Work Text:
May 13, 2027
10:43 P.M.
Miles Edgeworth’s Condo (Interior)
The rumbles and shakes had finally stopped, but Pess was still curled next to where he lay on the floor. She forced her head into his hand, her golden fur soft between his fingers. She had come as soon as he had crumpled to the floor, just like she always did. Earthquakes still affected him, but he hadn’t had this kind of reaction in months. It had been years since the incident, and he’d seen many therapists since then, but Miles supposed the long night of reviewing case files of his subordinates had done nothing to help his exhaustion when the earthquake hit. There was nothing he could do as his knees wavered and stopped working underneath him as he got flashbacks of a broken-down elevator and a gun in his hand.
He knew the earthquake was over, but he swore he could still feel the rumbles through his cheek through the cold hardwood. The Steel Samurai theme song rang throughout the silent room and he slowly shifted to lean his back against the wall, pulling his phone from his pocket and answering before he checked who it was. He knew who it was.
“Wright.” He said, trying to calm his breathing.
“Hey, Edgeworth. I just wanted to check on you.” There was his voice, and Miles could practically picture him. He was most likely on the couch, in his sweatpants and ratty old Ivy University t-shirt that he always wore to bed. He was talking softly, so Trucy was asleep and he was probably still working on the Sunday Crossword, nevermind that it was a Wednesday evening. He knew the pencil he was using was shoved behind his ear as he worried his lip between his teeth. He knew because more often than not Miles would be sitting in the chair across from him, sneaking glances between paragraphs of legal terms.
He had been in love with Phoenix Wright for the longest time, knew him like he knew the back of his own hand from years of friendship, and yet he could never hold back from looking at him. There was always some new part of Phoenix that didn’t know yet. After at least 10 years, that man still kept surprising him. The years had aged them both, but Miles still saw the child that he first met. He saw him in the freckles covering his arms and face, in the goofy grin that had finally come back after its seven year slumber. He saw him even in the new tuft of hair over his forehead that refused to be gelled into place.
“Edgeworth?” A moment of hesitation, then, “Miles? Do you want me to come over?”
Miles quickly realized that he had been sitting in silence for the past few moments simply thinking about Phoenix rather than talking to him. Still, his heart skipped a beat at the use of his first name.
“There’s no need for that, Wright. I assure you I’m fine. I’ve got Pess with me.” He idly stroked her head that she now had settled on his lap.
“I could still come over, I’m still working on the crossword and I, for the life of me, can’t remember who starred in The Singing Samurai for ten letters.”
“And you expect me to know that?”
“Edgeworth, besides being one of the best legal minds I know, you are also the biggest nerd when it comes to the Steel Samurai.”
Miles blushed and resisted the urge to invite Phoenix over to his home. It was always so tempting when it came to the defense attorney. So tempting that he flew him and his daughter back and forth to foreign countries simply because he was afraid that the man was losing himself in grape juice and card games. “That’s very thoughtful of you, Wright, but I’m afraid I must decline. I’m not in the mood to entertain a guest.”
“Ah, no worries.”
Damn, why did he have to sound so sad about it? “But… I’ll see you Friday night for Trucy’s show.”
“Really? Good.” He could practically hear the grin that Phoenix no doubt had right now. “I’m glad you decided you could come after all, Trucy will be so happy.”
“Your daughter is extremely talented, I can’t wait to try and figure out what new trick she’s come up with.”
Phoenix chuckled, and Miles found himself smiling too. It was always so astounding how Phoenix could make Miles smile with just the sound of his voice. “You should give up, Edgeworth, you’re never gonna figure them all out, it’s more fun to just watch the magic.”
“Perhaps you’re right.” They were silent for a few moments, and Miles was content to simply listen to Phoenix’s breathing on the other side of the phone.
“I’ll let you go, Edgeworth. I’ll see you on Friday, okay?”
“I’ll see you. Oh, and Wright?”
“Yeah?”
“Jack Hammer is the answer to your question.”
Phoenix huffed a laugh, “Thanks, Edgeworth.”
He hung up the phone and set it on the ground next to the pile of papers he had dropped. Once the light of his cell phone turned off, it was completely dark in the hallway. Slowly, Miles’ smile faded and he was left in the shadows and the echoes of the voice of the love of his life.
May 14th, 2027
11:13 A.M.
