Notes: Hi, everyone, welcome to chapter 8! Finally! :D
Once again I apologize for the time it took to post it... Although I can't say for sure, I think I'll have more time to write from now on. Last week I finished an article to my university that took me two long years. I was in a hurry, I even had this chapter reviewed last week but only now I finally adjusted the little things I still had to do before posting here.

Now, about this chapter! This one is kind of decisive. I wrote it sometimes too and I ended up reordering some events of the plot. It's better this way. I also have to say that I will try to post 9 as fastest as I can, I'll try to don't let you guys waiting so much after this chapter. ;)
So, please, you who came all this way and patiently waited for my posts, don't give up on this fic. Not before chapter 9, okay?

So, have a good reading everyone. I hope you guys enjoy it.
Review credits goes to Lieju once again. I hope I didn't mess anything up here in these notes though...

Oh and reviews/favorites are always welcome and help me a lot too! Feel free to send me your thoughts on this chapter if you feel like it.


Between Wines and Grape Juices

Chapter 8

Kay followed Edgeworth all the way upstairs to his office. He ignored the looks and the mumbles from people they crossed through the way. She kept alert, realizing she was listening to the same gossips they were hearing everywhere for some days now.

"They say Mr. Edgeworth is in love with someone. I hope it is me! Hihi!"

"Stop it, of course he prefers a beautiful blonde woman like me!"

Kay sighed. If only those women knew…

"I'm impressed how even strangers know you have a crush on someone and the man himself doesn't!"

"Great, Kay. Say it louder. These rumors aren't enough? I wonder how these people figured it out."

The displeased eyes of the prosecutor rolled while he opened the door of his office. As if trying to run away from that annoying attention, he directly went to the law papers organized on the desk.

"Maybe someone heard us? Well, I don't think they heard it all, no one said anything about the fact it is for a guy. Well, lately you have been all blushing and everything! And you are a notable person. Maybe people just noticed the change in your behavior, since you never showed any affection for anyone before! People get amazed by that small possibility and the women have little faith they finally touched your heart!"

"I don't have time for this. I have to do important preparations to the trial tomorrow."

"Man, you should stop worrying just about your cases if you want to be his boyfriend. C'mon, Mr. Edgeworth, it's just a matter of time now! Any time soon you guys may be confessing your love! It may even happen tomorrow at the trial! Just imagine it! It is already at the corridors of this building after all!"

"Nothing like that will happen. I have full respect for the court procedures."

"Tsc, okay, but at least you should practice saying it! When the time comes, what will you do? Will you look at him with that dumb, lost expression and just wait for him to do something?"

"When this is about to happen, then I'll direct my worries at this issue. For now, what's important is the trial."

"Yeah… but I bet you're anxious to see him tomorrow! It has been a whole week since the day you went to his apartment and gave him the letter. Oh, you two are so slow! I can't believe no one called each other meanwhile. And, at the top of everything, you'll meet again at court, at opposing sides… you two are hopeless."

Edgeworth sighed. His distant eyes soon were closed when he let go of that thought.

"This is how it should be, we can't deny our roles."

Maya waited impatiently on the line of the vending machines of the courthouse. Damn, they had a trial in ten minutes and those stupid attorney girls were talking about random stuff instead of choosing something. But then, a certain phrase got her attention.

"I wonder who this 'Edgeworth Girl' is. How lucky is she?"

"She'll be so rich!"

She heard something similar by other bunch of women when walking back with her snacks. People were talking so much about Edgeworth like that? She thought Phoenix, who was in fact the main interested person in that story, would be the last person in the whole world to hear those gossips. He was so distracted after all!

When Maya walked into the defense lobby she confirmed her theory. She found the attorney gazing at the sight of the window with his eyes not really looking at something specific. Still, he let go a discreet smile, followed by a deeper breath and a worried expression. Exactly the same behavior he developed since the letter operation. It couldn't be just coincidence, right?

"Hey Nick, wake up!"

"Oh, you're back already?" She had stood about thirty seconds there and he hadn't even noticed.

"Yeah… Nick, are you all right? You've been dreaming awake lately."

"Yes, I'm fine." He said, with his eyes already lost somewhere between the buildings they could see from their view. "Just a little tired."

