Chapter Text
This was ridiculous. Miles Edgeworth sat at the bar of some random club enduring the pounding music. God help this country if this noise is considered music these days. The collective efforts of Detective Gumshoe and Kay had managed to get him to agree to be here. Kay had laughed at his ‘casual’ clothes when she’d picked him up. He was sporting a white shirt, top button undone; a black suit jacket; black slacks and his black shoes. For all intents and purposes he could be going to a funeral. Miles himself saw no issue with his attire until they reached their destination. Everyone was wearing t-shirts, some were in shorts.
He stood out like a painfully sore thumb, and so made his way to the bar to just sit whilst he watched Kay and Gumshoe ‘dance’ with the rest of the group. He also felt very old in this atmosphere, the rest of the clubbers had to be in their early twenties. Honesty, the idea of doing anything like this hadn’t even crossed his mind at that age. He was too busy being ‘The Demon Prosecutor’. Despite his dislike of the situation, he felt a pang of regret over having missed out on such frivolity.
It was getting warm in here. He sipped at his glass of red wine before removing his jacket and placing it on the back of the high bar chair. He was part way through rolling up one of his sleeves when Phoenix had walked in. He hadn’t noticed the defence attorney, but Nick had seen him. He turned to Maya.
“Maybe we should go somewhere else tonight, it seems pretty busy here.” He said, turning to walk out, but his plan was thwarted when Maya spotted him. She immediately pulled him towards the bar.
“Hey, Nick, it’s Mr. Edgeworth!” He had seen them approaching, having finished rolling up his sleeves now. Phoenix couldn’t help but be a little amused at the panicked expression that graced his features. The amusement was quickly replaced by embarrassment.
“Wright? Is that you?” He asked, pointlessly, they were almost touching due to the crowd and the fact that Maya insisted on pushing him forwards.
“Oh, um, hey Edgeworth.” He replied sheepishly, attempting to raise his arm to rub the back of his neck. Just then Kay bounced over and introduced herself, much to the two lawyers’ relief. Phoenix got a beer and stood awkwardly as Maya and Kay chatted animatedly. He’d just plucked up the courage to ask Edgeworth what he was going here when a young woman, probably around 25, approached him and asked for a dance. Well, ‘approached’ in that she whispered in his ear and ‘ask for a dance’ in that she dragged him onto the dance floor. It struck Miles that it was probably a good job he didn’t have chance to turn around and see the jealousy plastered all over his face. He ordered another glass of wine.
Kay and Maya merged into the crowd and Detective Gumshoe’s girlfriend Maggey had arrived a while back and stole his attention. This left Edgeworth, yet again, perched on his chair and not enjoying himself. At least before Wright arrived he’d been able to watch the pulsing group of dancers, but he’d since found himself scowling whenever he caught a glimpse of Phoenix with whoever he was dancing with this time. He was unsure whether the drink in his hand was his fourth or not, but he drained the glass and had resigned to going to call a cab. He stood, making his way through the crowd to the bathroom. He reluctantly pushed the door open only to see his childhood friend pushed against the wall by some girl (NOT the one who had so forcefully asked for a dance earlier). Anger and embarrassment made his vision blur and he swiveled on the spot to leave so quickly he hadn’t notice the way Nick had been pushing her away. The prosecutor stormed through the crowd to the exit. The night air hit him like a slap to the face. He knew all along that Phoenix couldn’t be interested in him, and he wouldn’t be able to give him what he wanted anyway. His eyes stung and he swallowed hard to stop himself from crying. He suddenly felt a warm hand on his arm.
“Look, Miles, what you saw in there wasn’t- I didn’t- she was forcing herself on me- I.” Phoenix stammered but stopped when he saw the tears in his friend’s eyes.
“It’s fine, you needn’t explain yourself to me. I know about the birds and the bees, Wright. Go back inside, enjoy your evening. I was about leave, anyway.” He searched for his cell phone before realising he’d left his jacket in the bar. Damnit.
“I really wasn’t interested in her, I promise.” He said, looking up slightly at Miles’ face.
“Well, there are plenty more women in there who showed an interest in you, I’m sure you’ll find someone to take home tonight.”
It was Phoenix’s turn to feel slapped, rage at all the implications contained in that sentence. He turned away and walked back into the club, not feeling like he needed to defend himself despite his profession. Edgeworth followed to retrieve his jacket. Phoenix had melted into the crowd before Miles got back to the bar. His jacket was not where he left it and the chair he’d been sat on all evening had been occupied, so he set about asking the new occupant and anyone around if they’d seen it.
At the other end of the bar, Nick had just been bought several shots by a girl who he doubted was even 21 and given a drinking challenge. He was trying not to look towards the prosecutor but failed miserably. Miles raked a hand through his hair, messing it out of it’s usual style.
“3, 2 1, drink!” Shouted one of the girl’s friends. Phoenix downed the shots one after another, the group cheered loudly but looked on with confusion and he power walked down the bar to his friend. He grabbed Miles, ran a hand through his hair and kissed him on the lips. The prosecutor’s eyes widened at the contact, but he didn’t pull away. The breaths between them were drenched in the smell of alcohol. Nick waited for the other’s reaction.
“Phoenix, you’re very drunk and I don’t think you know what you’re doing.” He said, holding Nick steady by the shoulders. Phoenix thought he might throw up, and he was mostly convinced it wasn’t the shots fault.
“You’re saying you don’t want me? You’re telling me you haven’t, for all these years, thought about doing this?” Something in him was saying he needed to be explicit with what he was saying, knowing Miles wasn’t good with ‘unnecessary feelings’.
“You don’t know what you’re saying, I can’t give you happiness, and besides I thought you were straight and-”
“Thought wrong then! I’m bi, and I’m pretty sure you can make me happy, but if that’s not going to make you happy then I’m sorry.” He tried to back away.
“I’ve only ever wanted you to be happy, Phoenix, but-” Nick shook his head violently.
“Nope, no buts, come and dance.” He pulled on the prosecutor’s arm.
“Phoenix-” He protested, eyes flitting around the room. Nick brought his face very close to the other’s.
“Miles?” he asked, looking deep into his eyes. Miles nodded. “Shut up and dance with me.” And he dragged him onto the dance floor.