Work Text:
25 December 2029
01:35 AM
Wright Anything Agency
Trucy, Apollo and Athena were playing cards, Phoenix was finishing preparing the Pandoro. Miles was in their bedroom, it wasn't unusual he stayed alone at this hour during Christmas.
"Ah! I won! Again! 10 to 0 for Trucy!" Trucy shouted breaking the total silence that was torturing their ears.
"Trucy, you're not cheating are you?" Apollo asked, looking defeated and re adjusting the cards, again.
"I don't need to cheat Polly! I'm naturally good!!"
"Yeah Apollo! I bet you're the one cheating with your weird bracelet, you keep looking at me like i'm some. Thing. It's scary, really." Athena added, to defend Trucy.
"What? No! I'm-! I'm sorry If I'm looking at you weirdly, Thena." Apollo slapped himself lightly.
"I was joking!!! Just to stay in Trucy's side! Silly!!"
"Yeah. Sure, sure." Apollo put down the cards, giving them equally to him and the girls, until Trucy spoke.
"Daddy? Is the Pandoro ready? I'm hungry!!" She asked, doing puppy eyes towards her dad.
"Yes, Truce. I'll go call your Father real quick, wait to eat it" Phoenix pointed at her and she nodded as Phoenix went upstairs to Their bedroom.
He knocked. "Miles, dear? Can I come in?" A few seconds passed, Phoenix was worried sick.
"Oh.. Phoenix! You may come in.." Miles said back, his voice was trembling a bit. Phoenix got in as fast as he could, running to sit near Miles as fast as he could. Miles was on the bed, his hands gripping onto his pants, shaking lightly. He was breathing heavily. Phoenix took his left hand. "Can I?" Miles nodded. And Phoenix held it close to his own heart. "Miles, Love. What's up? The Pandoro's ready and I refuse to eat it without you. Want me to get your cane?" Phoenix leaned in and kissed him lightly on the cheek, waiting for an answer, patiently.
"No, Phoenix. Please no cane. I'll come downstairs with you." His voice was trembling, something was not right. He himself knew. Phoenix knew. But why? That was the question now.
"But.. Dear. If you need help you can tell me, Using a cane isn't a weakness, remember?-"
Miles interrupted him, Phoenix could hear Miles' breathing interrupting shortly.
"No!- I mean, I know. I know. I just don't want to use it now. Thank you." Phoenix borrowed his eyebrows, squeezing his partner's hand tighter. "Okay... I won't get it. But, Please. Breathe." Miles took a deep breath, his eyes started getting wet and red, his throat hurt.
"Phoenix, Dear. I- I tried getting my cane and going downstairs but- I looked in the mirror and- Fuck. I saw him, Phoenix. I have a cane. I'm getting grey hair and I have scars all over my body. I know it's stupid. I know I should have gotten over it like. 20 years ago but-" Phoenix interrupted him, cupping his face with his free hand and drying Miles' tears from his cheek.
"Don't. Don't say that, Miles. There's not a limited time to get over things. When I have to take cold medicine i still check they're not poisoned, There's some things that... can get better, but will never go away. And that's fine, because it doesn't make you... lesser. Do you need time alone?"
"N-no. Phoenix. I really want to eat with you guys. I'll come downstairs." Miles kissed Phoenix's forehead as he freed from the man's grip and got up.
"Feel free to leave if you feel overwhelmed. Mh?" Phoenix hummed, happy to see Miles seemed to have gained his smile again.
Miles smirked. "Of course." He squeezed Phoenix's hand and went downstairs with him
"Papa!" Trucy jumped in joy
"Hi Mr. Edgeworth!" Apollo and Athena also greeted him.
"We were worried for you! I hope you're feeling better now, I do sense relief."
Miles chuckled lightly. "You'd be right, Athena. I'm doing better now. I hope I didn't miss too much."
Trucy hugged him. "You didn't! We played cards and Polly lost everytime! I'm glad you're back here. I was hungry and daddy won't let us eat if you're not here!"
Miles glanced at Phoenix.
"Phoenix." He laughed. "Don't starve your children" Plural.
Phoenix laughed back as he cut down the Pandoro and put portions in plates, "Go sit down dear, I'll join you in a second."
Miles sat down next to Trucy, she was showing him the pictures she took. He looked at them like an art critic who was really impressed.
They all sat down and started eating as Trucy started telling how good she was at playing cards against Apollo. Miles suggested to put the Christmas special for the Steel Samurai new series, Athena laughed and agreed. Apollo got the remote and put the show on.
For once it would be nice to not worry, Miles thought.