Wright Anything Agency (Exterior)
Miles Edgeworth didn’t really know what he was doing outside the Wright Anything Agency. Already, he could hear Apollo’s Chords of Steel as he argued with someone, probably Athena, about a case. He knew Phoenix was in there, he could hear his familiar rumble of laughter through the door.
This wasn’t the first time Miles had come over without a phone call in advance. But it was also the first time in which he didn’t have the excuse of a hard case and he needed advice or an open invitation to join the family for dinner or game night. Miles Edgeworth simply wanted lunch and wanted company. Innocent, definitely-trying-not-to-stare-at-his-lips, company.
Should he have called beforehand? Sent a text? Not simply shown up with domestic thoughts of a life with Phoenix and an urge to kiss every single freckle on his damn face? Miles shook his head and made to leave but before he could get very far the door had already been flung open by an energetic ball of blue.
“Uncle Miles!” He turned to give her a sheepish smile and returned the hug she gave him, albeit a bit tensely, as he still wasn’t quite used to the affections of Trucy Wright. She wore her usual blue top hat and dazzling smile. Before he could say a word Phoenix was already at the door, his coat jacket abandoned somewhere and his sleeves rolled up to the elbows. It was a look he had seen before and it still never ceases to amaze Miles how attractive one’s forearms could be.
“Edgeworth?” Miles knew that look of surprise like the back of his hand, though he did usually see it farther away, from the other side of the courtroom. Miles watched Phoenix’s eyebrows scrunch in concern. “What brings you here today?”
There were many things that Miles could lie about. He needed help with a case. The prosecutor building was too loud for him to focus, except that didn’t make sense because nowhere was louder than the Wright Anything Agency. He needed to borrow a pencil sharpener. He left his favorite coat here, except it was almost summer. Really, Miles could’ve said any excuse and Phoenix wouldn’t have said a word against him. He knew his tricks by now, the juvenile excuses he made to visit them.
Wright was a good man, too good, and his calm voice still rang in his ears after last night. Phoenix always understood him, even when he didn’t understand himself.
“I was hoping you would join me for lunch.” He blurted out before he could stop himself. Really, they had known each other too long to keep dancing around each other. Perhaps Miles would never get what he truly wanted from Phoenix, but a friendship without dancing around the truth seemed bearable.
Phoenix’s lips quirked into a small smile, his eyes still holding that disbelief in them. To be honest, Miles was shocked by himself. He usually kept his distance, not always accepting invitations to movie nights or Trucy’s shows. He didn’t want to intrude, but something about that small gleam of hope and quiet joy in the sapphire eyes made his knees crumble, his brain cease to function and blurt out the first thing he thought of.
“Lunch? No homicide cases or parrots or whales to defend?”
“Heavens, no. Lunch.” Miles confirmed.
Somehow, Phoenix’s smile brightened. It reminded Miles of the old days. Of his confident smirk, his unabashed grin in the face of defeat. The days before forged evidence and Kristoph Gavin. “Then I’d love to.”
May 14th, 2027
12:03 P.M.
Miles Edgeworth’s Car
“I didn’t know Jean Armstrong expanded his business,” Phoenix said in disbelief, laughter on his lips.
Miles’ stomach still churned at the one bite of C’est Magnifique's food that he had. He’d never been before, but it was a french place, and he still had fond memories of dining at french cafes by the riverside with the Wright’s, this was definitely not what he was aiming for. “I remember your stories of that case, but I thought you were embellishing at the taste of the food for your usual dramatic effect.”
“Not this time. To be honest, the food was actually a little bit better at this place. I think he’s improved.”
“I think time has lowered your standards.” Miles chuckled and soon Phoenix joined in. “I would suggest another place but I’m afraid I’ve lost my appetite.”
“Same here. I don’t think I’m going to eat for another week.”
“Somehow, I don’t think that’s true. I know your eating habits.” Miles rolled his eyes, remembering the many times Phoenix had said he was stuffed, only for Miles to find him in the kitchen stuffing his face with Goldfish fifteen minutes later.
“Don’t fat shame me, Edgeworth.”
“Wouldn’t dare to dream of it.”
Phoenix huffed and Miles tried to quiet his snorting laughter, a hideous noise that could only be produced when Miles saw Phoenix make that face. He covered his face with his hand, trying to stifle his laughter, but Phoenix’s face only got more ridiculous, his lightning eyebrows scrunching incredulously, and soon they were both laughing for no reason at all. God, how did this man him feel so old yet so young at the same time?
