Author's note: First off, if you're still here, then I love you. (: And second: I'M SORRY THIS IS SO LATE. I've been so busy at the moment, and I've also been through a bit of a rough time (nothing serious, in case anyone was worried), but that's not an excuse and I'm sorry. All of your lovely reviews were read, and I appreciate all of them. So, thank you if you're still here for this fic, and I hope you enjoy the chapter.

~Rainbow Fruit Loop xx

~Irresistible Love and the Turnabout~

Chapter Twelve.

"Okay, Maya. See you in a few hours." Phoenix put down the phone, and sat back in his office chair.

Maya had just called to say that Kurain didn't need her at the moment, and that she would be coming back to stay with him for a few weeks. But, because Maya was not the most reliable, nor the most organised person in the world, she had rung him up to ask if he could pick her up from the train station in a few hours.

Good thing I didn't have plans with Edgeworth or anything… Not that we would have plans.

It had been a week and a half since Phoenix had met Miles at the restaurant, and for some reason, Miles had dropped all contact since then. It had Phoenix awake for hours each night - had he done something? Had he said something? Had he forgotten something?

He didn't think that he'd done anything to offend the prosecutor, but you couldn't always be sure with Miles.

Why now, Edgeworth? I've only just realised how I feel towards you, and now you're dropping all contact?

Because he had realised that it was true. The strong feeling of love and desire he had experienced during his and Miles' heart-to-heart was something he realised he had felt for a long time. The almost-kiss in the pools… well, that just proved it.

Sure, Miles was sometimes a bit of a jerk. But they'd been kind-of best friends for years, so, surely it was only natural for Phoenix to develop some not-so-platonic feelings?

Phoenix sighed, and wondered how he could convince Edgeworth to stop ignoring him.

Maybe I should call him and ask him to come and meet Maya with me?

Yeah, that might work.

With a renewed enthusiasm, Phoenix reached for the phone, and quickly dialled Miles' number. He held it up to his ear patiently, and, just as he was about to hang up because the whole thing was futile, Miles answered.

"Wright, whatever you're hoping to drag me along to, I can't, because I'm busy." was his greeting statement.

Phoenix made a deadpan face, and rolled his eyes inwardly.

"Hi to you too, Edgeworth. It's so nice to hear your voice."

There was a bit of a silence on Miles' side, and Phoenix wondered if he was regretting his rudeness.

I hope so, arrogant prosecutor.

And then, finally, he spoke up. "I'm… sorry, Wright. What do you want?"

Phoenix cheered up.

"Okay, well, Maya's coming back from Kurain today! And I have to pick her up from the train station, and I was wondering if you wanted to come with me."

There was another silence on Miles' side, and Phoenix tapped impatiently at his desk with one of his many blue pens.

"What time are you picking her up…?" Miles asked hesitantly.

Phoenix grinned to himself.

Result!

"Uh, about eight at night, so you'll be done with all of your work." Phoenix said, beaming into the phone. "So you don't really have an excuse not to come along."

"It seems a bit pointless," Miles muttered, his voice slightly muffled by the sound of paper being shifted in the background, "to travel to the train station with you, only to meet Maya and then leave."

Oh.

Phoenix was stumped momentarily, but then quickly covered it up.

"Yeah, well, Maya was telling me about this new club that she wanted to go to, so we're going to go there after I pick her up." he lied, praying that, when the time came, Maya would play along.

"A club…?" Miles asked, uncertainly. "I don't do clubs, Wright."

Phoenix sighed. "Come on, Edgeworth! Live a little! Have some fun! When was the last time we did something fun together, anyways?"

Miles was silent.

Phoenix was silent.

After what seemed like hours of unnecessary silence, Phoenix decided that enough was enough.

"What's your problem, Edgeworth?" he demanded, his finger twirling around the phone's cord.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Miles said immediately.

"Well, why have you been avoiding me for a week and half?" Phoenix asked, curious even in his frustrated state.

"I haven't. I've just been busy." Miles snapped, obviously uncomfortable with the question.

"Oh, so that means that you didn't have time for one phone call then, huh?"

Miles sighed, and Phoenix imagined him pinching the bridge of his nose. "Wright, please. Stop acting so childishly. I don't have time for your stupid arguments."

Phoenix exhaled deeply, and probably a little dramatically. "I just want to know if I've done anything to offend you, that's all."

"You haven't done anything." Miles muttered.

"What's wrong, then?"

