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Edgeworth knew better than this.
He really should have called out on a day like today.
But here he was, sitting at his desk, crying.
He never usually cried, his father’s death day was special to him, but Miles was taught to keep things in. at least sort of. He never thought it necessary to sob over it all. Maybe a few tears, that was good enough for him.
But with everything that had happened over the past few years, he had more of a reason to cry than ever.
Miles never heard the door open, or anything the other man had said to him, he just remembered Phoenix Wright’s arms wrapping around his shoulders, and the other man comforting him.
“Miles, hey, sh it’s okay. “ Phoenix tried in a soft tone, rubbing the silver-haired man’s back.
Miles didn’t even think about it, just turning and hiding his face in the other man's chest. Miles couldn’t exactly pinpoint when he and Phoenix exactly became ‘friends’, but Miles just knew that Phoenix knew how to comfort him. He was the only one he could be vulnerable with.
Phoenix stood Miles up, pulling the taller into a tight hug. “You’re okay. It wasn’t your fault. “ Phoenix reminded him gently “Take a deep breath. “ Miles tried, breathing in…. And out…. It was shaky. Maybe he was crying harder than he thought.
“ Wright…” Miles cried softly. Phoenix nodded.
“ I know. C’mon. “ Phoenix took Miles’ hand, leading him over to the couch and sitting down, pulling Miles to sit with him. “ Just lean on me, take a few deep breaths, you’re okay. “ Phoenix tried, reaching up and combing his hands through Miles’ hair.
The two found themselves a comfortable spot, with the both of them laying across the couch, Miles cuddled into Phoenix’s side and slightly on top of him. It wasn’t often things like this happened- although Phoenix was a clingy bitch with all of his friends and Miles wasn’t nearly as touchy as Phoenix was (he was okay with that)- when it did happen, it was when it mattered.
“I’m sorry. “ Miles mumbled after a few moments of silence. He always felt like he had to apologize for things like this. It’s what he was taught.
“ You don’t need to apologize. “ Phoenix assured. “ This is important to you. It makes sense and it's normal. “ Miles nodded softly. He was told this every time, and even though every time he nodded along, he refused to believe it.
He was still crying, but not as hard now, little hiccups escaping his grasp as he tried to process everything. These things took a long time to accept.
“Maybe far away…”
Phoenix was singing. It was soft and Miles didn’t exactly recognize the tune.
“
Or Maybe real nearby. “
It seemed familiar, but Miles was sure he wouldn’t be able to put a finger on it.
“He may be pouring her coffee”
Phoenix ran a hand through Miles’ hair.
“She may be straightening his tie. “
Mile’s glanced up at Phoenix, who wasn’t looking at Miles, but out the big window instead, his gaze seeming fixed as he sang. He was spacing out.
“Maybe in a house, all hidden by a hill”
Miles reached for Phoenix’s hand, intertwining their fingers.
“
She’s sittin’ playin’ piano, He’s sittin’ payin’ a bill.“
Phoenix glanced down at Miles for a moment, before averting his gaze to elsewhere in the room.
“ Betcha’ they’re young. Betcha’ they’re smart. “
Miles gave a soft smile, the song was helping ground him, and though he wasn’t sure if that was the intention, he was glad either way.
“Bet they collect things like ashtrays and art. “
Miles looked away from Phoenix, finding himself comfortable in the arms of the other.
" Betcha they're good. "
Miles listened to the soft singing and Phoenix's heart, and even though he had other things to do, this would do, for now.
"Why shouldn't they be?"
Everything was just how it should be.
" Their one mistake was giving up me "
Or not. Miles looked back up at Phoenix. It was just a song, right? One Phoenix had picked to help cheer up Miles
Had Phoenix ever talked about his family? The two of them had known each other for a long time, but had they ever mentioned his family? He had a mom, right?
Then why did it seem so personal?
“ So maybe now it’s time “
Miles closed his eyes, listening to Phoenix’s words and trying to decipher everything behind him. He liked his voice.
“And maybe when I wake. “
Sleep. He should pretend to sleep, maybe then Phoenix would sing more.
“They’ll be there calling me baby “
Luckily for him, Miles was good at that.
“Maybe...”
Phoenix was quiet for a few moments, before prying himself out from under Miles and standing up. He covered Miles with a blanket that had been laid on the couch last time one of them stayed late there. Miles was worried Phoenix was done… And then.
“Betcha’ he reads, Betcha she sews. “
Miles carefully opened his eyes, seeing Phoenix begin to pace around the room.
“Maybe she’s made me a closet of clothes. “
Miles almost wanted to laugh. He was a grown man.
“Maybe they’re strict, as straight as a line. “
So unlike Phoenix himself? Miles tried not to chuckle.
“Don’t really care, as long as they’re mine. “
Phoenix sat down in Miles’ chair, turning to look out the window.
“ So maybe now this prayers the last one of its kind. “
Miles figured Phoenix wasn’t going to be looking back at him anytime soon, so he sat up.
“Won’t you please come get your baby?”
Miles wanted to speak up. He also wanted him to finish, so he just wrapped the blanket around his shoulders.
“Maybe…”
Phoenix sat in silence for a few moments, which Miles took as a sign to speak up.
“ Wright. “ the raven-head turned around to meet his eyes. “ Have you ever told me about your parents? “ Miles dared to ask.
“What’s there to tell?” Phoenix asked softly. “ I was adopted. And my adoptive mom died my freshman year of college... “ Phoenix said simply.
“ and you still wonder about your actual parents, don’t you?” Miles asked. It made sense. Even as a grown man.
“ Wouldn’t anyone? “ Miles sure would. He often wondered about his own mother, though, unlike Phoenix, he knew who she was.
“I suppose. “ Miles said softly.
“ Don’t get me wrong. “ Phoenix began. “ I love my mom. She gave me an amazing life and now that she’s gone I'm not quite happy about it but, y’know I can’t help but wonder. I’ve done everything I know how to in order to be able to find them and nothing quite comes up. “
“Why not go to Gumshoe? “ Miles ended up asking. Phoenix had probably thought of that already.
“ Well, I've thought about it. “ See? “ But he’s always so busy and- I don’t want to bother anyone else there. They’ve all got too much on their plate. “
Miles stood up, gently folding up the blanket. “ Well then, let's go. “ Miles said softly.
Phoenix also stood, looking rather confused. “ What? Go where?” Phoenix asked. Miles reached out and took the shorter’s hand.
“We’ll go talk to Pumshoe, with my help he won't be too busy. And he’d willingly do it, plus-” Phoenix pulled away
“ wait- no. I don't want to bother him…” Phoenix said.
“ Like I said it won’t be a problem as long as I ask and- “ Miles thought for a moment. “ are you scared?”
Phoenix looked away. “ I- it's just scary to think about. I wanna meet them but... What if I'm too old or they’re dead and- what if they don’t want to see me or don’t like who I've become. “
Miles frowned, stepping towards Phoenix. “I understand. “ Miles said softly. “ You’re not ready yet. It takes time to process… I should know better than anyone. “ Miles found himself saying.
Miles opened his arms for a hug, and Phoenix looked over, before gladly accepting the hug.
“I will be here for you when you’re ready, just as you’re here for me. “ Miles didn’t dare look down at phoenix as he spoke, and instead just played with the shorters hair like he’d been dong to Miles a few minutes ago, it seemed to be a great comfort for the both of them.
“ thank you, Miles.” Miles smiled.
“ Of course, Phoenix. “