"Jumping to Conclusions"
*~Chapter Seven~*
It was Monday. Maya had returned to Los Angeles with her cousin the day before and was now currently busy dusting cobwebs from the office's ceiling fan that hadn't been used since last summer. Pearl was helping to support the chair she was standing on, just in case it toppled over.
"Maybe I should use a ladder..." Maya mumbled to herself, visually scanning the office for one.
"We don't have a ladder," Phoenix replied from the small bathroom to the left, where he just so happened to be scrubbing the toilet due to boredom, "but we have a stepladder in the store room."
"Don't even start on that whole ladder-stepladder thing again, Nick!" The older spirit medium huffed and got down off the chair. "You know what, I'm hungry."
"You're ALWAYS hungry."
Ignoring him, she looked around for something to eat and settled with a handful of soft mints from a jar on Phoenix's desk.
I guess these will have to do for now...
Maya popped one into her mouth and chewed on it thoughtfully, handing another one to Pearl who took it and mentioned how it reminded her of the round pebbles used in the miniature garden along the Winding Way back in Kurain.
Laughing, the nineteen year old suggested that her cousin go and take a break from the office chores and go draw something. Once she had left her side, Maya gazed off out the window and only just remembered that she still hadn't told Phoenix she wanted to break up with him.
Argh... She mentally scolded herself for being so careless.
"I think I should be known as the best toilet cleaner in the city." Phoenix said proudly, as if the title was not degrading in a sense at all. He strode out of the bathroom moments later, shirt sleeves rolled up and wearing bright orange rubber gloves; a scrubbing brush in one hand and a bottle of Cillit Bang in the other. The look of satisfaction plastered on his face was enough to tell Maya that Phoenix really needed to get out more.
"Um... Nick? That's the third time you've cleaned the toilet... In one hour."
"So what? At least now you know that whenever you need to 'go', your seat is sparkling."
Maya made a face.
"Actually, you probably shouldn't use it... You might dirty it again and then I'll have t - "
"What's the point then?" The spirit medium looked at him in disbelief. "We might as well just keep the toilet only for display!" She put on an imitation carnival announcer's voice, "Come see the Wright and Co. Law Offices toilet! It shines with more intensity than the sun itself! Tickets are five dollars! No photography, please!"
Her hands were held in front of her as if she were revelling in some sort of invisible object of desire.
"Maya, I'm not THAT obsessed with keeping it clean."
"Sure, Nick. And my hair is actually green. Hey, that rhymes! Now if only you could keep your apartment as hygienic as that bathroom then all would be great!"
"Hey, my apartment is hygienic! Just... messy?"
Maya took no notice of his defense and leant against the desk. "You know what, I think you're just trying to distract yourself from something." Her mouth twisted into a thoughtful pout and she held a finger to her lips as she looked upwards, trying to figure out what to say next. "Come to think of it, you've been kinda down ever since we opened up the office today."
"Am not." Phoenix objected, rolling his eyes, "you're looking too far into things... I'm just bored because no clients have contacted us and all of the paperwork from our last cases were completed last week."
"No, it's more than boredom," Maya looked at him closely... "It's like something is on your mind."
"..."
"See? I can tell. Out with it!"
"..." Phoenix sighed, defeated. "I just feel bad for not waking up on time to see Miles off at the airport this morning. He's gone overseas again... Left for the U.K on business-related matters." At those words, the defense attorney moved to sit on the couch, still wearing the gloves. He placed the scrubbing brush and disinfectant to the side casually.
He's worried about that? And since when did he call Mr Edgeworth by his first name that way? Maya took a seat next to him, and it was quiet between them. Pearl's scribbling could be heard from somewhere on the floor next to Charley the plant.
"He's not gonna be here for two weeks... I wanted him to celebrate my birthday with me, too."
"Aww, Nick, it's okay." Maya leant closer and wrapped her arms around her boyfriend. Strangely, she felt no spark of desire from any of the contact they shared. It had been like that ever since they started dating a while ago. If anything, Maya felt a different love towards him... A love that was similar to how she felt towards Pearl and Mia. Sibling affection – and she knew now, definitely, that Phoenix was more like a big brother to her instead of a romantic partner.
