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“This is stupid.”
“It’s not stupid, you’re just not trying.”
“I am trying! Nothing’s happening!”
“That means you’re trying too hard.”
“But you just said I wasn’t!”
“Miles,” he sighed. Pulling his hands away. The captain of the royal guard had thrown his hands up in exasperation, stalking off to the balcony after tossing Phoenix back a small black orb. He gently placed the ball back onto the silk that rested in the box he stored the ball in before following the man onto the balcony.
He’s leaning his forearms on the balcony banister, chin on his wrist and he’s staring ahead at the horizon where the sun is currently setting. His eyes are narrowed, eyebrows furrowed, his ever signature frown present on his face. He doesn’t even acknowledge Phoenix when he walks onto the balcony after him. He isn’t wearing his armour and instead wears a black loose ‘poet’ shirt with white sleeves and ruffled cuffs. He’s got a belt overtop it and he’s wearing riding pants bunched up at his knees. His hair is ruffled slightly in the wind and he looks so positively normal Phoenix forgets he’s looking at the captain of the royal guard. He doesn’t say anything as he walks up to his side, he doesn’t need to.
“I should not have snapped, I’m-... I am sorry.” he murmured, looking away. "It's just frustrating." He sighed. Phoenix only shook his head softly.
Earlier that day, after the witching hour, as he could feel his magic thrumming in his veins like it did every night, Miles had woken him. Miles had woken him with a resolve in his eyes and a grin on his face. Only once Phoenix had been fully awake had Miles told him his reason for waking him. He’d already gotten his shirt on when he turned to him and smiled. “Teach me magic.” He said and that was that.
Phoenix had taken them out back to where he had grown up later that day after breakfast with Franziska and he had lead him towards an empty field with a single weeping willow. At the willows base rested a box, he had been amused to see that it was still there but he was pleased it was.
A nymph lived at the willow, she and the tree shared a life force, should the tree ever die, so would she, and upon taking one look at Miles, she deemed him worthy to learn magic. They started with breathing exercises, then, and Miles didn't even seem disappointed with what they were doing. He had seen excited from the very beginning. Phoenix explained to him that no one needed the blessing of the nymphs to learn magic, but having the blessing of one meant you had a greater chance of being able to learn magic.
"Magic comes from within," Phoenix explained, sitting cross-legged across from Miles. His boyfriend was watching him, eyes shining with excitement and Phoenix found himself falling more and more in love with him. He continued. "Someone whose life is tied to magic can see the magic inside. Anyone can learn magic if they try hard enough, but not everyone has the will to utilize it. Magic flows through everyone, most people have to train since they're a child and get an object blessed by a priest for them to be able to really do magic, but that kind of magic is weaker, less natural. Mages like I can pull magic from the air. Someone's magic, though coming from inside someone, comes from their life forces. Someone like you and I, someone with a strong life force can draw magic from everywhere. You can draw magic from nature but also from within your own being. It's all very finicky."
"What kind of magic can you summon?" Miles asked a moment later, his voice was so quiet. As if he feared that speaking would ruin the moment, would ruin the mood.
"Me? It depends. Magic depends on where it is. Out here in the fields, with forests and nature surrounding us, I could summon some earth and air spells and they would be significantly stronger because this is their 'area'," Phoenix lifted his hand and a swirl of air curled around his hair, the leaves floating them and ruffling their hair, Phoenix watched Miles' eyes light up, he grinned and watched. "My strength in magic is fire though." He smiled and closed his fist, one of the leaves caught fire and Miles flinched but he still looked mesmerized.
"I'm going to warn you now, love. Learning magic isn't easy, nothing ever is, but magic certainly isn't something you can learn in one afternoon, Miles." He smiled.
Miles had smiled back and nodded.
When they returned to the castle later that day, Miles was still brimming with excitement and happiness. He was trying to hide it as but a few people did notice it. Miles only smiled at them failing to hide his excitement.
It was a jarring difference from the Miles now.
"Miles, my darling knight," Phoenix said gently stepping next to him, he pressed a kiss to his temple. Miles bit his lip looking away just a little. His face was flushed just a little. Phoenix gave him a gentle smile and he wrapped one arm around him. "You shouldn't be so down on yourself. I should have been more understanding with you. You're only still learning." He murmured.
"You told me I couldn't learn all of this within one afternoon, and yet I'm pissed, you told me that it wouldn't be easy. I shouldn't be allowed to be angry." He sighed, shaking his head and rubbing his eyes with the bottom of his palms. Phoenix frowned, rubbing his shoulder just a little and pulling Miles closer.
