#trucy made him buy her some cookies after this

[flight-of-the-sacred-eagle]

Trucy Wright, Gift Giver Extraordinaire

Trucy is best ban don’t @ me

“Okay,  I give up. Trucy, I need your help,” Apollo said as he sat down on the bench next to her, burying his face in his hands.

“Oh? With what?” Trucy asked, smirking as she took a drink of the slushee she had convinced him to buy her. Apollo groaned.

“I can’t figure out what to buy for anyone besides you and Clay,” he said. “Like. I have no ideas at all,” he said. Trucy giggled.

“Aw, did law sap your creativity too?” She asked.

“What? No!” Apollo exclaimed. “My creativity is fine- it’s just that my boyfriend is a fucking millionaire, Athena has no interests besides messing with me, your dad is... your dad, and everyone else either scares me or I know nothing about them,” he said.

“Aw, Papa isn’t scary, Polly!” Trucy exclaimed before she put a finger to her chin. “But I see what you’re getting at,” she said. “Especially when it comes to shopping for Klav- Daddy used to have the same problem when shopping for Papa,” she said before grinning. “You’ve come to the right place though!” She exclaimed as she stood up. Apollo chuckled.

“Have I?” He asked as he stood up. Trucy nodded as she bounced on the balls of her feet.

“Yep!” She said. “They don’t call me Trucy Wright, gift giver extraordinaire for nothing!” She said.

“No one calls you that,” Apollo said.

“Well, you better start calling me that if you want my help,” Trucy said with a smirk. Apollo snorted.

“Okay, okay,” he said. “What do you suggest we do, Trucy Wright, gift giver extraordinaire?” He said. Trucy beamed.

“I’m glad you asked!” She said as she grabbed her pseudo brother’s hand. “Obviously the most important person on your lift is Klavier, so we should shop for him first,” she said. “Plus, he’d be the hardest,” she said.

“You’ve got that right,” Apollo grumbled. “It’s been three years since we started dating and Christmas shopping for him is still hell,” he said.

“Well... what do you get him for his birthdays?” Trucy asked before her eyes widened as Apollo turned beet red. “Polly!” She exclaimed with a giggle. Apollo shook his head.

“I didn’t say anything!” He exclaimed. Trucy chuckled.

“You turned redder than your suit,” she said before smirking. “I’d suggest you give him the same thing this Christmas but considering you’ve got Clay there...” she trailed off.

“Oh for the love of- I already have Clay teasing me every two seconds, I don’t need you adding on to this!” Apollo exclaimed.

“Okay, okay, I’ll stop,” Trucy said before humming. “Well... I’d suggest a new guitar but aren’t the ones he uses super expensive?” She asked. Apollo nodded.

“Yeah. I think the cheapest one he wants is five thousand,” he said. “Plus I know nothing about guitars,” he said. Trucy hummed.

“What else does he like?” She asked.

“Well, there’s the law stuff obviously,” Apollo said. “And...” he trailed off. “Okay, you have to promise not to tell anyone this,” he said. “Like. Seriously- you cannot tell anyone this,” he said.

“Polly, I’m a magician. I know how to keep secrets,” Trucy said. “But you’re making it sound like he’s got some super weird interest,” he said. Apollo snorted.

“Now weird. Just something you wouldn’t expect and I don’t know if he wants anyone to know,” he said. “He actually really loves cooking,” he said, grin on his face. “And he’s such a good cook,” he said as a dopey look formed on his face. “He can make a peanut butter sandwich taste like heaven,” he said. Trucy chuckled.

“Well, how about we try to combine all that?” She asked as she pulled up her phone. “The Gavviners fans make everything- I bet I can find some specialized cooking stuff or...” she trailed off as she stood off to the side to avoid the mall traffic. Then, her eyes went wide. “Polly. Polly, I think I found the best thing ever,” she said and she handed her phone to Apollo.

“What is this?” Apollo asked as he looked at the phone. “Holy shit,” he said. “Trucy- this is amazing!” He exclaimed. “‘I cook as good as Klavier Gavin looks,” he read. “And Gavviners purple and silver... this is awesome!” He exclaimed as he pulled his own phone out.

“I told you! I’m Trucy Wright! Gift giver extraordinaire!” Trucy exclaimed as Apollo handed her her phone back. “Now, who next?” She asked. “You’ve got Simon, Athena, Daddy, Papa, Ema, Auntie Frannie, Auntie Maya, and Pearls left, right?” She said. Apollo nodded.

“Yeah. Well, I need to get something for Nahyuta and Rayfa, but that’s not nearly as hard as everyone else- especially since they’re not coming here,” he said. “But I’m kind of split with Ema,” he admitted. Trucy cocked her head.

“How so?” She asked.

“Well, I don’t know if I should just buy her a few bulk bags of snackoos or if I should get her a stupid coffee mug or something,” he said. “I found a mug that I really like for her too- it says ‘I trained in forensics so yes I can murder you and get away with it’,” he said, causing Trucy to snort.

“Go with that,” Trucy said. “I think Klavier said he was going to buy her a years worth of snackoos since he heard you can’t find them in Khura’in,” she said.

“Well, mug it is then,” Apollo said. “And that’s the last one I had any ideas for,” he admitted. Trucy hummed.

“Well, Auntie Maya is easy- she’ll take anything Steel Samurai related,” she said. “Pearly likes pretty much everything,” she admitted. “But she does like to draw, so maybe a sketchbook?” She suggested. Apollo nodded as he started scrolling through his phone.

“Hm. I’ll probably look for a sketchbook or something here,” he said. “As for the Steel Samurai stuff... there is that game store here- they probably sell stuff there,” he said before frowning. “Actually, that may be something I can get for Rayfa too...” he mumbled.

“You could knock out three and get Papa something Steel Samurai related too!” Trucy exclaimed. “He and Auntie Maya can spend hours talking about it,” she said. “And I don’t think either of them have anything from the Nickel Samurai saga!” She exclaimed.

“Really?” Apollo asked as he quickly typed something. “Let’s see... Matt Engarde... where have I heard that name...” he mumbled. Trucy frowned.

“He sounds familiar,” she said before cocking her head as Apollo’s eyes went wide. “Polly?” She asked. Apollo shook his head.

“Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth got him convicted of murder,” he said. “And your father was his defense attorney,” he said.

“Oh,” Trucy said. “Well, I guess that would explain why no one has anything related to that,” she said before shaking her head. “Anyways, maybe you should get Daddy a funny law mug or something,” she said. “‘thena is getting him a ‘World’s Best Lawyer’ mug, and Papa is getting him a ‘World’s Most Interesting Lawyer’ mug,” she said.

“Is there a ‘World’s Okayest Lawyer’ mug?” Apollo asked with a snort. “Because that would finish the trifecta,” he said. Trucy nodded.

“There probably is,” she said. “Now. ‘thena mentioned something about how Simon is trying to find a toy for Taka that won’t break immediately,” she said. “And she mentioned how her jewelry was getting stale,” she said. Apollo rolled his eyes.

“Doesn’t she have like. Fifty different necklaces?” He asked.

“A girl can never have too much jewelry, Polly,” Trucy said. “But maybe get her a small ring or something?” She said.

“Maybe I’ll get her a book on the differences between white and brown sugar,” Apollo said with a snort. “And I can get Blackquill a chew toy or something for Taka,” he said before sighing. “This just leaves Prosecutor Von Karma...” he mumbled. Trucy grinned.

“Oh, she’s easy,” she said. “She collects whips,” she said. Apollo just looked at her.

“You want me to get her a whip?” He asked. She nodded. “Well... if you think it’s a good idea,” he said.

“I do!” Trucy said before beaming. “Now come on- let’s go get these things!” She exclaimed as she grabbed Apollo’s hand and pulled him back into the crowd.

“Okay, okay,” Apollo said with a laugh. “Thanks for your help,” he said. Trucy smiled.

“Anytime, Polly!” She said before smirking. “Now, about my payment...”

[mylittleedgey]

Just Give Me a Reason

Phoenix Wright was used to operating on the fly when it came to his relationship with Miles Edgeworth.  Sometimes it was smooth sailing, sometimes it was harsh words that needed to be said, and sometimes it was just harsh words. Sometimes it was making up, sometimes it was two angry men trying to navigate a small room without acknowledging the other’s presence, and sometimes it was amazing sex. Often it was a mixture of those things. Phoenix was getting used to falling asleep with just a few inches of their backs touching, mirroring each other like a large antisocial butterfly spread out over the sheets.  He’d learned from experience that they normally woke up in each other’s arms.  If being in crisis was normal, then at least pulling off miraculous turnabouts at the last second were nearly as easy to count on.

Today’s crisis began with a panicked call from a detective who’s main skills were misinterpreting facts and jumping to conclusions.  Phoenix knew from years of painful experience that that a call like this normally meant everything was about to go straight to hell, with about even chances that Gumshoe would turn out to be the cause or not. “Listen, Pal, no one’s supposed to know about this, not even me-” he began.

“-especially you, let’s be honest,”  Phoenix interrupted sarcastically. He’d lost count of the number of times Gumshoe’s well-meant tips had made things worse for himself or the prosecutor he’d been paired with. He always told himself that next time he wouldn’t act until he’d heard the truth straight from the source, and yet, he didn’t hang up the phone. The chances were too high that it involved him.

“Well, you’re a close second, Pal, and at least I don’t have to sleep on the couch every time he’s angry at me!  Anyway, it’s about Mr Edgeworth, of course.” As if the two had anything in common besides their dangerously low incomes and their mutual obsession over a certain brooding prosecutor.  “He’s been making calls all over Europe the last few days, and he’s just about to leave for the airport!  He even had fake appointments for the rest of the day!”  

Phoenix felt his stomach drop.  “But, still,” he started, trying to force normal words out of his suddenly dry mouth.  “That doesn’t mean anything.  He could be picking someone up, or…”  His mind was suddenly hyper-fixated on the conversation last night where Miles had declined to meet for dinner.  He simply wasn’t available.  He didn’t offer a reason, and Phoenix knew better than to ask.  There was always tomorrow.

Until one day there wasn’t.

And Gumshoe didn’t need to know it, but it had been weeks since he’d seen the inside of Miles’ bedroom.  It’s not that they were fighting, not technically…

…Fighting would be better.  They were hardly talking.  It wasn’t the silence of two angry men who needed time to let their egos calm down before they could make up, either.  It was two men who wanted to talk to each other desperately, that had more to say than they knew how to express, two men who were (hopefully) still very much in love but overwhelmed by the circumstances.  Troubles beyond what they could have foreseen, even after everything they’d already been through.  An elephant in the room that he wasn’t sure they could surmount.

A tiny elephant with brown hair and a contagious laugh and a penchant for magic tricks.

Phoenix himself had been the one to introduce a stranger into the relationship, without the consent and certainly without the approval of the other party.  That would have been enough to throw the status of their relationship into question even without the far-reaching scandal that had destroyed his career and was currently drawing his partner’s ethics into question.  He had been trying to remain optimistic for his new daughter’s sake, even when he couldn’t bring himself to believe he deserved for things to go well, he knew how unrealistic it would be to just assume things could be smoothed out. A large part of him had expected this weeks ago.  “Listen, Gumshoe,” he finally continued, trying to keep his voice calm,  “there’s a lot going on right now.  Thank you for the heads up, but if he’s made up his mind-”

“But I don’t think he has!  You’ve had him moping for weeks, but he’s been different the last few days.  Y’know, quiet, nervous, jumping at stuff, like he does when he’s really lost in his thinking!  I think he’s about to make a really big decision.  And, y’know, Pal,” here his voice got a little lower.  “You ain’t been that good for him recently, but still I think you should be there.  Ya gotta try, anyway.”

