Bloodlust (Part 5)
Romance, fluff, drama, Shoe!
Title: Bloodlust
Pairing: Phoenix/Edgeworth, some Franziska/Adrian
Theme: Romance, Horror, Comedy, Action
Warnings: Spoilers for PW 1 & 2, vampires and blood, gay lawyers, violence... (and part 4 has SEX!)
Summary: Vampire!Phoenix and Miles are now a steady couple, but they just can't seem to get out of the habit of keeping secrets. An evil force lurks in the background, Shoe makes a cameo, and people get drunk. Enjoy!
Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4 - Part 5
-----
Phoenix was surprised to discover that, when he wasn't having a nightmare, Miles was quite the sound sleeper. The silver-haired man had barely stirred when Phoenix shifted out from under him, only murmured as his lover cleaned off his sticky chest with a warm, damp cloth. Phoenix couldn't understand what exactly he was saying, but as he got back into the bed and pulled up the covers over them both, he could see a faint smile on those pale, sculpted lips.
They lay that way for hours, bodies snuggled together in a way Phoenix knew would embarrass his lover if the grey-eyed man was actually awake. As it was, the attorney felt free to cuddle to his heart's content, holding that warm body close to his own. Grey hair and black spikes, pale limbs entwined with tanned ones, not knowing where one ended and the other began.
The clock had struck nine and the faint traces of sunlight had vanished from around the blinds before Miles turned his head and groaned, throwing an arm across his eyes.
"Morning, lover." Phoenix was grinning.
"Mmmm... morning? Really?"
"Alright, it's really nighttime, but I've always wanted to say that to you. Who cares about what time it actually is?"
"I do." Miles muttered rebelliously. "You have officially messed up my sleep schedule."
Phoenix rolled his eyes. "What sleep schedule? This is the first time you've slept properly in months. Anyway, you came onto me."
"True," Miles murmured, turning to look at Phoenix for the first time.
Phoenix took one look at his face and chocked.
"What?" Miles looked at him in concern, eyes wide. Red, bloodshot eyes, like some horror movie vampire. "Why the hell are you looking at me like that?"
"Miles, it's..." Could I have accidentally turned him when we did it? No way! Even if that was possible, it was safe right? "Your eyes are-"
"My eyes? what about my eyes?"
"They're all red!"
"Red?" The prosecutor put a hand to his face, then sighed. "Damn it, I slept in my contacts twice in a row... no wonder my eyes itch."
"Then you're not? I mean, I didn't-"
"Didn't what? Didn't make me a vampire?" Miles snorted, grabbed Phoenix's hand and pressed it to the warm skin of his forehead. "Of course not, you idiot. Do I feel like a vampire to you? Save your guilt trips for real mistakes." Shaking his head, the prosecutor rolled out of bed and headed for the bathroom.
"Well, you're sure as hell not acting like a human!" Phoenix growled as Miles disappeared behind the door. He could hear the other man rummaging around, presumably for eye drops. "I mean, you're so grouchy! haven't you ever heard of afterglow?"
"Haven't you ever heard of lower back pain? Mr. Super-strength?" Miles came back to stand in the doorway, holding a bottle of eye-drops.
Phoenix winced. "Sorry."
Miles sighed, settling back down beside his lover and removing his lenses, dropping them back into the little dish on the bedside table. "Don't be. I really-" A blush spread across the bridge of his node. "It felt good... I really enjoyed it. And I would like to do it again.
Phoenix perked up. "Again?"
"Not right now you horny pervert! In case you can't remember, my ass hurts. Though..." He suddenly rolled over, pinning Phoenix's forearms to the pillows and looking at him with a positively evil glint in his eyes. "They say misery loves company... and we don't have to go anywhere until tomorrow morning..."
"I don't know Miles," Phoenix smirked, Now who's a horny pervert? "You know how quickly I heal... Do you really think you could manage to make me sore tomorrow?"
"Well, I do enjoy a challenge..." The prosecutor leaned down to kiss his partner, lips pressing together, Phoenix opened his mouth to let Miles in-
Beep! Beep! Beep!
"Your cell-"
"Ignore it, Nick. Whoever it is can leave a message." He pressed himself down on top of the vampire, enveloping him in warmth, kissing him thoroughly, passionately-
Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing! Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing!
The house phone this time.
Phoenix wanted to hit something. Preferably that telephone, hard enough to send it through the wall. Miles probably felt the same way, given the way his hands tightened on Phoenix's wrists and the audible sound of his teeth grinding. They lay there, letting it ring. Whoever it was could leave a message, and they'd be able to get on with what they were doing.
"You have reached Miles Edgeworth's personal residence. Please leave a message after the tone."
Beep!
"Miles Edgeworth, PICK UP THE DAMN PHONE!"
Both men jumped as Franziska von Karma's voice came roaring over the line like some kind of battle-cry.
"I KNOW you're there, you foolish fool! Either you pick up this foolish phone or I'm coming over right now to kick your foolish ass!"