When he looked to Phoenix, the man was looking at him, a strange smile on his face and an unreadable expression in his eyes. It must be because Miles Edgeworth never loses his composure and laughs like a blithering fool, so Miles calmed his laughter and focused his gaze to the city beyond them, a pair of best friends talking on the sidewalk waiting to cross the road, a young man running with his German Shepherd. It was all too easy to let the conversation die and pull his emotions back in.
“Tell me something?”
“Anything.” Miles said without hesitation, looking at Phoenix’s chin, his freckles, his eyes, anything but his lips.
“What’s the real reason you came to the office today?”
Now he did hesitate. There were many reasons he wanted to be around Phoenix Wright. Many of which he could not say. He had made a promise to search for the truth many years ago, and here he was, unable to speak it. “Sometimes I prefer to not be antisocial for once.”
“But you’re friends with Blackquill. And Franzie is in town with Maya, I’m surprised you’re not visiting her.”
“Do not ever let her catch you calling her that.” Miles interrupted.
Phoenix chuckled, but continued. “I just wonder sometimes, why me? I am the person that brought up the worst moments of your life and I think I remind you of it.”
“You do remind me of it, every day.” Miles tried to ignore what the sad smile on Phoenix’s face did to his heart. “You remind me of the person I used to be and how you’ve helped me change so I could be the person I am today. You’ve saved my life more times than I can count. I could never be the person I am today without your unwavering faith.” Miles took a breath. “Why you? Because you’re my best friend.” And I’m hopelessly in love with you . “I can’t stay away from you for long, it’s hopeless to attempt it anymore.”
He didn’t mean for that last part to slip out, but the smile on Phoenix’s lips made it all worth it. “That’s good to know, Miles.” Miles averted his gaze from Phoenix, too scared to hold eye contact for much longer lest he do something that he would regret. “Now that I’m done being an insecure teenager, wanna just hang at the Agency for a bit?”
Miles checked his watch and he swallowed. “I would love to, but I’m afraid I have a meeting at one.”
Phoenix nodded and buckled his seat belt. “This was still fun, we should do lunch more often. Just us, no teenage kid or yelling defense attorneys.”
Miles pulled out of the parking spot and pulled back onto the busy streets of Los Angeles. “Yes, and next time I’ll make sure to clear up more time in my schedule to hang a bit.”
Phoenix chuckled at that and gazed out of the window for the rest of the drive back. Miles pretended that he wasn’t sneaking glances the whole time.
May 15th, 2027
8:26 P.M.
The Rinky Dink
Trucy Wright just might be the most amazing magician that Miles had ever seen. Granted, growing up with Manfred von Karma he wasn’t going to many carnivals, but it still didn’t change the truly masterful way she did her tricks. She still brought out old favorites, like Mr. Hat and more embarrassingly, her magic panties, and called on Miles to volunteer much more than he would’ve liked. But it was for Trucy, so he pulled a card and gingerly held her panties as she pulled out his matching card. He never quite understood how she did it, and for once he didn't want to know. All he did was grin and bear it though, anything for the bright smile on both the Wright’s faces.
Athena had brought her girlfriend, Juniper, and Apollo came to every single one of Trucy’s shows anyways. The booth was cramped and Miles was relieved to see a spot open for him at the end, right across from Phoenix and next to Apollo. He believed this was all apart of the Wright Anything Agency’s plan when Phoenix and Miles himself was at Trucy’s immediate disposal, but it also meant he and Phoenix had the best view of Trucy’s performance.
The lighting was dim in the coffee shop, and when Trucy made small red and blue fireworks pop out of her top out, the light reflected onto Phoenix’s face. Really, he should be looking at Trucy, but Phoenix’s proud grin captured him, pulled him in. Miles wondered if he would ever be the cause of that smile.
Phoenix turned to him then, and before he had time to blush, his proud grin turned into a softer smile, a small secret between them.
Suddenly the crowd erupted into applause and he and Phoenix were brought out of their daze, Trucy’s show must be over then. Miles started to applaud with the rest of the crowd as he watches Trucy swish her cape behind her then take a bow and head behind a curtain.
Phoenix stands and heads to the curtain and Miles stands too, wanting to give them a moment to themselves. “I’ll get Trucy a hot chocolate.” When he sees Phoenix reaching for his wallet and holds his hand up. “On me, I insist.” Phoenix smiled in thanks and they headed their separate ways.