“I…”  Hope wasn’t what he needed right now.  Hope had gotten him everywhere in life: his profession, his public standing, and even the relationship he hadn’t dreamed was possible; but it had let him down this time.  Right now what he needed to do was work on managing expectations, and that included accepting that Miles Edgeworth wasn’t actually obligated to take on the role of father to go with his newly acquired reputation as a prosecutor dating a disbarred attorney.  Hope was selfish.  “He should do what’s best for him.”

There was a very long pause, during which he swore he could hear the detective’s mood switch at least three times.  “Listen, Pal, if I can be frank,” he finally started, an uncharacteristic edge to his voice, “If you’re done with Mr Edgeworth, you should just tell him.  This ain’t fair.”

“Done with him? Me?! Listen, Detective,”

“No, you listen! You haven’t been to his office in two weeks-”

“-You think I’m welcome there?!” Phoenix snapped.

Gumshoe didn’t even pause,  “You think he’s welcome here?!  You think nobody mentions you just ‘cause you ain’t been visiting lately?!  Mr. Edgeworth has put his life into this job for years, he can’t just drop everything and run because you made a mistake, and,” Phoenix was cut off before he could protest, “I don’t even care whether you did it or not, you made a mistake and you gotta own up to that!  Mr Edgeworth defends you a dozen times a day, why can’t you speak for yourself once in a while?!”  There was a disturbingly wet sniffle.  “If I could do anything to help him through this, I wouldn’t even question it!  I… I’d even call the chief stupid!”

It took a second for Phoenix to finish cycling through the emotions the sudden rant had caused.  He found his pride was most hurt by the fact that he had no comeback to Gumshoe’s logic. He must have gotten better at lying to himself if he could get himself to believe things even Gumshoe wouldn’t buy. “Listen, Detective,” he began warily, “if I’m the reason he’s suffering, why on earth do you think seeing me would help anything?”

There was another long pause, and then Gumshoe replied in an extremely disappointed voice, “I dunno, Pal. I guess I just assumed you two were in love.”  A beep ended the conversation.

It was difficult to process what had just happened.  He had just been told off by Gumshoe about his love life.  Detective Gumshoe, who’d pined after Maggey for years without ever making a single move that didn’t make things drastically worse.  Gumshoe, who only followed after Miles and did what he was told, who wouldn’t stand up for himself if his paycheck or job or even his life was on the line.

Gumshoe, who was always willing to risk everything for his boss, regardless of whether or not he was benefiting from it.  Who trusted his boss to make the right decision every time.  Who, in his own way, had loved Miles for almost a decade, probably more than the poor detective even loved himself.

Love.  He and Miles respected each other deeply when it came down to the line, and trusted each other implicitly. They had managed to carry the bumbling lust of a first tryst and work it into a familiarity that had yet to take the edge off of their incessant need for each other.  If you had asked him a month ago if they were in love, he probably would have just responded with a self-depreciating smile. Did it matter? There would be time enough to figure all that out when things calmed down.  Now, the question made his stomach turn sour with anxiety.  Love?  Not blindly like Dollie or protectively like with Trucy.  What he had with Miles was something strong enough that he would walk through fire without even questioning whether it was necessary, but it was still young enough he felt awkward asking to reschedule a date. It was something like a sharp cliff; the base was sturdy and would probably survive after everything else had crumbled away, but the edge was constantly breaking down, subject to landslides, eternally changing.  It wasn’t something you could just define, tomorrow it might be something completely different.

Miles was so much to him.

But what was he to Miles?

Almost automatically, he picked up his phone off the desk. He would probably never understand the inner workings of Miles Edgeworth, and he was even less likely to interpret how it applied to their complicated bond, but he knew someone who deserved to be part of the dialogue.

Maya picked up on the third ring.  “What’s up, Nick? Adopted another kid you need to have looked after?” She snickered. “I don’t do bulk discounts, you know.”

“Hey, Maya?  This is weird, but can I talk to Trucy?”

“Yeah, whatever. Need some advice?” she laughed, handing the phone over.  “At least you know who’s the adult in your house!”

The phone thumped a little as small hands wrestled the phone into place.  “Hi, Daddy!”

“Hey, Trucy, how are you doing?”

“Great!”  Trucy giggled.  “Aunt Maya’s trying to figure out how I keep making all the cookies disappear!”  Her voice became louder and more distorted, presumably because she was cupping her hand against the phone to be secretive.  “I ate them.”

“Don’t give Aunt Maya too much trouble, okay?  I need her to still like you enough to babysit you,”  he joked.

“Everybody likes me!”  she proclaimed loudly, the scuffling of a chair implying that she thought this statement was worthy of standing up.  “I’m the amazing Trucy Wright!”

Phoenix laughed again.  “Well, you’re Daddy’s favorite, that’s for sure.” He paused for a second, taking a deep breath.  “You know Mr. Edgeworth, right?”

“Yeah!” She responded enthusiastically.  “He’s really pretty.  He needs a better agent.  When we saw him on TV yesterday they didn’t even center the camera on him!  He’s the best talent they have, they should treat him like it!”

Phoenix gave a sad half-smile to the receiver.  “Well, I’ve heard he’s going to England.”

He heard her shift the phone excitedly.  “Does he have a new gig?”

“Yeah, I guess. Something like that.”  Phoenix replied.

“Sounds exciting!” she exclaimed. In the silence after the statement, she seemed to quickly pick up his unease.  “But you’re gonna miss him, huh?”

“Yeah, Honey,” he admitted quietly,  “a whole bunch.”

“So, go kiss him goodbye! And tell him you’ll miss him! Don’t you watch movies?!”  She sounded as angry as a little girl could muster.  “He’ll miss you too, you know!”

“You really think so?”

He could practically hear her little eyes roll.  “Daddy…” she explained with exaggerated patience. “Mr. Edgeworth’s whole thing is that he’s really good at catching bad guys, right? If he really thought you were a bad guy, he wouldn’t keep insisting that everyone say ‘alleged’ when they talk about bad things you’ve done. ‘Allegedly’ done.” she corrected herself, and giggled.

He didn’t realize she’d picked up on that, although every media outlet in the country had made multiple references to it. And while their relationship wasn’t common public knowledge yet, any amount of familiarity invariably reflected badly on Miles. “You don’t think he’s gotten sick of me?”

There was a long pause. “Daddy, are you sick of me?” She finally said, and his chest seized. She was still young and confident enough that it was still rhetorical, but it was still a dangerous question. A question that a child should never have to ask, especially one who had already lost two parents.

“Of course not, Honey, you know I love you more than anything. Aunt Maya has to watch you while I finish all this paperwork about why I don’t get to be a lawyer anymore, but we all know she’s not allowed to keep you, right? I’d miss you too much.”

“So why do you think Mr Edgeworth doesn’t like you?”

Christ, he could write a book. An entire series, with hourly updates on the official blog to remind the world what he’d done in the last ten minutes that would make Miles Edgeworth regret being seen in the same room as him. But how to explain that to Trucy…

No, if she had caught on to the significance of what ‘alleged’ meant for both of their careers, she had to realize how tense things were on the few occasions when “uncle” Miles had shown up. She probably even realized that at least some of that tension involved her. He knew she was almost unnaturally perceptive. He wasn’t even sure when she’d realized that his relationship with Miles was the kind of thing that warranted a kiss goodbye, but he found he wasn’t surprised that he knew. “Honey, you know Edgeworth and I have been fighting, right?”

“Yeah.” He was surprised how vulnerable her voice sounded all of a sudden. “It’s hard to hear.”

“I’m sorry, Truce, I-”

“It’s not like you’re too mean.” she interrupted. “Dad- my other Dad, he gets in fights a lot. Sometimes he even punched people. I didn’t like that. The yelling hurt too.” “Sweetie...”

“You and Mr Edgeworth are different.” she continued quietly. “I can tell you’re mad, but… I don’t think you’re mad at each other. And you don’t really want to be right either, so it doesn’t even matter if you win or lose. It just hurts.”

Holy shit. Magic was her calling, but her was certain that they could set up the agency as a counselor tomorrow and make more money in their first week than he pulled in as a lawyer in the average month. Just the fact that he’d managed to gain such a wonderful daughter was the closest thing he had to proof that he hadn’t ruined everything. “And you still think he likes me?”

“Daddy, he loves you.” she replied. “He wouldn't fight like that if he didn’t.”

“You really think so?” He should probably feel ridiculous relying on his daughter to bolster his confidence before he went to confront his boyfriend over his still theoretic and totally justified abandonment, but at the moment all he cold think of was how much better she seemed to be reading the situation. If she believed it was worth a shot, then maybe…

“Daddy...” the tiny clairvoyant mood seemed to pass as quickly as it had begun, and now she was just another long-suffering child dealing with a clueless parent. “He thinks you’re pretty. Even I don’t think you’re pretty.” In the background, Maya burst out laughing. “Besides, you want to kiss him, right? It’s good for both of you!”

He couldn’t stifle a chuckle. Trucy was still Trucy, thank goodness.  “You know what, Honey?  I’ll do that.  Thanks.”

“Kiss him for me too,”  she laughed,  “You can kiss him on the mouth if you want, as long as you tell him that part was your idea.  Oh, and tell him I know a guy that can help him with his sound checks!  He’s got a nice voice, they just need to wire him better.”

Kiss him goodbye. That wasn’t too much to ask, was it?  If he managed to even find Miles, and didn’t get chased off immediately, he could kiss his boyfriend goodbye and tell him there would always be a place for him here if he got lonely.  And if he didn’t, well… Phoenix Wright had plenty of practice pining after Miles Edgeworth.  He’d survive.

“Thank you, Truce.”

“Go get him, Daddy!”

“I’ll try, Sweetheart. Be nice to Aunt Maya, okay?”

“Yep!”  The call ended.

Phoenix grabbed his wallet and headed for the door, intentionally avoiding the mirror. He already knew Miles wasn’t dating him for his looks or fashion sense or career, or anything else that readily came to mind. Getting his suit out would only waste time and make him more recognizable to gawkers. If he had any chance of pulling off a miracle, his pride wasn’t going to enter into things. In fact, the less he thought about it logically, the better. This was one for the heart.

THIS WAS WHERE WE LEFT OFF–

Fortunately, it was easy to catch a shuttle to the airport from the Gatewater, and if Gumshoe had been right and Miles wasn’t leaving just yet, he might even have gotten there first. Besides, he knew the prosecutor well enough to be confident enough that Miles would never resort to a taxi. He had to be storing his car, which meant more delays. And on an international flight, it could still be hours before he actually left.

If only his dumb ass hadn’t gotten him stuck in arrivals.  It never ceased to confound him how such a huge airport could constantly manage to have the same population and hostile, zombie-eyed energy of an overcrowded high school. He was scanning the area with growing apprehension, wondering what to do. He could try to find departures, although the time and energy it would take to force his way against the current of humanity would mean he’d show up at the right area missing his sunglasses, most of his sanity, and possibly a few fingers, just in time to catch a glimpse of one of the nicest asses in Los Angeles passing through a metal detector behind four security fences. He’d look great on the news being arrested as a terrorist who jumped a counter in the name of love. At least he knew a good defense attorney…

...Oh wait, not anymore.

He was surprised how much the realization still managed to hurt.

He could page Miles and see just how mad that made him. Did they even page people at airports anymore? It would be easy enough to convince someone of the uselessness of his piece of crap phone, but Miles would know exactly what was happening even if they didn’t give his name. He should probably just hang his head in shame and crawl back to his office and be glad he hadn’t had a chance to make things even worse.  If this was a movie, he’d be sitting here on the brink of despair when all of a sudden a flash of magenta would catch him off guard.

