Chapter Text
Every year the police station held a different game to celebrate Christmas and the new year. This year, the typical game of white elephant or scavenger hunt was replaced with a three day, all expenses paid, vacation at a nearby ski resort. And unbeknownst to Miles Edgeworth, his name was entered and, surprisingly, drawn.
“I can’t take a day off, let alone three days!”
He had tried to protest to Detective Gumshoe over the phone. But the man was adamant that he take time off, after all,
“
All you ever seem to do is work, Pal. You need this. That’s why I put your name in!”
…
“You did what?!”
“Oops, uh, sorry sir, it looks like I’m getting another call. Sorry, I gotta go! Have fun!”
And with that, the phone went silent and Miles resigned to his fate.
That was last night. Right now, Miles is packing. Occasionally he looks over to his laptop to check the weather again and again, making sure that he packs accordingly. He looks at their website, reading and rereading what the resort offers and what interests him, all the while slowly filling out a spreadsheet in another tab.
Crystal Lake Resort
The words are bright and bold on his screen. Miles frowns slightly, hopefully the free wifi they offer is fast enough for him to get some work done while he’s there. He was never really one for skiing or snowboarding or anything of the sort. All the gear always seemed too bulky or the colors offered were never in his palette. Oh well, it’s not like he’s going for the skiing, actually, the hot springs seem appealing. He switches over to his spreadsheet tab and enters Hot Springs: 5-6 pm into a new column.
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Miles thanks the lady working at the front desk when she hands him the keys to his cabin. The resort had an odd system of naming their cabins and Miles was assigned to
Mountain Peak Cabin
. It seemed a little silly to him.
Miles turned on his heels, ready to retire his luggage to his cabin, when he heard a distinctly familiar voice cut through the air.
“Hey. Yeah, I’m checking in under Holt .”
No. It can’t be.
“And how long will you be staying with us?”
How do you always find me? (And why do I not mind—)
Miles quickly shuts that train of thought down. He minds, he very much minds.
“Three days. I think that’s what the station reserved.”
How? There was only one name drawn! He can’t possibly afford this on his own.
“Oh yes, Mr–”
Wright.
Edgeworth’s thought syncs with the desk clerk’s voice, horrified
(and possibly a little bit excited. Just a little, and it means absolutely
nothing
.)
“Yep, that’s me! Oh, hey Edgeworth. Fancy seeing you here.” Phoenix chirps in his usual manner. A manner that drives Miles up the walls whenever he’s exposed to it.
Miles clears his throat, “Hello, Wright. What are you doing here?”
“Oh, the station drew my name in some raffle. I won a three day stay here! Isn’t that great?” He chuckles softly —Wow, his laugh is so nice- Shut up!— Miles has to refrain from rolling his eyes like a bratty teen. “Why are you here?” Phoenix grins at him; that stupid, lop-sided, moronic grin that he’s had since they were kids.
Since we were kids…
Shut. Up!
“For the same reason, actually.” Miles looks away, if he keeps making eye contact with Phoenix he might just explode.
From annoyance. Right? Right. —Wright?—Shush. Yes, annoyance.
“I was
unaware
that there was another position open.”
“Yeah, me too. I mean, duh, obviously. I didn’t know you were here, of course I thought the same thing.” Phoenix was beginning to ramble.
I like his voice.
Would you just be quiet?
Miles pinched his arm, as if the pain would momentarily silence the more dull-minded thoughts that entered his mind when Wright spoke to him. He simply hummed in agreement and nodded to Phoenix, then left. Quickly leaving— running away- SHUT. UP— to his cabin.
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“
Ah,
” Miles sighs softly as he lets his body sink into the warm waters of the hot springs. He had found a secluded pocket of the springs and quickly staked his claim on it. Well, sort of. He sort of just… stayed there and glared at people who tried to swim up to him. Which worked wonders for keeping his little pocket
his.
That was until Phoenix came up to him.
Goddamnit. I can’t even have one moment of peace? This is supposed to be a resort!
Miles glares at him, like an angry cat.
