Chapter Text
Court commenced with a single bang of the judge’s gavel. Phoenix took a deep breath to ready himself, this would be the end of it all, he could feel it in his bones. Everything had been leading up to this.
Maya walked up to the witness stand, a shell of herself. Clearly she wasn’t taking what Mia had told her very well and whatever Godot had said didn’t help.
“Witness, your name and profession please.” Godot spoke firmly, callously.
“I’m Maya Fey. My profession is, um… assistant manager at Wright & Co. Law Offices.”
“Miss Fey we were all under the impression that you are a spirit medium.” The judge pointed out.
She shook her head, ghost white.
“The Fey clan, I'm frightened of it. I don’t want anymore to do with it.” She admitted.
Phoenix felt his heart breaking, all the intrigue and plotting of the Fey clan, it all culminated in one broken young girl. The Judge nodded sympathetically at her response and Godot began his questions in much the opposite way. Maya described the events from her perspective but things didn’t quite seem to add up. As he pointed out more and more contradictions Maya grew more upset. As though she really didn’t want him to find the truth. An intense dread filled Phoenix’s stomach, she wouldn’t usually push so hard against him, or hide something this big for no reason.
As he pushed through her testimony several signs started to point in the same direction. Slowly He began to realize that for the second time in his career the killer wasn’t hiding in the shadows, or boasting from the stand, but standing head high across the room from him. Godot had killed Misty Fey.
He was the only one who could’ve missed the bloody writing on the lantern. His visor was the only possible source of light for Maya to see the fight. He knew too much about Hazakura Temple to have only arrived yesterday and only a prosecutor would have had enough authority to eavesdrop on Morgan’s scheming. With a familiar shake in his hands he asked the bailiff to turn off the lights despite Maya’s protests.
The whole court stood silently as Godot’s mask glowed in front of them, Phoenix's meaning clear. Eventually Godot let out a sharp laugh and the bailiff turned the lights back on.
“Alright Trite. You want to accuse me then tell us, why would I go through all the trouble for a stranger? I’m not exactly the type to rescue a damsel in distress.” He spoke bitterly.
It was a good question, Godot had almost nothing to do with the case. Unless… he looked over his files again, the timeline all fit.
“Mr. Godot, you had an unshakable reason to protect this witness at all costs, and its name is Mia Fey!”
He sucked a sharp breath in.
“Mia…” Godot echoed.
“Once upon a time you were a defence attorney, named Diego Armando. Six years ago right here in this courthouse, Dahlia Hawthorne poisoned you while you were trying to help Mia Fey bring her to justice.”
Godot nodded.
“Her poison put me into a coma. I slept for three years and the only reason I woke up was because I had been cursed by a damned bloodsucker. The worst part is, the moment I woke up was the same one that she died in. Our spirits narrowly missing one another. At least she got Dahlia for me on her way out.”
“That’s awful.” Maya said.
“For someone like me, with everything I cared about gone, there were only two reasons left to live.”
“If I may ask, what were they?”
“Maya of course, protecting her as the last remnant of Mia, something she loved. But the second was you Trite.”
“M-Me?” He stammered, confused.
“If I hadn’t drunk that poison, she’d still be here today. So you were the only one left to protect her and you failed. I wanted to see what kind of a man you are, if you’re worthy of her legacy.”
Godot detailed the whole plan he’d come up with to stop Dahlia. He enlisted Misty and Iris for help but stopped short of admitting to the actual crime, so it was between him and Maya.
Phoenix pushed through despite Maya’s begging and pleading. He couldn’t let her take the fall and he knew that wasn’t what Godot wanted either. She confessed that Dahlia had attacked Godot and the three lights of his visor had disappeared. Maya argued it couldn’t be him since he had no wounds but the knife used had blood on it. Phoenix saw the pieces fall into place but he took no pleasure in solving the mystery.