A little girl in a dark pink dress happened to be taking off her coat in the corner of his vision at that exact moment and nearly gave him a heart attack.  No, of course it wasn’t Miles, because this wasn’t a stupid movie and he had a feeling he wasn’t anywhere near the nadir of his fall from grace anyway.  He apologized profusely to the family he had frightened and pretended he had mistaken her mother for someone he knew because it seemed slightly less creepy than saying he thought her young daughter was his boyfriend, and made his way to the bathroom to get a hold of himself.

And there was Miles Edgeworth in the flesh.  Tall and harried and unfairly beautiful, leaning against a suitcase that was far too large to be meant for a weekend trip.  He was sipping tea from a national chain Phoenix knew he could hardly stand and trying badly to pretend he didn’t hate everyone within a hundred yards of him.  Phoenix slowly edged around the masses of people, trying to get closer without looking suspicious.

God, he looked tired.  He always tended to look overworked, but this was beyond a Miles who had suffered through a hard day at work and needed a glass of wine before he was willing to talk about it.  This was Miles on day two of a three day trial, considering a nicotine patch just to keep him awake and re-applying concealer in the bathroom because he was raised to be perfect and perfection didn’t show up to court looking like a drug addict in a nice suit.  This was Miles holding together because failure wasn’t an option even when nothing else was a possibility anymore, and he was the Miles that always caused Phoenix and Gumshoe to hold their breath and hope this wasn’t the millstone that broke the camel’s back.  

That was the look of a man who had had three cases in the last two days appealed simply because Phoenix Wright had touched the case, and their shared history alone was proof enough that someone needed to take a closer look.

That was entirely Phoenix’s fault, and as Gumshoe has pointed out earlier, he hadn’t really been doing anything to make things better.  And here he was, in sweat pants with a ratty old beanie pulled over his hair and his favorite pair of sunglasses that made him look like any one of thousands of people going through a personal scandal.  What did he have to offer?  He wanted to run.  

And god, did he want to kiss that man.

Hold him and kiss his tired eyes and tell him it was okay, there had just been a misunderstanding and his stupid boyfriend hadn’t ruined both of their lives thinking he could handle things on his own.  Call a cab and give him a back-rub and a good meal and make sure he got a good night’s sleep whether he wanted it or not, and maybe in the morning they could talk about their relationship if there was anything left of it.

He was considering his options when the man with the silver hair happened to glance in his direction.  He froze, but Miles didn’t even look surprised. “Goddamn it, Gumshoe’s got to be afraid of a living wage.” He turned back like that was the end of the conversation.

Phoenix stepped forward.  “I…”

“What did he even tell you?”

“He just said you were leaving for the airport and if I hurried I might be able to catch you before you left.”  Forget that kiss goodbye, not in front of all these people.  If he really loved the man, he should let Miles punch him out in front of the crowd.  Let him leave on a high note after weeks of being abused by Phoenix Wright simply existing.

“You…”  It seemed to take a moment for the words to sink in, Miles must be even more exhausted than even Phoenix realized.  “…Listen, I don’t think you have any idea what’s going on here, but I need you to leave right now.We can discuss this later.”

“What’s to discuss?”  Phoenix asked with a wry smile, removing his sunglasses.  “You’ve held out longer than I thought you would.  I just wanted to say I’m sorry it’s come to this.”

“Come to…” Confusion momentarily overtook the irritation in Miles’ voice.  “Come to what, exactly? At what point did you finally notice things had gotten out of hand?”

Phoenix shrugged the question off. “Yeah, I know, I’ve been screwing everything up since the whole thing started, right? Why should this be any different?”

“That’s not what I meant, and I’ll thank you not to twist my words-”

“Easy, I’m not blaming you for anything. I just wanted to…”  kiss him, that’s what he had set out to do, wasn’t it?  Show up like the arrogant prick he was and demand a kiss from a man he’d inadvertently tried to ruin.  “Hey,” he asked suddenly, “would you like to punch me out?”

“What?!”

“The press would eat it up, you know, everyone’s got a camera these days, it would be all over the news by this afternoon.  At least it would give you something to talk about when you get to wherever you’re going besides what terrible taste you have in men.”

“Listen, Wright, I assume you think you’re helping with something, but I assure you that you aren’t.”  Miles was finally showing signs of true, intense agitation around the edges of his frazzled confusion.  “When is the last time you actually tried to talk to me?  Now you want to look like a martyr?”

“No, not a martyr, just an asshole.”  Phoenix returned.  “Isn’t that what everyone’s thinking anyway?”  He glanced around.  A few people had paused around them, either recognizing the minor celebrities or just smelling a public breakdown.  It occurred to him that people who didn’t recognize them must be wondering what sort of business the man in the dirty hoodie with stubble that said he was never expected to be presentable anywhere might have with the person who looked like some sort of minor royalty in a period piece.  Someone must have alerted security already.  Whatever was going to happen would have to happen soon.

“Wright, this is not the time.  Honestly, I’ll be the first to admit we could use more communication, but you have somehow managed to pick the worst possible time to initiate it, and even by your twisted logic this is wildly inappropriate.”

“Come on, Sweetheart, I know you’re good for it.”  Phoenix persisted, taking Miles’ wrist more roughly than he had intended.  Even he wasn’t sure why he was so insistent about a physical altercation.  Perhaps he was afraid of the lack of passion in their voices.  If what they had was ending, shouldn’t it end with the same fire that had forced them together in the first place? The relationship had been short, but the events leading up to it overshadowed both of their lives.  “Do something,”  he insisted. “I’m not just some stranger asking for change.”

Miles looked at the hand trapping his and then back at the owner of said hand.  “After everything we’ve been through, can’t you just trust me?”

That was fair, honestly it was more than fair.  Miles had never intentionally hurt him during their brief but intense relationship, and a man who didn’t order takeout without an intense inner dialogue about his decision wouldn’t have just up and left without considering the consequences of his actions.  He should just trust Miles to make the right decision.  But standing here, inches away from the man who he’d pursued for over a decade, it struck him just how difficult it would be to accept that what was best for Miles was to leave and not look back.  Certainly without a kiss goodbye.  It wasn’t that Miles had dispassionately concluded that his use for Phoenix Wright had ended, it was a man who had dedicated weeks to trying to drag his unresponsive partner out of an engorged river and was finally having to accept that getting himself killed over a lost cause wasn’t accomplishing anything.  “I…” he started, with no words in his mind to finish the though.

The last time Miles had left, it had taken fifteen years to catch up.  This time, would it even be possible?

“Miles?”

Both men turned to see the confused man who had just exited the bathroom and was now standing a few feet behind Miles, still drying his hands on a linen handkerchief as he surveyed the scene.  He was very average in almost every regard, but in a strangely comforting way. He somehow gave off the feeling of a relative you hadn’t seen for a while but remembered on almost an instinctual level as being a source of comfort, perhaps an uncle. He was certainly old enough to be, with gray hair fashionably beginning to dust his temples and glasses that only made him look more refined.  Phoenix was the first to admit he didn’t know as much about suits as his profession would suggest, but he realized at first glance that the suit the man was wearing was most likely custom and definitely closer to Miles’ budget than his own.  “Who is this?”  The man asked with a faint but refined accent.

Phoenix would have liked to have something to say at this point, if only so that the first impression of him was that he was a coherent human being capable of rational speech, but unfortunately his mouth had become incapable of such niceties the moment it registered that a total stranger had referred to Miles by his first name with no reaction. He’d never even heard Franziska refer to him by his given name without tacking on his last.  Hell, they’d been dating for months, and he still knew better than to throw the epitaph around carelessly. But this man… He looked to Miles, who had gone totally silent.  There was no attempt to return his eye contact.  “Miles?” he repeated softly.

“Excuse me, may I help you?”  The other man stepped forward, taking a worried glance at Miles’s obvious discomfort. “Do you have some business with Miles?”

Phoenix supposed the man could be considered handsome.  Not his own type at all, but he had to admit that the man, while definitely many years older than himself or Miles, seemed fashionable and well-aged.  It was more than that, though, something in the eyes or the wrinkles by his mouth, that made him look soft and kind.  Not the kind of person he would have expected to turn Miles Edgeworth’s head,  but somehow he looked like the kind that would be strong and stable enough to support the troubled man through his hectic life without piling on extra unnecessary stress. A relationship a man like Miles truly deserved.

He knew he was able to satisfy Miles sexually. The man standing between them probably had no idea that the refined and outwardly repressed prosecutor had introduced the subject of bondage the first time Phoenix had stayed the night at his place, or that they’d had to establish a safe word that same evening after Miles had gotten so loud they’d had to pause and confirm that unless it involved that one certain word, the volume should be considered an indication that everything was perfect and he should not under any circumstances stop. Two weeks after they had gotten together Gumshoe had actually hugged him, tears in his eyes as he thanked Phoenix for whatever it was he was doing, because in the almost ten years they’d worked together he hadn’t even realized Mr Edgeworth could be that relaxed. Gumshoe definitely hadn’t caught on that Phoenix’s main objective in that moment had been to distract the detective from how fast Miles had ran for the bathroom or that his bangs were wet when he returned, but he definitely noticed when he dropped some decisive evidence and his boss shrugged it off without comment. For a few perfect weeks they had been living like rock stars.

But as a couple their relationship was mostly hard spikes and sharp edges, no pun intended, and after his scandal things were getting roughed up faster than they could force them back down into place. A couple of spectacular orgasms a week didn’t even begin to justify what Miles had been through lately. Even then, this was the closest they’d been physically.

And yet, the idea that Miles had reached out to another for emotional support hurt so much more than the thought of him finding a convenient body to warm the other side of bed. “I get it.” he finally said quietly, trying to keep the tears out of his voice. He’d embarrassed himself enough.

“I highly doubt that.”  Miles replied coolly, still looking away.  He looked more upset at the inconvenience of the scene being played out in front of him than he did embarrassed or conflicted.  He just wanted it to be over.  In some ways, that hurt the most.

“No, I get it. Honestly, you’ve held out longer than I deserved.”  A kiss goodbye, that had seemed like such an obtainable goal this morning. This was exactly what he deserved for listening to the lies of hope. Anger rose up in his throat, at everything, the world that had put him in this position and himself for allowing it to happen.  At this other man simply for looking exactly like the source of mental and professional stimulation he’d never been able to be for Miles.  At Miles himself for letting things get to this point without saying anything.  For that look that was too exhausted to even be ashamed. “Listen,” He had no idea what he was going to say, but he knew something had to be said.  He was surprised by the pain and challenge in his own voice.  “I’m not quite as stupid as you think I am-”

“No, you listen,” Suddenly the other man was between them, blocking Miles’ body with his own.  “I don’t know what your problem is, but-”

“Robert.”  Miles finally spoke up, his voice quiet and reluctant as he put his hand on the man’s shoulder gently. That hurt too, physical familiarity was not something Miles was readily comfortable with.  “I appreciate your concern, but this is something I need to deal with personally.” The gesture was enough to quiet both men down, waiting in silence for the prosecutor to speak.  Even in his anger, Phoenix could tell that the other man held a deep respect for Miles and was willing to wait for an explanation before jumping to conclusions.  “I would like to introduce you to Phoenix Wright.  We’ve spoken of his recent troubles, which I can only assume are responsible for him acting like this.”  

Robert’s face seemed to lighten instantly.  “Why, I didn’t recognize you without the suit!  And that silly hat. Yes, of course, I’ve heard…”  he turned back to Miles, and was suddenly quiet again, as if realizing there was more to the story.

“I’ll admit that our communication has been strained recently, but the last time we actually discussed it, I was under the impression we were still a couple.”

Phoenix’s heart caught in his throat as Robert looked from one face to the other with shock.  “I had no idea-” he stammered, and then went quiet again.

