Chapter Text

Ch. 1: sleep deprived phoenix takes a much-needed nap in edgeworth's office

March 12th

12:07 AM

Prosecutor's Office - Miles Edgeworth's Office

Miles Edgeworth is in his office. It's completely dark outside, the only light being supplied from the lamp next to his desk. His pen scratches against the paper, his eyes wary.

The knock comes three times—measured, deliberate, and far too loud for the hour.

Miles pauses, pen hovering over the page. The clock on the wall ticks past midnight, its quiet persistence grating against his already-thinning patience. He exhales slowly through his nose, straightens the stack of papers before him, and resumes writing.

The knock comes again.

Miles’ pen stills.

“…Come in.”

His voice is hoarse, worn thin by hours of silence and overuse. He reaches for his tea without looking, bringing it to his lips just as the door opens with a soft, almost hesitant click.

Footsteps. Slow. Slightly uneven.

Miles glances up, and nearly chokes.

He coughs sharply, setting the teacup down with more force than intended as the figure resolves fully in the doorway.

“Wright."

Phoenix hadn't really planned to go to his office. Not at the start. This office belonged to someone that didn't really gave the vibes of taking care of a tired, sleep deprived person who came to his door.

He leans against the doorframe. He’s been standing for too long already- he can feel his legs giving out. He lets out a quiet laugh, one hand coming up to rub the back of his neck. There are shadows under his eyes—deep, bruised things that even the dim light can’t soften.

"Why are you in my office at 12 AM?" Miles asks. The phrase is deliberate, quick.

Huh.

“What are you doing awake at 12 AM?” he shoots back, voice rough, words just a fraction too late.

Miles narrows his eyes.

“Working on a case for tomorrow,” he replies evenly. “But if I recall correctly, you have no such obligations at present. And even if you did, my office would be a rather unconventional place to prepare.”

He folds his hands on the desk, gaze sharpening.

“So, I will ask you again—why are you awake, Wright?”

Phoenix blinks at him. Twice. Edgeworth never changed, huh? Not even this late.

“…Mmph,” he mutters, squinting slightly, like the room isn’t quite staying still. “Thought I was in court for a second there…”

Miles gives Phoenix a look, the same look when he was about to pounce and rip apart his arguments.

Phoenix groans, dragging a hand down his face.

“Okay, okay, I get it.” He pushes himself upright with a small wince, stepping further into the room. “After I tucked Truce in for bed, I couldn’t fall asleep, so I just… wandered.”

He gestures vaguely, as though that explains anything.

“Ended up here. Happy?”

Miles’ brow furrows almost imperceptibly.

“Is this… a common occurrence?” he asks after a moment.

Phoenix hesitates. It's short. Unfortunately, Miles does not miss it.

“Well—no,” Phoenix says, too quickly. Then, just as quickly, he deflates. “I mean— not really.”

He laughs again, softer this time, more frayed at the edges.

“I still get some sleep at night. And if I get too little, naps in the office.” Should he tell him how little he actually gets? No, there was no point.

He gives a half-hearted shrug. “Here and there.”

Miles studies him.

“Wright…” he says quietly.

The sharpness is gone. Phoenix blinks.

“Hey, don’t start,” he mutters, waving a hand. “I’m fine. Just one of those nights.”

Miles stands.

The movement is sudden enough that Phoenix startles slightly, blinking as Miles steps around the desk. He stops a few feet away, close enough now to see the finer details—the faint tremor in Phoenix’s hands, the way his shoulders sag as though held up by habit alone.

Miles leans forward slightly to flick some dandruff from Phoenix's shoulder, taking in his features - he accidentally looks at his lips for a moment too long. He leans back, flustered.

“You look horrible,” Miles says defensively as he steps back, footsteps soft against the argyle carpet.

Phoenix huffs. “That is extremely nice of you-"

“You didn’t answer my question.”

Phoenix falters.

Silence stretches between them, thin and taut.

“I did,” Phoenix insists, weaker now. “I couldn’t sleep. That’s it.”

Miles’ gaze doesn’t waver, and Phoenix feels just a bit afraid. There's something in his gaze that suggests he can see something that Phoenix doesn't want to show.

“Then why,” he asks, each word deliberate, “did you come here?”

Phoenix's mouth opens, and he closes it, a sharp comeback not coming to him.

“I don’t know,” he says finally.

It’s a lie. Blatant. But it's probably the only thing that can keep himself safe.

Miles feels his chest tighten.

The man in front of him shifts his weight, glancing toward the door like he might bolt at any second. He stands up.

“Look, if you’re busy, I can just—y’know. Go. I didn’t mean to interrupt your whole… brooding, paperwork aesthetic thing.”

It isn't the first time he's said that quip. Miles hadn't known the grown Phoenix personally for very long, but he knows he never re-uses a joke unless he's desperate.

Miles exhales. Somehow, he isn't that annoyed. Not today. Not now.

“Sit down.” He says finally.

Phoenix blinks. “Huh?”

“That was not a request.”

There’s a pause.

Then, with a quiet, almost sheepish “...okay,” Phoenix drifts toward the chair opposite the desk and drops into it a little too heavily. His posture is much more rigid now.

Miles returns to his side of the desk, but he doesn’t sit right away. Instead, he reaches for the teapot, pours a second cup, and sets it carefully in front of Phoenix.

Phoenix stares at it, as if confused of what it was.

“You’re giving me tea.”

“Yes.”

“…You hate when I drink your tea.”

“I hate when you drink it straight from the pot,” Miles corrects.

Phoenix laughs. It's quick, sharp. Honest. "…That's fair."

The room falls quiet again.

…

"…Would you like milk or sugar?" he asks, finally, after Phoenix hasn't taken a sip for a moment. Phoenix nods subtly, and Miles hands it to him. Phoenix puts in a bit of milk, and one sugar cube. It's reasonable.

Miles sits down.

He picks up his pen, glances down at the papers in front of him—and finds, for the first time that night, that he cannot make sense of a single word.

