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Even with it being a "lazy Saturday," the grocery store was fairly busy today.
Kay Faraday had footed it to the store, throwing a giggling Trucy over her shoulder and dragging her roommate Sebastian along for the fun. Though, in reality, it was a quick run for one item in particular. Which item?
Macaroni and cheese.
What prompted this run?
Little Trucy, who was placed in Kay and Sebastian's care for a day, had told them out of the blue that her dad- one Phoenix Wright- had never had mac and cheese in his life.
Kay had shot back that her dad- er, guardian? she didn't quite know yet- Mr. Edgeworth, had also never had it! At least, that's what she thought- he'd never been one to give a straight answer.
Cue Kay nearly launching herself out the door with Trucy and Sebastian in tow, which brought them to the grocery store they were in now.
"Truce, I still can't believe your dad and Mr. Edgeworth have never had mac and cheese! Not one ounce of the cheesy goodness?"
10-year-old Trucy vigorously shook her head.
"Nope! At least not that I know- Daddy's pretty silent when I ask him questions sometimes."
Kay frowned, but a grin quickly replaced it.
"Not to worry, Trucy-fruit! With my personal expertise in this field, I'll be sure to select only the best in mac and cheese! The good stuff, if you will."
Sebastian- who'd been lagging behind the girls a little- suddenly perked to attention, when before he'd been idly passing the grocery basket handles back and forth between his hands. At Kay's comment, he tilted his head with a puzzled look, lightly tugging on one of his hoodie's drawstrings.
"The best in mac and cheese? Are you talking about what I think you're talking about, Kay?"
Kay turned behind her for a moment, firmly nodding at her roommate.
"If your thought is Kraft Mac & Cheese, then ding ding ding! You're a winner, Seb!"
Sebastian snorted quietly.
"I-Isn't that the only kind of mac and cheese we've had?"
Kay snorted back, not suppressing it like Sebastian had.
"Duh? That's what makes it the best!"
Sebastian rolled his eyes with a smile.
"If you say so!"
Trucy hopped, trying to get Kay's attention.
"Oooh! I think I've had that for school lunches sometimes! It's weird how I don't have it at home with Daddy, though. I wonder why?"
Kay shrugged, turning into the next aisle.
"Eh, maybe he's not cultured like we are, Truce. Might not be important-"
Her eyes caught on a familiar blue-and-orange box, and she snatched it off the shelf without a second thought.
"The mother lode of mac and cheese! We've found it!!"
Sebastian nearly stumbled at Kay's shout, and Trucy gasped with delight.
"Oh wow, there's so many different kinds!! What should we get, Kay?"
Kay's cheeks puffed in thought and she crossed her arms- not unlike a certain prosecutor. Her eyes popped open and her grin returned.
"I'd say stick with the classic mac and cheese. Don't want to overwhelm them with the variety quite yet!"
Trucy fluttered her cape in excitement.
"Okey-dokey! Classic it is!"
Sebastian cleared his throat, still fiddling with his hoodie drawstring.
"Er... how many boxes of mac and cheese are we getting, Kay?"
Kay's grin didn't leave, but she acknowledged Sebastian's concern.
"Mmmm, five? That should be plenty to go around I think!"
Sebastian sighed in relief. Keeping track of the two's spending budget was a decision he was glad he didn't make alone. Mr. Edgeworth knew Kay pretty well, and knew if she'd been put in charge of it, that money would disappear quicker than the blink of an eye.
"That's fine. S-Sorry for-"
Kay stopped him with a shoulder pat.
"Nothing to be sorry for, Sebbie! I wouldn't get anything in an inordinate amount anyway- I don't wanna stress you out!"
Sebastian smiled, then lightly scoffed.
"Right, r-right- like you didn't stress me out that one day when you impulse bought Jammin' Ninja merch-"
Kay stuck her arms out in hyperbolic exasperation.
"It was limited edition , Seb!"
Sebastian laughed, knowing she wasn't actually annoyed. He heard Kay giggle back as she gathered up the five boxes of Kraft Mac and Cheese in her arms, handed one at a time to Trucy, and then Trucy dropped each box into Sebastian's basket.
"Is that all we need, Kay?"