"Oh love." Phoenix said, he pressed another kiss to Miles' temple, then one to his jawline, then one to his neck. He knew how he was feeling right now, he'd felt like this a lot when he was younger and learning magic of his own. He knew at this point there was no point in continuing the conversation of magic, so he opted to try and cheer him up. Miles laughed gently at the kisses and tried to step away from Phoenix but he only pulled him closer and Miles gave a small little yelp, and let Phoenix. He giggled loudly as Phoenix shoved his nose into the crook of his neck and pressing kisses there and blowing raspberries on his skin. Phoenix laughed, hands slipping around his waist, pulling him off the ground.
"Phoenix!" Miles cried, laughing. "Put me down!" He said, clawing at his arms but he was still laughing, full belly laughing. When Phoenix stepped back, his knee gave out and he fell with Miles on top of him letting out another yelp. Phoenix laughed harder, his boyfriend fallen in a heap on top of him.
"Phoenix Wright, I cannot believe you!!" He giggled, laying flat on his back. Phoenix smiled and shook his head. He was just glad Miles was laughing and smiling. He hated seeing his boyfriend frown, especially over something that should bring someone so much happiness. He looked at Miles, smiling at him and found he was smiling back, a soft smile playing at his lips. Phoenix thought he loved those smiles best, the soft one, the uncertain ones, the ones he shared only with Phoenix when he was Miles Edgeworth and no one else.
A loud banging, pounding even, on the door interrupted them. They looked towards the door. Behind it, he could hear Franziska Von Karma yelling. Something about them that if they were late to dinner she would make them feel like the most "foolish of foolish fools" and the two of them laughed as they told her they'd be down in a few minutes. By the time they got downstairs for dinner in the royal dining room, a few people were already seated, but they weren't late, and that's what mattered. They took seats at the table, smiling. Franziska Von Karma was seated at the head of the table, in a dress of flowing navy blue and gold. She smiled at her brother.
"Why, how nice of you to join us." She said, flicking her wrist, golden liquid filled the glasses before them. Phoenix blinked and Miles tensed at his side. He had completely forgotten that as a Von Karma she had magic flowing through her blood that was easy to tap into. Her strength was in water and liquid magic. She could manipulate and play around with anything liquid, safe blood. Blood magic was forbidden.
"The King is out of the country, unfortunately, and cannot join us for dinner tonight. As you all know the Queen is still sick. Thank you all for joining us nonetheless," she smiled, a gentle smile. "Enjoy." She said.
Very quickly everyone fell into easy conversation. He saw Miles eyeing his sister jealously, rolling his wrist as if expecting something to happen. He sighed, reaching out to squeeze his knee under the table. Miles looked at him, tilting his head but nodding as if he understood.
"Hey, Fran?" He asked, the 'princess' looked at him, smiling, head tilted in confusion. They hadn't known each other for too long but she'd grown accustomed to the nickname Miles sometimes used.
"Yes, Spymaster?" She asked.
"You know, I'm quite mesmerized with how easily you can manipulate liquids, I've never met someone who can conjure drinks like that, it's fascinating. Not to mention," he nudged Miles' arm winking at the silver haired siblings. "Miles was asking about it, as his sister I was thinking you can tell us more about it." He said, her face broke into a grin when he mentioned Miles and she was off, speaking of magic.
"Father was always pretty strict about our teachings. I know he never really taught Miles the beauty of magic but he was always adamant I learned to master it from a young age. He always felt the need to have me perfect it. I had hated him at the time… but I'm rather happy he did have me worked so hard. I always did ask if brother could join but…" she shrugged and shook her head.
"But anyone can learn magic, right?" Miles asked.
"Anyone with enough willpower, strength of mind and a large want can learn magic. I'm sure Wright has already told you. Magic is in you, it is a part of you that lays dormant, ready to be used." She said smiling at her brother. Miles was watching her, his chin propped up on his fist and Phoenix loved just how invested with magic Miles was.
"In reality, magic is easy at the base, summoning the power to make your magic from is the simplest thing to do. It's turning that power into an emotional and elemental variable where it gets difficult. Some people don't look for an element, some people take their base magic and play around with it. Someone who does this can actually spin this magic into light or shadows, or something a little more special. Father never told me." She continued. Phoenix raised an eyebrow, he'd completely forgotten about those mages.
"Do you think I would be able to learn?" Miles asked uncertainly. He'd barely eaten all night, even if he'd taken a small portion of food.