The sensation of him being across from him, tired, defeated, so different from his usual self…

Miles would say unnerving, but that wasn't it. That suggested it scared him, the sight of this powerful, determined figure so quiet and broken. But it didn't. No, he had definitely seen worse.

He was just… worried. That was it.

Across from him, Phoenix’s head dips slightly, his grip on the cup loosening as exhaustion begins to win its quiet battle.

Miles watches him.

And does not return to his work.

It's rather quiet, in the night. There are lights on, but no cars outside. He can hear the distant revving of a motorcycle, though it's muffled from the height of his office and the windows.

Miles sets his pen down.

At some point, the scratching of it against paper had stopped entirely. He isn’t sure when. Across from him, Phoenix has gone still.

Not the loose, restless stillness from before—but something heavier. His head has tipped forward slightly, chin nearly to his chest, the cup of tea now precariously balanced in his hands. And is that a slight bead of drool coming from his mouth…?

Miles watches for a moment. There was no way.

“…Wright.”

No response.

Though he supposed that's what he wanted.

He exhales quietly and rises from his chair, stepping around the desk. More carefully then nescessary, he takes the cup from Phoenix’s hands and sets it aside. Phoenix barely stirs, only shifting faintly at the loss of warmth before settling again.

Up close, it’s worse.

The exhaustion is no longer something Wright can joke away. It sits plainly in the way he seems so peace, so finally at peace. Miles didn't notice until now, that Phoenix being so untense and calm was something…off.

Miles hesitates.

Then, with a small, almost imperceptible frown, he turns away.

There’s a folded blanket tucked under his desk-an old habit from his days where he worked tirelessly, fabricating evidence to receive a guilty verdict. He has not touched it in a while. He grabs it, and drapes it over Phoenix's chair.

Phoenix shifts, just slightly.

A quiet inhale.

For a second, Miles thinks he might wake.

But instead, Phoenix leans, just barely, into the warmth, his grip loosening further as sleep pulls him under completely.

Miles’ hand lingers at the edge of the blanket.

A pause.

Then he withdraws it, straightening as though nothing had happened at all.

“…Honestly,” he murmurs under his breath, both hands adjusting his cravat.

He returns to his desk.

The papers are still there. The case still waiting.

Miles picks up his pen again.

This time, he does not even pretend to read.

March 12th

7:10 AM

Prosecutor's Office - Miles Edgeworth's Office

Morning arrives slowly.

Gray light filters in through the tall windows, soft and uninvited, washing over stacks of paperwork and untouched tea alike.

Phoenix stirs.

There’s just a singular moment, where everything is warm, quiet, and strangely comfortable.

Then his eyes snap open.

“…Crap.”

He bolts upright, the blanket slipping from his shoulders as he looks wildly around the room, disoriented for half a second before recognition slams into place.

Edgeworth’s office.

It's the middle of the night. Still.

He turns to the window. Then why was it so sunny outside..?

Oh.

“Oh no no no no-” Phoenix runs a hand through his hair, already halfway to standing. “I fell asleep, I-what time is it? I’ve got to-”

“Sit down.”

The words cut cleanly through his panic.

Phoenix freezes.

Miles doesn’t look up from his papers. He is still there. Was he awake all night?

“It is barely past six,” he says coolly. “You are not late for anything.”

“I-yeah, but-” Phoenix gestures vaguely, still frazzled. “I didn’t mean to just crash here, I should get going, I’ve got stuff to-”

“Sit. Down.”

This time, Miles does look up. His gaze is determined. He doesn't seem tired at all- had he slept a bit?

Phoenix stops.

There’s something different in his expression—not the sharpness from last night, not quite irritation either. Something firmer. Less negotiable.

“…You require rest,” Miles continues, setting his pen aside. “A concept with which I am aware you are only tenuously familiar.”

Phoenix huffs, though it lacks its usual bite. “Hey, I sleep.”

“In intervals that would be considered medically inadvisable.”

“Wow, okay, rude.”

“Accurate.”

Phoenix opens his mouth to argue, and then pauses.

The chair is still warm. The blanket, half-pooled in his lap, is warmer.

His body feels… heavy. Not in a bad way. Just tired.

“…I can’t just stay here,” he mutters, weaker now.

“You can,” Miles replies immediately.

Phoenix glances up.

Miles has already returned to his work, as though the matter is settled.

“I am not expecting a visitor for the next few hours, and I will be occupied." he continues. “You are capable of remaining in a chair without causing disruption, I assume.”

Phoenix stares at him for a moment. "Wow." he said sarcastically, "I feel so utterly welcome."

Miles does not look up.

“If you find my office unsuitable, you are free to leave,” he says, tone even. “Though I would strongly advise against it, given your current condition.”

Phoenix stares at him for a moment.

Then, slowly, he exhales.

“…Fine." He says at last, collapsing into the chair again and wrapped the blanket around him.

As he stares fixedly at the paperwork on his desk, he can't help but feel relief wash over him as he hears light snoring fill the room once more.

March 12th

7:10 AM

Prosecutor's Office - Hallway

The hallway outside of Miles Edgeworth's office is quiet.

Well, not completely quiet. Apollo Justice can hear snoring from inside and his footsteps as he paces, deep in thought.

He's probably in there. His boss is probably in there and he's probably asleep and while he definitely needs it, he should probably check. It might be Miles Edgeworth sleeping. The chance was small. But there was a chance.

"But people do that. People can go places without telling me." He says to himself, and unfortunately, left unchecked, his voice got very loud. He kept his voice down. "At midnight. And it's my boss. And he's an insomniac."

He exhales, running a hand through his hair, which was now drooping. "Okay. I'll go in. Just- just to check. That's it. Righ-"

"Talking to yourself again, Herr Forehead?'

Apollo starts- "Gah-Klavier!" He turns to the prosecutor, who has that permanent grin on his face. (Athena once theorized he got surgery so he could always smile. This theory, while probable, was discontinued.) He was seconds away from asking what he was doing here, before realizing just exactly where he was. That was quite a dumb question to ask.

