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Cold, bitter, and unforgiving. Winter is never easy on anyone. The conditions it brings pays no mind to who you are or where you're going.
Miles Edgeworth was away on business as usual. Far from the place he called home in sunny California. It was the dead of winter, December in fact, and snow covered the landscape.
After such a long and drawn out morning, Miles found himself at the hand of the wheel, driving much slower than normal. After all, the roads were slick and highly unfavorable for driving.
It wouldn't be long until Miles reached his destination. Just five minutes and he could finally relax in the peace of his hotel room, unfortunately, fate wouldn't be so kind. His eyes focused on the truck in front of him. He subconsciously followed at a steady pace, but should have known that his car wouldn't take icy roads as well as the other.
And that's when he lost control. The prosecutor's beautiful sports car slipped off the sharp turn in the road. His hands gripped the steering wheel as it forcefully turned to the right. Time fell into slow motion. This moment was all too much like a movie, as if his body was watching from the outside. There's no way this was real.
This can’t be happening.
Miles helplessly watched the world spin around him. Sound seemed nonexistent. His breath caught when the car stopped rolling, and he must have passed out for a time.
He had no idea how long he was there, and there was no way to tell. After blinking a few times he rubbed his eyes. Before him was not something one should see out a windshield so close: wilted grass, covered in mud. He reached his arm out and felt the cold ground above him. His pale fingers grasped the grass as he sat there, breathless.
It hit him. He was completely upside down. It was thanks to the strength of the seat belt that kept Miles stationary in his seat. No words left his mouth as he was in a state of shock. What could he do? He didn't even feel like moving. His mind was racing, yet he felt no pain.
Am I dead? I can't be. There's so much I haven't done in my life. I've not even loved anyone.
Really, had he not? In the midst of it all, one name overcame the rest of his thoughts, Phoenix Wright.
I can't leave him. There's...something I need to tell him first. God, if there's any chance that I can tell him I...I love him. I can't believe I didn't see it until now.
A single cold tear fell from his face. Surely all hope was not lost. There’s no way his life could end in a pathetic way such as this: unaccomplished, unloved, and filled with regret.
Time passed, and eventually he was awakened by raised voices. He began to look around and assess the situation. His car was still running and he needed to get out. Ever so carefully, Miles put his hand above his head for support and another to unbuckle himself. With a click, he was free from the restraint and he not-so-gracefully fell on to the roof of his car.
"Hey! Are you okay in there?!"
Another voice, yet no reply from the man inside. Miles used his hands to crawl out of the car as glass easily cut through. There was blood covering the seat belt.
No pain still.
A helpful hand pulled him out the rest of the way as he lay on the wet ground. His gaze upwards as the wintery grey sky dropped snow on his face.
"We've called an ambulance and they should be here soon. Does anything feel broken?"
Feel? No, nothing. I can't feel anything, but at least I'm not dead.
"We should get him away from the car."
"Hey man, let me help you up."
Miles nodded and limped to a safer location with the help of the man and woman.
"What's wrong with your leg?" The man asked, concerned.
Ah yes, feeling was slowly creeping back to him, but that might not be such a good thing (at least he thought). "It hurts," was all the words Miles could say. He decided to pull up his pant leg to see if there were any visible problems. Luck was on his side, at least for that instance, as there was nothing that looked out of place. Only a dark bruise that was beginning to appear.
Then he noticed the car he was just recently driving. The passenger's side was completely caved in and all the windows were broken. Plastic and glass shards, CD's, and important documents were thrown in every direction. There's no way the car could be saved, but at least he was.
The harsh sound of sirens filled the air. The ambulance finally arrived, as well as a few police cars, and a firetruck.
Really, such an ordeal for someone like me?
He knew it was protocol, but the last thing he wanted was this much attention. He looked like a wreck — no — it was his car that was a wreck.
Several paramedics rushed out of their vehicle to help.
"Someone bring me a stretcher right now!" A female EMT called out. "Sir, I need you to lay down. You do not need to be sitting up right now."
He nodded in compliance as several workers helped place him on a board. They strapped him on tightly, and he felt like he couldn't breathe. A neck brace was promptly put on to keep his head still.
"What's your name?"
"My name?... Miles Edgeworth," he said weakly.
"Good. Do you have a preference to which hospital we take you to?"
"No, I'm not from here."
That was all the confirmation they needed, so they proceeded to put him in the ambulance. Miles looked the best he could one last time at the mess he had caused. The man and woman were doing their best to salvage what was left of his belongings.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
The ride to the hospital seemed like forever. The paramedics kept talking and asked him the most boring of questions. He was not allowed to sleep. With permission, they contacted his sister, Franziska, and told her the situation. Franziska was basically the only family he had left, and she just so happened to be in the area.
When they arrived, he was rushed into the emergency room. Doctors, nurses, and all the like flooded the room. Bright lights blinded him, sounds were ear piercing, and people were prodding him in so many places.
This is nauseating.
He drifted in and out of consciousness. There was just too much to take in and he felt horrible. The pain of the accident was really starting to surface. Everything hurt. The pain in his leg continued to throb and his neck was so tight.
After many tests were preformed, and his once nice suit was forcefully removed, Miles lay there in the hospital bed. An IV was pumping fluids into his arm, and who knows what else.
I'm an idiot.
