Chapter 4
Miles felt tears coming to his eyes, but he wasn't sad. On the contrary, he was extremely happy and touched, but he couldn't stop them from coming. Miles had never thought he'd ever have friends like these. He felt like his world was perfect.
Phoenix looked up from his pasta and was surprised to find tears forming in Miles's eyes, making them glint brightly in the candle light.
"Is everything okay, Miles?" Phoenix asked curiously and softly.
"Yes, I'm fine. It's just that, I'm just grateful I didn't throw my life away..." He let the tears gracefully run down his cheeks. Miles looked up at Phoenix, smiling. It had been so long since he had smiled so happily that way.
Something about the look on Miles's face made Phoenix suddenly get up from his chair, walk over to Miles and pull him up from his chair into a hug. He just wanted to show Miles he shared what he felt, and that he loved him more than anything.
Miles was slightly surprised when Phoenix had suddenly gotten up and hugged him. He wrapped his arms around Phoenix returning the hug. If only moments like these could last forever. Miles had forgotten all about the fiasco earlier that day as he was so happy now, it didn't seem to matter anyways. And for a few minutes he had forgotten all about the dinner as all his thoughts were on Phoenix.
Phoenix looked into Miles's eyes as they embraced, finding them to be slightly shiny with tears, and yet his face seemed more pleasant than he'd seen it in a long time. Phoenix slowly leaned toward Miles, feeling almost drawn to his lips, the atmosphere and his proximity to Miles making him forget that he was in his cousin's apartment.
...Almost.
All of them are probably just watching us from the kitchen, giggling. Phoenix thought, stopping face just centimeters away from Miles's, willing himself to open his eyes and distance himself before he gave into temptation.
When he saw Miles looking at him in confusion, he whispered simply, "Later..."
Miles couldn't say he wasn't disappointed. But he suddenly remembered where they were and who might be peeking out of the kitchen watching.
"That better be a promise, Phoenix." Miles quietly said with a small smile as he went back to eating. Miles couldn't help but keep glancing at Phoenix every few seconds. He felt rather foolish, but Phoenix had always had some type of spell on his senses. He couldn't keep looking at him either. He feared if he kept looking at Phoenix too long, his face would end up a deep red.
Phoenix continued to eat his food, and he noticed the way Miles kept glancing in his direction. He couldn't blame him, he kept feeling like looking at Miles a lot too.
"I still can't believe they went through all this trouble," Miles said smiling softly.
"Yeah, I know. Our friends are very odd, but I think they're the best friends we could ask for." Phoenix said, a contented smile coming to his face.
"Odd would be an understatement, Phoenix. They're a little weirder than just odd." But he knew Phoenix was right. He couldn't think of anyone else who would show him such kindness.
Finally they got through their dinner, surprisingly without hearing one giggle from the kitchen.
I have to admit, this has got to be one of the nicest dinners I've had with Miles. Phoenix thought happily, the whole fiasco at lunch far from his mind in this moment.
Miles had found that dinner quite enjoyable. It beat going to any restaurant, no matter how great the food was. There was something about eating at someone's place being more enjoyable than going out somewhere.
Pearl was peeking out of the kitchen door, it seemed that the small group of friends had been taking turn checking if Phoenix and Miles were done yet.
Phoenix noticed Miles looking behind him, and he caught Pearl's outfit swishing behind her as she tried to get behind the kitchen wall without being seen. Phoenix took this opportunity to get up from the table and walk closer to the kitchen.
"Hey, guys...we're done now. Really, that was absolutely great." Phoenix said in the direction of the kitchen, a big smile on his face.
The group of friends came out of the kitchen. Mia was still there too. Pearl ran over hugging Phoenix.
"Does that mean that you forgive us for earlier, Mr. Nick?" Pearl looked at Phoenix waiting for a reply. Mia smiled warmly knowing Phoenix probably couldn't be mad at any of them anymore. Miles had also found it hard to be mad at any of them, especially Pearl.
"I couldn't stay mad at you, Pearls." Phoenix said as he hugged her tightly.
Finally he pulled away from her and got up.
"Thanks for this, really." Phoenix said, smiling at Mia, Ema, Mai, Larry, and Pearl.
Pearl was extremely happy to hear that as she ran back to Mia.
"What are friends for?!" Larry grinned as he walked over patting Phoenix and Miles on the back happily, although he might have done it a little too hard.
"He's right, no need to thank us really," Mia replied.
Phoenix stopped himself from coughing from Larry's overly enthusiastic assault on his back, and he smiled again. Phoenix was really thankful for everything they did for him, but at this time, he just wanted to get home so that he could get a moment alone with Miles. Phoenix glanced over to Mai pointedly, hoping she would get the hint, since he didn't want to be the one to say he wanted to leave.
After a second, Mai realized why Phoenix was looking at her slightly awkwardly and quickly said, looking at both Phoenix and Miles, "I'm glad we could make this evening nice for you two."