"I believe that you absolutely could. You're a Von Karma in every good way just as much as you are an Edgeworth." She said, her voice was firm, but there was a softness to it only an elder sister could talk to her brother with, no matter if she was younger. Miles looked away, face a little flushed and Phoenix laughed.
He gave Franziska a smile and that was the end of magic talk for the rest of dinner. Franziska excused them all after dessert was served and though it was clear Miles was intending to head to bed and rest, Phoenix had other ideas.
Just as Miles grabbed the sleeves of his shirt to undress and change into something a little more comfortable, Phoenix grabbed his arm.
"I want to show you something." He grinned. Miles hadn't said anything. Only smiled back, as if he knew what Phoenix was about to do. He probably did. He was cunning, as was needed for the captain of the royal guard. Sometimes he forgot the man he loved was the captain.
They took Pess, bare of any armour and headed down towards the meadow Phoenix had led them too before. In the light of the moon, everything looked softer now, 'gentler' if you could say. Miles looked at him expectantly and he smiled once more, reaching out. Miles took his hand and let himself be pulled into the field. He looked absolutely and utterly lost and confused as to what Phoenix wanted to do but he didn't say anything, he didn't try to stop him, Phoenix knew Miles trusted him.
"Watch this." He said just as they reached the long grass. He took his arm and pushed down the grass sideways in one sweep and in a flutter of light, buzzing and ruffling from the grass, rose a flutter of fireflies. Phoenix did it again and more fireflies rose from the grass. Miles watched the bugs raise into the sky, his eyes were gentle, soft, enchanted almost. He looked to Phoenix and then he looked around, following the little lightning bugs fluttering around them. He gave Miles’ hand a small squeeze and he pulled him further into the tall grass, smiling. All around them fireflies rose from the grass to fly and flutter around them, it wasn’t magic but it could be described as such. Phoenix looked at his boyfriend, grinning at the wonder on his face.
“That’s not all, come on.” He said.
“Where are we going?” Miles asked, it didn’t really sound like he cared where they were heading. To Phoenix, it almost sounded like he didn’t care unless he could still watch the bugs. He laughed gently.
“It’s not far now.” He said.
“What’s not far?”
“This!” Phoenix said, his smile wide. Deep in the long grass field, there was a clearing. A few cherry blossoms bloomed there, their branches hanging over a small pond, and rocks lined the clearing, big enough to sit on but the grass here was soft and gentle. Miles looked around, confused, but still, Phoenix pulled Miles over to the rocks to sit, the long grass surrounded them and fireflies floated around them. One landed on Miles’ nose before he sneezed. Phoenix laughed.
“This was my favourite spot when I was younger. I would come out here when things weren’t amazing and calm down. It’s where I first realized I could do magic. It’s where I found that orb that I tried channeling magic through, it never worked much,” he laughed gently and shook his head. “It’s the calmest place I know, brimming with energy and magic.” He said gently and Miles smiled at him, looking more excited than he had all day beforehand.
“Here, give your hands.” He said. Miles did.
He took Miles’ hands, cupping them and then cupping his own around Miles’. He closed his eyes, manifesting his own magic around him with nothing but a small breath. He heard Miles’ breathing hitch and he opened his eyes to offer him a gentle smile.
“Let’s try again what we were doing before dinner. Look deep inside yourself and find your magic, once you do, grab onto it and don’t let go. Take it and pull it up, play with it, turn it into something, anything you want.” He said, and Miles nodded. He looked uncertain but his eyes were shining with a resolve, he knew Miles would be able to do it this time.
“Do I… close my eyes?”
“If it helps you concentrate. Sometimes all you need to do is focus on something around here. The cherry blossom, the ripples in the water, the fireflies around us, focus on something and anchor yourself to it. If you need me, I’m here.”
“Okay.”
Miles closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Phoenix watched him closely, more out of love than anything else because sitting here in the place that made him happy as a kid, with the man that made him happy as an adult was… everything. He watched Miles, watched the way he frowned for a moment before his face went blank and his body relaxed. He watched the way his breathing evened out and slowed. He felt his hands tremble and Phoenix, not wanting to distract his focus, raised a gentle wind to gently brush against the both of them. He closed his eyes, listening to the sounds of nature. An owl somewhere in the forest, to the crickets and cicadas hidden in the grass, to Miles’ slow, even breathing. Everything felt like it was all in place. Everything felt right.
His magic is pulsing in his veins, begging to be let out but he holds back. Then, a quiet gasp from the man across from him, barely a hitch in his breathing. “Phoenix,” Miles’ voice was soft, unbelieving, but filled with wonder. “Look.”
