Archive of Our Own ^beta

"Phoenix!" A tight hug greeted Phoenix, as the woman in front of him squeezed him a little too hard.

"Good to see that I'm missed." Phoenix hugs back.  She lets go and the little magician jumps up for her turn.

"Auntie Edgeworth!!" She beams and kisses the older woman's cheek.

"Trucy! I missed you so much." She kisses Trucy back.

"Can I see her? Please-please-please-" She jumps and pleads.

"She's with your Uncle Miles in the living room." Trucy takes off her shoes and runs towards the living room. Phoenix audibly sighs. The both of them stare at each other before chuckling together.

"Kids, amirite?"

"Didn't expect so much mess." The woman grins, fixing Trucy's shoes.

"Oh god, you wouldn't survive with Trucy. I swear, she's a little gremlin who loves making a mess." Phoenix hangs his coat before following her to the kitchen. 

"Coffee?" She already started pouring coffee into a mug before hearing his answer.

"Always." He sits by the kitchen counter.

"Glad you came, Phoenix." She wraps her apron and goes back to face the stove and continues cooking. Phoenix leans on the counter, savoring his coffee.

"Ahhh well, Trucy had to beg me this time. Things have been busy at the office and it has been a while since we visited."

"Hah! Same as Miles! Sometimes he even brings his work home!" She says it without malice in her tone.

"Even with a kid, he's still the same. Need any help?" Phoenix finishes his coffee and washes his mug.

"It's fine, you should go and play with Emily. Tell Trucy lunch is going to be served soon. Say I cooked her favourite." 

Phoenix heads to the living room where Miles is sitting on his chair, facing the living room. Trucy was on the couch, making baby noises as she held a little girl with gray locks. 

"Hello, Phoenix."

"What's up?" He sits beside Trucy, making silly faces to make the baby laugh.

"It has been a while since I last saw you."

Phoenix sighs and leans his back on the couch. "Maybe I should quit being a lawyer, I'm getting too old." He says it, but not seriously. Being a lawyer was one of the most defining moments in his life, and it happened twice. 

"Somehow I can't see you being anything else but a lawyer."

Phoenix snorts. "Oh yeah, your aunt says she cooked your favourite." He taps at Trucy's head.

"Niiiceeee..." She says and passes the baby onto Phoenix before zooming to the kitchen. Phoenix focuses back on the baby. She can stand up now, but is still wobbly.

"How old is she?"

"She's turning two in a few months." Miles takes the newspaper by the table and starts flipping through it.

"Oh my god, she's so cute." Phoenix lifts her onto his lap and starts bouncing her up and down, eliciting giggles from the toddler. He gives her a nose kiss and starts talking to her.

"Who's the best Uncle in the world? It is me! Uncle Phoenix!"

"Fee-nie-"

"That's right! Feeeee-niiii-kkkssss" He tries to emphasize the syllables by slowly moving his mouth.

"Fee-nie!"

"Good enough. You're so smart Emily... but don't be a smartass like your Daddy." 

Miles lets out a laugh, but still not looking up from his paper. "Don't be an idiot like your Uncle."

"Hey! Don't listen to him." He tickles her sides, making her laugh even more. She relaxes into Phoenix's arms, catching her breath. He starts humming, rubbing circles onto her back. She yawns. 

Miles looks up from his paper and sees the both of them and a knot forms in his stomach. The way Phoenix touched the girl so tenderly and his face full of affection. How his daughter was looking at Phoenix with half-lidded eyes and snuggled her face into his arms. He observes just how soft the moment was, carried by the melody of Phoenix's humming and he was reminded of countless moments he had shared with Phoenix. All those years of friendship, through thick and thin, Phoenix had always been there for him no matter what. Phoenix always put up a good fight against the world, even in all those years in which he was disbarred, he still managed to show love and compassion to those around him. 

Sensing that Emily was about to fall asleep, he carried her upright and stood up, with her head resting on his shoulders. He continues to rub her back as he sways his body, rocking her slowly to sleep. 

Miles felt heaviness weigh down his chest, and his heart ached. Ached? But why? Then he imagines it, a life where Phoenix was holding their daughter.

"Edgeworth... I love you." He hears those words and he runs. He runs away from the man who saved him, the man who has always believed in him, and now the man who declares he loves him. He runs away for a year, figuring out what it means to be a prosecutor. what it meant to be human, and what it meant to love. The time he came back, Phoenix was understandably seething. The conversation after Maya was safe was not pretty. Miles knew there was no way Phoenix was just going to let go so easily, not after he had mourned him. It ended up with him leaving again, never being able to say what he truly felt. 

Phoenix starts humming again, and it reminds him of their shared laughter, lingering touches, and unspoken words between the both of them. Edgeworth dropped everything abroad when Phoenix fell from that bridge, he had never been scared more in his life to lose someone. Phoenix smiled at him softly in that hospital room, the words at the tip of his mouth, 'I love you too'. But he never said it, and the regret washes over him. 

When Phoenix got disbarred, that was the first time Miles had the initiative to reach out, he would fly back just to see how things were going, and Phoenix would light up every time. Those visits felt like heaven to Miles, just enjoying each other's company. Those moments of intimacy decreased in number the more he came, he could see it in Phoenix's eyes, that love ebbing away every time he had to leave. Text messages become scarce, only being sent when something important happens. Phoenix did not avoid him, he had been the best friend he could ever ask for but he stopped enabling that unspoken connection lingering just beneath the surface. 

