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At first he supposed it was a little bit competitive. Miles hadn’t even been good around children when he was a child. He found them confusing and excessive, but that wasn’t to say he didn’t like them. He was just… scared of them. Not that he would ever in a million years phrase it that way, but the point remained.
Miles was scared of children. He was scared of how they viewed him. He was no stranger to the look in their eyes that they made around his stuffiness and big words. So it had been a bit competitive when he made the decision to actually bond with Trucy. He had wanted to prove everyone else wrong about him and his abilities. At the time, he had told himself it was his abilities to be around children in general, but deep down it was a bit more profound than that.
He bonded with Trucy easily. He actually hadn’t expected it to be as easy as it was, but he supposed that was dumb of him. She reminded him so much of Phoenix sometimes that it made his heart clench in a way that was borderline uncomfortable. Because while it was true that most children found him impersonable and intimidating and weird , the Wrights hadn’t and didn’t treat him like other children did. They so fiercely and loyally cared about him and all his quirks that it made his head spin sometimes.
Sometimes when Trucy looked up at him with her wide, bright eyes, he would be hit with a sharp tinge of nostalgia that felt like lightning piercing his heart. He would be hit smack in the face with one of countless memories of his best friend.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” Miles had asked, pausing the lengthy tale he had been unraveling. He had a tendency to get caught up in the story when he talked about his father’s latest cases. “I apologize if I was rambling. I can get lost -”
“No, no, it’s fine!” Phoenix had insisted with a big grin that crinkled his eyes in the corners. “I was just interested in what you were saying! You tell stories really good-”
“Well. I tell stories really well,” Miles couldn’t help but correct gently. He reprimanded himself mentally for it, but Phoenix never minded when he did that. He would just smile and nod, correcting himself.
“You tell stories really well, and being a defense attorney sounds awesome,” He continued. He didn’t indicate whether or not he noticed how deeply Miles blushed when the other boy complimented him so freely. “But please, I wanna hear the end!”
“Uncle Miles? Helloooo?” Trucy waved her hands in front of Miles’ face, snapping him back to the present day. “Earth to Uncle Miles!”
“I apologize, Trucy,” Edgeworth cleared his throat and blinked back to reality. “What was it you were saying?”
“I was saying to finish your story!” Trucy huffed and shook her head in that little judgemental way she often did. “Please, I wanna hear the end!”
She sounded exactly like her father down to the tone. Miles couldn’t help the soft twitch upwards of his lips as the feeling of nostalgia washed over him and settled somewhere in his gut; warm and radiating.
“Right, of course. Naturally, this witness had a testimony full of contradictions,” He continued on with his story. “Your father and I locked eyes across the courtroom, and it was evident to us both immediately…”
He had finished his story, and Trucy had begged him for another one afterwards. It was then that he realized that his bond with the young girl was far beyond competitive. He no longer gave a damn about the silly challenge he had imposed upon himself. The only thing that mattered was this bright little girl and the ways that he could aid in her happiness.
And if there was a faint feeling of triumph over defeating the influence of Manfred Von Karma, well, that was simply a bonus at this point.
Miles fell into fatherhood quickly. He fell into fatherhood way too quickly for a man who hadn’t even confessed his decades old feelings for the other father in the picture. He fell into fatherhood so absurdly quickly and deeply that the first time Trucy accidentally called him “Dad”, he didn’t even flinch.
“Hm?” He had answered, glancing over to see why she had summoned him. He only paused whenever he saw the look on her face.
“Oh, oops!” She said with a laugh. There wasn’t any sign of embarrassment, only lighthearted laughter at her mistake. “I mean, I guess you’re basically like my second parent anyway! Can you help me with my math homework?”
As quickly as she had said it, Trucy had moved on without another thought. Miles, however, was slightly stunned by the event. It was a small thing when it came down to it, but…
“You’re basically like my second parent, anyway!”
Miles had effectively and accidentally become a father. He had slipped into the role of co-parent of the man he was secretly in love with. There were very few things more romantically incriminating than unofficially adopting the object of your affection’s daughter.
“Uncle Miles?” Trucy’s voice cut through his thoughts, and he was met with that judgemental little glare. “I really don’t understand these formulas, and Daddy is terrible at math. Please help me!”
“Yes, I am well aware,” Miles nodded, smiling softly as his strange anxiety was replaced with another fond memory. “I used to tutor your father in math as well.”
