Chapter 10

Phoenix had gotten used to the surroundings inside Miles, thankful that the prosecutor's emotions were much less dark and despairing than when he first got stuck in here. Now, most of the time, things were grey and uncertain, all tinged with a side of worry. Not the best, but a certain improvement over the beginning of his stay. He wished that there was a way to communicate with Miles other than when he was sleeping, but no matter how much he yelled and screamed, there was just no response. He didn't have much time to think about it as the surroundings around him began to change. He figured that Miles must be having another dream, so this would be another chance to communicate with him.

He saw a house materializing around him, and soon he found himself inside a room that had a large desk and a lot of books. Looked like a nice place to study. Could this be back in von Karma's house in Germany again? Phoenix mused as he looked around the room some more.

Miles found himself sitting at the desk, recognizing it immediately as his private study as an older child. It was attached to his bedroom, separated by a thick wooden door. The room was furnished with a large desk, several bookcases, and a small table with two chairs. Despite being well aware that he was in a dream, and in the house in Germany, his first thought was to look for Phoenix. After all, he's only been able to see him in his dreams.

When Miles appeared in the room, Phoenix felt happy to see him. Unable to contain himself, he ran up and hugged him from behind, even if Miles was sitting in the chair at the desk.

Turning his head, the prosecutor seemed relieved to see the other. "Phoenix..." he said softly, unable to stand in their position.

Phoenix let go of him so that he could stand up properly, and then he pulled him into a proper hug. "I missed you...it gets lonely all by yourself in here..." Phoenix said softly into Miles' ear, squeezing tight.

"I know you're part of my dream, but that's an eerie thing to say," Miles mumbled softly, fairly melting into the embrace.

Phoenix didn't say anything else for a few more moments, just relishing in Miles' closeness, placing appreciative kisses up his neck until he could meet lips with him.

Miles kissed back softly, still emotionally reserved and distracted by his feelings. He sighed softly as they pulled away. "Why do I keep dreaming about you..?"

Phoenix smiled and replied, "I don't think you have a choice in the matter. As long as I'm stuck in here, I'll always be in your dreams. In fact, it's the only way I've been successfully been able to talk to you."

"..what?" Miles stepped back, looking confused. What was going on..? Why did Phoenix seem so sentient.

At this, the defense attorney took a more serious look and tone, putting his hands gently on Miles' shoulders, saying, "Okay, I know that this will be hard to believe, but I don't know how long your dream will last, so hear me out, okay?"

Miles shook his head. "I don't understand"

"W-when I found you...I knew that I had to help you before it was too late. I'd already tried to talk to you, but since you didn't want to talk...I resorted to much more desperate measures." Phoenix admitted, sounding sad, "I...I did something weird with the magatama, and now, here I am. I'm not sure why I'm still here, or how I can get back out, but maybe you can help me."

"The magatama? What... did you try to do?" Miles frowned, his brows furrowing. "You involved Derek. Andthe healing touch?"

"Yeah..." Phoenix said in in slight embarrassment, "I used the magatama, and then I asked Derek to use the healing touch before the chains closed over your heart. I figured I could be quick, but I took much longer than I thought, he passed out, and then I was trapped."

Miles shook his head. "That doesn't make sense," he smiled bitterly. "Of course, I'm dreaming..."

Phoenix felt a little frustrated that Miles wasn't believing him, but he supposed it'd be hard to really believe something that someone in your dreams told you. "Please tell Maya what happened...maybe she can figure out a way to help, since she'd know way more about the magatama than either of us."

Miles sighed, unsure of what to do. "I... Will speak with her on the matter," he agreed, not really wanting to outright tell Maya he was constantly dreaming of Phoenix.

Phoenix let out a relieved sigh that Miles at least listened to him. "That would help a lot, really." he said, giving him a small smile and another hug.