Should I tell him now? Maybe I should wait... He's already depressed as it is.
Observing his expression, Maya could tell that Phoenix felt genuine sadness as she looked at his eyes – two blue orbs currently gazing off into space.
"What time did his flight depart?"
"... Five o'clock this morning."
He should have reminded me before to wake him up early …! It would have been easy for me since I'm used to getting up at around that time anyway.
"Hmm... Well, I'm sure he wouldn't have wanted you to go out of your way for him, so don't worry too much."
…
"He didn't. But still... I wanted to see him before he left."
There was another look in Phoenix's eyes now, as he gazed at nothing in particular... They seemed to show a certain wanting.
No way...
Maya gulped and turned away, not sure if she should trust her interpretation to mean what she was thinking it meant. It took a few moments before she turned back to her friend, "Just think, Nick. Two weeks! Fourteen days. The time will fly."
"Hmm." The response wasn't lively or animated at all. "I wanted to see him."
"You make it sound like he's dead, or something."
"Maya, that's not funny." Phoenix had obviously been reminded of that time when he had been led to think - that for an entire year, Miles Edgeworth had indeed died. The defense attorney ripped off his gloves and threw them to the side carelessly, leaning back on the sofa and looking miserable.
I don't know if I'm jumping to conclusions here, Maya thought, but... I think he's in love with -
"Hey, anybody hooooome?" There was a hand waving around in front of her face and she jumped.
"What the?"
"Maya, you looked so spaced out! And so does Mr Wright... " Ema Skye regarded the pair on the couch, looking entertained. "You didn't even notice me creep in!"
Phoenix looked up slowly. "Usually, people knock first..."
"I did." Ema frowned at him. "Nobody answered to begin with."
"What about Pearly?" Maya leant over to check if her cousin was still drawing on the floor.
"She let me in eventually. But you two didn't..." Ema put on a false hurt voice.
From somewhere around Ema's waistline, Pearl popped up, chewing on her thumbnail. "Sorry, Mystic Maya... But it's not as if Ema's a stranger... So I let her in."
"That's okay, Pearly." Maya smiled at her cousin and looked up at Ema again. The younger teenager looked happy to see her.
"Anyway! I missed you soooo much!" she quickly bent down to hug Maya tightly, to which the spirit medium chuckled brightly. Phoenix was distracted by how much noise they were making, laughing and all.
"... Um..." The attorney butted in, feeling a bit awkward next to the pair of them. "Why don't you two go out for a while? I need to … sort things out."
"But I thought you didn't have anything to do in here today! It's been boring as heck!" Maya retorted quickly, indicating to the cleaning products abandoned on the floor from earlier.
"Eh."
"Mr Wright, are you feeling okay?" Ema looked at him curiously.
"Just dandy." Phoenix replied, forcing a smile on his face.
"... Oh...kay then."
"Shoo, both of you." The lawyer made a gesture with his hands. He wasn't being rude, just playfully implying that the two girls go and do something else. "Take Pearls, if she wants to go."
"I wanna stay here and help Mr Nick sort out what he needs to sort out," Pearl piped up enthusiastically, as if sorting out things in a law firm was by far more exciting to a nine-year old child than spending time outside in the sun with other friends.
"Uh... Maybe its better if you come with us."
"No! I want to help Mr Nick – he looks so sad anyway. Can I, Mystic Maya?"
A pair of light brown, doe-like eyes looked at the older cousin imploringly.
"Alright, fine."
"Yay!" The tiny figure gripped her relative's waist affectionately and smiled widely. "Don't worry about us!"
Maya shrugged. "It's not like you'd give me a choice anyway, Pearly. Be good, okay?"
"You got it, Mystic Maya!"
Phoenix smiled warmly at the nine year-old – for someone who had been through so much, she always managed to smile and brighten up anyone's day so easily.
"Shouldn't you be at school, Ema?" Maya asked the other girl, as they walked around the park, sprinkling bread into the lake for the ducks to nibble on,
"I only had to go in for Trigonometry and English today," Ema replied nonchalantly, taking a sip out of the drink she had bought. "So I thought it would be nice to spend time with you." Finishing off the beverage, she tossed the empty bottle into the closest recycle bin.