Kay leaned over to look in the basket, counting each box.
"One, two, three, fourrr... yep, that's five boxes! We're good!"
Trucy twirled, giddily squeezing Kay's wrist.
"Yay! Where to next?"
Kay beamed, a glint of excitement evident in her eyes.
"After we check out, I think your dad's expecting you back soon- so we're gonna go to his house and get the mac and cheese action going!"
Trucy squealed with delight. She could hardly wait!
Sebastian finally caught up with the two, lightly scratching his neck with a gloved hand.
"Er... Kay. How are we going to g-get to Mr. Wright's house? E-Every time we've been there, Mr. Edgeworth grove- drove us. I-Isn't it... far?"
Kay rested her chin on her hand, puffing her cheeks again.
"Good point. Maybe we should check the GPS before we get too far ahead."
She shook off the seriousness, reverting back to her wide smile.
"Anyway, checkout time! Mac and cheese, here we come!"
***
Phoenix knew Miles didn't have to offer to stay with him today. But he did so anyway, despite protests that he was fine. Seems Miles had become better at picking up on these kinds of subtle cues, the silent cries for help that everyone else overlooked.
Putting it simply, Phoenix hadn't been having the best time. Losing his badge a couple years ago was still a shock to him, as was the unexpected fatherhood thrust at his feet. And every once in a while, he had days where he couldn't force himself out of bed, and the dark thoughts just wouldn't stay away. This happened to be one of those days.
Miles was the first to know about this low mood Phoenix was in. He usually was. He began his help by asking Kay and Sebastian, his young companions- who seemed more and more like his children as the days went on- to take care of little Trucy for a while. As they had babysat her before, he knew it'd comfort Phoenix to know she was in good hands.
The second order of business was assisting around what Phoenix called a house. It was rather small, with just enough living space for him and Trucy, but was also capable of holding small gatherings. It was certainly livable, but Miles worried Phoenix would get too comfortable in a tiny place like this, when he was barely living by his means.
Phoenix lazily spread out on the ratty couch, glad he was able to at least move somewhere else in the house. His attention was divided between Signal Samurai reruns on the TV, and Miles cleaning the tiny kitchen area. The clink of dishes being set in the drying rack, and the low hum from the TV were pleasant sounds to zone out to. Though he was afraid of doing so- the initial onset of self-deprecating thoughts had mostly faded, but he still felt he'd slip back in at any second if he let his mind wander.
Thank God Miles was here. Something about Miles's presence kept the harsh darkness away.
What reassured Phoenix more was that Miles was working with him to try and figure out what exactly had happened that day. The day that his badge was no longer his. At the news, Miles had asked to hear as much as he could about it, disappointed- and maybe enraged- that no other authority decided to give it a second look. Many things were off about it; Phoenix could tell Miles pored this case from top to bottom, and seared through the pages many a time with his intense gaze. He'd heard of nights where Miles couldn't sleep because he was racking his brain over the details yet again.
This man was insane. But he loved that man all the same.
"Wright... don't get too comfortable now."
Miles's firm yet warm chuckle drew his attention, steering him away from dissociation. He stretched out, slowly sitting up and resting his chin on folded arms, lazily smiling.
"What, a guy can't lounge around his own house?"
Phoenix meant it in jest, but he saw his partner's expression dampen.
"You've been immobile a majority of the day. The state of mind you were in earlier drained you of energy; it's understandable. Fighting yourself and your thoughts is no easy task."
Phoenix sighed, acquiescing.
"Yeah, it's a living hell. I felt so bad that I couldn't make breakfast for Truce..."
Miles turned to face him, as he thoughtfully dried a plate.
"Don't beat yourself up over that. She understood the situation very well- she's a smart girl."
The smile returned to Phoenix's face.
"She really is. By the way, thanks for asking your kids to look out for her, it really does take a load off my mind."
Miles halted in his dish-drying, eyes going wider, then more narrow as he subconsciously obscured his face with his bangs.
"They're... not exactly my children, Wright. I'm merely watching out for them... they do share an apartment, after all."
Phoenix chuckled.
"Can't fool me, Miles. Even without 'Psycho-Locks.'"
Miles shook his head, and he scoffed with a tiny smile.