When he finally holds the hot drink in his hand he turns to see that the booth is empty and he instead turns to the backstage area. It was tiny, really, not enough room for all these people, but they were crowding around Trucy congratulating her. He could hear Widget exclaim something and Apollo gasp, and then Phoenix’s rumble of laughter. He was quite literally on the outside looking in.
They weren’t excluding him, Miles knew that, but he still wondered if he would ever truly have a family, or if he’ll ever be a part of Phoenix’s small but happy family.
Miles Edgeworth had never been seen as a kind man. To the public, he was the Demon Prosecutor, a man who forged evidence. Even though it had been years since that case, to some he was still considered a murderer. Nothing but a puppy who simply followed in the late Manfred von Karma’s footsteps.
To Detective Gumshoe, he was brilliant. Even after every cut into Gumshoe’s salary the man still admired him and followed his every command, albeit a little clumsily.
To Kay Faraday, Klavier Gavin, and Simon Blackquill, well, he didn’t know how they saw him. A friend? Mentor? Or maybe simply the scary Chief Prosecutor. Their boss, who they had no choice but to listen to.
Franziska, for many years, saw him as a fool, as competition, as someone to be beaten, as family. Family. He soon realized that when his big sister called him a fool, she said it more affectionately than with malice. Years of being a top tier Interpol agent and a marriage to the lovely Miss Fey had softened her. But the crack of her whip was still ever the same. She was family, yes, but not the kind of family he saw every day or came home to.
Miles saw himself as a cursed man who didn’t know how to love. Wherever he went, death followed, people whispered, and there was some kind of misfortune at every turn. A coward too scared to take his own life as he promised.
But that man, that man , he didn’t have a clue what he thought of Miles Edgeworth.
Miles needed air, so he set the hot chocolate that was getting more and more lukewarm by the second on the top of their abandoned table and headed for the side exit. He found himself in an alley. Cool air hit his face and Miles sighed in relief. He moved to lean against the wall and watch the cars speed past him. It was somehow a calming sight, though not nearly as calming as Pess.
Surely, pain was the first word that came to mind when that man thought of their relationship. A couple of years of abrasiveness and stone-cold glares and ignored letters still plagued him, he cringed to think of that younger version of himself who no longer believed that any kind of love was a possibility. It was a search for truth, updated autopsy reports, blue and red and colliding objections from either side of the courtroom and realizing that he might not be alone after all.
Cold December nights haunted both their minds, for Miles, it was an elevator, Gourd Lake, and a gun in his hand. For that man, it was a trial, an earthquake and a pane of glass separating him and Miles curled on the floor. It was Manfred’s crazed smile and a bullet that was the saving grace. It was tears in Miles’ eyes as confetti rained down, it was $38 and a victory photo.
It was a year of grief and mourning and anger when Miles Edgeworth Chose Death. It was shock and surprise and happiness and even more anger when he returned. It was Maya Fey in danger, a whip to return, and a friendship just starting to piece back together after years of radio silence.
Before he could collect his thoughts or tame the wild look he knew he had in his eyes, he heard the door creak open and close behind him. He already knew that it was Phoenix.
“Edgeworth? What are you doing out here?” Miles slowly turned to face him, focusing his gaze on some broken glass on the concrete beneath them. He wondered what had happened to cause such a mess as he reflectively moved to hold his elbow with his right arm, Phoenix tracking the movement with his eyes. “Miles, what’s wrong?”
“I go home to an empty house. I am 35 and I still have no one but my dog and house plants as my only company. You have a family. And by God, do you deserve it, I just wish I had something too.” He didn’t know why he was speaking all the crazed thoughts in his head. Maybe it was the way Phoenix said his name or the simple trust that Phoenix would always understand him, no matter how anxiety crazed it sounded. “It feels like I do, for a second, when I’m with you and the girl who calls me her uncle and that boy who seems to simultaneously be in awe of me and scared of me. But there comes a time when I have to go home and leave the fantasy I’ve set up for myself.”
“What are you talking about?” Their life together couldn’t not explained by a single phrase. It was a piece of forged evidence and a ruined career. A locket and an adopted daughter. It was seven years of magic tricks and pianos and Kristoph Gavin. Seven years of flying back and forth, needing “help” with cases in Italy or Sweden or Germany. It was seven years of a grimace instead of that bright smile. A cynic instead of a man who believed in his defendants. It was long nights working on cases and pretended to not see the dried tears on that man’s face. It was years of almost kisses and hello hugs and long goodbyes at airports.