"Aww," Maya grinned, before taking into account how fast her heart was pounding as the other teenager looked at her fondly. "I... Thanks."
"No problem," Ema said gently. "It's great to see you again."
"It's only been... What, a week!" Maya giggled, as they continued on their walk, exiting the park and heading towards a local clothes store. The shop wasn't filled with customers due to school hours. Otherwise, it would have been swarming with girls the same age as they were.
"Let's go and try on stuff!" Ema whispered excitedly, pulling her friend over to a clothes rack displaying a
range of outfits marked at twenty percent off. The sales assistant smiled in a welcoming manner towards them.
"Those dresses are hot this season!" she said in reference to the clothing on sale, chewing on gum and filing her brightly-painted nails as she leant on the counter. "Don't wanna miss out on those deals!" Surprisingly, she didn't question why Ema was not currently at school. Especially since her lab coat and uniform stood out just as much as Maya's acolyte robes.
Grinning back at the woman, Ema and Maya picked out things at random as the assistant went to replace the roll of receipt paper in the cash register.
"How about this one?" The student pulled out a pretty, pale yellow dress with a beaded scarf tied around the waist.
Maya tilted her head as she observed the garment. "Nah, I like this one here. It will look nicer on you."
With those words she put the yellow dress back in its place and pulled out a lovely, dark pink number. "Try this on instead."
Ema blushed and moved to the changing rooms, mumbling an okay. Maya waited for her, taking interest in a purple article of clothing that looked silky to the touch. She wondered if she should try that on while waiting. Not bothering to think twice, she did just that.
The garment fit perfectly as Maya ran her hands over her form in front the mirror behind the curtain of her changing room. The fine material hugged her hips lightly, feeling cool to the touch...And she couldn't help but think whether or not Ema would agree it looked nice too.
"I'm done!" The sound of the next cubicle's curtain swinging open alerted Maya.
"Oh, I'm in here." She pulled open the curtain to her own room and Ema quickly stepped inside without a second thought, drawing the folds shut again.
"Wow..." she whispered quietly, "You look so pretty in that! It fits you soooo well!" By now the eighteen year old's brown eyes were wide in amazement. "Your figure looks really good, Maya."
Maya smiled, before the words caught up with her. "Wh-what? You think so?" There was a small laugh of appreciation and she twisted herself in front of the mirror to get a view from all angles. She then properly looked at Ema and regarded her appearance in return. A small gasp escaped her mouth.
It had been difficult to tell before, what with the whole baggy laboratory coat that normally hung off her shoulders, but Ema Skye looked absolutely breathtaking in a fitted dress. Maya realised just how difficult it was for her to form understandable words at this point, so instead, she had to make to with pointing at her and stuttering.
"You... You like it?" Ema smiled shyly and did a little playful curtsey.
"Yeah!" Maya's mouth had finally agreed to cooperate with her. "So nice..." Her voice was a little too breathy for her liking, but that was probably due to the cramped space available.
We're in here like this... It's so closed-in...
Her pulse quickened and she only just noticed how close Ema was to her. The other girl smelt of sweet perfume and something else that couldn't quite be distinguished, but whatever it was, Maya liked it. She liked it a lot.
"Uh..." Oh no, what do I say now? I feel... funny...
"Maya." Ema whispered, almost too quietly, "Remember when you told me that you liked someone else...?"
Maya gulped. Could it be that Ema felt the exact same way? "Yes..."
"Wh-who... Who is it...?"
Now was one of those times when a distraction was readily welcomed with open arms. Now was one of those times when anything would have been less awkward than being stuck in a changing room with a person you held base desires for.
She wanted to make a break for it. She wanted to just flee the shop entirely. But two things stopped her. One, she wasn't in her own clothes, and two, Ema's presence was just so alluring. So instead, Maya did the one thing that even she herself had no control over at that precise moment. She leant forward and kissed the younger girl on the lips, lingering over her mouth for longer than intended. The contact between them caused Maya's nerves to dance with a warm fire, the tingling sensation spread over her entire being and she felt herself go weak at the knees for an instant.
As a future master of the Kurain Channelling Technique, Maya's mind kept trying to persuade her to avoid this. It was against tradition to put relationships before her responsibility as a spirit medium... let alone a relationship with another female. Was it even allowed? Would her ancestors tolerate it?