"…Klavier." He says, in what he hoped was a more composed tone. "What are you doing here?" Crap.

Klavier seems unfazed by the idiocy of the question, and gestures lazily to the door. "Business with Herr Edgeworth. Und du?"

Apollo has known Klavier long enough to catch up even a bit of the German he says at random times. "Uhm, I think-" Should he even tell him? Well, if he was going in there, might as well. "I think Mr. Wright is there. Maybe. Possibly."

"…Herr Wright?"

Klavier is clearly interested, and Apollo feels just a tiny twinge of regret.

They both glance at the door.

"Well," Klavier says smoothly, "Why keep the mystery waiting?"

Apollo realizes too late. "Wait-!"

The door opens with a long, torturous creak, and they freeze.

Edgeworth is doing paperwork, obviously. That is rather boring. But across from him, snoring softly, draped in a blanket-

Phoenix Wright.

Klavier instantly shuts the mahogany door with a click.

He looks at the door.

Apollo looks at the door.

Klavier exhales, delightedly. "Oh, that is-"

"Don't." Apollo says sharply.

Klavier opens his mouth, closes it, reconsiders, speaks again.

"Quite telling." he says, in a voice that's very fakely refined.

Apollo covers his face, collapsing into a leather couch next to the door. "We saw nothing. We didn't see a thing and I am never speaking of this again."

"Oh, I think we saw a lot, ja?" Klavier contradicts.

"You saw nothing." Apollo repeats.

Klavier gives Apollo a look, and he falls apart.

"Oh my god." Apollo says, groaning as he leans back in the couch. "The blanket, Klavier. And Miles was just sitting there!"

Klavier laughs. "Ja, ja, the blanket tells quite a compelling story."

Apollo processes what he just said, and he sits up, stuffing his face into the all-too-fancy pillow. "It's not like that." He says, his voice tiny, flustered.

Klavier gives another one of those looks. "Ja? You don't think they…'made out', as they say?"

"KLAVIER." Apollo repeats sharply. "No. Mr. Wright wouldn't- no, he was just tired, and Miles just…let him sleep there. Probably. Because he's just…like that."

"Like that." Klavier repeats.

"Yes."

"With Herr Wright."

"…Yes."

Klavier considers this, tapping on his chin. "Interesting."

The door snaps open, and the pair stares at Miles Edgeworth. He looks rather exasperated, and he raises his glasses as he glances between the two of them. Klavier's grin falters, just for a moment.

"Ah, Herr Edgeworth." Klavier greets. "I came to speak with you about a case..but you see rather preoccupied now, yes?"

Edgeworth's light frown tightens a bit as Klavier strolls off, leaving Apollo to meet his destined doom. "I see. And you, Mr. Justice?"

"I- I just thought that Mr. Wright would be here…and I wanted to know where he was…because he usually comes back by the morning…"

"Usually comes back?" Edgeworth questions. "Does he wander regularly?"

"Uh- yeah. At least, Trucy says he does. He always leaves when he thinks that she's asleep, but she's pretty much always awake a few minutes after being tucked in." He could stilll remember Trucy's worried face that morning when she informed Apollo his father wasn't in his bedroom, pretending to sleep like usual.

"How much…sleep does he get?" Edgeworth asks, and Apollo blinks in surprise.

"Uh…well, Trucy says he usually gets one or two hours at night, but he gets a bit of sleep-sometimes-in his office. Trucy thinks he's losing sleep because of everything he's been through…"

"Hmm. That would make sense. He has fallen through a burning bridge, gotten whipped by my sister, gotten tased by my mentor, gotten punched, gotten coffee thrown over him…" Edgeworth starts counting on his fingers.

"Got into a car crash that threw him 30 ft into a pole…gotten amnesia…ate a necklace that contained faint traces of fatal poison…gotten manipulated and lied to by people he trusted three times…." Apollo continues.

"Usually has two or one days to prepare for a matter between life and death for his client…is coming back from a period of his life where he hardly had enough to eat…saw his dead mentor…held at gunpoint by a foreign government…" Edgeworth adds.

"Gotten dissbarred…gotten accused of murder…taken on hopeless cases…was forced to defend a guilty client because his assistant would die if he didn't…Wow." Apollo says. "He's been through a lot, huh?"

"Indeed." Edgeworth says with a slight nod. He turns back to the ajar door, and Apollo follows his gaze. Mr. Wright is just…there. So at peace. It seems nice.

"Well- I'm glad it looks like he's asleep. That's, uh…good. So, uh, thanks." Apollo rubs the back of his head, nervous. Edgeworth wasn't saying anything, and yet he was always was a bit scared of the Chief Prosecutor. He was just…sort of menacing.

"Hmm? I did nothing." Edgeworth said. "I only accepted his prescence, and he did with it as he did."

Yikes.

"Oh, uh, yeah. I guess." Apollo says. "Just…uh…yeah. Don't kick him out, okay? Probably a hard ask, but…even if there's a client.."

"I was not planning to." Edgeworth said simply. "I must return to my duties now, Mr. Justice. Good day." He turns back to his office and walks in, lightly shutting the door behind him.

Ouch.

This was why he was terrified of Edgeworth.

March 12th

7:15 AM

Private chat between Maya Fey(BURGERS) and Miles Edgeworth(Miles)

BURGERS - wait did something happen to Phoenix?? Apollo texted me briefly but he didn't explain fullyy

Miles - Is this Maya Fey?

BURGERS - ToT you never saved my contact i am crying sobbing weeping

Miles - I found this number in Wright's pocket, how was I supposed to have saved it earlier

BURGERS - sobbing weeping crying

BURGERS - okay but what happened

Miles - Nothing happened to him...recently

BURGERS - i'm concerned why the …

BURGERS - that isn't helping

Miles - He's in my office

Miles - sleeping

BURGERS - oh

BURGERS - daang

BURGERS - why

Miles - Do you not know he's been losing sleep?