The papers amounted on his hands didn't lie. The trial they were about to face would be a hard one: their evidence didn't seem enough and they felt cornered even before the start, just like most of their previous trials. The good part of it is that they became used to face those unfavorable situations. Even so, he kept determined, reading his notes, looking for details he didn't pay attention to and ignoring the pressure Gumshoe was doing when asking repeatedly:

"Please pal! You have to take Maggey out of this!"

The unlucky Maggey Byrde, who had gotten herself in trouble once again, looked a little pale and nervous every time the detective shouted in that room. But she had faith in Wright and was glad she could count on him. Maya was also helping with calming down their client, although she probably should try to calm Gumshoe instead.

Soon the trial started. They walked inside the courtroom, seeing first the public and then reaching the defense bench. After arranging the papers, he ended up looking forward and that was when he finally saw the magenta suited prosecutor, who had his dark eyes locked on him as well. Phoenix gave him a smile. He turned his eyes aside - that's just how Edgeworth is after all. But then when Phoenix least expected, he could see his compliment with the head.

It was a strange feeling, however. Something bugged him, while he still looked at the prosecutor organizing his files.

"Court is now in session for the trial of Ms. Maggey Byrde."

"The defense is ready." Phoenix responded immediately, leaving his thoughts aside.

"The prosecution has been ready for a while." Edgeworth answered calmly.

"Mr. Edgeworth!" The Judge seemed surprised. "I hope you're successful in your love life! When I was younger, we lived love with much passion and dedication, more than our jobs hoho."

The whole courtroom was divided in people deeply silent and the ones mumbling about that phrase.

"…What…?" Phoenix wondered with himself, noticing the prosecutor's clear irritation.

"Now your opening statement if you please."

Edgeworth forgot about those stupidities and concentrated in the case. He started to give the opening statement, but what caught the defense attorney's attention was… how confident and self-assured his voice and his attitude were when prosecuting. He seemed so sure about that version he declared and it really sounded flawless since the beginning till the end. Then, Gumshoe was called to the stand. With clear intentions to help Maggey the detective said everything he could to help, making the cross-examination as clear as possible. Phoenix tried to explore every single point he could, only to have all of those lines of questioning blocked by Edgeworth over and over again. It even seemed as if… he already knew what Phoenix was going to do.

"Nick! C'mon, you won't say anything else? I think there are some strange things there, don't you? I mean… I don't know exactly but don't you think he kind of… mixed some things up…? Was it exactly like that?"

His eyes kept looking to every place in the courtroom with his mind trying to think harder about those sentences, but he just couldn't. His thoughts were blocked somehow. So, Phoenix tried to press some statements, only getting other counters by Edgeworth in the end. Not a single change was made to the testimony and he felt even more he wasn't making any progress at all.

It started to look bad for the defense.

"There are no further objections from the defense?" The judge demanded an action.

What do I do?

Damn it, I'm getting cornered! I know there's something wrong but I can't think, I…

Phoenix looked at Maya, still thinking, and then again to Gumshoe, to the judge, and finally to the prosecutor.

Edgeworth…?

What's this sudden feeling?

Am I... afraid of him?

"C'mon Nick, you have to do something fast!" Maya tried to push him harder.

Am I… reluctant about facing Edgeworth?

Phoenix had a heavier breathing, still with his eyes facing the prosecutor. That wasn't the time to feel intimidated by someone he had faced many times. He knew it; he repeated it a lot of times inside his head while still panicking. But it was a desk slam at the other side of the room that made him definitely see that. Edgeworth hit it really hard. His piercing eyes said everything there was to be said. He expected nothing less than the best Phoenix could give, for the sake of his client and for the truth.

Of course… what am I doing?

With that impulse Phoenix thought harder, cautiously replaying every statement in his head while those eyes challenged him. And then he found it.

"Objection! There's a hole in your testimony, detective!"

"Great! Hehe… I mean… Oh no! There's no way, pal!"

Thankfully, the attorney's full focus was on the trial. And the following was just the same as always, with objections after objections and more and more turnabouts changing the truth of the case. In the end, Phoenix got a second day and more investigation succeeded till the third day. But that strange feeling at the first day reappeared at the others, raising the difficulties faced at those three days of decision. Even so, the truth was only one and they finally found out Maggey was, once again, deceived into a trap where she ended up as a suspect in the place of the real culprit.

"I declare the defendant, Maggey Byrde, Not Guilty! Court is now closed!"