Miles growled something that was probably German and definitely rude as he rolled over and picked up the receiver. Phoenix sighed, but still, taking the phone call was better than Franziska catching them in mid-coitus. Hell, almost anything would be better than that!
"Franzizska, this had better be damn good!" Miles snapped, ignoring the formalities.
"Is life and death good enough for you?"
"No. Get somebody else to deal with it."
"Listen you fool, I don't care if your bloodsucking fool of a boy-toy is tied up and covered in chocolate sauce! This is serious and you will SHUT UP and listen to your big sister!"
They both winced, and Phoenix desperately hoped Franziska wasn't making this phone call in a public place. Miles turned to look at him, and Phoenix shrugged.
"She can exaggerate at times, but this could be important." He pointed out, hoping he was actually wrong.
Miles sighed. "Fine, what is it?"
"I don't have time to explain, you fool! Just get both your foolish behinds over to my house as quickly as possible- I'll meet you there!"
"Wait, wha-"
*click*
Miles stared at the phone in his hand, a sour expression on his face. He growled as he hung up.
"Sometimes, that woman gets on my nerves!" He sighed, brushing his hair out of his eyes. "The problem is, she's that intense about everything. It could be real life and death or something completely trivial, and you wouldn't be able to tell."
Phoenix stretched languidly and reached for his pants. "That's the problem with questing after perfection all the time! Still..." He shot Miles a sideways look. "She really does have you whi-"
"If you say she has me 'whipped' I'll stuff your shoes with garlic." Miles jammed his glasses angrily onto his nose. Phoenix couldn't help but giggle.
"Wouldn't dream of it."
Where Franziska was, however, nobody was laughing. On the contrary, the normally unflappable prosecuting prodigy felt like she would never eat again. She had seen her share of murders, her share of corpses... but these twelve bodies lying side by side in the city morgue were truly terrifying to see. Every one of them was chalk white, bloodless, their faces frozen in expressions of utter horror... and their throats mutilated as though by an animal.
"Father," Franziska whispered, voice hoarse. "What on earth are you planning?"
----
Miles was silent as they pulled out of the driveway, sitting side by side in the front seats of the red sports car. The prosecutor drove quickly, tapping the steering wheel with an irritated staccato rhythm every time they hit a red light.
Phoenix watched unobtrusively out of the corner of his eye, taking in his lover's profile. He would never admit it, but he enjoyed seeing Miles in glasses. It made him look so scholarly. Combined with his mussed post-sex hairdo and the ordinary-looking slacks and polo he'd grabbed in his haste, he looked very different from the man Phoenix usually faced in court. And his scent... musk and sweat with an undercurrent of Phoenix's own smell lingering on his skin.
Nobody else has ever seen him looking like this... smelled his body like this... He's gotten really comfortable around me, hasn't he? Even if he is grumpy about it. Oh well.
"Phoenix, can I ask you something?"
"Oh, sure." Phoenix tried not to jump too far as he was startled out of his reverie. Apparently, the car didn't count as 'in public' enough to use his surname.
"Did you mean it... when you said you loved me?"
"Of course!" Phoenix answered immediately, surprised Miles would even ask.
"So did I." It was so quiet, it seemed more like a self-admission than a declaration, barely heard above the sounds of traffic. "I've never felt like this in my life."
Phoenix looked at him, surprised to hear something like that come out of his lover's mouth... especially in these particular surroundings. He felt a strange warmth growing in his heart, even if it wasn't beating.
"Well, you'd better get used to it." Phoenix grinned at the silver haired man as they pulled into the driveway of Franziska's house. "I've been chasing you for fifteen years and I plan to stick to you like glue from now on."
Miles turned to him, leaning over to unfasten his seatbelt and give him a brief kiss. As he drew away, he chuckled.
"I'll hold you to that."
Miles rapped on the front door of the very ordinary-looking suburban home. Phoenix stared at the building in surprise. Somehow he'd been expected something castle-like... or bright painted turquoise or something! There were little flowers in the windowbox and even a catflap in the front door.
I expected it to look more like Miles's place did when I moved in... but what's with these these domestic touches? He tried to imagine Franziska tending the little blue flowers in the box and failed miserably.
The answer to his question answered the door, blinking and clutching a book. Phoenix belatedly remembered a conversation with Miles a few weeks ago... something about Franziska's plans now Adrian Andrews was getting out of jail. Had there been something about moving in? He couldn't remember.
"Mister Edgeworth?" Adrian seemed put rather off-blanace... either by seeing him in glasses and civilian clothes, or possibly just the fact that he's shown up on her doorstep. "And Mr. Wright?"
"Hello, Miss Andrews. Is my sister here?" He sounded even stiffer than usual, probably remembering their last encounter. that, Phoenix remembered vividly, down to Miles's cold expression as he forced Adrian to testify. Not that I did much better... I was this close to sending her to jail instead of Engarde!
"Franziska? No, she's out on a case but she should be done soon. You can wait in here if you like..."