“I can’t believe it!” Trucy laughed and shook her head. “Well actually, I can because Daddy is really bad at math, but… Can you just show me how to -”
“-get this stupid x over to the other side of the equation?” Phoenix huffed as he buried his face in his hands. “I don’t understand any of this, Miles!”
“It’s really not that hard if you would stop panicking for one moment,” Miles grabbed Phoenix’s head and tilted it up to look at him. “You are perfectly capable of solving this problem. You just have to take it step by step. Watch.”
Miles went step by step through each portion of the problem. He made sure Phoenix understood exactly what was going on before moving onto the next part. When he gave Phoenix the next problem to do on his own, Miles sat back and watched.
He liked the way Phoenix furrowed his brow a little bit sometimes when he got concentrated, and he found the slight bit of concentration sweat on his forehead endearing somehow. He gave Phoenix a fairly wide grin and a nod as he finished checking his work.
“There you go, Phoenix, you got it!” He congratulated as he laid his grading pen down. “I told you you could do it.”
“You really did! Thank you so much!” Phoenix wrapped his arms around Miles, who was stiff at first before melting into the touch slightly. “You’re like -”
“ The smartest guy ever!” Trucy gushed as she finished up another two problems with ease. “Don’t tell Daddy I said that though! I have to make sure he thinks it’s him for the sake of his, you know, ego and all that.”
Miles snorted at that, never failing to be surprised at the things that would come out of Trucy’s mouth sometimes. She was possibly one of the most blunt people he had ever met, while remaining cheerful and polite about it. She was a remarkable girl, and he was struck with the thought that perhaps… He really was Trucy’s other father.
She had gotten so many traits from Phoenix over the years, but there were undeniable quirks in her personality that were entirely Miles’ influence. She was blunt with her words and her judgements, even if she was much politer than Miles had ever been. She was a planner, always one step ahead of everyone else and requiring all the little details. She also liked to tease her father in a way that eerily resembled Miles’ teasing, even down to the loving insults.
Miles pressed his face into Trucy’s hair and smiled at the feeling of her arms squeezing him tightly. He knew his father used to hug him just like this, and he remembered how much he liked it as a boy. His smile grew larger as another realization hit him. He liked being on the giving side of this type of hug even more.
He decided then and there that even if nothing comes to fruition with his more-than-platonic feelings for Phoenix Wright, he will be the best damn platonic co-parent in the world.
Trucy slipped up a few more times calling him Dad, and neither of the dwelled on it for more than a few moments. It had never happened when Phoenix was actually around, so Miles thought nothing of it aside from being a warm compliment to his place in Trucy’s heart.
“ Uncle Miles, how come you and Daddy aren’t married yet?” Trucy blurted out one weekday night as Miles was trying to calmly drink his evening tea.
“I’m not sure I quite understand your question, Trucy dear,” Miles sputtered, wiping at his mouth with his hand. He had been so floored by Trucy’s blunt query, he had missed half of his mouth as he attempted to sip at his tea. “Your father and I…”
“Are being really annoying!” Trucy interrupted before Miles could even delve into some sort of explanation. “You act like you’ve been married for years, but you won’t even kiss each other! And then you both act like I’m crazy when I bring it up! Come on, Uncle Miles, one of you two has to do something here. I think you two have officially made the world record for longest engagement ever.”
“Trucy…” Miles furrowed his brow in deep confusion. He pinched the bridge of his nose and shook his head. “Your father and I are not engaged! That is why we have not made plans to wed.”
“Look, I’m not stupid. I can read people like books, and you know that!” Trucy argued. She had a point there. She was arguably the most perceptive person Miles had ever met in his life. “I just can’t figure out if you two are hiding it for my sake or yours. It’s so obvious you’re in love, so why won’t you just admit it?”
Miles doesn’t know what to say to that. He wrung his hands in his lap awkwardly for a moment, pondering deeply. Why the hell hadn’t they admitted it? The answer was obvious to him, and it brought shame for him to have to address it. He was a coward.
“I…” He swallowed heavily, unsure of where to even begin in his explanation to Trucy. She deserved a proper explanation, he knew that, but he didn’t think he even had one to give. “Trucy, for most of my life I didn’t even believe in love , much less marriage, -”
“What?!” A young Phoenix Wright practically screeched at his friend. “Haven’t you ever seen a romance movie? That’s the goal! Getting married is awesome!”
“And what exactly is so…” Miles grimaced and spat the next word out. “Awesome about marriage? I simply don’t understand the desire to spend an exorbitant amount of money on a piece of paper and a new last name.”
