You're Doing it Again
Phoenix has been told numerous times from everyone that he has this certain look on his face every time he sees or even thinks about Tiffany. Eventually even Tiffany sees it and she finds it endearing and adorable despite him still doing it even after all the years they have been together.
(Author's note: This one-shot popped up in my head while I was talking to my best friend. Phoenix is so open and honest like a book, I think that even though he doesn't even realize it, he is easy to read. I also feel that if he is genuinely in love, he would always have this look on his face whenever he thinks about his special lady. In this case, with Tiffany, he can't help but think about her or gaze upon her because he loves her so much. So cute! Also, I even added in Edgeworth/Lizette in here. Edgeworth would totally do the same, though his is harder to read…)
"Hey Nick, you're doing it again."
Phoenix blinked and he snapped out of his daze before looking to see Maya smirking at him.
"Huh? Doing what again?" He asked completely oblivious.
"That look, you have that look on your face again." Maya replied, her smirk never leaving.
Phoenix felt his cheeks flush a little while he rubbed the back of his neck, "What look? I don't have a look."
"You do too. And I know why. You're thinking about her aren't you?" The tone in Maya's voice was laced with teasing, but she also sounded serious.
Phoenix knew right away who his friend was referring to and he stood up from his seat. His face was turning even more bright red, "What? No!" he tried to deny but he had already fallen into Maya's trap.
The young girl snickered, "I knew it! Ever since you defended her and she gave you that kiss on your cheek, all you can think about is her!"
"That's not true!" Phoenix once more tried but it was no use.
"Nick and Tiffy sitting in a tree!" Maya started to sing that oh so annoying song every person on the planet hates hearing.
"Come on, Maya! I just…" Phoenix sighed, "What's the use anyway? Tiffany doesn't like me that way. Heck, the only reason she gave me a kiss was because she was grateful."
Maya rolled her eyes, "Seriously? Is that what you think?" Upon receiving a nod, she gave him an unamused look, "Wow, you're about as clueless as they go. I saw that look on her face when she kissed you. And let me tell you, she was way more than grateful."
Phoenix perked a little from this, "She did?"
"Yeah, this is why you are going to ask her out on a date!" Maya suddenly got behind Phoenix and began to push him towards the door of the office.
"Agh! Maya no!" Phoenix tried to resist. Luckily the door opened to show Pearl,
"Mr. Nick! Mystic Maya! Can you come with me? I wanna show you something!" the small girl said.
Upon hearing her cousin's question, Maya stopped trying to push Phoenix and rushed over to her, "What is it, Pearly?"
Phoenix sighed in relief. Saved by the bell, but as he followed after the girls he wondered if Maya was right that he had that look on his face.
Many months later…
"You're doing it again, Wright."
Phoenix blinked out of his day dreaming state and he can see his two friends Miles Edgeworth and Larry Butz all staring at him like he had grown two heads. A blush appeared on his face and he looked down at the empty glass in his hand. He was currently hanging out with his two close male friends at a small well-kept bar since tomorrow he was going to tie the knot with Tiffany. He couldn't believe it. He was going to marry her! Tomorrow was their big day!
"That sounds familiar." Phoenix said trying to be unbiased as he could.
"Maya told me you always have this look on your face whenever you think about Miss Howe and she is right." Edgeworth stated in his usual matter of fact voice.
"Can you blame him, Edgey? He's going to marry her tomorrow!" Larry piped up and he slapped Phoenix on the back, "You lucky dog you!"
Phoenix grunted in pain and managed to smile at him. He then shifted his gaze at Edgeworth, "Honestly, I don't even realize I'm doing it. It's just that I can't help but think about Tiffany. And when I see her, I feel so lucky that I have her. Is it bad?"
Edgeworth gave his friend a very rare small smile, "No it is not, Wright. It is perfectly normal."
Hearing this caused both Phoenix and Larry to stare at him slight shook, "Wait what?" Larry began to ask but Edgeworth went on,
"It shows that you are in love. It is not one of those puppy dog loves. Yours is genuine. It is hard to come by and when you know you have the one, you will never stop thinking about her. Even with years to come of you being by her side, the look you have will never cease. You have always been open about your feelings, Wright and it is no secret that you fell deeply in love with Miss Howe. Now that you both are going to be officially wed tomorrow, things will only get interesting from there. The look you have will never go away, regardless if you know about it or not."