It doesn't matter... does it?
Deep within her heart, Maya knew that what she was doing was not wrong. If she loved someone, she couldn't help it. And loving somebody like this was nothing to be ashamed for.
Their lips separated. Once she had moved away, Ema was gazing back at her, looking both shocked and pleasantly delighted before raising her hand to touch were Maya had kissed her. Both of them were so red in the face that it would probably have been difficult to spot a tomato if it was held next to their skin.
"I... I..."
"M-Maya...?"
Without another word, the spirit medium leant in again and lightly kissed Ema in the same place, lips then proceeding to drift over the brown-haired girl's cheek and jawline, before pressing against the beautifully perfect skin of a slender neck. Maya didn't know exactly what she was doing, but she continued... For some reason, it felt right.
"W-wait... we shouldn't... here..." Ema lightly pushed her backwards, breathlessly. Maya nodded in understanding and indicated towards their own clothes, suggesting they change back into them and leave.
"Alright..." Ema awkwardly moved back to her own change room before checking that the coast was clear. In a matter or minutes, both girls had redressed themselves back into their own outfits, walking out and returning the borrowed attire back to the clothes rack.
"Have a great day, ladies." The assistant smiled after them, as they left.
Maya's lips curled upward into an embarrassed smile as she felt Ema's hand brush against hers as they walked. Not without saying, it did look as if her day would be a whole lot brighter.
There was nothing to sort out, after all.
Phoenix had spent most of his time playing noughts and crosses with Pearl, who had for some reason thought that playing a simple game on paper would completely wipe that frown off the defense attorney's face. He knew the young girl's intentions were good, but he still couldn't help but be led astray by thoughts revolving around a prosecutor who was now on a plane somewhere above the North Atlantic Ocean.
"Looks like you beat me again, Pearls," Phoenix concluded dully, after their twenty-fifth match. To be honest, the novelty had worn off after their fourth game, and the lawyer had resorted to just marking crosses on the grid randomly without even looking anymore.
"Let's play something else, Mr Nick." Pearl said, crumpling up the used sheet of paper into a ball and discarding it. "How about dots and squares? You can start. I'll draw up the dot-map if you want!"
Phoenix sighed and gave a weak smile. "Actually, maybe we should take a nap or something." He drooped onto his desk and leant his head on his folded arms, closing his eyes without a further thought.
"Mr Nick!" Pearl huffed, getting up off her chair and walking behind the desk to poke Phoenix sharply in the ribs, causing a hiss of pain and a jolt of shock from the attorney, "Don't sleep on the job!"
"But there's no work to doooo." The man's voice was whiny and child-like - capable of putting even the little spirit medium to shame.
"At least pretend you're awake till Mystic Maya and Ema get back." Pearl simpered, chewing on her thumb nail again. "Otherwise they might laugh at you."
Phoenix sniffed. I couldn't really care less if the whole of California laughed at me right now. I just wanna sleep. Why AM I so tired, anyway? Am I bored to the point where sleeping seems more worthwhile or what?
Am I depressed?
…
… Why the hell would I be depressed?
"I'm going to water Charley, okay?" Pearl interrupted his self-monologue and walked off to get a glass of water from the bathroom, not waiting for Phoenix's confirmation. Some seconds later she returned to the main office, supporting a glass filled to the brim with water that splashed over the lip with every step she took.
"C-careful! The carpet's getting soaked, Pearls." Phoenix sat upright and motioned for her to slow down so that he wouldn't have to spend his next moments absorbing water from the floor using old paper towels.
Once Charley was well-nourished, the two human occupants of the room went quiet again. Pearl decided to go and make paper flowers on the sofa, whilst Phoenix resumed his little nap right where he sat at his desk.
…
…
…
"Wake up, sleepyhead!"
…
Five more minutes...
…
…
"Wow, Mr Wright's a heavy sleeper, huh."
"Nick! What the heck do you think you're doing? Stop snoozing already!"
…
…
Go awaaaaay.
…
…
"If you don't get up now, I'm gonna give you a wedgie!"