"I truly am being read like a book here. And who told you I said such a thing?"
Phoenix's nose crinkled as his smile grew. He really needed this type of talk to distract him, and was pleased it was working.
"Gumshoe, who else?"
Miles discreetly snorted, but Phoenix heard it no matter how hard he tried to hide it.
"I shouldn't put it past him to share anecdotes such as those- he certainly has before."
Phoenix pushed himself up on his feet, cocking his head to the side.
"You know, he sometimes told me how you were doing during... a lot of difficult times."
Miles paused again, meeting Phoenix's eyes from across the room.
"Did he now? ...Hm. I shouldn't be too surprised; he was always the empathetic type."
Phoenix crossed over into the kitchen area, idly scratching the stubble on his cheek.
"Yeah... I don't think he knew at the time how important those updates were to me. Job wise, we were on different sides, but as people? Both of us had the same goal- we didn't want to see you suffering."
Miles pursed his lips, small smile persisting as he solemnly nodded.
"And... I am grateful for that. I know at the time I didn't know exactly how to say thank you. Then after that- well... you know the rest."
Phoenix's own smile turned bittersweet at that comment.
"Mm-hm... point is... we've been through a lot together."
He stood eye-to-eye with Miles now, noticing... sympathy in his gaze.
Miles set the dry plate and hand towel on the nearby table, hands curling around Phoenix's biceps.
"And... we can make it through more of the same, Phoenix."
There it was. Why did the first-name-basis thing still seem so new, and still caused Phoenix's cheeks to warm? Then again... did Miles flush a little, too?
Phoenix must have been really distracted, because lips coming into contact with his scruffy cheek nearly made him jump. When Miles chuckled in response, he felt the pink tint on his face deepen. How was he always weak to simple things like this?
Miles pulled back, eyes narrowing slyly and a smirk appearing.
"Your cheeks feel like sandpaper, dearheart."
Phoenix blinked, then snorted once he recovered from his brain bluescreening.
"C'mon, you know you like it. I've tickled you with it before."
Miles tried to stifle a laugh, but failed spectacularly.
"Shush, you fiend!"
It was rarities such as this that made Phoenix feel blessed to be with Miles- and grateful that Miles was returning the favor, in similar capacity. It was true what he'd said, and bore repeating: the two had been through a lot together, and could- would- see each other through more trying times like these.
Phoenix retorted with a kiss on Miles's cheek, making sure he felt the stubble for at least a moment.
"Maybe I don't want to, Miles."
He felt Miles shiver a bit, and could still see his wonderful, big smile.
"You're impossible sometimes."
Phrases like that were meant in affectionate ways, and Phoenix ate it up.
"And you still don't mind it."
Miled huffed, but his smile was stuck.
"You truly have me there, darling."
He cleared his throat, breaking his gaze with Phoenix for a moment, and releasing one of his biceps as he checked his cellphone.
"Hm... it seems Kay and Sebastian are on their way back with Trucy, and have... a surprise with them."
Phoenix tried craning his neck toward Miles's phone, but it was concealed in a pocket before he could see.
"What sort of surprise? Did she nab something and didn't think I'd notice again?"
Miles shook his head with a fond sigh.
"No... something having to do with dinner, she said."
Phoenix tilted his head, a bit puzzled.
"She's bringing over dinner? Now that's thoughtful of her. Wonder what made her decide to get it..."
Miles's brow crinkled in thought.
"Well, you know the same amount that I do, which isn't much. I suppose we'll have to wait and see."
The two didn't need to wait for too long- about 5 minutes later, the doorbell rang. They shared a knowing look, Phoenix shook his head with a grin, and then answered the door.
In burst Kay with a giggling Trucy perched on her shoulders, catching Miles a little off guard with the sudden entrance. Sebastian padded in shortly after, plastic grocery bag clutched in his gloved hands as he politely nodded in Phoenix's direction.
"The Great Thief and her DeBestie have returned with their charge!"
Sebastian giggled. Miles groaned, hand splayed on his chest, but still smiling the tiniest bit. He could never be upset with Kay, it was impossible.
"Nghoooh... I can certainly see that."
