Author's Note: Okay, guys. I must say, I am a little disappointed by the lack of response this fic has received. You guys were all so supportive and enthusiastic the first time round, so it's a bit disheartening to see that no one's really enjoying it the second time round. BUT, I'm updating this today because of 'CloudHop' (I hope you're still reading this, CloudHop, otherwise I'm making a fool out of myself, haha), because of their lovely review (: Thank you.
Ooh, also, I decided to add some extra chapters in, because even if you guys aren't enjoying it, I sure am! (That's so sad. I need a life.) I'm only going to say one word: Sleepover. (:
Okay, so, if you read this PLEASE review, because updates might not happen as often otherwise. That's not blackmail, that's just me resigning and updating other fics :/
~Rainbow Fruit Loop xx (Long author's note is loooong! And it's just me ranting about nothing.)
~Irresistible Love and the Turnabout~
Chapter Three.
Miles raised his eyebrows as the waitress arrived with the two pizzas. He had to admit; they were far larger than he was expecting. Phoenix, of course, let out a delighted 'whoop', and immediately reached for the slice closest to him.
"I think, perhaps, we could have shared a pizza." Miles murmured to himself, watching as the waitress scribbled something on the piece of paper that she had had tucked into her waistband.
Miles watched curiously as she turned to Phoenix and handed him the paper.
She leant in close - too close for Miles' comfort, though he really wasn't sure why it bothered him. "It's my number," she told Phoenix when he raised an eyebrow at her. "Call me, if you'd like a good time."
"Ah, all right. What's your name?" Phoenix asked, seemingly not bothered by the - admittedly pretty - girl's close proximity.
"Natasha." A swish of her golden hair released the scent of strawberries, and Miles resisted the urge to gag.
"That's a pretty name." Phoenix treated Natasha to his heart-melting smile, folded the piece of paper up and slipped it into his pocket. "A pretty name for a pretty face."
That is disgusting. Is that the type of person he wants me to become?
Miles looked down at his pizza and tried to imagine that he was anywhere but at 'Angelo's Pizza Restaurant' with Phoenix.
After a few more giggles and hushed words, Natasha left with a wink of her heavily made-up eye and a swish of her impossibly long hair.
Phoenix smirked at Miles.
"What?" he asked after he noticed Miles' disgusted expression; a second slice of pizza halfway to his mouth. "Don't judge me."
Miles rolled his eyes. "I'm not talking about the pizza. What did that girl want?"
Phoenix grinned through a mouth full of tomato-y dough. "A good time."
"Please, Wright. Eat with your mouth closed. You're repulsive."
Phoenix shrugged, and swallowed heavily. "Sorry."
The two sat in silence for a few minutes, before Miles spoke up again.
"Are you going to call her?"
I don't know why this girl is bothering me so much.
Phoenix put down his pizza, wiped his hands on his jeans, and pulled the piece of paper from his pocket.
He placed it flat on the table, and both men stared at it.
"Call me if you want a little fun. I can give you the time of your life. - Natasha x"
The girl's number was below, and the paper was adorned with hearts of various sizes.
"Signed with a kiss?" Miles raised an eyebrow, and pushed the paper towards Phoenix.
"Yeah, well. You win some, you lose some." Phoenix crumpled the paper up, and pitched it into a nearby bin, only to do a silent cheer when it flew in.
"So, you're not going to call her." Miles repeated, trying to make sense of the situation.
I thought that Wright would want a 'little fun'.
"Of course not." Phoenix looked a little insulted. "What do you take me for?"
"Well, I just thought… She was young, attractive, and obviously… willing." Miles tried not to say the word with too much disdain.
"A little bit too willing, I'd say." Phoenix muttered. "Probably throws herself at anything that breathes. And I'd probably end up involuntarily paying for it."
Miles cringed, not liking where the conversation was going.
"And, besides. Did you see how much makeup she was wearing? Nah, not my type. I actually like knowing the person before I sleep with them."
Miles nodded slowly, and tried not to focus on the fact that Phoenix had not clarified 'woman', and had instead left it as a general 'person'.
Like it affects me…
"Why did you take her number, then?" Miles asked, genuinely curious. "Why did you not just tell her that she's not your type, and that you would appreciate it she left you alone?"