Miles nodded, unsure of what to say. If what dream Phoenix said was true, it was his fault that Phoenix was unconscious. So, through hating himself he'd been incredibly selfish, putting Phoenix in danger by isolating himself. He really could cause nothing but problems...

He felt Miles sort of slumping as the prosecutor thought more about what he'd told him, and Phoenix immediately felt bad for bringing down his mood at all. He'd done all of this to help him feel better, and even if things didn't really go according to

plan, his only goal being this. "Hey, really, it's okay..." he said, stroking Miles' hair softly, "It was my mistake to go forward with a plan that wasn't really well thought out. We just have to fix things now, that's all..."

"You always do act rashly," Miles said quietly, still feeling significantly disheartened. He was certain that if dream Phoenix was not real, this was his subconscious' way of letting him know that all of this really was his fault.

Phoenix had quickly realized that being inside Miles made him extremely in tune with all of Miles' emotions, and so he could tell that he was still feeling bad. "I mean it when I say that I'll always be here for you, no matter what. I don't care what you

say to me, you just won't be rid of me that easy!" Phoenix said, trying to say it in humor, but he meant every word with all his heart.

"I'm just... concerned," Miles started, staring down at the ground, "That we won't be able to remedy the problem in time..."

"I...kinda have the feeling that I'd be stuck here until we figure out what's keeping me in, so the upside would be that I'd never actually be leaving you." Phoenix said sheepishly.

Miles offered a slight half-smile. "Somehow, having you in your true form seems as if it's a better idea, to me."

"I totally agree...then we can talk whenever we want...right?" Phoenix said, sounding a little hesitant, but hopeful at the same time.

Miles nodded slightly, seeming a bit worried again. He couldn't forget what was going on in real life... and know that soon he would be alone again, with the other unconscious.

Phoenix decided to take advantage of Miles being a little more open and he softly asked, "You won't...shut me out anymore, right?"

The prosecutor look down to the side, a blush spreading across his cheeks. "I will... try not to..."

"Please..." Phoenix said meaningfully, touching his cheek.

Miles looked troubled, unable to meet the other's eyes. "I don't.. know if I can promise that."

The hurt was obvious in Phoenix's eyes, but he supposed that he couldn't really push Miles, especially when he didn't want to actively push him away. "Okay..." Phoenix said softly, his fingers curling a little tighter against his cheek before he pulled back.

Uncomfortable, Miles turned and walked back to the desk, sorting through familiar books for something to do. A wave of depression washed over him, and he fought with his emotions for a long moment before speaking again. "I said that I would try."

Phoenix also felt Miles' surge of depression and he immediately felt guilty. He couldn't make Miles feel bad at all when he'd already reached the end of his rope once. He walked back up to Miles and enveloped him back in his arms and he whispered, "I'm sorry...I believe you...I'm sorry." He hugged him tighter, trying to win him over with sheer enthusiasm.

Miles actually relaxed into the embrace, though he was still fighting his feelings. He did not want to be too emotional - it was embarrassing. But the feeling of Phoenix embracing him tightly, trusting him, wanting to help after all he'd put him through. It was enough to make his hard exterior crumble.

Phoenix stroked Miles' hair, feeling him calming down, and he didn't say anything for a few moments, just enjoying and treasuring the closeness.

"So... you... wanted me to tell Maya about this..?" Miles questioned quietly, not really looking forward to that. He'd looked crazy in this situation a few too many times already.

"Yes, she'd be able to help us. I'm sure of it." Phoenix said certainly, giving Miles a soft kiss on the neck.

Miles sighed, nodding slightly. He supposed it would have to happen, if only to lay his conscience to rest. He felt himself starting to fade, and looked back to meet eyes with the other again, highly aware that he was, in fact, dreaming - a recurring trend since Phoenix had been hospitalized. "I think... I am waking up," he said, feeling almost disappointed.

"I'll be here...I'm here..." Phoenix said softly, squeezing him one last time before everything faded away once more.