Chapter Text
It was January 5th, 2029, and Phoenix Wright was dating Miles Edgeworth.
He sat up in bed, wondering if it had all been some sort of weird dream. However, the date on his phone definitely said it was the 5th. He hadn't very well slept through all of yesterday.
‘Oh, I know! ’ he thought, ‘When I went out for my date, I must have slipped on an ice patch, hit my head, and gotten knocked out! Then, Pearls and Trucy felt bad for me, so they brought me home and tucked me into bed! ’
...It wasn't just foolish optimism that made that theory sound ridiculous, right?
Suddenly remembering something, Phoenix jolted out of bed, walking quickly (but not quite running) to the kitchen. When he finally laid his eyes on the bouquet of flowers sitting in a vase on the kitchen table, he nearly let out a whoop. He silently pumped his fist into the air, although he remained as quiet as he was able, so as not to wake Trucy.
The flowers were hard evidence. Proof he'd kissed Miles Edgeworth. No, wait, even better- They were proof that Miles Edgeworth had kissed him ! Him! Of all people! He'd walked up to Phoenix, held him close, and then-!
The thought made Phoenix giddy. He hadn’t felt like this since he was back in college!
...And that thought was fairly sobering, actually.
‘All right, Romeo, let's dial back the romance a bit. You’re not twenty anymore. We don't want “Feenie” making a comeback here.’
‘Still ,’ he thought as he walked over to the table, tugging at the leaf of one of the flowers and rubbing it in between his fingers, as if to confirm that it was indeed real. ‘This is nothing like back then. ’
For starters, Phoenix was older now. One might not think that changed for anything, but it did- both for better and for worse. On the plus side, he was more mature. He could think things through as an adult- no matter how much people liked to say otherwise. He wasn't as naive as he'd once been, either. He wouldn't fall head over heels, ignoring every little problem until it blew up in his face. Of course, the counterpoint to that was that he no longer had youth on his side. Mistakes made now not only affected him, but the people around him, who depended on him for support and guidance. Not to mention the fact that he was starting to slow down- if only slightly. He couldn't hustle about, like he used to. Honestly, as much as going out to restaurants was nice, Phoenix’s idea of a nice night was to lie at home with his feet up, watching TV. He wasn't sure he could pull out all the romantic stops he might have been able to in the past. To be fair, he wasn't entirely sure what would be required in order to woo Edgeworth. However, he sort of doubted that a beat up couch and delivery pizza would do the trick.
...Why did Edgeworth want to be with him? Phoenix actually found himself frowning at that. Dahlia had done it for the bottle. Iris… well, she'd done it first for Dahlia, later because… Probably because she was a softie. Edgeworth didn't have any ulterior motives here. He wouldn't do something like that. Miles knew him better than anybody. He'd seen the best and the worst of him, and yet...
Phoenix caught his warped reflection on the glass vase. He wasn’t suave or handsome- at least, not like Miles was. He looked up, glancing around his apartment. He wasn't rich- and although he didn't expect Miles to be that superficial, the difference in their standard of living had to be something that the prosecutor noticed whenever he came over to visit.
...Could Edgeworth like him for his mind? Ha, unlikely. The prosecutor made fun of him for being a bluffing idiot half the time. And to be fair, he… wasn't all that smart. At least, not as smart as Miles. For all the times he beat the prosecutor in court… Well, wasn't that just because he'd managed to find the truth with Edgeworth’s help? Edgeworth probably could have put together a more cohesive defense if they were forced to switch places… Not that Phoenix would ever say as much out loud.
And that was only the tip of the iceberg. He'd been disbarred . He'd sunk all the way down to rock bottom. Edgeworth had helped fish him out. And while he could understand and appreciate that as a friend… After seeing all that, Miles wanted to date him, less than two years after getting his badge back? Edgeworth had accomplished so much in that time, and honestly, sometimes Phoenix still felt like he was playing catchup. Thanks to Edgeworth, he hadn't been too far away from the legal world, but he still had seven less years of experience in a courtroom than he should have. Those were years he'd never get back.
As a friend, Phoenix didn't feel inferior in the slightest. As a boyfriend? ...Everyone had to know that Edgeworth could do better, yeah?
But he kissed me anyways.
Phoenix’s stomach did a little flip, and his darker thoughts began to scatter. ‘Oh, forget it ,’ he thought, breaking into a wide grin. ‘He kissed me! ’
Phoenix wasn't sure what parallel universe he'd fallen into, or when Edgeworth would come back to his senses. However, he was determined to enjoy things while they lasted.
“We need to talk.”
Phoenix’s stomach dropped. Well, that was fast. It had been just a few days since Phoenix and Edgeworth’s first date (with Larry third-wheeling along). Because of work, neither one of them had been able to make much time to talk. Well, Phoenix probably could have found time, but he was honestly a little nervous. That's why he’d been pleasantly surprised when his work phone rang, and Edgeworth’s number came up. However, before he could even finish his hello, Miles had interrupted him.