"It's just I-" Miles made a frustrated noise, and then sighed. "It's nothing. Nothing for you to bother with."

What's wrong, Edgeworth? Why can't you tell me what's happening in your life? I really thought that we were getting somewhere.

"Please, Edgeworth. You can tell me if something's happened." Phoenix told his friend, suddenly worried.

"I don't think I can, Phoenix." Miles murmured.

Phoenix. He called me Phoenix. Whatever it is, it must really be bothering him if he's calling me by my first name.

Maybe, if I manage to convince him to come to the nightclub, I can get him to tell me what's happening. Get him drunk enough so that he'll say everything he's too afraid to tell me sober.

"Okay then." Phoenix told his friend, his voice firm. "Well, to get your mind off whatever's happening, you should come out with Maya and I tonight. It'll be good fun, and you won't even think about what's bothering you."

Miles gave a wry chuckle. "I can assure you, being out with you tonight will not help in the slightest."

"But…?"

Miles sighed again. "But, I will come out with you, if you want me to."

Phoenix grinned triumphantly. "Great, Edgeworth. I'll see you later then."

It was exactly sixteen past eight when the three entered the nightclub; Phoenix excited and grinning from ear to ear, Maya slightly confused but happy to be back nonetheless, and Miles with his distinctive scowl dominating his face.

"It's very loud." Miles commented, raising his voice so that Phoenix could hear him over the music. "And very bright."

"I think that's the point." Phoenix shouted back, raising an amused eyebrow.

Miles rolled his eyes in response, and turned away to scan the room.

Maya took the opportunity to quiz Phoenix.

"Nick! Nick!" she hissed, tugging at Phoenix's arm. "What's happening? Why are we here? Why is Mr. Edgeworth with us?"

"Shh, Maya." Phoenix hushed her, lowering his head to talk into her ear. "I'm pretending that it was all your idea. I'm trying to figure something out."

"Wait, wha-"

Miles turned back around, and Phoenix dug Maya harshly in the ribs to shut her up.

"Why did you want to come to this club, Ms Fey?" Miles asked, narrowing his eyes as the strobe lights brightened. "I didn't think you were particularly interested in clubbing, especially at your young age."

Phoenix held his breath, curious as to how Maya would bluff her way out of the question.

"Well, I decided that I should start living life a little!" Maya enthused, grinning widely - strangely - at Miles. "And Nick seemed pretty keen, so why not?"

Miles nodded to himself, and turned towards the bar on the group's right.

"I can pay for the drinks tonight!" Phoenix jumped in, wrestling his way to stand next to Miles. "Iris paid me for my defence serves at Hazakura." he informed Maya with a pleased look on his face.

"Ooh, Iris contacted you again, did she?" Maya asked, wiggling her eyebrows in a way that was supposed to be suggestive, but just looked downright creepy. "How is she, Nick?"

Phoenix rolled his eyes.

What does she think that there's something happening between Iris and myself? Do I give people that impression? Does- does Edgeworth think that there's something happening between us?

Miles raised an eyebrow at Maya's inquisitive question, yet Phoenix didn't notice the scowl on his face.

"Nick's got a real thing for Iris." Maya told Miles, despite Phoenix's deadly glares. "I reckon it's L-O-V-E." she spelt out, bringing her fingers together to form a lopsided heart.

Miles' face turned slightly stormy, and Phoenix wondered why.

Is he annoyed because he thinks I have a girlfriend and he doesn't? I don't want him to be jealous. And I don't… I don't want him to think I'm in a relationship.

When Maya started scrutinizing the drinks menu, Phoenix turned to Miles, urgency evident in his movements. "Edgeworth, we're not actually together. Me and Iris. We're not- you know, there's nothing happening."

Miles turned to him with distant, slightly reproachful eyes. "What you get up to in your spare time doesn't bother me, Wright."

Phoenix sighed to himself, and turned to Maya - only to find that she was chatting happily to some young, good looking boy who couldn't be much older than herself.

Well, if nothing good comes of this night, at least Maya's - hopefully - found someone normal to talk to.

Phoenix turned back to Miles, and regarded him approvingly.

"Nice jeans, Edgeworth." he commented, hoping to tease Miles out of his seemingly bad mood. "Where did you get them from?

Miles glanced downwards at his very snug black jeans. "Thank you. I got them from a shop in Germany."

Phoenix chuckled. "Why are all of your clothes so expensive?"