Miles hears Trucy's voice through the walls. Trucy would've had a sister. It fills his heart with longing, he loved Trucy like his own, a running joke between him and his wife considering her as Miles's first kid. He could just imagine it, Trucy playing her magic tricks with her sister, forcing Phoenix and Miles to watch. The idea brings him joy. 

The sun shines through the window and it gently envelops Phoenix and Emily, tinting them with warmth and affection. Miles must have stared too long when he realizes Phoenix is looking back at him. Phoenix gives him a tender smile, before looking outside through the window, continuing to sway and hum.

Miles's heart starts beating faster, his face tinting a faint pink, his hands unknowingly crumpling the paper he's holding. He feels it, its exactly as he felt all those years ago behind the defendant's stand, watching Phoenix defend him like it was the last thing he will ever do. Phoenix was just as blinding now as he was back then, he shines and will forever shine brightly to Miles's eyes. 

Miles looks down at his paper, trying to hide the growing distress in his heart. The thought of it happening again looms over him, but he doesn't need to think about it, because it just happened, he has fallen for Phoenix all over again.

It isn't fair.

Its not fair how Phoenix's eyes seemed to sparkle, how his lips were soft and pulled into a gentle smile. The wrinkles that appear when he smiles add more character and grace, Phoenix is beautiful. It was all too much, it felt like Miles was looking at the sun, Phoenix's beauty shining through. Phoenix had always been like this but perhaps it had been blurred through the years, and its clarity now hurts him like a knife.

His wife's voice snaps him out of his trance. 

"Damn Phoenix, how are you so good with children?" She walks to him, her eyes softening seeing her daughter fast asleep in his arms. He chuckles, the sound like a sweet melody to Miles's ears.

"Been raising kids since I started being a lawyer. I'll go lay her down on her crib. I assume Lunch is ready?" 

"Yeah." He continued humming to the baby's room. Trucy, Miles, and his wife were waiting for Phoenix at the table.

"Trucy, you should convince your Dad to start dating again." She teases and gives her a wink.

"I know right? I keep telling him! But he keeps saying he's busy." Trucy rolls her eyes, her Daddy never even had a single girlfriend since she was there.

"I suppose that's true but still!"

"Hey- are you talking about me?" Phoenix walks into the dining area, washing his hands before he joins them. 

"I was just telling Trucy here, that maybe you know? Put yourself out there. Tell him, Miles." She caresses Mile's hands gently and smiles at Phoenix.

"Mhhmm... find someone who can handle your antics." Miles nods, giving a smile while saying it.

Phoenix sighs as he puts food on his plate. "I can barely take care of the office! How can I even make time for that sort of thing and the kids! I can't even take care of myself sometimes." He groans.

I'll take care of you. Miles swats away the thought.

-----------------

He looks up at the ceiling, with his wife lying beside him. It is quiet and dark, and the baby has already fallen asleep in her room. He could hear the baby monitor's buzz. His mind replays the events this morning, Phoenix's smile, his gentleness, and his daughter's soft breathing. His heart is struck by deep unrelenting sorrow, that scene reminding him of what could've been. 

"Phoenix, I proposed to her..."

"And?"

"She said yes." Phoenix cheers, jumps up, and hugs Miles. 

"Oh my god!! Miles! I'm so happy for you! You- I better be your best man or else!"  His smile was genuine and his eyes were filled with excitement.

"Of course." 

Now, he had hoped that Phoenix wasn't so happy for him back then. That maybe if he showed signs of discomfort, it was a sign that Phoenix still felt a different kind of love for him. He remembers on his wedding day, Phoenix had cried harder than him while everyone else gathered and started teasing him. He was ranting about how 'My best friend finally has a wife' and 'It is proof that robots can learn to love!'. It was silly back then, but it weighs down on him now, his wife, was beautiful, amazing, smart, and witty. She was as they would say 'the woman of his dreams', but it wasn't her who taught him how to love. 

Phoenix was his first love, his first defeat, his first downfall, but also his first light of hope. It was with Phoenix that he had changed, learned what being a prosecutor meant, what true justice entailed. He learned how to be human and that was due to Phoenix's stubbornness and undying support.

He remembers Phoenix's smile all those years ago, just before Phoenix had confessed to him. It was filled to the brim with love and adoration as if Miles was the only person in the world. He had a habit of looking away back then, not being able to meet Phoenix's gaze. Now he wished he looked more, that maybe back then he would've done the same to him.

So many 'what ifs' and 'maybes' plague his mind, beating himself mentally for his cowardice towards Phoenix. Phoenix loved him for god's sake. Miles also loved him back, but he was too afraid, too scared of commitment because he knew he'd leave Phoenix eventually. The years slipped by, missed opportunities piled up, and stacks of repressed feelings started to reveal themselves, unfolding in his heart. He feels ill. 

It wasn't that he had fallen in love again with Phoenix- he had never stopped loving him.  The body beside him stirs. It wasn't unusual for him to stay awake for some nights.

"Go to sleep, Miles." She slurs her words.

