dark eyes up at me. “Of course you’re fine. You’re covered in all that warm fluff.”

I smirk, touching the fuzz of my arm. “I suffer during the summer, don’t worry.”

Franziska’s smile is soft and sweet. “I wouldn’t want you to suffer at all.” They reach out as if to touch my arm, but I move aside, opening the door to the shop. 

“We’re here!” 

A small scowl replaces their smile as Franziska sweeps into the shop. They drop the red hood over their head and look around the shop with an unenthused gaze.

“So, what do you have in mind for your chest?” I ask them. “Do you want a bolt? A small latch? Do you want two clasps and a loop for a lock in the center? Will you want handles for the sides? Perhaps wood inlays for the front or the lid?”

The grimace that comes to their face is almost comical. “That all sounds like it’s just extra work.”

“It is!” I reply. “But you want it to look nice, don't you? Something other than the average chest that sits in the corner?”

“I do, but-” Franziska’s pout becomes more pronounced. “Will it even be worth it? No matter what I do to it, it could still end up looking horrible! It doesn’t matter how pretty the hinges are or how nice the stain turns out.” They look back around the shop with their sourpuss mug. 

“It’ll look good because I am teaching you how to do it right.” I move over to a wall where there are hinges on display. “See here?” I point. “These ones here are my favorite.”

“But they’re so bland.” They pick up another set. “What about these? They’re so pretty.”

“Pretty, maybe.” I take the hinge from their hand and flip it over, showing them the hollow backing. “See how thin the metal is, though? It’s beautiful, of course, but it is made to be used for smaller things that are decorative. Not something that’s going to used quite a bit, like your chest.” I give them a smile as I see their brow crease. “Luckily, the hinges of your chest will usually be hidden, so it won’t matter.”

I move them along to show them locks. “Now, what did you have in mind for how your chest closes?” I ask. “Obviously, you’ll have special things in there, perhaps even items you want kept away from your siblings. I would very much suggest a lock. What we can do with this is--”

Franziska scowls and stomps their foot. “Why are you telling me all this? I don’t need to know any of this stupid stuff! Just pick something out.”

I frown back at them. “What’s gotten to you today?” I ask. “ figured you would be excited for this. You wouldn’t have to work today or take off your lashes.”

“I’m not even wearing any!” Franziska snaps. “I don’t like big crowds and everyone in this store is staring at me like I am some kind of freak.” They reach out and take hold of my jacket. “Please, can’t we just go?”

I look around and see the other patrons casting strange glances in Franziska’s direction. I take hold of their hands then look them in the eye. “How are you so sure they’re not looking at me?”

“Huh?” they scoff. 

I squeeze their hands. “Just look around with me,” I try to soothe them. “Don’t pay attention to them. If they’re looking, that’s their problem, not yours. You don’t need to be afraid of them, just prove them wrong.”

Franziska lowers their head. “I can’t. I don’t like it.”

I keep their hand in mine, lowering it between us. “Is it really that bad?” I whisper.

They dip their head down, lowering it close to my arm. “I’m sorry.” Their voice is a soft, pitiful whimper. “It doesn’t feel good.”

I sigh as I give in, taking them out of the shop and back to my house. Once there, Franziska goes directly to the wood shop. They sit down, glaring over their pile of wood, which only needs a bit more sanding before we treat it and stain it.

“You want to talk?” I ask them gently. I sit down beside them as they pick up one of the smaller panels and look it over. “I thought you Red Beetles lived off making an entrance.”

Franziska rubs their hands over the wood, feeling it to make sure it’s as smooth as possible, and perhaps to distract themselves from my question.

“You can call me a Ladybug, everyone else does,” they grumble. Then they look up at me. “Just because we like to look pretty and wear lovely clothes--” They shut their mouth and shake their head. “That doesn’t make us all Ladies!”

“Hey--!” I try to speak up, but the look in their eyes stops me.

“You saw it, right?” Franziska snaps. “The way they all looked at me in there? That’s not the entrance I want to make. They were all staring at me with loathing in their eyes. Tell me different.”

I remain silent and drop my eyes down.

“Exactly,” Franziska huffs. They sniffle and whimper, a hiccup growing in their throat. They wipe at their eyes, and I see they aren’t wearing any makeup today. “We’re all scared! And we can’t go home now.”

