Work Text:
December 25, 2016
9:43pm
Wright & Co. Law Offices
The dull glow of Mia’s…well, now Phoenix’s, computer, combined with a cheap desk lamp she had bought a few years back, were the only things currently illuminating the papers scattered around Phoenix’s workspace. He chewed his pen, deep in thought. If Edgeworth’s trial was tomorrow, that meant he’d need to get all his evidence straight, as well as documents, his opening and closing statements, and think about the narrative he’d go with to get Edgeworth off the hook as best he could. He sighed, running a hand through his hair.
He let his mind drift all the way back to the end of third grade again, as it had done many times that day. Who would’ve thought back then that he and Edgeworth would end up like this, Phoenix working his ass off to prepare for trial and Edgeworth probably spending the night in a cold, dark cell, arrested for a murder Phoenix knew he didn’t commit? He’d get him out of there, no matter what. Edgeworth may have been cold and distant, even downright mean at times, but Phoenix knew in his heart of hearts that he was no killer.
He bit down even harder on his pen, and then tasted an inky, metallic flavor on his tongue. Shit, another one ruined. He really needed to break this habit before he ran out of pens. Tossing that one in the trash and raising his gaze to grab another from under one of his papers, Phoenix’s eyes met the small tear-off calendar Mia had also bought, which he had kept around for its usefulness. December 25th…today was Christmas? He had hardly noticed.
Neither Maya nor Mia seemed to really celebrate Christmas, besides Mia putting up a few decorations here and there, and Phoenix hadn’t heard much from his parents in years now. It was funny to him how having no one to celebrate with had made him almost forget the holiday entirely (he doubted the sudden Edgeworth situation sprung on him earlier helped with that). Sometimes, he and Mia bought each other little things just as a courtesy, but…
No, the case came first right now above all things. Maybe he could take Maya out for ramen after the trial. The poor girl could use a little fun in her life. At the very least, Phoenix hoped there wouldn’t be any more earthquakes during the night, for Edgeworth’s sake. Steeling his resolve and chugging the last of his now-cold espresso, Phoenix sorted through the mess of paper that was his desk and formed stacks as neatly as he could to put in some extra folders: red for the actual court paperwork, blue for evidence, purple for references…
He was going to get himself and Edgeworth through this trial unscathed if it killed him.
December 25, 2017
3:24pm
Wright & Co. Law Offices
The iconic Steel Samurai theme song emanated from the office’s TV as Phoenix milled around, cleaning and organizing parts of the office simply because he had nothing better to do. Keeping himself up and walking around, occupied with something or other, seemed to be a good way to keep himself from thinking about things too much, and the background noise of the TV helped as well. For now, his only concern was how he’d make rent this month, having barely taken any cases recently…
It was Christmas time again, though, and so as he put books and stationery back in their place, he also took the time to adjust some of the decorations he had put up a few weeks ago as well, at Pearl’s request. Celebrating Christmas, as it happened, was more of a branch Fey family thing than a main family thing, as Phoenix had found out through getting to know Pearl. He didn’t mind doing these little things for her in the slightest, especially with the knowledge that her mom wasn’t really…around anymore to celebrate with her. The Feys seemed to have abysmal luck with family. At least Pearl and Maya still had each other, and he didn’t mind having them around either. Lord knew it was better than getting reminded of Edgeworth…
Phoenix frowned slightly, subconsciously, as that thought crossed his mind. Despite Maya and Pearl being excellent distractions most of the time when they pulled him into their festivities, this time of year still always made him think of Edgeworth. This was around the time he had disappeared all those years ago when they were kids, leaving a younger Phoenix to wonder what had really happened to him to make him leave for 15 long years. Finally, finally, Phoenix had pulled that darkness out of him, just for him to go off a few months later and–
“Yo, Nick! You in here somewhere?” Maya shouted from the door, startling Phoenix out of his thoughts.
“Over here,” he said, fixing some tinsel that had fallen off the wall. He forced a smile as he lowered his gaze to see Maya with Pearl standing next to her, iron grip on her hand.
“Hello, Mr. Nick!” she said, smiling up at him excitedly.
“Hey, Pearls.”
Suddenly, red and white completely covered Phoenix’s vision, and in his disorientation he heard Pearl giggling.
“This place could use a little more decoration, right, Pearly?”
Phoenix pushed what turned out to be a Santa hat back up onto his head and squinted at Maya. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Just a sec!” Maya then disappeared to the main door of the office briefly, and came back dragging a tree almost taller than Phoenix. He could only watch in shock.
“You got a whole tree for the office? Where’d you even get one that size?”