The defense lobby soon was filled with smiles and relieved tears from a worried detective. Maya and Maggey held their hands and celebrated together when the prosecutor and his assistant walked in to congratulate the other part.

"Hey Maggey! Congratulations!" Kay hugged her, and later the detective, trying to calm the man down. Eventually Maggey perceived his emotional state and decided to thank him for his worries.

"Thank you so much, sir. It's over now, I'm free again thanks to all of you!" She turned at both the attorneys who were standing still near the entrance and saluted them just as the police officer she once was.

"It is our job to uncover the truth, Ms. Byrde. I'm glad your truth is to be free of all charges." Edgeworth said naturally.

"You people know what comes now, right?" Maya took the attention "It's time to celebrate this victory! Nick will pay for everyone!"

"Yeah, Nice!" Kay got spirited up with the idea.

"You're such a good person, Mr. Wright!" Maggey was overwhelmed with that 'gentility'.

"Objection! Hey I won so I think Edgeworth should pay it instead of me!" Phoenix turned to him with a clearly false smile, trying to convince him.

"If you won, why don't you prove your job does in fact pay your bills?"

Kay poked Maya and both girls laughed quietly when they started arguing like children about why it should be the other one to pay it.

"You two found the truth, so you two can find your wallets and pay it for us! You're the richest ones in here, and Maggey doesn't count because she's our guest!" Kay winked, letting both with no words and Gumshoe even sadder for not being included as one of the richest in the room. At least, his depression faded when he realized he would spend the whole night in Maggey's presence.

Maybe it wasn't the most elegant place to attend Edgeworth's usual preferences, but the bar had burgers to fill Maya and her four stomachs, as it had a variety of other foods and drinks to everyone different tastes. But the real attraction of the place they chose was written in glowing neon lights right at the entrance.

'Karaoke bar'

Edgeworth wondered hopelessly how he let this happen to him. Maybe there was still time to run? While he wondered seriously if he still could flee, he realized the girls made their move to put him in middle of Wright and Kay, while Maya was right in front of the thief girl and next to the defense attorney. Of course, this way the girls could still look and understand each other, planning whatever they wanted to plan.

It's going to be a long, long night…

The slightly darken ambient was colored by lights in red and blue that matched with the woody rustic furniture over the place. It was relatively full of people, with just a few places empty. Sat at a rounded desk, all of them could discuss about what they would eat, drink, about the trial, Wright's terrible jokes and...

"I heard Mr. Edgeworth is dating someone! Is it true?" Maggey said surprised.

"Is it true…?" Wright seemed curious, not even noticing he repeated exactly the same words Maggey used.

Maya and Kay looked at each other. Things would get complicated depending on the answer. Besides, when did he start dating someone? People talked too much…

"I'm sorry to disappoint your expectations, but these rumors are far from reality."

"What, sir? But I thought you were…"

"What do you mean, Gummy?"

"Well, the way you two were talking at the office the other day, it seemed Mr. Edgeworth wrote a love letter!"

It was clear… the root of all those rumors was sat right in front of them not even imagining his salary would drop once again for having such a big mouth.

"This… is not true…"

Phoenix tilted his head. He remembered the letter lying at the drawer next to his bed.

But since they were talking about a love letter, it was obvious he wrote another thing to someone else.

… surely…

They seemed to forget it after his denial. But Maya could see Phoenix wasn't so vivid as before as he seemed more thoughtful. She just hoped… he didn't get it the wrong way. Edgeworth perceived as well something was off and wondered if that impression of Phoenix avoiding him was just his imagination.

Then, the prosecutor looked at the couple at the other side of the table. Maggey and Gumshoe were having their talk in their own private world, laughing and agreeing about whatever it was they were talking about. That scene caught his curiosity.

"Why don't you make plans to put the detective together with Ms. Byrde?" He asked Kay, saying it in a low volume of voice so the others wouldn't hear.

She thought a little, taking a time to notice them. Then she shrugged and made an expression that suggested her answer was an easy and obvious one.

"Because he's at least trying to show he likes her. I believe Maggey already knows it. Maybe she's just reluctant because once he was her boss, but I think she likes him too. Way different than you two, always pretending nothing is happening and everything is just friendship. Just like in a fairytale. That's why we're always here trying to open your eyes."

That was really direct of her.

"Nick!" Maya's outburst made all the table shake. "There's the Steel Samurai Opening Song to sing! Let's do this!"

"Hah, call Edgeworth!"