Phoenix was still agape to think that anyone who would give love advice or anything, it was Edgeworth. In fact, Edgeworth was the last person he expected to get advice from. After a moment, Phoenix finally asked, "That's really deep, Edgeworth but um…how do you know that?"
Upon hearing this question, Edgeworth's own cheeks flushed and he coughed before looking away, "N-no reason. I just think that is what everyone would say in a situation like this, that's all." He tried to play it off however Larry knew right away and he gave him a smirk,
"Oh! I get it! He knows about this because he too does the exact same thing!"
Edgeworth gave Larry a glare, "What are you talking about?"
"Oh come on! I've seen it myself! Every time Lizette Loocke is brought up in conversations, your eyes light up and you get this smile on your face. And I barely see you smile if any at all!" Larry replied as he was downright unfazed by Edgeworth's glare.
"Lizette Loocke?"
"Yeah! Beautiful prosecutor who's glare is even scarier than yours?"
"I know who she is! What does she have to do with this?" Edgeworth questioned as his face was nearly beat red at this point.
"Don't try to deny it, man! You're totally in love with Lizette! That's why you suddenly know everything about looks of love and all that! You have your own dreamy looks whenever the woman you love is brought up, Edgey! And that's great!"
"I...well, even if that were the case, I do not have some silly expression on my face whenever I think about her." Edgeworth tried to deny as well as he kept his composer.
Phoenix who had been sitting in between them both kept looking back and forth to his friends as the argument went on, "Yeah you do." Larry insisted as he was not going to let this go.
"I do not."
"You totally do! You want me to take a picture of your face the next time that happens?" Larry asked as he held up his phone in question.
"Don't you dare!" Edgeworth stood up and lunged for Larry. Normally Edgeworth wasn't the type to resort to violence let alone on a friend, but his patience was on a thin line right now.
"Not like I was going to do it at this second! You're not even in your dreamy state! More like your angry state…" Larry dodged Edgeworth's arms and the two men rushed to the back of the bar.
Phoenix blinked as he watched them go before looking back at his empty glass. Ignoring the bartender yelling at the running duo, the young lawyer's thoughts drifted back to Tiffany and a smile spread across his face. If what Edgeworth said was true, he was looking forward to spending his time with her. He closed his eyes as he continued to dream of his future with Tiffany.
"Come on, Edgey! Take a joke!"
"This is not the kind of conversation you joke about, Larry!"
"Will you two stop it before I throw you both out?!"
Another few months later…
Phoenix stood quietly by the door as he watched Tiffany comfort their recently adopted daughter Trucy. It was hard to believe how harsh all their lives had come to be. First Phoenix lost his job, then he nearly got killed by getting drunk, and he got into a huge fight with Tiffany that almost destroyed their relationship. Luckily, both managed to pull through. In doing so, they even took in Trucy who soon became an important family member.
Despite how bleak the turn of events came to be, the one thing that has never changed was Phoenix's deep love for Tiffany. Every time he thought he hit rock bottom, she was there to pull him back up. He was forever grateful for that. She was also currently pregnant with their child and he made a promise to get another job that will help them out once Tiffany was too pregnant to continue working for the time being.
At that moment, he was watching how Tiffany was being put to the test as a future mother to their adopted child. Trucy had become attached to them both, Tiffany especially. It probably had to do with the fact the small girl didn't know her biological mother. Seeing as she was finally going to have a mother, she had been worried about Tiffany after hearing what her job is.
"You promise you will come home safely?" The small nine year old girl asked as she gazed up at Tiffany.
Tiffany gave her a smile, "Of course sweetie. Now get some sleep okay?"
Trucy gave her a tight hug before lying back on her bed. Tiffany gave her a kiss on the forehead and she turned out the light. Phoenix moved so that he was just out of sight. Once Tiffany was in the hallway and she closed the door, she nearly jumped upon seeing him standing there.
"Phoenix? Why are you up? Oh no, did we wake you up?" Tiffany questioned, a frown appearing on her face.
He gave her a smile as he continued to gaze upon her. Despite how tired she looked and the fact her appearance was a little messed up, she was still the most beautiful woman he ever laid eyes upon. "You sort of did, but that's okay." He said automatically though he kept his eyes on her.
Tiffany shook her head while rubbing her long hair, "I'm sorry. It's just Trucy has been worried and well…" she trailed off when she noticed that he didn't appear to be listening to her.