"Sorry, I was just thinking about some things."

"Can't sleep?"

"Yes." She scoots closer and runs her fingers on Miles's chest. She kisses his neck and trails her fingers lower and lower. Miles gives in.

---------

The room was very dark, which he was grateful for. He didn't know what expression he had as he slid into her, he groaned when an image of Phoenix flashed in his mind. He continues his movement, his hands carresing her body as he thrusts. He closes his eyes, imagining the soft curves he feels replaced by the firmness of a man's body, the softness of her torso replaced by strong muscles, and her high-pitched moans replaced by low moans from a certain defense attorney. He flips her, pulls on her soft brown locks, and instead imagines spiky raven hair. He does it rough and fast, eliciting a scream of pleasure from his wife. He ejaculates, falling on top of her. He discards the used condom and the both of them start cleaning up and putting their clothes on.

"Last time you fucked me like that was our wedding night." She snuggles into his arms.

"Mmm." He kisses the top of her head and wraps his arms around her. He tries to sleep it off, but he can't.

When his wife's breathing slows and steadies, he carefully leaves the bed, puts on his coat, and heads outside. The cold midnight air makes him shiver, despite the coat.  He heads into his car, opting to go out for a drive.

He was disgusting. He had a wife who he loved, yet he just made love to her thinking about someone else. He loves her, he really does. He married her and have a kid together for fuck's sake. She was lovely and intelligent, and she was godamn gorgeous. He remembers all their dates and his proposal to her, their first night together, the day they found out she was pregnant, and all the happiness that accumulated over the years. She was the mother to his daughter, and he wouldn't trade the world for both of them. But now it felt empty. The life he has right now felt like a consolation prize, a constant reminder of what could've been, a life where he had built a family with Phoenix and Trucy, a life where he'd come home to Phoenix, where he'd see the same smile as he showed him this morning to him for the rest of their lives. He would cherish what he has now, but it would always be tainted by the lingering feeling of regret.

It isn't fair. Not for him, not for Phoenix, nor for his own family. 

He snaps out again from his thoughts and finds himself in front of the Wright Anything Agency. The lights were still on, meaning Wright was still working though it was already past midnight. He knocks gently, the door opens and Phoenix is surprised.

"Miles? What're you doing here this late at night?"

"I could say the same." 

Phoenix rolls his eyes. "Come in." 

Miles settles down on the couch while Phoenix brews some tea and settles down beside him. Miles takes a cup, his favourite blend. Phoenix had kept a few boxes in his office just for Miles. 

"Wanna talk about it?"

Miles nods. Phoenix knew something had troubling him, he understood him on a deeper level. They had always been like that, uncannily in synch. As if on cue, Phoenix takes off his suit jacket, and loosens his tie. He stands up and takes some blankets from the cupboards and hands them to Miles.

"Seems like it's gonna be a long one." Phoenix mutters. He sits back down and relaxes on the couch.

"Don't you have work to do?"

Phoenix scoffs, "Yeah yeah, as if you wouldn't do the same if I came to your office in the middle of the night in my pajamas looking like shit."

"Fair. What about Trucy?"

"Maya just arrived a while ago, Pearls gonna stay for a week. They'll probably visit you tomorrow."

"Alright."

"So, what's troubling you, Miles?"

Where to start? How can Miles say that the trouble was Phoenix himself? He tries to find the right words to say, glancing at Phoenix who gives him a look of reassurance.

"If... you were given the chance to change things-"

"I wouldn't," Phoenix answers without even hearing the rest of Miles's question.

"I see."

"Why'd you want to change things the way they are?"

Because he regrets it, regrets not loving Phoenix back then when he should have. Regrets that it got this far with him never saying 'I love you'. He could feel his eyes get blurry as his tear ducts started to swell. 

"I'm a horrible person, Phoenix." How could he not be? He is a married man with a kid, he had never thought of infidelity before, but if his feelings weren't considered to be cheating, then he doesn't know what does.

"And so is everyone." Phoenix reaches out to wipe away Miles's tears.

Phoenix comes close and whispers, "What happened, Miles?"

"I don't know how to say this but, this morning-" his words keep choking out, "when I saw you and Emily, I can't help but think about us. About everything, the life we could've had and the love we would've shared. I-"

"Miles? What do you mean?" 

A kiss and Phoenix freezes in place. It was gentle and soft but it held all of Miles's emotions at that one moment. It was the sweetest kiss that Miles had ever had, one that overshadowed all the kisses he had ever shared with his wife. Miles could feel Phoenix's hands on his face, gently cradling it. Phoenix was the first to back off. His face still carried the shock of the situation, but it was quickly replaced by sorrow, as he gently caressed his face.

"Oh Miles, I love you..." Miles's heart soars and he unconsciously smiles and leans onto Phoenix's touch.

"But not like this." As high as his heart soars, it starts falling.

"Not anymore." Phoenix whispers and those words feel like stab wounds to his chest. His hands tremble as his eyes threaten to shed more tears. He lets himself cry in Phoenix's arms, who would've thought rejection hurt this much? Was this what Phoenix had felt back then? Phoenix tries to console him and hugs him.

"Miles, don't cry, please. I did love you but-"

"Then why?"

"Because it isn't fair." Miles knows that Phoenix is right. Everything about this situation was just wrong.

