Darkness was something Diego had grown rather accustomed to. For six long years he was submerged in a deep pit with little hope to see the light again. Perhaps that wasn't entirely accurate, though he did have a flair for the dramatic. Upon his return to the light, however, he struggled to claw his way out of the black hole that constantly attempted to drag him back down to the bottom. He had lost everything, but he hadn't been willing to give up just yet.

A prison sentence meant little to a man living on borrowed time; as far as Godot had been concerned he'd already been dead to the world. Dying in a jail cell would make little difference. Needless to say he was surprised when he not only served the extent of his sentence, but lived to make it out altogether. He didn't quite fade as quickly as he'd intended and it left him in a position.

Diego had worked tirelessly to get back to where he was. Getting reinstated wasn't easy, not with a felony and the other slew of odd circumstances he'd been involved with. But he had good people backing him; in particular one Mr. Marvin Grossberg (while he would have preferred to settle things on his own, Diego knew he was in a particularly tight spot and, Jesus, better Grossberg then Wright). He'd busted his ass getting his position back, getting his identity back. And while he may never be the same Diego Armando he once was, at least he'd made a start.

Despite all of his efforts, however, darkness still managed to shroud his vision.

In the literal sense, at least.

"Fuck."

It was nothing more than a hushed whisper as Diego, at first, lightly tapped at the side of his visor. For some reason it simply was not happy with him today. The couple of flickers he'd gotten midday should have clued him in (newsflash, it did, he was just stubborn) but he'd assumed it was a fluke and carried on with his work. Now the damn thing was cutting out altogether, leaving him literally in the dark.

"Come on." He had muttered, more aggravation in his tone, and now one hand braced it as the other gave it some firm taps. The red lights flickered a few times before their steady glow jumped back to life.

"There we go."

Satisfied with his attempts, he moved to check his phone which he had been neglecting. It seemed Maya had sent him a few messages at a glance. He quickly unlocked the device and pulled up their conversation. Just as he had begun to read the texts flickering interrupted his vision.

"Oh, come on now."

A lengthy sigh escaped Diego, one that tapered off into a groan. He slumped back in his chair, head cocked back to leave his gaze facing the ceiling (not that he could see much of anything). Although visually calm, he could feel the pace of his heart beginning to pick up in speed. He was alone in the office; getting himself home now could prove to be quite the challenge. That is, if he hadn't been expecting company. Though, the onslaught of messages caused him to question if that was still the case. He was sure he could figure something out, smack around the damn visor a bit more to get him to a cab at the very least.

"God-Diego?"

He swore he felt every single muscle in his body tense. He had expected company, just not from the likes of him.

Diego slowly shifted in his chair, his head readjusting and moving to face the general direction of the door; he'd worked here long enough to know at least that much.

"Wright." The name fell from his lips, some heat behind it though it certainly was much less from when they had first crossed paths.

"Sorry. It's kind of dark in the lobby, I didn't even know if you'd still be back here." The faint light under the door was the only reason Phoenix had entered.

"What are you doing here?" He was able to reorient himself while Phoenix was talking; make it more realistic.

"Sorry. I know you were expecting Maya. She had to rush home. She told me you had plans."

"If you consider walking her home plans." Diego cut him off.

"Yea, well, she wanted me to come over and let you know."

Diego rolled that idea around in his head, nearly hummed in response. He wanted to take a sip of his coffee but refrained so as not to grope around on his desk.

"So she had you come out of your way just to tell me that she wouldn't be stopping here?"

A hand rubbed at the back of Phoenix's neck and the sudden silence told Diego he had that stupid nervous grin on his face.

"Alright, she was worried. I told her I'd come over."

It was what Godot had thought, though it didn't make him feel much better about it. The idea of Maya worrying for him didn't sit well.

"I don't mean to overstep here, but are you okay Diego?"

That caused another shift; his arms crossed over his chest, the edge of his mouth twitching.

"Who's to say what okay truly means? What's dark and bitter-"

"Your visor is off."

"Hm?"

Phoenix was close to releasing a sigh of relief at the fact he'd managed to stop Diego before he was able to spout off some cryptic nonsense that he would subsequently be forced to try and decipher. In summary, he knew damn well Diego was attempting to underhandedly change the subject.

"Your visor, it's completely dark. I haven't seen it like that before."

