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This whole week had Phoenix feeling absolutely miserable. The evidence law tests were only getting more intense and difficult as the semester went on, he caught a cold from Mia, who had caught it from taking care of her little sister, and icing on the cake, he burned his hand this morning spilling his hot brewed coffee all over the counter. Phoenix had just slumped over the green speckled plastic laminate countertop in his little kitchen, good hand pinching the space between his eyebrows, and with a pause, let out a long exhale.
The family law research essay could sort itself out later. Mia has been a great resource in helping Phoenix catch up to the rest of his class when he transferred into Ivy University Law from the school of art.
This cold was not getting any better though, in fact, Phoenix's coughs have probably gotten worse. After the 5th stuffy-nosed lecture of the day from Mia, Phoenix finally decided to bite the bullet and call the student health services building.
But, he couldn't help but to feel just a tinge of excitement despite the unfortunate circumstances. Going to student health services meant that he would be seeing Miles. Or more appropriately addressed, Dr. Edgeworth.
--
Phoenix first met Dr. Edgeworth last year when he was beginning his residency through the university. He always ended up back in Dr. Edgeworth's exam room for various random illnesses and injuries: a cut that took too long to heal as he was whittling wood for a sculpture class, or when his ankle was still sore one week after getting swiped by a car riding his bike to class.
His doctor's visits usually extended out a bit longer than the usual patient’s. They would always get through the normal pleasantries of, how have you been lately? The weather has been great huh? Are your classes going well? Then Phoenix began regaling stories of mock trials from class earlier in the week, how that cafe on campus kept on burning their cookies, how studying for contract law that week was sending his mind into the gutter. Dr. Edgeworth tended to respond with a restrained huff or a nod, but the more Phoenix came in, the more he started to see that his doctor did share his sense of humor.
Or perhaps he found Phoenix, in particular, quite amusing.
Miles always welcomed him in with a smirk, teasing the art student. "Wright, what happened to you this time?", he asked with a handsome smile that made Phoenix's heart and stomach summersault.
He would answer with a flirty and thickly concealed, smart alec response to his doctor's question that made Dr. Edgeworth chuckle. That deep restrained laugh of his always made Phoenix light up inside, knowing that he had managed to make this reserved man react to his quips. Phoenix did always have a thing for charming reserved men or women who were just socially out of reach for him. There was always something a bit thrilling about learning more about someone, like searching for clues in a case.
He would try sneak glances at the sliver of the Doctor's phone lock screen peeking out the top of his chest pocket to see if he had a special someone. All he could see, amusingly, was a title splash card of the hit children's animated series, Steel Samurai. Adorable.
Dr. Edgeworth was all about business but the right corner of his lips would tweak up, holding back a handsome grin. Miles usually approached his basic exam check ups professionally. Double checking basic vitals, then leaning in with his stethoscope to hear his patient’s lungs and heart. The way that he would lean into Phoenix’s personal space made his breath falter. His hand somehow always managed to find its way next to his outer thigh, just skimming the outside of his layers with his pinky.
As Phoenix constantly managed to get himself into all kinds of trouble that landed him in front of Dr. Edgeworth, he couldn’t help but notice that pinky that skimmed his thigh became a pinky and a ring finger.
Then half the hand, 3 fingers.
Then at some point, he could feel Dr. Edgeworth’s chilly palm cup over his knee, his thumb absentmindedly stroking at the inside of his leg.
There was no way your average doctor would touch their patient like that right?
Then every little touch throughout his visits became the subject of focus for Phoenix. Dr. Edgeworth’s hand would linger a bit on his shoulders when he leaned in with his stethoscope. His fingers twitched over his ankle while checking out the soreness, the feeling of his finger pads sent tingly goosebumps dancing up Phoenix’s spine. His body responded to Mile’s attention unlike anything else. He felt himself chasing down that addicting feeling of blooming and lighting from any of those tender touchpoints where Dr. Edgeworth’s hand made contact with his skin. On some lonely nights, Phoenix found himself craving those touches.
Yep, he had been nursing a full on, absolutely pathetic, schoolboy crush that was anything but innocent on Dr. Miles Edgeworth for the past 2 years.
At least he would always be in the right mind to never act on it.
--
Back to the present, Phoenix melted under his light layers from his sickly fatigue as he waited on the mildly bumpy vinyl cushioned exam table.
"Although it is good to see you, I can’t help but notice it’s your 5th time on my exam table this semester, Wright." Phoenix admired Dr. Edgeworth entering the exam room, clipboard in hand, wrapped up in his pristine white coat. All Phoenix could do was sheepishly smile at him and laugh before breaking down into a coughing fit, finished off with a big sneeze. The usual check up banter fell a bit short and nasally.
"I've just been absolutely miserable these few days, Doctor... Dealing with... this.”