"I'm sorry. It's my fault. If I hadn't been such a coward, if I just admitted that I loved you too back then. If I hadn't kept running away and leaving you..."

"Don't say that. You weren't ready, Miles"

"Still, if only I had acted upon my feelings, things wouldn't end up like this.

"I don't know what to say to that."

"Oh god Phoenix, what do I do? I love you. I love you so much it hurts." He sobs uncontrollably, he clings onto Phoenix, and he doesn't want to let go. 

"Fucking hell Miles, you have a wife..."

"I know."

"and a kid."

Miles doesn't respond, he calms his sobbing. 

"I don't know what to do." Miles puts his palms to his face. They stay in silence for a while, before reality starts crashing in. Phoenix's tenderness had gone, replaced by frustration.

"Get out." 

"What?" Miles snaps his head to look at Phoenix. He doesn't look at him, but he can feel a storm brewing in his eyes.

"Get out of my office, Edgeworth." Miles flinches at the sound of his last name. It's been years since Phoenix had called him that. 

"Phoenix I-" 

"I said GET OUT!" Phoenix's voice raises and he stands and starts walking back to his desk. Miles follows suit, grabbing his arm.

"You-" Phoenix turns around and points his index finger to Edgeworth's chest. "You fucking bastard. You have a family! You can't just waltz in here professing your love while you have a wife and a kid!"

"I just- I can't-" Edgeworth couldn't find the right words to say.

"It's not fair, Edgeworth. You know that. You can't just come here and kiss me as if thats going to change anything. What did you even come here for?" What did he come here for? All he knows is that he needed to talk to Phoenix, he wanted to figure things out, and maybe end with proper closure.

"I'm sorry, I just needed to let it out, to finally tell you how I feel."

"Do you think I'm stupid? Do you think I didn't fucking know? All those years! I knew you loved me, but not enough to stay. I kept hoping that one day maybe you'd finally commit, that one day you'll say you loved me but you never did and yet you have the fucking audacity to come here and confess now." Phoenix clenched his fists and his face heated up with rage.

"I thought that maybe if we could talk about it, we could-"

"Holy shit Edgeworth, we could what? Go back to the way it was? I would never want to do that, I was stupid enough to fall for you, being hurt over and over again with no payoff at the end."

"I didn't mean to hurt you, I'm sorry. I only wanted to let you know."

"You've been living a lie. To your family. What would they feel if they find out that you're here pulling off this shit? Your wife is out there dedicating herself to you, only to find out her husband had been harboring feelings for his friend."

Edgeworth looked straight at Phoenix with an air of defiance. "You're not that innocent either, Phoenix. Don't act like you haven't been harboring feelings for me too." Phoenix's eyes narrow, he raises his fist and Edgeworth closes his eyes in anticipation but it never comes. He opens his eyes to see Phoenix with tears running down his eyes. He steps forward to reach out but the other steps back. 

"How dare you..." He says softly and looks up to Edgeworth. "Yes, I loved you but I moved on. When you told me you had a girlfriend, I was happy, even though it wasn't with me, it showed me you were capable of loving someone strong enough to declare it. When you got married, I was so proud of how far you've gotten. When she was born I was elated, we were both Dads now. For every single step of the way, I loved you in the way that I could, isn't that enough? What more do you want from me?" Tears started to fall onto Phoenix's cheeks, he wipes them away with his palms. 

'You.' Miles says internally, the word not coming out of his mouth, but Phoenix knew what he was thinking. He felt his pupils shake as he swallowed down the unspoken truth that Miles had presented. 

Something inside Phoenix snaps, and his face flashes with anger. His face scrunching up with disgust. This time, a punch does land on Edgeworth's face. He groans at the pain, but nothing could compare to the pain of seeing Phoenix look at him like that.

"This ends here, Edgeworth. Go figure out your life on your own, I'm out."

That night, Phoenix fell asleep crying in Maya's arms.

--------

The next morning, Phoenix felt like shit. He didn't want to get up, and he felt like crying again as soon as he woke up. Maya was beside him, snoring peacefully. He was grateful for her presence, he would've probably drank his liver away if not for her. He sits up causing the other person to stir.

"Nick?"

"Didn't mean to wake you up."

"Nah its fine, go ahead and lay down, I'll go prepare breakfast." She pushes him back to bed and pulls the blanket on top of him. It was moments like these with Maya that made him feel so lucky to have a sister like her. At least not biologically, but deep down in his soul, he felt it. Maya was someone he could always fall back on. He was alone in his room again with his thoughts, replaying memories from last night.

Why? Why now? He thinks. All those years, he had always hoped that Edgeworth would reciprocate, but now that he is, all he feels is resentment towards him. He did love him, more than he ever thought he could love someone. He could not begin to describe just how much space Edgeworth took up in his heart. But Phoenix knew that every interaction they had would be short-lived. He always had to pack, always had to leave. Phoenix knew how much Edgeworth valued his career, and so he accepted it with time that he wouldn't be the one to make Edgeworth settle, that it would be something or someone else, one that had more value than him in Edgeworth's eyes. It took some time on Phoenix's end, but he got there and eventually, someone did pop up in Edgeworth's life and Phoenix couldn't get any happier. It was a milestone of healing for Phoenix, that was when he truly let go. 