"No."

"There's the Badger Theme Song too, pal!"

"Mr. Edgeworth!" Kay shouted and stood up in despair.

"I said no!"

"Oh, you're so mean! Hey Gummy, please come with me to sing the Badger Song!"

"Hey, but we have to sing Steel Samurai too!" Maya exclaimed childishly.

Edgeworth was really depressed about how their accompaniments looked as kids. Gumshoe and Kay were the first ones of the group to take on the line to sing, for the despair of everyone in the whole bar.

"Detective! Don't you dare coming back to that stage or I'll drop you salary for hurting my ears!"

Phoenix laughed a lot at his threat, what made the prosecutor instantly blush.

Later, Edgeworth realized once again Maggey being graceful with Gumshoe besides his terrible performance. How could he be ahead, doing those ridiculous things and having that dumb face when around her?

"Hey Maggey what do you want to drink? I'll pay it for you! Hehe"

What, he'll pay for her? With what money?

… But… he's still trying to show her his affections...

Edgeworth's analyses were interrupted by the sudden animation Kay demonstrated.

"Hey, there was even the Jammin Ninja's song in here! I just have to sing this!"

"Waitress!" Maya's voice stood out and mixed with Kay's "bring me 5 burgers! Ehehe"

Just… what a terrible nightmare this night will be…

When these two forget about singing stupid songs and consuming hamburgers… they'll do anything to make Wright and I…

He looked at Phoenix. He seemed beaten by the five burgers Maya asked in just one time and how much it would cost for their wallets. Then, Edgeworth stopped his thoughts. He turned his attention back to the stage were Kay was going to and put himself to think once again.

Am I pretending that nothing is happening between us?

Maybe I should change my point of view. I have to take the control of this situation. I should do things in my own way. And then, I can avoid their desperate attempts on getting us together.

So maybe… I should give the first step.

Yes, this is the most logical alternative to choose.

He looked determined to Kay and gestured to her to come closer.

"Will you sing with me, Mr. Edgeworth?"

"Definitely not. But well, how do I put this… there's something I have to ask you."

"Hmm? What do you want?"

"Well, you see… since you've been trying to help me with… that issue… and… you said I pretend things won't happen… then, help me tonight as well."

"Huh?"

"Do something to take everyone out of this table. Give me a chance to stay alone with him."

"Ehh? You? Asking me something like that? God, where's my phone? I have to film this!"

He gave her an icy look… More than feeling intimidated, she could see in his eyes he was insistent with that idea. She smiled confidently and put his mind at ease, being ready to do whatever she could to put Gumshoe and Maggey out of that place. A thumbs up was all he needed.

"She won't ask for burgers too, will her?" Phoenix asked, curious.

"No. She was trying to convince me to sing."

"Hah, it would be funny! You should try it so I can laugh at the scene!"

"I believe you have more talent to expose yourself to ridicule."

"Thanks, I guess?"

Edgeworth looked aside, seeing Kay and Maya discussing something near the karaoke stage. Soon, they came up with an idea.

"Hey Maggey look at this song!" Maya came all happily with the song list. "You know The Gavinners, that brand new band?"

"Huh… ?"

"They're not very famous but they'll rock on someday! They're marvelous, come on let's sing this! Gummy can film us! We'll be one of the first trios to sing their songs! It's a proof we're fans! We'll be famous in youtube, you'll like it, c'mon!"

It took a time to convince her to sing something she barely knew, but they managed to do it. Soon, there were just the attorneys there, just like he wished. Still, the situation got worse to deal with, since they were all by themselves.

If I do nothing… then I'll be running away from this.

"Are you having fun?" Phoenix was the first to break the silence, what at the start felt a little disappointing.

"Yes, surprisingly this is a good place to come."

"If we both stay away from those microphones, than it will be okay."

"Probably I'm not the most animated company, though."

"Of course you are. You don't have to drag me to sing, we can talk, even if just a little."

Edgeworth felt kind of relieved he wanted to talk with him even if it was brief.

"Well, which topic do you have in mind?"

He thought absentmindedly. The prosecutor wondered what was passing in his mind. Soon he could see Phoenix's eyes rolling and looking directly at him while still thinking. Soon, he let a smirk out.

"Is it really true? Are you seeing someone?"

"Well, I… would prefer if you didn't take those rumors for real."

"That's why I'm asking you instead."