She had seen a lot of expressions on Phoenix's face. This one she had seen a few times before and she remembered Maya telling her that Phoenix had a certain dreamy expression that only appears on his face whenever he was thinking about her. That small endearing smile and his dark blue eyes showing he was a little dreamy because he was in love. Maya called this Nick's Dreamy Love Expression. She can see what she meant. Tiffany felt her cheeks flush while she looked down,
"That look…" she whispered.
"What look?"
"Now I know what Maya meant. You're giving me that look again." She replied and she felt him step up to her. She looked up as his eyes gazed down upon her.
He brushed his fingers on the side of her face, "And this look will never disappear no matter what." He said quietly before he leaned down and gave her a small kiss. Tiffany accepted the kiss and returned one of her own.
Many years later…
"Daddy, you're doing it again."
Phoenix glanced up slowly and could see Trucy, now fifteen years old, frowning at him. The two were currently sitting in the Wright Anything Agency. Apollo Justice was busy writing in his journal on his desk not too far away from them. He was too preoccupied to notice his boss and his daughter talking to each other.
Phoenix looked back down at his cell phone that was currently in his hand. The name was clear as day of who he was thinking about. Even if it wasn't, Trucy grew up knowing that famous look her father had whenever he thought about her mother.
"Is it that obvious?" Phoenix questioned a small smile on his face and his eyes closed.
"Don't give me that, you miss her just as much as me if not more! Why don't you call her? We haven't seen her for months and well…" Trucy trailed off while she looked to the side.
Her father remained silent. Her words rang true; he did miss Tiffany more than he was letting on. His heart ached for her. He wanted so much to just call her up and tell her that he was safe. However, he and Trucy had to go into hiding due the Kristoph Gavin issue. It was easy at first since Tiffany had a long trip to do that took up several months. But she had been back for about a month now and she had tried calling Phoenix many times. Each time became harder for him to not answer her call. He even begged her father Howard Howe when he went to drop off his young twins Derek and Amelia to not tell Tiffany of what he and Trucy were doing.
Howard wasn't too pleased but he agreed once Phoenix told him that his job was too dangerous for Tiffany to be involved. It also didn't help that Kristoph had let on that he knew Tiffany personally. Phoenix knew he could always trust Tiffany. However, he wanted to take this case down and leave his wife in the dark about it. It was a stupid move but he felt it was the best he could do.
At that moment, he was on the brink of wanting to call Tiffany. For all the months that he had not seen her or even heard from her, he yearned for her. Sometimes on his off days, he would be caught staring off in the distant. That same look everyone knew whenever he was thinking about the love of his life. Even Apollo was told of this and he wondered who this wife was.
"You know why I can't, Trucy." Phoenix finally replied and he put his cell back in his pocket.
"But…" Trucy began however she trailed off when she watched her father look at his wedding band.
"Besides, we're nearly done with what we are doing. Once this is all over, I will call your mother, I promise." Phoenix gave Trucy a smile and patted her shoulder once he had stood up from his seat.
"Okay…" Trucy turned and walked towards Apollo.
Phoenix watched her go and he looked outside the window. He wondered what Tiffany was doing right now. She was probably working since her job is very demanding. If it wasn't, Tiffany would have found him a long time ago. He had a feeling Edgeworth might have something do with it. He knew what Phoenix was up to and he decided to help by keeping Tiffany busy. Not to mention he had his own agenda for her. Phoenix didn't know what it was, but he knew he will find out eventually.
In the meantime, he had work to do…
A year later…
Apollo and Athena cheered happily when Solomon Starbucks was able to launch into space successfully. They were not the only ones. The whole space station was in an uproar. Despite the problems, they were able to pull another victory of laughing a rocket into space.
Phoenix smiled proudly before looking at Tiffany, who had been standing by his side the entire time. Once more, he was reminded of how beautiful she was. That golden blouse she wore complimented her features in every way possible and not because it showed her large bust nicely. Her hair long wavy light brown hair and her green eyes that sparkled happily since Mr. Starbuck made it through okay.
Knowing she was being watched, she looked up and gave him a soft smile, "You're doing it again, Phoenix." She said while shaking her head.
"At this rate, I really don't care," He placed his hands on her waist and pulled her close. He put his forehead against hers, "These past few months have been really hectic."