Phoenix opened his mouth to ask about how Trucy was, but Sebastian took the words right from his mouth.
"Trucy was very well behaved! Kay and I are always happy to look after her- even if I need to make sure too much m-mischief isn't caused."
Phoenix patted Sebastian's shoulder as he giggled.
"Hey, no problem. She loves hanging out with both of you- I really do appreciate it."
Kay bounded over the kitchen threshold where Miles was, gently bringing Trucy down to solid ground.
"Soooo Mr. Edgeworth, you ready for the surprise?"
Miles could see the sparkle in Kay's eyes and how Trucy couldn't stay still, swinging her arms to and fro.
"I am rather curious about it, for certain."
Kay's signature grin appeared, and she gestured with a hand to Sebastian.
"Okay, Seb! Give 'im the goods!"
Sebastian's head snapped up, and he strode over to Kay's side, holding out the plastic bag to his mentor.
"H-Here you go, Mr. Edgeworth."
Miles gingerly took it from Sebastian's hands, examining the contents inside.
Macaroni and... cheese?
"I'm... assuming this is the dinner you were mentioning, Kay? Macaroni and cheese?"
Kay giggled, hand flying to the back of her head.
"Haha, yeah! Trucy kinda sorta told me about how Mr. Wright had never had mac and cheese, then I told her how you hadn't had it either, and... well let's just say we all took an impromptu grocery run for it."
Sebastian shook his head with a smile.
"More like she did and took us along for the ride."
Trucy snickered and playfully tipped her top hat.
Miles pondered things for a moment. Macaroni and cheese... he hadn't really had it since before his father-
He supposed it wouldn't hurt to indulge the kids in their suggestion. They had taken a grocery run for it after all, and he wouldn't want to see their effort wasted.
"I see. I don't see why we couldn't make this for dinner. Wright... are you fine with this as well?"
Phoenix joined the group back in the kitchen, grinning a little.
"Sure, I'm okay with it."
Trucy tugged on her dad's hoodie with excitement.
"Daddy! You have to tell them why you haven't had macaroni and cheese before! Pleeeease?"
Phoenix chuckled. Trucy was too adorable to refuse.
"Of course, sweetie. I'll tell that while we're eating, 'kay?"
Trucy's eyes lit up in that magical way they always did.
"Yessss!"
Kay snapped her fingers in delight.
"Aw, sweet! So what are we waiting for? Let's get cooking!"
Miles chuckled apprehensively. He knew how Kay was in a kitchen setting.
"Wright and I will cook it, and you three can help if you wish. You wouldn't want burned macaroni and cheese, correct?"
Kay grimaced.
" Hey now- "
Sebastian smirked.
"I told you he doesn't trust you around stoves- remember the spaghetti incident?"
Kay's eyebrows knit together in fake annoyance, grin staying.
" Sebbie-! "
***
Even as they ate, Kay eagerly looked back and forth between Mr. Wright and Mr. Edgeworth, gauging their reactions to the cheesy meal.
"Soooo? How is it?"
Phoenix grinned, putting down his fork for a moment.
"Honestly? You were right, this is the good stuff!"
Kay pumped her fist in victory.
"Right?? You can never go wrong with mac and cheese!"
Miles swallowed his bite, joining in the conversation.
"I would say so. The taste is rather... nostalgic for me, you could say."
Trucy stuck her fork in her bowl, leaning towards Miles in interest.
"Really? Why's that, Uncle Miles?"
Miles glanced at Trucy and her expression of curiosity. He was just as weak to it as Phoenix was. He saw no harm in saying the reason for his comment. Even though it brought up some past memories... they weren't unpleasant, thankfully.
"Well... when I was around your age, Trucy- maybe a little younger- my father would make it a point to cook up some macaroni and cheese at least once a month. It became a tradition for a while- especially if someone invited themselves over."
At that, Miles turned his gaze to Phoenix, and the latter chuckled.
"Hey, I'm just glad I didn't get in trouble with my parents when I came over."
None of the kids said anything for a moment, but somehow all were thinking the same thing: wait... they knew each other as kids ??
That thought was dropped rather quickly when Sebastian piped up with a question of his own.
"Your parents? What w-were they like? Were they strict?"