"Thank you. She told us to meet her here."
"Ok, then. Come in!" She turned and beckoned them inside, and Phoenix let out a sigh of relief. Without such a clear invitation from a resident of the house, he'd have had trouble entering.
The inside was an interesting mix of influences, turquoise drapes and Global Studios posters, furniture that ranged from warm mahogany to ultramodern steel and plastic. He and Miles were quickly motioned to seats on a black leather couch.
It was an awkward couple of minutes, trying to make small talk with Adrian. She kept glancing over at Miles and avoiding even the basic topics of food and the weather, practically reeking of nervousness.
What is wrong with her? Phoenix wondered as he watched her waffle around yet another subject (sports this time), her glance flickering towards Miles every few seconds. Does she have the hots for him or something? II understand if she does... my boyfriend's so hot even the lesbians want him...
His line of thinking was interrupted, however, by something landing on his head.
Phoenix howled as claws dug into his scalp and made a grab for whatever it was, but the cat had already leaped from his perch and landed in the lap of a very nonplussed Adrian Andrews, arching and spitting.
"Shoe!" She exclaimed at the cat, trying to prevent him from seeking refuge under her skirt. The animal was glaring bloody murder at Phoenix, claws bared and fur fluffed up to twice it's proper size.
"I am so sorry, Mr. Wright, he's never like this- Shoe calm down!" But shoe would not calm down. Seeming almost frantic, Adrian gathered him up into her arms, getting scratched up in the process. "I'm sorry! I'll -ouch- put him outside and -ow!- get something for you to drink or-"
In the middle of her sentence, she turned tail and bolted.
Miles and Phoenix blinked at one another for long moments.
"Well... she's changed a lot since the Engarde case..."
"Shoe too.... that cat used to be so cute..." Phoenix rubbed his head and winced. "Of course, most animals react that way these days."
Miles couldn't do more than shoot him a sympathetic look before Adrian came in again, covered in cat scratches and glasses askew, holding a tray with three earthenware mugs.
"Here you go. Sorry about the mugs but china's not the best idea with me around sometimes."
"Oh, not at all," Miles waved a hand politely before taking a sip of his steaming drink... and spitting it out the next instant as a look of absolute disgust on his face.
"Wha- gravy? What are you trying to DO to me?" He stood up, choking and sputtering, staring at his sister's lover as though she'd grown a second head.
Phoenix grabbed the cup and sniffed. Yep, that's piping hot gravy! What the hell is going on? He glanced at his cup, but it contained only ordinary decaf.
Adrian was stammering, shaking under the onslaught of Miles's temper. "I'm so sorry, Mr. Edgeworth! Was there not enough blood in it or something? Was it the wrong temperature? Please don't kill me!" She looked like she was about to cry.
"Kill? Blood? What are you talking about?" Miles was looking as frantic as Adrian now, casting around for some kind of answer he couldn't find.
Realization hit Phoenix like a ton of bricks and he started to shake too. not with anger or fear, but uncontrollable laughter.
"Wright, what-"
"She... she thinks..." Phoenix's sides were hurting, but he forced himself to calm down enough to speak properly. "She thinks you're a vampire!" He lapsed back into chuckles, clutching his sides.
Adrian and Miles stared at each other for a few moments, completely lost for words.
"You mean... you're not a vampire?"
"Of course I'm not!" Miles snapped. "Why did you think I was?"
"Aside from the obvious, of course." Phoenix interjected. When Miles turned to glare at him, he chuckled, "Face it Miles, you're pale as a ghost and you dress like a refugee from the eighteenth century! You practically ooze 'vampire' from your pores!"
While Miles stared at him, dumbstruck, Adrian was nodding.
"That and, well, I thought you'd be the only one Franzy would go so far to protect..."
That got both their attention.
"Oh, not that she told me anything, really... I mean, I made her tell me! I saw those scars on her wrist and I thought she was cutting herself and I was about to call the hotline... but she stopped me and told me she was feeding a vampire and I thought she was crazy- but she showed me the Belmont library and the armory and told me about vampires but she never told me about you! I m- mean... what vampire she was keeping safe... but I thought it had to be you, because you're the only person she cares about that much!" She was panting for breath, still looking frantic when she paused, staring at Miles's neck. "And what do you mean you're not a vampire? You've got that big scar right on your neck!"
Miles slapped a hand to the side of his neck Phoenix always fed on, cursing. Meanwhile, Phoenix was wiping his eyes, still laughing.
"You're wrong, Mi- Miles isn't the vampire..." He took a deep breath and smiled at Adrian, showing teeth. "I am."
Adrian looked back and forth for a moment, a look of pure bewilderment on her face.
"You're..?"
"Yep."
"Not him?"
"Nope."
She frowned. "Aren't vampires supposed to be... intimidating? Perhaps stunningly exotic?"
Miles sighed, shaking his head. "Alas, Wright is an utter failure in that regard."
