tumblr prompt: "You Were Supposed To Talk Me Out Of This"
Phoenix x Maya


Phoenix dragged his feet as he walked through the hallway towards Maya's chambers.

He pulled at his collar. The old blue suit still fit fine, but since he'd lost his badge, he felt like a fraud wearing it.

But today… today was a special day.

"Special…" he whispered to himself, scoffing lightly.

He'd rejected every call, and ignored every letter Maya had sent him in the two years since she had left after his disbarment.

Until this one.

He swore under his breath. What was he even doing here? Why did she invite him. Why would she even want to see him?

The door to her chambers loomed up ahead, and Phoenix suddenly felt like a kid being called to the principals office. He fought the urge to turn around and leave before anyone saw him.

Shaking his head, he reprimanded himself. This might be his last chance to see her, ever. Today was not the day to be a coward.

Stopping in front of the heavy wooden door, he raised his hand to knock, pushing down the sick feeling in his stomach. After a moments hesitation, his knuckles made contact with the door. Three soft knocks.

He stood back and waited for it to open.

After a few moments, the door creaked open.

"Mister Nick! You're really here!"

He looked down at Pearl's big eyes, shining brightly back up at him as a smile spread across her face.

He smiled in reply. He really didn't know what to say to her after all this time.

"Come in! Come in!" Pearl said, ushering him inside. "Mystic Maya is this way."

Phoenix followed Pearl through Maya's sitting room and towards another door. She poked her head inside and spoke to someone, before turning back and smiling at Phoenix.

"Mystic Maya is in there." she said.

"You're not coming in too, Pearls?" Phoenix asked, hoping that Pearl's presence would mean he wouldn't have to be alone with Maya.

"No, sorry Mister Nick. I have a lot of things to take care of." Pearl stammered transparently, her eyes darting from his like they always did when she lied. She looked up at him, giving his hand a squeeze. "It's so good to see you again, Mister Nick," she whispered softly, before scurrying away.

Phoenix watched her leave. He was on his own. He took a deep breath and opened the door in front of him. He walked inside, closing it behind him. Turning as he sensed another person in the room, his breath caught as he saw her.

Maya had his back to him, studying her reflection in the mirror in front of her. Looking over her shoulder, she turned to face him.

"Nick… I… I can't believe you came."

He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out.

Maya seemed uncomfortable, smoothing the fabric of her dress and wringing her hands together.

"Is… is my veil on crooked?" she asked, as he continued to stare.

Phoenix said nothing, as he shook his head, taking a step towards her.

"You look… amazing." his voice came out as a whisper. Maya was a vision in white. The most beautiful bride he had ever seen. But that was to be expected. He'd loved her for years.

As Phoenix came to a stop before her, Maya burst into tears. Taking both of his hands in hers, she sank back on to the chair behind her, sobbing.

"Hey," Phoenix said soothingly, sinking to his knees in front of her. "What's the matter?"

"I…" Maya stammered. "I don't want to do this," she cried, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I don't want to get married."

Phoenix frowned.

"Oh Maya," he said, rubbing the back of her hand with his thumb. "This is normal. It's called cold feet. You'll be fine."

The words tasted acidic in his mouth. He hated that Maya was marrying someone else. Some rich diplomats son that he had never met. But it was for the best. He didn't deserve her.

"I… I don't…" Maya stammered.

"Maya, you'll be happy, I promise." Phoenix frowned compassionately.

"Do you really believe that?" Maya sniffed, her eyes meeting his.

Phoenix stood up, letting go of her hands. He exhaled heavily. He tried to lie to her, but the words just wouldn't come out.

"Well?" Maya demanded.

Phoenix sighed.

"What do you want me to say, Maya?" he snapped, a little more aggressively than he had meant to.

"I want you to be honest, with me Nick," she replied, new tears beginning to form.

"About what?" he asked, stupidly. He knew exactly what she was talking about.

Maya shook her head, muttering under her breath.

"You're supposed to talk me out of this."

Phoenix slumped, leaning his shoulder against the wall beside him.

"What good will that do?" Phoenix asked, shaking his head. "Seriously, this guy is rich, he's got political ties that are good for Kurain, he's handsome. If you don't already love him, I'm sure you will one day."

Maya stood, balling her fists at her sides. Her heels gave her a significant height boost, so she could easily look Phoenix in the eye.

"I don't love him." she snapped. "I love YOU."

Phoenix maintained her gaze as emotions rushed through him. He knew. But to hear her say it… it was more than he could bear.

"Aren't you going to say anything?" Maya challenged.

"Maya, please… don't." he croaked.

"Why not?" Maya cried. "If we don't have this conversation now, then when? I tried to tell you the night you lost your badge that I loved you and you threw me out. I was angry at you for so long, Nick. So long. But I never, ever stopped loving you."

"I didn't throw you out." Phoenix muttered.

"You did." Maya asserted. "You sent me home and you ignored all my calls. But that's not what made me angry. You know what did?"

Phoenix was silent, crossing his arms in front of himself defensively.

"I know you love me too." Maya said coldly. "And yet you still shut me out."

Phoenix sighed, looking down at his feet.

"Nick…" Maya said, trying to get his attention. He continued to look at his feet.

"Do you love me?" she asked.

He was silent.

"Do you love me?" she repeated, more firmly.

He looked up at her, still silent. She glared back at him, not backing down.

"I…" he started, trailing off.

Her gaze was unwavering as she waited for him to finish.

He lowered his head, trying to hide his eyes. She noticed a tear roll down his cheek. Her stance softening immediately, she moved towards him, placing her hand on his cheek. He looked up at her with red rimmed eyes, tears spilling over.

"Nick…" she said softly. "I'm sorry."

He shook his head gently to dismiss her need for apology. To hell with it all. He owed her the truth.

"I do…" he said gently, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Nick…" Maya sobbed, bringing her other hand to frame his face. She pressed her forehead against his, their tears falling in unison.

"I'm so sorry…" Phoenix apologised, not even sure why. For nothing. For everything. Maya shook her head.

"Shh…" she soothed, stroking his face.

Gently, she pressed her lips against his.

Their first kiss, drowned in sadness.

He clung to her like she represented life itself. Maybe she did.

"I'm not going through with it," she said resolutely, looking him in the eyes.

He lowered his eyes.

"Maya, don't… I can't ruin your life too." he said sadly.

"You won't." Maya assured him. "You're going to get through this. And I'm going to help you."

Phoenix's brow furrowed. How could he let her drag herself into this mess for him?

"It's dangerous. I don't know what I would do if something happened to you," he pleaded.

"Is that why you pushed me away?" Maya asked.

His silence spoke volumes.

"Nick, I'm strong. Stronger than you give me credit for. And together, we're unstoppable." Maya said, taking both his hands.

He took in everything he could about the woman standing in front of him, her eyes flashing with determination. She was right. He didn't give her enough credit. She had gone through so much. She had strength he needed. And she wanted to lend it to him.

"This is crazy." Phoenix breathed, reflecting on the absurdity of the situation. "You're supposed to be getting married in an hour."

"If you didn't show up today, I was going to run to the train station and come to you, you know." Maya admitted.

"In your wedding dress?" Phoenix asked.

"In my wedding dress." Maya confirmed.

Phoenix smiled.

"Want to make a run for the train anyway?" he said, a lopsided grin forming on his lips.

He held out his hand. Maya took it, smiling in return.

"I thought you'd never ask."