Chapter Text
The phone’s cutting through the haze of sleep was Phoenix’s first indication that no more sleep would come to him that night. He heard Miles groan and shift next to him mumbling something about answering the phone. Sighing a bit as he tossed his blankets back, Phoenix sat up enough to answer the phone and rubbed his eyes. He was shocked to see Mia calling so late, since it was unusual. Worry washing over him, he sat up completely.
“Mia, what’s going on?” He asked.
The small sob that came through was his second indication. “U-Uncle Nick. M-Mia’s not waking up.” Followed Maya’s voice.
“Whoa, Maya. What do you mean by that?” He asked.
“I heard some arguing coming from the living room when I crawled out of bed to go to the kitchen, I was t-too scared to actually leave my room so I stayed there.” Maya hiccupped. “The arguing ended with M-Mia screaming and something breaking, so I went to investigate. I tried to wake her up, but she won’t and I’m scared!” She added, sobbing.
“Maya, hey. Listen to me. Stay on the phone with me, but go hide under your bed. Okay? Someone could still be in the house and I don’t want you hurt.” Phoenix told her, standing up.
He balanced the phone between his ear and shoulder, digging through the closet for a light jacket. He tossed one at Miles to get his attention and wake him up, listening to the noise of Maya crawl under her bed. He turned back to see Miles staring at him in confusion for a few moments before Phoenix grabbed the phone and covered the mic.
“Maya’s on the other end sobbing, I think something happened to Mia.” He told the other.
His words caused the other to get up out of bed and pull his jacket and shoes on.
“Uncle Nick?” Maya's voice came again.
“I’m here, My.” He said. “Do you hear anyone else in the house?” He asked.
“No, but I didn’t hear anyone else enter before Mia went to sleep…” She said.
“Okay, Maya. Listen to me. Uncle Miles and I are on our way, I need you to stay silent for me. I’m gonna have to hang up.” Phoenix said.
“No, Uncle Nick. Please…” Maya whined.
“Okay, okay. I’ll stay on, but you have to promise me to stay quiet okay?”
“Okay...Please hurry. I don’t like being alone…” Maya said.
Keeping Maya assured and calm was a bit of a challenge as they made their way to Mia’s place. As soon as they were inside, Phoenix hung up his phone and ran up to Maya’s room. He knelt down and peered under the bed, the girl sobbing in relief when it was a face she recognized. Phoenix sat back enough for Maya to crawl out, hugging her when she threw her arms around his neck and buried her face. He stood up carefully and kept a hold on Maya, allowing her to sob on his shoulder.
“You’re safe now, My. I promise.” He said, rubbing her back.
“I just wanted some water Uncle Nick…” She hiccupped. “If I had gone to see…” She trailed off.
Phoenix was horrified at the thought of discovering both Maya and Mia.
“No, no. Maya, you did exactly what you needed to.” He assured her. “You stayed hidden and silent, just like she always told you to do, right?” He asked.
Maya nodded a bit, sniffling. “Yeah.”
“See, so you did good.” Phoenix added, brushing her hair out of her face.
“I know, but…” Maya teared up again and covered her face, a small whine escaping her before she sobbed.
“We’ll be alright, My. I promise.” He soothed, making his way back downstairs.
Miles was taking the chance to investigate, a frown fixed on his face. Phoenix watched his husband for a long moment, adjusting Maya some to relieve his arm that was going numb. He knew Miles was trying to get ahead in investigation, but they also had to alert the police. He sighed and pulled out his phone, dialing. When Miles shot him a glare, he gave back an apologetic look already alerting the police to the scene before them.
Trekking back upstairs, Phoenix sat Maya down on her bed long enough to pack her a small bag until they could get back over to get the rest of her stuff. Phoenix picked up the photo on Maya’s night stand of her and Mia at his and Miles wedding just a few months before. He chewed his lip for a moment before he tucked it into the bag, just in case. He slung it over his shoulder and walked back over to pick Maya up. Maya yawned a bit and laid her head on Phoenix’s shoulder, sighing a bit as she did so.
It didn’t take long for Maya to doze off and fall back asleep, clearly worn out from everything that was going on. He made his way back down to where Miles was talking with one of his friends on the police force. He slid his free hand into Miles own and squeezed it a bit, his husband returning it with one of his own before he waved goodbye. They made their way out, sighing softly. Miles grabbed Maya’s booster seat from Mia’s car and settled it into their back seat, but neither bothered to wake the girl to put her in it. She’d gone through enough and there was no use in waking her again.