“Found it!” Maya stated nonchalantly, leaning it against a wall and leaving again to get the tree stand she and Pearl had also acquired. Phoenix, still bewildered as to how she even got it here on her own, helped her stand it up and cut the netting off of it, allowing the branches to spread out. Ultimately, he decided not to question her ways.
“Look, Mr. Nick! We also brought some or-ma-ments from home to put on the tree!”
“Ornaments, Pearly.”
“Or-ma-ments.”
“Oh, how pretty! We’ll put these up right away, Pearls,” Phoenix responded, gently taking the small box Pearl held up to him.
While he was certainly grateful for the distraction and tried his best to keep a brave face on for Pearl, Phoenix’s heart just wasn't in the spirit of the holiday that the girls seemed to be in. If Edgeworth had just held on, if he had just asked for help , instead of running off and ending it all like a coward, maybe he’d still be here, healing. The Edgeworth Phoenix knew– no, thought he knew– would never go down without a fight. At least, that’s what Phoenix believed before. Now, though, Phoenix saw that he had left everyone who cared about him in the dust. Bitterly, he decided he wouldn’t forget this for the rest of his life: to come so close to saving him, which he had changed his entire career path to do, only to have all his efforts refused and thrown back in his face with a phrase so simple as “Prosecutor Miles Edgeworth chooses death”.
December 25, 2018
12:04pm
Wright & Co. Law Offices
“Niiiiick, your phone’s ringing!” Maya called from the couch to Phoenix, who was in the middle of reorganizing a file cabinet in a nearby closet. Swiftly making his way towards the sound, he grabbed his phone off of his desk, idly wondering who would be calling him on Christmas like this. Maybe it was a new client.
He pressed the answer button. “Hello?”
“Wright.”
“Edgeworth?” Phoenix’s brow furrowed in concern. What was this about? Was he alright?
“...I wanted to say happy holidays. Give Miss Fey my regards as well.”
Phoenix hesitated, confused. “Thanks, but…what’s with the sudden change of heart? You don’t call me like this,” he pointed out.
“Ah. You’re right, it is unlike me, I suppose. I just…thought I would try to get more into the holiday spirit.”
Well, that was a surprise, Phoenix thought. At the very least, Edgeworth working on self-improvement was always better than him faking his death. Who knows, maybe three ghosts had visited him in his sleep, too…
“I see. Happy holidays to you too, Edgeworth,” he replied, a grin spreading across his face. Maybe things really were getting better.
“Thank you.”
Both men went silent briefly, not yet wanting to end the call but at the same time at a loss for words. Finally, Phoenix decided to fill the emptiness.
“It’s been a while. What’ve you been up to?”
“Nothing you need to concern yourself with.”
Ouch. Some things never changed. “If you say so. Nothing much has happened lately on my end, either.”
“You mean to say you’re no longer just barely winning your cases by the skin of your teeth?” Edgeworth said, in what was probably supposed to be a joking tone.
“At least I’m not getting whipped in court anymore with Franziska working for Interpol.”
Edgeworth chuckled at this, causing Phoenix to smile too. A laugh, finally!
“I’ll let you return to your festivities, Wright,” he stated. Phoenix’s heart dropped a little. Already? He guessed it was in-character for him…
“Alright. See you around, Edgeworth. …And thanks for calling.”
Edgeworth hesitated a bit, trying to find the right words. “You’re welcome. Farewell,” he responded quickly, and then hung up. Classic Edgeworth. God forbid he show emotion for more than three seconds. Phoenix slipped his phone into his pocket.
“Edgeworth says hi,” he said to Maya over his shoulder, who was relaxing on the office couch and watching the Pink Princess Christmas special.
“That had to be the tensest phone call I’ve ever heard, Nick,” she giggled.
“Oh, come on. You know how he is.”
“I know how he is around you,” Maya mumbled to herself.
“What was that?”
“Nothing. Carry on,” she dismissed, smiling.
“I can assure you we’re not like that,” Phoenix said defensively, his tone sharp.
“I’m the exact wrong person to be saying this to, Nick. What about that case a few years ago, where you decided to defend him?” she questioned. “He was making eyes at you from the defendant’s chair the whole time in court.”
“He was grateful for what I did for him. I was just returning the favor.”
“He doesn’t even remember the class trial you told us about!”
“Well, yeah, but…” Phoenix sighed in defeat. “Fine. You win. Just come help me with this file cabinet,” he asked, making his way back over to the closet. Maya followed, satisfied with herself.
“You can convince whoever you want, but you can’t get past me, Nick!”
“Yeah, yeah.”