“Actually there is one place that Mr. Godot could have concealed a wound. Even as we speak you’re still hiding it! It’s beneath your mask! Mr. Godot, would you mind removing your mask? If you have a dagger wound under there I’d say this case is closed!”
As Phoenix spoke his confidence grew and he could almost feel Mia beside him, helping him, cheering him on. Godot let out a loud yell, and began to hyperventilate his mask smoking. When he regained his composure he spoke.
“Just now, I saw her spirit in you. I hated you, I was so angry that you just returned to your happy go lucky life after she died. But now I see, you kept her alive in you all that time. It wasn’t your fault, it was mine and mine alone. I couldn’t face the truth, or even my own life, so I ran and hid.” His voice was low, regretful, and dark. “I don’t know if I even wanted to save Maya. If I truly did, I should have just told you. You’re the most important man in her life and like you said, you protect people.”
Godot’s head briefly flickered upwards and Phoenix could sense his gaze briefly land on his halo.
“It could have been Misty… or that little girl. But I still raised that sword almost as if I was in a trance. I guess I’ll never know if it was to protect her or to get revenge.”
“I believe in you Mr. Armando! I think you did it to save me.”
“Ha, thanks.” He spoke in a subdued tone and a small trickle of blood came down from under his mask.
“Your wound, it’s bleeding.” Phoenix said.
“Did you forget already, the colour red might as well not exist in my world.” He reached a hand to his face, touching the blood before pulling it away to look at it. “These must be my tears. I think I’ve been waiting for this moment since I woke up.” He stuck a finger in his mouth, tasting his own blood.
“Mr. Armando…” Maya said.
“You’d do well to remember this Maya. The only time a lawyer can cry is when it’s all over.” He said.
Maya pursed her lips and looked around.
“Do you want to say goodbye?” She asked.
He said nothing.
“Your Honor, may I?”
The judge nodded, he always had a bleeding heart. Maya took a deep breath and suddenly her body wasn’t her own and Mia looked over the court. She was confused for a moment and looked to Phoenix.
“I told you I can’t help you with this one any more than I already have.” Her voice was soft.
“She didn’t summon you for me, we already solved it.”
She turned her head over to Godot and back to Phoenix, he nodded and she approached the prosecutor’s side.
“Mia.”
“Oh Diego…”
She brought a hand up to his cheek and wiped some of the blood away with her thumb. When she didn’t lower it he leaned into the contact, resting on her palm. The scene felt too intimate for court, but what other chance would they have?
“I’m so sorry.” His words were wet.
“I forgive you.” She spoke softly.
“I’m still sorry.”
“I know.”
“I don’t know what to do without you, mi amor.” His voice broke.
“You’ll figure something out. I believe in you.”
They stood for a moment, as though neither wanted to continue. Not because they didn’t want to speak but because they wanted to stay in that moment forever. But time by her nature is fleeting.
“I love you.” He finally said.
“I love you too. I’ll be waiting but… please take your time.” Her voice shattered as she pleaded.
“I hate to keep you waiting.” He gave his wolf-like smile. Fangs on display.
“I’ve had the practice.”
They shared a laugh that was in danger of turning into a sob. She leaned forward and planted a kiss on his lips. They stayed like that for a long while and she pulled away first, his lips still parted as she walked back to the witness stand and left Maya’s body.
The judge dismissed Maya as a witness and called Iris up for a verdict.
“Sister Iris, is there anything you’d like to say before I hand down my verdict?”
She used her oversized sleeves to wipe a tear or two off her cheeks. She must have gotten choked up watching Mia and Mr. Armando.
“Yes Your Honor, I do have something to confess.”
Once again panic set into Phoenix, surely this had to all be over, what other secrets could need to be revealed?
“Whatever too? All the mysteries of this case have been solved.”
“It’s not actually related to this case, but one from six years ago. Involving you, Mr. Wright.”
“Ahh yes, I’d nearly forgotten. You were poisoned by a lover weren’t you Mr. Wright?” The judge asked.
