1 I Just Died In Your Arms Tonight

Summary:

This story delves into the mystery of where the HELL Maya Fey and Miles Edgeworth were when Phoenix Wright’s world collapsed around him post disbarment and WHY they weren’t at his side during Phoenix’s darkest hour for those long seven years. Join Phoenix, Maya, Miles, Franziska, and the rest of your favourite Ace Attorney characters for nearly a decade and experience with them both their laughter and tears, as they discover life’s bittersweet truths: sometimes love isn’t enough to mean happily ever after, all the money in the world can’t necessarily fix all tragedies, justice doesn’t always prevail, and broken hearts heal…but can they ever truly mend? Follows the Ace Attorney Timeline for the most part and goes through AJ to Post DD. Slight spoilers for all games. This is the final installment of the Turnabout Lawful Love Trilogy and takes place right where Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman ended. The story starts pre-Apollo Justice, right before Phoenix’s disbarment. Official part 3 of the Turnabout Lawful Love Trilogy.

Notes:

A/N: Follows the Ace Attorney Timeline for the most part and goes through AJ to Post DD. Slight spoilers for all games. This is the final installment of the Turnabout Lawful Love Trilogy and takes place right where the first one ended.

The story starts pre-Apollo Justice, right before Phoenix’s disbarment.

You don’t HAVE to have read my Phaya story, which is part one of the series, called Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman up to this point, to follow this tale. I try very hard to make my stories act as stand-alones for the most part, with only the odd reference thrown in from the previous stories. Just note that this does pick up right where that first story ended, with Phoenix and Maya a newly established couple as of the night of her 21st birthday.

I’m Canadian, so Happy Victoria Day 2015! I thought, what better way to kick off a night of celebratory Roman candles…as well as my story, than with fireworks of some sort! Enjoy some PG-13 sparks to start off your Monday! 😉

I could stay awake just to hear you breathing
Watch you smile while you are sleeping
While you’re far away and dreaming
I could spend my life in this sweet surrender
I could stay lost in this moment forever
Every moment spent with you is a moment I treasure

Don’t wanna close my eyes
I don’t wanna fall asleep
‘Cause I’d miss you, baby
And I don’t wanna miss a thing

‘Cause even when I dream of you
The sweetest dream would never do
I’d still miss you, baby
And I don’t wanna miss a thing

Lying close to you feeling your heart beating
And I’m wondering what you’re dreaming
Wondering if it’s me you’re seeing
Then I kiss your eyes and thank God we’re together
And I just wanna stay with you
In this moment forever, forever and ever

I don’t wanna close my eyes
I don’t wanna fall asleep
‘Cause I’d miss you, baby
And I don’t wanna miss a thing

‘Cause even when I dream of you
The sweetest dream would never do
I’d still miss you, baby
And I don’t wanna miss a thing

I don’t wanna miss one smile
I don’t wanna miss one kiss
Well, I just wanna be with you
Right here with you, just like this

I just wanna hold you close
I feel your heart so close to mine
And just stay here in this moment
For all the rest of time, yeah, yeah, yeah

Don’t wanna close my eyes
Don’t wanna fall asleep
‘Cause I’d miss you, baby
And I don’t wanna miss a thing

‘Cause even when I dream of you
The sweetest dream would never do
I’d still miss you, baby
And I don’t wanna miss a thing

I don’t wanna close my eyes
I don’t wanna fall asleep
‘Cause I’d miss you, baby
And I don’t wanna miss a thing

‘Cause even when I dream of you
The sweetest dream would never do
And I’d still miss you, baby
And I don’t wanna miss a thing

Don’t wanna close my eyes
I don’t wanna fall asleep, yeah
I don’t wanna miss a thing

Phoenix Wright & Maya Fey
Wright & Co. Law Offices
April 18, 2019, 3:30 AM

“We’ve got to keep quiet if we don’t want to wake up Pearls, birthday girl,” Phoenix mouthed against Maya’s lips as they stealthily shifted back up the stairs that led to his apartment, and towards his chambers, exchanging heated kisses the entire way.

Upon arriving at their destination, he quietly shut the door behind them and moved towards her. The bedroom was enveloped in darkness, save for the bright, translucent shadow cast by the sliver of moonlight filtering through the partially closed blinds. The spirit medium stood by the bed, illuminated by the soft glow. His heart pounded in his chest as he took in the sight of her. Bathed in moonlight, her alabaster skin seemed to glow, accentuating the glimmering sequins of her red mini-dress. She was absolutely breathtaking. And she was all his.

Maya regarded him shyly. Even though she knew this was what she so desperately longed for, it was all still strange and foreign territory for her, and she was uncertain how to proceed.