“What do we do, Miles?” Phoenix asked as they settled into their seats in the car.
“What else can we do?” Miles asked. “We have to take care of her.” He added.
“I know.” He said, sighing. “I just mean...how do we handle helping her cope with it all?” He asked.
“The best way we can.” Miles said.
Phoenix sighed and nodded, knowing Miles was right. They had to do the best they could to help Maya. Especially since she was only six. Phoenix rubbed his eyes a bit and leaned back, exhaustion washing over him. There was no way he was going to go back to sleep, given the circumstances, but he was feeling the emotions beginning to wind down.
He sat up when their place came back into view, climbing out of the car after Miles parked. He carried Maya inside and up to the guest room that she’d slept in more than once. He placed her bag down on the dresser before he settled her onto the bed, settling her favorite stuffed animal next to her before he tucked her in. He brushed her hair out of her face and smiled sadly, unable to stop the expression from spreading across his face.
Backing out of the room and shutting the door, Phoenix made his way downstairs and stretched out. He found himself more awake than ever, but exhausted at the same time. Miles had gone back to bed to try and sleep before he had to get back up for work, but there was no chance of sleep even coming back to him after everything that had gone on. Pushing off the counter, Phoenix settled in on the couch to watch TV keeping the volume low enough that it wouldn’t wake Miles or Maya. Looking over the back of the couch when he heard movement a few hours later, Phoenix stood up and followed the blur of magenta into the kitchen.
He sighed and hugged Miles when his husband turned to look at him, burying his face in his shoulder. He’d had time to sit and let everything process and it sucked. Phoenix felt numb emotionally. It wasn’t something he was glad about. He just felt better if he didn’t think about it and let it process further. He knew he’d have to stay strong for Maya. The young girl needed them both.
“I can stay home if I need to, my love.” Miles said.
Phoenix shook his head. “I’ll be fine alone, I don’t have anything to do today.” He said. “Besides, I’d feel bad if you stayed home because of me.” He added.
“If you’re sure, I’ll come by and check on you both at lunch.” Miles assured, brushing the loose hair from Phoenix’s face.
“Okay.” Phoenix said, nodding as he leaned up and pressed a kiss to Miles’ cheek.
Miles went about getting his coffee ready, often opting to grab something from a local bakery rather than eat something at home. Phoenix didn’t mind. He wasn’t one for cooking in the mornings anyway and most times Miles was too caught up in a case to care. Though Phoenix supposed he should try and have something ready for Maya to eat, since Mia made the effort to have breakfast ready for the girl. He sighed a bit and began to search through their cabinets for something to make Maya for breakfast.
“What do you think Maya would be hungry for?” Phoenix asked.
“I don’t know, she may not be all that hungry considering last night.” Miles responded, still moving around the kitchen.
“I just want to have something ready for her just in case you know?” He asked.
“I know.” Miles said, pressing a kiss to Phoenix’s forehead.
Phoenix sighed and closed his eyes, leaning against Miles for a moment. “I just…” He trailed off.
“Never mind, if I get started now. I’m never gonna stop rambling. I don’t wanna make you late..” He said, glancing at Miles.
He could see the worry flashing in Miles’ eyes. Phoenix hadn’t ever been good with his emotions and letting things out when they bothered him. Phoenix didn’t show any emotion externally, but once he had his hands on the keyboard everything he felt came out through his songs. Music had always been his passion, much Miles’ passion was being a lawyer.
“Go, Miles. You’ll be late at this rate.” Phoenix said.
Miles sighed, knowing he couldn’t push Phoenix to speak anymore than he wanted, pressed a kiss to Phoenix’s temple, and walked out the door. Phoenix on the other hand, turned to the stairs when he heard movement at the top of the stairs. He smiled a bit at Maya as she came down the stairs, still hugging her stuffed animal and rubbing her eyes.
“Morning, My.” He said, kneeling down to her level. “Hungry?”
Maya nodded a bit and hugged Phoenix, yawning. “Yeah…” She said.
“What are you hungry for?” He asked.
“Can we go get donuts…?” She asked quietly.
“You know what, I think that’s a perfect idea for breakfast.” Phoenix said. “We can even go in our pajamas, okay?”
“Okay, thank you Uncle Nick..” She said.
“You’re welcome, Maya.” He added, smiling some.