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(summary: Edgeworth is convinced Phoenix placed a curse on him! Everyone except him knows exactly what's going on.)
How horrible. Absolutely foolish! Edgeworth didn't think twice about the intelligence of his childhood annoyance, but surely he was smart enough to know that this was wholly unacceptable!
It started out small. Whenever Wright smiled, he felt his heartbeat speed up and a fluttery feeling in his stomach. He just assumed that it was normal to feel that way around close friends. Then it escalated even further and just a single touch would light his face on fire. He became clingy and seek Wright's attention and approval. He would spend his weekends at a coffee shop or walking around the park with him, and when they couldn't meet they would just have a video call. Then it got even worse, he couldn't sleep because when he closed his eyes Phoenix would come to mind, he couldn't focus on work because he'd start thinking about something Phoenix said. The worst thing was that he started feeling murderous intent for innocent people who were just talking to him!
This was insane! They were both fully grown adult men! There was no need for him to be so clingy!
It was clear to him what was going on. Phoenix Wright placed a curse on him!
But for what reason? Edgeworth knew he was quite cold but surely it didn't merit such a response. Did he want to humiliate him? Or was it for a more malicious reason, to dethrone the demon prosecutor? With his greatest rival gone, Wright could stand to gain more.
Did he hate him? Miles blinked away the traitorous tears in his eyes. This was ridiculous. Crying over something as stupid as that. But he admittedly despised the thought of Phoenix hating him.
In his time of need, there was one person he could turn to. He took a deep breath and knocked.
"Come in, little brother."
He opened the door and sat down on the chair opposite hers. Though she had a cold exterior, Miles knew his sister cared for him. Maybe it was not apparent in her words, but the fact that she cleared her schedule spoke volumes. Miles knew he'd do the same for her too.
"State your business." She said and Miles understood it as What's wrong, Miles?
"It's urgent." He said simply, "I think there's a chance I'm going to die."
Her expression turned grim and she set her teacup on the table.
"I have trouble focusing on my work, I've been saddled with unnecessary feelings. I can't handle it anymore! I feel my body heat and flush whenever he smiles or laughs, I want to spend all my time with him. When I close my eyes all I think of is him, I overthink every conversation, every look, every gesture. It's foolish! And I..." In a moment of helplessness, he turned to her again, "Franzi. You have to help me. Please."
Franziska tries her best not to laugh or show any signs of amusement on her face. Her foolishly innocent little brother. Anyone could tell what those feelings were. She might not have been an expert on love, but she had to perform her duties as a big sister perfectly.
"I've read about this before." She smirked proudly, "My foolish brother, you are lucky to have such a perfect big sister. All you have to do is hug him."
"Hug him?" Miles whispered and then flushed at the thought. "That's absurd! How can I do that?"
"Don't be foolish!" She snapped, "This foolishness will cease at once! If you do not go through with this, you will be cursed forever."
"You're right, I need to swallow my pride." Miles took one last shaky sip of his tea. "Thank you so much, Franziska."
She nodded and watched him leave. She grabbed her phone and quickly dialed a number. She needed to have a talk of her own.
____________________
"Hello? This is Phoenix Wright, can I help you?"
"Fool."
Phoenix gulped, "Oh, hi. Can I help you?"
He was so glad that he wasn't talking to her in person or he would have been whipped.
Pheonix sighed and reclined in his chair. He was so relaxed before she called. A certain silver-haired prosecutor came to mind and he smiled fondly.
To tell the truth, he couldn't focus anymore. Thankfully he was good at bullshitting his way through every trial or he would be done for! Ah, the woes of being in love.
He's never been sure of anything else in his life. He was in love with Miles Edgeworth. He was in love with the brilliant boy he was back then, and the gem of a man he was now. If he had it his way, he would marry him. Then they'd be disgustingly happy and cheesy till the end of their lives.
"Are you listening, fool!?"
"Oops," He chuckled nervously, "Sorry. Spaced out. What was that?"
"Miles Edgeworth, my little brother."
"Little?" He yelped.
"Yes, my little brother. I know how your feelings towards him."
Phoenix sighed as he recognized what was happening. He was getting shovel-talked. The "don't hurt my brother or you'll die" talk. Except this time it was serious, because he knew Franziska would kill him if he did.