She was killing him so sweetly. Did she know how she affected him? That her gaze never strayed told him she did this time. She had driven him to near madness all these years that he had ached for her, and all, no doubt, without the smallest awareness of the effect. This he knew to be so very true about her – she had no guile and he loved her for that.

Sensing her trepidation, he slowly walked over and gently pulled her to him in a warm embrace, one arm wrapped tightly around her slender waist, while with his free hand, he ran his fingers through her thick, glorious raven hair; wild waves with a few errant curls scattered throughout, hanging about her shoulders and down her back. The gesture soothed her somewhat, despite the slight apprehension beginning to stir within her stomach that his touch, his nearness had awakened.

With his sapphire gaze never once leaving hers, he took her hands and brushed soft, feather-like kisses across the top of each knuckle.

The psychic swallowed nervously, her breaths becoming light and quick. She gazed up into her beau’s handsome face, a blend of excitement and nervousness in her eyes. Were they actually going to do this? Were they really about to make love? Was she, just hours after her 21^st birthday, finally ready to surrender her virginity?

As if reading her mind, Phoenix cradled her face in his hands and looked down at her, his smile soft and almost teasing. “Tell me, Maya, what more can I do to ease you?”

She should be thinking of him. After all, he had already shown remarkable self-control these past four years, waiting for her, and even up until that moment had shown nothing but pure gentlemanly restraint.

“Kiss me,” she whispered.

Her lips parted, releasing a breath that reached towards him, carrying her familiar, fresh vanilla scent that intoxicated his senses. Shivers raced over his body, overwhelmed by what she could do to him.

He wordlessly obliged, enveloping her lips in a searing kiss that stole her breath away. There was no gentleness this time. His tongue teased the seam of her lips, urging them to part, hungry for more of this rapturously sensual, erotic experience. He tasted of grape juice and spice, his tongue skilled yet yielding to her exploration. Unconsciously, they found themselves wrapped in each other’s arms, his fingers weaving through her silky hair, guiding her head to the perfect angle. Her arms encircled his powerful torso, tracing the muscular contours of his back. Their bodies pressed together as if molded into one.

Standing in the cage of his arms, inhaling his intoxicating masculine blend of citrus and sandalwood, a hot surge of need and anticipation rushed through Maya. Despite his initial hesitation from the first time he’d kissed her that evening, Phoenix was now completely virile confidence personified. His skilled lips and strong hands gave off crazy energy, making her crave his touch with an insatiable hunger that belied any she’d ever felt, for even the juiciest of burgers.

Standing within the cage of his arms, inhaling his intoxicating masculine scent, a blend of citrus and sandalwood, Maya felt a heated rush of anticipation and need course through her. Despite Phoenix’s initial hesitation earlier in the evening, now he exuded confidence and virility. His skilled lips and strong hands radiated electrifying energy, igniting within her a pang of hunger for his touch that surpassed any craving she had ever experienced, even for the juiciest of burgers.

His lips met hers with a confident tenderness, neither hesitant nor hurried. His touch was deliberate, skilled, as he traced the contour of her lips with his tongue, gently nibbling and sucking on her lower lip. Each subtle caress ignited a fire across her skin, sending waves of desire coursing through her, leaving her trembling in their wake.

They undressed each other between kisses, murmuring words of love to one another as they found themselves toppling back onto the bed, his lips never leaving hers as she writhed beneath him.

It was as if her flesh transformed into something more than mere skin. It surged with such vitality that it moved of its own volition, pressing against his body. Her hip grazed his, her hands explored, caressed, and sought out the contours of his robust back, the broad expanse of his shoulders, the strength in his arms, and the firmness of his rear. As their lips met and their tongues intertwined unexpectedly, a thrilling shock rippled through her body so intensely that he paused, lifting his head to regard her with concern.

“My love,” he breathed. “Tell me this is what you want.”

Maya looked up into Phoenix’s handsome face, his flushed complexion, the sheen of sweat on his forehead, throat, and chest, his eyes shining brightly. She intrinsically knew that the loving expression she saw would remain unwavering, even if she chose to pause, despite how far they had already come.

Because he loved her that much.

You’re not just my friend you’re my love. You’re not just my love you’re my heart. You’re not just my heart you are my life. You’re not just my life. You’re my everything.

And it was because she loved him back, with every fiber of her being, that she knew her answer.

“At this moment, what I want, more than anything in the world, Nick, is for us to be connected in every way possible; heart, mind, body, and soul. I want to be your woman, and only yours. Make me yours. Please.”

His embrace wandered, caressing her boldly. She moved into his touch even while the path of his hands startled her. Over her stomach and bottom, he pressed and claimed all of her. His touch moved more shockingly, teasingly along, down to her thighs, venturing to the pulse that both maddened and pleasured her.