BURGERS - he's been what now

Miles - losing sleep

Miles - Mr. Justice informed me of the fact. Apparently, recently, he's been getting one or two hours of sleep at night, and napping at his office

BURGERS - WUT

BURGERS - HUHH

Miles - Was this not something that happened while you were still his assistant?

BURGERS - nope

BURGERS - not at all

Miles - Huh. Odd.

BURGERS - Then again a lot of stuff happened to him even after I left

BURGERS - especially dahlia hawthorne returning as a ghosty thing when he visited me, which prolly traumatized him a bit

BURGERS - And being without a big supportive figure in his life(who was first Mia then me) probably hurt a bit, too.

Miles - That would make sense

Miles - I didn't take you for an observer, Ms. Fey

BURGERS - ??

BURGERS - MEAN ?? I was literally a defense attorney's assistant bruh…i went through crime scenes with him bruh…

Miles - My apologies. It just caught me off guard.

BURGERS - nah it's fine i was joking around XD

BURGERS - Tell Phoenix to call me after he wakes up, alright?

Miles - I will.

March 12th

7:17 AM

Private chat between Maya Fey(BURGERS) and Miles Edgeworth(Miles)

BURGERS - hey, mr. edgeworth?

Miles - Yes?

BURGERS - Do you like Phoenix?

Miles - Certainly. He's a good friend, and his deeds are admirable.

BURGERS - No, that's not what I meant

BURGERS - I mean..like-like

Miles - Love?

BURGERS - ach

BURGERS - I was getting to that

BURGERS - way to interupt my movie-worthy confrontation

Miles - I don't think such confrontations during cinema happens during text.

Miles - Why do you ask?

BURGERS - Oh…just wondering

Miles - This is my personal life we're talking about, Ms. Fey.

Miles - With all due respect, I don't think it's any of your business.

BURGERS - eh, fair

BURGERS - didn't think it would work anywayysss

Miles stares at the text for a good minute.

Does he like Phoenix? Like-like, as Ms. Fey said?

Sure, he was admirable, and the brief non-work-related encounters they sometimes had were rather enjoyable.

Then again, love was rather a distant concept. The first person he had loved in any shape, size or form was his father, and that was ended sharply. Then, he encountered no love from anyone for years, and so, what was he to do? In exchange, he had no love to give.

He loved Pess, though. He said it to him every day. His dog was adorable and cheerful and always cheered up Miles, even after crippling losses from him.

Then, there was Phoenix.

Did Miles love Phoenix? Did he love the man who saved him from a pit of prosecutorial manipulation? Did he love the man that ceased his endless nightmares? Did he love the man that looked at him, almost like he deserved to be looked at?

…Hmm. Maybe he did.

He stopped pacing, his face pink.

March 12th

7:31 AM

Prosecutor's Office - Miles Edgeworth's Office

The next time the door opens, the person does not even bother to act respectful. Trucy Wright kept her voice down and didn't do any of her annoying(yet rather impressive) magic tricks around him most of the time.

This time was different.

The girl, of course fully clad in her magician's outfit, slams open the door. Wood against wood echoes through the office as she storms inside, her gaze like a cats' as she surveys the room for her father. When her eyes finally spot him, her eyes instantly brighten as she rushes over, clapping his cheeks lightly, checking his face in different angles of the light.

"…Ms. Wright."

Trucy blinks, as if just noticing Miles. "Oh!" She said cheerfully. "Hi, Mr. Edgeworth."

Miles sighs, pausing from his paperwork to look at the magician. "I assume your here to check on Phoenix?"

Trucy falters, slightly. "Yeah."

"Is something the matter?"

"No, no- it's just…you called him Phoenix." She points out. "You never do that! I think."

"Hm. I suppose I did." Miles admits, raising his glasses. "As his friend, I suppose I should do that more."

"You should!" Trucy agrees instantly. "You should see how his face brightens when you do that. My Daddy is such a silly dork!"

…He does?

As if remembering why she was here, he turns to her father. "Hi, Daddy!"

Phoenix shuffles a bit, but doesn't wake up.

Trucy takes this as enough of an answer, and raises her gaze to look at Miles. "So, he wandered here, huh?"

"Yes." Miles says. He's been wondering, if this has been going on for a while, why has he not gone here earlier? Why did he choose to go today? Though he supposed it was none of his business.

"Huh." Trucy nods. "He usually wanders to this 24/7 burger joint that he and Maya used to always go to. But!" She raises a finger to signify the importance of whatever she was going to say next. "I heard him mumbling to himself that the place was too familiar, that he wanted to go somewhere that was unfamiliar yet safe. I guess he chose here, then!"

Safe, hmm? Well, I suppose it was only once that I was held at gunpoint here… Miles thinks amusedly. "I see." Miles said, his gaze falls from the girl's face to Phoenix's, who's still sleeping soundly. He chose him. It wasn't an accident.

That felt…nice.

"Welp!" Trucy exclaims, snapping him out of his thoughts. "I'm gonna go leave now! I still got to do like a bagillion chores at the Agency! Byyyeee!" She speed-walks out of his office, leaving Miles slightly confused, with the warmth he was feeling in his chest cooling.

March 12th

7:35 AM

Prosecutor's Office - Miles Edgeworth's Office

...Okay." Miles said with a sigh, placing his pen on the table as he turned to Phoenix. "Heh…Looks like you're pretty popular, Wright. Already a coworker, a daughter, and a former assistant…"

He couldn't help but feel a bit of envy inside of him. He had no connections, none at all. His only family was Franziska, and his only friend was Phoenix. There was probably tens of people who hated him out there. Defendants, defense attorneys, maybe even witnesses sometimes.

But who did Phoenix have? Well, Phoenix had a daughter, two coworkers who were like family to him, defendants who owed him their life, and, well…

Miles felt just a bit lonely at that.

He rubbed his eyes, exhausted beyond belief. He had stayed up all night worrying and fessing over Phoenix, but what was the point in the end? Even if he was one of Phoenix's closest friends, which he most certainly wasn't, Phoenix always had someone else, even if one or two connections were unavailable.