December 25, 2019
11:28am
Phoenix Wright’s Apartment
“Aww, he’s so cute! Thanks, Daddy!” Trucy hugged Phoenix, beaming and holding a stuffed bear dressed as a magician.
“I knew you’d like it.” He rubbed Trucy’s back. They sat together on the floor of Phoenix’s minimally-decorated apartment, next to a relatively small tree they had chosen a few weeks prior.
This Christmas, it was just Phoenix and Trucy. He knew Larry was probably off with a new girlfriend for the holiday, and he had received a call from Maya and Pearl earlier, but they were occupied too, busy with their training (Maya especially, as she prepared to take her spot as the master of the Kurain channeling technique). Edgeworth was out of the equation entirely, most likely working in Europe with Franziska. Phoenix had used much of the holiday decorations he usually kept in the office in his apartment instead, to make it as special as possible for Trucy, and they had both taken a day off to celebrate together. Money was tight, but that didn’t stop Phoenix from trying the best he could to make her smile.
As Trucy gleefully opened the rest of her presents, a firm knock sounded from the door. Phoenix looked up, confused. No one was due to stop by today, and it couldn’t be his landlord; he had miraculously just made rent this month. He stood up from the floor carefully and made his way over to the door, Trucy following loyally behind him. Opening the door revealed none other than Miles Edgeworth holding two gift bags, one larger than the other.
“Hello!” Trucy said, looking up at Edgeworth from behind Phoenix and eyeing the bags he was carrying. The two locked eyes, not hearing her.
Edgeworth looked prim and proper and clean shaven, as put-together as he always was. Meanwhile, Phoenix’s hair had grown out quite a bit, and he had more than a little stubble on his face. His hat was askew, his sweater stained. To Edgeworth, it was a saddening sight. How far he had fallen since his disbarment.
“…Wright.”
“Edgeworth.”
“It’s been a while,” Edgeworth said stiffly, unsure of how to start.
“You think?”
He simply stared at Phoenix, for once in his life wanting to reach out and hug him, let him know that he was here to help, that it was going to be alright. Really, he did nothing, and Phoenix looked away towards the inside of the apartment, unable to stand his piteous gaze any longer.
“Come on in. Trucy and I just finished opening presents.”
“Alright.”
Hesitantly, Edgeworth followed the Wrights inside and set the gift bags down near the tree before taking a seat on the old couch. Phoenix and Trucy resumed their original positions on the floor, and Trucy decided to lead the conversation as Phoenix looked up at Edgeworth, as if he was trying to figure out his reason for showing up at his door on a holiday he didn’t really celebrate.
“So, are you one of Daddy’s friends?” Trucy asked, her curiosity visible on her face.
“Yes. My name is Miles Edgeworth. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Miss Wright,” he replied, smiling softly and extending his hand out to her. He had never been excellent with small children…
Trucy took his hand excitedly. “You must be the prosecutor Daddy talks to on the phone all the time!”
“That is correct. He’s told me much about you.”
“Really?”
“I take it you’re a magician?”
Trucy’s smile widened. “That’s right! Wanna see some of my tricks?”
“Of course,” Edgeworth accepted politely. Phoenix merely watched the two of them, slightly surprised as to how well they were getting along already.
Though he was expecting children’s magic tricks, Edgeworth was delightfully impressed with Trucy’s skills (he was especially taken aback by Mr. Hat), and pride for her swelled in Phoenix’s chest. As it happened, the larger gift bag was full of new props for Trucy, which she discovered when she finished her repertoire for Edgeworth and decided to ask who the bags were for. In her joy, she threw her arms around Edgeworth, squealing excitedly. Phoenix stood up, surprised by her sudden hug, and offered to Edgeworth with his eyes to make her stop, but Edgeworth was smiling faintly (as large as his smiles had the capacity to get) and didn’t seem to mind her gratitude.
The smaller bag, which was labeled with Phoenix’s name on it (just “Wright”, in Edgeworth’s perfect cursive), contained multiple books: “Acing the Bar Exam”, “Bar Exam Success”, “The Ultimate Bar Study Guide” ...it was clear what Edgeworth was trying to get at here. These were the types of books he’d bought as a college student. He never imagined he’d need these again, but he was grateful to Edgeworth for trying to get him started.
When Trucy finally let go of him, she immersed herself in trying to figure out the new props Edgeworth had bought her. Noticing that she was adequately distracted, Phoenix stood up from the floor once again and made his way towards their small kitchen, nodding at Edgeworth to follow. They stood across from each other, with Phoenix leaning against the edge of the counter and shoving his hands in his pockets. Edgeworth watched him, waiting for him to speak.
