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Fear bristled through Larry’s form as he ran across the rocky shores of the lake. The light of candles and stars being his only hope. Sister Bikini and emergency responders all scattered around. All of them trying to find Phoenix Wright.
Far above them all, the bridge burnt to nothing. Hardly anything of the walkway left from the raging fire that consumed it. The cops had arrived at the same time as the ambulance and firemen. The fire had been put out and the suspect for Ms. Deauxnim’s murder had been taken in. The only thing left were the missing persons.
Three people were missing. Maya Fey was stuck on the other side of the island. Her safety was unknown but, hopefully, fine. Pearl Fey was also missing. She was supposed to be with Ms. Deauxnim that night. No one was sure were she had went during the murder. Then, lastly, Phoenix Wright. But, he wasn’t exactly missing. Larry knew where he was. Larry had watched with his own eyes when the other man fell through the burning wood and into the raging waters.
Now, the search parties were on the scene. They’d split up some. Most of the police and some of the firemen looked for Pearl while the ambulance workers and rest of the group looked for Phoenix. Unfortunately, Maya would have to wait till they could get the bridge back up. Larry felt cold fear fall down his spine when they told him that.
He knew Phoenix would be fighting the odds if he knew. When he knew. He was alive. Larry wasn’t looking for a body, he was looking for his friend. That's what he kept reminding himself.
Larry had already called Miles. He knew the other was far away but he needed to know what had happened. Through his fear and anxiety he might have gone in on the situation a bit harder than needed. But the situation seemed dire. Even if Larry was holding onto the hope of Phoenix being alive like his own lifeline. He needed to make sure Miles knew what was happening.
When they did finally find him, he was unconscious but alive. Larry counted that as a win. They quickly got him to the ambulance, Larry forcing his way in as well. He was thankful when they allowed him to go with.
As they drove to the hospital, Larry looked over his friend. His unconscious face was haunting. If he couldn’t see Phoenix’s chest moving, he’d think- no. Larry didn’t even want to warrant those thoughts any attention. He reached over and grabbed one of Phoenix’s hands. He was cold but thankfully not hypothermic. The water must have chilled him to the bone. Larry supposed that was better than being burnt.
They told him that Phoenix was going to be fine. Larry clung to the assurances as hard as he clung to his friend’s hand.
Once they arrived at the hospital Larry was forced to let go long enough for them to get Phoenix inside and to actual help. Larry was told to wait outside for a while. All he could do was wait.
Larry waited for the doctors to give him the okay. Then when he walked in he could only wait for Phoenix to wake up.
The doctors had told him that at the worst, Phoenix had a horrible cold. It was nothing he couldn’t bounce back from but they wanted him to stay for a few days. Larry watched him go in and out of consciousness for a while. Hardly staying awake long enough to say much.
The more Phoenix woke up, the more Larry felt antsy. He couldn’t sit still. He wasn’t sure he should even stay. He felt like such a screw up. And now Phoenix was in the hospital, Maya and Pearl were both missing. Ms. Deauxnim… Elise Deauxnim was dead with Iris the main suspect.
Larry wasn’t sure he could face his friend. He wasn’t sure he could face anyone. But he couldn’t just leave. He didn’t want Phoenix to be here alone. Not after everything.
It was as if his anxieties were answered when the door to the room practically slammed open. Larry snapped to look over and saw Miles. He wasn’t sure he was seeing it right at first. Miles was dressed almost sloppily. Well, sloppily for him. To anyone who didn’t know the other, Miles would look pretty average. But Larry could tell. His hair wasn’t as kept as usual. His clothes, while not ruined, still had clear wrinkles to them here and there.
Larry jumped to his feet to go to him.
“Is he-“
“He’s fine,” Larry quickly informed. “Or- well. He’s still pretty out of it. But he’s alive. Just sick.”
Miles visibly relaxed some. He put a hand to his head before running it down his face with a sigh.
“Didn’t expect you to fly all the way here so fast,” Larry commented. More as an attempt at a joke than anything else. But it was flat and devoid of humor. He watched Miles walk over to Phoenix who was sleeping again.
Miles looked over the other before his gaze was pulled to the table beside the bed. The hood they’d found on Phoenix the night before and a few of his things from the temple. Miles’ attention was especially caught by the badge that sat before him. His hand twitched at his side for a moment before quietly reaching out and pressing a finger to it. Feeling the familiar divots in the metal. He pulled his hand back almost as if it burnt him. He looked back to Larry and said, “Of course I would.”
The words were so serious and without hesitation that it took Larry back. He looked at Miles. His eyes were not what Larry expected. He expected a hard determination, maybe even something angry with the fire of justice burning or whatever it was prosecutors had pumping in their veins. Instead, what he found was soft. It was pleading and fearful and something else that Larry was only now starting to realize. Something kept even after all these years. Larry could almost smile at the sight. At least he now knew Phoenix wasn’t alone there. “Of course you would,” he responded after a moment.
Larry gave a sigh and ran a hand through his hair, shaking it through the locks for a moment before pulling it back out. “I need to go. I, uh, should help them look for Pearly.”
“She’s missing?” Miles asked.