Phoenix feels guilt, towards Edgeworth's family even though he didn't do anything. He felt betrayed for his wife and child. He and his wife were good friends! He saw her as a sister, just like Edgeworth was now a brother to him. Knowing that all of it was a lie sickens him. 

The door opens with Maya and the two girls. 

"Auntie told us you're not feeling well, so we'll have breakfast in bed today. " Trucy was carrying his mini table while Maya was carrying another one with significantly more food than the others. 

Phoenix's face softened at the sight of them, and he sat up to give them space. They had a quiet breakfast, if not for the discussion of steel samurai amongst the three. He couldn't help but feel warm looking at them bicker. After breakfast, Maya cleaned up. She went back to the room with Pearly telling the Wrights all about her training.  

"Good to see you looking better." She sat down beside Phoenix. He nodded then took out his wallet. He handed his credit card to the two girls.

"Trucy, why don't you go out with Pearls today?" The girls brightened up.

"Okay!! Come on Pearl!! Daddy rarely lets us borrow his card!!" She pulls Pearl to stand up and they run out. 

"Hey! Don't spend too much or else Apollo won't get his salary this month!" He manages to shout before they leave the apartment.

"Okaaay!" 

He sighs as he hears the front door close. The both of them move to the living room, Maya brewing a cup of coffee for him and some hot milk for her. They sat down facing each other before Phoenix spoke.

"He... confessed to me."

"You mean-" Her eyebrows scrunch together.

"Yes, him."

"WHAT?!" Maya nearly spit out her milk. She puts down the mug and leans forward to Phoenix. 

"Are you serious?!" 

"Would I have been crying that hard last night if it wasn't serious?"

"But- he's married!"

"And has a kid," Phoenix added as he put his mug down.

"Holy shit." Maya held her hand to her mouth, she knew that Nick and Edgeworth had something going on ever since back then, but from what she knew it had been over years ago. Even Nick confirmed this.

"Holy shit indeed." 

"What did you say?" She reached her hand towards his, rubbing her fingers on his knuckles.

"He kissed me."

"What the fuck?" 

"I told him I didn't love him like that anymore... I got mad... then punched him and told him I'm out of his life." 

"As you should!" Maya bloated her cheeks with air, she was red and fuming. "How dare he! After leaving you so many times-!"

"And the fact that he has a family now..."

"Oh my fucking god, you should've punched him twice at the least!"

"Years of friendship... now gone. It's so fucked." He pinches his nose bridge.

"Did he say he fell in love with you or something?"

"He said he had always loved me."

"Jesus Christ. What about his family? He can't be saying he married his wife WHILE loving you?"

"He's been living a lie, Maya."

"Man, what the fuck. As much as I respect Edgeworth, you dodged a bullet by not being together with him. I mean, he's a family man yet he's doing whatever bullshit this is."

"I just feel like shit, not only about Edgeworth but also for his family. 

"What now?"

"Nothing. I'm done with him, as much as it hurts. I just lost my best friend..."

"Nick..." She pulls him for a hug and stays like that for a while.

"Thanks, Maya, for being here."

"No worries Nick! Plus, I think I'll stay here a bit longer than I plan to. I think you'll need some company." She claps her hands together.

"Ugh... I hope that doesn't mean burgers for dinner every day..." He whines, but ultimately he doesn't mind.

----------

It's been months since that incident. Maya had gone home, staying for a month with Phoenix before going back to her training. It was hard, grieving for an ended friendship. He might even say it feels worse than a romantic heartbreak. But it was, whatever it was. He hadn't seen the prosecutor a single time ever since. It seems like the chief prosecutor had been avoiding taking personal cases to reduce any chance of meeting each other.

Everything was peaceful, relatively. Apollo and Athena are out investigating and Trucy is in school, Phoenix, of course, was stuck with all the paperwork. The office was quiet, save for the occasional car noises outside.  Someone knocks on his door.

“Come in.” A familiar woman comes in, pushing a baby stroller with her.

“Phoenix. I need your help.”

He immediately ushers them in, and offers tea to her. The little one was asleep, and she was left on her stroller by the couch. She looked exhausted, with dark eyebags dragging her face down. She smiles at Phoenix, trying to keep herself together.

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s Miles.”

“Oh. I'm sorry I-” He let out a disapproving tone. She gives her a look.

“I was right knowing to come here. Seeing your reaction, you probably know the cause.”

“What happened?”

“I don’t know what’s happening- He’s been so distant the past few months and-”

“Maybe he’s busy?”

“I know he’s busy. But this is different. It’s like he doesn’t even care anymore!”

“What do you mean?”

“He comes home late, barely talks, and goes straight to his study. He just stays there doing god knows what and when I try to talk to him he just says he’s fine but clearly he’s not! He won't say anything to me, Phoenix, much less touch me. It’s been months and when I try to initiate anything in our bedroom he refuses.”

“I’m sorry but I don’t see how I can help you…”

“Phoenix, please if someone could get to him, it would be you.”

“But these are your marital affairs. I can’t meddle with these kinds of things. Have you tried counseling?" She shakes her head and holds his hand.

“He’s drifting away, and I don’t know what to do. You’re the only one I know that he trusts deeply. I know you know why he’s been acting like this, I caught him crying to himself once, muttering your name.”

