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„So, Nick, if Maya sleeps over at your place...“ Larry thought, „Aren't you worried people will think something is happening that is not?“
Phoenix had to roll his eyes at that question. But he knew Larry will ask something along those lines once everyone leaves. He saw the look in his eyes when he mentioned Maya is sleeping over at his place, since she lives far away. He sighed.
„No, she's just a friend. And a bit too young, don't you think?“
„Wait, how old is she?“
„She's seventeen.“
„Oh, really?! I thought she's older!“
„Explains you hitting on her...“
„Yeah... Maybe I should ask girls their age before I do that... But wouldn't that be weird? ...Doesn't matter! Nick, that's not why I'm here! I wanted to talk to you!“
„Aren't we talking?“
Larry rolled his eyes:
„You know what I mean! Not about whether you're having something with your new friend, about serious things!“
Phoenix looked at him with a smirk, teasing him:
„You and serious topics? I'm finding that hard to to believe.“
Larry crossed his arms on his chest, feigning having just been gravely insulted, turning his head away from Phoenix and answering:
„How dare you, Nick!? I'll have you know, I'm not just a silly guy that doesn't know how to talk seriously! I have an adult life that needs seriousness too, sometimes!“ Then, Larry un-crossed his arms, eased his body, poked Phoenix and said:
„Even though my tone, the statement stands, you know?“
Phoenix smiled. Larry might not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but it's not like he can't be serious to save his life. He just sometimes can't recognize when the situation calls for it. After all the years throughout which they knew each other, Phoenix was used to it. Larry helped when it truly mattered.
„Of course I know,“ he patted Larry's shoulder.
„But what I've been REALLY meaning to tell you is - we never got to talk after my trial.“
Phoenix furrowed his brows:
„What do you mean? We talked.“
„But never properly! Since right after, I was having the hots for your boss and barely thanked you, and when I wanted to, she died, and I thought everything must be going to shit for you and I thought you'd want space, so I didn't, and then we met now, but Edgey was wanted for murder and now that it's all done finally I have an opportunity to thank you!“ Larry explained in one breath, his motor mouth surprising Phoenix.
Huh. Yeah, Phoenix remembered feeling kind of pushed aside when Larry was tripping over himself around Mia, right after he had proved Larry innocent. But that was just the way Larry was - girl-crazy, so to speak, but Phoenix knew he's grateful, so he didn't think much of it. He'd never guess Larry would remember.
So, Phoenix didn't really know what to say.
„Yeah, of course, you're welcome.“
„Nick! I didn't even thank you yet, come on! I need to give you more than a simple "thank you"!“
„What else do you want to do?“ Phoenix raised his eyebrows.
„I want to tell you all about how you changed my life! How you SAVED my life, Nick!“
Phoenix had to blush. Larry spoke as if he was some sort of hero, or something. He scratched his neck with a nervous grin:
„It wasn't all that...“
„Oh, shut up, dude,“ Larry bumped his shoulder, „of course it was! I know I was going on all about how my life without Cindy is over, that I'd be happy to get locked up, but... Even though it makes me sad she's dead, we didn't know each other that much. I'll live, but I wouldn't be living without you! That's the thing!“
„I mean, you would, but in prison...“
„What kind of living is that?! That's just... Like... Surviving! No, Nick, listen-“ Phoenix was surprised to hear Larry lower his agitated tone, put his hand firmly on his shoulders, and speaking in a serious tone so distant from his usual, „you don't even know how great of a guy you are.“
Phoenix just stared, with his mouth slightly open, so Larry took that as a cue to continue, still not sounding completely like usual, but closer to it:
„If I got convicted of murder, my life would be over. I would've stayed in prison until I'm old, for something I didn't do. If I ever got out, I just might be completely alone in the world that's changed beyond recognition! But there you were, and like an angel, you trusted in me and when I thought my life was over, you gave me a new beginning. And it's not just me. It's Maya. It's Miles. You might be the one called Phoenix, but you raised us up from the ashes! And you don't even realize that!“
For a bit, Phoenix looked too flustered to speak. It's not like no one ever thanked him, but he never expected such high praise from his most air-headed friend.
„I- I- This is really nice of you. Did you prepare that speech yourself? Because... It seems like you thought it out. Even called Edgeworth by his name, though you usually call him "Edgey".“
Larry let go of Phoenix's shoulders and answered, back to his loud, free-spirited manner of speech:
„I mean, kinda, but it's not like I learned it word for word. I just figured out what I want to tell you, but I didn't prepare it, since I wanted it to be from the heart!"
The heat in Phoenix's cheeks indicated to him he's still blushing when he replied:
„I'm glad you think so much of me, but it's really not all that. I'm just doing my job.“
„Hmm... I don't think all lawyers would do that. Like, that old prosecutor guy that prosecuted this trial now didn't seem to care about anyone, so some defense attorneys are probably mean too, right?“
„Well, the guy that was murdered seemed pretty bad, and he was a defense attorney, so, I guess.“
„Meanwhile, you are awesome! And you're just starting, too. You'll save and give a new beginning to so many more people. Maybe some of them will become friends, like Maya did! So much ahead of you, and...“ Larry suddenly looked into the distance, smiling softly, „... I'm glad to be here with you. I've never found friends like you and Edgey were, and...“ then, he looked back at Phoenix, „It's to have both you back now.“
And that charmed a glad smile on Phoenix's face. He put his hand on Larry's shoulder:
„...Me too, Larry. Me too.“
Some people might think he didn't care about Larry that much, compared to how he changed his career path to help Edgeworth. But that wasn't anywhere near true. They were always a trio, after all. He wanted to reach Miles to help, while Larry was always here. He supported him in leaving the arts to pursue law, helped him learn law - well, as much as he could, it mostly consisted from him helping Phoenix revise, but that counts too - and this time, he helped him to save Miles from going to prison.