It was Trucy Wright, the only thing that could make that man smile. It was Mr. Hat and magic panties and “Uncle Miles can you take us to the Eiffel Tower?” It was the sunlight reflecting in sapphire eyes at his daughter’s laugh.
It was long nights pouring over cases and evidence and “Those glasses suit you.” It was Apollo Justice and a hidden camera and the truth coming out. It was spending days as Chief Prosecutor and nights studying for the bar exam. It was falling asleep on the couch to wake up to brilliant blue eyes and Trucy playing with Pess. It was a new blue suit, Athena Cykes, and a bomb. He had a lifelong friendship with Phoenix Wright and nothing more, but he was at least glad for every second of it.
When his eyes focus again, he notices that there is a warm weight on his hand, Phoenix is holding his hand, rubbing his thumb and the back of Miles’ palm and it was somehow the most magical feeling in the world.
Miles is on the verge of tears, but, somehow, Phoenix’s hand steadies him. Miles realizes that out of all the years they’ve spent together that they’ve never held hands. Who knew that such a small act could cause such a wonderful feeling?
“Miles? Can you look at me?” And so he did, and there was a truth in Phoenix's eyes, something bright and unfaltering, but Miles didn't know what it was. They had a lifetime together of saving each other, of unspoken words and stolen glances. It was worried phone calls after earthquakes and long talks about the pressures of being a father. It was Miles looking too long at soft lips and eyes that haunted his dreams. It was nights spent watching Steel Samurai and watching Trucy practice magic tricks. It was long days of work and then coming over to the Wright’s for dinner. It was arguing over Monopoly and Disney themed Trivial Pursuit. It was years of being in love with the man that saved him but still going home to an empty condo and a whining Pess.
As he met Phoenix’s brilliant eyes, he supposed that as long as he got Phoenix’s smile and Trucy’s laugh, the chaos of the Wright Anything Agency and the joy they brought to his life, Miles supposed unrequited love was a small price to pay.
“You are the person that I never thought I could get. The man just out of my reach.” Phoenix spoke so quickly, as if he would forget it if he didn't say everything now, but somehow Miles understood every word. “First with von Karma and the Demon Prosecutor years and Dollie. Then Gourd Lake and you running away to Germany for a year. Then I lost my badge and lost myself as well. You were the one person who didn’t think I was crazy for adopting Trucy so suddenly like that. I could see you, talk to you, but never hold onto you, not the way I wanted to. But I would take any part of Miles Edgeworth I could have in my life.”
“And how did you want to?” Miles asked, the shock and curiosity getting the better of him, rendering all rational thoughts out the window. Right now, he was not Chief Prosecutor Miles Edgeworth. He wasn’t the demon prosecutor or a mentor. He was just Miles. Miles, who was having a hard time looking away from the man that had changed his life.
“How could you not know, after all this time?”
“Know what, Phoenix?” Miles pressed, his heart beating ever faster by the second.
“How could you not know that my heart still clenches and my stomach drops when you call me by my first name like that. Or when you laugh or say you don’t like Steel Samurai but then you become such a nerd about it five seconds later.” Miles fought the urge to deny that bit and let Phoenix talk. “I have spent years loving you and you never knew. Not loving you like I love Maya or Larry, but the love that makes me want to kiss you until I can’t breathe. Wake up next to you every day for the rest of my life kind of love. Make breakfast for you and hold your bangs back when you’re sick kind of love. The kind of love that lasts a lifetime, because it has lasted a lifetime. I have loved you since we were children and you suddenly weren’t at school anymore and I realized how much I missed you and why. I have loved you since the day you came back from the dead and helped me to save Maya’s life. I have loved you since I fell off wDusky Bridge and you flew from Germany just to see that I was okay and defend Maya when I couldn’t.”
“Phoenix-”
Phoenix let go of his hand. “Sorry, Miles, I guess my feelings got the better of me. I just mean that you have always been a part of my family, for as long as I can remember. You don’t have to say anything more, We’ll can just go back inside and-”
“You foolish man.” Miles said and pulled Phoenix in for a kiss that they had both been waiting for for a long, long time.
It was even better than Miles had imagined it would be.
Miles Edgeworth still did not know if he was a Demon Prosecutor or a mentor or a friend. Perhaps he simply did not care as long as he was the man that had Phoenix’s heart.