“It’s about so much more than that, Miles!” Phoenix protested, flopping back onto the other boy’s bed to look up at him desperately. “It’s about finding the person you’re destined to be with and declaring it for everyone to see! You basically get to have a big party to celebrate how amazing it is to be in love.”
“A large percentage of marriages end in divorce, Phoenix,” Miles had explained, showing far too much cynicism than a 9 year-old should. “If people are that certain of their love, surely a piece of paper and some rings won’t make that big of a difference.”
“Yeah well…” Phoenix shrugged. “I think it sounds amazing. I hope someday I get to have a big beautiful wedding with all my friends and family there!”
Miles felt bad as he listened to Phoenix sigh dreamily. Honestly, who was he to crush his best friend’s dreams like this? Phoenix was quite simply the best person he had ever met. If anyone could find true, unyielding love it would be Phoenix Wright.
“Well, maybe I’m just being negative,” He conceded, looking down and clutching at his left arm nervously. “I believe that you deserve the kind of happiness you dream of, Phoenix. I just -”
“- Don’t know if I’m cut out for that kind of thing,” Miles sighed and took off his glasses, rubbing his eyes. “I would never forgive myself if I were to hurt your father again even inadvertently.”
“Oh, Uncle Miles!” Trucy sighed deeply and wrapped her arms around her uncle-father. “You know that I think you’re the smartest guy ever, but you’re being a real dummy right now! There is nothing that would make my Daddy happier than you whisking him off his feet. He is such a hopeless romantic, and you’re his knight in shining armor!”
“Now Trucy, I don’t know about…” Miles was cut off by the sound of the door opening and closing before a voice announced its arrival home.
“Heya, kiddo!” Phoenix greeted as he entered the room and wrapped Trucy up in a hug. “What were you and your uncle talking about so passionately?”
“Nothing of importance,” Miles said quickly, standing up and setting his mug in the sink. “Just… homework.”
His lie was bad, and everyone in the room was well aware of that fact. Trucy gave him a judgemental little glare but still didn’t protest. She didn’t have to protest for her father to shoot Miles a quizzical look.
“I, uh, must be going now,” He said abruptly. If he hadn’t been suspicious enough before, this behavior catapulted him into oozing with guilt territory. This was a territory both of the Wrights excelled in which meant he had to get out of there fast. “Good night!”
He called over his shoulder just to be safe. Any eye contact which would make him crumble like a guilty witness under the famous Wright scrutiny.
A week passed after Trucy’s inquiry, and Miles was in a state . That was putting it lightly honestly. Trucy’s questioning had opened up a Pandora's box of feelings in Miles, sending his brain into an emotional tizzy.
He had managed to avoid Phoenix for the time being, knowing himself well enough to surmise he wouldn’t be able to maintain his composure around the other man right now. He found himself thinking about Phoenix frequently in ways that caused him to flush deep red even in the privacy of his own home. It was a disaster .
He found himself scolding himself often, shaking his head violently to rid his mind of thoughts he shouldn’t be having. Trucy’s voice echoed in his head.
“...There is nothing that would make my Daddy happier than you whisking him off his feet. He is such a hopeless romantic, and you’re his knight in shining armor!”
There was no reason for the girl to lie, and she was the absolute most perceptive person he knew. If she thought so… But no. Trucy’s judgement could easily be clouded by the desire for her father’s happiness and tendency to the hopelessly romantic.
He had a plan. He would simply avoid Phoenix Wright until he had learned to better control these feelings of his; these unnecessary, dangerous feelings that threatened everything he held dear. His plan worked for exactly eight days before being utterly shattered.
“Uncle Miles, please come to my show tonight!” Trucy begged over the phone. He hadn’t been able to even pretend to resist picking up when he saw her name. “I have a bunch of new tricks, and I haven’t seen you in a million years! Daddy misses you too, you know.”
Miles paused, shutting his eyes for a moment as the familiar wave of nostalgia washed over him. His lips were already curling in a smile.
“Pleeeeeaaaasseee,” The young spiky-haired boy begged Miles, a thorough pout on his face. “We’ll really miss you if you don’t come! It won’t be as fun.”
“I…” Miles swallowed heavily, clutching at his arm in doubt and thought for a moment. “I do not normally like crowds or loud events, but… I do quite enjoy the samurai.”
“Exactly!” Phoenix grinned widely, bouncing on his toes. “It’ll be totally worth it. Plus, you’ll be with your best bros! Larry is gonna sleepover after so you should too!”