He gestured up and down at himself. Sticky skin from sweat. Red and irritated skin around his nose from all those tissues. Body bundled up in a hooded zip up and sweats. Reeeaaalll attractive Phoenix. Shit. He froze up as Dr. Edgeworth’s palm casually fell against his forehead, feeling his temperature.
"I'm going to listen to your lungs to assess how bad your cough is."
Dr. Edgeworth leaned in, crossing the barrier into Phoenix's personal space. Eyes widening, it felt as if his heart skipped a beat as Dr Edgeworth's face landed a few inches away from his own. The stethoscope skimmed across his shallowly breathing chest, pausing for moments as Dr. Edgeworth listened.The exam room sat quietly, punctuated with an occasional sniffle from Phoenix as Dr. Edgeworth conducted his examination. His cold hand burned against feverish skin through fabric, leaving small puddles of cool relief where his fingertips made contact as he glided across Phoenix's back. Phoenix could feel his heart threatening to stop.
For a brief moment, he pulled away, typed a few sentences into the computer station, and leaned back, hand over his chest, head over Phoenix’s shoulders to tap across his mid back. Miles was so close to his face as he studied his patient. Phoenix battled the sudden urge to reach up and cup his face between his hands. His eyes betrayed him as his glance darted to his right to count and appreciate each individual beautiful strand of eyelash that curtained over grey eyes. He could smell his light peppery cologne ghost past his horribly stuffed nose, mixing in with the overclean, antiseptic scent of the student health center. “I can't believe he has to see me at my most disgusting moment right now”, Phoenix thought, sniffling, "I hope he doesn't hear my heart beating out of my chest."
God he was so attractive, Phoenix couldn't help but admire his hair up close, silky silvery grey, and imagine how his hands would feel tangled up in those locks. Or how smooth and hot the feeling of their mouths and tongues intertwined.
"Breathe in deep for me one last time." Dr. Edgeworth's voice interrupted Phoenix's thoughts before his mind got away from him. " And breathe out please". A large shaky sigh came out of Phoenix's mouth, a sad attempt to hide his nervousness.
His hands moved dexterously over Phoenix's chest, rustling over his paint stained shirt from the old art days. A few more times tapping his stethoscope over spots on his back, Dr. Edgeworth finally pulled away, rolled his physician’s stool over to his workdesk, and looked up at Phoenix with what he interprets as a hint of pity.
"Sounds like you've got some bad mucus in your lungs there, Wright." Dr. Edgeworth mumbled softly, long elegant fingers clacking away at the keyboard, "I shall prescribe you some strong antibiotics for this if you've been feeling ill for so long. And you have got to take a break and get appropriate amounts of sleep. Then I can let you get back to studying hard for your law degree right?" He says, with a smile appearing on his lips. (Lips that I desperately want to kiss! Phoenix thinks to himself).
"Oh! Uh y-yes! That's right, I think I've just been working so hard recently for midterms, I haven't really had a chance to slow down..."
Pulling away from his computer, Dr. Edgworth paused to gather his thoughts. A serious look developed on his face. His eyes flicked up to meet Phoenix's. "Wright. I understand what it is like to put so much time into one's studies. My time during medical school was also quite... Exhausting. Burnout can severely impact your physical and mental health, and I think it would be great if you could find a moment for some self care.", he said firmly. "I dislike seeing you so ill so often, it's rather... upsetting for me..."
"I- I Understand... Um. Thank you for caring so much Doc..." Phoenix's eyes looked up from Mile's hand, which had landed on his patient's left knee, his thumb tracing little circles on the inside face. "About my health!! Ah ha ha...".
Miles looked down at his face with his usual serious demeanor, but there was a flash of longing behind his steely grey eyes.
Each beat of his heart felt like weighty cannonballs trying to burst out of his chest, up his throat, and through his tension addled head. Phoenix couldn't tell if it was his congestion or his flustered feelings that caused his throat to close up. Whether it was his persisting desperation from past appointments, or feverish, delirious decision making, Phoenix found his own hand reaching to cover the hand planted over his knee, stroking at Edgeworth’s fingers.
"Dr. Edgeworth, it's not fair you look so good all the time. I'm embarrassed you always see me at my worst. I know I'm a bit sick right now, but once I get better, could I take you out for a coffee? On a date? Please?"
Shit, he had gone and said it.
He watched as Dr. Edgeworth's eyes widened in shock at his question. An adorable pink blush started to develop across his high cheekbones. "Uh, god, I made this so awkward - Uhh I don't know if you have a partner - Or, oh God, you're probably violating basic rules against going on dates with your patients... Shiiiiitttt..." Phoenix deflated quickly, burying his face in his hands. His face was burning so hard he couldn't tell if it was the fever or the feeling of wanting to drop off the face of the Earth in anguish.
Dr. Edgeworth glanced up from the hand he still had parked on Phoenix's leg. How long had that been there for? "I must admit, I've been experiencing some... Unnecessary feelings towards you, certainly inappropriate for me to have with you as my patient."
Wait. What did Edgeworth just say?