I furrow my brow. “Can’t go home?” I whisper. “Why, what happened?”

With a shake of their head, Franziska sits up stiff again. “I wasn’t supposed to say anything.” They pick up the lumber again. “Let’s just work. The mind-numbing boredom of sanding helps me forget things.”

I place my hand on the small of their back. “You can talk to me, Franziska. I hope through all of this, you’ve at least learned I can be your friend.”

Franziska tilts their head back and looks up at me. Their smile returns, and they nod. “I know, Barnaby.” They place their hand over the back of mine. “Sometimes, seeing you is the only thing that helps.”

“I am always here, always happy to help you.” I smile at Franziska and dip my head down. “You have come to mean a lot to me in our time together. Which is why this chest is so important, because I want you to be proud, I want you to be happy. I don’t want you to look at your creation and think I have steered you wrong.”

Franziska shakes their head. “I never would have thought that.” Their hand squeezes mine and lifts it up. They place my palm on their cheek and nuzzle it. “I would look at it and remember how much I enjoyed our time together.”

My heart is hammering harder as the hourglass sand pours down on me more like bricks. I lean down closer, meeting Franziska’s kiss. They move closer to me, placing their hand on my chest as my hands wrap around their waist.

“Sorry,” I gasp as I pull away. I’m grinning like a moron as I look at them. “I didn’t mean to-- I mean, I should have stopped it.”

“No harm in a kiss,” Franziska purrs. “Completely innocent.”

“Is it?” I gasp breathlessly. “You’re a royal, and I’m just a worker bee.” I smooth my finger along their cheek, then tuck a lock of hair away. “You’re so lovely, and I’m just...”

“Handsome?” Franziska kisses me again. “I have done far worse things with people I barely liked. Kissing a man I adore is nothing.”

I frown at them. “What’s worse?”

Franziska winks. “So tell me, should we go back to working on the chest or do something else?”

I sigh and smile up at them. “We should work on the chest.”

“I know.” Franziska moves aside and gathers their supplies. They hesitate, and glance back over their shoulder. “Maybe we can try again at the store tomorrow.”

“If you feel up to it.” I smile back at them. “I won’t push you into it.”

We get back to work, eventually reaching a point where we can start to treat and stain the next day. 

As Franziska goes to leave, they look up at me. “I know today is the last day,” they murmur. “You go back to work tomorrow, but…” They take my hand. “Can I come see you anyway?”

“Won’t you get in trouble?” I ask softly. 

Franziska shakes their head. “My parents like you. They’ll be happy to know I have someone to be a good example.” They tilt their head up and kiss me. 

“I’m glad to know this,” I sigh. “But is something wrong?” I cup their cheek in my hand. “You can tell me.”

They wrap their hands around my wrist. “You make me feel safe.” Their voice then makes my heart hammer and bricks rain down from the hourglass again. “I just want to feel that way, even if it’s only for an hour.”

I pull them into a hug, embracing them tight. Franziska nuzzles my shoulder and takes a deep breath.

“Thank you, Barnaby,” they whisper to me. “Even if I’m being selfish.”

“Apparently, spoiled is my thing.” I kiss them again. “You should get home. It’s late.”

Franziska glances back at the open door and smiles. “What about you?” they ask. “What is it about me you like when I’m around?”

I smile at them. “I’ll tell you tomorrow.”

Franziska’s eyes brighten, and in that moment I get that feeling again. Being a worker bee, it feels like I get lost in a crowd. But with Franziska, I feel important.

Returning home from work the following day, I am exhausted. I nearly forgot that Franziska was coming over. When I see them standing at my front door, I am shocked and they are relieved. They run into my arms, holding me tight and kissing my cheek.

“You look tired,” they murmur. “Should I go home?”

I shake my head. “No. It’s okay.” I unlock the door for them. “Seeing you makes the day worth it.”

Franziska takes off their coat, revealing very cute dress underneath. Their hair is styled in soft, fluffy waves, and their makeup is soft, while their lips are peachy and dewy. 

“Do you like it?” They smooth their palms down the dress. “I thought you might like this, so I tried it.”

“You don’t need to try anything for me.” I roll a curl around my finger. “I think you’re beautiful, regardless.”

Their eyes go moony and they glance down. “Don’t you prefer more feminine things?” They ask unsurely. 