"Hey!" Phoenix felt hurt. "Just because I don't wear Armani suits and speak in a semi-european accent doesn't mean I'm less than classy!"
Miles and Adrian shared a significant look, which left Phoenix rather put out. It's the hair isn't it? Or the eyebrows, I bet it's the eyebrows...
"By the way..." Miles asked, almost offhandedly, "Did a large package arrive for me, by any chance?"
Adrian's eyes blinked, then widened. "You mean that wooden crate from Germany?" Miles nodded and she got up, beckoning. "Franziska and I put it in the Armory 'till you could come for it. It was really heavy."
They followed her, Miles eager and Phoenix confused and irritated, down the stairs to the basement. As soon as she opened the door, however, Phoenix fell back, covering his eyes.
The air in the room burned. Everything in there, from crosses to silver blades and pikes and an array of wooden stakes to what felt like an entire barrel of holy water, hurt to look at. He could smell his skin starting to smoke as he yelled to Adrian.
"Close the door!"
She slammed it shut while Miles bent down to look at him, concern on his face.
"Are you OK?"
"Yeah, just a little uhh crispy..." He got shakily to his feet. "I'll wait upstairs, shall I?"
-----
Adrian and Miles looked at him apologetically as they brought the crate upstairs, but by then Phoenix felt better.
"I'm sorry, Wright." Miles put a hand on his arm, looking truly mortified. "I didn't realize she'd brought so many artifacts with her."
"It's Ok, Mi- Edgeworth. I wasn't thinking either. Still, what's she expecting, a vampire apocalypse?"
Adrian couldn't answer, only look contrite.
"Anyway," Miles bent down and unbolted the crate. "Hopefully this will make up for it."
He pushed back the lid to reveal a sword. A long, polished blade that looked like stone, supported and decorated with elegant scrollwork and vines in steel. The hilt was like that of a rapier, even though the blade looked far too thick and heavy to be wielded in one hand, the pommel was a single bloodstone the size of a man's fist. Even to someone who knew as little about swords as Phoenix did, it was obviously a marvel of craftsmanship.
"This," Miles reached in, hauling the heavy sword out with both hands, "Is... well, you probably couldn't pronounce the German, but it translates to 'Kinslayer'. The weapon of an ensouled vampire."
Phoenix reached out to take the weapon, holding it easily in one hand and staring at the blade. It felt perfect in his grip, as though made for his hand. "For an ensouled vampire? You mean I'm not the first?"
Miles shook his head. "There have been five on record, according to my research. The most recent one was named Liam, a man who fell in love with and fought alongside a vampire hunter. Kind of familiar, isn't it?"
"You're in love with Franziska, too!?!" Adrian stared at them in shock. She looked from one face to the other frantically, but after a few moments Phoenix could see realization begin to dawn in her eyes. "Sorry, never mind..." She sighed in relief and leaned back.
Franzisa really didn't tell her anything, did she? Though, she did catch on quick...
"Anyway," Miles continued, "This belonged to a different vampire, Alucard, who left it to the Belmont clan as an heirloom upon his death. Now it's yours."
"Wait, I can't accept this!" Phoenix shook his head frantically, holding the sword out for Miles to take back. "I mean it's an heirloom-"
"It's also impossible for somebody with normal strength to wield. Either it sits in a vault gathering dust or it gets used for a good cause, namely our defense. After all, you can't use a normal hunter weapon because it would burn you."
"True..." Phoenix looked at the sword. Now he looked closer, he could see that the blade was an odd, mottled color, almost like wood grain. "Is this petrified wood?"
"All the better to stake them with, my dear." Miles looked at him, eyes serious, "Just take the sword Wright. You need to be sa- uff!"
Phoenix grabbed him suddenly in a hug that knocked the breath out of his lungs. He was beaming as he held his lover close, eyes almost tearing up. All this time he was just as worried about me as I was about him! He does care!
"Thank you." He murmured into Miles's neck. "Thank you so much..."
He could hear the phone start to ring and Adrian's "I'll go get that, shall I?", but he was more focused on Miles's wry chuckle and arm slipping around his back. He'd never been given anything more precious in his life before, and he swore to himself he would use it to the fullest, protecting Miles until he turned to dust.
"Mr. Wright, Mr. Edgeworth, come quick!" He was startled out of his reverie by Adrian's voice, calling urgently from beside the phone. She'd apparently turned on the speakers, because he could hear gasping on the other end.
"Miles? Miles... you there?" The voice belonged to Franziska, hoarse and out of breath.
"Franziska?"
"Miles? Listen, you have to stay in the house, Adrian and Wright too!"
"Franziska, where are you?" Phoenix yelled into the mike.
"No time, just stay put! Don't *gasp* Don't let anyone in, use the weapons if you have to..." A pause. "Not even ME, you hear? If I show up, don't let me in..." Her voice trailed off into static.
"FRANZISKA!" Adrian yelled into the speaker, her face dead white.