“And Phoenix Wright, I had hoped that this would be under different circumstances, but I would like to introduce you to Robert Edgeworth, my uncle. I assume you understand how circumstances kept us from speaking for most of my life, but we reconnected in Brussels two years ago. I’ve asked him to stay out here for a week as my guest.”  He cleared his throat as he thought over his words.  “There were things I felt more comfortable speaking about in person rather than over the phone.”

And this would probably be that nadir he had been thinking about:  The exact moment that he was able to pinpoint what exactly he saw in the other man that would be such a comfort to Miles and realized it was how closely he resembled Gregory Edgeworth.  “I-I, um, I’m Phoenix Wright… I guess you knew that.  It’s such an honor to meet you, Sir, I, um, I didn’t realize- he never talked about- n-not that he hasn’t talked about you, just not to me!  I mean…”   Now words were coming without thoughts or pauses as he tried to decide the most socially acceptable way to excuse himself to find a good hole to crawl into to die.

“Don’t worry about it, Mr. Wright, Pleasure to meet you.”  Robert offered his hand awkwardly.  “I was aware that the two of you were close, but I didn’t think… I wouldn’t presume…”   he glanced back towards his nephew.

“It’s complicated.”  Miles said quietly.  “Significantly more so as of late.”

“Yes, I can see where it would be.”  Robert said, his voice filled with concern. “And you said that he had recently adopted a young girl, didn’t he?”

“I personally need a drink.”  Miles announced.  “I don’t live far, and I honestly don’t think I’ll be driving again today.  Wright…”  he paused.  “I don’t even know what to do with you right now.”

“I can get lost, no problem.”  Phoenix mumbled.  “I mean, you’re still welcome to that punch, if you’d like.  You’ve certainly earned it.”

Miles’ expression was too exhausted to show his emotions properly, everything came out as profound, soul-crushing disappointment.  “I suppose you’re free to do what you like.  I’ve never expected otherwise from you, anyway.”  He was still avoiding eye contact, and it finally hit Phoenix exactly what he had been accusing his partner of.  

“After everything we’ve been through, can’t you just trust me?”

He trusted Miles with his life. Even the lives of the people closest to him, which was significantly more impressive because he actually cared about their well-being.  He idolized Miles so much that he had automatically assumed infidelity was a normal, healthy thing for to do before it occurred to him that such an action would be out of character for the prosecutor.

He was so deeply devoted to the man that he’d practically forced Miles out the door towards a better future without even asking for his opinion.

“I’m so sorry,”  Phoenix stammered, having trouble forcing the words past the lump in his throat, “I… I guess I just got so used to the idea that I was dragging you down that I just assumed…”  the words died on his lips. There was really no way to recover. “I hope the two of you have a great time...” He abruptly turned to go.

A hand caught the back of his sweatshirt. “You don’t don’t mind, right, Miles? I’d hate to think I’d strained your relationship further.” Miles shrugged without glancing in their direction. “Then as my guest, please.” Robert addressed Phoenix directly. “At least until we get to the house. I need to thank you for saving my nephew’s life.”

“It’s nothing. It was a long time ago.” Phoenix mumbled. Miles continued towards the exit with the larger of the suitcases.

“Nonsense.” Robert returned. “You fought Manfred Von Karma for his sake. Some of the bravest men I’ve known would balk at that.” He glanced back at his nephew, who had retrieved the suitcase and was walking towards the exit without comment. “And you won, boy! Do you know how impossible that was? I underestimated him once, I’ll never forgive myself.” His voice dropped, and he leaned in closer. “I tried to sue for custody, I was his uncle, I had a steady income and a stable job and I was cocky young bastard... By the time the ordeal was over it cost me my practice in the states. The man was a monster, Mr. Wright.”

Phoenix cringed away from the words. “Please, Mr. Edgeworth, it was nothing. I didn’t even do it on my own, I got help from everyone. The press didn’t show how strong Miles had to be.”

“Mr. Wright...” That sad smile. Phoenix hadn’t even realized he had so many memories of Gregory Edgeworth until he met Robert. If it was affecting him so much, what could Miles be feeling? “I lost my brother, and there was nothing I could do about it, but I almost lost my nephew too. I can’t speak for Miles, but I know I can never repay you for what you’ve given back to me. I can’t imagine how my nephew must feel. He needs you, probably more than he needs me. Please, Mr. Wright.” His gray eyes glinted earnestly, and for the first time in years Phoenix wondered how Miles would be with a nurturing guardian. “For the ride over, at least, I’m sure you would be appreciated.” He turned to catch up to Miles.

Against his better judgment, Phoenix followed him.

Conversation was nearly impossible as the two less experienced men struggled with keeping Miles in sight as he wove through people and cars with the air of someone who must visit this airport several times a month. He didn’t look back or address either of them until he arrived at his car. Finally he turned, and seemed to notice for the first time that both men were still there. Phoenix stood still guiltily, like a child awaiting punishment, for the surprise to turn to resentment, but it never did. “Let me see if I can get these in the trunk.” he finally said. “It might be tight, but we should manage.”

“You have your father’s taste in vehicles, I see.” Robert smiled, and it took Phoenix a tense second to notice the shy, barely-repressed grin as Miles mumbled a thanks. “Even his color. Did you ever see the photos of his cars when he was younger?”

“A few.” Miles admitted. “He kept a picture of the Spider in his office, sort of in the back. Andrea, wasn’t it?”

“I remember her. Robert smiled. I still think Sarah wanted him to sell that one because he didn’t stop referring to it as his girlfriend until after they were engaged.” Robert let a hand trail lovingly along the well-polished hood. “His priorities changed when he had a child, but I’m sure he would have been thrilled to know you inherited his love.” He wiped a tear out of the edge of his eye with the base of his palm. “I’ll stop now.”

It hadn’t occurred to Phoenix just how little Miles must know about his father. Truth, justice, protecting people that couldn’t protect themselves, all of that had become a mantra that stuck with the boy until adulthood, but little things, preferred movies, book, foods… Most of it wouldn’t come up in normal conversation with a nine year old. Just knowing that he had a link with his father must be more precious to him than breathing after surviving on scraps for so long. Phoenix watched the two other men talk with relative ease as Miles somehow managed to get the huge suitcase into the back of the car.

He felt like an intruder in an extremely intimate scene, and at the same time he felt immensely blessed to be here at such a magical event in his partner’s life. There was something deeper though, not jealousy, he was thrilled to see Miles connecting with his past in a positive way. No, it was more like dread. He had always seen Miles as a cornerstone of his childhood, a rock that diverted his life from an unfocused kid to the path he had followed for most of his life. He was suddenly struck by the ugly thought that he wasn’t even a particularly strong link to his lover’s past. Here was a living relative who actually knew Gregory Edgeworth, and he has always counted himself as something special for remembering a few words Miles had said about a book he hadn’t even bothered to read.

Miles turned to Phoenix again when he closed the trunk. He seemed to be waiting for some response, but Phoenix didn’t have one. “I… I can still get lost if you want. I realize how important this is,” he offered lamely.

“I’m not asking you to leave.” Miles replied. He certainly wasn’t asking Phoenix to stay either, but after everything the prosecutor been subjected to today, he deserved to have his partner stick out his own neck.

“I...” Phoenix cleared his throat. “I’m sorry about everything. I should know by now not to listen to Gumshoe.”

“And I should have known better than to think I’d managed to keep him from interfering.”

“I,” Words were so stupid. In all these thousands of years, why hadn’t mankind invented a way for people to actually communicate their feelings? “I’ve just felt so useless lately. All I do is cause problems for you.”

“If you think we started dating because I thought being in close proximity to you would make my life less complicated, I’m afraid you’re very much in error.”

“No, I...” Over Miles’ shoulder, Phoenix could see Robert jerking his head towards his nephew. He wasn’t quite sure what it was meant to suggest, but if their short conversation had been any indication Robert was expecting something. “I...” He stepped forward with no real plan. “I...” Up this close, Miles was even more breathtaking, and somehow even more exhausted than he had looked in the harsh light by the baggage pickup. “Oh, Miles...” His brain was still telling him that this was all stupid, he didn’t even deserve to touch Miles after everything he’d put them through today, and if you took the last month into account he didn’t deserve to exist in the same city. Everything he’d done so far had only managed to dig the hole different. He ignored that voice and wrapped his arms around his poor, worn out boyfriend.

Miles was all one tense muscle as Phoenix settled into him, pulling his arms tighter as he was enveloped in the familiar smell and warmth and realized that the last time they’d just gotten lost in each other he had been a single man with a career ahead of him. That was lifetimes away, but here was Miles, still warm and solid and… familiar. Somehow, despite Phoenix’s terrible luck and horrendous judgment, this was still available to him. “I’m sorry, Miles. Let me make it up to you.” He couldn’t think of anything he had to offer, but Miles was here in front of him and not pushing him away. That was worth anything to him.

Miles hadn’t let go of his tension yet. “Is this just how it is now?” He asked, his voice ragged. “Nothing for days and then accusations out of nowhere?You’ve always expounded on your unshakable trust, and yet-”

“I trust you, Miles.” Phoenix whispered. “I never stopped believing in you, I just don’t believe in me right now.”

“Without you there’s hardly us, Phoenix.”

“Do you still want us? Even after everything that’s happened?”

“...Do you?”

It was hardly fair to turn it about like that, but hell, Miles had earned it and more after everything he’d put up with. “I’d give anything short of Trucy to keep us.”

He wouldn’t have thought it possible, but the man in his arms stiffened more at the mention of the young girl, and Phoenix could have sworn his heart just stopped cold, its last beat echoing through his empty chest. “She… needs you, doesn’t she?”

“Yeah.”

“And it had to be you, didn’t it?” Miles asked, voice wavering. “She doesn’t just need a father, she needs Phoenix Wright.”

Phoenix felt his heart, still cold and unbeating, drop out of his chest. “I really believe she does,” he answered quietly.

There was a choked, broken noise in back of Miles’ throat. “It’s not fair,” Miles croaked.

“I know, I’m sorry.” Phoenix whispered. He hadn’t realized it was possible to hurt this much after everything he’d been through. He had been sure there was too much scar tissue on his heart for a fresh scar to be possible, but here it was, bleeding new blood. “I love you.” As he spoke the words aloud he realized he had the answer to the morning’s doubts. “If there’s any way I can keep you both in my life, I promise I’ll do anything. If you just tell me there’s a chance someday, just enough hope to keep me going...” He was wrong. He needed hope more than anything. He needed to believe the universe wouldn’t make him throw away one love to protect the other. “Please...”

Miles was silent for several seconds more. “I don’t understand children. I didn’t understand them when I was one. I don’t know what you think you can expect from me.” His voice was so strained it hurt to hear.

“This isn’t your fight, Miles.” Phoenix replied quietly. “I meant it when I said you’ve already held out longer that I deserved.”

Miles hissed through clenched teeth, eyes flicking around in what Phoenix was quickly identifying as a panic attack. “Are you telling me to let go, then?”

“I don’t know what I’m saying, I just know that every time I talk I make things worse and I don’t know what to do!” His head was pounding, but it wasn’t something that could be defined as a headache, it was more like his thoughts were so conflicted they were refusing to coexist inside the same skull.

“Excuse me,” a quiet voice came from behind him, and Phoenix turned when he felt a hand on his shoulder, easing him aside. “I realize I’m a stranger under these circumstances, but I think I understand better why I was asked here.”

Miles gritted his teeth. “I certainly didn’t ask you here to be my personal therapist, Robert.” His voice was laden with shame and suppressed tears. “I had hoped to spare you from as much of the drama as possible.”