Phoenix swallowed. “...Okay,” he said slowly, trying to keep his feelings guarded. “What about?”
“I… believe it would be easier to explain in person,” Edgeworth said. “I wouldn’t want you getting the wrong idea.”
Phoenix bit back a nervous giggle. Of course Edgeworth wouldn't want to break up with him over the phone. He'd probably want to sit him down, explain that he'd made a mistake, explain that it wasn't Phoenix’s fault…
As if confirming his dread, Edgeworth continued. “I know it's short notice, but I’m available for lunch, if you are. There's a cafe by the Prosecutor’s Office, let me give you the address-”
‘Ripping the band-aid off fast, huh? ’ Phoenix thought as he wrote down the name and location of the cafe. He was tempted to say no- but what then? He'd just wind up being anxious for longer. No, he might as well get this over with. “Yeah, I can make it,” he said.
“Good. See you there- let's say around 12:30?”
“Works for me,” he was barely able to choke out.
With a few goodbyes and a click, Phoenix was left staring at the phone. There was absolutely no doubt in his mind about where this was going. You don't just call up your new boyfriend (that word still made his heart jump, dammit) after your first date and say ‘we need to talk’. It was over before it had even begun.
Oh well. It has been great while it lasted. He'd kissed Edgeworth at least ten times that day. Maybe more. That was already more than he'd ever even hoped to kiss the prosecutor, at least in this lifetime.
He slumped in his chair, suddenly miserable. He wondered what Trucy said, to get Edgeworth to date him in the first place. It had been a pretty firm ‘no’ on New Year’s Eve, and Phoenix hadn't really been told the reason for the sudden change of heart. The only thing Edgeworth had said was…
‘The truth is, Phoenix, I wasn't ready yet. And for that, I apologize. It shouldn't have taken me so long. ’
...So long for what? For him to sort out his feelings? For him to decide to go along with whatever Trucy had told him to do? What exactly had been going through his head that night? Phoenix frowned, but this time, more in thoughtfulness than despair.
...Edgeworth was right. Whatever his intentions, they needed to talk.
By lunchtime, Phoenix had almost managed to convince himself that Edgeworth might not be breaking up with him just yet. “I'm going out to lunch,” he told Athena, as he grabbed his winter coat.
Athena jolted up instantly. “What's the matter, Boss?”
“Huh?”
“For the last few days, your voice has been singing with happiness. I asked Trucy about it, and she told me you were seeing someone. Now all I'm hearing is fear and anxiety. Did something happen?”
Yeah, of course Athena had picked up on his mood as of late. Phoenix hadn't really told anyone he and Edgeworth were dating, so he'd dodged most of Athena’s questions. It came as no surprise, however, that Trucy had betrayed him. Still, judging from Athena’s wording, she didn't know who he was dating. His daughter had kept that much a secret, at least.
“It's probably nothing,” Phoenix said, trying to assure both himself and his subordinate. The way Athena grimaced proved that it wasn't working. “...I'll let you know once I find out.” He probably shouldn't have promised that, but he knew Athena wouldn't drop the subject unless he did. “In any case, I'll be back soon. Be sure to water Charley, if you haven't already.”
“Will do!”
Miles already had a table ready. He was sitting there calmly, a steaming cup of tea in front of him.
God he looked so handsome.
Phoenix slid into the booth, shooting Miles a shy, nervous smile. “Hey,” he said.
Miles smiled back. “Good afternoon,” he answered smoothly. “I hope you've been well.”
“Uh, yeah,” Phoenix said, feeling like an idiot as he stumbled over his words. “You know, work’s been kinda slow. When Trucy and I came into the office for the first time this year, I got kinda nervous when I saw we had, like, ten voicemails. But Truce gave them a listen and said that they weren't work-related, so that was a relief.”
For some reason, Edgeworth looked mildly uncomfortable. He gave a small cough. “I-Is that right? ...You, ah, didn't give them a listen yourself, did you?”
“Nah, Trucy deleted them when she was done, along with some emails.”
Edgeworth’s shoulders relaxed, and Phoenix would almost say he looked a little relieved. Before he could ask, however, Edgeworth began speaking again.
“Now, about the matter I brought you here to discuss,” he said. “...It's about us.” For a second, Phoenix forgot how to breathe. “...Wright, have you considered how our relationship would affect our work?”
No, as a matter of fact, he hadn't. This must have been evident on his face, because Edgeworth continued. “Even if two people in a relationship could manage face off in court without bias, the fact remains that it is, in principle, unethical. Now I… don't know how discreet you were planning on being with this, but if news ever got out, it would be a scandal. Not just for us, but for those working under us as well.”