"I'll say. I'm just so glad to get something like that Phantom over and done with." Tiffany said sighing and she looked up into his eyes, "Our work is not over and never will be but at least that's one danger out of the way."
"Agreed, I think we need to celebrate after this. Until then…" he began to lean in towards her.
"Phoenix, seriously, there are people here…" Tiffany tried to argue but she knew there was no use changing his mind. He was downright stubborn.
"It's fine." He kissed her not caring if anyone saw. Tiffany closed her eyes and kissed him back.
Apollo and Athena looked over and seeing the couple kissing, they backed away to give them privacy, "I feel like I'm going to cry!" Athena whispered.
"Why?" Apollo questioned.
"Because I can feel the love between them!" Athena indeed started to bawl her eyes out while Apollo merely rolled his eyes.
Another year later…
"You're doing it again…" Phoenix smiled upon hearing Tiffany say this when she was near him. They were now standing out on the balcony to be away from the crowds of the wedding inside.
"Can you blame me for that? Look at you. You're so beautiful. You have always been beautiful but somehow you managed to outdone yourself again," Phoenix said and he then started to playfully twirl a part of her hair, "I also like your hair like this."
Tiffany had changed her hair just for Ellen's wedding. She was dolled up in a beautiful dress just like Lizette, Ally, Maya, Ema, and Athena. Phoenix was unsure if he should feel a little out of place since he was wearing the same blue suit his wife got for him a couple of years ago when he returned to being a lawyer.
Tiffany laughed, "Thanks. I thought I do something a little different with it. Maya and Athena helped with that," She said and she gave him a smirk, "It's nice to know you got dressed up for this too."
Phoenix looked confused, "But I really didn't…"
"Oh I don't mean your suit. You still look good in that don't worry," Tiffany teased, "I meant your famous Nick Dreamy Look. Even after all these years of being married to me, you still continue to give me that look."
Phoenix smiled down at her, "Honestly Tiffany, this look is never going to go away. Regardless if I know I am doing it or not, I will forever continue to have this expression for many years to come. And it will always before you; no one else."
For the first time in a long time, Tiffany's cheeks flushed a little. Phoenix smiled before he leaned over and gave her a gentle kiss on the forehead. Throughout the years they have been through, the one thing that has always remained the same was Phoenix's love for Tiffany.
"It's funny, you're not the only one who always has that look on your face." Tiffany said softly.
Phoenix blinked in confusion and he leaned away to see Tiffany smiling up at him, "Hm?"
"I was told I have the exact same expression on my face whenever I think about you. It makes sense that's for sure. Lizette told me numerous times whenever she sees me with that look; I should always go to you swiftly. I guess it goes to show that we both love each other very much." Tiffany replied, her green eyes showing Phoenix she meant what she said.
Phoenix thought it over and he began to wonder if Tiffany had these same expressions whenever he wasn't around. Of course she did. She loved him just as much as he loved her. He recalled Edgeworth's words many years ago and he knew what he meant. This wasn't some lovely dovey love that wasn't real. This was very much true love and he was very lucky to have it.
"Makes sense to me. If you didn't, I would think something is wrong." Phoenix said as he continued to hold Tiffany close.
Tiffany smiled while she raised a hand to place it against her husband's face, "I think it's safe to say that in years to come, we will always have each other." She said and this made him chuckle,
"Considering you were bent on taking down those guards back in Khru'ian because they threatened me, I believe it."
"No one threatens my husband and gets away with it. That's certainly one thing I will not stand for." Tiffany said as she recalled that event.
When the evil Queen had her guards point their guns at Phoenix and Apollo, Tiffany wanted very much to go down and put a stop to it. She never liked anyone hurting her husband. But threatening to kill him certainly pushed her near the edge. She was there with Maya and Athena to give that queen and the guards a piece of her mind. Phoenix found his wife overprotective him to be very endearing. It goes to show she will do anything for him just like he would for her.
"This is yet another reason why I love you, Tiffany. Thank you so much for making me the happiest man ever." Phoenix said as he meant every word.
Tiffany smiled back, "And I love you, Phoenix. You made me happy too. No matter what comes across our path in the future, we will face it together." She said softly.
Phoenix smiled and the two kissed once more. Who knows what lies in the future for them both? The one thing that will not change is the everlasting looks of love Phoenix and Tiffany share together.