“You don’t have to do this, you know.”
“I’m aware. It’s not an obligation, Wright; I came here today because I wanted to.”
Phoenix wasn’t impressed. Miles Edgeworth didn’t just show up on people’s doorsteps like this, especially not his. “...Why?”
Edgeworth internally scrambled for a response, but kept his cool demeanor. Because I wanted to see you again, he thought. “You gained a daughter and lost a job. I think it’s well within reason to want to check on the both of you,” he said. “What happened to you, Wright?”
“You know damn well what happened. It’s kinda hard to keep up your usual appearance when everyone thinks you’re a fraud and you can barely make ends meet anymore,” Phoenix snapped, setting his jaw and lowering his voice so Trucy wouldn’t hear from the other room. Edgeworth stayed silent. “Listen, I’m trying my best here. She’s the only thing that’s keeping me going. I’m looking for another job, something to hold us over until I can retake the bar.”
“What are you considering?”
“There’s an open position for a piano player at the Borscht Bowl Club nearby.”
“Wright, do you even know how to play the piano?”
Phoenix looked off to the side, defeated. “...No, but it’s worth a shot. I’ll take anything at this point.”
Edgeworth merely stared at him again, his eyebrows knit together and his lips in a small frown. Phoenix couldn’t make eye contact with him while he was like this, let alone even look at his face. He hated all the pity, especially from someone who had never pitied him before.
“Stop looking at me like that.”
“Wright, I’m here to stay for the time being. In the States, that is.”
“So?”
“So if you need anything, anything at all, please don’t hesitate to call me should you ever need me.”
Phoenix squinted at this, unsure if he fully believed him. “Who are you, and what have you done with Miles Edgeworth?” he joked weakly, realizing when Edgeworth said nothing that he was completely serious. “...Really, though, thank you. It means a lot to have someone sticking around.”
“No need to thank me. You saved me, after all. It’s only fair that I try to return the favor,” Edgeworth responded earnestly, not breaking eye contact with Phoenix.
Tears began to well up in Phoenix’s eyes, and he tried to stop his lower lip from trembling as he wiped his eyes on the back of his hand. Edgeworth’s brow furrowed in concern.
“Are you alright?–” His question was interrupted when Phoenix stepped forward and pulled him into a tight hug, almost burying his face in his shoulder as he hiccupped. Taken by surprise, he stiffened up, but soon relaxed and put his arms around Phoenix in return, patting him gently on the back.
“Merry Christmas, Wright.”
December 25, 2026
5:04pm
Phoenix Wright’s Apartment
Faint holiday music played from the small TV the Wrights kept in their living room. The place was decorated once again, as Phoenix and Trucy made a tradition to do together every year, and they stood together in front of the tree, admiring their handiwork. Phoenix slung an arm around Trucy, and she leaned into the touch, smiling contentedly.
“I’m proud of you, kid,” he said, giving her a pat.
“Thanks, Daddy. I’m proud of you, too,” she replied, beaming up at him. “Before you know it, you’ll have your badge back. All that studying with Papa better pay off!”
Phoenix chuckled at this. A few months back, he had finally decided to make use of the study materials Edgeworth had bought him after he was disbarred, but soon found that so much had changed in between then and now that he didn’t think he’d be able to prepare properly on his own. He didn’t want Kristoph to know that he was aiming to retake the bar, but he didn’t know any other defense attorneys (and thought it would be weird to ask Apollo), so he called up Edgeworth, who had been more of a help than he thought he’d be.
It wasn’t only the studying that Edgeworth was willing to assist him with. When Trucy was younger and proper childcare was scarce, he stayed with her in the afternoons when she was out of school and Phoenix had to be at work. Phoenix had offered to pay him multiple times, but he refused…he supposed that was how Trucy had started calling him Papa. He didn’t seem to mind.
It was an odd little family they had, especially with the addition of Apollo (and especially with the fact that he and Edgeworth weren’t actually…involved, at least not yet, he thought hopefully), but Phoenix wouldn’t trade any of it for the world. Now, he and Trucy sat together on the couch as he ordered takeout on the phone, both expecting Miles’s arrival.
Phoenix’s heart swelled in his chest as, a while later, he and Trucy heard a knock at the door. Opening it revealed a displeased Edgeworth, whose face immediately softened upon seeing Phoenix. He entered, taking off his overcoat, his shoulders and head dusted with snow. Trucy nearly tackled him in a hug, and he wrapped his arms around her in return, a small but relieved smile spreading across his face.
“Finally made it, huh?” Phoenix asked, taking off his hat and running a hand through his hair.