Larry nodded. “Yeah uh, her and Maya. Well, sorta?” He frowned and ran his hand over the back of his head. “We know where Maya is. But she’s like, stuck there and we don’t know how to get to her. Pearly, though, we don’t know where she is.”
Miles looked from Larry back to Phoenix. A pained look forming in his features. “I should-“
“Stay here.”
Miles looked up at Larry in surprise.
Larry only returned the look with a tired, yet reassuring smile. “It’d suck if he woke up alone. You should stay here with him. I can go help to look for Pearly.” Larry patted Miles' arm. “I’ll catch you later, yeah?”
Miles looked to Larry’s hand then back to his face. He then pulled the other into a quick and, somewhat awkward, hug. He then pulled away and cleared his throat, clearly embarrassed some. “Of course. Thank you B- Larry. And I hope you find the younger Ms. Fey.”
Larry felt bad as he left. He was serious about wanting to help find Pearl. But he also just needed to leave.
After the other was gone, Miles sat down beside the bed in the, now free, chair. He was somewhat regretful that he wasn’t leaving with Larry to help. However, he also needed to stay. He wanted to stay. Phoenix was alive. The whole plane ride there he was preparing himself for the worst. He chastised himself for letting so much time pass and never being honest. With himself, with Phoenix. He berated himself for being such a coward all his life when one of the most important persons to him could possibly be fighting for his life. But he was alive. He would be fine. And now Miles was determined to break from the cowardice that shackled him like chains.
It wasn’t long after Larry left that Phoenix woke up.
Miles jumped to his feet when he saw the other stir. “Phoenix?” He questioned out.
The defense attorney made a noise as he moved around, trying to bring himself back to the waking world. He didn’t seem to be winning that battle too well.
By the time Phoenix finally pulled himself fully awake, well, seemingly so, Miles was back in the chair.
His voice came out quiet and rough. “Miles?” he asked out as he peeled his eyes open and looked up at him.
Miles leaned forward in his chair, giving the other his full attention. He felt his voice get caught in his chest at the sound of his name. Ever since they reunited in their lives, Phoenix had yet to call him by his first name. The sound was familiar and new all at once.
“Phoenix, I’m glad you’re alive.”
“Why wouldn’ be?” he mumbled out.
“Larry called me and told me you fell off a burning bridge into a raging river,” Miles explained. “Truly, one can only assume the worst.”
“Damnit, Larry,” Phoenix muttered to himself. “I’m s’per fine. I’m good. I’m jus’ kindsa uhh,” he looked from Miles to the ceiling and squinted at the tiles above him, “sick.”
Miles raised a brow. “Clearly.”
Phoenix looked back over to him then to his things on the side table. He reached out his hand to grab towards it. Miles pushed the table closer so that Phoenix could reach. He grabbed the white hood off it and tugged it on over his head.
Miles wasn’t really sure what was up with the hood. He supposed he would ask later. But for now, he had much more important things to say.
“Phoenix, I need to speak with you about something,” he began, pulling back the other’s attention. Miles looked down to the clenched fists that laid on his lap. “When I was flying here I had thought- I mean I’d assumed, or well, I’d prepared myself for the worst. I can’t express how relieved I am. But it made me realize I haven’t been fully honest with you in these past few years.” He frowned. “I’ve hardly even been honest with myself for the longest time. But now,” Miles finally tore his eyes back up to look at Phoenix.
The other was looking at him through a thick haze. Clearly taken over by his ailment. His mouth slightly agape from congestion and his eyes and nose wet with sick. He was a mess. But when wasn’t he? The sight didn’t perturb Miles in the least. It wasn’t going to stop him from what he needed to confess. “I must be honest. Not just for my own sake but because you deserve to hear it.” Miles took Phoenix’s hand in his own and locked their gazes. “I love you.”
There was a pause.
The more time that passed between his last words and Phoenix speaking only made the anxiety in him grow louder.
Phoenix smiled at him. A bright familiar smile that could rival the sun even in this condition. “Yeah man,” he cheerfully replied.
That… wasn’t particularly what Miles was expecting in response. He opened his mouth to continue but was interrupted.
“Lis’n. I gotta- Maya’s in tr’ble ‘n’ th’rs been a murder.”
Miles blinked at the other. “I’m… aware.”
“You gotta,” Phoenix pulled his hand from the other’s and started patting at his wrist and arm. Tugging on the sleeve here and there. “You gotsa help me ‘n’ help uhh them.”
“‘Them’?”
Phoenix gave a hard nod. He held what could only be described as an attempt at a serious face. It wasn’t that impressive in his current state. “Maya ‘n’ Pearls ‘n’ Iris.” His other hand came up to the cords of his odd hood at the last name. Gently taking them between his fingers to fiddle with the ends.
That name sounded familiar. While he’d waited for Phoenix to wake he had been messaging with Gumshoe on the details of the case. “Iris has been taken into custody as the prime suspect for Ms. Elise Deauxnim’s murder.”
“She didn’ do it. Miles I know she wouldn’,” Phoenix practically wined out.
“You know this woman?”