It was probably a coincidence he went here tonight. It was just the closest place where he could fall asleep.

He didn't need him.

March 12th

10:50 AM

Prosecutor's Office - Miles Edgeworth's Office

Phoenix stirred.

It had been about three hours since he had done so, and the movement at the tip of Edgeworth's field of vision made him flinch. He turned to the man, watching as his eyes slowly, very slowly, opened.

"…Huh..? Eugh…" he said quietly. This time, he did not jump up and fess over being 'late'. He just adjusted his posture. Then, his eyes fell on Miles' face.

Grey eyes met blue and brown ones.

"…Oh."

"Indeed." Miles takes a sip from what had to be his hundredth cup of tea that day, and he exhales. "Wright. While you were asleep, I learned a bit more about your sleep schedule. Is it true that you only have a meager two hours at night?"

Phoenix winces. "Who- Who told you that?"

Miles rolls his eyes. "Your daughter, and Mr. Justice. If you wished to hide your dismal sleep schedule, you could not have done a more shoddy job."

"…I told you I didn't get much sleep. When I woke up the first time."

"You said you took naps. You did not tell me you didn't sleep at night regularly, and that naps were few and far between." Miles corrects. "Phoenix, while being a defense attorney may be a stressful job, even I know how to maintain my health while still getting my job done. You should get more sleep."

"Hmph. Look, I know that my sleep is…a bit minimal."

"An understatement." Miles says, before seeing the look on Phoenix's face. "Continue."

"But, like…I'm already taking pills! Just over-the-counter stuff." He leans back, dismissively waving his hand. "I'm fine."

"Do they work?"

Phoenix doesn't reply to that.

Miles briefly considers requesting his magatama; though he supposes there's no point. Despite its useful properties, Phoenix had worked around the system before, focusing on a single instance where what he said was technically the truth.

"…Yeah." Phoenix says. His right eye twitches subtly.

Well…what was he supposed to say now?

"Hey, Miles?"

He was always bad at this. Maybe before, it was better. Before, he could always find a way to cheer the young Phoenix up, in a way that seemed so different from his cold demeanor that he had ever since he was a child. But now? Now, there was nothing but his coldness there. Maybe that's all he was.

Miles takes a sip of tea. "Yes?"

That must be what Phoenix thought of him, too. He had seen him, in that earthquake. The glance, the slight worry that he would give to a stranger, before just…leaving.

"Thanks for letting me stay in your office. It must've been an inconvenience.."

Because Miles was a stranger. That was all he was. The studious, compassionate child he once was, turned into an inconsiderate prosecutor, a shadow of what he was.

"No, it's fine…" Miles replied. "I didn't get much visitors."

Why me? Miles thought quietly. Why did he go to my office?

"I should go check on the kiddos at my office, now. Thanks again, Edgeworth…" Phoenix stands up, gathering the blanket into his hands. "Uh…where should I put this?"

Stop it. It wasn't the first time he thought like this. Back when he ran away, framing himself for suicide, he doubted himself again. What happened to the purehearted, truth-seeking attorney he wanted to be? It was the same question. What happened, really, to the kindhearted, reasonable human he wanted to be, when he was a child?

He didn't want to go down that route again, abandoning everything. Especially when he learned how Phoenix had reacted when he was gone.

"You can leave it there." Miles replies. "I can put it back. Your daughter and Mr. Justice came by, by the way. And Ms. Fey texted me as well. That's how I found out about your…sleep schedule."

"O-Oh, really?" Phoenix looked vaguely surprised. "Huh..guess I don't need to explain it to them, then.."

I mourned for you for weeks, Edgeworth! I thought you were dead! Gods, he had looked so heartbroken then, angry, fighting, betrayed.

"Edgeworth?"

He had mourned for him. That had to count for something, right?

"…Miles?"

Miles blinks away his thoughts, turning to Phoenix. …He never called him that. "Yes?"

"Nothing, you just looked sort of…out of it." Phoenix said with a shrug. "I'll be heading back to my Agency then."

"Hey, Wright?" Miles blurts, not thinking straight, and Phoenix stops. Not really startled. Just…surprised. There was a difference, Miles realized.

"Yeah?"

"At midnight. I saw them."

Phoenix tilts his head, confused. "Saw what?"

"When I was standing in front of you, and you said you didn't know why I came here. I saw a flicker of a black lock and chains, and then it was gone." He still remembered it. It made him wary. Afraid. Why mention it? He didn't know. That piece of evidence was none of his business.

Phoenix pauses. And then, he laughs. Not the tired, worn out laugh from that midnight. Not the nervous one he would sometimes make in court. A real laugh. Miles hopes that it isn't directed at him.

"You did, huh?" He says, wiping his eye, amused. "Well, do you want to continue?"

"Continue?"

Phoenix tosses him the magatama, his precious trinket, without a second thought. Miles nearly drops it from surprise, but he manages. It's a bit more scratched then when Miles had last truly felt it. A bit like Phoenix himself.

"Wright, what's the poi-"

"I don't know why I went in your office this midnight. I wasn't thinking straight." Phoenix said instantly, as he casually sat down on the side of Miles' desk.

There. Chains clinking, everything but the man in front of him shadowed. A black lock. Two red.

The same black lock from earlier. Though he never really figured out the difference betewen the colored locks.

"What does a black lock mean?"

"It's a secret that the person is keeping even from themselves." Phoenix replies instantly. Another lock doesn't appear.

Miles sighs, rubbing the bridge of his nose. This would've gone much faster if Phoenix just says what the real reason is.

"Wright, you were thinking straight enough to know where you were going last night, right?'

Checkmate.

Miles' grip tightens on the magatama as the two red locks shatter into pieces. A thrill shoots through him, like the thrill whenever he saw that man come to the defense's side of the court. Excitement. That's what he's been feeling. This is…fun. That's the word.