Phoenix could see he caught him. Diego was quiet, his back pushing against his chair for a moment or so.

"It isn't always lit, Trite." Diego turned away from Phoenix, his hands planted on his desk as he reoriented himself to completely face the mess of paperwork he had been pulled from. "I do still have work I can get done, Wright. Thanks for stopping in on Maya's behalf but you can leave now."

Phoenix was much more stubborn that that. He knew it. Diego unfortunately knew it. But he also knew their relationship was a tumultuous one and hoped the other attorney would cut his losses and call it quits.

"Right." Diego had to admit he was surprised he'd relented. "I'll see you around, then."

He heard him turn, listened as the door creaked.

"Oh, by the way, Maya told me to give you this. Catch!"

Diego flinched. He hadn't spoken, no, but his hands rose, covered his face, waited to inevitably be hit by something but nothing came. He sat in that position for a few moments, a sudden heat rising as with each passing second no other noises arose.

"You didn't-"

"No, I don't have anything on me."

His hands fell, but the burning heat in his face certainly did not desist. Dammit. Had he seriously allowed Wright of all people to embarrass him?

"That's what I figured." Phoenix's voice was soft and Godot could hear he approached his desk.

"What?" Diego already knew the answer but he asked anyway. His voice betrayed him, that much was obvious even to Phoenix.

It would be a lie to say he wasn't surprised by the sudden pressure on his shoulder. Phoenix's hand squeezed if ever so slightly. He knew it was meant to be reassuring but it didn't help quell his displeasure.

"Do you have another one?"

Diego knew he was referring to his visor. He had thought of a few snide remarks. Yes, let me just whip out another high tech piece of equipment in my office at work. Alternatively, he could have followed it with another cryptic saying that could potentially get him off his back-literally and figuratively. Instead, he released a sigh and removed the hand from his shoulder.

"At home, sure."

"OK. Then let's get a move on."

"What?"

Again he found himself floored, but Phoenix seemed resolute.

"Well I doubt you're going to claw your way home. Come on, we'll go together."

Phoenix wasn't sure how he could have worded that better but he knew he didn't want to strike at Armando's pride. Any mention of help felt like it would light a flame under the other attorney and make him even more indignant. It was the best he could think of.

"Thanks," Diego began, and Phoenix knew this wouldn't lead anywhere productive. "But no thanks. I'm no charity case, Wright. If you're so dead set on helping the unfortunate there's a homeless shelter not far from here."

"Let's be reasonable, Diego." Phoenix was rather firm with that, enough so that he managed to catch his attention. "We're not superhuman. Everyone needs help every now and then. Besides, on a heavier note, if Maya found out I left you here like this she'd make my life miserable."

"How is that-"

"It's your problem because if she found out you denied my help she'd make your life equally as miserable."

Now that stopped him in his tracks. Phoenix could tell he really took that idea into consideration as silence fell over the two of them.

It was broken when Diego finally pushed away from his desk and stood himself upright.

"Alright, fine." He relented. "I was planning on heading home soon, anyway. No need to be difficult, Wright."

'You were the one being difficult.' Phoenix thought, though it soon dissipated as he watched the other attorney. He'd reached for his face and removed the now dark visor. If he were being honest, it truly floored Phoenix-if only for a moment. It had been a while since he'd seen his bare face; the other time being just after he'd been apprehended and even then it hadn't been a long period. It felt-off. Like this was not the same stubborn man when he could see those pale eyes. Meanwhile he couldn't pull his own off that thin scar traversing over the bridge of his nose.

"Quit staring at me like that."

Phoenix nearly jumped out of his skin when he was chastised. He swore he felt a heat rise to his face as well.

"I can still see enough to know you're giving me a look." Well, at least he'd assumed. He could see his general outline. The rest was just conjecture based on what he knew of Wright.

"Sorry."

Diego hummed in response to that apology especially so considering his hunch had been correct, meanwhile he carefully maneuvered around his desk and towards the coat rack he'd hung his jacket on. It was a calculated motion, one that had given him enough time to process just how naked he felt with his face out in the open; especially so considering the look he'd been receiving from the other attorney. The visor had never been particularly irritating; Diego had come to accept it rather quickly and he had learned to live with his new reality. He had always been a fighter and when he'd awoken from his coma that certainly had not changed. If anything, he had become even more steadfast in his ways. And yet now-now he couldn't help but feel exposed, especially so in front of Wright. That visor had become his new normal; it allowed him to be relatively normal. Though, when out of commission, it left him completely in the dark; quite literally. Uncomfortable or not he would simply have to suck it up as he would have preferred to have some sight even if it was blobs and shapes-that was better than nothing at all.