Robert reached out and put his arms gently around his nephew. “You’re not a burden, Miles. You never have been. You realize that, don’t you?” Miles seemed to flinch away from the words, like just hearing them hurt. “You’re a gifted young man. You have faults like any other human on the planet. No one blames you for reaching out.”

Phoenix watched, transfixed, as Miles slowly melted into the embrace. “I’m sorry,” he offered lamely. “I’m making things worse again.”

“My area of expertise is divorce court.” Robert’s voice was calm and still gentle, but with a sort of parental authority. “Oh, come now, it’s not that bad. My area of expertise is determining whether a couple needs a therapist, a trial separation, or if divorce is the best option.”

“I didn’t ask you here to help me end my relationship!” Miles protested. His voice was no longer verging on panic, but it was still so raw and tense even the words sounded like they needed a massage.

“I know, Miles.” Robert soothed. “The road to hell is often paved with good intentions. I’ve no doubt you’ve both seen your share of hell, and I truly believe you both have the best of intentions for each other.” He turned slightly. “My professional opinion is that there’s a severe lack of communication going on between you. Miles, may I speak to him on your behalf?” Miles replied with a distressed noise. “There, there,” he soothed.“Mr. Wright, Miles contacted me… perhaps two months ago. He said he was being considered for a position that would station him in Belgium for a year, and then possibly continue in various cities across Europe. He was excited about the prospect and the opportunities it could present, but he was afraid he didn’t have the...” here Robert stopped to consider his words. “social skills to to create a meaningful long-distance relationship. My partner lived in Australia for three years, so of course I was happy to assist him in any way possible. It was a week after that when the conversation seemed to change. Looking back, it must have been your trial.” Phoenix cringed. “He’s very upset about that, I might add. We spoke about you extensively, although I wasn’t aware that you were also the significant other he spoke of. He told me that under no circumstances should I believe the news was true, but that didn’t change the fact that your professionalism had reached a new low, and your naivete is going to get you killed someday.” Robert paused again to reflect. “It occurs that the fact that he was so open in expressing his feelings that sealed the impression you weren’t the significant other he had been referring to. There was none of the frailty I would have expected from a new relationship.”

“We’ve been seeing each other romantically for about three months. We’ve known each other since we were nine.” Phoenix offered shyly..

“Nine?! Miles, you didn’t tell me-!” Robert sputtered into a laugh, and despite his tension Miles managed the indignant glare of a cat that had been forced out of it’s favorite sleeping spot. “Wait, are you telling me he was the trial boy from class?!”

“I don’t know what my father told you, but I’m sure it was exaggerated.” Miles replied, his cheeks bright red as he glared in any direction that would keep him safe from eye contact. “I was just being logical. It was unfair.”

“He told me you hadn’t made many friends since Sarah passed, and he was genuinely upset that you wouldn’t let him take you both to Disneyland to celebrate. You know how he worshiped the ground you walked on, how could he help but adore a child who wanted to become your first disciple?” Robert replied knowingly. “Come here, Wright, I feel like I’m practically your uncle too.” He offered Phoenix a hearty hug. “You’re persistent, aren’t you? Good show!”

“Robert, please-” Miles had never had any use for praise, but it was obvious that this had blown past his first few levels of discomfort and was rapidly approaching Oldbag levels of stress. Some sadistic part of Phoenix was comforted by the fact he wasn’t Miles’ sole tormentor.

“It can’t be as bad as all that, Miles. If he’s been following you since you were nine, a few thousand miles probably won’t make much difference. Now, Mr. Wright, what would you say is the biggest issue in your relationship?”

“That’s easy, me.”

“Could you be a little more specific?”

“I’m a lazy, unemployed asshole who adopted a kid without asking my significant other. And I thought about punching his uncle for being better than me at everything like thirty seconds after I met him.” Phoenix rattled off. “Would you like more?”

Miles snorted derisively and threw an aggravated look at his uncle like he was planning a retort, but said nothing.

Robert nodded as if that was exactly what he had expected to hear. “And what do you bring to the relationship?”

Phoenix had to think about that. “Stress and mediocre sex?”

Edgeworth arched a wary eyebrow. “Mediocre?”

“Don’t get me wrong, you’re great! I’ve got no complaints there. It’s just, you know...”

“No, I don’t know.” Miles replied, apprehension giving away to a scowl. “Perhaps you’d care to enlighten me.

“Well, yes,” Robert thankfully chose that moment to intervene again, “I’m certain you can work the ins and outs of the whole thing later. Right now, we’re working on verbal communication. Now Miles, what would you say the biggest issue in your relationship is?”

It took a moment for Miles to remember what their conversation was supposed to be about. “I.. uhh, I guess right now it’s mostly a problem of myself and his daughter.”

“What?!” Phoenix choked. Miles flushed. “It’s not as if I’m claiming your daughter isn’t upholding her obligations to the relationship. She’s a child, she has no obligations, it’s just that her presence causes… issues.” He tried to explain, scowling as he tried to explain his feelings.

“No, I mean, what about me?” Phoenix asked. “Me, the one that ruined everything? The one that continues to ruin everything? The one that-” There weren’t words to describe what had transpired today. “-I just, I’m no good for you.”

“Well, I’m not really contributing anything to the relationship at the moment, myself.” Miles replied with eyes fixed on the ground..

“What would you even contribute?”

“Are you saying I bring nothing?”

“No!” Phoenix snapped, then bit his tongue when Miles looked away quietly. “I meant that I don’t feel that way, Miles.” he added, slightly irate that he even had to clarify. “You’ve done more than your share in the past. Right now there’s not much you can do.”

“You’re not letting me do anything!” Phoenix jumped slightly. He had meant it as absolving Miles from any guilt, not as an accusation, but he was overwhelmed by the passion in the response. It wasn’t even anger, he could almost taste the complex tangle of emotions in the words. “I understand that I’m not qualified to take care of children as I am, but you seem so intent on keeping us separated. We agreed this wasn’t something casual, so why are you walling me out of your life? Do you not trust me? I still don’t even know what she thinks I am! Am I your friend, your partner, an uncle? Does she even understand the idea of two men in a romantic relationship? I don’t know what children these days know!” He ran a hand through his hair, clenching a fistful of it in frustration. “I don’t know what I’m doing wrong, and you’re not telling me anything!”

Phoenix had felt the color drain from his face as Miles’ fears became more clear, and now he felt like his heart would actually break if his partner continued. And he’d deserve it, but this was about damage control. “Oh Miles,” he said quietly, gently, as he brushed some of Miles’ long bangs back into place. “I’ve tried to keep her out of your hair. I thought all of this was overwhelming enough without you having to deal with all my issues on top of it.” The tiny movement of Miles’ face, turning slightly to nuzzle into his palm, went straight to his heart like an electric shock, and before he realized it, he was wrapping his partner in another hug. “She loves you. She calls you Uncle Miles and she loves seeing you on TV. She doesn’t quite understand your job, but she says that you rely on your wits and showmanship like any good performer.” Miles replied with a quiet sigh, and for the first time in weeks he felt the hug actually soften into an act of intimacy between two lovers. Their issues certainly weren’t solved, but from a hopeful outlook rather than a sense of merely delaying the inevitable separation, he found it impossible to comprehend how he had survived the last month without the steadying assurance of his partner. Had he really forgotten what a comfort it was? “She knows I’m crazy about you. How could I hide that? She can even tell when I’m thinking about you already. She knows the tells.”

“In what sense?” Miles mumbled into his shoulder.

“In the ‘how did I I let things get this bad, how can I solve this without hurting everyone involved’ sense, I guess.” Phoenix replied. “And even then, ‘talk it out like adults’ was never an option I considered viable. I didn’t even think it was worth annoying you with my existence to tell you I would miss you. She was the one who told me to kiss you goodbye and tell you I’d be waiting if you decided to come back.”

“We mutually agreed to enter a relationship. I would have hoped the decision to end said relationship would be subject to the same sort of cooperative discussion.”

“Yeah,” Phoenix replied, his voice growing just a bit wistful as his grip tightened, “but I’m… In my experience, we don’t always contact each other before making life-changing decisions.” There was a long, anxious drag of air between Miles’ teeth that meant he knew exactly what was being referred to.

“That’s fair.” Miles agreed hesitantly. “I… apologize if I haven’t been clear in my intentions.”

“You haven’t done anything you need to apologize for.” Phoenix replied. “I’m sorry I’ve been projecting so much on you.”

Miles cleared his throat. “I need you to keep in mind that I’m not good with other people, and there’s little hope of me picking up your insecurities interfering with the relationship while I’m busy fixating on my own faults.”

“I’m sorry,” Phoenix replied with a small chuckle, “I’ll try to remember you’re not perfect.”

“I don’t see how that would be difficult to remember.”

“Yeah, well, you’re a little more handsome than I’m used to dealing with, and sometimes I wish you’d dial back the wit for a bit to make it easier to lose an argument against you without feeling like I should take a vow of silence to make sure I never sully the world with my idiocy again, but I’ll admit that ‘unfathomably still interested in boyfriend who continues to ruin everything he touches’ wasn’t a fault I considered.”

“Please don’t hesitate to let me know what it is I’m doing that might hurt your confidence.”

“I’ll bet you’d like to know. You could use a technique that would grant you some sweet, sweet silence in this relationship, couldn’t you.” Phoenix laughed.

“You know me so well.”

Phoenix had entirely forgotten the existence of the elder Edgeworth until he felt a gentle hand on his shoulder. “And this is the point where I am happy to tell you that you boys don’t need the services of a divorce lawyer,” he said gently, “although in my professional opinion, you would benefit greatly from couple’s therapy.” He squeezed Phoenix’s shoulder encouragingly. “Now, Miles, I assume you could still go for that drink. Would you like me to drive? I think I remember enough to keep on the proper side of the road.” Miles replied with a soft noise that was non-committal. “Or would you prefer that Mr. Wright drove?” “I don’t drive.” Phoenix interjected quickly.

“In Los Angeles?” Robert asked, “You certainly are the odd one.”

“You have no idea.” Miles mumbled, his face still nestled in Phoenix’s shoulder. With no further words and the least possible movement he produced the keys and offered them in the general direction he had heard last Robert’s voice.

Phoenix’s heart was somehow simultaneously melting and overflowing. This was his boyfriend. His gorgeous, overextended, pushy, conflicted and emotionally stunted, absolutely perfect boyfriend. Miles loved him. They were mutually in love. And for the first time since he’d heard that fateful verdict was read, that love didn’t feel like an anchor around their necks threatening to drag them both to their deaths. This was real and sustainable. No, much more than that, this was the culmination of events set in motion when the most amazing child he’d ever met had seen him as human when even he was convinced he was trash. Miles had been there to help him in the same way that he had managed to help Miles years later. They didn’t need to be on equal footing to be there for each other, they only needed to want to be together. It was impossible for him to comprehend two people wanting to be together more, and yet he’d almost let this go without so much as a word. Without a kiss goodbye.

The realization of what he’d just narrowly escaped struck him suddenly and violently, like feeling a hand on your shoulder stopping you and not realizing what was happening until you felt the wind from a bus passing an arm’s length from your face. He’d almost lost… He’d almost actively given this away…

He didn’t deserve this. He’d lost the right to this sort of happiness when he’d let his faith in others trump his common sense. He didn’t deserve Trucy, with her infectious giggles and a gigantic heart big enough to hold him even with all his issues and failings. He didn’t deserve Miles telling him it was okay when it wasn’t, he definitely didn’t deserve that strong, broad shoulder to bury his face into, and no force on earth could convince Phoenix that he was worthy of disturbing Miles Edgeworth’s precious sleep. And yet, Miles was in his arms and holding onto him like something precious, something necessary to his survival.