“I will have to ask my father,” Miles said curtly, looking back up at the other boy. He couldn’t deny that he was being quickly and easily convinced to attend this live showing. “But if he says yes then… I will come.”
“Yes! Victory!” Phoenix pumped his fist into the air, the grin on his face wider than Miles had ever seen it before. He had butterflies in his stomach and a strange warm feeling, but he quickly excused it away as nerves. This would be his first sleepover after all. “This is gonna be -”
“- The best time ever!” Trucy shrieked excitedly over the phone, practically bursting Miles’ eardrum as she did. He didn’t mind one bit. “Thank you, thank you, thank you! Daddy is gonna be so happy. I’ll make sure the two of you get the best seats in the house!”
Miles was grateful Trucy was not there in person to see the magnitude of his blushing face. He would have to get over these feelings and fast . He only had a few hours to compose himself and prepare to see Phoenix in person for hours.
“That is much appreciated,” He said as he cleared his throat. “I will see you tonight then, Trucy.”
He hung the phone up before his painfully awkward tone gave him away even over the distance of a phone call. Right. Three hours. He could manage to pull himself together in three hours, right?
“Hey! Miles!” Phoenix Wright’s voice rang across the expanse of The Wonder Bar instantly sending Miles’ heart into a fit. Goddammit. Three hours had not been nearly enough time. The darker haired man jogged over to where his friend was standing uncomfortably and stopped just short of him. “You okay? You look -”
“I am fine,” Miles cut off Phoenix before he could spill out whatever adjectives he had planned. Miles knew he looked like a nervous wreck, but he could scarcely help it. He hated this feeling of having little to no control over his emotions. “I am extremely busy at the moment as I am sure you are well aware, so I apologize if I appear less… pleasant than usual.”
“You? Pleasant? Usually?” Phoenix snorted, shaking his head fondly. “If you were anything other than ‘slightly irritated all the time’ I would think you’d been kidnapped.”
“I am not ‘slightly irritated all the time’!” Miles couldn’t help but protest, crossing his arms and shooting Wright a glare. “I simply have a higher standard regarding daily life than some people, and I have no trouble expressing my displeasure if I see otherwise.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Phoenix waved his hand dismissively, replacing his teasing grin with an excitable one. “Let’s go find our seats. Trucy said they were the best in the house, so I figure they’re the same ones as always.”
Phoenix grabbed the prosecutor’s arm, sending a tingling feeling all the way up through Miles’ body. He felt himself instinctively melting some of his icy exterior away at the warm feeling in his stomach.
Their seats were, indeed, the usual spot. Neither of the men would ever complain, seeing as they were the best seats in the house after all. Miles was glad it was dark, feeling slightly less vulnerable in the mask of low light. Soon enough, Trucy appeared on stage and he became distracted enough to escape the prison of his own mind for a bit.
By the end of her show, his hands hurt from clapping and his cheeks were sore from smiling. He leaned back in his chair, his smile settling into a softer, fond smile when he felt Phoenix’s eyes on him,
Miles turned, almost reeling back as he met Phoenix’s eyes. They were full of a deep warmth and, dare he say, admiration. They were so intentionally pointed at Miles that the prosecutor was pretty sure he may faint. But, he reasoned to himself, the love in Phoenix’s eyes was probably residual leftover from watching Trucy. Yes, that was the logical explanation.
“Miles, I need to speak with you,” Phoenix began, something in his tone sending an entirely new feeling through Miles Edgeworth. He had never heard such sincerity, and he was already clinging onto the other man’s words. “There’s something that I’ve been -”
“Daddy! Uncle Miles!” Trucy interrupted without realizing it, running over to them with her cape soaring behind her. “What did you think?”
Both men’s attention immediately shifted to Trucy, matching paternal smiles on their faces. She paused before them, wrapping her arms around them both for a moment before stepping out and proudly putting her hands on her hips.
“Your new tricks were incredible, Trucy,” Miles said sincerely, nodding his head in approval. “I tried my very hardest to figure them out, and I found myself at a complete loss. Well done.”
“You were wonderful!” Phoenix exclaimed as he stood up, wrapping his arms around Trucy in an enthusiastic hug. “You blew the whole audience away, sweetheart!”
Miles felt a deep sense of… yearning in his heart as he watched the two of them embrace. There was so much love between the two Wrights. There had always been an absurd amount of love radiating from Phoenix Wright.
Phoenix loved to hug. It was something that everyone knew, and no one questioned. No one except Miles, of course. While Gregory was a caring and devoted father, he had never been much of a hugger.
