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Miles was adapting to the recent changes in his life. To experience independence, Kay and Sebastian had moved out a few months ago. The phone calls he had got asking for assistance from Sebastian with Kay yelling in the background that they had it handled were no longer a nightly occurrence, and had now managed to decrease to a monthly one.
They still kept in touch, but his house had once again returned to the peace and quiet it had been before the two had moved in.
Which was exactly what he wanted. Never had he intended for anyone to be in his house with him. Circumstances arose, and he acted accordingly. Now he could once more regain some normalcy in his life.
Such as his long overdue trip to Germany that he had been planning with Phoenix and his daughter. They were working on building an entirely new law system, and while Miles was familiar, Phoenix was not. It was also nice to have a little bit of a refresher, as it had been a while since he had practiced abroad.
Kay and Sebastian had his number, and they knew to turn to Gumshoe, Raymond, or Justine in his absence should there be anything they needed someone to physically be there. He would be gone for a week, and they would be fine. They were mature adults who had been living on their own for four months, and there was only the one instance of fire so far.
But it was fine. They were more than capable of handling themselves, and Miles was not the only one there to worry about them.
“Hey, you doing alright? Your brow looks more furrowed than normal,” Phoenix commented, having walked over to Miles’s seat across the aisle. His hoodie was draped over a sleeping Trucy.
“What would I have to worry about? I can assure you, I’m fine,” he scowled.
Phoenix was silent as he stared him down.
“Your judgment is not appreciated, Wright,” he huffed, staring right back.
Phoenix blinked first.
“Sorry, I’m just not used to you giving me such bad arguments. Usually I’m the one struggling to come up with a counter,” he said, sitting down on the arm of his chair. “I mean, I never specified you were worried. The flight attendant could’ve brought you the wrong tea, you could’ve stepped in something sticky, you could’ve sat in something sticky. You could’ve thought of an argument for a conversation from a month ago and you couldn’t have used it then. There’s lots of things that could have you upset.”
Miles cast his gaze out the window as he grumbled. That was an incredibly sloppy move on his part, and he apparently has another reason to be glad it was Phoenix who demanded to be his lawyer all those years ago.
“So what’s on your mind. We’ve got an entire thirteen hour flight and Trucy’s probably going to be out for a while. We can talk.”
It was incredible that what could be someone’s best trait could also be their worst. Here Phoenix was demanding the truth from him once more, and once more it was for Miles’ benefit.
Once more they were of the paternal nature, and Miles wasn’t quite sure what to make of that.
Miles wasn’t the fool he once was. He knew that it would be a lot easier to just be upfront with him, and save them the argument and Phoenix dragging it out of him anyways.
“You’re aware of the two children I took in, correct?” though perhaps children isn’t the proper term for them anymore. Childish, yes, but they were legally adults now.
Phoenix blinked, no doubt stunned that this time was considerably less comparable to pulling teeth than last time. “I believe you’ve mentioned something like that in passing, yes.”
“Well they have moved out. I’m concerned on how they’re going to fair without me and my guidance while I’m abroad. They have my number, but I can’t always simply offer aid over the phone,” he grabbed the fabric of his sleeve. “I am not the only one who can help, but I am the one they turn to the most.”
“I mean… It’s only natural that you worry, right? You care about them, and they’re venturing off into the world, and they’re standing on their own two feet. It’s not like either of us are unfamiliar with how tough the world can be,” Phoenix said, putting his hand on Miles’ shoulder. “If something happens, we can cut the trip short. But they have Gumshoe with them. He might be bad at holding onto information, but since when has Gumshoe not pulled through?”
“That is a fair assessment…” though that information is part of his job, and Miles would still rather he handle it better than he does.
“It’s not like they’re leaving forever. I can’t really claim I know how they feel about you, but I don’t think they’re just going to leave you entirely. They’ll still visit, and I’m sure they’ll extend the offer for you to visit,” Phoenix looked back to Trucy, who was still asleep in her seat. “I know one day the same thing’ll happen with me and Trucy, but it’s a good thing. It’s growth.”
“They’ve both certainly come a long way…” very rarely did he fret about Kay getting into immediate danger, and Sebastian has come a long way from the terrified boy in the closet.
Phoenix gave him a smile and shook his shoulder a little. “They’ll be fine. But how are you holding up without them?”
“Things have been quiet, and that is something I need to readapt to,” silence was no longer something he needed to be wary of. “I hope this isn’t you suggesting you move in, Wright.”
“I mean I’d love to, but we both already know I can’t,” he chuckled a little. It was forced, but Miles wouldn’t bring attention to it. “I kinda meant more a dog or something.”
“A dog? ”
“I’m just saying, so you’re not as lonely in that big empty house of yours. To keep you occupied.”
Miles gave him a hard look. “Are you really saying I need something to fill my time?”
Surely he could not be so dense as to think he spent his days doing nothing. Miles was certain they had conversations with Phoenix scolding him for his strong work ethic.
“I’m saying you need someone to keep you company.”
“I’ll consider it,” A pet wasn’t an entirely awful idea. He had time to raise two fine members of society, a dog was something he could manage.
“Still… When I faced off against you in court the first time, I never thought that the Demon Prosecutor himself would be confiding to me that he was worried about how he was going to deal with being an empty nester.” he snorted.
Miles bumped him. “I would say the same to you, but I don’t think you’ve changed a bit. You’re still the headstrong, sentimental fool you’ve always been.”
“Aw come on…” Phoenix fake whined, leaning over him. “I’ve changed some. ”
“I will concede, if only because I think somehow you’ve gotten more obnoxious.”
“That’s what you love about me, Miles.”
Taking care that no one saw, Miles leaned up and kissed his cheek.
“Unfortunately.”