"Alright, let's go. I just have to lock up."

That was the cue for Phoenix to wait by the door and Diego soon followed. The lights were flicked off and the door was pulled shut. He pulled a set of keys out from his pocket, however, he was soon staring at the ring. The silence felt deafening.

"Do you need-"

"Silver key." Diego knew the question; cut him off before it could be finished because, God, this was demeaning enough. Despite such, he realized he needed to add: "I think."

Phoenix hadn't missed a beat, however. The keys had been offered to him, and there were a few silver keys on the ring. Phoenix tried one, two, the third entered the keyhole and the door clicked. It was then they were returned to their owner. He didn't mind helping out where it was needed, though he supposed it helped that Diego wasn't prodding and teasing. Truthfully, he had been slightly more amiable then when they had first crossed paths. Whether that was because of some internal realization or an external one (namely Maya), Phoenix wasn't sure, but he appreciated it nonetheless.

"We can just call a cab." Diego had mentioned as they exited the office building.

"How far do you live?" Phoenix questioned, meanwhile Diego had sent him a rather irritated look. It was funny how much more expressive he was without that visor covering half his face.

"It's about a fifteen minute walk." Phoenix could tell that his response was not only forced, but a hesitant one.

"What? Why are we taking a cab for a fifteen minute walk? That seems like a waste of money."

Oh. Right. Diego didn't particularly like him very much, did he? Still, his point stood that it seemed like a waste of money. Godot had heaved a lengthy sigh in response to that, and Phoenix watched as he shoved his hands in his pockets. Without another word he'd turned right and began walking down the sidewalk. Phoenix was quick to follow by his side, occasionally brushing shoulders as they went. It was a cool night; the wind swept past, causing for Phoenix to mimic the other as he slid his own chilled hands into his pockets. Diego's face was cold. Though, in retrospect, he thought that may have just been a mental game; the metal did very little to warm his face.

"So," Phoenix began, and he couldn't escape just how awkward it felt, "have you been doing well?"

"Are we really going to bore each other with small talk?" Diego was always so quick to shoot back. It was almost impressive if it wasn't always aimed towards Phoenix in particular.

"It's better than walking in silence." Although it was grumbled, he certainly made sure it was loud enough for Diego to hear.

Yet again he was sighing, and rather loudly at that.

"Fine. I've been doing fine." As fine as someone in his situation could be, anyway. "And the weather has been cold. But at least it's been dry." He droned sarcastically, meanwhile he was turning a corner. "Look, I get you're trying to get along but you don't have to like me, Wright. Even for Maya's sake. I appreciate the gesture but it's not necessary-"

A strong hand suddenly wrapped around his arm, stopping Diego mid-stride. He was then being slightly pulled back and he allowed it, taking a few steps backward to find himself side by side with Phoenix.

"I'm not putting on an act here, Diego. I'm trying-not for Maya, hell, not for Mia." He watched the Diego's expression momentarily shift with the mention of her; his lips twitched, eyes narrowed. "We have some things in common-I don't think it's terribly far fetched to assume we could get along. I don't think you're a bad guy, Diego. I'm genuinely trying here. If you don't want to I get it, but at least know that I'm not doing this to please anyone else. Besides, leaving you back in the office wouldn't have sit well with me personally. So if you could at least not be difficult for the rest of the walk I would appreciate it. You almost tripped, the sidewalk is uneven here." Hence the strong grip that was finally released.

Diego seemed pensive after that small speech he had just received. Phoenix watched him; he watched the miniscule movements on his face. The few seconds they stood there felt like centuries with Diego's hardened gaze set on Phoenix. After his brows knit together, he finally pulled away, and he was then focused on the ground below his feet, his body slightly angled away from the younger attorney.

"I'm sorry."

Phoenix was hit with a ton of bricks. For a moment he thought he'd imagined that phrase that had left the man's lips. Those were two words he'd never expected to hear from Diego Armando of all people. Quite frankly; Phoenix had given up on expecting apologies altogether. It wasn't often he received them and so it wasn't often he expected them, but especially so from a man such as this.

