Title: Tears of Joy

Prompt: #26-Tears

Pairings: Phoenix x Iris

Author Note: Just a little something for Feenris week…even if it is a little late and doesn't follow any of the week's prompts.

Disclaimer: If I owned Phoenix Wright, I wouldn't have to come up with clever disclaimer lines, now would I?

Summary: Here she was, crying again. This time, however, things were a bit different.

Iris had gotten used to crying over Phoenix Wright.

Ever since that day when her sister struck out on her own, taking matters into her own hands, and successfully crumbling the precarious perch Iris had been standing on, trying to balance her love for Phoenix and the pain of fooling him with the foreboding of what would happen if she failed to get that necklace back. That day, when Dahlia decided she had had enough of waiting, everything seemed to fall down around her, and before she knew it she had lost her sister…and she had lost Phoenix as well.

She wanted to seek him out, to tell him everything. But she had already caused him so much pain…she couldn't bear to cause him anymore. So she shouldered that secret and the pain that came with it all by herself. She tried her best to stay strong, and managed to stay cheerful in public, but often, late at night, long after Bikini had retired to her room, when there was only the darkness to comfort her, she would break down and cry until she had no tears left to give. It went on like this for six long years. Then one day he suddenly walked back into her life.

There was a spirit medium arriving at the Temple for training. She knew who this spirit medium was. She knew the danger Maya Fey was in. What she didn't know was who Maya Fey was bringing with her to the temple.

Neither Phoenix nor Iris said anything as their eyes met for the first time in six years, but Iris could easily see the recognition in his eyes. There was something else in his eyes, as well…almost like sadness. It didn't take long for those eyes to overwhelm her, and she quickly excused herself and practically ran back to her room.

They met again on her way to ring the lights-out bell later that night. Awkward conversation went on for a bit. Then Phoenix's eyes grew sad again, and he asked, "Iris, I never told you my name is Phoenix Wright. Have we met before?"

Iris froze, caught in his gaze like a deer in headlights. His eyes were questioning, as well as sad, and in that moment Iris realized the reason for this.

He was still hurting from what had happened six years ago. And he was looking for answers. It occurred to her for the first time that hiding the truth from him for all those years may have actually been hurting him.

And that hurt her. Because that was the last thing she wanted.

She almost broke down and told him everything then and there, but she realized that this was neither the time nor place. At least, that's what she told herself as she denied ever seeing him before. She was about to walk away when she remembered the danger Maya was in. If she was in danger…

After Iris gave Phoenix her hood for protection, she quickly rang the bell and returned to her room. Only then did the tears come, silently, so that in the darkness of her room no one would ever know that she was once again crying over Phoenix Wright. The tears stopped soon enough, and she found herself drifting off to sleep.

She hadn't been asleep long when the sound of her phone ringing woke her up. Recognizing the number immediately, her heart started beating faster as she answered.

"Yes, this is Iris."

"Hey, Iris. I need your help down here. Things haven't exactly gone according to plan…"

XxXxXxXxXx

The verdict had been handed down. She had been acquitted. She had kept her promise to Mr. Edgeworth, and had told Phoenix everything. And it had been a pleasant shock to learn that he hadn't given up on her, had never stopped believing in her. Now her heart skipped a beat as she looked up and saw him walking hesitantly towards her. She stood up slowly from her seat on one of the couches in the defendant's lobby as he approached. He stopped in front of her. Neither said anything for a long while. Then, before Iris could react, Phoenix pulled her into a tight embrace. Iris was caught completely off-guard, but after a split-second of hesitation, she was hugging him back, happy to be in his arms again, if only for this moment. She felt the tears coming again as he pulled away, smiling gently at her and tucking a lock of her hair behind her ear.

"Let's promise to see each other again a little bit sooner than another six years, ok?"

She nodded, wiping her eyes. His smile wavered a bit.

"Hey…are you ok?"

"I'm fine, Feenie. Really."

In fact, she was better than fine. After all, Iris had gotten used to crying because of Phoenix Wright. This time, however, was a bit different. This time, her tears were of relief and joy. This time, she was crying because after all these years, things were finally looking up. And the prospect of a brighter tomorrow-with her Feenie back in her life-made her feel happier than she had in a long time.

I'm not sure how I feel about this piece…well, anyway, let me know what you think.