The question wasn’t whether or not his presence was still beneficial to Miles. The evidence stated that Miles still wanted to be with him, and no matter how improbable that was, he had to accept that it was the truth. “Miles...” He hadn’t realized how close he was to crying until he heard his voice trembling.

Miles squeezed tighter, burying his head further into Phoenix’s collar. “Please don’t do this right now.”

“Oh, I have to do this right now, Miles,” there was no recovering from this, his voice was rapidly breaking down into ugly sobs. Miles must have said something in reply, he could feel reverberations that felt like the familiar baritone voice, but he was beyond processing words. All he could think was this feeling, this warmth, this man he’d almost lost so many times… all of that was still here. They were still here, together. Phoenix was sure he was still talking too, when words could make it out between wet sobs, but those sounds didn’t mean anything to him either. This was beyond words. It was like the last few weeks of fear and pain, mourning what he’d lost and failing to understand what he still had, all the thoughts he couldn’t stop thinking, the stress of hiding the darkest parts of him from his loved ones from, every emotion he’d been frantically forcing back, all of it was being projectile vomited into his boyfriend’s cravat.

It hurt so much.

But damn, did it feel so good.

Miles was tugging on him listlessly, and even though he was aware on some level that Miles must be trying to get him in the car where his bellowing tears would be slightly less public, he fought the suggestion like an irate child refusing to give up his toy. He needed this, he needed every single centimeter of contact with Miles’ body, and nobody, not even Miles himself, was going to deny him this moment of healing. Miles finally seemed to accept that his quest was pointless and settled with wrapping Phoenix in a hug again, and in that moment Phoenix really felt like he might be in danger of dying simply from an overabundance of love.

What a way to go.

Of course this didn’t mean everything was solved, there was still his badge and his daughter, and they needed to discuss this job Miles had mentioned. He still had to convince Robert that he wasn’t the possessive madman he had probably come across as. But if he hadn’t properly gauged how much of the patented Wright bullshit Miles was willing to put up with, Miles had substantially underestimated just how long Phoenix could sustain himself on the barest of scraps as long as he knew he was still wanted. “God, I love you, Miles.”

“And I’ve long since given up on trying to pretend I don’t return those feelings.” Miles replied, his voice filled with the irate affection that seemed to sum up their relationship. “Now, do you think I could get you into the car?”

“Mmmm, in the back seat.” Phoenix knew it was a little mean to egg Miles after he’d been through so much, but right now he was ecstatic and exhausted and just a hint of that subtle European aftershave he knew so well always kicked some animal part of his brain into high gear but right now he was drowning in that feeling. “It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”

“Wright, please.”

“I think I’m the one who should be begging,” Phoenix breathed, “I’m the one who’s been a bad boy.”

He was hardly surprised when the hand that forced him bodily into the back seat was more angry than playful. “You are an adult-” Miles was climbing in after him with the air of someone planning to start a fist fight, but Phoenix knew the prosecutor’s limits better than the man probably knew himself. As soon as he was in range, Phoenix shot forward and wrapped his arms around Miles’ neck. He moved quickly as the mouth opened to protest-

And caught them gently, softly, in a total reverse of what most men were probably expecting. He was drunk on Miles, and more now than ever before, but this wasn’t goodbye. Even if Miles ended up taking that job in Europe, this was far from the end. They had plenty time to explore their feelings and desires. Right now, the only reason he had to coax Miles on a horizontal surface was to get the gorgeous man some much-needed rest. Their relationship wasn’t going anywhere, it could wait. “Thank you,” he gave a lopsided smile as he caught Miles attempting to adjust to this latest shift, “for everything. I love you.”

“I...” Miles shifted his gaze. “I know I’m not the best at expressing it,” he let one finger run down the side of Phoenix’s cheek, “but I I love you, as well.”

Phoenix leaned into the point of contact. “I owe you a shave,” he admitted. “I was a little out of sorts when I left.”

“I don’t mind.” Miles replied as he leaned in for another kiss. This one was even lighter and softer than the last, and Phoenix felt himself enthralled by every tiny shift of Miles’ thin lips. It was like a first kiss. No, it was better than a first kiss, there was nothing of the awkwardness or fear, wondering if you’d made a mistake, no fear of rejection. Just intimacy. Which kiss it was didn’t matter, he had a feeling he could keep kissing Miles Edgeworth for decades and still get dizzy from every little kiss.

He couldn’t wait to find out.

The door to the front seat opens. “I have your address in my phone, Miles,” Richard announced as he climbed into the front seat and adjusted the wheel.  “I was just going to use it for directions. Anything I should be looking out for?”

“It’s pretty straightforward.” Miles replied without taking his eyes off of Phoenix. “There’s enough money in the ash tray to pay for parking.”

“Sounds good.” He turned the key and seemed more than happy with the way the car purred to life in response. “Are you boys okay back there?”

“Everything’s okay back here.” Phoenix replied as he felt Miles settle into his shoulder with an air of familiarity he’d assumed were gone forever. “Everything’s just fine.”

And, as ignorant as the Phoenix Wright of this morning would have called him for listening to ridiculous hope, he knew it was true.

[mylittleedgey]

Phoenix Wright was used to operating on the fly when it came to his relationship with Miles Edgeworth.  Sometimes it was smooth sailing, sometimes it was harsh words that needed to be said, and sometimes it was just harsh words. Sometimes it was making up, sometimes it was two angry men trying to navigate a small room without acknowledging the other’s presence, and sometimes it was amazing sex. Often it was a mixture of those things. Phoenix was getting used to falling asleep with just a few inches of their backs touching, mirroring each other like a large antisocial butterfly spread out over the sheets.  He’d learned from experience that they normally woke up in each other’s arms.  If being in crisis was normal, then at least pulling off miraculous turnabouts at the last second were nearly as easy to count on.

Today’s crisis began with a panicked call from a detective who’s main skills were misinterpreting facts and jumping to conclusions.  He had built an entire career on people not going through with their threats to fire him.  “Listen, pall, no one’s supposed to know about this, not even me-” he began.

“-especially you, let’s be honest.”  Phoenix interrupted sardonically. He’d lost count of the number of times Gumshoe’s well-meant tips had made things worse for himself or the prosecutor he’d been paired with.  He always told himself that next time he wouldn’t act until he’d heard the truth straight from the source, and yet, he didn’t hang up the phone.

“Well, you’re a close second, pal, and at least I don’t have to sleep on the couch every time he’s angry at me!  Anyway, it’s about Mr Edgeworth, of course.”  As if the two had anything in common besides their dangerously low incomes and their mutual obsession over a certain brooding prosecutor.  “He’s been making calls all over Europe the last few days, and he’s just about to leave for the airport!  He even had fake appointments for the rest of the day!”  

Phoenix felt his stomach drop.  “But, still,” he started, trying to force normal words out of his suddenly dry mouth.  “That doesn’t mean anything.  He could be picking someone up, or…”  His mind was suddenly hyper-fixated on the conversation last night where Miles had declined to meet for dinner.  He simply wasn’t available.  He didn’t offer a reason, and Phoenix knew better than to ask.  There was always tomorrow.

Until one day there wasn’t.

And Gumshoe didn’t need to know it, but it’s been weeks since he’d seen the inside of Miles’ bedroom.  It’s not that they’re fighting, not technically…

…Fighting would probably be better.  They were hardly talking.  It wasn’t the silence of two angry men who needed time to let their egos calm down before they could make up, either.  It was two men who wanted to talk to each other desperately, that had more to say than they knew how to express, two men who were (hopefully) still very much in love but overwhelmed by the circumstances of life.  Troubles beyond even what they could have expected, even after everything they’d already been through.  An elephant in the room that he wasn’t sure they could surmount.

A tiny elephant with brown hair and a contagious laugh and a penchant for magic tricks.

Phoenix himself had been the one to introduce a stranger into the relationship, without the consent and certainly without the approval of the other party.  That would have been enough to throw the status of their relationship into question even without the far-reaching scandal that had destroyed his career and was currently drawing his partner’s ethics into question.  He had been trying to remain optimistic, for his new daughter’s sake even when he couldn’t bring himself to believe he deserved for things to go well, but hearing the words out loud made him painfully aware of how unrealistic it would be to just assume things could be smoothed out. A large part of him had expected this weeks ago.  “Listen, Gumshoe,” he finally continued, trying to keep his voice calm,  “there’s a lot going on right now.  Thank you for the heads up, but if he’s made up his mind-”

“But I don’t think he has!  You’ve had him moping for weeks, but he’s been different the last few days.  Y’know, quiet, nervous, jumping at stuff, like he does when he’s really lost in his thinking!  I think he’s about to make a really big decision.  And, y’know, pal,” here his voice got a little lower.  “You ain’t been that good for him recently, but still I think you should be there.  Ya gotta try, anyway.”

“I…”  Hope wasn’t what he needed right now.  Hope had gotten him everywhere in life: his profession, his public standing, his relationship, but it had let him down.  Right now what he needed to do was work on managing expectations, and that included accepting that Miles Edgeworth wasn’t actually obligated to take on the role of father to go with his newly acquired reputation as a prosecutor dating a disbarred attorney.  Hope was selfish.  “He should do what’s best for him.”

There was a very long pause, during which he swore he could hear the detective’s mood switch at least three times.  “Look, pal, if I can be frank,” he finally started, an uncharacteristic edge to his voice, “If you’re done with Mr Edgeworth, you should just tell him.  This ain’t fair.”

“Done with him? Me?! Listen, Detective,”

“No, you listen! I ain’t seen you come to his office in two weeks-”

“-You think I’m welcome there?!”  Phoenix snapped.

Gumshoe didn’t even pause,  “You think he’s welcome here?!  You think nobody mentions you just because you ain’t been visiting lately?!  Mr. Edgeworth has put his life into this job for years, he can’t just drop everything and run because you made a mistake, and,” Phoenix was cut off before he could protest, “I don’t even care whether you did it or not, you made a mistake and you gotta own up to that!  Mr Edgeworth defends you a dozen times a day, why can’t you speak for yourself once in a while?!”  There was a disturbingly wet sniffle.  “If I could do anything to help him through this, I wouldn’t even question it!  I… I’d even call the chief stupid!”

It took a second for Phoenix to finish cycling through the emotions the sudden rant had caused.  He found his pride was most hurt by the fact that he had no comeback to Gumshoe’s logic.  He must have gotten better at lying to himself if he could get himself to believe things even Gumshoe wouldn’t buy.  “Listen, Detective,” he began warily, “if I’m the reason he’s suffering, why on earth do you think seeing me would help anything?”

There was another long pause, and then Gumshoe replied in an extremely disappointed voice, “I dunno, Pal.  I guess I just assumed you two were in love.”  A beep ended the conversation.

It was difficult to process what had just happened.  He had just been told off by Gumshoe about his love life.  Detective Gumshoe, who’d pined after Maggey for years without ever making a single move that didn’t make things drastically worse.  Gumshoe, who only followed after Miles and did what he was told, who wouldn’t stand up for himself if his paycheck or job or even his life was on the line.

Gumshoe, who was always willing to risk everything for his boss, regardless of whether or not he was benefiting from it.  Who trusted his boss to make the right decision every time.  Who, in his own way, had loved Miles for almost a decade, probably more than the poor detective even loved himself.

Love.  He and Miles respected each other when it came down to the line, trusted each other implicitly, and definitely had an almost physical attraction.  If you had asked him a month ago if they were in love, he probably would have just responded with a self-depreciating smile, “Here’s hopping.”  Now, the question made his stomach turn sour with anxiety.  Love?  Not blindly like Dollie or fatherly like with Trucy.  What he had with Miles was something strong enough that he would walk through fire without even questioning whether it was necessary. It was something like a sharp cliff, the base was sturdy and would probably survive after everything else had crumbled away, but the edge was constantly breaking down, subject to landslides, eternally changing.  It wasn’t something you could define one day and then come back expecting it to have stayed the same.