"Ich liebe dich, Adrian... I'm so-"
The line went dead.
Title: Bloodlust
Pairing: Phoenix/Edgeworth, some Franziska/Adrian
Theme: Romance, Horror, Comedy, Action
Warnings: Spoilers for PW 1 & 2, vampires and blood, gay lawyers, violence... (and part 4 has SEX!)
Summary: Vampire!Phoenix and Miles are now a steady couple, but they just can't seem to get out of the habit of keeping secrets. An evil force lurks in the background, Shoe makes a cameo, and people get drunk. Enjoy!
Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4 - Part 5
-----
Phoenix was surprised to discover that, when he wasn't having a nightmare, Miles was quite the sound sleeper. The silver-haired man had barely stirred when Phoenix shifted out from under him, only murmured as his lover cleaned off his sticky chest with a warm, damp cloth. Phoenix couldn't understand what exactly he was saying, but as he got back into the bed and pulled up the covers over them both, he could see a faint smile on those pale, sculpted lips.
They lay that way for hours, bodies snuggled together in a way Phoenix knew would embarrass his lover if the grey-eyed man was actually awake. As it was, the attorney felt free to cuddle to his heart's content, holding that warm body close to his own. Grey hair and black spikes, pale limbs entwined with tanned ones, not knowing where one ended and the other began.
The clock had struck nine and the faint traces of sunlight had vanished from around the blinds before Miles turned his head and groaned, throwing an arm across his eyes.
"Morning, lover." Phoenix was grinning.
"Mmmm... morning? Really?"
"Alright, it's really nighttime, but I've always wanted to say that to you. Who cares about what time it actually is?"
"I do." Miles muttered rebelliously. "You have officially messed up my sleep schedule."
Phoenix rolled his eyes. "What sleep schedule? This is the first time you've slept properly in months. Anyway, you came onto me."
"True," Miles murmured, turning to look at Phoenix for the first time.
Phoenix took one look at his face and chocked.
"What?" Miles looked at him in concern, eyes wide. Red, bloodshot eyes, like some horror movie vampire. "Why the hell are you looking at me like that?"
"Miles, it's..." Could I have accidentally turned him when we did it? No way! Even if that was possible, it was safe right? "Your eyes are-"
"My eyes? what about my eyes?"
"They're all red!"
"Red?" The prosecutor put a hand to his face, then sighed. "Damn it, I slept in my contacts twice in a row... no wonder my eyes itch."
"Then you're not? I mean, I didn't-"
"Didn't what? Didn't make me a vampire?" Miles snorted, grabbed Phoenix's hand and pressed it to the warm skin of his forehead. "Of course not, you idiot. Do I feel like a vampire to you? Save your guilt trips for real mistakes." Shaking his head, the prosecutor rolled out of bed and headed for the bathroom.
"Well, you're sure as hell not acting like a human!" Phoenix growled as Miles disappeared behind the door. He could hear the other man rummaging around, presumably for eye drops. "I mean, you're so grouchy! haven't you ever heard of afterglow?"
"Haven't you ever heard of lower back pain? Mr. Super-strength?" Miles came back to stand in the doorway, holding a bottle of eye-drops.
Phoenix winced. "Sorry."
Miles sighed, settling back down beside his lover and removing his lenses, dropping them back into the little dish on the bedside table. "Don't be. I really-" A blush spread across the bridge of his node. "It felt good... I really enjoyed it. And I would like to do it again.
Phoenix perked up. "Again?"
"Not right now you horny pervert! In case you can't remember, my ass hurts. Though..." He suddenly rolled over, pinning Phoenix's forearms to the pillows and looking at him with a positively evil glint in his eyes. "They say misery loves company... and we don't have to go anywhere until tomorrow morning..."
"I don't know Miles," Phoenix smirked, Now who's a horny pervert? "You know how quickly I heal... Do you really think you could manage to make me sore tomorrow?"
"Well, I do enjoy a challenge..." The prosecutor leaned down to kiss his partner, lips pressing together, Phoenix opened his mouth to let Miles in-
Beep! Beep! Beep!
"Your cell-"
"Ignore it, Nick. Whoever it is can leave a message." He pressed himself down on top of the vampire, enveloping him in warmth, kissing him thoroughly, passionately-
Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing! Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing!
The house phone this time.
Phoenix wanted to hit something. Preferably that telephone, hard enough to send it through the wall. Miles probably felt the same way, given the way his hands tightened on Phoenix's wrists and the audible sound of his teeth grinding. They lay there, letting it ring. Whoever it was could leave a message, and they'd be able to get on with what they were doing.
"You have reached Miles Edgeworth's personal residence. Please leave a message after the tone."
Beep!
"Miles Edgeworth, PICK UP THE DAMN PHONE!"
Both men jumped as Franziska von Karma's voice came roaring over the line like some kind of battle-cry.
"I KNOW you're there, you foolish fool! Either you pick up this foolish phone or I'm coming over right now to kick your foolish ass!"