Phoenix stroked his scruffy chin, smiling a bit sheepishly.
"You... could say that, Sebastian. They were... oddballs, to put it politely. They wouldn't let me do certain things, eat certain things because it 'messed with my chakra,' or however they put it. The food we had was free-range this, plant-based that, meat substitutes... they thought anything that didn't come directly from 'Mother Earth' wasn't good for me. Unfortunately that included stuff like noodles- especially mac and cheese."
Sebastian nodded in understanding, and Kay cocked her head to the side.
"So... your parents were hippies?"
Phoenix laughed.
"Essentially, yeah. Didn't learn till years later that I was the one with the weird childhood, when I saw how everyone else was at college."
Miles chuckled, half in amusement and half awkwardly.
"I don't see anything inherently wrong with that lifestyle or diet- if it makes them happy, they're free to live as they wish. However, the fact that it was forced on you from childhood is rather... unnerving. That's probably the best word I can use to describe it."
Phoenix sighed, leaning an elbow on the table.
"Yeah, you hit it on the head. Living with a lot of restrictions in what you can and can't do kinda makes you feel... trapped, y'know?"
He saw Miles nod solemnly, then heard a mumble from Sebastian.
"I know how that feels..."
Despite not knowing what Sebastian was referring to, Phoenix still lightly patted his shoulder in a gesture of empathy. Sebastian accepted it quietly, subtly smiling in thanks at Mr. Wright.
Phoenix decided to break the silence.
"Either way... right now is what matters, yeah? And right now I'm loving this mac and cheese!"
Trucy's eyes lit up as she scooped up another forkful.
"That's great, Daddy! I helped Kay pick it out, we made sure to get the best one!"
Kay winked in Trucy's direction.
"What'd I tell ya, Truce? Kraft Mac & Cheese is the best of the best!"
Miles swallowed another bite, turning to Kay.
"Ahem... Kay, Sebastian- thank you for getting this, and for looking out for Trucy today. Wright's been having hard days lately, and I know he appreciates the help."
Phoenix smiled genuinely.
"That I do. Seriously, thank you, you two. You took a big load off my mind."
Kay and Sebastian beamed back at Phoenix in kind.
"It's no problemo, Mr. Wright! We're always happy to watch Trucy if you need it!"
"Y-Yeah... it's the least we can do to help you out- you're Mr. Edgeworth's friend, after all."
Phoenix mentally sighed in relief, glad that nothing subtle had slipped out about- well, about how he was dating Miles. It probably wouldn't stay secret for long, but for now, he enjoyed the privacy of it all.
His smile didn't leave- in fact, he was rather moved by the kids' gestures to assist.
"You're always welcome at any time, both of you. Just call ahead- don't want the door to be busted off its hinges at an unexpected hour."
Kay pushed out a breath and Sebastian snorted.
"Sure thing, sure thing. Though I could always go in through the window-"
" Kay. "
Miles gave her the famous Edgeworth glare- though there was no ill will behind it.
"Alright, fine, I'll be booooring and go through the front door."
Kay giggled. She couldn't explain why, but she liked that glare. It wasn't exactly threatening- she found it more amusing in her eyes.
"Well- Trucy, Sebbie, I'd say our great mac and cheese mission was a success! Wouldn't you agree?"
Sebastian nodded- he was working on another bite of food.
"Yrrrh!" Trucy responded, mouth full.
Phoenix snickered at his daughter's enthusiasm.
"Truce, chew and swallow before talking."
The little magician did so without protest, beaming brightly.
Phoenix smiled, looking from one face to the next around the small, rickety table in the tiny kitchen. There was something... comforting about this moment. It was warm, and pleasant, and it felt like all was right in the world.
Like... he had a family. A real family.
And at this moment in his life... that's exactly what kept him going. He had people that cared about him, who were willing to help him, even if he felt like he didn't deserve it some days.
He had a feeling this would be a cherished memory to look back on, a moment of light in dark times. He appreciated and held onto those lights, those little rays of hope. He hoped, one day, that these lights would grow in number and brighten his dark nights. Even if now he was trudging through hell... he wasn't doing it alone.
Phoenix felt a calm settle in his chest, sighing easily.
All felt right in the world.