It sort of brings him comfort. He knows that even though everything is changing, Larry is somewhere around, same as ever. During the last few months, when Phoenix fought against his other childhood friend in court, when he couldn't help but feel he doesn't even know Miles anymore, it was especially good to know that not everything has changed. It was a bit like an anchor at moments.
Phoenix also appreciated his friend a lot, even if he didn't scream it into the world. And that feeling only strengthened with Larry staying here with him and telling him now great Phoenix is. Even if he thought Larry is overblowing it, he couldn't say it didn't make him happy.
Even if Phoenix managed to think about a lot throughout their silence, it wasn't all that long. Larry was the one to break it, letting out a big breath and saying:
„Seriously, Nick, I don't even know how to repay you.“
Phoenix patted Larry's shoulder before putting it away:
„This was a nice thanks. I'd never expect you to be so sweet-“
„I gotta know how to! How would I get girls otherwise?!“
„Hmm, that's true,“ Phoenix thought about how it even got him blushing, but then, his mind returned to what he initially meant to say. He teasingly smirked and said:
„But if you really want to "repay" me more, paying me for defending you would suffice.“
Larry shrugged.
„I know, Nick! I was thinking about it, but I'm just short on cash so often... I dunno if I can afford a full legal fee...“
Phoenix raised his index finger.
„You're a friend. I wouldn't charge you too much, you know.“
„That I hope, but still... Maybe I could invite you to dinner for now?“
What was to be expected. Phoenix knew by now he won't ever get money for that trial. But he won't turn down free dinner.
„Sure.“
And Phoenix thought that was it, but then, Larry said, with a grin:
„It's a date, then.“
Phoenix stared at him with shock. But that subsided when Larry started laughing.
"Hey, hey, I'm just joking."
But then, why did his expression afterwards look so similar to when a girl rejects him?
And why Phoenix's first thought at that was "But I didn't reject you"?
Did he... Not want to reject him?
He had never thought of Larry that way, but now, it crossed his mind - why not? Phoenix knew he was bisexual since college, that was no issue, and... Close friendship can be a good foundation for a relationship. He trusted Larry a lot, liked him through his faults, and... He wasn't bad looking by any means. Plus, maybe he had fallen for his charms. It had surprised him how sweet he could be. He didn't know that side of him. Nor the side he'd shown while talking about how glad he is to have his friends with him. That one short silence, Phoenix's hand on Larry's shoulder, the bit of tranquility... During it, he felt like he wouldn't rather be anywhere else. He was perfectly content here and then, just the two of them.
He found that... He would definitely consider it, if Larry wanted to.
But as far as he knew, Larry was straight, so he had to approach this carefully. His tone was still indicating jest when he spoke:
„Sure. Maybe you'll have more luck with guys then with girls.“
That resulted in laughter stopping and a „HUUUH?!“ from Larry, „I mean-“
Phoenix chuckled.
But Larry rebutted with a wide smile:
„Well, you're the one accepting. Did even you fall for the charm so many girls did before?“
„You're the one who asked me out, I think that's the more interesting part. Just... How much of it was really a joke, Larry?“
That left Larry stunted for a few seconds, before answering:
„Accepting the invite is the most important part! You can't go on a date if one doesn't want to! Meaning - How much of it do you want to be a joke?“
Did he really just turn it around against him? Well, here he had to accept the risk, and be a bit serious if he wants this to lead anywhere.
„Up to you, really. But I mean, you are straight after all, right?“
When Larry looked aside and said:
„Yeah, about that... I'm not so sure of it,“ Phoenix was surprised at both the statement itself and at how happy it made him inside.
„Really?“
„Yeah, I've just never considered it before, that I might like guys, but... Recently I've thought about it, and I think I had guy crushes before, guys can be as pretty as girls, and so... I think I might... Also be bi, like you?“
Maybe Phoenix wouldn't expect this to ever happen a week ago, but now, he couldn't help but smile.
„Oh, well... If you really want to try going out then, I'm open to it. But I won't be heartbroken if you refuse, or something,“ only thought of the possibility today, after all.
„No, no, I'm accepting! Honestly... I've thought of you like that before, while figuring myself out, but... I never thought you might think about me that way.“
„Honestly, I only just thought of it now, but... You're a good friend, and I trust you a lot, and I realized, when you jokingly asked me out... I didn't want to refuse your offer.“
At that, Larry jumped into Phoenix's arms with an almost crushing hug, and this time, Phoenix didn't find it surprising at all, and happily hugged him back.
As Larry pulled away, he giddily smiled:
„So it's a date! Nick, promise, I'll treat you just as good as my girlfriends - wait, better! You're my friend already, so I'll take the extra mile-“
Phoenix smiled, affectionately.
„I mainly hope it will last longer then with your girlfriends.“
„Well... Hopefully? If you let me?“
And Phoenix, even surprising himself, reached out for Larry's hand.
„Hopefully. If you let me too.“