Phoenix blinks twice. "Huh. You're better at this then I thought."

The compliment only helps to make him more excited. He feels foolish, like a little child. And yet, it feels wonderful.

"…Thank you." He replies. "Phoenix, what is the purpose of this lock?"

The question should've gone nowhere, but instead, Phoenix scratches his head, a red tinge rising to his cheeks.

The black lock turns a brilliant red.

"So you figured it out just now…" Miles says, trying to approach this like he would any other case. He paces the room, apprehension boiling inside of him. "Was it admiration? A feeling of deep trust?"

The lock rattles, splinters slightly.

Phoenix watches Miles pace, amused. "Think harder, Miles."

"You're just gloating your status of knowing your secret now, aren't you?" Miles says sharply.

Phoenix laughs. "You know me."

Does he, though? If he does, then he should've figured this out by now. Excitement turns to slight irritation.

"I…don't know." Miles admits finally. It has been easier to admit this as of late, but it's still rather frustrating. He grips his arm, and Phoenix tilts his head, recognizing the nervous tic. "Why, Phoenix? Tell me. Why did you come to my office, of all places?"

Phoenix fidgets with his tie, his calm demeanor strangely collapsing.

"I mean, it's not-" He starts, then stops himself, brows knitting. "It's not like I planned it. Beforehand. Or anything. Can I have my magatama back?"

Miles' gaze sharpens as he turns back to him, dropping the green trinket in Phoenix's hands. "Yes. However, that is not an answer."

"I know, I know." Phoenix exhales, dragging a hand down his face. "I'm working on it, okay? Give me a second."

Silence stretches.

Miles does nto interrupt.

Phoenix, who doesn't seem so cocky at his knowledge of the secret, laughs weakly under his breath. "Man, you'd think I'd be better at this, huh? Especially since I make a living out of figuring out and telling the truth."

"You make a living out of deflecting." Miles corrects simply. "This appears to be no different."

"Ouch."

"Answer the question, Wright."

Phoenix winces, then goes still.

"You were awake." He says finally.

Miles' expression does not change. "That is a fact, not a reason."

Phoenix huffs, legs swaying back and forth. "Would you just-hold on?"

He pushes himself off the desk, pacing once-twice- before stopping, back turned to Miles. "I..I knew you'd be awake." He says quietly. "I didn't even think about it. I just..knew."

Miles folds his arm. "So I was convenient."

The words land sharper than intended.

Phoenix turns around immedietly, head snapping up. "What? No- that's not-"

"Then clarify." Miles says, more firmly now. "Because from where I stand, Wright, it appears that you simply sought out the nearest available location in which to collapse."

"That's not what happened." Phoenix said, evidently hurt.

"Then what did?"

The question hangs there for a moment.

Phoenix stares at Miles for a long moment, then looks away, jaw tightening. "..You really don't get it, do you?"

Miles' frown deepens. "If I did, Wright, I would not have asked."

PHoenix lets out a slow breath, like he's trying to steady himself.

"There are a lot of places I could've gone," he says. "My office. The couch. Heck, I've even collapse in the defendant's lobby before. And you know something? All those place, they're way more comfortable and close then your office. No offense though. Wasn't expecting you to have such a comfortable blanket."

Miles says nothing.

"I didn't go to any of those."

Another pause.

"I came here."

Miles' chest tightens, just slightly. "..Yes. You've established that much."

Phoenix shakes his head, frustrated now. "No, Edgeworth, I mean-"

He stops.

Swallows.

"I came here," he repeats, softer.

The room feels smaller, somehow.

Miles' voice, when he speaks, is quieter. "Why."

Phoenix laughs- short, breathless. "You're really gonna make me say it, huh?"

"I am."

"..Figures." Phoenix replies, before pausing for just two moments. "Because it's you."

Miles stills.

Phoenix doesn't look at him. At all.

"I didn't want somewhere I could just bide my time," he continues, voice low. "Not really. I wanted somewhere that just felt..like it would accept me. SOmewhere I didn't have to think about anything. Or pretend I was fine. Or-" he huffs quietly, "-or crack jokes every five seconds, so people wouldn't worry."

Miles grabs his arm again, his fingers curling slightly against his sleeve.

Phoenix finally looks up.

"I..I knew you wouldn't ask me to do any of that."

Miles exhales, slowly. "So you did it because you were sure I wouldn't…engage with you?"

Phoenix blinks. "What- no, that's not - wow, you are really bad at this."

"I beg your-"

"Because your one of my greatest friends, okay?" Phoenix blurts. "And I trust you."

Silence. It feels like only two seconds, but it might as well have been a century.

Phoenix freezes. "That's-" He rubs the abck of his neck, suddenly flustered. "That's the reason. Happy?"

Miles doesn't respond. What?

Him? Trustworthy?

Phoenix shifts a bit. "I mean, you're- you." He adds, weaker. "You don't…hover. Or pry unless it matters. And when it does, you-" He gestures vaguely. "See things. Even when I don't say them."

Miles' gaze drops, just slightly.

"You chose me." He says, almost to himself.

Phoenix huffs a small laugh. "…Yeah."

Miles' chest feels tight. Unfamiliar.

"You had other options," he says. "People who would have been more…accomadating. Friendly. Places that were much more comfortable."

"Uh-huh."

"You didn't choose them."

Phoenix meets his gaze this time, steady despite the faint flush on his face. "I wanted you."

Miles turns slightly away, one hand rising to adjust his cravat- it's perfect, obviously, but it's more to steady himself.

"You place a great deal of faith in me." he says quietly. "I could've been at home for the night. Or too exasperated with paperwork to care for you."

Phoenix shrugs. "D'know. I just didn't think of that chance when I came here."

A pause.

"..I should thank you, as well." Miles says at last, and Phoenix blinks, confused.

"…Huh?"

Miles exhales slowly, gaze drifting- not quite able to hold Phoenix's for more than a second.

"This space," he continues, more measured now, "was designed for efficiency. Solitude. It is not designed for..comfort."