“Not exactly, but close enough. I honestly still can’t believe it, she was planning on killing me. She was going to do it.”
“It’s not too surprising, you two only ever actually met twice.” Iris stated.
“What…?” He asked dumbfounded.
“The first on that fateful day when she poisoned Mr. Armando, and the second in court.”
“N-No, that can’t be true. I mean during our whole relationship we were…” He trailed off as he realized what had happened. “You…?”
She offered him that same sweet kind smile on an exhausted and slightly more aged face. A small tint of blush across her cheeks.
“I hope you can forgive me someday, Feenie.” Her voice was exactly as it had been then.
All of the strangeness of the past few days and his trial six years ago suddenly fell into place. He was thunderstruck, but the things his brain held on to for all this time, the inconsistencies that ate away at him, they all finally made sense.
“You mean…?” He asked, mouth agape. Still in disbelief at how well it all fit. His heart beat out of his chest .
“Yes, I lied to you for six months straight.”
“B-But why?” He asked frantically.
“My sister, she was ready to kill you at a moment's notice to get that evidence back. When it started I just didn’t want any more sins on her soul, but slowly my feelings changed.”
“Oh… I have something to say to you too.” Absently he checked in with Miles and felt his heart tighten. Though of course he had nothing to worry about. “You really are the person I thought you were. Somewhere I think I always believed in you, even after all that happened with Dahlia.”
Her eyes grew teary as she smiled at him.
“Thank you.”
The judge nodded and Phoenix noticed that however Mr. Armando had been getting dozens of cups of coffee in trial, he'd done the same for him. A plain white mug sat on the defence bench, he picked it up and inhaled the rich earthy scent of dark roast black coffee.
“How many cups of coffee have I drank over the years? Even I don’t know. I’ll tell you though, right now, this one right here is the greatest cup I’ve ever had. Don’t you think so, Phoenix Wright?”
Phoenix took a big swig. He generally preferred tea but this blend was something else. It made him understand why Mr. Armando was constantly drinking the stuff. Though the blend wasn’t why this cup was the best he’d ever had.
“I think you’re right.”
The judge cleared his throat to move forward with the proceedings, even if they all knew only one thing was left to do.
“Sister Iris of Hazakura Temple. The purpose of this trial was to rule on the murder of Elise Deauxnim, also known as Misty Fey. At some point you will still have to be tried as an accomplice.”
“Yes Your Honor, I understand.” She nodded.
“Very well. On the charge of murder I hereby declare the defendant not guilty!”
With the bang of a gavel it was finally over.
He and Maya headed back to the defendant’s lobby as people trickled out of the courtroom, and he again saw Mia this time in Pearl’s body.
“Don’t look so shocked Phoenix. Pearl thought you two should get the chance to say goodbye as well.” She smiled.
“What do you mean goodbye?” He asked, a crawling dread making its way up his throat.
He looked over to Maya, her face equally confused and concerned.
“You were as good out there as any defence attorney could ever hope to be. There’s nothing more you can learn from me.”
“But I wasn’t able to save Mr. Armando.” He pointed out desperately.
“You saved him in the only way you could. I have a request, albeit a selfish one. Could you keep an eye on him for me?”
“Of course.” He replied without hesitation.
“And Maya…” She put a hand on her sister’s shoulder. “You have grown into a strong, empathetic, and brilliant young woman. You did the right thing asking me for help, but I don’t think you’ll need it anymore. You’re going to make an amazing Kurain Master, if that’s what you decide.”
Maya teared up and nodded.
“Thanks Sis.”
Mia pressed a soft kiss onto her sister’s forehead, then moved to embrace them both.
“I love you both very much, take care of each other and I’m sure we’ll meet again.”
With that her form dissolved and Pearl stood in front of them. Maya wiped at her bleary eyes and started to genuinely smile.
“Mystic Maya, I’m so glad you’re okay!” Pearl shouted and gripped onto her leg.
“Hey Pearly, it’s good to see you too!”
