Let's finish this up! Ugh, I'm gonna miss working on this fic. It was short, but definitely a lot of fun to write! I hope you all like it!
"I'm in love with Maya."
The words floated out of his mouth so naturally, Phoenix Wright was sure that they were true. That doesn't mean he felt confident saying them, especially when Iris's face plummeted. He apologetically stammered, "I'm in love with Maya Fey and I don't think I can change that."
"I… see." Iris smiled sadly. She had every right to be angry, or hideously upset, but instead she stated, "I suppose I should've seen this coming."
Guiltily, he started, "Honestly, Iris you're a great person-"
"I understand, Feenie. It's for the best." Despite his rejection, Iris still maintained an angelic smile, asking, "Do you know if she likes you?"
"No," he admitted sheepishly. It made him feel stupid, confessing that he was leaving Iris to chase after a possibly unrequited love.
The temple nun just shook her head. "Don't worry. I'm certain that she does." With a nod, she finished, "I wish you both the best."
Phoenix couldn't bring himself to meet her eyes. He felt like it might've been easier if Iris had been outraged, instead of taking it so calmly. It was utterly heart-wrenching. "I'm so sorry, Iris. This must really sting."
"It does. A lot, actually. But… I've been taught to gracefully accept that some things are just not meant to be."
He tried to interject that saying that wasn't helping his crushing sense of wrongfulness, but she stopped him with an outstretched hand. "I'll get over it, Feenie, don't concern yourself with me. You should be focused on dealing with Mystic Maya! She's waiting in the lobby, is she not?"
This time, his face fell. "Oh shoot, right! I'd forgotten about that."
Iris giggled at his sudden faltering. "You should go to her, and tell her how you feel. That's the best advice I can give."
Phoenix smiled. "Thank you, Iris, for being so accepting."
"Thank you for considering my proposal at all," she offered, waving as he rose from his chair to leave. "And Feenie?" Halting, Phoenix turned back slowly to face the tranquil prisoner. "Next time you come to visit me, bring Mystic Maya, too. Oh, and little Pearl! Maybe she'll stop hating me, when you and Mystic Maya are together."
The defense attorney nodded. "I hope so. Goodbye, Iris."
"Farewell, Phoenix Wright."
They left each other without another word. Phoenix was relieved at how well it had seemingly gone, but was still worried, knowing that most of his troubles lied ahead.
Upon entering the detention center lobby, Maya was still sitting there, waiting, her head in her lap. Phoenix tried to stay calm, keeping the most neutral tone as he could while beginning: "Hey."
His assistant stood up to greet him. "Oh, Nick! How did it go?"
She met him with the same enthusiastic smile as always, but something was different. Upon meeting her eyes, he noticed they were red and hazy. It didn't take much to notice how strained her excited expression was.
Concerned, Phoenix asked, "Maya… were you crying?"
That was all it took. She broke down. "I… I'm so sorry, Nick. I couldn't help it." A fresh wave of tears ran down her cheeks. "What I was trying to tell you earlier is that I love you!"
His eyebrows shot up. "You… love me?"
"I know, I know I'm the worst! Of all the times to tell you, it has to be right after you get together with my cousin, of all people. I was going to tell you beforehand, 'cause I thought maybe… No, it's not like knowing that would've changed your decision, anyway, since it's just frumpy old me, but… I really do care about you a lot. It's super selfish of me, crying like this when I should be happy for you, for both of you, but… But-"
"Shhh." He held a finger to her trembling lips. "It's okay, Maya. It's okay."
She half-smiled, wiping her eyes dry. "I suppose I can't exactly suggest that we go get burgers now, huh."
"You could," he countered. "I'd say yes, too."
Maya gave him a skeptical look. "Because I'm your best friend?"
"Because I love you too, Maya Fey." With that, he planted a gentle kiss on her forehead, explaining, "I said no to Iris, because even if she's nice and pretty, she isn't you. No one is."
"N-Nick!" Shocked, her hand flew to her mouth. "You said no, just because of me? You're crazy!"
He shrugged. "I've done crazier things, when it comes to you."
That got a laugh out of Maya. She was still crying, but now mostly out of surprise and joy. Softly, she smiled at him and whispered, "You've always come to save me, time and time again."
"That's 'cause I'm completely lost when you aren't by my side," Phoenix replied, approaching her at a steady pace. Then, he rested his hands on her hips, lifting her up so he could finally unite their eager lips in a passionate embrace.
When he put her back down, Maya pouted with a chuckle. "Hey! You didn't need to pick me up, I'm not THAT short!"
Phoenix rubbed his spikes with a playful grin. "I don't know, you seemed to have some trouble reaching. Should I fetch you a step-ladder for next time?"
"Ladder, Nick, it's just a plain ladder!"
"You're ridiculous."
She responded by kissing him again, reaching up to run her fingers through his well-kept hair. It was everything she thought it would be. The pair got so caught up in each other, they almost didn't notice when the lobby door suddenly burst open, revealing their make-out session to a pair of prosecutors and one beaming little girl.
Franziska smirked. "Told you."
"MYSTIC MAYAAAAA!" Pearl exclaimed, charging the startled couple and tackling her cousin in a hug, "I knew it! I knew that Mister Nick was your special someone, and he just needed to figure it out!"
Phoenix sighed, "Thanks, Pearls. I'm glad you've always known how utterly clueless I was."
"Honestly, Wright, it didn't take much to know that," Edgeworth added with a smirk.
"And enter the condescending prosecutor," the defense attorney mused, before raising an eyebrow at Franziska. "Or I guess, prosecutors?"
"Oh Mister Nick, it was so lovely!" Pearl gushed, "I got to eat some yummy ice cream and talking about love with Mister and Missus Edgeworth!"
The room fell silent, as Franziska von Karma turned a color ten shades darker than her lover's suit.
Maya stifled a laugh. "Mrs. Edgeworth?"
"It has a nice ring to it," Miles decreed, taking his girlfriend by the hand and kissing her on the blushing cheek.
"But there's no ring on it, right?" Phoenix implored, tapping his ring finger.
"Not yet," Edgeworth countered, speaking more to Franziska than to the questioning defender. The woman barely managed a silent "fool" before he went in for her lips.
"See?" Pearl enthused, pointing to the lip-locked prosecutors, "That's how you're supposed to be like! Do that, Mister Nick!"
Maya beamed mischievously at her lover. "Well, Nick? Should we give Pearly what she wants?"
"I have no objections," he declared, pressing their lips together for a final passionate time.
And thus Pearl Fey stood in the middle of it all, surrounded by smooching lovebirds, fangirling as hard as one could. As the girl clutched her cheeks, she could only think that this must be what heaven felt like.
Phoenix Wright and Maya Fey couldn't have agreed more.
THE END
And done! Once again, this fic was dedicated to the lovely Boo2020, whose work you should definitely check out if you're looking for more Phaya! Once again, thank you so, SO much to all of you who supported me, especially to those of you who gave reviews: Inevitable Farwell, JusticeForNoOne and of course the wonderful JP!
Now, unfortunately I don't know what I'll be working on next at this point, and it might end up being a while until I can post again. Please know, though, that I am still active and will always be back to post more Ace Attorney! Thank you for reading!
- Sebastian0001