He had time to think. Hours upon hours. He was frightfully aware he was being watched, but his personal space had been compromised all too much that morning for him to care anymore.
His eyes closed as he listened to the repetitive sound of the heart rate monitor.
At least it's making a sound. I'm not dying. If I did, well, that would be disappointing. After all I still need to...
He paused and remembered. He was deeply in love with Phoenix Wright. Not even a glimpse of death could keep him from that realization.
I must tell him, whether he reciprocates my feelings or not. I will not die with an unfulfilled life in the future.
A sudden crack of a whip snapped him back into reality.
"You fool! What have you foolishly done to yourself? I find this whole situation ridiculous and a waste of time," Franziska continued to mutter in German and crossed her arms.
"Franziska...you actually came."
"Of course I did! Someone had to. They will not allow you to leave on your own."
"Thank you," Miles replied with an odd smile. In all honesty, he was just thankful to see someone there he knew.
She tapped her foot and looked him over. Her hair was disheveled and clearly she had been worried.
"I have been informed of the situation. Your vehicle lost control on a patch of black ice and flipped two and a half times. I'm amazed you are not dead, little brother. The doctors are equally as shocked."
"I see," he said with a sigh. His stomach churned at the thought. A still silence fell over the two, and Miles decided to break it. "I have a favor to ask of you."
She came closer to his bed to hear him, as his words were faint.
"Can you arrange for me the next available flight to Los Angeles? I have an urgent matter to take care of."
The woman laughed. "And what would be so pressing after an event like this? I didn't think you would be returning for some time."
"I n-need to," he coughed, neck still hurting.
"Miles Edgeworth, I expect a full explanation if you want me to fulfill your request."
He groaned and spoke, "I need to see Phoenix in person...to tell him…that I love him."
Her jaw dropped at his forwardness. Miles was almost as surprised, but he didn't want to waste the time denying it.
"I'm serious. This accident has made me realize that my life could end at any moment, and I do not want to live on with these feelings I have forever unspoken." A new found confidence shown on his face, and there's no way Franziska could not have seen it.
Perhaps she knew that it would someday come to this, because she didn't argue. "You have my permission then," she bowed and wagged her finger. "I will make the necessary arrangements. You need not worry, little brother. Just rest for now, and I will get you back when you are released from this place."
~~~~~~~~~~~~
A day or so later, Miles Edgeworth found himself hobbling to the front door of the Wright and Co. Law Offices. Thankfully, Detective Gumshoe was as faithful as ever to drive him around wherever he needed to go, whenever he needed to.
The prosecutor took a breath, and knocked.
It’s now or never.
"I'm coming!" said a loud voice through the door.
Miles stood as straight as he could, and fixed his hair quickly. Cuts, bruises, and his temporary cane was very noticeable. Thankfully, his cravat hid the large and painful seat belt burn by his neck.
"Hi! Welco—…Edgeworth.” Phoenix's face went dim awfully fast at the sight of his long time friend standing injured before him. "W-What happened to you?"
"Wright. May I come inside? I believe it would be best to sit down and explain my situation."
"Gah of course, of course. I'm so sorry. Please, come in, sit on the couch, whatever. Just tell me what happened." He was both nervous and panicked, but that's nothing unheard of.
Miles made his way to the couch and very carefully sat down. He placed his cane by his feet and caught eyes with Phoenix's, who sat down next to him. "I have something to tell you, Wright, that I should have said a long time ago."
The other man nodded and looked intently, waiting for what his friend had to say.
"To start off, I was in a car accident the other day. As you can see, there’s nothing too serious, but I'm dealing with quite a bit of whiplash, among other things."
Phoenix shifted uncomfortably with a look of distress on his face. "Edgeworth, I'm so thankful you are safe. I-I don't know what I would do without you." He looked like he was about to burst into tears at any second, and Miles pressed on.
"I had quite a lot of time to think my life over. I experienced the world at a standstill and realized how I truly felt, for you."
A gasp escaped Phoenix's mouth as he continued to stare, "What are you saying?"
Miles reached for the hand of his friend, a bold move he had not once considered doing before.
"I love you, Phoenix. I have for a long time. You are the most important person in my life, and I wanted you to know that. Ever since we were children I’ve loved you. I thought about you constantly throughout my life, but I never truly realized what it all meant, until two days ago. My life was brought before my attention, but all I could think about is how I never told you how I felt. It pained me to imagine that I could die without once loving another, and sharing that love to the fullest. I’ve been given a second chance, so I’ve chosen to not waste it.”
Ever so swiftly, as if a weight was dropped from his shoulders, Phoenix gently wrapped his arms around the prosecutor. Tears fell from his face in relief that finally, this really was happening.
"Miles, oh Miles, I love you so very much. I've always wanted to tell you, but I never thought you felt the same. You telling me all of this means the whole world and so much more. I’ve loved you for as long as I can remember. There’s no person I love more than you.”
The warmth of his friend surrounded him as he was filled with an abundant feeling of joy. He rubbed his hands over Phoenix's back in comfort as he too felt overwhelmed by his emotions.
When they parted, Miles passionately kissed the lips of the man he loved. A blush rushed over the two as he smiled.
"You mean everything to me, and I will always love you."
This love was real, forever and true. It was all he ever wanted. All it took was a little broken ice.