“Pearls, is there anything you told me you want to tell Maya?” Phoenix asked, careful not to pressure her.
She looked away shyly but nodded. Maya gave him a confused expression but her smile never wavered. Pearl gestured for her to bend over so she could whisper in her ear and he gave them space to discuss. Pearls started to tear up as they spoke and Maya reassured her. He heard the familiar snap of a whip on tiled floors from behind him.
“Still a softy as always Phoenix Wright.” Franziska smirked.
“Excellent work, Phoenix.” Miles added, Franziska rolled her eyes.
“Ugh, your tone is even more hopelessly besotted than usual.”
“Yes because you’re ever so emotionless.” He replied dryly. “Phoenix you seem… uncharacteristically puzzled. I suspect you’re wondering how Maya can be so cheerful despite all that’s happened?”
Phoenix gave a rueful smile.
“You’re too good at reading me. Yeah, I am.”
“To be honest, I don’t understand it either.” Franziska added, then in a softer tone. “It’s one of the things I love most about her, her optimism. Yet one of the things I understand the least.”
Phoenix suddenly recalled that her father had passed recently as well. He couldn’t even begin to imagine how complicated her feelings surrounding that were.
“I think I understand how she feels.” Miles spoke up. “She’s deceptively wise, I think she’s realized that now is exactly the time when she needs to be as strong as she can be. She’s not the only one who was hurt by this incident and I think it’s for them that she’s staying strong.”
“Oh…” Phoenix noted in realization.
They earned a huff from Franziska, she fiddled with her whip impatiently.
“Well, would anyone like to enlighten me?”
“We never actually told Pearls what happened during Maya’s second trial. Just that her mother had done something very bad and needed to be locked away for a long time. She took it pretty hard, but we didn’t want to alienate her. So when she found out her mother had wanted to kill Maya, and to use her to do it… I can’t even imagine how horrible that feeling was.”
Franziska was quiet for a long period. Her eyes flitting between the Feys talking to the side and Miles. He could see the turmoil on her face as she thought.
“I can.” She finally said.
The three stood together, silent.
After a moment they felt a pair of scrawny arms push them all together.
“I don’t suppose there’s room for me in this group hug!” A familiar shrill voice asked.
Franziska turned around and whipped Larry with shocking speed to which he let out a girlish scream and let go instantly.
“I should’ve seen that coming.” He noted rubbing the wound on his cheek.
“You really should have.” Miles agreed.
“Do not try such things again or you will not get away with a mere scratch!” Franziska threatened.
“I won’t be trying anything ever again at this rate. I realized yesterday, Larry was never of any use to anyone, not even once.” He spoke melodramatically.
“No!” They heard Pearl shout from behind them. “Mr. Larry, you were a good example last night of a real loser when Mr. Nick was telling me how I’m not a loser.” Maya forced back a laugh at her comment.
“What?” Larry asked, his voice cracking in heartbreak.
“Eugh, that’s not all you’re good for!” Phoenix laughed nervously. “What about those drawings, those were good right Miles?”
“What? M-Me?”
“What’re you making that face for Edgey?” He said tearfully.
“Ngk! I certainly can’t say that they were bad.” He tried, the air of a question to his response.
“What about you Franzy? What did you think?” He begged.
“They were incredibly foolish.” Maya gave Franziska a glare. “That said, I recognize the effort you put in and that’s worth something.” She cleared her throat and Maya smiled.
“So you’ll do it then! You’ll model for my children’s book Franzy’s Whip Lash Splash?” He asked excitedly.
Franziska gave him another lashing.
“Don’t get carried away.” She said stiffly, if he didn’t know better Phoenix would say she was a little embarrassed.
“Oh hey!” They heard Gumshoe shout from the entrance. “So this is where everybody is, and heck it really is everybody.” He chuckled.
“Hey Gumshoe, thanks again for helping Miles and I these past few days.”
“Awe no problem pal, how could I refuse with Maya in danger like that.”