Phoenix asked such an inconvenient question in a complete normal way. However Edgeworth's reluctance contained the answer to that question.

"You do like someone, don't you?" He somehow seemed happy to perceive that. "Is it Kay?" Too bad he couldn't see it was exactly for him.

"What? No, it's not her!"

"I wonder who this person is then. Is it someone I know?"

Why did I fell for this imbecile…?

Edgeworth got really disturbed by that situation. Damned rumors, what was he going to say? He couldn't hide his trouble when talking about that issue in that way.

"We don't have to talk about this if you don't want to. Whoever it is, I hope it works out!"

I should do something…I can't let this night end with this moron thinking I fell for someone else.

"So… Wright…"

"Hmm?" He was looking around the bar, but quickly turned his attention back to the friend he was next to.

"Choose something to drink. I'll pay it for you."

Wright stood in silence for some seconds before replying. Still, the prosecutor didn't know the look on his face. His eyes were focused at the menu since he was too nervous to look at him.

"Huh? What do you mean? Wasn't it the two of us who were going to pay?"

"That's correct, but… put another one in my count. Choose whatever you want."

Some other seconds passed until Phoenix's voice appears again.

"Then you'll choose something too!"

"What?" He immediately forgot his nervousness and put his eyes on Phoenix.

"That's not fair. I won't let you pay something for me if you don't let me as well."

Phoenix had a slightly irritated behavior, but when he realized Edgeworth looked at him, he smiled as kindly as ever. Miles couldn't stop blushing. He prayed the red lights covered it for him, or his feelings would be literally written in his face.

Maybe… Maybe he is returning my feelings? Or is he just being courteous?

Maybe he wouldn't just accept as a woman would.

Calm down, Miles… Think logically.

"Hmm, I know what I want already. Do you?"

The prosecutor had barely looked at the menu, so he quickly lifted up the one he was holding and reached the drinks page. His tension was completely visible.

"Hah, calm down Edgeworth! You don't have to hurry."

"But… I… don't even know if I want to drink anything and… besides, I was the one who offered and…" Edgeworth's voice gradually got lower than the karaoke and couldn't be heard at all.

"What?" Phoenix unwillingly approached the other a little, trying to hear what he was saying. But that move just made Edgeworth even more nervous.

Pull yourself together, damn it!

"Wright… for now just choose yours. I'll order mine later."

"Hmm, okay, but you certainly will choose something."

He ended up ordering a drink made with white wine. Edgeworth couldn't stop wondering if that was on purpose or if he really wanted that one.

"Hey! You should try this, it's really good."

Phoenix pushed the glass towards him. Edgeworth smirked.

"You're trying to impress me with a drink made with wine?"

"It is your fault I'm drinking it now. Just you wait, you just might become a fan of grape juice one day."

"No, you're absolutely wrong."

Phoenix for some reason stood still, looked at him and smiled, although his eyes were directed down later.

"What is it? You were expecting me to say I would enjoy it someday?"

"No, I was expecting exactly what you said. And I'm glad I guessed it."

"But it looks you're thinking more than just that."

"Yeah, you're right too…" He said, still with his eyes looking down and a smile that tried to be kind, but kept… bitter. "You know, I learned something with this trial we had. At the start, I felt something strange. When you were countering my arguments, I ended up being… kind of scared to go on. I thought I was intimidated by you, and I wondered why now if we faced each other so many times already. I even thought I was going to lose this case. But I was thinking and I guess I have an idea. I wasn't scared of you. Actually I didn't want to face you, to stand as your opponent. We're always being rivals, aren't we? I believe I felt like that because that time when you came to my apartment and gave me that letter, I realized how I missed being with you as a close friend, not as a rival."

"But you know this won't change. We'll always stand as rivals."

"Yeah, I know. Still, you don't let me fall. I couldn't wish for a friendlier rival! Maybe that's why I keep winning over you?"

"…Insolent…"

"Just kidding, Edgeworth. The point is… if we won't ever stop being rivals, I think we should spend more time as friends as well. Hmm… I hope I'm not being an idiot asking something silly like that…"

"No. You're not."

"I know you'll probably be busy with this love affair of yours, but I'll keep asking you to talk and drink some juice sometimes."

"… Indeed."

What would happen if he just knew…

Wright can read me so easily… he understands me so naturally.

Still, the thing I most wished he knew… he doesn't.