"The letters you foolishly sent to him in our youth. He brings them with him in his briefcase. I will tear them one by one like I will tear your foolish limbs if you hurt him."
"If I ever hurt him, please do." He said sincerely.
"What are your intentions?"
He could have responded to that in many ways. I want to marry him, spend our days being sickly in love. I want to cherish him, I want to make him feel like he's special. I'll fight heaven and hell and the whole world if that makes him smile.
Instead, he said, "There's never been anyone else."
Not there's never been anyone else I would want to marry or there's never been anyone else I want to spend my whole life with.
Just that there's never been anyone else. Full stop.
Franziska smiled to herself, "Then you have my blessing." and ended the call.
Phoenix stared at his phone, contemplating those words before he heard a knocking on his door.
"Come in!"
"Fool."
Phoenix was starting to see a pattern here.
Nevertheless, he grinned and changed his suit jacket for a coat, "We still on for coffee?"
"Mn." Miles nodded, "There's a new samurai themed cafe."
Pheonix laughed and watched as Miles' ears turned an endearing shade of pink. So cute, his Miles.
"Okay, Okay." He said when Miles glared at him, "Let's go, Mr.Samurai."
"Fool," Edgeworth stated again.
Phoenix couldn't help but agree.
____________________
They were taking the scenic route in the park again. Miles' coffee cup warmed his hands while he thought about how he was going to hug him without looking stupid.
Beside him, Wright was smiling and chatting away, some moronic story that was surely made up. The implication that he was making one up to make Miles happy made his heart do something weird in his chest. But right now wasn't the time for stupid thoughts! He had to get rid of this wretched curse somehow.
He turned his attention to the beautiful sakura trees to give himself some confidence. It was a stunning sight, no matter how many times they passed this way, he would never tire of the pink petals falling down and pooling at his feet. Maya said something about them representing something while they were watching an episode of Steel Samurai, but he couldn't remember what it was. Its ethereal view made him feel at ease and he turned to see Wright looking at him with a dorky look on his face.
Ethereal.
"Miles," he gulped, "There's something I need to say-"
He gasped as Miles pulled him into a tight hug.
He blushed. Edgeworth looked so cute. Eyes shut tight and his face a cute shade of red. His soft warm body was pressed against his, his hands bunched up in Phoenix's shirt.
Belatedly, he realized his body was warm. He let his eyes take in his pale skin and the petals that fell on his hair.
"Miles," He stuttered, "I missed you too, but you have to let go."
Not that he hated his hugs. It's just that his body was being traitorous and he didn't want to scare Miles away by his pervertedness.
Miles felt himself relax in his hold. He felt lighthearted and relaxed like the curse was being removed from his soul. He looked up to see Phoenix's handsome flushed face and smirked to himself. Have a taste of your own medicine.
Satisfied, he pulled away but felt the dread come back to him.
He sighed, "Stop this at once, Wright! I can't hug you forever!"
"Huh? What do you mean?"
Edgeworth tilted his head in confusion at the genuine confusion in his tone. "This curse you've put on me. Stop it."
"Curse?"
"The curse!" Miles yelled in frustration, "You've cursed me with unnecessary feelings! You make my chest and my stomach feel weird! I can't focus on anything but you! I can't even sleep! I want to spend so much time with you and I feel murderous when someone takes your attention off of me! Franziska told me the only way to get rid of this curse is to hug you."
Phoenix stood in astonishment as what he said registered in his mind. He sniffed and wrapped his arms around his body, smiling to himself as he felt Miles grab his shirt and hide his face in Phoenix's shoulder.
"It's not a curse, it's a blessing. I feel the same thing, Miles. There's never been anyone else. Just you. What we're feeling is love. There's no cure other than to hug each other for the rest of our lives."
Edgeworth shivered, "You love me, Nick ?" He fiddled with the fabric of his shirt.
Phoenix grinned and tilted his chin with his finger, "This is love."
Miles gasped as Phoenix placed his hands on his waist and connected their lips. Miles knew you could kiss someone on their cheek or forehead, but this was new. Quickly, he decided it was not unpleasant. He also decided that he would only allow Phoenix to do this.
There will never be anyone else.
Suddenly, he remembered what Maya said about sakura trees. They're the perfect place to confess.
They pulled away and Miles blurted out, "This is love."
Phoenix laughed in agreement and connected their lips again.