Franziska let out a slight huff and a light lashing towards Gumshoe which he hardly reacted to. Closer to a love tap than an actual punishment, presumably it was for helping the defence.
Larry was shuffling his feet, still disappointed before they all saw a realization hit him. A mischievous smile crept across his face that filled everyone else with apprehension.
“Wait a second… Miles?” He asked, still smirking.
“That is my name, yes.”
“I know that, we all know that. But the thing about that is, nobody ever calls you that. Even Franzy includes the last name.”
“Get to the point Larry.” Phoenix said.
“Ah ah ah, you guys aren’t the only ones who can do deductions and mystery solving.” He said wagging a finger. “I can too, and I just came up with a doozy.”
“Larry if you drag this out any longer I’ll just say it.” Maya threatened.
“No wait, I want to.” He whined. “Fine, fine. You two are finally dating, and it’s all because of me.” He added smugly.
“Awe congratulations you guys.” Gumshoe added happily.
“Oh, so that’s why you didn’t like that nice old lady!” Pearls noted. “You were jealous because you wanted Mr. Edgeworth to yourself!”
Maya burst out laughing and Miles turned a little red.
“What old lady?” He asked.
“I think the last time you saw her you called her… the wicked witch of the witness stand?” Phoenix said, trying to turn the tables.
He let out an embarrassed shout to which everyone laughed, though Phoenix and Gumshoe tried to hide it.
“Regardless, how did you come to the conclusion you have anything to do with this Larry?” He asked, trying to redirect the conversation.
“Well I was the one who called you to tell you that Nicky was on his deathbed, what’s that thing you always say, ergot I get to take the credit for you guys getting together, and like finally am I right Gummy?” He raised his hand for a high five that Gumshoe reluctantly accepted.
“I wasn’t on my death bed!”
“My being here was the catalyst not the cause.” Miles said, pinching the bridge of his nose.
“Hey wait!” Maya said. “If anything me and Pearly get to take the credit because Nick wouldn’t have even fallen through that bridge if it wasn’t for us taking him to Hazakura Temple.”
“What?” Was all Phoenix could muster.
“Hey wait a second pals! If it weren’t for me telling Mr. Edgeworth he had feelings for Mr. Wright back when he was in jail he wouldn’t have realized he was in love in the first place.” Gumshoe huffed.
“Wait, is that true?” Phoenix asked to the side.
“Regrettably, yes.” Miles replied, embarrassed.
Phoenix gave him a goofy grin as Franziska spoke to correct Gumshoe.
“Well he never would have been in jail for you to tell him without him running away if it weren’t for my papa. Thus as heir to the von Karma name I get the credit.”
“I don’t think it works like that Franzy, also why do you even want the credit?” Maya asked.
“Well I don’t want Scruffy to have it.” She said indignantly.
“Guys what if nobody took the credit except me and Miles, since you know, we’re the ones who actually got together?”
They all looked at Phoenix skeptically.
“Nah!” Maya said. “I get credit because it was my trial that reunited them.”
“Well if it weren’t for the info I let slip during that trial Mr. Wright would be in jail right now.” Gumshoe added.
Franziska gave him a small whipping for his incompetence but they all knew she wasn’t actually mad about this one.
“Well Nick wouldn’t even have become a lawyer if it weren’t for Mia, and since I’m her heir I get her credit.”
“You just said that wasn’t how that worked!” Franziska interrupted. “Miles Edgeworth would not have become a prosecutor without Papa, so I get the credit.” She insisted.
A dark chuckle began to sound around the room, everyone looked around for who was making it. Larry stood with his head down and must have thought he looked really cool. He looked up and smiled at them all smugly.
“I had hoped we’d come back to this.” He started. “Franzy, all your dad did was rip them apart. They’d probably have gotten together way sooner if it wasn’t for the DL-6 incident.”
“What?” She gasped, forgetting to whip him in her shock.
“You see Edgey and Nicky were best friends at the time and even then, they had crushes on each other.”