Phoenix snorts softly. "Yeah, I got that. Seems like it belongs to a real 'stuck-up' jerk."

Miles chuckles, low and rumbling, remembering the memory. "Yes. And yet, ever since you came here, I have found it..less so."

"Less what?"

"Less solitary." Miles says. "Beyond, of course, the fact that you were there the whole night, and it was uncommon." He adjusts his cravat for the tenth time. "It is illogical." He continues, almost frustrated.

"I am accustomed to working alone. Prefer it, even. I like pure silence, being alone, not having to worry about being watched. And yet, your prescence-"

He stops.

"My prescence what?" Phoenix asks, tilting his head. Goddamnit. He couldn't lie to this man.

"It is distracting."

Phoenix opens his mouth-

"But not in a manner I find unwelcome."

That shuts him up. He shifts his weight. He looks rather surprised.

"…Edgeworth, are you-"

"Miles."

Phoenix stops.

Miles finally looks up at him. Phoenix's eyes are bright and friendly, even now. "I would prefer you use my first name."

Phoenix stares at him for a second too long.

"Okay." Phoenix says. "Miles."

It feels…good. To be called his first name by him.

"Phoenix." Miles replies, and just like Trucy said, his face lights up instantly.

He laughs under his breath. "Wow. Okay. We're…doing that now, huh?"

"It seems appropiate."

"Yeah. Yeah, no, that makes sense. Totally normal. Super normal conversation we're having."

Miles gives him a look.

Phoenix clears hit throat. "Right. Sorry. Continue."

Miles hesitates. He wants to say it now. He wants to say: I love you, I love you Phoenix Wright, I love you so much and you are beautiful and amazing and kind- but of course, he can't. Even now, he has pride.

"…When you are not present," He says slowly, as if talking to Pess, "I find my thoughts…reutrning to you. With an increasing frequency that I cannot justify through professional association alone."

Phoenix goes extremely still.

I attempted to dismiss it," Miles continues. He hopes he isn't stumbling over his words. "Initially, I attributed it to how much I despised you at the start. Then to gratitude, after the DL-6 trial. Then, I decided it was just habit. I felt everything reminded me of you somehow. My job as a prosecutor, everywhere I eat I wonder if you've eaten there. I even compare my furniture to those in your office."

There's something off in Phoenix's eyes, and Miles shakes his head.

"No, no, that must have sounded stalkish, I'm sorry-"

"No." Phoenix replies, quieter. "No. So- what is it now?"

Miles sighs. "Now, I find that habit explanation insufficient. There are much more pressing matters in my life as of becoming Chief Prosecutor, so there's no point for my subconscious to retain such an annoying habit."

Phoenix breath catches. Just a bit. "Miles.."

"I do not have extensive experience with this," Miles says, the words deliberate, careful. "So I will state it plainly. I believe I have developed feelings for you."

Phoenix stares.

"…You think." he says, slightly indreculous.

Miles' eyes narrow just a bit. "Must I state it clearer then that? Wiould you prefer I submit a fully peer-reviewed essay?"

Phoenix huffs a laugh- quick, disblieving, even a little overwhelmed. "No, I no, that's just- wow, you- huh."

"I would prefer if you reply in coherent, thought-through statements." Miles says, fighting the growing happiness in his chest as a huge burden falls off his shoulders. He feels so much lighter now.

"No, listen it's just- no. It's cool. It's nice."

Miles tilts his head.

"I…have feelings for you, too."

Miles goes completely still. The words hang there-unadorned, unmistakeable.

"I kinda probably like you. A lot."

"Kinda." Miles repeats, faintly.

Phoenix groans, leaning back, a blush rising to his cheeks. "Don't- don't do that. You know what I mean."

"I do." Miles says. He feels so much things for this man: admiration, respect, trust, and of course love. He understands. He understands almost too much. "I am..uncertain."

Phoenix pauses, laughs. He seems slightly hysterical. "Of course. Love that for us."

Miles leans just a bit closer. "I do not believe I would object to…exploring this further."

Phoenix's ears go a little red. "..Yeah?"

Miles nods. Once. "Yes."

Phoenix smiles a small smile, and it feels so real, not like those plastered on grins that Miles always saw. "Okay. Yeah. I'd..like that."

Miles leans even closer, feeling Phoenix's tie, and the man blushes harder.

"…Do you want to kiss?" Phoenix blurts.

Miles blinks. "…What?"

The attorney - his love- doesn't wait for an answer. He grabs Miles' cheeks, pulls him in, and kisses him. Not hard. Light and soft and Phoenix's lips were smooth and tasted like tea.

I'm kissing him. Miles thinks, flabbergasted. I'm kissing Phoenix Wright.

They break apart.

"Wow." Miles says, because he apparently lost all his wits and could not think of anything better to say.

"Wow." Phoenix agrees.

Miles clears his throat, attempting to recover. "…You still look terrible, by the way."

Phoenix snorts. "Wow, romance really isn't your strong suit, huh?"

Miles sighs. "I am learning, Phoenix. Be patient."

"Uh-huh."

"Well, you're right, anyways. Wait, no. I'm Wright." He quails a bit under Miles' judging look, and sighs. "Fine. No amazing puns. I see. I see how it is. Anyways, I'll go clean myself up. I guess I can come back later, and we can figure everything out?"

Miles nods, and Phoenix starts towards the door.

There's just five seconds of peace, as Miles feels euphoria untangle through his body.

"CONGRATULATIONS!" The door slams open as a shriek comes thorugh, and Phoenix flinches so hard he nearly drops to the ground. Miles visibly startles- visibly-which is rare enough to be alarming on its own.

The one who yelled is Trucy- and she's not the only one there. Apollo is at the doorway next to her, finger pointed dramatically into the room. Behind him is Klavier, looking far too pleased with himself, Athena, who's vibrating with delight, and-

"Franziska?" Miles says, taken aback.

