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Phoenix’s gut felt uneasy ever since he watched Edgeworth leave that training room after that quake. He..cares about Edgeworth. Possibly more than he even knows. He needed to go see him, now. Phoenix starts to walk down towards the garden, it was cold.. the wind not helping either. He squeezes through the small gate and enters the small garden, thankfully Franziska Von Karma gave his location away earlier when she had told him to leave and rest…which is normally impossible for someone like Edgeworth. But what Phoenix sees when he enters the garden is quite surprising to him,
Miles, sitting crouched in the corner..was he crying? Phoenix slowly approaches him, as he does so Miles pipes up—obviously trying to hide any note that he was just crying.
“I suppose you have come to laugh at me?” He remarks not making eye contact with Phoenix, trembling as he stood up on his feet, preparing to take off running of course, like he didn’t want to be seen in such an emotionally vulnerable state.
“Laugh? Mi-Edgeworth why would I laugh at you.” Phoenix cuts Edgeworth off, not allowing him to run away. “You know you can’t run away from me.” He says.
Miles scoffs, still avoiding eye contact with Phoenix. “Can’t you see I-“ he falters-Phoenix interrupts.
“Yeah..that quake..it got you good..even after all these years you’re still afraid of them?” Phoenix asks.
“…” Miles is silent for a moment before he speaks softly again, “I can still..see it Wright..the elevator..the darkness..the gunshot-“ his voice trembles like he’s having a hard time keeping his composure, his hands still shake, his face still pale and tears roll down his face.
“I know..it must be—terrifying for you..but you know I’m not here to laugh at you right?” Phoenix says with sincerity.
“Wright.” Miles sniffles. “You do know that this is ridiculous—I’m pathetic—I-I was cowering in the corner like a child all because of a earth—“ Miles falters as he feels something, rather, someone’s warmth against his side, effectively cutting him off, he realizes what is going on. He’s silent for a moment.. “Wright…” he says. “What are you doing?”
“What does it look like, I’m hugging you.” Phoenix says with his arms wrapped around Miles.
“Stop..that at once.” Miles attempts to push Wright weakly, but it is no use due to how weak he is feeling from passing out earlier during the quake.
“I don’t think so Miles..” Phoenix remarks with a sly grin on his face. “You need it and I’m not letting you object either, if you know what I’m saying.”
“D-don’t be ridiculous-“ Miles appears to be annoyed,but he was still vulnerable. This was just a cover up, “you’ll stop hugging me-I do object to this! I-I I don’t need a hug from you—I-I was clearly handling this fine without you here. W-why are you trying to hug me like you are-I don’t need such a thing…” At this rate Miles is just grumbling nonsense…it’s cute.
Phoenix laughs, “Miles..I’m not letting you escape this hug.” He tightens his hug. “And I think you do need it really bad right now.”
“Preposterous! I don’t think you understand—“ Miles starts to shout, when Phoenix’s warm lips meet his pale cold face unexpectedly. A quick kiss. Edgeworth’s face turns a deeper shade of red.
“Miles..please admit defeat when you have been bested.” Phoenix’s sly smile is back plastered on his face.
Miles grumbles. (how can he be so..comforting and so..smug at the same time..this is infuriating..)
“Miles.” Phoenix’s eyes meet Mile's; a warm smile lies on his face.
“I don’t. I don’t quite understand what you-“ Miles stammers seemingly not used to Phoenix’s gestures, his face bares a hint of blush.
“I know..you never let anyone see you like..this..you’re vulnerable, and you don’t like it.” Phoenix states. “Miles..it’s ok..you know, you don’t have to do that in front of me..you don’t have to hide behind your..mask.”
“Do..do you even realize..” Miles looks down in shame. “Do you know how hard this is..for me..”
“I know.” Phoenix says softly, “but I’m telling you..it’s ok anyway.”
“But.” Miles starts, “but I don’t—understand why..are you hugging me? And more importantly why did you kiss me!?”
“I don’t have to answer those questions with words you know.” Phoenix tightly embraces Miles.
The warmth that Phoenix radiates..Miles can’t help but lean into his hug..awkwardly burying his face into Phoenix’s arm. His grip is firm and tight.