… "Whaaa!" Phoenix sat bolt upright, his eyes clouded with drowsiness and his hair slightly dishevelled. "Maya...! You're back..."
"Yeah," Maya snorted, "we've been back for about fifteen minutes now. Pearly says you've been sleeping since about midday. It's almost three-thirty pm... Ema's helping Pearly colour her paper flowers – she's made tonnes!"
"Oh." Phoenix rubbed the small amount of sleep that had gathered at the corners of his eyes during his long nap. Failing to stifle a yawn, he stretched and was soon subjected to laughter as Maya pointed directly at his face.
"You've got crease lines on your cheek!" she blurted out between giggles, "The folds on your shirt sleeves must have made indents in your skin or something. They'll take a bit to fade, ahaha."
"That's just... lovely." Phoenix frowned, moving a hand up to his face to touch the aforementioned marks on his visage, "So... Putting my face aside," he continued monotonously, "what did you two get up to?"
Maya quickly went bright red. "We just... You know, walked around the park then went to try on clothes..." she mumbled, suddenly taking a keen interest towards the drawstring hanging from the Venetian blinds, "... And then we went to go eat lunch and sat at the park some more. You know, I think they're going to hold a spring festival there soon."
"Ah." Phoenix nodded and pulled a pen out from his front pocket to fidget with. "Well... I've just been... playing noughts and crosses and sleeping and getting picked on by you and all."
"Hey, no fair! I was doing you a favour! If I hadn't woken you up you would have slept through till night time, who knows."
"Even I'm not that negligent, Maya."
"Whatever, Nick. By the way, is it okay if Ema spends the night at the apartment with us? Her sister's gonna be working till late tonight and... Yeah."
But Ema's eighteen, it's not like she's a little girl anymore. But I suppose it wouldn't do any harm. I guess it gets boring at home when your older sister works too much and doesn't spend enough time with you.
"If there's room, she can." Phoenix shrugged, and Maya jumped on the spot excitedly. "Thanks Nick! I knew you'd say yes!"
But I didn't even give a straight answer...
And so it was. By eight o'clock that night, the four of them were on the living room floor lying on their stomachs on top of an old blanket, playing snakes and ladders after dinner. It was Pearl's idea, of course. Phoenix didn't even bother to play correctly; rolling the dice with as much enthusiasm as an old prisoner faced with the daily bowl of gruel. It was not long before this game wore thin and the three girls decided to watch television instead, leaving Phoenix free to go off and mull over thoughts with a cup of hot cocoa in the kitchen.
The ovaltine he was currently dissolving in hot milk reminded him of what Miles had said the other week. Something about Gregory Edgeworth making hot chocolate for them as kids... yeah, that was it. A small smile played across his mouth and he sat down to skim over some old issues of magazines on the table.
I wonder how he's doing right now... maybe he's already landed in the U.K...
How long did it take to fly from Los Angeles to London, anyway? Phoenix had no clue whatsoever, especially since he himself had never so much as set foot on a plane in his life.
Man... as if it was bad enough already that I can't drive... I haven't flown either. I'm getting old and I've experienced nothing!
Speaking of getting old... his twenty-seventh birthday was little over a week away.
Oh splendid. I can't wait. The thoughts were about as bitter as a cup of Prosecutor Godot's custom blend continued to crawl by and Phoenix stared blankly at the clock on the wall, taking note that it was almost ten o'clock pm, and that he had been loafing around for over an hour now doing nothing but thinking of pointless topics.
I should get to bed. It's not doing me any good moping around the kitchen. I still haven't told Maya about the break-up yet. I'll do it tomorrow.
Not long afterwards, after a quick shower, followed by informing his three younger guests that they were to tidy up after themselves before going to sleep, Phoenix was lying face-up on his bed under the thick duvet, staring at the ceiling and trying to count sheep in his mind. Yet his efforts were in vain; counting sheep did little to suppress the nagging words that kept entering his head over and over again.
"B-because I care about you? Is that a crime?"
…
That wasn't such a suspicious thing to say, was it?
…
"I'm just glad I got the chance to see you today, and we can talk together like this."
