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On Valentine’s Day of 2002, Phoenix proposed to him.
“Miles Edgeworth,” he said in the most serious voice a nine-year-old could muster, “you’re my bestest friend in the world. I wanna spend every day with you.” He knelt down, wincing as his bare knees made contact with the pavement, and pulled a wrapped sweet out of his pocket. “Will you be my Valentine?”
Miles opened the sweet. It was a hard candy affixed to a plastic ring. Did this mean what he thought it did?
Before he had a chance to respond, the bell rang for the end of recess.
On Valentine’s Day of 2003, Miles gave his answer.
Phoenix probably didn’t notice. It was buried in his treat box, after all – since they weren’t supposed to single anyone out, they had to give treats to either all or none of their classmates. Miles gave everyone a basic chocolate, but he added something extra for Phoenix – a ring pop identical to the one he had “proposed” with a year prior.
He noticed Phoenix looking up from his box. Their eyes met, and Phoenix flashed him a dazzling smile.
Miles’ heart thumped as he opened his box. He had it bad.
In 2005, Larry invited them both to the movies.
His first girlfriend was there too, but it was more group hangout than date. That was made clear when she sat between Larry and Miles’ seats near the end of the row. Phoenix was left to sit on Larry’s other side, and though it was dark, Miles could still make out his dejected expression.
Larry put his arm around the girl’s seat. She rested her hand on Miles’ armrest. He left for the bathroom, coming back on the other side and sitting next to Phoenix for the remainder of the movie.
In 2009, Larry went on a proper date.
Since they were both single, Phoenix and Miles spent the weekend together at Miles’ house. His father was home for most of it, so Miles took the opportunity to ask him about work. Phoenix listened eagerly as Miles’ father told them about his latest case.
After dinner, they sat on the couch to watch TV, Missile lying across their laps. Miles didn’t pay attention to the old episode. Instead, he watched from the corner of his eye as Phoenix pet the dog.
He gave a relaxed smile. Miles glanced away, blushing faintly.
In their freshman year, the dorms became unbearable.
Since their neighbors were having loud sex against the shared wall, Miles and Phoenix escaped, taking a long walk around the university campus. It was a pleasant evening, not too chilly, with a light breeze blowing through Phoenix’s spiky hair.
They stopped at the plaza, leaning against a ledge overlooking the city. The sky was filled with beautiful shining stars, the city below a pale reflection.
“It’s so beautiful here,” Phoenix said.
Miles gazed into his eyes, seeing them reflect the stars above. He wanted so badly to kiss him.
He didn’t.
In their senior year, they were finally together.
After dinner, they walked to the plaza again and gazed at the stars in the darkening sky. “This view never gets old,” Phoenix remarked.
Miles glanced at him, momentarily entranced by the stars’ reflection. “Truly.”
“You know,” Phoenix said, turning slightly to face him, “the first time we came here, there was something I wanted to do. Could I…”
Miles’ heart beat faster. He nodded.
Phoenix reached out and cupped Miles’ face in one hand. Leaning closer, he brushed a tentative kiss against Miles’ lips.
Miles pulled him closer as he reciprocated.