#antis: omg 7 year age gap it's disgusting

[tact-and-impulse]

Narumayo Week 2024 Day 6

This one's for the haters lol. @narumayoweek2024, enjoy! Second part is forthcoming.

Prompt: AU

If Mia hadn’t left her lunch on the kitchen counter, they probably wouldn’t have met that day.

Maya unfortunately noticed the mishap, long after her sister joined the morning traffic jam. So, she slung the tote’s long strap over her shoulder and set out on her bike. She made surprisingly good time, taking the free spot on the bike rack under the building’s sign.

Armando, Fey, and Wright Law Offices.

She’d visited once, to surprise Mia and her boyfriend Diego with takeout, for their hard work overtime because the other lawyer was out sick. She hoped Mia would be delighted, and in excitement, she hurtled past the elevator doors. Right into someone else.

Hands clasped her shoulders, and a deep voice sent vibrations right to the middle of her chest. “Whoa, there. You okay?”

She looked up, heat climbing up her face. Broad shoulders, a sharp jawline, kind eyes meeting hers. Her fingers were pressed against a waistcoat, the edges of darker blue lapels. She gasped. “Y-yes. Sorry! Um, hi.”

He smiled, and her stomach flipped. “Hi. Where are you headed to in such a rush?”

“I’m looking for Mia Fey’s desk. Are you an attorney too?” The sunflower badge hadn’t escaped her attention.

“I am. Do you have a case for Ms. Fey? She’s fantastic to work with.”

Handsome, nice, and complimentary of her sister? Maya was absolutely gone. “Actually-”

“Maya?” The other elevator opened, and her sister strode out, heels clicking on the linoleum. Her surprised expression flitted from Maya to the stranger, and in an instant, they both remembered to let go of each other. “I see you’ve met Wright. Er, Mr. Wright.”

He flinched, rubbing the back of his neck. His left hand was completely bare. “Just call me Phoenix. Otherwise, it makes me sound like an old man.”

“Well, you’re four years older than me.” Mia countered, while Maya tried not to blush. Oh, so he was fourteen years older than Maya. She suspected he was older; still, it didn’t diminish her impression of him. “Wright, this is my sister, Maya. And oh, my goodness. It must have slipped my mind. Thank you for bringing my lunch bag, but you didn’t have to come all this way.”

“I wanted to!” And she was incredibly happy she did, she thought, sneaking a glance at Phoenix.

“This is the second time you’re here to bring food, we should pay you back somehow.”

“Second?” Phoenix pointed out.

“The first was when you were out sick.”

“Shame I keep missing out then.”

“I can make you something!” Maya blurted.

“Oh, I didn’t mean to imply.” He hastily said.

“I’m not doing much other than spiritual training. Any special requests?”

The aroma of black coffee accompanied the interruption. “This guy? He’ll swallow anything.” Maya turned to see Diego, who grinned at her and then greeted Mia with a kiss on the cheek.

Phoenix rolled his eyes. “Yeah, that was a long time ago. Anyway, I’m not picky. And I’ll have a surprise in return, Maya.” And if saying her name wasn’t enough, he had to wink.

That scene replayed over and over, as she raced back to the apartment. Her whole body was on fire, courtesy of Phoenix Wright. She had to give this her best shot.

Little did she know, she’d meet him again in far more precarious circumstances.

***

Maya pressed her hand against the glass, watching as Mia’s lifted to do the same. It felt cold, no trace of her sister’s warmth. “Sis…”

“It’ll be okay, Maya.” The brave smile wavered. “I’m no stranger to court, after all.”

“But you’re the defendant! And I know you’re not guilty.” She refused to believe it. Her strong and benevolent big sister, murdering Mr. Grossberg? Never. Even if Mia was the last person to visit him, that couldn’t be the full story.

Mia took a breath. “Thank you, Maya. How’s Diego?”

“Really upset. He broke three cups, when he got the letter that he can’t defend you.”

“Conflict of interest, because Grossberg knew we were dating. So, that’s why I’m asking you, Wright.” She turned to the chair next to Maya’s.

He looked very grave. “Of course, I’ll represent you. I’m investigating as soon as I leave here.”

Maya then asked. “Can I come with you?”

Phoenix hesitated, but Mia nodded. “I think that’s a good idea. I believe in both of you.”

With that, Phoenix caved, and he held the door open for Maya as they walked out. “Let’s start at Grossberg’s office.”

They followed the trail to a statue of the Thinker, which Phoenix sighed at, and a wiretap to the Gatewater Hotel. In the cold lobby, he shrugged off his jacket and draped it over her. Maya had to close her mouth, and she felt irrationally jealous of the secretary obviously flirting with him. She wasn’t sure if she was that helpful, but Phoenix insisted she was.

“You have a good eye for things out of place, and you’re certainly faster than I am. I could use some of your energy.” He snapped his wooden chopsticks, stirring his bowl.

She thought of a few ways to transfer that energy to him, but instead, she casually said. “Miso ramen is the biggest energy boost. And I could have paid for my share.”

“Nope, I can’t let you, when I have my name up on a sign.” He dryly said and she laughed. His smile deepened. “Diego would probably throw his coffee at me, not to mention Mia’s wrath.”

“Mia doesn’t get angry that often, even if I deserved it. I definitely gave her trouble.” Now that she was twenty-one, she cringed at her early years.

“Oh, really? You could have fooled me.”

“Once, I broke a precious family heirloom and she took the blame.”

Their conversation turned to small talk, about the village where she and Mia came from, and how he studied art before a late switch to law. Almost like a date. Her heart fluttered at the thought. Interacting more only served to deepen her fondness of him. He was funny and sarcastic, but mature and patient too. He was older, but he didn’t lord it over her. He treated her like an equal, like a partner. She liked that about him.

And then, the court date arrived. Maya had never seen a trial before, and despite the nerves and stress, she soon understood why Mia loved her job. The evidence was brought out, analyzed with the witness testimony, and contradictions were found. It was also exciting to watch Phoenix at work, as he slammed his hands on the desk and confidently proclaimed objections. It was like he was dueling the prosecutor, whose initial composure was cracking. She studied Phoenix’s frown, his tilted smirk, his thoughtful look as he cupped his chin. In the crowd of spectators, she caught Diego’s raised eyebrow and attempted to curb her frequent stares.

After hours of proceedings, the man from Bluecorp finally confessed. Grossberg could no longer withstand the years of shame and planned to incriminate the CEO for blackmailing him; it was a fatal mistake to reveal it, but justice would be delivered. The judge’s gavel swung and Mia Fey was declared not guilty.

Confetti rained down, and Maya cried out, her voice breaking. “We did it!”

Phoenix echoed her. “We did it!” He hugged her, lifting her off the ground. And as he set her on her feet, his eyes crinkling in joy, she knew.

She was in love.