But Phoenix… He took every chance he could get to hug people he cared about. It was one day when Phoenix hugged Miles so tight he had thought he was going to burst that Miles finally inquired.
“Why do you always do that?” He had asked stiffly as he pulled away. “...Hug people…”
“Uh, I dunno!” Phoenix had shrugged, scratching the back of his head. “I just think it’s nice. You know, it, uh, feels good and shows the person you care!”
“Could you not simply show the person you care with your words or body language?” Miles asked, thinking slightly about how his body was still radiating warmth from the other boy’s hug. Words didn’t do that as easily, noted.
“Yeah, I guess…” Phoenix shrugged again, looking embarrassed now. “I just like ‘em. I think… I think it makes everyone feel a little better to get a hug. But, you know, I can stop if you really want.”
“No, that won’t be necessary,” Miles decided, shaking his head decisively. “I think I quite like them.”
“Then come here!” Phoenix looked up immediately and held his arms open. “Give me a -”
“Big ole hug, Uncle Miles!” Trucy demanded, pulling away from Phoenix to face Miles. “I deserve it, don’t you think?”
“Certainly,” Miles agreed, seeing no flaws in her logic. He stood up and wrapped the teenager in his arms, closing his eyes for a moment and thinking about how familiar her hug felt. It felt like family , he admitted in his mind. Before he could stop himself, his next words tumbled from his lips. “You do give the second best hugs, Trucy.”
“Second best?!” Trucy asked, her mouth agape as she pulled away. “Who gives the best? I thought it was me!”
Trucy crossed her arms, huffing a little bit. Miles glanced over at Phoenix, who held an amused grin on his lips. His hands were on his hips, clearly eager to hear the answer to this question.
“Your father, of course,” Miles stated simply, glancing back over at Trucy to avoid the aforementioned man’s eyes. “But you are a very close second.”
“Oh! Well…” Trucy’s look of upset disappeared immediately, replaced with a knowing little smiled. “If it’s second place to Daddy then, I can allow it. I know exactly why.”
Trucy winked at Miles, not trying to be subtle in the slightest. He felt his cheeks go red and prayed the light was dim enough to disguise his. Trucy kept her gaze fixed on him for a few moments longer, and Miles was struck by a thought. She had her father’s eyes. No, not in shape or color much, but in the emotions behind her gaze. She had the warmth and deep caring and love that also filled Phoenix’s gaze.
“Let me drive you home,” Miles offered. “I can treat you to a congratulatory meal on the way. How does that sound?”
“That sounds amazing,” Phoenix spoke up, causing Miles to snap his eyes in that direction. His heart skipped a beat as he saw that look; the one he had seen in Trucy’s eyes just a moment before. “Let’s go.”
After gorging herself on diner food, Trucy had promptly passed out in the back of the car on their way to the Wright residence. After such a big show and so many carbs, it was no surprise to either of the men in the front seat. Miles simply laid his jacket over her and turned the radio off so as not to disturb her too much.
“Miles, earlier at The Wonder Bar,” Phoenix spoke up after a good few minutes of silence in the car. “I mentioned that I wanted to talk to you, remember?”
“Yes, of course,” Miles nodded, his heart thundering in his chest. He tried to disguise that fact as best he could. “I hope nothing is the matter, Wright. You have me slightly worried.”
“Oh, oh, no! It’s nothing bad, I promise,” Phoenix assured, laughing a bit nervously. “I just, uh, after I get Trucy into bed, would you mind staying for just a bit to talk?”
“Not at all,” Miles said with a nod. Of course not. He would do almost anything for Phoenix Wright. They pulled up to the Wright’s just a few minutes later, parking in his usual spot. “I’ll carry her.”
Miles knew Phoenix’s back was likely to act up if he attempted to carry the nearly grown girl in the backseat to bed. He also knew that neither of them had the heart to wake her up, so this was the natural solution.
He could feel Phoenix gazing at him fondly as they made their way inside and to Trucy’s room. He had no complaints about that feeling aside from the heat that sprung up on his neck. He excused himself to get some water while Phoenix finished up putting Trucy to sleep.
“Uh, hi,”
Miles jumped slightly as Phoenix appeared behind him quietly. He turned to face the other man and smiled a gentle smile. Phoenix looked so sweet, slightly sheepish even. He wondered feverishly what this conversation would be about.
“Hello,” He greeted back, leaning on the kitchen counter and setting his water down. “I suppose we should discuss whatever matter you were referring to, yes?”