He looked down. Back to the ends of the hood. He didn’t respond at first. “I’s… complicated.” Probably the biggest word he was able to get out since waking up.
Still the addition brought nothing but questions to Miles. But the way Phoenix’s face went soft at her name, the gentle caressing of the fabric that rested on his head. He couldn’t help the automatic assumptions. Whatever the truth was, it was clear he cared immensely for her. No matter what Miles’ feelings were, he was determined to help if Phoenix needed him.
“Here,” Phoenix started up again, grabbing something off the side table and shoving them against Miles.
He opened his hands to let the other drop it. His badge and a green gem.
He wanted to drop them. His mind practically short circuited in confusion. Maybe ‘confusion’ wasn’t the right word. It seemed pretty obvious what the other was asking for here. Or at least implying. But actually accepting that was what he was having trouble comprehending.
“What are you-“
“Yer like, my bestests friend,” Phoenix interrupted. “Well, you, Maya, and Larry.”
Oh. Friend.
Something in Miles’ chest snagged and tugged at the words. Of course. He wouldn't be surprised. Any real evidence of a reciprocation would come from their younger years and it would be selfish of him to assume Phoenix hadn’t moved on since then. But even then… the letters. The small, worn, blue keychain always on his person. Phoenix was a very emotional person. It was highly possible that Miles was reading far too into his actions. That must have been the case. Hopefully this faux pas wouldn’t damage their healing relationship. Even so, he was still glad to get those feelings out in the open. It felt good to get them off his chest.
“Please,” Phoenix pleaded, bringing Miles back to earth, “defend her.”
“I-“ Everything in Miles caught and stilled. His heart stopped and his eyes were stuck interlocked with the other’s own gaze. He felt breathless in his shock. “I can’t,” he muttered. Whatever tugging he’d been feeling this conversation was nothing compared to the feeling of shattering his own words caused in himself. “I’m a prosecutor, Wright.”
“Miles,” it came out so soft. “Th’s was your dream once. You- you’re such good at mm law.”
For a man that currently sounded half asleep, his words were like rubbing alcohol on a wound. Burning and searingly painful. Ripping him bare and open to the world. Yet, so clean. So healing and necessary. Even sicker than a dog he was turning Miles’ world inside out and upside down.
“I need you. I know you can. I believe in you.”
Miles wasn’t sure if it was the words spoken or the look Phoenix was giving him. Soft and pleading. He swallowed whatever lump had found its way in his throat and let out a shaky sigh. He ran his free hand down his face. “You’re going to be the death of me,” he mumbled into his own hand.
“And what about this?” he asked, holding up the gem.
“Mmmag’tama. I’s like, uhh the psychelocked ummm secrets ‘n’ stuffs.”
None of that made any sense. Like, at all.
Miles only gave another sigh before putting the two objects into his pocket. “I can’t make any promises. I’m going to search for the truth. You understand this, right? If Iris did in fact kill her-“
“She didn’t.”
Miles was taken back by the forceful determination. The lack of hesitation and full confidence.
“She couldn’t have.” There was a distant pain in his voice. Miles wasn’t sure who those words were for.
Miles stood. “Alright then. Message me if you need anything. I’ll attempt to keep you updated on the situation.”
“Wait.” Phoenix grabbed Miles’ sleeve and tugged on it. His eyes were beginning to droop sleepily. It was clear he was slowly losing whatever consciousness he’d been clinging to this whole conversation. “You- ‘M real glad yours back. I miss you. Like lots. All the time. I’s nice though… that you keep comin’s back.”
Miles turned back to fully face him. Not pulling his arm away, despite the fact Phoenix was definitely stretching his good jacket sleeve.
“When you left the first time I was so sad. I think I cried. I cry lots. But don’ tell no ones. Secret.”
Miles smiled. As if that was really much a secret. But he nodded either way.
“The second time I was really sad. I don’ think I cried. I don’ think I could. I’s like. When you’re so sads you’re ju’s nothin’. ‘N’ when you came home I- I shoulda been happy but I was ju’s mad and sad again and I did cry that time. You kinda suck for thats one. But,” Phoenix gave a smile at Miles. Throwing out any fears of angry berating or anything of the like. “Last time you left. I felt okay. ‘Cause you always come back. I jus’ gotta wait for when your ready to come home. I didn’ cry last time you left.”
‘Home’. The word felt so easy coming out of Phoenix's mouth. Yet so heavy sitting in Miles’ ears. It was a more weighted word than ‘love’. ‘Love’ which he had carried all the way from across the seas to bring to Phoenix. Maybe it really didn’t matter if it was reciprocated, Miles realized. Romantic or not, home was something that he could come back to. Phoenix always felt like something he could come back to. Even when he was scared to, that didn’t stop him from doing it anyways. And that, in itself, was reciprocated. They would come back to one another. This ‘home’ they had with one another’s presence in their lives.
Miles moved to reply but realized it would be pointless. Phoenix had fallen back to sleep. Instead, he took the hand that had previously been holding onto his leave and gave it a gentle squeeze before placing it back on the bed.
With a final look at the man’s sleeping face, Miles left to go and find the truth. For Phoenix.