Miles was so much to him.

But what was he to Miles?

Almost distractedly, he picked up his phone off the desk.  He would probably never understand the inner workings of Miles Edgeworth, and he was even less likely to interpret how it applied to their complicated bond, but he knew someone who deserved to be part of the dialogue.  

Maya picked up on the third ring.  “What’s up, Nick?  Adopted another kid you need to have looked after?”  She snickered.  “I don’t do bulk discounts, y’know.”

“Hey, Maya?  This is weird, but can I talk to Trucy?”

“Yeah, whatever. Need some advice?” she laughed, handing the phone over.  “At least you know who to call!”

The phone thumped a little as small hands wrestled the phone into place.  “Hi, Daddy!”

“Hey, Trucy, how are you doing?”

“Great!”  Trucy giggled.  “Aunt Maya’s trying to figure out how I keep making all the cookies disappear!”  Her voice became louder and more distorted, presumably because she was cupping her hand against the phone to be secretive.  “I ate them.”

“Don’t give Aunt Maya too much trouble, okay?  I need her to still like you enough to babysit you,”  he joked.

“Everybody likes me!”  she proclaimed loudly, the scuffling of a chair implying that she thought this statement was worthy of standing up.  “I’m the amazing Trucy Wright!”

Phoenix laughed again.  “Well, you’re Daddy’s favorite, that’s for sure.” He paused for a second, taking a deep breath.  “You know Mr. Edgeworth, right?”

“Yeah!” She responded enthusiastically.  “He’s really pretty.  He needs a better agent.  When we saw him on TV yesterday they didn’t even center the camera on him!  He’s the best talent they have, they should treat him like it!”

Phoenix gave a sad half-smile to the receiver.  “Well, I’ve heard he’s going to England.”

He heard her shift the phone excitedly.  “Does he have a new gig?”

“Yeah, I guess. Something like that.”  Phoenix replied.

She picked up the sadness in his voice.  “But you’re gonna miss him, huh?”

“Yeah, Honey,” he admitted quietly,  “a whole bunch.”

“So, go kiss him goodbye! Don’t you watch movies?!”  She sounded as angry as a little girl could muster.  “He’ll miss you too, you know!”

“You really think so?”

He could hear her eyes roll.  “Daddy…” she explained with exaggerated patience. “When you don’t fit his image, he changes his image to fit you. In the business, we call that a terrible career idea, but we also call it love.”

How did she know him so well after so short a time?  “You know what, Honey?  I’ll do that.  Thanks.”

“Kiss him for me too,”  she laughed,  “You can kiss him on the mouth if you want, as long as you tell him that part was your idea.  Oh, and tell him I know a guy that can help him with his sound checks!  He’s got a nice voice, they just need to wire him better.”

Kiss him goodbye. That wasn’t too much to ask, was it?  If he managed to even find Miles, and didn’t get chased off, he could kiss his boyfriend goodbye and tell him there would always a place for him here if he got lonely.  And if he didn’t, well… Phoenix Wright had plenty of practice pining after Miles Edgeworth.  He’d survive.

“Thank you, Truce.”

“Go get him, Daddy!”

“I’ll try, Sweetheart. Be nice to Aunt Maya, okay?”

“Yep!”  The call ended.

Phoenix grabbed his wallet and headed for the door, intentionally avoiding the mirror.  He already knew Miles wasn’t dating him for his looks or fashion sense or career, or anything else that came to mind. Getting his suit would only waste time and make him more recognizable to gawkers.  If he had any chance of pulling off a miracle, his pride wasn’t going to enter into things.  In fact, the less he thought about it logically, the better.  This was one for the heart.

–

Fortunately, it was easy to catch a shuttle to the airport from the Gatewater, and if Gumshoe had been right and Miles wasn’t leaving just yet, he might even have gotten there first.  Besides, he knew the prosecutor well enough to be confident enough that Miles would never resort to a taxi.  He had to be storing his car, which meant more delays.  And on an international flight, it could still be hours before he actually left.

If only his dumb ass hadn’t gotten him stuck in arrivals.  It never ceased to confound him how such a huge airport could constantly manage to have the same population and hostile, zombie-eyed energy of an overcrowded high school.  He was scanning the area with growing apprehension, wondering what to do.  He could try to find departures, although the time and energy it would take to force is way against the current of humanity would mean he’d show up at the right area missing his sunglasses, most of his sanity, and possibly a few fingers, just in time to catch a glimpse of one of the nicest asses in Los Angeles passing through a metal detector behind four security fences.  He’d look great on the news being arrested as a terrorist who jumped a counter in the name of love.  At least he knew a good defense attorney…

...Oh wait, not anymore.

He was surprised how much the realization still managed to hurt.

He could page Miles and see just how mad that made him.  Did they even page people at airports any more?  It would be easy enough to convince someone his piece of crap phone, but Miles would know exactly what was happening even if they didn’t give his name.  He should probably just hang his head in shame and crawl back to his office and be glad he hadn’t had a chance to make things even worse.  If this was a movie, he’d be sitting here on the brink of despair when all of a sudden a flash of magenta would catch him off guard.

A little girl in a dark pink dress happened to be taking off her coat in the corner of his vision at that exact moment and nearly gave him a heart attack.  No, of course it wasn’t Miles, because this wasn’t a stupid movie and he had a feeling he wasn’t anywhere near the nadir of his fall from grace anyway.  He apologized profusely to the family he had frightened and pretended he had mistaken her mother for someone he knew because it seemed slightly less creepy than saying he thought her young daughter was his boyfriend, and made his way to the bathroom to get a hold of himself.

And there was Miles Edgeworth in the flesh.  Tall and harried and unfairly beautiful, leaning against a suitcase that was far too large to be meant for a weekend trip.  He was sipping tea from a national chain Phoenix knew he could hardly stand and trying badly to pretend he didn’t hate everyone within a hundred yards of him.  Phoenix slowly edged around the masses of people, trying to get closer without looking suspicious.

God, he looked tired.  He always tended to look overworked, but this was beyond a Miles who had suffered through a hard day at work and needed a glass of wine before he was willing to talk about it.  This was Miles on day two of a three day trial, considering a nicotine patch just to keep him awake and applying concealer in the bathroom because he was raised to be perfect and perfection didn’t show up to court looking like a drug addict in a nice suit.  This was Miles holding together because failure wasn’t an option even when nothing else was a possibility anymore, and he was the Miles that always caused Phoenix and Gumshoe to hold their breath and hope this wasn’t the millstone that broke the camel’s back.  

That was the look of a man who had had three cases in the last two days appealed simply because Phoenix Wright had touched the case, and if a forger and the boyfriend of a forger had both been involved then someone needed to take a closer look.

That was entirely Phoenix’s fault, and as Gumshoe has pointed out earlier, he hadn’t really been doing anything to make things better.  And here he was, in sweat pants with a ratty old beanie pulled over his hair and his favorite pair of sunglasses that made him look like any one of thousands of people going through a scandal in the state.  What did he have to offer?  He wanted to run.  

And god, did he want to kiss that man.

Hold him and kiss his tired eyes and tell him it was okay, there had been a misunderstanding and his stupid boyfriend hadn’t ruined both of their lives thinking he could handle things on his own.  Call a cab and give him a back-rub and a good meal and make sure he got a good night’s sleep whether he wanted it or not, and maybe in the morning they could talk about their relationship if there still was one.

He was considering his options when the man with the silver hair happened to glance in his direction.  He froze, but Miles didn’t even look surprised. “Goddamn it, Gumshoe’s got to be afraid of a living wage.” He turned back like that was the end of the conversation.

Phoenix stepped forward.  “I…”

“What did he even tell you?”

“He just said you were leaving for the airport and if I hurried I might be able to catch you before you left.”  Forget that kiss goodbye, not in front of all these people.  If he really loved the man, he should let Miles punch him out in front of the crowd.  Let him leave on a high note after weeks of being abused by Phoenix Wright simply existing.

“You…”  It seemed to take a moment for the words to sink in, he must be even more exhausted than even Phoenix realized.  “…Listen, I don’t think you have any idea what’s going on here, but I need you to leave.”

“What’s to understand?”  Phoenix asked with a wry smile.  “You’ve held out longer than I thought you would.  I just wanted to say I’m sorry it’s come to this.”

“Come to…” Confusion overtook the irritation in Miles’ voice.  “Come to what?”

Phoenix shrugged. “You know, all this.  I just wanted to…”  kiss him, that’s what he had set out to do, wasn’t it?  Show up like the arrogant prick he was and demand a kiss from a man he’d inadvertently tried to ruin.  “Hey,” he asked suddenly, “would you like to punch me out?”

“What?!”

“The press would eat it up, you know, everyone’s got a camera these days, it would be all over the news by this afternoon.  At least it would give you something to talk about when you get to wherever you’re going besides what poor taste you have in men.”

“Listen, Wright, I assume you think you’re helping with something, but I assure you that you aren’t.”  Miles was finally showing signs of true, intense agitation around the edges of his frazzled confusion.  “When is the last time you actually tried to talk to me?  Now you want to look like a martyr?”

“No, not a martyr, just an asshole.”  Phoenix returned.  “Isn’t that what everyone’s thinking anyway?”  He glanced around.  A few people had paused around them, either recognizing the minor celebrities or just smelling a public breakdown.  It occurred to him that people who didn’t recognize them must be wondering what sort of business the man in the dirty hoodie with stubble that said he was never expected to be presentable anywhere might have with the person who looked like some sort of minor royalty in a period piece.  Someone must have alerted security already.  Whatever was going to happen would have to happen soon.

“Wright, this is not the time.  Honestly, I’ll be the first to admit we could use more communication, but you have somehow managed to pick the worst possible time to initiate it, and even by your twisted logic this is wildly inappropriate.”

“Come on, Sweetheart, I know you’re good for it.”  Phoenix persisted, removing his sunglasses with one hand and taking Miles’ wrist with the other.  Even he wasn’t sure why he was so insistent about a physical altercation.  Perhaps he was afraid of the lack of passion in their voices.  If what they had was ending, shouldn’t it end with the same fire that had forced them together in the first place? The relationship had been short, but the events leading up to it overshadowed both of their lives.  “Do something,”  he insisted. “I’m not just some stranger asking for change.”

Miles looked at the hand trapping his and then back at the owner of said hand.  “After everything we’ve been through, can’t you just trust me?”

That was fair, honestly it was more than fair.  Miles had never intentionally hurt him during their brief but intense relationship, and a man who didn’t order takeout without an intense inner dialogue about his decision wouldn’t have just up and left without considering the consequences of his actions.  He should just trust Miles to make the right decision.  But standing here, inches away from the man who he’d pursued for over a decade, it struck him just how difficult it would be to accept that what was best for Miles was to leave and not look back.  Certainly without a kiss goodbye.  It wasn’t that Miles had logically decided that his use for Phoenix Wright had ended, this was a man who had dedicated weeks to trying to drag his unresponsive partner out of an engorged river and was finally having to accept that getting himself killed over a lost cause wasn’t accomplishing anything.  “I…” he started, with no words in his mind to finish the though.

The last time Miles had left, it had taken fifteen years to catch up.  This time, would it even be possible?

“Miles?”

Both men turned to see the confused man who had just exited the bathroom.  He was tall, not abnormally so, but definitely taller than Phoenix, with grey hair fashionably beginning to dust his temples and glasses that only made him look more refined.  Phoenix was the first to admit he didn’t know as much about suits as he could have, but he realized that the suit the man was wearing was most likely custom and definitely closer to Miles’ budget than his own.  “Who is this?”  The man asked with a faint but refined accent.