"Because then I would look like a jerk." Phoenix shrugged, as though the thought had not occurred to him.
"Of course." Miles glanced over at the amount of pizza that Phoenix had left, and certainly wasn't surprised to note the lack thereof.
He still had three pieces, and he wasn't sure that he was going to be able to finish it.
"Well, that was good." Phoenix hummed appreciatively, and leant back against the cushioned seat.
"Are you still hungry?" Miles asked.
"There's always room for dessert." Phoenix grinned his adorable smile, and Miles wondered why he had been treated to the heart-melting grin.
"…You want me to buy you ice cream, don't you?" Miles sighed heavily, though it was more of a 'what am I going to with you' sigh, and less of a 'you're a pain' sigh.
"…Yeah. If you're willing, of course." Phoenix smiled again, his eyes drifting to the 'Ice Cream' heading of the menu lying on the table.
"Fine, fine. Tell me what you want."
After giving him the necessary instructions, Miles sauntered up to the counter to order the ice cream. He couldn't help but to glance back at his friend, and the sight almost made him smile.
Phoenix was such a lovable person, Miles had noticed. He was all big grins and warm eyes and soft words.
Perhaps forgetting this whole 'find your other half' idea and taking Wright instead wouldn't be such a bad idea. I think I could cope with people thinking that we were… together.
What am I saying? That would be a horrible idea, and we would both feel awkward.
Another look at Phoenix made Miles remember the words he had uttered just half an hour before.
Bringing Miss Hawthorne into the discussion really was low of me. I know that he loved her, and I should respect that. But why does it make me feel so… bizarre? Why does the thought of him with someone else make me feel as though I have been betrayed?
Before his thoughts could drift off into an even more dangerous area of his mind, Miles was interrupted by the monotonous voice of the man behind the counter.
He ordered the correct ice cream sundae, and walked back over to where Phoenix was amusing himself with a napkin.
"Must you be so immature in public?" Miles asked with a sigh.
"But of course. I like to think of my immaturity as an adorable and completely innocent trait." Phoenix grinned. "Thanks for ordering the sundae."
"No problem. It'll be here in a minute."
There was a comfortable silence as Phoenix finished his napkin masterpiece - it was a paper plane, Miles thought - before he discarded it and eyed Miles curiously.
I don't like that look, Wright…
"Do you want me to teach you how to hold hands? It's an art, you know."
Miles smirked. "No. Definitely not. I am not a complete idiot. I do know how to hold hands. It's hardly rocket science."
Phoenix returned the smirk, and held his hand out across the table. "Yeah?"
Miles looked at the offered - surprisingly large - hand and shook his head.
"Absolutely not."
Phoenix raised an eyebrow. "Scared of a little physical contact, huh, Edgeworth?"
Miles sighed inwardly. "Not scared, no."
I would prefer to use the word 'disgusted'.
Phoenix wiggled his fingers invitingly. "I don't bite. Unless you want me to." He winked seductively, and Miles shuddered.
With a disgusted glare at his friend and another sigh, Miles admitted defeat, and reached out to clasp Phoenix's warm hand. His long, elegant fingers entwined around Phoenix's, slotting together perfectly - a little too perfectly, Miles thought uncomfortably.
He's got artist's fingers.
"Really not that hard." Miles said pretentiously, making to release his grip.
"Nuh uh, Edgeworth," Phoenix held on tightly, his thumb making slow, soothing circles into the tender skin of Miles' palm.
Miles shifted awkwardly; Phoenix's gentle, yet completely unabashed caress making him squirm. The feeling that the touch had inspired in his stomach was entirely alien, and he found that, strangely, he wasn't completely hating the sensation.
What are you doing to me, Wright?
"I-I think you should stop now, Wright." Miles managed to choke out, cursing himself for his inevitable red face. "You've done enough."
Phoenix ignored Miles' desperate plea for freedom. It seemed as though he was off in his own little world - oblivious to the reality around him. The caress became subtly softer - a whisper of a touch ghosting along his hand.
They fell into a deep silence; a timeless, yet pleasant silence. Were minutes actually hours? Or perhaps mere seconds? After a while, the feel of Phoenix stroking across his palm stopped being bizarre and unfamiliar, and, with a slight feeling of both panic and shock, Miles realised that he was enjoying the contact.
