To Offer a Hand, To Forge a Bond

Mia heard the familiar ringtone of Diego's phone. The chair shuffled behind her as Diego stood up and turned towards her. "Sorry, I've got to take this," he apologised as he moved away from Mia, making sure she was out of ear shot before he answered. Mia knew that she shouldn't get herself involved with Diego's affairs. If it was about a case or anything to do with the firm, then he wouldn't need to leave. She could simply ask him and if it was personal, he would say. Instead she returned to her work and waited patiently. Diego would tell if it was something important. As she continued her work, she heard Diego returning to his chair and grabbed his coat which was resting. "Is it okay if I bring someone here?" He asked Mia.

"I guess? We don't exactly have a case but is everything okay?" Mia asked as she watched Diego move towards the door. He glanced back at her with a smile and nodded.

"I think you'll like the tyke, I'll be back in a minute," Diego left the office, Mia huffed but smiled.

Ace Attorney – To Offer a Hand, To Forge a Bond

Diego stepped outside and was quickly assaulted by the bitter cold. The wind was bitter as Diego made his way towards the nearby park where he would be meeting the little tyke. Night was already creeping in the sky, the once pale blue sky had turned a vibrant orange with a nice purple and pink mixed in. Diego would have appreciated the sky if he had the time but he knew he couldn't dawdle for too long.

As he approached the park he glanced around to try and find the one who called him. Wasn't on the slide, the jungle gym but rather they were sitting on the swings, a bag was on their back meaning that they didn't have any intention on returning home. Diego frowned as he approached the swings and took the swing next to the person. "So, what happened this time, tyke?" Diego asked.

"My guardians are fighting again…" Phoenix admitted to Diego.

Diego felt a spark of rage burn within himself hearing that. He was aware that Phoenix didn't have the best home life, shipped from one set of guardians to the next set of guardians and always returned to the orphanage. It had happened so many times in Phoenix's life that it was clear he was giving up on finding a family who would take him in permanently. How Phoenix couldn't find the right guardians, Diego didn't know. Sure, Phoenix seemed to draw trouble to him but that shouldn't deter others from adopting Phoenix. Maybe Diego himself should adopt Phoenix? Would Phoenix even like that? Well, now was not the time or place to think about that. "Know what they're fighting about?" Phoenix shook his head. "How long before you're back at the orphanage?"

"Another few days before the trial is over, after that the decision is made."

"Keep me informed, okay?" Diego asked.

"Yes sir," Phoenix spoke cheerfully for the first time since Diego had arrived at the park.

"Come on, let's get out the cold before you catch one," Diego stood up from the swing and smirked with Phoenix did the same. "I'm taking you back to the office."

"The office?"

"Yeah, I'm still supposed to technically be at work but there's no way in hell I'll let you stay out here. Who knows what'll happen to you? I see your bag too." Phoenix's grip tightened on his bag.

"It's just the essentials…toothbrush, toothpaste, some soap, school-work, current book I'm reading…"

"A quick get-away bag…" Diego asked as he started to escort Phoenix to the office. Phoenix nodded and didn't say anything else. He didn't say if he had pyjamas or not in there or even a change of clothes…no, that bag must have spares of both. The bag was large enough for that after all. "Resourceful, aren't you?"

"You learn to become resourceful when you're passed from couples to couples. If only I could have saved my real parents from the fire…"

"Did you cause the fire?"

"No!"

"You got out and called for help, didn't you?"

"Y-yeah!"

"Then you did everything you could." Diego approached Phoenix and crouched down to his level, Phoenix looked away from him, the look of shame clearly present on his face. "You were six when it happened, right?" Phoenix nodded. "And you're fourteen now, correct?" Another nod, "have you talked to a child therapist?"

"Child…therapist?" Phoenix tilted his head confused.

"You're making me want to adopt you, you know that kid?"

"Would you really?" Diego could see the spark of hope in his eyes. Maybe he'll adopt this kid after all. Maybe he'll get along with Maya when Mia brings her over to escape from her training once a while.

"Hell yeah I would!" His decision was final. He was going to look into adopting Phoenix. The young man would get exactly what he needed. "Come on tyke, to the office. I'd like you to meet Mia."

Ace Attorney – To Offer a Hand, To Forge a Bond

"Phoenix, you look fine," Diego commented as Phoenix redid his tie for the umpteenth time while standing in front of a mirror. Phoenix was nervous, this would be his first-time meeting Maya and he wanted to make a good impression. She was only seven years younger than him and he'd been warned that Maya could talk and talk about a show called the Steel Samurai, something Phoenix had only seen a couple of episodes of when he was in the orphanage. Technology wasn't his strongest suit, having a very basic phone which just allowed him to contact Diego or Mia if needed. His typing was slow but he was getting better the more he typed. He preferred to go outside and be active rather than watching TV or surfing the internet if he could. Diego had gotten him a bicycle as a first present, allowing him to get to school, Fey and Co. Law and home at a reasonable time.

"Dad, what if she makes fun of me?" Phoenix asked.

"It's only been three months and I'm still feeling pride whenever you call me 'Dad'," Diego laughed as he ruffled Phoenix's hair. Phoenix made a strange noise as he batted Diego's hand away.

"I spent what feels like hours working on it…"

"Phoenix, your hair is naturally spiky, all you're doing is making your hair a deadly weapon with the gel."

"Hair can't be used as a…" Phoenix paused. "That…hadn't happened, right?"

"Hair used as a weapon? Only in the movies, kid." Phoenix muttered something under his breath as he tamed his hair once more. "You look fine." Diego pulled Phoenix away from the mirror and pushed him out the house and towards their car. Soon enough they were on their way towards a small café where Mia was probably waiting for them.

Parking the car, Diego and Phoenix left and walked towards the café to find that Mia and Maya were already waiting for them. Diego pointed towards Phoenix as Mia gave them a questioning gaze. She smiled and shook her head but they could both tell that she was impressed with how Phoenix had dressed. "You clean up very good, now Wright, meet Maya," Mia gently pushed the young spirit medium towards Phoenix.

"Hi!" Maya beamed at Phoenix as she held her hand out towards him. With a warm smile, Phoenix reached for Maya's hand.

"Pleasure to meet you, Maya Fey."

Thanks for reading~