…
By now the sleepless attorney was starting to think that he was feeling much more than friendship towards him... him. The man who made his pulse race faster than should be allowed, the man whose resplendent appearance caused him to stare for longer than necessary... the man who spoke with such refinery in that smooth, accented voice that sent pleasant chills coursing through his nerves.
…
"I'm starting to think that I've fallen in love for real this time. But I've fallen for someone else..."
…
Intense grey eyes that seemed to control Phoenix's heart rate at will... Eyes that could see into his very soul... Devouring him in an almost predatory sense... Enveloping his entire being with a stare that could freeze water or melt ice, depending on the situation.
…
Turning to lie on his side and cuddling up against one of his pillows, Phoenix Wright was suddenly exposed to feelings that he knew he had probably kept locked up for a very, very long time.
Miles... I think I love you.
The last thing he saw before he finally drifted off to sleep, was a glint of silvery irises and a tiny but gentle smile.
Back in the living room, Pearl had taken refuge under a pile of blankets on the old sofa. She had fallen asleep halfway through a movie marathon Ema and Maya had started to watch, but that was probably a good thing, since the remaining films were mostly of the horror genre. The comedies that were shown earlier were good for a laugh, but of course, laughing too much after a long day only made you more tired.
"Should we just leave her here?" Ema whispered as Maya finally switched off the television, dusting popcorn crumbs off her pyjamas.
"Yeah... she does that a lot. She likes the sofa." Maya whispered back, tucking her cousin in properly and making sure she wasn't at risk of falling over the edge. "I'm exhausted myself... I'm going to bed."
"Okay."
At that moment, Maya suddenly realised that she had the leisure of sleeping in her own room that Phoenix had kindly donated to her for the purpose of her visits, but Ema didn't exactly have somewhere to sleep.
"Hey... Ema?" The spirit medium felt herself becoming embarrassed over such a trivial matter, "Do you want to sleep in my room, then?"
Ema's tired look faltered for a second as her expression morphed into that of a deer in headlights.
My question wasn't THAT weird, was it? Maya wondered to herself, staring at how cute Ema suddenly looked.
"If it's not too much trouble..."
"Why would it be, silly? I wouldn't ask you otherwise."
Ema giggled a bit and the pair of them made their way to Maya's small and neat room upstairs. The bed was a futon – probably because Maya was more familiar with the traditional Japanese style of living that was followed in her village. The curtains, like her usual costume, were varying hues of purple. A few posters were hanging on the walls and a sturdy desk stood in the corner showing little to no signs of use.
"This looks cosy," Ema said quietly with a smile.
"It does, doesn't it?" Maya rocked on her heels and drew the curtains closed properly before moving to shut the door behind them. She then released the beads from her hair, letting the mass fall loose and free from the confines of the glass hair accessories. Ema gulped and took in the sight with saucers for eyes.
Maya pretended not to notice but the small hint of a grin crossed her lips."Um..." That wave of embarrassment hit her again, "... You can sleep in my bed, if you want. I'll go and ask Nick for a spare quilt so I can set up next to you."
"Isn't he asleep though?" Ema mentioned in reply, looking like she was more than ready to camp on the bare floor in fear of causing any more trouble, "D-don't wake him! Scientific research has proven that suddenly waking up someone can lead to - "
"Pffft, it's Nick. I'm sure he'll be happy to help."
… Or else I'll threaten to curse him again. Heh heh heh …
After much deliberation and whispered, pointless bickering, Maya finally concluded that Ema was to sleep in her futon. Next to her. Under the same covers.
So they did. For a large-ish futon, it seemed very small now that two people were taking up space.
Ema's breathing was laboured and soft, and each breath lightly tickled Maya's skin. It was after several minutes of laying there together that Maya turned around completely and the events from earlier did a replay in her memory.
She found herself face-to-face with the other girl who now looked more awake – most likely due to the fact that she was also thinking of the same thing.
For someone who had been the recipient of a kiss given by another girl behind the flimsy curtains of public change room, Ema Skye was surprisingly not too shocked about it anymore. Instead, she asked Maya whether or not she had meant it.
"Of course I meant it." Maya snuggled closer to her friend and reached up to play with a part of hair that had fallen over Ema's cheek. The silky strands slipped through her fingers like melted chocolate. "I really, really like you."
More like, I love you. Should I say it now...?