"Look, I know I'm not the easiest person to get along with-though that's not something that's ever been different. I know it wasn't your fault. What happened to Mia-Maya. That family." He cleared his throat after that, and his hand moved to rub at the back of his neck, fingers entwining in those white locks. "I blame myself. Partially. I just can't help but wonder how I had been so blinded by that girl." There was genuine frustration in his tone; he had underestimated someone he knew to be a cold blooded killer and he paid dearly.

"Yea. When I mentioned having some things in common. . ." Phoenix trailed off with that comment. He knew it was still something he struggled to talk about; it still burned him. He could tell the situation wasn't much different for Diego, even not being able to see the entirety of his face.

"Regardless. I shouldn't have pinned that on you. And I'm sorry."

He had time to think. Hell, he'd had a lot of time to think and somewhere, deep down, he always knew he was wrong to accuse Wright of such a heinous thing. There was nothing he could have one about Mia's murder, nor the events that seemed to constantly plague the Fey women. And, truly, Diego didn't know how much he could have done had he not fallen victim to Dahlia Hawthorne.

"It's okay."

It was Diego's turn to be surprised. He finally turned to face Phoenix, and for the first time he allowed his emotions to show plainly on his face.

"I wondered what I could have done differently for a long time. We were supposed to have dinner that night and I thought-well, if I had just been a little earlier-." Once again his mind was wandering and he'd lost the rest of his sentence. While years had passed, there was still a distinct sting. "Anyway, I can't even begin to imagine how hard it was for you after you woke up. I get it."

Diego felt a lump in his throat, and he couldn't fight the fact he suddenly felt the unwavering urge to cry. He was a full grown man, dammit, and he would absolutely be damned if he was going to cry in front of WRIGHT of all people, but it didn't stop the distinct stinging of his eyes, nor did it stop him from clearing his throat as a last ditch effort to keep himself under control. His arm rose, the back of his hand quickly wiped at his eyes. Jesus, what had gotten into him?

"Ah." A shaky, messy laugh had escaped past Diego's lips and he once more forced his now balled fists into his pockets. "I really need a cup of coffee." It was all he could think to say, and quite frankly, it was the best way he knew how to break the tension.

"Yea, it's getting cold. Come on." An arm was now looped around one of Diego's, however he couldn't bring himself to fuss much this time around. Instead, he allowed himself to be lead over the uneven pavement, occasionally taking the lead when the time came to switch directions.

This time around the silence felt a little less heavy. The walk wasn't at all a bad one, though once they reached the apartment, Diego was once more handing over his keys. It was, at the very least, a tad bit easier this time as he only had two copper keys hanging from his ring. The door was unlocked, and the pair quickly entered the home, relishing the warmth. The lights were flicked on, and without a word Diego disappeared, leaving Phoenix to his own devices. It was a nice place from what he could tell, well kept at the very least, though there was little of note. That was, until a shiny piece caught his eye.

"Don't break anything, Trite."

Phoenix swore he nearly jumped out of his skin; his head shot over to the other man and he was met with that familiar red glow. He didn't prod further, however, as it seemed he was almost instantly more interested in his coffee pot. That lead Phoenix to turn back to the item at hand and his attention was redirected onto the instrument before him.

"Hey, I didn't know you played the saxophone, Diego." The comment was idle, but it didn't mean Phoenix wasn't genuinely interested.

"Hm? Oh, yea. I used to play a lot before-" The accident? Jail? "I just picked it up again recently."

For some reason that really seemed to fit him.

"You know, I play the piano. It's a bit harder to keep up with, though. I mean, I can't really fit one into my apartment. I guess I could invest in a keyboard." He mused, more so to himself than anything.

The sound of brewing coffee had begun to fill the apartment as he began thinking of where to shove a keyboard in his home.

"Is that so?" Diego had an idea rolling around in his head.

With his back still to the other as he pulled a mug from the cabinet, he made one final remark on the subject.

"Well, if you ever do invest maybe we could play together."

Once more Phoenix was caught speechless. He couldn't help but stare at the back of Diego who seemed to be willfully avoiding a direct address. After a brief spell of silence, Phoenix could only find himself smiling in response; one that was a soft, knowing grin.

"Yea. I think I'd like that."