“I don’t know what to say, but me and Edgeworth… we’re… not on good terms anymore.”

“What? Why?”

“It’s something I’m not comfortable discussing but, just know that I would prefer to be kept outside Edgeworth’s life.”

“So the cause is you…” Her eyes are downcast and all Phoenix can do is hug her.

“I’m sorry.”

“Please Phoenix, just this once. For me, for her.” She glances at the baby stroller. It takes a moment of silence before Phoenix lets out a sigh.

“Alright, I’ll see what I can do.” 

“Thank you.” She lets out a sad smile and rises, kissing his forehead before she takes hold of the stroller.

After they had left, Phoenix sunk back into his chair. He slams his desk in frustration. Edgeworth knew better than to do this. The least he could do was to maintain his treatment of his family. Why? Why would he just start drifting apart from them? Why would he treat them like he would treat Phoenix all those years ago? Then it clicks, this pattern of behavior, him distancing himself, as if it leads to the inevitable. He was about to leave, wasn’t he? 

Phoenix’s heart drops, he feels like he’s about to cry again but is soon overcome with anger.

—------

Edgeworth’s office door slams open, startling the prosecutor. Wright locks the door.

“I told your secretary not to let anyone disturb us.” He stomps towards the desk, his fists clenched to his sides.

“When’s your flight?” It didn’t sound like a question

Edgeworth stands up, facing Wright eye to eye. “Wright, I do not appreciate you barging into my office and acting like you own the place!” 

Phoenix grabs the prosecutor's lapel, crumpling his suit jacket.“ I don’t appreciate it when YOUR wife COMES to MY OFFICE pleading for me to talk to you! So tell me, when’s your flight?” 

“How did she know?” Edgeworth says it almost like a whisper.

“She didn’t.” Phoenix let's go of Edgeworth. The prosecutor  sighs and opens a drawer under his desk. He takes out a small envelope and places it in front of Wright. 

“You know me too well.” Edgeworth almost smiles.

Wright opened the envelope, which had a plane ticket inside, it was booked for that night. 

“You- you can’t! You can’t just do this to her! To them!”

“Wright, you told me to figure out my life and that you are out of it. So why are you here meddling with my affairs?”

“Because your wife needs her husband, and your daughter needs a father. You can’t-”

“I’ve made my decision. I’ll make sure they’ll live a comfortable life. She won't even have to work a day in her life.”

“Please, Edgeworth. Not like this.”

“You were right, I have been living a lie. This cannot go on.”

“But you have a kid!”

“And what? Would you rather she grow up with a father who doesn’t have a good relationship with her mother?”

“What the fuck is wrong with you?! At least try!”

“You know I’m not the kind of person who can…”

“What do you mean? YOU PRETENDED FOR YEARS NOT TO HAVE RECIPROCATED WHAT I FELT FOR YOU! How is this any different!?”

“That’s different.” Phoenix walks around the table, and Edgeworth faces him. Phoenix kneels on the ground, his head low.

“Edgeworth, from one father to another, I’m begging you. You can’t run away from them. At least wait until she’s old enough…” Edgeworth immediately reaches out, pulling him upward, not wanting to see him this way.

“I’ll do anything… take me… isn’t that what you’ve always wanted?” Phoenix looks up at him pitifully. 

“What?! Wright, no!” Disappointment flashes on Phoenix’s face. Edgeworth reached out to cradle his face.

“I want you, Wright. But you don't feel the same.” Phoenix chuckles, and he leans into the touch, his cheeks dimpled by the soft curve of his lips. Edgeworth’s breath is taken away again, his heart thumping in his chest. Phoenix looks at him, really looks at him. The past months did take a toll on him, Edgeworth was visibly paler, his eyes weighed down by the lack of sleep. He looked tired, exhausted, and despaired. Phoenix stands up, leans forward, and places a soft kiss on Edgeworth’s forehead.

“I guess, even after everything, I still won’t be able to make you stay, but I hope your family would. Goodbye, Miles.”

—-----------

Phoenix had not bothered with anything else except with his work and family. With time, Phoenix had slowly come to accept things. It was difficult to explain to Trucy at first. He had to omit a lot of details, of course, all she knows is that Daddy and Uncle Miles had a big fight, and aren’t friends anymore. She was old enough to understand that there were things her father didn’t want to discuss, so she left it at that.

“So… Uncle Miles…”

“Yeah? What about him?”

“Can I still visit him? And Auntie? And the baby?” 

“Of course! What do you take me for, Trucy? No matter what happened, that's between me and Edgeworth. I’m sure they still love you. They’d love it when you visit.” She nods, still not knowing how to navigate the subject of her Uncle in their conversations.

For Apollo and Athena, things were starting to ease, getting better even. They’d see Mr. Wright come to work looking like the time he was disbarred, getting better when Maya had stayed with them for a month, time passed by again, and then suddenly he came back to the office looking distraught again. They couldn’t push it, and Mr. Wright didn’t want to talk about it. All they knew was that it involved Mr. Edgeworth. So, they started supporting him in small ways, like making sure the office was always clean, or brewing his coffee every morning. Phoenix, of course, noticing this makes him love them even more. 