“Well, it is pretty to look at,” I murmur. I then furrow my brow and catch their chin in my hand. “But that’s not you, is it?” I smear their lipstick away with my thumb. “You don’t need to paint yourself as something you aren’t.”

“I would, though,” they whimper. “I would be the woman you want.”

I scowl. “You’re the you I want. It doesn’t matter what else. Is this what has been bothering you?”

Franziska blinks tears from their eyes. “You would never call me a Ladybug, would you?” they whimper.

“No, because it would be hurtful.” I pull them into my arms. “I know things here are tense, and the Bumble can be rigid, but you know what is right for you, and that’s what matters.”

Franziska clings to me. “I feel so out of place,” they whimper. “I was worried and I got so scared.” They pull back and rub at their eyes. “And now we can’t even go back home!”

“Hey.” I put my arm around them. “So it’s true, then - it was taken over?”

Franziska nods. “Everything is so scary and I don’t know what to do. The only time I feel okay is when you’re bossing me around with that stupid chest!” they blurt out in a sob, then start giggling.

I kiss them, taking them up into my arms like the first day we met. I’m still surprised at how light they are. “No matter what, that will always be the truth.”

Franziska kisses me again, kicking their legs happily. “You’re tired though.” They run their fingers through the fluff at my neck. “Perhaps another day we can mess with it.”

I set them down, kissing the top of their head. “I’ll put on some tea for the both of us and make something to eat. Have you had anything?”

Franziska shakes their head. “I haven’t.” They beam up at me. “You know,” they chuckle. “My parents have a bet going.”

“Do they?” I place the kettle onto the stove. “And what might they be betting over?”

“My Mama thinks the wedding will be in spring. My Papa thinks we will elope.” They have the biggest grin on their face.

“How can that be?” I gasp. “You’re a royal!”

“Red Beetles have the power to marry whoever they want, regardless of status. Mama knew right away when you picked me up that I would see no one else, man or woman, as my beloved ever again.” They clutch their palms over their chest. “They have already accepted you, and the only thing left is how the wedding will be handled.”

I sigh and shake my head. “You’ll be the death of me, that is for certain. You scared me half to death right there!”

Franziska stares dreamily at me from across the table. “I thought you knew the tradition already, that is the only reason I brought it up.”

“Well, then,” I grumble. “Perhaps it’s not so much a cedar chest anymore as it is a hope chest.” I set their cup of tea down on the table. My heart is thrumming so hard I’m sure they can hear it. 

“How perfect, then.” They take hold of the cup and sample the tea. “By the way...” They look back up. “You said you would tell me about the special feeling I give you when I’m around.” 

“Oh, right,” I chuckle softly. I turn from the oven to look back at them. “Let me finish dinner and I will tell you.”

Franziska pouts. “I have to wait some more?” They huff and lean back. “I pondered on it all night, trying to think of what it could possibly be. Perhaps I make you feel safe as well, although I highly doubt that is the case.”

I chuckle. “You’ve thought hard about it?”

“I have,” they scoff. “Maybe I make you feel powerful, or even very weak.” They sip on their tea. “But nothing I can think of seems quite right.”

I finish making dinner and bring the plates over to the table. As I sit down beside Franziska, I place a soft kiss on their cheek. They turn to meet my kiss, slowly melting for me as I run my fingers through their hair.

“I have never felt noticed or important in this world,” I whisper to them. “Being a worker bee is common, it is expected. But never once have I felt insignificant or unimportant to you. You make me feel as if I am the most important person in the world.”

Franziska shivers and kisses me again, harder than before. “Is that really true?”

“Why would I make that up?” I chuckle. I kiss them again, running my fingers through their hair so it’s away from their beautiful face. I look into their big eyes for a moment, then have to wrestle myself away. “Now eat your dinner, alright? We can do this later.”

Franziska sits back and gazes lovingly at me as I take my first bite. “I hope you know that to me, you are the most important person in the world.”

The hourglass stops, and time is frozen for just the two of us. I grin at them and feel the fluff on my body stand on end. “I know.”

Franziska sniffles, ducking their head down and poking at their food for a moment. Then they look back at me, grinning from ear to ear. “Because I love you.”

I move aside my dinner plate to grab them and kiss them again. “I know that too,” I whisper. “I know all too well.”