Perhaps physical contact isn't too bad. Perhaps there is actually a reason why this intimacy is so desired.
A blatant cough brought both men from their thoughts. Natasha stood at the foot of the table, an ice cream sundae in one hand, the other clamped over her mouth in a vague attempt to stop her already shoulder-shaking giggles from erupting full-force.
Miles yanked his hand away from Phoenix's warm grasp with an unnecessary force.
For God's sake. That was subtle, Miles. Exceedingly subtle. Why couldn't I just leave our conjoined hands alone? No, I had to go and make our intimacy just that much more obvious. Jesus Christ, Wright. I blame you.
Natasha passed Phoenix his sundae, and turned and returned to the counter without a word; her shoulders still shaking as she suppressed her laughter.
What is it with women? Even if we were holding hands in a… pleasurable way, it would certainly have been none of her business.
After a few seconds of awkward silence, Miles make the mistake of looking Phoenix in the eye.
There was something that he hadn't seen before in those crystal eyes, and Miles didn't know what it was. It seemed like a confused sort of longing, but, of course, Miles had to be wrong. He had never been good at reading people or their emotions, but this look in Phoenix's eyes made him doubt things about himself that he certainly didn't want to resurface.
Miles swallowed the lump in his throat. "Why didn't you explain that we're not actually a couple?" he hissed instead, willing the brightness in his cheeks to subside.
Phoenix, who didn't seem at all perturbed by the situation, shrugged. "What did you want me to say? 'Hi, this is my friend Edgeworth. I'm teaching him how to hold hands because he's never done it before.'"
Miles scowled, folding his arms across his chest by way of reply, and gave Phoenix's untouched sundae a pointed look. Phoenix grinned and reached for the spoon before plunging into the mass of slick white ice cream with an eager haste.
"At least now you know how to hold hands." Phoenix commented between mouthfuls. "Good for you."
Miles scowled. "Perhaps you could have told me what I was doing wrong, instead of demonstrating. My humiliation could have been avoided that way."
"Maybe." Phoenix agreed. "But your humiliation is just so funny to watch!"
Miles shot Phoenix a look that, hopefully, the idiot would recognise as an unimpressed glare.
Phoenix, being Phoenix, ignored the look, and hummed in appreciation. "This is a great sundae," he commented. "Do you want to try it?"
"Not particularly, no." Miles muttered, surreptitiously glancing at the too-glitzy golden clock that hung on the wall behind Phoenix.
"Come on. It's vanilla. With chocolate sauce!" Phoenix enthused.
"Okay, fine." Miles admitted defeat, his long fingers reaching out to grasp the chilled glass. It was only when he had already taken a mouthful of the ice cream that he realised that the two men had shared a spoon.
His saliva was on the spoon. Now, mine is too. That's definitely got to be unhygienic.
He passed the ice cream back across the table with a muttered, "Not bad", before glancing back at the clock.
"I had better be going, Wright. It's getting late."
Phoenix swallowed heavily, and frowned. "Really? Already?"
Miles raised an eyebrow at his - what were they, exactly? Were they friends? Rivals, perhaps? Colleagues? - associate, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.
"Yes. I have work to do, unlike you. Am I correct in presuming that you're not going to do anything once you get back to your office?"
"You know me too well, Edgeworth." Phoenix smiled his absolutely stupid grin, and, just for a second, Miles felt a stab of half-veiled affection for the defence attorney.
I need to leave. Now. Before anything gets out of hand.
"Let's go, then." Phoenix said, standing up. "I'll walk with you to your car."
Hoping to catch a ride, Wright?
After paying the necessary amount for the meal to a woman who, thankfully, wasn't Natasha, the two stepped outside of the restaurant and onto the unsurprisingly crowded street.
"Where's your car parked?" Phoenix asked, quickening his pace to keep up with Miles' fast strides.
"Around the corner."
"Ah. That's where the bus stop is. You chose a good place to park."
"You want me to drop you off, don't you?" Miles sighed as the two weaved their way through the leisurely people lingering on the streets.
Phoenix was walking close, Miles noticed. Possibly too close, possibly not. Perhaps the innocent brush of shoulders, elbows, or fingers didn't bother Phoenix - for he, after all, did not have an incomprehensible phobia about physical contact.