From what Phoenix heard, Edgeworth didn’t leave. He continued his work as Chief Prosecutor. A text message from his wife a week after he confronted Edgeworth confirmed this.

“Thank you.”

He smiled then deleted all his contacts to Edgeworth and his family and put his phone back in his pocket.

The next few years were great, Trucy was in college, and Apollo and Athena were making names for themselves in the law world. Sometimes Trucy would tell him things about the Edgeworth household from her visits. Things were going great for them. Recently though he hadn’t heard anything for a while. Trucy was getting busier and busier, and the office was getting more and more clients with its rising reputation.

—--------------

One morning in the office, he received a letter from the one and only Mrs. Edgeworth. It’s been years since he had heard from her. He took the letter with him as he was heading out to buy some coffee. The coffee maker broke down yesterday. 

After buying some coffee and settling down on a park bench, he opens the letter.

My Dearest Phoenix,

How’s it going? It’s been a long while. I try to learn about your happenings through Trucy. Seems like you’re doing well. I wrote this letter because this will be the last time I will be addressing myself to you as Mile's wife. 

I never thought it would happen, I thought I would live the rest of my life with Miles, but life doesn’t always turn out the way we want it to. I just want to tell you that I’m grateful for everything you’ve done for us, that I don’t hold anything against you, and that you’ll always be dear in my heart.

I’ve always known that before I came along, there was already someone in Miles’s heart. The way he looked at you, spoke about you, and that entire fiasco when you broke your friendship, he was never the same after that. I wanted to hate you for it, to hold some resentment, but I couldn’t. It wasn’t your fault, and you have always shown your love to our family and respect towards me as Mile’s wife. I know what happened that night, it wasn’t hard to guess. I respect your decision, you broke things off with Miles for the sake of me and my daughter. I will always admire you for that. Thank you, Phoenix.

But despite all your efforts, Miles and I have separated. It’s been that way for a while now. It was the right decision for both of us, we came to an understanding for each other. I have made my peace with it, and I hope Miles finds his as well. Don’t worry about our daughter, I have remained good friends with Miles and are co-parenting her with all the love and care we can give. I expect you to come to her next birthday party! Bring your kids as well, it’s been years since I saw them.

Anyway, I hope you can find it in your heart to let Miles in again. I truly wish you and Miles could have some sort of contact, but I understand if you don’t want to. That’s fine. But life is too short to hold on to anger or resentment. 

I wish you all the best, Phoenix. I really do. If you need a friend, you’ll always be welcome in my home. I’ve written my address on the back of this letter. I’ll see you soon, Phoenix.

As Phoenix folded the letter back into his pocket, he felt a sense of relief wash over him. Despite how it ended, he was glad that they had moved on. The past may hold a myriad of regrets, but he now looks forward to the future, excited to see her again. He’s definitely going to that written address soon. He sips his coffee, enjoying the sunshine. He sees a little girl by the trees, trying to reach out for a balloon stuck in the branches. The girl had silver locks, as well as her eyes, giving him a sense of familiarity. He goes to the girl and reaches out for the balloon. He kneels to her level and hands it over.

“Thanks!” She takes it and Phoenix grabs a little rock and ties it at the end of the string. “This way, even if you let go, it wont fly away.” The girl beams at him.

“Wow! You’re so clever! Maybe the same as Daddy! What’s your name, mister?”

“It’s Phoenix.”

“Fee-nie-ks!” He chuckles and remembers when he was called Fee-nie by a little girl. Before he could ask what her name was, he heard a voice behind him.

“Wright.” It was the same low voice, one he hadn’t heard in years, but one he recognized. The little girl runs to the man.

“Daddy! Look!” She shows him the rock tied to the string. Edgeworth nods.

“Hey, Edgeworth.”

“Sorry for bothering you.” Edgeworth holds her hand, intending to walk away.

“Wait,” Phoenix calls out, stopping the pair, "Have you guys had breakfast yet?”


“Nope! We were on our way to get some.” The little girl chirped.

“My treat?” Phoenix had an uneasy smile on his face.

—-----

The walk to the restaurant was awkward and silent. When they finally sat down and ordered, the little girl started her plethora of questions. From where he was from, what he does, how old he was, and other things. Phoenix, missing the presence of a child in his life, answers enthusiastically. Edgeworth was quiet, simply observing the both of them.

“So, you’re a lawyer just like Daddy?”

“Yep! A good one at that!” He grinned and Edgeworth couldn’t help but smirk. Phoenix seemed to have noticed this and his grin grew wider.

“Did you know? I’m the only one who could defeat your Daddy in court!”

“Wow! You are super smart!” She seemed to have gotten bored after that and brought out her crayons and colouring book after that. This time it was Edgeworth’s turn to break the silence.

“It’s good to see you again.” Edgeworth tries to maintain eye contact but finds it incredibly hard towards Phoenix.

Phoenix smiles gently, just happy to see the duo. “Same here.”

“Suppose I should let you know that I and-” Edgeworth looks away.

“Don’t worry, I know. She wrote to me.”

“Alright.” Another awkward silence, Edgeworth looked like a lost puppy. Phoenix burst out in a laugh.

“Come on, Edgeworth! No need to be so awkward towards me.”

“I apologise, I just-”

“It’s fine, don’t worry about it.” He waves his hand as if shooing whatever Edgeworth was thinking.

