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Hershel couldn’t decide whether the evening air was cool or warm on his face.
He couldn’t see the stars as he stood on the balcony of the Wright Anything Agency, arms crossed over the railing, his gaze directed at the marvellous cityscape of Los Angeles, California. It seemed this city never went to sleep – much like London, really. The skyscrapers towered in the background, almost ominous with their bright lights and flashing advertisements.
It would take time to get used to this, but Hershel was sure he’d feel at home here in no time.
Except…
He wasn’t staying here.
Five years. It had been five years, almost to the day, since Phoenix Wright had showed up on his doorstep that fateful night, his black hair disheveled and his eyes sunken into his skull. He’d been drowning in the hoodie he’d been wearing that day, and the first thing Hershel had thought was how in the world the man wasn’t freezing in the London rain with nothing but shaggy sandals on his feet.
The young girl next to him had seemed warmer and dryer at the very least, and Hershel had smiled at the sight of her pink top hat as he’d ushered them inside, not yet knowing that he’d sign up for half a decade of a shareed house, shared laughter, shared tears and shared memories that he would never, ever trade for the entire world.
An era had ended when, two weeks ago, Hershel had packed a small suitcase to join Phoenix on a trip to the United States, offering him the last bout of encouragement during what was the ordeal where, after seven years of misery, Phoenix had reclaimed what was his. Coincidentally, the first trial with Phoenix Wright back behind the defense’s bench had taken place just ten days later, and the new but old attorney had walked out of the courtroom victorious.
His assistant Maya Fey had insisted they celebrate, and now, here they were, with the bass throbbing in the agency as every single one of Phoenix’s friends and companions raised their glasses to ring in this new chapter.
And as proud as Hershel was of his good friend, the deep ache in his chest was impossible to stifle.
Because somewhere along their shared journey, their shared house, laughter, tears and memories, Hershel had given away his heart for Phoenix to deal with.
The archaeologist had promised himself eons ago that love was not something he’d ever risk again – why love only to lose? Instead, he’d chosen to be the quiet observer, the one who helped others without getting attached to anither human being, the one who stood aside and smiled when others found their soulmates or reunited with their loved ones, accepting that this wasn’t for him. But Layton couldn’t deny the joy spreading within him whenever he laid eyes on the man, the way his heart would skip a beat when Phoenix smiled his charming smile, and the way he found himself drawn to him as if he was a damn magnet.
It was pathetic, really. Yes, Phoenix likely was rather grateful to him considering Hershel had hosted him for the past years, but there was nothing more to it-
“Hershel?”
Phoenix’s voice had a slightly concerned edge to it as he stepped onto the balcony, closing the sliding door behind him before joining the professor to stare at the skyline.
Hershel immediately detatched himself from whatever realm his mind was escaping to. “Oh- hello, Phoenix. Enjoying the party?”
Phoenix let out a small huff. “Yeah, sure. It’s great, really. I appreciate you guys for organizing this, and all that in my honor.”
“Of course we would,” Hershel said, “You deserve to be recognized for the hard work you accomplished to get here.”
A pause. Phoenix attempted to lean out further to grasp the source of a loud honk, but failed to figure it out.
He turned to face Hershel instead. “I hope you know that I couldn’t have done it without you,” he muttered, “I can’t possibly put into words just how insanely grateful I am for all you’ve done for Trucy and me, Hershel.”
“Oh, please,” Hershel said with a smile, “I’d do it all over again.”
“I’m serious,” Phoenix sternly said, “Without you, I’d have fallen victim to my own brain. You saved me in more ways than one, and you don’t give yourself enough credit for that, damn it.”
“I’m just glad I was able to help you,” Hershel whispered, his eyes finally meeting Phoenix’s. The thought that this would be the last time in the next who knows how many years that they’d look at each other like that was borderline torture.
Phoenix knew Hershel well enough by now to pick up on the man’s internal turmoil. His eyebrows furrowing with worry, he reached out to carefully place a hand on Hershel’s shoulder, allowing himself to give it a gentle squeeze. “Something wrong?”
The scholar let out a shaky breath as he crossed his arms, ashamed of the likely unrequited feelings to the point of turning his head away so he didn’t have to bear witness the confusion in Phoenix’s eyes when he told him the truth.
“I don’t think I’m very keen on boarding my flight tomorrow morning.”
Phoenix blinked. “Oh? I was sure LA would be too noisy and busy for you,” he attempted to joke.
“It’s not the city or environment I’m worried about.”
Naturally, the attorney had gathered as much from the very beginning. His expression softened as he gave his shoulder another squeeze. “I get it. I...I’m going to miss you, too.” A lopsided smile. “Miss hearing you politely curse about spilled baked beans in the mornings.”