"Why are all of your clothes so cheap?" Miles returned quickly, raising an eyebrow.

"Touché." Phoenix beamed at Miles, and glanced up at the drinks menu. "Hey, what do you want to drink? I'm buying, remember?"

"How could I possibly forget, Wright?" Miles asked, though he sounded more amused than annoyed. "This is the first time you've had money in months."

Ignoring Miles' unnecessary taunt, Phoenix asked his question again. "What do you want to drink?"

"Water, please." Miles said politely.

Phoenix raised in eyebrow in response. "What? Water, Edgeworth, really? Water? Come on, you're not that old. Have something more exciting."

Getting him wasted is obviously going to be a hard task.

Miles shook his head. "I'm driving, Wright. I can't drink."

Damn, that's a pretty good excuse…

"Why don't you get a taxi?" Phoenix suggested. "We can share."

Miles still looked pretty dubious, so Phoenix smiled brightly. "Come on. It'll help you forget about all your issues, and it's not like we're going to get wasted or anything. We'll just have a few drinks."

Miles rolled his eyes, but nodded his head. "All right, fine. But if you get wasted, Wright, then so help me…"

An hour, two martinis for Miles, two tequilas for Phoenix, and five vodka shots each later, Phoenix was convinced that getting Miles to spill his secret was a pretty likely outcome of the night.

"Ugh, I shouldn't have let you persuade me into drinking this much." Miles grumbled as he swayed awkwardly in time to the pounding music of the club. "If I have a hangover tomorrow morning, I will be committing homicide, Wright."

Phoenix - who was just as drunk as Miles, though he was hoping he'd still be able to remember everything the following morning - smiled at his friend.

"If - if you have a hangover tomorrow, I don't think you'll be in any state to attempt to kill me." Phoenix replied slowly, also dancing inelegantly to the music.

"Then I'll kill you the next d-" Miles hiccupped, "-day."

Phoenix chuckled, and then cleared his throat.

"Hey, Edgeworth?" he asked, trying not to slur his words, because then Miles might figure out just how tipsy he really was. "Do you want to talk about what's bothering you?"

Miles' forehead creased as he thought. "Nothing's bothering me, Wright. The alcohol is making me happy."

"No, no, the things that were bothering you before you got dru- uh, before you drank the alcohol."

Miles was silent for a few seconds, and just as Phoenix was reaching for his magatama in order to win the battle of wits that was sure to follow, Miles spoke up.

"Oh, that. I understand. Yes. What's bothering me is that I, Miles Edgeworth, have fallen in love with someone! Properly in love!"

Phoenix's jaw dropped open, and he was sure that - for one single second - his heart stopped beating.

You're… what? You're in love with someone, Edgeworth? Someone who isn't… who isn't me?

The pain cut through his body in a way that made him want to curl up into a ball and cry, yet Phoenix tried his best to smile. Miles was his best friend, and if he wanted to talk about this person he was in love with, then Phoenix needed to be there for him, his personal feelings be damned.

But it still hurt. It hurt to realise that he wasn't enough for Miles - that Miles had looked elsewhere for love, even though Phoenix could have given him everything. It made Phoenix feel like he was only a few inches tall; an easily squash-able bug.

But instead of voicing all of his pain and regret, Phoenix smiled tightly at his friend.

"Well, lucky her. What's her name?"

Miles' eyes narrowed, his eyebrows pulling downwards in confusion. "What's whose name?" he asked, obviously not following the conversation in his drunken state.

Phoenix sighed, because he desperately didn't want to say it. "The woman you're in love with."

Because - as vein as it was - Phoenix believed that it had to be a woman who Miles was in love with, because if he was into guys, then surely… well, he hadn't chosen Phoenix, had he?

"Oh." Understanding dawned on Miles' face. "It's not important. It doesn't matter."

Phoenix sighed - that would have to be something he would get out of his friend at a later date. But he still had a few more questions to ask.

"I thought you said you were scared of- of falling in love?" Phoenix asked, any drunken haze driven away by the shock of finding out that Miles was in love.

Miles, on the other hand, was still sipping at some alcoholic beverage that Phoenix had forgotten the name of, which meant that he was getting progressively less helpful, and proportionately more happy-go-lucky.

"Yes, I was. But then I remembered what you said. You said that I didn't have to be afraid, because if I fell in love with the right person, then they wouldn't break my heart."

Inwardly, Phoenix cursed his good advice. If only he hadn't given it, then Miles might still be- he might still be available.