Franziska von Karma stands with her arms crossed, whip attached to her side, expression as stony as ever. "I was heading to my office, fool. I happened to pass this parade of foolery. Unfortunately."

Phoenix blinks. "Why are you guys all at Miles' office…?"

"OBJECTION!" Apollo cuts in, his chords of steel echoing across the office. Franziska's eye twitches. "That is of minimal importantce right now!"

"Yes!' Athena instantly agrees.

"It is extremely important," Miles snaps. "Why are all of you in my doorway?"

Klavier hums, stepping forward. "Ach, Herr Edgeworth, you wound me so. We were merely…passing by."

"Eavesdropping." Franziska correct instantly. "These foolish fools were eavesdropping what is of none of their business."

All of a sudden, a voice comes from Trucy's pocket- "Come on, Franzy, you were also eavesdropping!"

Phoenix splutters. "MAYA? Trucy, how did you magic her into your pocket!?"

Trucy laughs. "Come on, Daddy, don't tell me you're that dumb!' She pulls out her phone, presenting it to Phoenix- in it is a FaceTime call to Maya.

"From even that far away, you still manage to bother me." Phoenix said, more amused then surprised. "Anyways- YOU GUYS WERE EAVESDROPPING?"

Trucy rushes forward before anyone can reply, grabbing Phoenix's hands.

"Daddy! That was SO romantic!!"

Phoenix goes red instantly. "TRUCY."

"I knew it!" she beams. "I knew it was gonna happen!"

Miles pinches the bridge of his nose. "…I see."

"You see!?" Phoenix splutters. "They just- Heard everything!"

Klavier grins. "Ja, everything."

Apollo sighs. "In my defense, I tried to leave."

"Herr Forehead, schatz, you did not."

Apollo blushes violently at the pet name. "Well, I thought about it!"

Athena gives Apollo a look, and he quails.

"The 'I wanted you' part- Daddy, that was so romantic and amazing!"

Phoenix makes a strangled noise and drops his face into his hands. "I'm never coming to court again."

"You say that every time," Apollo mutters.

Miles exhales slowly, regaining his composure. "You have all made your point." He says coolly. "Kindly vacate my office."

"Nope!' Trucy chirps.

"Nah." Apollo and Athena say on sync.

"Nein." Klavier agrees.

"Absolutely not," Franziska adds.

"I'm hanging up when the world ends." Maya concludes.

Miles' eye twitches. "This is a private matter."

"Well, then why not share it to us! I'm Mr. Wright's coworker!" Apollo exclaims.

"And I'm Daddy's daughter!"

"And I'm Nick's best friend!"

"And I'm Herr Edgeworth's subordinate and or friend! Also, I'm watching over the rest of the kids. I pretty much had to restrain them from bursting into the office the moment Herr Wright kissed Herr Edgeworth."

Apollo groans. "Klavier, I was the one who did that. You wanted to jump in too. Also, you are literally my age."

"And," Franziska adds, her voice uncharacteristically soft. "I am your sister."

Miles smiles, just a bit shyly, at her, and a small smile graces her lips, too.

"You are in love with quite a fool. But if he makes you happy…" She shrugged dismissively.

Phoenix peeks through his fingers. "Can we rewind time. Please?"

"No," Franziska says, like she's even able.

"Please?"

"No. Fool, surely you don't want to go back to a time where your love was unconfessed?"

Phoenix winces. "Aghh…You're right."

Athena claps her hands together. "Now then! This calls for celebration, yes?"

"NO." Miles and Phoenix say immediately.

"But it was such a nice confession!" Maya chirps from Trucy's phone, and Trucy nods in agreement.

Phoenix sits down in the chair, nearly sliding to the bottom. "I am going to pass away. I am going to pass away and you guys are all going to prison for first degree murder."

"You said you loved him!' Maya continues, delighted. "Like, out loud! I screamed in the middle of sprit channeling practice!"

"Is that even…allowed?"

"Nah. That's why I got kicked out."

Miles straightens slightly. "Ms. Fey." He says in greeting.

"Mr. Edgeworth!" Maya grins. "Wow, didn't take you as the 'I have developed feelings' type. More like the 'letter that looks a bit too similar to a tax return to confess my undying love' guy. But that was great!"

"I was attempting precision."

"Yeah, we noticed."

Franziska scoffs. "Your wording was inefficient."

Phoenix lifts his head. "Oh, now you care about wording?'

"Always, fool."

Apollo exhales, rubbing his temples. "Okay, okay, can we just- acknowledge this is happening? Because this is happening."

Klavier nods solemnly. "Ja. It is official."

Trucy squeezes Phoenix's arm. "You guys are boyfriends now!"

Phoenix chokes. "We are?"

Miles hesitates.

Everyone leans in.

Even Maya on the phone, as if she wasn't close enough to the camera already.

Widget chirps: "Say it!"

"I believe that would be the logical conclusion." Miles admits.

Trucy gasped theatrically. "HE SAID YES!"

"I did not-"

"Close enough!" Apollo says with a smile.

Klavier laughs. "Wunderbar."

Phoenix rubs his face, still red- but smiling. "Wow. Okay. This is..happening."

Miles glances at him.

"…Yes." he says, quieter.

The two look at each other for a moment, and everything seems to fade away.

Until-

"GROUP HUG!" Trucy declares like a verdict.

"NO-" Miles starts. Of course, there's no point. Trucy pounces in, hugging both her father and Miles. Klavier grabs Apollo's hand(he blushes furiously) and drags the two of them into the hug as well, Athena practically football tackles into the hug, and Phoenix gets crushed in the middle.

Franziska nervously steps toward them, seemingly unsure of what to do for the first time. Miles, who still had enough space, reached out an arm and brought his older sister into the hug. She gasped, but eventually melted into it.

Phoenix laughs- really laughs- somewhere in the middle of it.

Miles, trapped and thourougly surrounded now, exhales. "This is highly unprofessional."

"Shut up and enjoy it," Maya says through the phone.

A pause.

Miles sighs.

"Very well."

And he doesn't pull away.