“No. I want to properly apologise for everything.” Edgeworth's words make Phoenix drop his smile and see Edgeworth eye to eye.

“I was an asshole, Wright. I’m sorry and thank you. If you hadn’t come to my office that day, I would’ve made a horrible mistake.” He glances at his daughter, who was busy colouring some new Steel Samurai character.

“Hmmmm…” Phoenix leans back on the chair, closing his eyes and rubbing his chin.

“Who would’ve thought the great Miles Edgeworth would acknowledge he was an asshole?” He smirks, his eyes twinkling with the same rebellious teasing he always had. Edgeworth's face heats up out of embarrassment, but he says nothing.

“Just kidding!" He holds his hands up as if to surprise Edgeworth, "I’ve forgiven you long ago.” He leans his body on the table and sips on his water. Edgeworth’s eyes widen, his hands grabbing his elbows.

“What? But I screwed you over so many times!”

“Just like what your ex-wife wrote to me, Life is too short to hold anger or resentment.”

“You’re incredible… your ability to forgive.” Edgeworth looks down at his own hands, feeling unworthy of this treatment. Even with his ex-wife, he felt that she had been too kind towards him.

“Heh, you know, I still love you,” Phoenix's eyes curl upward, his words feeling sincere, “I mean, not in that way. But despite everything, Edgeworth is still Edgeworth. I can’t disregard everything we’ve been through, you know? Plus, everything’s fine now, right?”

“I hope so.”

“It is so, Miles.” Being called by his name felt exciting, Edgeworth didn't realize how long he missed being called by Phoenix by his name until now.

Phoenix started talking to the little one about what she was colouring and she enthusiastically started talking all about the new Steel Samurai magical girl group. He complimented her work and she blushed up, looking away just like her father would. 

Meeting Phoenix wasn’t something Edgeworth had expected to be doing today, but it was a very welcome surprise. He had always thought that the next time they would meet, it would be akin to a sad reunion, quiet, awkward, unsettling. But this was the opposite of that, Phoenix somehow was able to take off all the guilt that had been brewing in his heart for the past few years. Phoenix always had that kind of effect on him, it made him feel as if everything was going to be alright, like things were just meant to be.

“Wright- Phoenix.” He had not said that name for so long, he felt oddly emotional calling that person his name again.

“Yeah?”

“Do you think… we could start over?” The silence was thick, it almost made Edgeworth want to follow it up with a ‘just kidding!’ like what Phoenix did. He saw the man look down on his hands before looking up at Edgeworth with uneasiness in his face.

“Will you be willing to wait?”

“Wait for what?”

“An answer.”

“It’s not like its a complete no for me, it’s just that there’s a lot of things to think about and we just met and it's so sudden-”

“Of course, Phoenix. I’ll wait, the fact that there’s a possibility is more than enough for me.”

“I just want to take it one step at a time.”

“I understand.”

Perhaps it was the lighting once more, or Phoenix just had that effect on him, but Phoenix had always been breathtaking. He found himself admiring the man’s features, how he had aged so wonderfully. The grey streaks on his hair suited him. He had the same toothy smile, and somehow the same boyish charm he had all those years ago.

Phoenix was met with two very intense stares, it made him scratch the back of his neck and smile nervously.

“Uh guys, is there something on my face…?”

The two Edgeworths blink their eyes and flush up. They looked at each other, realizing what they were doing, and looked away in opposite directions, clenching their elbows.

“Daddy, you’re ogling!”

“You were doing the same, did you not?”

“Hmph!” The little girl puffed up her cheeks, refusing to look at her father. Phoenix could only chuckle at the antics of this father-daughter duo.

As if the weight of Edgeworth's shoulders dissipated, his body relaxes, and leans forward. “The grey suits you. You look more… distinguished.” 

Phoenix snorts, “Just tell me I’m old.”

“Not old, but better with age.”

That made Phoenix raise his eyebrow. “Miles Edgeworth, are you flirting with me?”

Edgeworth flushes like a young schoolboy despite his age, “What? No- Yes- I-”

Phoenix throws his hands up again and grins, "Just kidding!" 

The food arrives and they finally get to dig in. The little girl slices up her pancakes and holds them up to Phoenix. Phoenix tilts his head and eats it. The girl seemed to be pleased as she took another slice and fed it.

“Umm… I have my food okay? You don’t have to feed me.”

“But my classmates say a good wife must feed their husbands well!” Edgeworth chokes on his drink and Phoenix laughs.

“Emily…” Miles looks down on his daughter.

“Mr. Fee-nie-ks is so pretty. Daddy, can I marry him?” Phoenix howls into laughter once more, and Edgeworth says nothing.

“Hmmmm… sure! But you have to be good at school first! Then you have to grow up and do your best and make your Mommy and Daddy proud!” Phoenix pokes at the little girl's forehead.

“I will, Mr. Fee-nie-ks!”

“Seems like you’ve gained a rival.” Phoenix points at Miles.

“A stubborn one at that.” Miles rolls his eyes.

“Just like you.” Phoenix laughs, the sound making Mile's heart flutter. He didn't know what the future would bring, but he was glad that Phoenix could be a part of it again. He still loved this man in front of him, and always will.