Both the men sputtered but found themselves unable to deny it.
“Awe, that's so sweet.” Pearls cooed.
“And who caused them to become best friends?” He asked.
“No!” Maya shouted.
“That’s right, yours truly. If I hadn’t stolen Edgey’s lunch money on that fateful day, Nicky would never have been accused of the crime and they never would have become best friends, they might not have even met.”
“Larry, you don’t even remember that, I had to tell you that it happened.” Phoenix pointed out.
“You jogged my memory.” He stated defensively. “And anyway that doesn’t take away from my point that I get the credit for you two getting together. Larry Butz Ace Matchmaker.”
“I mean it is a pretty sound argument pal.” Gumshoe said.
“Yeah…” Maya agreed.
“I cannot believe it was made by this fool.” Franziska stated reluctantly.
“Well I was gonna offer to take everyone out for dinner tonight as a post trial celebration. But since we have more to celebrate and it’s all because of Larry, maybe he should pay.” Gumshoe suggested.
“Hey wait a second!”
“Scruffy, I think that’s the first intelligent idea you’ve ever had.”
“Hold on, it's my victory so why do I gotta pay!”
“Nick does that all the time.” Maya pointed out. “And the happy couple certainly shouldn’t have too.”
Franziska moved to link her arm around Maya’s with a smirk.
“Neither of them.” She noted.
“Wait, your secret girlfriend is her?” Pearl asked.
Maya and Phoenix braced themselves for a breakdown, as Pearl tended to do when she didn’t like something about Maya’s love life. They saw her take a deep breath.
“While I think your taste is weird, I will try to respect it.” She said grudgingly.
Von Karma kneeled down to Pearl’s level.
“I understand your apprehensions Ms. Fey and I promise I will do everything I can to amend my past transgressions against your cousin.”
“Huh?” Pearls responded, cocking her head.
“Smaller words babe.” Maya whispered.
“Uh, I know you don’t like me very much but I’m working hard to be better.”
“Okay… but if you hurt Mystic Maya again I’ll make sure you get it!” She shouted, rolling up her sleeves.
“I don’t doubt it.” Franziska responded amicably before standing back up.
They all began to file out of the lobby to walk to a restaurant to celebrate, Phoenix heard sparks of conversations between everyone. Maya reminding Franziska of the American drinking age, much to her dismay. Larry embellishing details of a college story for Gumshoe and Miles, the former was eating it up, the ladder eyed him skeptically. Pearl let herself fall back to be next to Phoenix and pulled on his jacket to get his attention.
“What’s up Pearls?”
“I just wanted to say I’m sorry for all the trouble I caused.” She said as they walked.
“What trouble?”
“It’s all my fault that Mystic Maya’s mother… I talked to Mystic Maya about it while you were with the prosecutors and she said she’s still happy but how can I believe that? And you put so much effort into making sure she and Ms. Iris didn’t end up in jail.”
Small tears started to make their way down Pearl’s face and Phoenix picked her up to dry them and still keep up with the crowd.
“Pearl… you couldn’t have known. You were just trying to be a good daughter. Maya wouldn’t lie to you about her being happy, she’s glad that she had so many people who care enough to look out for her, and that includes you. She’s being strong for you right now.”
“Really? If that’s true… then I have to be strong for Mystic Maya too!”
“You’re allowed to be sad too Pearls, I’m sure it was really hard to hear all that about your mother.”
“I want to be strong, Mr. Nick, and to be honest I already know Mother doesn’t like Mystic Maya very much. She never says very nice things about her when I go to visit her, I just didn’t think she’d go this far.”
Phoenix was definitely going to ask Miles and Franziska to do something about Morgan, though of course he didn’t say that. Instead he dried the last of her tears.
“Okay, do you feel a bit better now that you know Maya and I aren’t upset.”
She nodded.
“A lot better actually.”
“That’s great! Why don’t you start thinking about what you’re gonna get at the restaurant.”