Miles growled something that was probably German and definitely rude as he rolled over and picked up the receiver. Phoenix sighed, but still, taking the phone call was better than Franziska catching them in mid-coitus. Hell, almost anything would be better than that!
"Franzizska, this had better be damn good!" Miles snapped, ignoring the formalities.
"Is life and death good enough for you?"
"No. Get somebody else to deal with it."
"Listen you fool, I don't care if your bloodsucking fool of a boy-toy is tied up and covered in chocolate sauce! This is serious and you will SHUT UP and listen to your big sister!"
They both winced, and Phoenix desperately hoped Franziska wasn't making this phone call in a public place. Miles turned to look at him, and Phoenix shrugged.
"She can exaggerate at times, but this could be important." He pointed out, hoping he was actually wrong.
Miles sighed. "Fine, what is it?"
"I don't have time to explain, you fool! Just get both your foolish behinds over to my house as quickly as possible- I'll meet you there!"
"Wait, wha-"
*click*
Miles stared at the phone in his hand, a sour expression on his face. He growled as he hung up.
"Sometimes, that woman gets on my nerves!" He sighed, brushing his hair out of his eyes. "The problem is, she's that intense about everything. It could be real life and death or something completely trivial, and you wouldn't be able to tell."
Phoenix stretched languidly and reached for his pants. "That's the problem with questing after perfection all the time! Still..." He shot Miles a sideways look. "She really does have you whi-"
"If you say she has me 'whipped' I'll stuff your shoes with garlic." Miles jammed his glasses angrily onto his nose. Phoenix couldn't help but giggle.
"Wouldn't dream of it."
Where Franziska was, however, nobody was laughing. On the contrary, the normally unflappable prosecuting prodigy felt like she would never eat again. She had seen her share of murders, her share of corpses... but these twelve bodies lying side by side in the city morgue were truly terrifying to see. Every one of them was chalk white, bloodless, their faces frozen in expressions of utter horror... and their throats mutilated as though by an animal.
"Father," Franziska whispered, voice hoarse. "What on earth are you planning?"
----
Miles was silent as they pulled out of the driveway, sitting side by side in the front seats of the red sports car. The prosecutor drove quickly, tapping the steering wheel with an irritated staccato rhythm every time they hit a red light.
Phoenix watched unobtrusively out of the corner of his eye, taking in his lover's profile. He would never admit it, but he enjoyed seeing Miles in glasses. It made him look so scholarly. Combined with his mussed post-sex hairdo and the ordinary-looking slacks and polo he'd grabbed in his haste, he looked very different from the man Phoenix usually faced in court. And his scent... musk and sweat with an undercurrent of Phoenix's own smell lingering on his skin.
Nobody else has ever seen him looking like this... smelled his body like this... He's gotten really comfortable around me, hasn't he? Even if he is grumpy about it. Oh well.
"Phoenix, can I ask you something?"
"Oh, sure." Phoenix tried not to jump too far as he was startled out of his reverie. Apparently, the car didn't count as 'in public' enough to use his surname.
"Did you mean it... when you said you loved me?"
"Of course!" Phoenix answered immediately, surprised Miles would even ask.
"So did I." It was so quiet, it seemed more like a self-admission than a declaration, barely heard above the sounds of traffic. "I've never felt like this in my life."
Phoenix looked at him, surprised to hear something like that come out of his lover's mouth... especially in these particular surroundings. He felt a strange warmth growing in his heart, even if it wasn't beating.
"Well, you'd better get used to it." Phoenix grinned at the silver haired man as they pulled into the driveway of Franziska's house. "I've been chasing you for fifteen years and I plan to stick to you like glue from now on."
Miles turned to him, leaning over to unfasten his seatbelt and give him a brief kiss. As he drew away, he chuckled.
"I'll hold you to that."
Miles rapped on the front door of the very ordinary-looking suburban home. Phoenix stared at the building in surprise. Somehow he'd been expected something castle-like... or bright painted turquoise or something! There were little flowers in the windowbox and even a catflap in the front door.
I expected it to look more like Miles's place did when I moved in... but what's with these these domestic touches? He tried to imagine Franziska tending the little blue flowers in the box and failed miserably.
The answer to his question answered the door, blinking and clutching a book. Phoenix belatedly remembered a conversation with Miles a few weeks ago... something about Franziska's plans now Adrian Andrews was getting out of jail. Had there been something about moving in? He couldn't remember.
"Mister Edgeworth?" Adrian seemed put rather off-blanace... either by seeing him in glasses and civilian clothes, or possibly just the fact that he's shown up on her doorstep. "And Mr. Wright?"
"Hello, Miss Andrews. Is my sister here?" He sounded even stiffer than usual, probably remembering their last encounter. that, Phoenix remembered vividly, down to Miles's cold expression as he forced Adrian to testify. Not that I did much better... I was this close to sending her to jail instead of Engarde!
"Franziska? No, she's out on a case but she should be done soon. You can wait in here if you like..."