Phoenix would have liked to have something to say at this point, if only so that the first impression he gave implied he was even slightly coherent, but his brain had snapped off the second it registered that some man he’d never even heard of was casually referring to Miles so informally.  No one called Miles Edgeworth by his given name, not even his sister.  Hell, they’d been dating for months, and he still knew better than to throw the epitaph around carelessly. But this man… He looked to Miles, who had gone totally silent.  There was no attempt to make eye contact.  “Miles?” he repeated softly.

“Excuse me, may I help you?”  The other man stepped forward, taking a worried glance at Miles.  “Do you have some business with Miles?”

Phoenix supposed the man was handsome.  Not his own type at all, but he had to admit that the man, while definitely older than himself or the prosecutor, seemed fashionable and well-aged.  It was more than that, though, something in the eyes or the wrinkles by his mouth, that made him look soft and kind.  Not the kind of person he would have expected to turn Miles Edgeworth’s head,  but somehow he looked like the kind that would be strong enough, and stable enough, to support the troubled man through his hectic life without piling on extra unnecessary stress. What a man like Miles truly deserved.

He knew he was able to satisfy Miles sexually.  The man standing between them probably had no idea that the refined and outwardly repressed prosecutor had introduced the subject of bondage the first time Phoenix had stayed the night at his place, or that they’d had to establish a safe word that same evening after Miles had gotten so loud they’d had to pause and confirm that unless it involved one certain word, the volume should be considered an indication that everything was perfect and he should not under any circumstances stop.  Two weeks after they had gotten together Gumshoe had actually hugged him, tears in his eyes as he thanked Phoenix for whatever it was he was doing, because in almost ten years he hadn’t even realized Mr Edgeworth could be that relaxed.

But as a couple they were still trying to smooth out the roughest edges, and after his scandal the edges were getting roughed up faster than they could iron them back down.  A couple of spectacular orgasms a week didn’t even begin to justify what Miles had been through lately.

And yet, the idea that Miles had reached out to another for emotional support hurt so much more than the thought of him finding a convenient body to warm the other side of bed.  “I get it.”  he finally said quietly, trying to keep the tears out of his voice.

“I highly doubt that.”  Miles replied coolly, still looking away.  Even then, he looked more upset at the inconvenience of the scene being played out in front of him than he did embarrassed or conflicted.  He just wanted it to be over.  In some ways, that hurt most.

“No, I get it. Honestly, you’ve held out longer than I deserved.”  A kiss goodbye, that had seemed like such an obtainable goal this morning. This was exactly what he deserved for listening to the lies of hope. Anger rose up in his throat, at everything, the world that had put him in this position and himself for allowing it to happen.  At this other man simply for looking exactly like the source of mental and professional stimulation he’d never been able to be for Miles.  At Miles himself for letting things get to this point without saying anything.  For that look that was too exhausted to even be emotional. “Listen,” He had no idea what he was going to say, but he knew something had to be said.  He was surprised by the pain and challenge in his own voice.  “I’m not quite as stupid as you think I am-”

“No, you listen,” Suddenly the other man was between them, blocking Miles’ body with his own.  “I don’t know what your problem is, but-”

“Robert.”  Miles finally spoke up, putting his hand on the man’s shoulder gently. That hurt too, physical familiarity was not something Miles was readily comfortable with.  The gesture was enough to quiet both men down, waiting in silence for the prosecutor to speak.  Even in his anger, Phoenix could tell that the other man held a deep respect for Miles and was willing to wait for an explanation.  “This is… Phoenix Wright.  I’m sure you’ve heard of his recent troubles, which I can only assume are responsible for him acting like this.”  

Robert’s face seemed to lighten instantly.  “Why, I didn’t recognize you without the suit!  Yes, of course, I’ve heard…”  he turned back to Miles, and was suddenly quiet again, as if realizing there was more to the story.

“I’ll admit that our communication has been strained recently, but the last time we actually discussed it, I was under the impression we were still a couple.”

Phoenix’s heart caught in his throat as Robert looked from one face to the other with shock.  “I had no idea-” he stammered, and then went quiet again.

“And Phoenix Wright, I had hoped that this would be under different circumstances, but I would like to introduce you to Robert Edgeworth, my father’s younger brother.  We reconnected in Brussels last year at a conference, and I’ve asked him to stay out here a week as my guest.”  He cleared his throat as he thought over his words.  “There were things I felt more comfortable speaking about in person rather than over the phone.”

And this would probably be that nadir he had been thinking about:  The exact moment that he was able to pinpoint what exactly he saw in the other man that would be such a comfort to Miles and realized it was how closely he resembled Gregory Edgeworth.  “I-I, um, I’m Phoenix Wright… I guess you knew that.  It’s such an honor to meet you, Sir, I, um, I didn’t realize- he never talked about- n-not that he hasn’t talked about you, just not to me!  I mean…”   Now words were coming without thoughts or pauses as he tried to decide the most socially acceptable way to excuse himself to find a good hole to crawl into to die.

“Don’t worry about it, Mr. Wright, Pleasure to meet you.”  Robert offered his hand awkwardly.  “I was aware that the two of you were close, but I didn’t think… I wouldn’t presume…”   he glanced back towards his nephew.

“It’s complicated.”  Miles said quietly.  “Significantly more so as of late.”

“Yes, I can see where it would be.”  Robert said, his voice filled with concern. “And you said that he had recently adopted a young girl, didn’t he?”  

“I personally need a drink.”  Miles announced.  “I don’t live far, and I honestly don’t think I’ll be driving again today.  Wright…”  he paused.  “I don’t even know what to do with you right now.”

“I can get lost, no problem.”  Phoenix mumbled.  “I mean, you’re still welcome to that punch, if you’d like.  You’ve certainly earned it.”

Miles’ expression was too tired to even show how annoyed he was.  “I suppose you’re free to do what you like.  I’ve never expected otherwise from you, anyway.”  He was still avoiding eye contact, and it finally hit Phoenix exactly what he had been accusing his partner of.  

“After everything we’ve been through, can’t you just trust me?”

He trusted Miles with his life.  Even the lives of the people closest to him, which was significantly more impressive because he actually cared about their well-being.  He idolized Miles so much that he had automatically assumed infidelity was a normal, healthy thing for Miles to do before it occurred to him that such an action would be out of character for the prosecutor.

He was so deeply devoted to the man that he’d practically forced Miles out the door towards a better future without even asking for his opinion.

“I’m so sorry,”  Phoenix stammered, having trouble forcing the words past the lump in his throat, “I… I guess I just got so used to the idea that I was dragging you down that I just assumed…”  the words died on his lips.  There was really no way to recover.  “I hope the two of you have a great time...”  He abruptly turned to go.

A hand caught the back of his sweatshirt.  “You don’t don’t mind, right, Miles?  I’d hate to think I’d strained your relationship further.”  Miles shrugged without making eye contact. “Then as my guest, please.”  Robert addressed Phoenix directly. “At least until we get to the house.  I need to thank you for saving my nephew’s life.”

“It’s nothing.  It was a long time ago.”  Phoenix mumbled.

“Nonsense.” Robert returned.  “You fought Manfred Von Karma for his sake.  Some of the bravest men I’ve known would balk at that.”  He glanced back at his nephew, who had retrieved the suitcase and was walking towards the exit without comment.  “I underestimated him, myself. I’ll never forgive myself.”  His voice dropped, and he leaned in conspiratorially.  “I lost a custody battle with him.  It cost me my practice in the states.  The man was a monster, and I left him as guardian of my dear, departed brother’s only son for fifteen years because I was bitter about that one case.  I don’t pretend to understand the situation between you, but I assure you it’s nothing compared to the betrayal he’s faced in his life.  He needs you, probably more than he needs me.  Please, Mr. Wright.”  His grey eyes glinted earnestly, and Phoenix for the first time in years Phoenix wondered what Miles would have turned out like with a less traumatic background. “For the ride over, at least.”  He turned to catch up to Miles.

Against his better judgment, Phoenix followed him.  

The conversation on the way was limited by the crowds and noise and the sheer difficulty of keeping Miles in sight as he wove through people and cars with the air of someone who flew constantly, and he didn’t address either of the men until he arrived at his car. Finally he turned, and seemed to notice for the first time that Phoenix hadn’t left.  Phoenix stood still guiltily, like a child awaiting punishment, for the surprise to turn to resentment, but it never did.  “Let me see if I can get this in the trunk.”  he finally said.  “It might be tight, but we should manage.”

“You have your father’s taste in vehicles, I see.”  Robert smiled, and it took Phoenix a tense second to notice the shy, barely-repressed grin as Miles mumbled a thanks.  It hadn’t occurred to him just how little Miles must know about his father.  Truth, justice, protecting people that couldn’t protect themselves, all of that had become a mantra that stuck with the boy until adulthood, but little things, preferred movies, book, foods… Most of it wouldn’t come up in normal conversation with a nine year old.  He had been denied so much of his family for so long. Phoenix watched the two other men talk with relative ease as Miles somehow managed to get the huge suitcase into the back of the car.

He felt like an intruder in an extremely intimate scene, and at the same time he felt immensely blessed to be here at such a magical event in his partner’s life.  Miles turned to Phoenix again when he closed the trunk.  He seemed to be waiting for some response.  “I… I can still get lost if you want.  I realize how important this is,” he offered lamely.

“I’m not asking you to leave.”  Miles replied.  He certainly wasn’t asking Phoenix to stay either, but after everything the prosecutor been subjected to today, he deserved to have his partner stick out his own neck.

“I...” Phoenix cleared his throat.  “I’m sorry about everything.  I should know by now not to listen to Gumshoe.”

“And I should have known better than to think I’d managed to keep him from interfering.”

“I,” Words were so stupid.  In all these thousands of years, why hadn’t mankind invented a way for people to actually communicate their feelings.  “I’ve just felt so useless lately.  All I do is cause problems for you.”

“If you think we started dating because I thought being in close proximity to you would make my life less complicated, I’m afraid you’re very much in error.”

“No, I...”  Over Miles’ shoulder, Phoenix could see Robert jerking his head towards his nephew.  He wasn’t quite sure what it was meant to suggest, but if their short conversation had been any indication Robert was expecting something.  “I...”  He stepped forward with no real plan.  “I...”  Up this close, Miles was even more breathtaking, and somehow even more exhausted than he had looked earlier.  “Oh, Miles...”  His brain was still telling him that this was all stupid, he didn’t even deserve to touch Miles after everything he’d put them through today.  He ignored that voice and wrapped his arms around his poor, exhausted boyfriend.

Miles was all one tense muscle as Phoenix settled into him, wrapping his arms tighter as he was enveloped in the familiar smell and warmth and realized that the last time they’d just gotten lost in each other he had been a single man with a career ahead of him. That was lifetimes away, but here was Miles, still warm and solid and… familiar.  Somehow, despite Phoenix’s terrible luck and horrendous judgment, this was still available.  “I’m sorry,” Phoenix whispered, “so sorry.  I just wanted you to be happy.  Tell me what I can do for you.”

Miles hadn’t let go of his tension yet.  “I don’t expect you to be a fountain of joy for me.”  he replied tersely.

“I know, I know.”  Phoenix whispered.  “But I still want to make you as happy as you make me.”  There was a pained croak in the back of Miles’ throat, and he squeezed harder.  “I didn’t think I should get in your way, but Trucy told me if I really loved you, I’d come kiss you goodbye.  I just wanted to tell you I’d miss you...”  There were tears coming now, and he didn’t try to hide them.  “Good god, I’d miss you, Miles.  But I wanted you to know that as long as you’re willing to even hint you might come back some day, I can wait forever.”