“Can I have a Shirley Temple!” She asked excitedly.
“Of course! Actually, why don’t you tell Maya how cool Shirley Temples are?” He suggested putting her down. Hopefully Franziska would stop ranting about the drinking age when she remembered they exist.
“I didn’t know you were so good with kids.” Miles noted. He must have gotten bored of whatever story Larry was completely making up by this point.
“Oh, is that a plus?” He smirked.
“In truth I’d never put much thought into it. I probably wouldn’t have the time.” He thought for a moment. “I don’t really have a life plan outside of work.”
“And me?” He asked playfully, slipping his hand into Miles’s with surprising nonchalance.
“In truth you already make up quite a lot of my other priorities. It seemed unfair otherwise.”
“Unfair?”
“Because you’re bound to me? You have this great burden of protection and I did not make it easy for you.”
“What?” Phoenix smiled. “You make it sound like this huge weight I have to carry, I like caring about you, at least now I do, and I would do it regardless. You know sometimes, I think it’s a mercy, that I’ll never have to live in a world without you.”
“You say things like that trying to be romantic and I just get more concerned. Regardless it didn’t feel right that our bond necessitates your constant… well vigilance and nothing from me. Lately I’ve made a point to keep tabs on you, prioritize your messages, that sort of thing.” He spoke stiffly.
“I’m flattered, and you being hopelessly in love with me had nothing to do with it?”
An annoyed look crossed his face.
“I wouldn’t say I was-”
“Am.” Phoenix interrupted.
“Am hopeless.” He sighed.
“A hopeless romantic maybe?” Phoenix raised an eyebrow.
“Hardly.” He smirked.
“You kissed my hand today, Miles.”
He stammered for a moment before he could get his response out.
“I suppose chivalry is dead then!”
“Awe, no it was sweet.”
He sighed. They noticed everyone else had stopped as Franziska directed them into a restaurant she seemed to like the look of. Slow enough to accommodate all of them but upscale enough for her lavish tastes. As they shuffled in Miles held the door open for Phoenix, to which he raised an eyebrow and mouthed chivalry, Miles rolled his eyes fondly.
They were seated in a booth and Phoenix tried his best to ignore the fact that Maya was sitting practically on top of Franziska. She grumbled as she ordered her Shirley Temple, but Phoenix counted that as a win. As they ordered and ate, conversation flowed with an easy rhythm. Phoenix never realized how close Larry and Gumshoe had become, apparently they hung out together on Gumshoe’s off hours.
“I don’t know why you’re surprised Nicky, us losers gotta stick together!” Larry snarked.
Phoenix sighed and Gumshoe looked a little hurt by the comment. Phoenix found out he and Maggey would go on double dates with Larry’s girl of the week. Usually with Larry paying for all four of them. They bantered on until they finished eating and Gumshoe and Larry left for their respective homes. Phoenix checked his watch.
“I guess it’s too late for you two to head back to Kurain huh?” Phoenix asked.
“Yeah the next train isn’t until six tomorrow and I am not waking up that early.” Maya laughed. “I’m sure you don’t mind us staying with you again right Nick.” She batted her eyelashes.
“You lived with me rent free for months Maya, I bought a futon specifically for you.” Phoenix pointed out.
“Wait, you sleep on a futon whenever you’re in the city Maya?” Franziska asked.
“Uh yeah? If you’re gonna get on Nick’s back about that, don't bother, the futon is honestly way nicer than his bed and closer to the bathroom.”
“Hm be that as it may, you could also come to my hotel.” She blushed realizing what she said. “I have multiple rooms in my suite.” She clarified.
“Sprung for the penthouse I see.” Miles muttered to the side.
“Aww thanks Franzy but I should probably stay with Pearly.”
“Bring her along, there’s plenty of space.”
Pearl looked at both of them, her face a little scrunched. She seemed conflicted.
“Miss Franzy? Mystic Maya is your special someone right?”
“Er yes?” She answered
“And you would never do anything to hurt her?”