"Thank you. She told us to meet her here."
"Ok, then. Come in!" She turned and beckoned them inside, and Phoenix let out a sigh of relief. Without such a clear invitation from a resident of the house, he'd have had trouble entering.
The inside was an interesting mix of influences, turquoise drapes and Global Studios posters, furniture that ranged from warm mahogany to ultramodern steel and plastic. He and Miles were quickly motioned to seats on a black leather couch.
It was an awkward couple of minutes, trying to make small talk with Adrian. She kept glancing over at Miles and avoiding even the basic topics of food and the weather, practically reeking of nervousness.
What is wrong with her? Phoenix wondered as he watched her waffle around yet another subject (sports this time), her glance flickering towards Miles every few seconds. Does she have the hots for him or something? II understand if she does... my boyfriend's so hot even the lesbians want him...
His line of thinking was interrupted, however, by something landing on his head.
Phoenix howled as claws dug into his scalp and made a grab for whatever it was, but the cat had already leaped from his perch and landed in the lap of a very nonplussed Adrian Andrews, arching and spitting.
"Shoe!" She exclaimed at the cat, trying to prevent him from seeking refuge under her skirt. The animal was glaring bloody murder at Phoenix, claws bared and fur fluffed up to twice it's proper size.
"I am so sorry, Mr. Wright, he's never like this- Shoe calm down!" But shoe would not calm down. Seeming almost frantic, Adrian gathered him up into her arms, getting scratched up in the process. "I'm sorry! I'll -ouch- put him outside and -ow!- get something for you to drink or-"
In the middle of her sentence, she turned tail and bolted.
Miles and Phoenix blinked at one another for long moments.
"Well... she's changed a lot since the Engarde case..."
"Shoe too.... that cat used to be so cute..." Phoenix rubbed his head and winced. "Of course, most animals react that way these days."
Miles couldn't do more than shoot him a sympathetic look before Adrian came in again, covered in cat scratches and glasses askew, holding a tray with three earthenware mugs.
"Here you go. Sorry about the mugs but china's not the best idea with me around sometimes."
"Oh, not at all," Miles waved a hand politely before taking a sip of his steaming drink... and spitting it out the next instant as a look of absolute disgust on his face.
"Wha- gravy? What are you trying to DO to me?" He stood up, choking and sputtering, staring at his sister's lover as though she'd grown a second head.
Phoenix grabbed the cup and sniffed. Yep, that's piping hot gravy! What the hell is going on? He glanced at his cup, but it contained only ordinary decaf.
Adrian was stammering, shaking under the onslaught of Miles's temper. "I'm so sorry, Mr. Edgeworth! Was there not enough blood in it or something? Was it the wrong temperature? Please don't kill me!" She looked like she was about to cry.
"Kill? Blood? What are you talking about?" Miles was looking as frantic as Adrian now, casting around for some kind of answer he couldn't find.
Realization hit Phoenix like a ton of bricks and he started to shake too. not with anger or fear, but uncontrollable laughter.
"Wright, what-"
"She... she thinks..." Phoenix's sides were hurting, but he forced himself to calm down enough to speak properly. "She thinks you're a vampire!" He lapsed back into chuckles, clutching his sides.
Adrian and Miles stared at each other for a few moments, completely lost for words.
"You mean... you're not a vampire?"
"Of course I'm not!" Miles snapped. "Why did you think I was?"
"Aside from the obvious, of course." Phoenix interjected. When Miles turned to glare at him, he chuckled, "Face it Miles, you're pale as a ghost and you dress like a refugee from the eighteenth century! You practically ooze 'vampire' from your pores!"
While Miles stared at him, dumbstruck, Adrian was nodding.
"That and, well, I thought you'd be the only one Franzy would go so far to protect..."
That got both their attention.
"Oh, not that she told me anything, really... I mean, I made her tell me! I saw those scars on her wrist and I thought she was cutting herself and I was about to call the hotline... but she stopped me and told me she was feeding a vampire and I thought she was crazy- but she showed me the Belmont library and the armory and told me about vampires but she never told me about you! I m- mean... what vampire she was keeping safe... but I thought it had to be you, because you're the only person she cares about that much!" She was panting for breath, still looking frantic when she paused, staring at Miles's neck. "And what do you mean you're not a vampire? You've got that big scar right on your neck!"
Miles slapped a hand to the side of his neck Phoenix always fed on, cursing. Meanwhile, Phoenix was wiping his eyes, still laughing.
"You're wrong, Mi- Miles isn't the vampire..." He took a deep breath and smiled at Adrian, showing teeth. "I am."
Adrian looked back and forth for a moment, a look of pure bewilderment on her face.
"You're..?"
"Yep."
"Not him?"
"Nope."
She frowned. "Aren't vampires supposed to be... intimidating? Perhaps stunningly exotic?"
Miles sighed, shaking his head. "Alas, Wright is an utter failure in that regard."
