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Fascinatingly, the news in Germany could hold Phoenix's attention about as well as the one at home. That was to say, not at all.
It simply provided background noise while he waited for Trucy and Miles to come back from walking Pess.
He could have gone with them, definitely. He probably should have, for that good old family bonding. But the idea of slipping on a stray patch of ice and that being the straw to literally break the camel's back was pretty off-putting. Especially when he could be basking in front of the heater instead.
So, he sent his lovely daughter and partner off while he manned the fort. The fort being Miles' apartment and manned being laying across the couch with his feet on the coffee table.
He sat up when he heard the key turn in the lock, so he couldn’t get yelled at for the position of his legs.
“We’re back!” He heard Trucy yell from the entryway, just in case he hadn’t already moved.
He stood, going to greet the three of them by the door.
“How did it-” He stopped in his tracks, looking them over.
Hats were on their heads and scarves were bundled around their necks, so all was good there.
Jackets were buttoned. Cheeks were rosy.
Trucy was standing with gloves too large for her and Miles' hands were strikingly bare.
There it is.
"What happened to you guys?"
"What do you mean, Daddy?" Trucy asked innocently, turning to toe off her boots.
He looked over at Miles. "Where are her gloves?"
Miles looked at Trucy. "Trucy, where are your gloves?"
Trucy shrugged. "I dunno."
Miles looked at Phoenix. "She doesn't know."
"What do you mean you don't know?"
"What do you- oh..." Miles cut himself off. He shuffled awkwardly, fiddling with Pess' leash.
Pess, ever dutiful, stood at the end of its reach, straining to get further inside.
Miles unclipped her leash and let her go. He wrapped it slowly in his hands.
Phoenix took the leash from him and sighed at how cold his fingers felt. “Alright.”
He watched them silently as they both took off their coats.
When Trucy was finished hanging up her things she held the gloves out triumphantly. "Here!"
"Thank you, Trucy. You can put them with Pess' things."
She turned to look at Phoenix. “His hands are so cold, Daddy! Feel!” She grabbed Miles’ hand and brought them to Phoenix’s.
“I can see that.” He looked both of them over, having a feeling Edgeworth might have been set up. "Trucy, can you go set out some cups? We'll make hot chocolate."
“Okay!” She dropped the gloves into the box and hurried off.
Miles started first. "We'll have to get new ones for her-"
"Miles," he squeezes his hand, "she has them."
"What?"
"I guarantee you she will find them by tomorrow morning." He runs his thumb over Miles’ knuckles. "Hey, you know what they say about cold hands."
"Finger amputation?" He grimaced.
Phoenix grinned. "Warm heart!"
He’s silent for a moment. "Where did you hear that?"
"It's an old saying."
Miles hummed. "I suppose it makes sense, the body takes heat away from the extremities to warm the core so logically that-"
"Edgeworth."
“Hmm?”
He leaned in and pressed a kiss to Miles’ cheek, adding to the chilled redness present on his face.
“Thank you for giving her your gloves.”
“It… It was nothing."
"Oh, it was a lot to me. I’ll have to warm you up now, you know. You’re so noble." He brought their hands to his lips. "Really, a man of the people. That should be part of your political campaign."
"I don't have an elected position."
“You should think about that. Come on, let’s stop standing here.”
Miles let him lead them both into the living room.
Pess and Trucy were curled up together on the loveseat.
Phoenix ruffled both of their heads as he walked past.
“I’ll go put the water on.” Miles started.
“Oh no, you don’t.” Phoenix practically pushed him into the couch, which caused Pess to jump up and run over to them. “You’re on couch rest. Pess will keep watch.”
“She’s doing such a good job.” Trucy said from the loveseat, feet tucked under her and remote in her hand.
Phoenix left them all in Pess’ capable paws as he went into the kitchen.
He shimmied while the water boiled. Replied to Maya’s text about what she had deemed the Great Khurain Burger Incident.
Then, he tried to think of how he could be the most caring boyfriend the world has ever seen.
Soon, he was passing out everyone’s mugs.
“Dropped a peppermint in yours, Truce.”
“Yay!” She twirled her spoon with a flourish. Pess sat on the floor next to her, leaning over to sniff at the cup.
“And a totally not overloaded with milk and marshmallows cup for you, Mr. Prosecutor.” He grinned.
Miles rolled his eyes. Took the mug fully in his hands and let it warm him. “Thank you, Dear.”
Phoenix tucked himself into his side.
“Now, what else do we need to make this the warmest evening possible?”
“We don’t have enough blankets!” Trucy supplied.
“We don’t have enough blankets…” Phoenix repeated. He clapped his hands. “All units, to the storage closet! To the bedrooms, even!”
With Pess at her heels, Trucy took off.
“What are you planning?” Miles asked.
“You’ll see.” Phoenix got up, stretched. Reached over and kissed Miles’ forehead before flicking it. He jumped out of the way of a reaching arm and went in the direction of the bedrooms.
Once Phoenix and Trucy had gathered every conceivable piece of bedding in the apartment in their arms, they deposited their haul onto the couch. Directly on top of Edgeworth.
“Ngh.”
Luckily, Phoenix could see the cups of hot chocolate on the side table, so there wouldn’t be any surprise washes to be done.
“He’s trapped! Pess, he’s trapped!” Trucy yelled.
Pess jumped on top of the pile, sniffing around in excitement and curiosity.
“Nghooh.” Miles finally emerged from the mountain, glasses askew.
“You did it, Pess!” She cheered.
Phoenix pointed to Miles, laughing. “You, sir, have been saved.”
Pess licked his face.
“Quite.”
“So,” Phoenix plopped down next to them. “How warm would you say you are now, on a scale of one to ten.”
“Fourteen.”
“Exceeding expectations! That’s excellent.”
“I will be adding it to my Yelp review.”
“Oh? What else is in there?”
“Excitable staff.”
“We’re just dedicated to the job. Right, Honey?”
“Right!” Trucy gave a thumbs up.
Even Pess gave an excited bark in agreement.
As they settled in, Trucy tucking herself against Pess’ flank, Phoenix held out his hands in front of Miles. He made a grabbing gesture for good measure.
Miles rolled his eyes, placing his own hands into Phoenix’s palms limply.
Phoenix closed around his fingers. “Hmm, not up to snuff.”
“What, pray tell, else could I possibly do?”
“Gotta keep holding my hand. For medical reasons.”
“Of course. Can we put the movie on now?” Miles pressed his lips into a thin line. Phoenix nudged him until he let a smile break out.
“Sure. I think the Steel Samurai movie will help you warm up. You know, cause he gets you all hot and bo-”
Miles squeezes his hand almost painfully.
“Oof.”
“I should make you sit on the floor.” Miles grumbled.
“ Pess isn’t even on the floor.”
“She’ll take your spot.”
“She will not.” Trucy said, finally turning her face from Pess’ fur at the mention of her. “She’ll be staying right here. Can we start the movie already?”
“Yeesh, tough crowd.” Phoenix said, leaning over to grab the remote.
And despite his protests, Miles let Phoenix stay on the couch. Even let him pull him close as the title sequence started.
And, really, that’s all Phoenix could ask for. Even when the force of every comforter in the apartment rained down on his head.