And suddenly he was above her, his lips kissing her eyelids until she opened them and found his midnight-blue gaze looking down on her with an expression so tender and so full of longing that she knew she would carry it with her till her dying day. His mouth moved voraciously against her own.

Lifting himself over her, he, at last, did as she’d yearned him to, and made her his. During their whole union, they held on to each other as if the world would burst apart if they let go.

Only then did Phoenix lift his gaze to her face and see the tears trickling from Maya’s eyes. Only then, did he realize his own eyes were wet as well.

There was great beauty in being joined with your soulmate. Simultaneously, they both cried out as they soared over the edge and to the far side of paradise together.

Even in the aftermath, he wouldn’t let go. Rolling to his side, he brought her with him, kissing her with untamed joy.

As she drifted down from the heights of ecstasy, she whispered, “Nick, I never knew… I never knew.”

Her mouth was open in an awed beam, fueled by satiated bliss.

She was suddenly aware of how few clothes she wore and that the room was cool. She covered her chest with her arms.

He extended his arm, conjuring a comforter into existence moments later. Gently, he enveloped her, ensuring she felt cocooned in warmth and security. With tender care, he held the front closed with his hands, pressing a kiss to her temple before tucking the blanket snugly around her. Drawing her close, he warmed her with his body, cradling her against him and resting his chin atop her head. She sighed contentedly, lowering her head to rest on the comforting pillow of his broad chest, a soft smile lingering on her lovely lips as she closed her eyes.

He was incredibly attentive, in every way, and her heart yearned for him, almost leaping towards him in a tangible rush. Could it really be so wrong to envision a life with him?

Not at all.

Maya snuggled up next to her soulmate and fell fast asleep, secure in her love.

The following night, the spirit medium couldn’t sleep. It was beyond vexing, as she had to catch the early morning train back to Kurain and was then required to attend a fortnight of spiritual training at a remote retreat atop Mount Koya in Japan. She felt unbelievably restless, and couldn’t shake the inexplicable aura of foreboding unfolding within her, although she couldn’t understand why. Nick, to be fair, had done all he could to ensure she would sleep soundly … and then some!

Maya blushed slightly, remembering just how vigorously her boyfriend had tried to ensure she was knocked out as heavily as he was, but for some reason, she just couldn’t visit Mr. Sandman as readily as he had. Her mind was filled with bizarre foreshadows of impending doom, no matter how hard she tried to reassure herself that she was being ridiculous; that she was blithely lying next to the love of her life, the ever-indomitable hero, who always had and would continually ensure no harm would ever befall her.

She looked over at her lover. With his eyes shut so that his long lashes nearly swept his cheeks, Phoenix resembled an ethereal cherub while slumbering. But she didn’t hear him snoring, as usual, so she couldn’t help but be suspicious. Was he really asleep? She managed to lift her arm and touch his shoulder. He stirred and turned his head so his face pressed into the curve of her neck.

“Good God, woman!” The spiky-haired man let out a laughing groan. “Up until tonight, I didn’t even know I was capable of finishing twice with the same hard-on! Are you trying to kill me?”

Stifling back a laugh so as not to awaken her cousin sleeping in the next room, Maya idly ran her fingers over his spiky hair.

“Nope! We can’t have that,” she soothed, although her voice was tinged with merriment. “Now, I want to see you in bed.”

“I thought that’s where I was,” he mumbled drowsily.

“Now, stop that, funny man!” Maya lightly swatted his shoulder. “Asleep. I want you to sleep.”

A sigh flowed out of his chest. “I think I could, as long as you were with me.”

She knew that he’d been rushed into taking a last-minute case, and had spent most of that day playing poker with his new client, Shadi Enigmar, while she and Pearly had visited with Gumshoe and Maggey until he’d returned. Maya also felt guilty that she and Pearly’s unexpected extended Sunday night sleepover that night meant that he’d had little time to make provisions for the case, as they had monopolized his evening. Phoenix was discernibly feeling some sort of anxiety as well, since he too, was still awake.

“I know my staying here tonight didn’t give you a lot of time to prepare, Nick, but rest assured, I know you’ll be great, as always.”

Despite her misgivings, this she could give him, just a little peace of mind so that he could sleep.

“Hold me,” Phoenix mumbled sleepily, turning over and pulling her against him so she was nuzzled against his chest. Maya obliged, wrapping around his warm bare shoulder, and it seemed to do the trick; moments later she heard the peaceful, deep breathing of slumber. Finally, ignoring the unease within her, lulled by the rhythmic beat of his heart, eventually, she slept.

Aerosmith – I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing
Cutting Crew  – I Just Died In Your Arms Tonight (chapter title)