"Hey!" Phoenix felt hurt. "Just because I don't wear Armani suits and speak in a semi-european accent doesn't mean I'm less than classy!"
Miles and Adrian shared a significant look, which left Phoenix rather put out. It's the hair isn't it? Or the eyebrows, I bet it's the eyebrows...
"By the way..." Miles asked, almost offhandedly, "Did a large package arrive for me, by any chance?"
Adrian's eyes blinked, then widened. "You mean that wooden crate from Germany?" Miles nodded and she got up, beckoning. "Franziska and I put it in the Armory 'till you could come for it. It was really heavy."
They followed her, Miles eager and Phoenix confused and irritated, down the stairs to the basement. As soon as she opened the door, however, Phoenix fell back, covering his eyes.
The air in the room burned. Everything in there, from crosses to silver blades and pikes and an array of wooden stakes to what felt like an entire barrel of holy water, hurt to look at. He could smell his skin starting to smoke as he yelled to Adrian.
"Close the door!"
She slammed it shut while Miles bent down to look at him, concern on his face.
"Are you OK?"
"Yeah, just a little uhh crispy..." He got shakily to his feet. "I'll wait upstairs, shall I?"
-----
Adrian and Miles looked at him apologetically as they brought the crate upstairs, but by then Phoenix felt better.
"I'm sorry, Wright." Miles put a hand on his arm, looking truly mortified. "I didn't realize she'd brought so many artifacts with her."
"It's Ok, Mi- Edgeworth. I wasn't thinking either. Still, what's she expecting, a vampire apocalypse?"
Adrian couldn't answer, only look contrite.
"Anyway," Miles bent down and unbolted the crate. "Hopefully this will make up for it."
He pushed back the lid to reveal a sword. A long, polished blade that looked like stone, supported and decorated with elegant scrollwork and vines in steel. The hilt was like that of a rapier, even though the blade looked far too thick and heavy to be wielded in one hand, the pommel was a single bloodstone the size of a man's fist. Even to someone who knew as little about swords as Phoenix did, it was obviously a marvel of craftsmanship.
"This," Miles reached in, hauling the heavy sword out with both hands, "Is... well, you probably couldn't pronounce the German, but it translates to 'Kinslayer'. The weapon of an ensouled vampire."
Phoenix reached out to take the weapon, holding it easily in one hand and staring at the blade. It felt perfect in his grip, as though made for his hand. "For an ensouled vampire? You mean I'm not the first?"
Miles shook his head. "There have been five on record, according to my research. The most recent one was named Liam, a man who fell in love with and fought alongside a vampire hunter. Kind of familiar, isn't it?"
"You're in love with Franziska, too!?!" Adrian stared at them in shock. She looked from one face to the other frantically, but after a few moments Phoenix could see realization begin to dawn in her eyes. "Sorry, never mind..." She sighed in relief and leaned back.
Franzisa really didn't tell her anything, did she? Though, she did catch on quick...
"Anyway," Miles continued, "This belonged to a different vampire, Alucard, who left it to the Belmont clan as an heirloom upon his death. Now it's yours."
"Wait, I can't accept this!" Phoenix shook his head frantically, holding the sword out for Miles to take back. "I mean it's an heirloom-"
"It's also impossible for somebody with normal strength to wield. Either it sits in a vault gathering dust or it gets used for a good cause, namely our defense. After all, you can't use a normal hunter weapon because it would burn you."
"True..." Phoenix looked at the sword. Now he looked closer, he could see that the blade was an odd, mottled color, almost like wood grain. "Is this petrified wood?"
"All the better to stake them with, my dear." Miles looked at him, eyes serious, "Just take the sword Wright. You need to be sa- uff!"
Phoenix grabbed him suddenly in a hug that knocked the breath out of his lungs. He was beaming as he held his lover close, eyes almost tearing up. All this time he was just as worried about me as I was about him! He does care!
"Thank you." He murmured into Miles's neck. "Thank you so much..."
He could hear the phone start to ring and Adrian's "I'll go get that, shall I?", but he was more focused on Miles's wry chuckle and arm slipping around his back. He'd never been given anything more precious in his life before, and he swore to himself he would use it to the fullest, protecting Miles until he turned to dust.
"Mr. Wright, Mr. Edgeworth, come quick!" He was startled out of his reverie by Adrian's voice, calling urgently from beside the phone. She'd apparently turned on the speakers, because he could hear gasping on the other end.
"Miles? Miles... you there?" The voice belonged to Franziska, hoarse and out of breath.
"Franziska?"
"Miles? Listen, you have to stay in the house, Adrian and Wright too!"
"Franziska, where are you?" Phoenix yelled into the mike.
"No time, just stay put! Don't *gasp* Don't let anyone in, use the weapons if you have to..." A pause. "Not even ME, you hear? If I show up, don't let me in..." Her voice trailed off into static.
"FRANZISKA!" Adrian yelled into the speaker, her face dead white.
"Ich liebe dich, Adrian... I'm so-"
The line went dead.