Chapter Text
"Wright, before you leave, could I speak with you alone for a moment?"
"Sure."
Wright seemed slightly confused, but he followed Edgeworth obediently, down the hall and into an empty room of the courthouse. Edgeworth closed the door quietly behind them and then turned to face his companion, bluntly coming forth with what had been on his mind.
"Why did you do all this?"
"What?" Phoenix said in bewilderment.
"Why did you put in this much work to get me acquitted? Throughout the entire trial and the investigation, you seemed almost desperate to prove my innocence, even when I didn't believe I was innocent. Even now that it's over, you still look like you haven't slept in days."
Phoenix didn't respond, so instead, Edgeworth watched his movements, trying to interpret anything from his body language. Wright, always so expressive and confident, was standing unusually still. The only active parts of him were his hands, which fidgeted nervously. He wasn't even making eye contact.
After a long moment of the two of them just standing like that in silence, Edgeworth let out a small sigh and turned to go.
"Nevermind, it doesn't matter." He said, voice tinged with disappointment.
Before he could reach the door, however, a hand reached out and caught his sleeve. He turned back around to see Wright awkwardly holding onto his right sleeve.
"...Yes?"
"Uh, just- one thing, Edgeworth."
Phoenix stepped forward hesitantly, placed his hands gently on Edgeworth's shoulders, and kissed him. He then quickly stepped back and returned to his fidgeting.
"That's it. You can- you can go." He said quietly.
The kiss was short and sweet, nothing special, but something about it stuck in Edgeworth like a thorn. Some unknown feeling began to bubble up in him. A strange mix of gratitude, fear, realization, and desire. And beneath it all was an undercurrent of deep, deep affection.
Wright kissed me.
…I don't deserve this. But if Wright wants me, he can have me.
And suddenly he was stumbling forward, taking Phoenix's face in his hands, and kissing him- over and over and over. After a moment of surprise, Phoenix wrapped his arms around Edgeworth's waist and began to kiss back enthusiastically.
Edgeworth broke the kiss for a moment to speak.
"I'm- sorry if I'm not very good at this."
"No, no, I think you're doing- fantastic!" Replied Wright, somewhat breathless.
"Then… may I try something different?" He asked hesitantly, certain his face must be turning a brilliant shade of red.
Wright nodded, so Edgeworth leaned in and dragged his tongue gently across the man's lower lip.
Wright seemed caught off guard and for a moment Edgeworth was worried that he'd gone too far, but then Wright was pressing their lips back together and slipping his tongue into Edgeworth's mouth, and everything was perfect. All complex thought was gone, the only thing Edgeworth could focus on was licking into Wright's mouth and the feeling of his arms around Edgeworth's waist, pulling him closer and pressing their hips together. It felt like sparks were exploding under his skin, he pulled his love companion closer, kissing him harder, coaxing a soft groan out of the man.
God, what I wouldn't give to hear that again. He thought distractedly.
But then Wright was nipping at his lower lip and he had to stop himself from letting out a rather- undignified noise of his own. One more firm press of his lips, and the kiss was over. They stayed close, with Edgeworth's head on Wright's shoulder and Wright's arms still holding them together. It occurred to Edgeworth that he hadn't felt this secure in years.
After several moments for the two of them to catch their breath, Edgeworth slowly raised his head and looked into Wright's face. In contrast to before their kiss, Wright looked confidently back at him. It annoyed him a little that Wright didn't look anywhere near as disheveled as Edgeworth felt, but it didn't matter. As he was trying to collect his thoughts, he felt Wright remove an arm from his waist and lift it to cup the side of his face, before running it through his hair.
"You're really very beautiful, you know." He murmured.
Edgeworth felt his face flush even brighter, and glanced away.
"You don't have to say that."
"But I mean it. That soft hair, those big grey eyes and that pretty voice…"
How does he keep doing that!? Edgeworth wondered incredulously, as he felt his face heat up again .
He cleared his throat, trying to regain his composure, and spoke.
"Well, for what it's worth, I've always liked your smile."
Wright laughed.
"You have?"
"Yes. In fact, it wouldn't be a stretch to say I've always- admired… you. "
He paused, suddenly feeling a fierce need for Wright to not look at him. Repressing the urge to flee the room, instead he took hold of Wright's lapels and kissed him one more time.
He had pulled himself together enough to realize that once they left this room, there was no guarantee they would ever kiss again. And even if they did, it might not be in the way he now realized he wanted it to be.
So if this is our last kiss, I am going to make it count.
Where their previous kissing had been quick and passionate, this one was slow and gentle. So, so gentle. Edgeworth's hold on Wright's lapels was loose, and Wright softly placed his hands back on Edgeworth's shoulders, the way they'd been when he'd first kissed him. Edgeworth could feel that same indescribable emotion bubble up inside him again, even stronger than before. So strong it was almost unbearable. And for the last time, he broke apart their kiss. But instead of looking Wright in the eyes, he buried his face on his friend's shoulder.
What a coward, hiding my face because I'm afraid… He thought absently.
But evidently Wright didn't see it that way, because he took that opportunity to pull Edgeworth into a firm hug. Edgeworth gave a soft sigh, feeling like he'd let out a breath he'd been holding for years. He wanted so badly to stay like this, to never leave this position, but reality was creeping back in, and he knew that soon people would be looking for them.
After all, their friends were all waiting for them, and he was technically still supposed to be in custody. So, ignoring his mysterious emotions, he pulled away from Wright and turned towards the door.
"We… we should go. The others are waiting for us." He said, doing everything he could to make his voice sound calm.
"Yeah, yeah. Let's go." It was quite possible he was deluding himself, but to Edgeworth it sounded as if Wright was regretting having to leave as well.
He could analyze that later. For now, he led Wright back down the hall and to their friends. They all bade him goodnight as they left to celebrate, and then he was led back to his cell.
He had a lot of thinking to do.