But what bothered Miles more than the brief flickers of gentle pressure on his arm was the fact that, for the second time that day, Phoenix was touching him and he didn't hate it.
It's nothing. I'm fine. Aren't I? Of course I am.
Perhaps I'm ill. No, that's nonsense. I haven't been ill in years. Then why do I feel so… light headed? Is this you, Wright?
…Stop it, Miles. It's nothing. You're being stupid. He's not even that close anyway.
"Oh, how kind of you to offer, Edgeworth!" Phoenix commented joyously, bringing Miles from his stupor. "Such a gentleman."
Miles narrowed his eyes at the blissfully unaware lawyer at his right. "So I've been told."
"Where do you want to be dropped off?" Miles asked as his car pulled out from its park.
"My flat, please." Phoenix replied. "I'm too tired to do any work now."
Miles rolled his eyes, and the two drove in a peaceful silence; the only noise being the quiet whisper of Miles' radio.
"What are we listening to?" Phoenix asked a few minutes later, reaching forward to turn the music up. "I don't understand any of it."
"That's because it's in German." Miles sighed.
"Oh, right!" Phoenix chuckled to himself. "Is this that band that performs songs in both English and German?" he enquired.
"I believe so. They're called 'The Gavinners.'"
Phoenix nodded; evidently impressed by the fact that someone could possibly know more than one language at a time, and glanced out of the window.
"Do I turn left or right here?" Miles asked as the car approached an intersection.
Phoenix narrowed his eyebrows. "Right. No- left." He edited his comment hastily.
Miles turned to raise an eyebrow at Phoenix. "Surely you know which direction your flat is."
Phoenix shrugged. "Usually I'm on the bus at this point, and all I know is that I pay far too much to get driven to a bus stop a few metres from my apartment."
"Well, perhaps in the not-so-far future you should learn directions to your flat. It's really not that hard." Miles commented slightly arrogantly.
"Maybe. But I'll manage either way."
After a few more minutes of driving, Miles came to a stop outside of Phoenix's apartment.
"Here we go." Miles said, turning his head towards Phoenix with a silent urge of get out now.
"Thanks for dropping me off, Edgeworth." Phoenix said, grinning his lopsided smile. "Definitely better than taking the bus."
Miles noted that he made no move to get out of the car.
"You're welcome. Thank you for, er, teaching me how to hold hands." He cleared his throat self-consciously.
"No problem! I enjoyed it!" Phoenix enthused.
Miles raised an eyebrow.
Did he just…?
"Uh, not specifically the holding hands part, but just spending the day with you." Phoenix clarified after a second's thought.
"I'm sure that's what you meant." Miles smirked to himself, enjoying watching Phoenix squirm.
"I did!" Phoenix protested weakly, a hint of a smile on his lips. "Trust me; you'd have known if I had enjoyed it."
Miles scowled at Phoenix, who looked delighted at having made Miles uncomfortable.
"Well, as pleasant as this conversation about you and your… enjoyments is, I think you should get out of the car." Miles said, as polite and friendly as ever.
However, it was horrifically difficult to offend the defence attorney, so Phoenix merely shook his head in response.
"I'm leaving, I'm leaving. But, before I go, did you want to have another meeting?" he asked.
Miles pondered for a minute. He hadn't learnt anything all day - it had all been a massive waste of time. He had been ridiculed, embarrassed in public, and forced to think about things that - as a rule - he preferred to ignore.
On the other hand, though, he really did need to learn how to obtain a partner, and who better to teach him than Phoenix? Surprisingly, he had enjoyed the company of the man beside him, yet was it really worth it? A brief flicker of actual socialization with someone he didn't want to shoot most of the time, but with the side effect of having hours worth of work to catch up on? He knew that he wouldn't be leaving his office until much later that evening.
However, Miles soon found himself sighing. "I believe that your advice could be beneficial to my situation."
"Well, I'll take that as a 'yes, please,'" Phoenix smiled. "Call me tomorrow at some point, yeah?"
Miles nodded in a vague affirmation, and watched as Phoenix clambered out of the low-roofed car, narrowly missing hitting his head.
"Thanks for everything today." Phoenix said, smiling at Miles. "I… I missed you."
And with a bit of a start, Miles realised that he had missed Phoenix too.