A brief silence falls over the two men as they stand there in the garden while the cool mountain air chills them, yet their bodies are warm because of each others touch. The silence..broken by the unexpected..the sound of Miles’ soft cries..as if there was a swell of emotions that he was keeping pent up inside that all just came rushing out at once.
Phoenix was a bit taken back by Miles just then, a display of emotion that was extremely rare for the prosecutor to show, he would never show this sort of emotion to anyone else…only Phoenix..it was like, for some reason he felt safe around him.
Phoenix carefully and gently rubbed the prosecutor’s back as he sobbed softly into his shoulders, even as he cried he was quiet. “It’s ok Miles..you’re safe, I’m right here..” he says softly. “It’s over, I promise.”
Miles sobs until he seemingly has run out of tears, the release of his pent up emotions, the tear stains soak Wright's arm, along with unpleasant snot, yet he does not mind. He doesn’t loosen his grip. “Wr—Phoenix..” he finally speaks. “I..I don’t know why..these..erm, emotions I-“
“Miles..there’s no need to explain yourself.” Phoenix says. “Your trauma was triggered by the earthquake wasn’t it?”
“Well.” Miles looks away, avoiding eye contact with Phoenix.
“You know you don’t have to hide that from me.” Phoenix points out, “you know you can trust me. It’s ok.”
Miles lets out a long sigh. “You’re right..Phoenix..” he speaks softly. “It..it haunts me..” Miles turns away once more avoiding eye contact intentionally.
“I know..Miles..don’t you see, that’s why I followed you..I couldn’t shake not knowing if you were ok…” Phoenix explains. (I hope he didn’t catch that unintentional pun..)
“You..you mean that don’t you?” Miles asks.
“I do.” Phoenix smiles. (Phew, he didn’t..)
“Wright..” Miles mutters.
“Miles.”
“I-you know..I passed out in there.” Miles looks down, as if he’s embarrassed.
“Are you ok?! You aren’t hurt are you?” Phoenix asks a pang of concern in his voice.
“Yeah…I’m fine..” Miles said softly, fidgeting with his sleeve. He wasn’t fine.
“You’re lying..you’re fidgeting with your shirt sleeve.” Phoenix points out, seeing right through Miles’ body language.
“Ugh” (I can’t hide anything from him it’s extremely annoying) “I suppose..you figured me out..”
“I have a knack for figuring you out Miles.” Phoenix sounds confident. “Don’t be shy about it..I know you need another hug Miles.”
Miles’ face turns bright red.
“I'm just looking out..for—for my friend.” Phoenix says with a friendly smile.
Miles shoots Wright a sly smile, as he quite awkwardly attempts to hug him..while barely touching him that is…it’s a step closer..
“You could work on that hug ya know.” Phoenix laughs.
Miraculously that gets a snort out of Miles. “The effort was there, was it not?” (Did I just..snort)
“It was, only by Miles Edgeworth standards that is.” Phoenix says. (I just made the Miles Edgeworth snort..is that his nerdiness resurfacing..)
“What is that supposed to mean?” Miles inquires.
“Simple; it means by the standards of a Miles Edgeworth hug, it could improve.” Phoenix laughs at his confusion.
Miles thinks about Phoenix’s reply for a moment, you could see the gears turning inside of his head. In a moment..he embraces Phoenix in a real hug, wrapping his arms tightly around Phoenix’s body. His embrace stays quite long.
“I see you have figured it out.” Phoenix says with a pleasant smile on his face.
“Thanks..to you..Phoenix Wright..”
Miles' embrace felt..different just then. Like a real embrace, not one of his awkward Miles Edgeworth branded embraces Phoenix was so used to..this one felt..the warmest a hug from Mile’s could feel.
It was true, Miles felt calmed by just standing in the middle of the garden just simply hugging Phoenix. As if his embrace had eased his mind and relaxed him. He held onto Phoenix like his life depended on it, gripping to him tightly, almost as if he did not want to let go.
Phoenix could feel Miles’ increased heart rate start to slow as they stayed embraced, his grip however did not loosen at all..however he didn’t care about all that, he just cared that Miles appeared to be doing better now.
“I..love you.” Miles whispers softly into Phoenix’s ear.