"Oh. Well, how long have you known her?" was Phoenix's next question.

Miles shrugged. "I don't know. I guess I've known them for ages. But I've only known them for a month or so."

Phoenix nodded to himself, and, not for the first time, felt a stab of jealousy pierce at his chest, it's strength so intense that he wanted to double over and cry.

This person, this women, is lucky. Edgeworth is going to tell her everything - everything that he refuses to tell me. He's going to treat her like she's the most important person in the world - the same way I would have treated him.

He's going to spend all of his spare time with her, and not with me. We've already started drifting apart, and it's all… because of her. Why did I ever agree to help him find a partner? It's made everything worse.

Edgeworth… all I've ever really wanted is to be your best friend; the person you share things with. And we were so close to reaching that point, but now… I don't want to lose you.

Three painfully long hours later, the alcohol had worn off both men. Miles was left being irritable, and Phoenix was left feeling numb and slightly empty.

"Can we just go home now, Wright?" Miles asked, bringing a hand up to rub at his temples. "I can feel a headache coming on, and being in this club will not help in the slightest."

Phoenix sighed, and wished for the umpteenth time that he had just let Miles have his issues, and that he hadn't been so eager to discover them.

"Okay, if you want to." Phoenix muttered, feeling angry and upset and betrayed all at the same time. "I just want to go to the bathroom first."

He then turned on his heels sharply, and stormed into the bathroom, blinking back tears as he went.

After relieving himself, Phoenix turned to wash his hands, and was surprised to notice Miles leaning up against the sink.

Irritably, Phoenix washed his hands; avoiding eye contact with his friend, because now that Miles was sober, he knew that it would only take a second for him to realise that something was up.

"Thank you for tonight." Miles muttered after a few seconds. "I will hate you tomorrow for the hangover I will undoubtedly have, but I- I enjoyed the night."

Well, I'm glad one of us did.

"That's good." Phoenix murmured, turning to flash Miles a very fake smile. "It's always good to step out of your comfort zone."

Miles was silent for a few more seconds, and Phoenix reached for some paper towels to dry his hands; shredding up the paper as he did so.

"Wright, I'm not…" Miles trailed off, and cleared his throat. "I'm not usually too good at picking up on other people's emotions, but you seem… distressed. Is everything all right?"

Of course it's not all right. You're in love with someone who isn't me.

"Oh, everything is fine." Phoenix muttered, his hand-drying becoming more frantic. "Everything is absolutely tip-top perfect."

Miles rolled his eyes, and swept a hand through his silvery hair. "I'm not stupid, Wright. I can tell that you're being passive aggressive. Have I… Have I done something to annoy you?"

And then Phoenix burst. All of his hurt, his anger, his regret and pain - it all came flooding out of him in a loud, frustrated mess.

"Well, good job, Edgeworth, you've finally recognized an actual, human emotion." Phoenix said, slamming his hands down on the counter. "It's about time, because you've obviously failed at picking up any other emotion."

Miles flinched back at Phoenix's harsh words. "Whatever you're accusing me of, I'm sure it's just a misunderstanding. I can't think of anything I've purposely done to make you act in this way."

Phoenix shook his head. "It's always the same old story with you, Edgeworth, isn't? You always think about what you've done, instead of what you haven't done. Well, guess what, this time it's about what you didn't do. What a surprise."

Phoenix wasn't even sure that he was making proper sense, but he hoped Miles would understand what he was trying to convey.

"I don't understand what you're getting so worked up about." Miles was struggling to stay calm, Phoenix noticed. "Either spit it out, or stop with this nonsense so we can leave."

"Yeah, because that's what you really want, isn't it? To leave me. It doesn't matter how nice a day we've had, or if you really enjoyed it, but you always want to leave because there's always something better to do." Phoenix snapped, even though he could tell he was being a bit childish.

A hint of realization flickered across Miles' face. "Are you annoyed because you want me to spend more time with you? Because we've had this conversation countless times, and you know that I have work to do."

"Oh, but is it work, or have you just found someone better than me?" Phoenix demanded, his breathing coming out a little uneven. "What is it that they say? 'Bros before hoes'?"

The confused look was back on Miles' face, and Phoenix wanted to slap it off. "What are you even talking about, Phoenix?" Phoenix, not Wright. "I am not spending my time with any women, promiscuous or not."