…
Phoenix burst out laughing.
A laugh like sunlight after rain.
Stop it.
“Oh- hahaha! M-miles!” Phoenix thrashes in the water as he treads, trying to keep his head above high enough so that he can laugh.
Miles! He called me Miles!
Miles is excited; heart thrumming in his chest, pupils no doubt blown wide.
He called me Miles…
Miles is enraged; hands clenched into fists at his sides, jaw clenched and teeth nearly fused.
“What do you want, Wright?” The question comes out harshly, icy cold words in the steam filled air.
Phoenix composes himself again, his smile still refusing to leave his— handsome- horrid— face. “I just wanted to go for a swim, then I wanted to get away from all the families, then, well, here you were.” Phoenix swims closer to him and Miles contemplates diving as far down as he can and drowning himself. Phoenix’s usually slicked back spikes are soaked and instead stick to his face, around his eyes and his jaw.
I like his eyes, they match the water and the stone.
Miles thinks, this time, his inner prosecutor, or whatever part of him denies himself Wright, doesn’t speak up.
“Yes, and I am, or, was alone as you no doubt noticed.” Miles says in an annoyed tone.
“All alone.” Phoenix’s voice drops suddenly. It’s silky smooth and, dare he say,
sultry
.
Miles opens his mouth to speak, but nothing comes out. Phoenix seems to think his stunned silence is an invitation to keep talking.
“Did you glare at everyone who came up? Scare them away?” Phoenix brushes his hand against Miles’ arm and he damn near screams.
“I…” Miles trails off. His usually busy mind goes numb, all the loud thoughts replaced by confusion and excitement and something he can’t quite find the words for. He clears his throat and tries to create some distance between the—
unfortunately handsome- hush
— man and him. “What are you insinuating, Wright?”
“Aw come on we’re not at work, Miles. Call me Phoenix.” Phoenix swam closer in turn. Miles’ efforts to open the distance are failing. The distance between them is shrinking, if anything.
“ Wright, ” Miles reiterates, partially to deliberately disobey Phoenix’s wishes, and partially for the sake of his own sanity.
If I call him Phoenix to his face I might just die.
“I intended to remain
alone
for the evening.”
Phoenix rolls his eyes playfully. “Where’s the fun in that? Life’s always better with a little company, don’t you agree?”
Only when the company is you.
“Not when the company is you
.
” He scowls at Phoenix, as if the more he frowns at him the sooner he’ll leave, like that has ever worked against him.
“That’s no way to talk to a friend.” Phoenix swims towards him until Miles feels sharp rock poke at his back. Phoenix has, quite literally, backed him into a wall.
“Strange, I don’t recall that I’m talking to a friend.” Miles quips.
“How about a
crush,
then?” Phoenix leans in close, smiling like he’s won. And in a sense, he has. He’s won a palm to the face and a free shove from a very flustered Miles.
Oh no. Oh no. No no no.
Get away! Get out of here!
“Shut. Up!” Miles pushes Phoenix and swims away as quickly as he is able to. His heart is racing and his face feels like hell itself has settled under his skin. Faintly, he swears he hears Phoenix’s sunshine laughter ring through the water and follow him all the way to his cabin.
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Back at his cabin, Miles settles into one of the surprisingly comfortable chairs by the fireplace. The sound of the crackling flames slowly lulling him into the cusp of relaxation and light slumber. He closes his eyes and leans his head back, letting himself sink into the leather and pillows.
As the last of the warm after-light of sunset disappears behind the mountains, Miles finds that his unease and stiffness disappears as well. He reaches over and takes his drink to his lips. Ruby red wine, $110 a bottle, only one batch made; just his type of drink. After all, the trip is all expenses paid, so why wouldn’t he try to lean into it a bit? And if anything comes up, he can just pay it with his own money. Oh, the joys of being a successful prosecutor show themselves in such fine ways, don’t they?
As the end of a long day draws near, Miles finds he doesn’t mind this vacation he was made to take. In fact, he is excited for the next day, and all that the resort has to offer.