That was true, Phoenix realized guiltily. Not only would their relationship make the front page headlines (“Chief Prosecutor found dating local defense attorney! Has he been responsible for the defense’s winning track record?”), but it would bring accusations of corruption down on both of their offices. Edgeworth and his subordinates would get the worst of it, of course, but it wouldn't be fair for Phoenix to put Athena through that either.
“We could… Mmngh….” They could what? Keep quiet and hope for the best? Like that would ever work. Phoenix’s head drooped down, and he found himself staring at his hands, lightly clasped together on the table in front of him. It was no good. He couldn't think of a solution that wouldn't inevitably drag one or both of their reputations through the mud.
“Wright,” Edgeworth said.
Phoenix didn't look up. His eyes shut, and his hands squeeze tightly together as he prepared for what he was about to hear. It was over. It was all over. It had barely even started, and now Edgeworth was going to-
“We can't-”
“I know,” Phoenix whispered. He forced himself to open his eyes, but only to stare down at his hands, which were trembling just a little.
There was a moment of silence.
“...Don't misunderstand,” Edgeworth said, looking away. “This isn't easy for me, either. I'll miss what we had. But if we’re going to be serious about this… Then we have to stop facing off in court.” Phoenix’s head shot up, his eyes going wide. “Furthermore, I believe we should disclose the nature of our relationship to the proper authorities. I can't guarantee that everyone will be pleased, but if the right people are made aware, perhaps some regulations can be put in place to- P-Phoenix?!”
Phoenix was visibly shaking now, one hand covering his mouth. His eyes stung with tears, which he quickly wiped away with his other hand.
“I-I thought…” he gulped. “Th-That you were going to break up with me…”
“What?!” Edgeworth looked genuinely flabbergasted. “How could you even think that?”
“W-Well, you were the one who made it sound so serious!”
“Phoenix, this has to do with our jobs! It's very serious!”
“Y-Yeah, I know, but…” Phoenix sniffed a bit, pulling himself together. “S-Sorry. It's just, everything's happened so fast, I still had trouble believing it, you know? And then you call me over saying ‘we need to talk’... I thought it was over.” He gave an awkward grin, his eyes clamping shut to block the influx of tears as he ducked to scratch his head, his elbow resting on the tale. “Heh. Sorry- I’m being dumb. Not sure why I got all emotional on you there.”
He heard a small clattering, and when he opened his eyes, he saw that Edgeworth had moved his teacup aside to reach across the table and hold Phoenix’s free hand in between his own.
“...Phoenix, for as long as you've known me, how many times have I completely abandoned a commitment within days of agreeing to it?”
“...Not many,” Phoenix muttered. In fact, he couldn't think of a single case off hand.
“I know that you may be in the habit of making life-changing decisions at the drop of a hat, but entering a relationship with you was not spur of the moment.”
“Uh, really?” Phoenix asked. “Because, it sorta felt like it…”
“No, that's…” Edgeworth paused. “...Yes, I suppose from your perspective, it would seem sudden. But it was not over a matter of days, or even weeks that I made my decision. In fact, ever since I realized I loved you, I-” Phoenix’s eyes went wide. “...What?”
“You… love me?” he asked.
Edgeworth coughed to clear his throat, looking away. “I… thought that was obvious,” he muttered.
“Not really?” Phoenix said. “I-I mean, I got that you liked me, that was uh… I mean, I definitely got that message. It's just, um…”
A moment of awkward silence fell over the table as Phoenix trailed off, unsure of how to express his feelings. Eventually, much to his surprise, Edgeworth broke into a small, almost melancholy smile.
“Even after all this time, when it comes to matters like this, we’re both still so unsure of each other.”
“Edgeworth…”
A group of teens at a table across the restaurant burst into laughter over some conversation they are having, making both men abruptly hyper aware of their surroundings.
“...Perhaps this isn't the right place to be having this conversation after all,” Edgeworth said. Phoenix wholeheartedly agreed, feeling his cheeks grow warm as he remembered his over-the-top reaction just a moment ago. “How about you stop by my place this evening after dinner- say, some time around nine o’clock? We can discuss this more then.”
“Sounds good,” Phoenix said.
Edgeworth nodded, and his phone buzzed loudly in his pocket. He took it out, scrolling through some messages. “I hate to cut our lunch date short, but something came up at the office. I have to get going.”
“Yeah, no problem. Did you actually get the chance to eat yet, or-?”
“I'll have my assistant pick something up for me.”
Phoenix nodded, and Edgeworth stood up. Realizing he'd forgotten something important, Phoenix stopped him before he'd taken three steps away from the table.
“-Hey, Edgeworth?”
“Yes?” the prosecutor asked, turning around.
“I love you too.”
Miles flushed red. He turned away and coughed awkwardly, nodding. He hastily made his exit, head ducked down in what was most likely embarrassment- albeit, the good kind. Phoenix smiled as he watched him, his heart fluttering ever so slightly.
Maybe things would be okay after all.