Phoenix snorted, and shifted his body so that the edge of the sink wasn't digging uncomfortably into his hips. "Oh, really? Then why did you completely ignore me for a week, huh? Hanging out with this girl you're in love with? Just tell me the truth, Edgeworth."

Miles slammed his hands down on the counter too. "I have been working solidly for the past week. I have not been hanging out with 'a girl I'm in love with'. Get your facts straight before you confront me, Wright, because this only points out how much of an idiot you are."

Phoenix was almost at the point where he wanted to throttle his friend. "Then why have you been avoiding me for so long? It was definitely an effort to get you to come out tonight. And then you say that you've 'enjoyed the night'. Talk about sending mixed messages."

"Oh, because you're so much better." Miles rolled his eyes. "What, with all your 'I'm not in a relationship with Ms Fey', when the evidence clearly states the opposite, and then the fact that Ms Fey herself seems certain that you've got a thing for the pretty dark haired women we defended at that God-awful place."

"Don't drag my love life into this." Phoenix demanded hotly. "I've told you the truth about both Maya and Iris, and that it that I am not in love with either of them, nor am I dating either. Which is more than you can say, since you're so madly in love with some random woman who you won't tell me the name of."

"No, I am not." Miles snarled, his voice low. "I never said that."

"Then why?" Phoenix was shouting now, and he was thankful that the bathrooms were empty. "Then why have you been avoiding me? Why did you tell me you'd fallen in love? Why are we drifting apart from whatever it was we could've had?"

"Jesus Christ, Phoenix, it's because I fucking love you. Okay?" Miles exploded, bringing his hands down to slam on the cheap ceramic. "I have fallen in love with you. Is that what you wanted to hear?"

Time stood still, and the only thing Phoenix could hear was his own breathing; deep and slow and forced.

"…What?"

Miles took a steady breath in; all of his anger dissipating from his body.

"It's just… sometimes I find myself staring at this amazing, brave, inspiring person, and it always takes me by surprise when I realise that the person I'm looking at is you. You're everything that I want; everything that I think I need, and… well, I didn't want to tell you because I can't imagine even for a second that you'd feel the same way."

Phoenix opened his mouth, ready to say something, but the words stuck.

Edgeworth… you love me? Are you serious? You've properly fallen in love with me - the way I've fallen in love with you?

"Miles- I…" It felt strange, hearing his friend's first name roll off his tongue. But Phoenix found that he liked it. "Miles, I don't- I mean, I never-"

Miles waved his hand dismissively. "I don't want - or need - your sympathies, Wright. I am perfectly capable of coping with rejection. I understand that you don't feel the same way, and I respect that."

Phoenix swallowed harshly, his voice croaking as he said, "But what if I did?"

Miles glanced up at him, and Phoenix couldn't decipher the look in his eyes. "What if you did what?"

"What if I did feel the same way?"

Miles eyes widened for a second, and a flash of something else Phoenix didn't recognise flickered through his steel-grey eyes.

"Oh. Well that would be- it would be good. I," he cleared his throat awkwardly. "I would like that."

Phoenix smirked. "Oh yeah?"

Miles nodded. "Yes."

And so Phoenix - who was incredibly relieved because, yes, Miles was in love, but it was with him - took a step forwards, and connected their lips together in the gentlest, softest way he could.

Miles instantly melted into Phoenix's touch; his arms making their way to wrap loosely around Phoenix's waist, his fingers resting lightly - hesitantly - against the small of Phoenix's back in a way that made him squirm with desire.

In response to Miles' accidentally arousing fingers, Phoenix deepened the kiss; licking his tongue between Miles' lips until they parted, causing tentative tongues to touch and waltz around each other in a passionate dance.

The kiss remained relatively innocent, despite Phoenix's unintentional moans, and after a few minutes, Phoenix broke away, and pressed small butterfly kisses to Miles' jaw line.

"If it isn't obvious, Miles, I feel the same way." Phoenix murmured after he had gathered enough strength to speak. "I never thought that I would, you know, fall in love with you, but I have, and I don't regret any of it."

Miles smiled then, and the undeniably happy look on his face was almost better than the previous kiss had been. Phoenix had never seen him smile as brightly as that, and to know that it was him who had inspired such a look made his stomach do strange things.

"I'm glad."

The kiss didn't say gentle after that, not at all. Though the first few minutes had been shy and sweet and soft, after Miles shoved Phoenix up hard against the sinks, and somehow the tap had got turned on - well, it ended up being a lot rougher than initially planned.

And neither men minded one little bit.