That got a laugh out of Hershel despite the sadness he was saddled with. “Oh, really now? And I am going to miss you arguing with the remote whenever it would refuse to work.”
“Nothing against you placing a cup of tea in front of my nose and reaffirming just how much better it is than coffee,” Phoenix said, “And the worst part? You’ve successfully converted Trucy into a Brit!”
“Personally, I’m rather going to miss the crease in your forehead whenever you would try to solve the riddles I would give you.”
“You rambling non-stop about some ancient vase and teaching me new words doing so” Phoenix continued, “You helping me bake and us getting flour all over each other in the process.”
“You teaching me how to waltz after being shocked that I, a true gentleman, did not know how to do so yet. You sitting with me through my late night grading sessions, dragging me to bed when I would refuse to sleep. You and I arguing over who has the better taste in music and Trucy winning because we wouldn’t come to an agreement.”
By now, Hershel sensed his vision getting dangerously blurry. He hadn’t planned on crying during Phoenix’s victory celebration, really.
However, the flood of emotions washing over him was tearing him apart, and that left him forced to press the heel of his palms to his eyes to push the moisture back into his eyes.
Phoenix was heartbroken at the sight. “Oh, Hershel…”
“I-I’m sorry,” Hershel quickly stammered, “Just- just give me a moment-”
He was interrupted by a pair of strong, solid arms pulling him against a just as solid, warm form. Phoenix buried one of his hands in Hershel’s soft, curly hair, pressing the man into his chest as their bodies molded together perfectly. The professor, now only a fraction of the stoic, unshakable persona he presented himself as, had his nose buried in Phoenix’s shoulder as he wept, his slender shoulders shaking with each sob.
“It’s okay,” Phoenix soothed, “No matter what, you will never, ever have to hide from me. I’m here for you.”
After having been granted permission, the filter removed itself from in front of Hershel’s mouth. “I can’t do this,” he admitted, “I can’t go back to my house, knowing it’s going to be empty, knowing I-”
God, he sounded pathetic. He was a grown man, for crying out loud!
“Knowing I will be alone again.”
The arms around him tightened. “I know, Hershel. I know. You have no idea how much it pains me to picture you on your own after all the years you were forced to be such.”
“It feels like another one of these instances,” the professor whispered, “An average day for me, really, but it is rather-” Another pause as he gathered his breath. “I’m getting rather tired of my loved ones dropping out of my life.”
Phoenix pulled away just enough to be able to look into Hershel’s eyes, his expression stern. “I will promise you right here and now that I will not vanish. I will write and call you every week, hell, every day, and we will see each other again. You have my word.”
Hershel smiled, but it was solemn as he nodded.
There was so much left unsaid; so many words sitting on the tip of his tongue. If he wasn’t careful enough, they’d spill out, and he’d damage their relationship beyond repair.
Well, either it was that, or their connection fizzling out after two or three months of correspondence. Lawyers and professors were equally busy, and Hershel had serious doubts they’d remember keeping in touch, especially if one considered the time difference seperating their respective homes.
So he hadn’t anything to lose anyway, right?
“You should- you should know something,” Hershel began.
Phoenix looked at him with such pure understanding, devoting his unwavering attention to him, it made his heart constrict. “What is it, Hershel?”
There goes nothing.
“Phoenix Wright, I love you.”
For a second, surprise flashed across Phoenix’s face. But just as quickly, it was replaced with a smile that radiated joy, a sparkle in his eyes that Hershel loved seeing, and the professor was about to take a breath and ask what that meant, when-
“I feared I’d never get to hear these words from you,” Phoenix whispered, “But, god, am I glad I did.”
“I- what?”
Phoenix’s hand gently carded through Hershel’s hair. “I love you too. I love you more than anything in the world, and I-”
“Can I kiss you?”
Phoenix drew in a breath at the question, but really, he didn’t have to think twice of the answer. “I thought you’d never ask.”
Their lips connected before they knew it. Both of their chests exploded with warmth, Phoenix’s hand cupping the back of Hershel’s head as Hershel had both his arms wrapped around the taller man’s neck as they kissed on the balcony while the party was still underway inside, all the noise drowned out.
All that mattered was this moment, right here and now.
All that mattered were each other.
A confetti cannon exploded. In the corner of his eye, Phoenix saw Trucy waving at them with a huge grin on her face as applause sounded through the agency, Klavier Gavin whistling and Maya jumping up and down.
Of course.
He smiled against Hershel’s lips, and deepened the kiss.
The flight to London left without one Hershel Layton on board.