Then Mai turned to Larry, gave him a look as if to give him a hint, and said, "Oh, Larry, I bet they'd probably want to go home now..."
Miles stumbled slightly. He had been knocked a little off balance from the sudden attack from Larry.
"Yeah sure. I'll bring them home." Larry was already heading towards the front door.
Mia smiled at Phoenix. "See you again." Pearl went over hugging Phoenix, and even Miles received a hug from the happy girl.
Ema waved happily and said, "Before I go, we should all get together soon!"
Larry said excitedly. "Maybe we should do a picnic or go to the amusement park!" Miles realized he had never really been to an amusement park before as he heard Larry said those words. The thought of going out with everyone sounded pleasant though.
"Yeah, that sounds like a great idea." Phoenix replied happily to Larry as the three of them made their way out of the door.
Now it was just Ema, Mai, Mia, and Pearl.
Pearl put her hands to her face and said, "They looked so great together."
Ema scribbled something about this quickly into her notebook.
Maya was suddenly back and she said, "Well, that went well, didn't it?"
"Scientifically speaking, yes it did." Ema looked up smiling.
"Although I'd never thought those two would end up together." The young girl looked through a few pages of her notebook. "At least nothing in my notebook pointed to this outcome."
Maya stifled a laugh at Ema's comment and then she said, "I think they're great together...Mr. Edgeworth helps Nick do better in court and Nick helps Mr. Edgeworth to loosen up a little. And besides, I always suspected there was something there."
Ema quickly wrote into her notebook. "Suspicions of a relationship between Mr. Wright and Mr. Edgeworth have been around for awhile." Mai couldn't help but laugh.
"Well, I'm just happy for Phoenix since being with Miles seems to really make him happy." Mai said with a small smile.
"And Mr. Edgeworth has been less cold to everyone since he's been with him," Maya added thoughtfully. "Actually, he's also been showing more emotion and such."
"I don't know much about that since I've only known him since he and Phoenix have gotten together, but I do think he's a lot nicer than he lets most people see." Mai said, slightly amused.
"Yep! Mr. Edgeworth used to be a real stick in the mud." The girl nodded as though agreeing with herself. "He always seemed to be so busy with work and didn't seem to know what having fun meant."
"Well, I think it's getting pretty late...I should get back to my hotel room." Ema said, finally resting her hand from writing everyone's observations down about Miles and Phoenix.
"Pearly and I should leave too." Maya looked at Pearl who was yawning.
As everyone made their way to the door, Mai said, "I'm glad we did this for them. Like Larry was saying, we should all get together again soon. Oh, and Ema, it was nice meeting you!"
The two watched as Larry drove away and out of sight before heading to the door. Miles unlocked the front door and opened it. Pess must have fallen asleep as he did not come bounding up to them like he usually did.
"That...was a nice dinner." Miles said quietly.
"They really did a great job." Phoenix agreed.
When Miles locked to door, Phoenix walked into the house and found Pess sleeping soundly on the floor in the middle of the living room. Not wanting to wake him up, Phoenix and Miles quietly made their way to the bedroom.
Phoenix smiled at Miles when they were in the room and said, "I seem to remember owing you a kiss."
"I believe you do owe me a kiss." Miles smiled at Phoenix. It was the same type of smile that he had shown earlier during dinner. The same smile that nearly caused the kiss Phoenix now owed to Miles. Although Miles was pretty sure Phoenix didn't feel as though as he owed him a kiss since both of them had wanted their lips to make contact earlier that night.
Especially with Miles smiling at him that way, Phoenix found himself unable to resist for another moment, quickly pulling Miles into his arms and kissing him passionately.
Miles wrapped his arms around Phoenix's neck, pulling him into a deeper kiss. Well they're right, it seems neither of us can keep our hands off each other...he thought amusedly.
Phoenix ran his hands slowly down Miles's back as they kissed, realizing just how much he really missed this closeness with Miles, deciding from now on, he'd make more time just to spend with him, wanting many more wonderful moments like this in the future.
Miles felt himself shiver under Phoenix's touch. He wanted more time with Phoenix. It was moments like these that Miles wished he never had to leave Phoenix's side. He ran his hands through Phoenix's hair. It was also moments like these that Miles wondered how one person could affect him so much.
Phoenix let out a small sigh as he felt Miles's hands in his hair. Phoenix slowly pulled back from Miles, took his hand, and began to pull him towards the bed.
"I think I owe you a lot more than just a kiss..." Phoenix said softly, trailing off with mischief in his eyes.
Miles suddenly pushed Phoenix onto the bed, pleasantly surprising him, saying, "I think you may be right." Miles had a smirk equal to the mischief that was in Phoenix's eyes.
Phoenix continued to look at him that way, gave him a small smirk, and replied in a low sexy voice, "Well then..."
Phoenix said no more, pulling Miles onto the bed as well.