Edgeworth’s hand suddenly pulled back from Phoenix’s leg, as if to emphasize that inappropriate attention he had just described. Phoenix’s hand moved faster than expected to catch the doctor’s wrist. He didn’t realize how hot his hands were feeling as they seared against Dr. Edgeworth’s chilly skin.
Phoenix stared blankly at his crush-who-actually-also-just-confessed-that-he-had-a-crush-on-him, fully caught off guard by the words that left Edgeworth's beautiful mouth. The remaining processing power in his brain left the room as he pulled Miles towards him and landed their mouths together.
The pressure was sweet, gentle, and smooth as their lips glided against each other. It was everything Phoenix had been craving for the past one and a half school years every time he sat in front of Miles. His heart sang in indulgent joy as he felt Miles’s hand slide up his wrist to tangle their fingers together. Phoenix’s clammy palm pressed against the Doctor’s clean and dry ones. Miles’s other hand grazed over and committed to cradling Phoenix’s stubbly jaw. Phoenix pushed deeper into the kiss, exploring the pepperminty taste of Miles’s lips. He was everything he had been longing for.
Regretfully pulling away to catch a breath, Phoenix’s words finally caught up with his thoughts as he looked up to make eye contact with Miles again.
He swallowed dryly, “Your…Feelings..? Of the romantic kind?? I- you have no idea how badly I've been wanting to kiss you. Every time I’m in this exam room in front of you." Phoenix said earnestly to him, now pouring his feelings out in the open.
Miles looked divine. His lips had developed a darkened blush from the recently received attention. A distraught look grew on his face when the realization of what he just did to his patient set in.
“Mr. Wright… It pains me to say this. But, we shouldn’t pursue this. We can’t pursue this.” Edgeworth drew his hand back to clench his white coat sleeve, his head hanging in shame. The furrowed brows and deep frown returned to his face.
“Dr. Edgeworth. Miles. Do you know why I keep coming back to you even though I’ve been noticing you keep touching me ‘inappropriately’? I-”
Come on Phoenix, just say it outloud, you’re in deep shit at this point either way.
“I liked it.” He concluded.
“I liked how your hand felt against my body. A lot.” he must be tomato red by now saying this. “I like to tell you about how my school year is going, and hearing about your favorite cafes. I like how you always treat me with special care and kindness. I like your stupid silver hair that I can’t tell if it’s natural or dyed and how you sometimes need your glasses to read the screen in front of you. Dr. Miles Edgeworth, I’ve had a crush on you this whole time I’ve been your patient. So this is anyone’s fault, it’s mine. Because I kept coming back to see you.”
There. He finally got it out in the open.
He watched the doctor slowly turn towards him and take a step closer to the table. Dr. Edgeworth’s hand shakily reached out to graze his fingers over Phoenix’s. “All this time, I was beating myself up for having these unexpected feelings for you. You come in unwell, yet you are so incredibly cheerful Phoenix. You really brighten up the whole clinic’s day every time you’ve come in, which, may I say, is too often.” He flashed his trademark restrained smile. “Phoenix, you kept letting me touch you more and more. You never pulled away or said this was inappropriate. But what I did was wrong. I’m sorry.”
Phoenix sat with him and held his hand in the quiet of the exam room. A clock ticking away in the background as they breathed in each other’s cautious affection.
Then Phoenix broke the silence with a loud sneeze. Smiling up at Dr. Edgeworth, he pulled Miles between his legs, hearing the crinkle of paper crunching from the front of his thighs pressing up against the exam table. With both his hands resting on Mile's hips, Phoenix leaned his warm forehead against Mile's and asked, "Please, would you go out with me on a date? I’ll forgive you and you can fire me as your patient as soon as I get better. I'm not filing any complaints. Promise.”
Miles relaxed into the feeling of being held by Phoenix before listening to him keep rambling on. “I mean, that way, we can see each other more too. Out of the clinic that is. Not that I didn't like seeing you working. Um… it's really hot seeing you handle, ah, the blood pressure cuff…” Phoenix trailed off.
“Here I thought you enjoyed getting yourself into trouble just so you could pay me a visit, Wright.” Miles smirked, leaning in to peck him on the forehead with a kiss. “Take the antibiotics I just prescribed you, come back and see me next week for a follow up. Then we can plan our date.” He turned and finished the script he had begun typing up on the computer.
“By the way, Phoenix? I prefer tea over coffee.” He said over his shoulder.
“But you definitely prefer me over alllll your other patients right?”
“No, not any more Phoenix, not after we offer you a change in title.” Miles reached out to hold Phoenix’s hand again.
“Oh? And what's that, Doctor Edgeworth?” Phoenix asked amusingly.
“How about instead of Favorite Patient, we call you: My Handsome Lawyer Boyfriend?”
“Hmm. That sounds like a big promotion… from my hot doctor… Boyfriend.” Phoenix smiled as he dragged Miles over for one more sweet kiss before his appointment concluded.