Phoenix peeled his eyes open, looking to Miles first. His eyes were wide, full of wonder just like his voice, and the light of the fireflies were shining gold against his silver gaze. But there was something more, there was a brighter light and when Phoenix looks down, he grins.
There’s a pale ball of light floating above his boyfriend's hands, silver-like his hair and eyes, but there’s a golden hue to the light. It’s pulsing and flowing, changing shapes just about the palm of Miles’ hand and when he looked up, Miles is grinning too, he’s not even trying to hide his excitement.
“I.. I did it?” He asked and he flexes his right index, the ball of light- of magic shifts in Miles’ hand.
“You did it.” Phoenix says and the love in his voice makes Miles blush and look away, the magic in his palm glows a little brighter and he feels his own magic yearning for it. He smiles.
“What- what do I do now?” He asked, he sounded so excited it made Phoenix 's heart skip a few beats.
“Try playing around with. You can do anything with it now, you can turn it into a dagger, a rose, a coin. Try molding it into something, then you can try putting an element into it.” He explained, and Miles nodded. He pulled his hands back, the magic coming with them and Miles wove the magic around him like he had been a natural at it from birth. It was a little harsh and the magic moved in rough ways, not smoothly, but it didn’t deter him. He seemed transfixed by his own magic.
“Look,” he laughed, pulling Phoenix from his daze. A small silver firefly fluttered before him, landing on his nose. “Firefly.” He said with childlike amusement, his nose scrunched up with laughter.
He realized then, just how much he loved Miles, he smiled, his heart fluttering. Phoenix pulled up his own magic and before them sparked to life a small little firefly, literally. The bug glowed with a soft reddish-orange light, made entirely of fire and Miles laughed as the two magic bugs circled each other.
“Should mine have an element?” Miles asked softly. Phoenix had been expecting that too. He had been waiting for the little firefly to take form of winds blowing against each other, or water flowing in the air, of fire like his, or earth or ice. But the little firefly stayed the same, shining silver in a sea of gold.
“No,” he said and Miles frowned. “No I don’t think it should.”
“What do you mean? There’s nothing wrong with my magic, is there?” He asked and as his panic rose, his firefly flickered, Phoenix reached out to cup his cheek, gently rubbing his thumb on his cheek. He shook his head and watched the magical bugs.
“There’s nothing wrong, Miles. Remember when Fran told us about magic at dinner. She mentioned some people being able to spin their magic into something other than elemental magic. She told us about light and shadow magic.” He smiled and brushed a strand of hair from Miles’ eye and leaned in to kiss him. Miles kissed back leaning in towards him, humming. Miles was a good kisser, always had been. He always kissed like it might be his last, and now, when he was excited and happy and loving and brimming with unused magic, it was amazing.
“Are you-”
“I am. I’m saying you have light magic,” he said and Miles blinked, cocking his head. “Did your father ever use magic?” Phoenix asked. The two magic fireflies had settled on the rock between them, laying right next to the other. The normal fireflies chirped and buzzed around them.
“I… er I believe my father was a skilled magician, but his strength was in fire magic, not light. My mother... well, I don’t know about my mother. I don’t know anything about my mother, perhaps she was skilled in light magic. I’m guessing that is why I… why Ican use light magic.” He murmured, his mind seemed to be elsewhere as he spoke, Phoenix laughed gently.
Phoenix didn’t say anything, gently taking Miles’ hands in his own once more, he held his hands as if they were made of glass and he looked at Miles. The fireflies were drifting away now, a few fluttered around their faces, one of them flew right by Miles’ ear and one of them passed overtop their hands. Miles looked at him too and smile. The silver firefly took to the air again and turned back into a ball of light, it broke into streams of light curling and swirling around Miles before it flew above his head and vanished with a pop. His firefly fizzled out by his ear. Miles watched him, grinning as if he was seeking approval. Phoenix didn’t know what else to say other than leaning in to kiss him again.
“I’m so proud of you, love.” He said and Miles hummed, melting into Phoenix, letting him pull him closer, Miles flushed.
“Thank you,” the man whispered, breath ghosting over his lips. The wind Phoenix created died down and gently ruffled their hair, cherry blossom flowers floated to the ground. This was… perfect. It was right, it was everything he wanted.
Phoenix smiled, Miles cocked his head looking around Phoenix found that he would never be happier to have Miles. He wouldn’t trade him or anything for anything else, this is all he could have asked for, and nothing more. He kissed him once more. “You’re welcome.”