Even so, I don't know as well if he feels something. I wonder… if we both wished the same?

"Hey! C'mon, prove it." Phoenix made a signal towards the drink. "You're paying for this aren't you? Then I chose something it would seem you would like as well."

Edgeworth breathed deeply, with so many thoughts in his head and so many different feelings in his heart.

Phoenix smiled when looking at the glass. Then turned to Edgeworth which, forgetting his thoughts for some seconds gave it a try and took a sip of it. It tasted really good.

"Is it something you would choose?" Phoenix asked. He seemed curious to know if he was right about his tastes.

"It has a good flavor indeed. Now I know what… I can choose for you… next time."

"For me…?"

"I mean… if next time you want me to choose something like this for you… you just have to say it." Edgeworth said in a low volume, turning his eyes away while trying to recover his senses.

Phoenix kept those words in mind. Then with that careless way, he asked about the drink he would pay next.

"Do you want me to choose yours then? Remember I still owe you one. And I want to know what I should order for you next time as well."

Edgeworth perceived it was probably the night he most felt consumed by those feelings. Leaving the drinks aside, Phoenix's presence and his words were the most inebriating influences. What a crazy night… ending up talking about love with just that person while at the same time trying to show this person his own feelings. Edgeworth wondered if his efforts were enough to at least give him a hint that he was the one. That idea bothered him. He didn't want Wright thinking he was in love with anyone else. He wanted that he knew it, even if being scared of what would happen later. Somehow, it felt better. He believed he wouldn't be hated for that… he would be understood and at least they would still be friends. And in case their feelings were the same, then…

Those emotions raised in his chest with such strength it felt they were going to explode, as if they were going to overflow from his body somehow. How long Edgeworth would be able to hold that immeasurable passion only with him?

"Edgeworth?"

When he realized, Phoenix was leaning closer to his body, probably wondering why he suddenly stopped talking and started thinking so deeply. Phoenix still seemed to wonder what the other was thinking when seeing those wide, wide eyes that stood facing him for some time.

Does he… feel something?

"If you don't want me to choose it, that's okay…"

"No, please," Edgeworth said almost in despair, later talking calmly "I would be glad if you could… choose it for me."

Phoenix's expression lightened up. But when he decided to grab the menu and choose something, Edgeworth realized he would come back and get more distant again from his body.

And so, in an instinctive way to keep him closer…

Edgeworth held his arm and kept him there.

When Phoenix looked back, they had their faces much closer than they were used to. But he didn't do anything. He just stood like that, looking at the man in front of him and trying to understand just… what was going on there.

Phoenix had a lost expression. The firm grasp on his right arm didn't even matter at all. It was those deep, deep dark eyes glowing in red and blue lights that he felt crossing deep in his soul in a way he never felt before. He could see… Miles looked at him in a new way that seemed to call him closer, as if… those eyes wanted to stay like that for how much time needed. For all the time they had. No, even more than that.

Edgeworth soon closed his eyes in half. In a serene and tenderness atmosphere, all he wanted to do was admire Phoenix and the calm he had when being closer to him. Gradually, he loosed the grasp on that arm, grabbing just the cheap fabric of that blue, annoying suit, but that he loved so much because it was Wright's.

It was the first time he saw Phoenix with what seemed as a… nervousness just like his. A reddened face, just like he always stayed. So different, but so equal. Phoenix seemed like he wanted to say something, but the words were tripping somewhere and nothing besides those karaoke songs could be heard. Was that Maya's voice? It didn't matter.

All that mattered was… those eyes and that pale skin under those lights, close as they could almost share their warm and accelerated breath.

Edgeworth wondered if it was really the truth or if he was standing somewhere inside his dreams. His hand still held the blue fabric of that suit as much as he clanged to the hope that that moment in fact was real. Ah, Miles thought he would be so scared of saying it, but only then he realized how much he longed for that moment to come…

…The moment when those words left his mouth.

"When the time comes, what will you do? Will you look at him with that dumb, lost expression, without saying anything, and just wait for him to do something?"

His almost soundless voice mixed with the songs and noises from the world outside. Still, he didn't need to repeat it. Even if the whole sentence couldn't be heard, those few words Phoenix got in the air lingered on and on in his mind, even after their friends came back or until the whole night end.

For days and days, they stood marked in his memory.

Those two words he heard were more than enough to change everything from that moment on.

"You" and "Love".