“Of course not!” She replied, offended at the suggestion.
“And Mystic Maya, you would do anything for Miss Franzy?”
“Yep.” Maya nodded.
Pearl looked between them, before backing up a little and making a little heart with her hands. She closed one eye and looked through the heart at them with the other. Finally she smiled.
“Okay you two are cute together.” She said blushing. “Mystic Maya I don’t want to get between you and your special someone, and this is the same girl you’ve been gushing about for forever. You deserve to get to have alone time with her, especially since you haven’t seen her in so long.”
“Wait really?” Maya asked, shocked.
Pearl nodded and Franziska started blushing again.
“Don’t get too excited Franziska, she’s a force to be reckoned with.”
“I do not think I will have any problems, Phoenix Wright, as I am actually in love with Maya Fey.”
“Aww babe.”
“I will find us a cab mein herz, but first.” She whipped the ground. “Little brother, you gave me much to think about yesterday. I expect to see you privately for a discussion soon.” She set a steely gaze upon Miles.
“But of course.” He smiled.
She stepped toward the street and hailed a cab with alarming speed. Phoenix supposed that looking both wealthy and intimidating helped. The driver would probably get more than they bargained for though, at least she’d probably tip well
“So… and then there were three.” Phoenix said.
“Indeed. It was… nice to spend time with you, Phoenix.”
A soft gust of wind blew through them, causing Miles’s bangs to sway gently in the breeze.
“You make it sound like a goodbye.” His voice was sombre.
“It is, isn’t it?”
“I mean yeah, but not one nearly as long as before… right?”
“I left a lot undone in Europe…” He trailed off, before stepping closer and taking Phoenix’s hands in his own. “But, I think I can manage a few more days here, and-” He cleared his throat nervously. “-I would like to get that sorted as soon as possible.”
Phoenix gave an amused smile.
“So you can come back as soon as possible.”
“Perhaps.” Miles admitted.
“The more things change the more they stay the same. We should be going, it’s getting late.”
“I’ll walk with you.” Miles decided, his voice carrying an air of impulsivity.
“Are you sure?”
He nodded. Satisfied Phoenix looked down to see if Pearls was following and found her eyes as big as dinner plates staring up at them in awe. She looked completely entranced.
“Uh, Pearls.”
“Right, coming!”
She ran to Phoenix’s far side and grabbed his hand so he knew she was there, but she didn’t dare say a word. As though anything more would break some spell. His other hand was still firmly grasped by Miles. The two of them chatted as they walked. Nothing of importance was said, but it all carried great meaning. As they walked Phoenix found Miles’s tail had wrapped his wing. Gentle, soft, and grounding. It felt like second nature, like something long missing had finally been returned to him.
“This is the place.” Phoenix said, stopping in front of his apartment complex.
He looked at Miles again, his near-grey skin seemed illuminated by the moonlight, his silver eyes shining ever so brightly. Neither seemed able to speak a word. Desperate to prolong the inevitable goodbye by even a few seconds, despite the fact that this one would be far less permanent.
“I missed you, Miles. For fifteen years I missed you. I never stopped writing you letters.”
“You… I never received a single one. I missed you too, whenever I was hurting I would think, if only Phoenix were here, he would make things seem okay, even if they aren’t.”
They had inched closer to each other as they spoke, slowly growing to embrace each other, the silence allowed their emotions to crescendo and they both leaned in for a soft, fond, and achingly sweet kiss. It seemed to last millenia and yet it was still somehow too short. It left both of them breathless and wild-eyed despite how chaste it had been. They felt the world shift and now everything seemed right where it should be.
“I’ll see you soon, Miles?” Phoenix asked, awestruck.
“Of course.” He paused. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” The words felt as easy as breathing.
He looked at Pearls sitting on the steps of the building, her pupils blown and her smile massive, scooped her up and began to carry her to his apartment. Sparing a final glance at Miles, who returned the look with a soft, genuine smile.