“Yes, right!” Phoenix nodded, taking a deep breath. It was clear he was trying to get his confidence up before initiating this discussion. “Okay, so, I was talking with Trucy the other day, and she mentioned some… things about… you know. Us.”
“This isn’t court, Wright,” Miles replied, attempting a sarcastic approach to mask the way he was actually having a lovesick panic. “You can’t just make vague statements and expect me to understand.”
“Yes, okay, sorry, nerves,” Phoenix fumbled out. That was odd. Usually he would’ve shot back another snappy remark, but it appeared he was too nervous to do even that. “I’m just gonna spit it out. Trucy asked me why you and I weren’t married yet.”
“She asked me the same question,” Miles blurted out, unable to keep his filter up very well. “I apologize, Phoenix. I tried to talk to her and clear up any misunderstandings, but it appears I have failed. She… implied we had some sort of current engagement, which I quickly explained was ridiculous to her, but she is a stubborn and determined girl. She is so much like you sometimes it causes a deep ache in my heart.”
“Wh- what?” Phoenix furrowed his eyebrows together, confusion feeling his face. “Could you elaborate on that a little bit?”
“I… I did not wish to tell you,” Miles sighed, looking down and clutching at his arm like a lifeline. “I seem to have become so flustered I am able to carefully choose my words. I apologize, Wright.”
“Hey, uh, don’t do that,” Phoenix said with a sad look on his face, reaching for Miles’ hand. He peeled it away from his arm, holding it in his own hand instead. “Don’t feel bad for having feelings. I was trying to figure out a way to express my own feelings.”
“And what feeling might those be?” Miles asked, his voice barely above a whisper. He was scared out of his mind, unable to will his voice any louder.
“The ones… my daughter seemed to have picked up on before two grown men,” Phoenix said with a little laugh. “The ones that make me question why the hell we aren’t married yet.”
“Phoenix,” Miles gasped the other man’s name out in surprise, his eyes shooting up to meet the other man’s. The expression of disbelief he had prepared to say died on his lips. There was only sincerity in the gaze across from him. He blurted out his next words without a second though. “You may kiss me.”
Phoenix didn’t even waste time making fun of Miles for that, too eager to lean in and capture this long overdue kiss. He will definitely make fun of me for it later , Miles thought to himself as he grinned into the kiss, I cannot wait for it.
Miles blinked awake, feeling a sense of disorientation overcome him. His surroundings were familiar but unusual for this scenario. He felt shuffling next to him and heard a sleepy noise to his right. He grinned softly, squinting to make out the shape of Phoenix Wright curled up next to him.
Miles scooted closer, wrapping an arm around the other man and nuzzling into his hair. Of course. He had passed out the night before after spending an embarrassing amount of time kissing Phoenix desperately. They had lost time to make up for after all.
It had been relatively innocent, both men falling asleep in each other’s embrace before much else could happen. They were both well-aware of the time together they had. They were clearly in no rush.
Miles had decided to gently stroke his fingers through hair, finding the motion soothing enough that he was practically on the verge of falling asleep himself. He was jolted back awake by a high-pitched gasp and moments later the feeling of someone jumping onto the foot of the bed.
“Daddy! Uncle Miles!” Trucy exclaimed excitedly, effectively waking up both men who grumbled in protest. “You did! You finally got over being wimps and got together!”
Miles rubbed his eyes, glancing over and catching his partner’s gaze. Phoenix looked between Trucy and him lovingly, nodding in the proudest manner one could possibly nod in.
“We did, and it was pretty much entirely because of you, kiddo,” Phoenix replied sleepily, sitting up and rubbing his eyes himself. “Miles asked me for permission before he kissed me.”
Ah, there it was, Miles groaned and sat up as well, burying his face in his hands. How mortifying.
“Aw, Uncle Miles!” Trucy cooed, starry-eyed and wistful as she thought about their long overdue romance. “I guess I shouldn’t call you Uncle Miles anymore, huh? That’s kinda… weird. What about Papa?”
Miles swallowed heavily, nodding slowly. He felt the corners of his eyes water a bit, blinking quickly to try and destroy the evidence.
“Yes, I…” He swallowed again, the lump in his throat attempting to thwart his attempts at speech. “I believe that will do quite nicely.”
Trucy said nothing, instead opting to fling herself at the two men in the biggest hug she could manage. Miles found himself wrapping his arms around both Wrights, smushed in the middle of the two best huggers he had ever met and the most content he had ever felt in his life.