The eighteen year-old blushed, barely detectable in the now dark room if it weren't for the tell-tale heat that radiated off her face. "I... Maya..." Her words were fragile and made her seem all that more susceptible. Suddenly, the normally bold Ema Skye was reduced to a sensitive girl who was facing the one person she had been pursuing.
Whatever words that were going to be spoken next were swallowed in a kiss as Maya moved closer and slipped easily into the curves of her relaxed form, wrapping slender arms around a slender waist and pulling them together so that their bodies were touching almost completely.
"Ema... you have no idea how much I want you," the kiss was broken and her voice was filled with desire and it sounded fairly unlike her... yet a lot like her. Maya Fey always got what she wanted if she tried hard enough, after all.
The delicate body of her partner was shivering slightly against hers. Ema closed her eyes and breathed in the scent of the young woman holding her, proceeding to move her own arms so that she too held Maya in an equally affectionate embrace. Their lips met again, this time with a much more gentle approach. Both mouths eventually parted and the spirit medium felt a shock of thrill course through her veins as their tongues touched, each one warm against the other.
By now their hands were wandering... touching, stroking over warm flesh beneath loose sleepwear... fingernails brushing lightly over the sensitive areas of skin on their hips and backs. Whispered moans left them both as they continued to engage in their activity, feeling more and more perceptive to each new touch that they experienced.
A concerned murmur met Maya's ears.
"Wh-what about Mr Wright? I thought..."
Maya placed a finger over Ema's lips gently. "I... I only see him as a brotherly figure." The realisation that she hadn't yet told Phoenix about breaking-up suddenly raised its head again. I completely forgot about that... again...
"So what's going to happen between you two? What about his feelings...?"
Maya grinned and hummed. "I'm pretty sure Nick likes someone else too."
"... Who is it?" Ema was eager to find out, tensing up in excitement. "Is it someone we know?"
"Shhh... I'm not one-hundred percent sure yet," Maya answered quietly, "... But I have a strong feeling it's Mr Edgeworth... I think."
"Oh my god!" Ema gasped, putting a hand to her mouth. "Really? How can you tell?"
"Well," Maya laughed silently, "when you've been around Nick for as long as I have, you learn to pick up on his little quirks. I mean, the guy practically daydreams about him, I swear. And he's so much more awkward around Mr Edgeworth... And when people bring him up in conversation, he perks to attention. Don't forget the whole thing about him becoming a lawyer just so he could meet him again."
"That's so cute." Ema was now laughing too, muffling herself using the futon covers. She, like Maya, had seemed to forget whatever intimate activities they were previously caught up in. "Aw, we should set them up. Or at least find out if Mr Edgeworth likes Mr Wright in return."
"Seeing as Mr Edgeworth already kinda passes off as gay, that makes the chances even greater." The spirit medium had a firm tone to her voice as if it were obvious. Which it was, in a manner of speaking.
"Is that just because he dresses so … pink and frilly?" Ema was practically stifling her laughter now.
"... And the fact that he likes roses so much and has an office that's so colour-coordinated it's scary. Not to mention that Nick once told me Mr Edgeworth once told him he felt unnecessary feelings."
"Ohhhhh."
Maya nodded, continuing. "You know, Nick's birthday is approaching! And he was so sad because he wanted Mr Edgeworth to spend time with him on the day... but this morning he left to fly over to England on business-related matters... He won't be back for two weeks."
"That's too bad," Ema mumbled sympathetically, "What day is Mr Wright's birthday?"
"April Fool's."
"Pfffft! Seriously? Ahahaha! Poor guy!"
"Shhhh!"
As expected, the two girls didn't get much sleep afterwards. They stayed up until three in the morning, poking fun at the possible relationship brewing between the two lawyers and also making jokes about Phoenix's birthday. Maya wondered what to get him as a gift, and the two teenagers settled on planning a surprise party with a group of friends. Finally, both girls had to give in the the beckon of slumber that tugged at their eyelids. Ema curled up closer to Maya, planting a kiss on her cheek and wrapping her arms around her more firmly as Maya ran fingers over her scalp.
"Goodnight."
Closing her eyes, Maya knew that this was the person she wanted to be with more than anyone.