“I was sure I’d meet my father before they would let me leave. You wouldn’t believe the amount of times I got held up at the Prosecutor’s Office before I managed to escape.”
Phoenix whistled in disbelief. “That bad?”
Edgeworth hung up his overcoat on a rack by the door and slipped off his shoes in a huff. “It’s almost as if they haven’t realized yet that I actually have places to be on Christmas now. For God’s sake, Wright, my father’s case was closed 10 years ago. Things have changed.”
“And you’re about to be Chief,” Phoenix added.
“And I’m about to be Chief! You would expect them to have more respect for their future superior instead of interrupting me as I try to clean up my office before leaving for the day.”
Phoenix listened intently to Edgeworth’s rant, while Trucy unpacked the food that had arrived a few minutes prior in the next room. Something about the way he moved when he was frustrated, the way he spoke, the way he dusted the snow off his bangs, mesmerized Phoenix like they were the only two people in the world. No matter how sharp his glare was, he recalled the way it softened when he opened the door.
He wanted this moment to last forever. He didn’t even care that they weren’t in a relationship (despite everything, he was afraid to admit to anything. He’d seen how Edgeworth rejected anyone who tried to flirt with him, with a stone-cold glare and disinterested tone). Just having this, here, with him and Trucy, felt right in a way that he couldn’t describe. Something was special about him and Edgeworth, no doubt about it. That red string of fate wasn’t loosening up anytime soon on either of them.
“Wright? Are you listening to me?”
“Wha- huh?” Phoenix was dragged back down to reality by Edgeworth’s voice and his hand waving in front of his face.
“I said that Trucy is finished setting the food out, if you’d like to eat now.”
“…Oh! Yeah, sure…” He followed Edgeworth to the small table by a window, where Trucy had pulled up an extra chair for him. She grinned at the both of them, and Edgeworth politely thanked her for setting the table.
As they ate, Trucy spoke up again. “Papa, do you have any funny court stories? Daddy’s already told me all of his.” Edgeworth paused for a moment, thinking, then Phoenix chimed in.
“Tell her about Oldbag.”
Edgeworth’s face fell at the mere mention of her name. “My goodness, where do I even start? She still sends me flowers…”
“She’s still alive?”
“Wright! ”
Trucy snickered. “Oldbag’s a funny name.”
“Funny name for a funny lady, I guess.”
“Manners, Wright–”
“Tell me I’m wrong.” Phoenix smiled slyly across the table at Edgeworth, who sighed in defeat and adjusted his glasses. They used to argue for a living; he knew that even 7 years after Phoenix had been disbarred, Edgeworth still wouldn’t be able to win against him. “No, I suppose you’re not.” He then turned to Trucy, preparing to regale her his struggles. Both Wrights watched him intently, and Trucy enjoyed his anecdotes, bursting out into laughter on occasion, prompting the other two to laugh as well.
Edgeworth’s fake laugh, the chuckle he used when making awkward small talk or when trying to humor someone, was refined and quiet, barely even there for those who didn’t have the ears to hear it or the eyes to see the smile on his face. His real laugh, however, came from his chest, but was somehow light and wheezy at the same time. Next to nothing made this real laugh come out, but he found that it showed itself much more easily around people he was close to, the current example being Phoenix and Trucy Wright as they ate Chinese takeout around a small table as a Christmas dinner.
Everything about that evening, the talking, the laughing, and the loving glances shared between family and friends, could only really be described as perfect, as bliss. The love felt in that tiny apartment was palpable, whether it was romantic or familial, and nobody at that table would trade that happiness for the world.
December 25, 2028
8:06am
Wright-Edgeworth Apartment
Early one Christmas morning a few years later, a recently reinstated defense attorney and Chief Prosecutor found themselves sleeping together in their shared bedroom, in the apartment they co-rented with their daughter. The room contained parts of both of them scattered around, whether it was Steel Samurai collector’s figurines or mementos from the Feys over in Kurain. The morning light filtered in through the curtains, giving the room a warm glow.
Phoenix stirred and slowly opened his eyes as Miles slept soundly next to him, an arm around his torso and his head near Phoenix’s shoulder, who had been sleeping on his back. He glanced around their bedroom, getting his bearings, and then turned his head to watch Miles, his chest gently rising and falling. He moved as slowly and as gently as he could to avoid waking him, to grab the small tear-off calendar Trucy had bought him that he kept on his nightstand and hold it in front of his face to check that day’s date.
Right, it was Christmas. He felt movement next to him and looked over to see Miles waking up as well, and their eyes met, a faint smile appearing on Phoenix’s face.
“Did I wake you up?” he asked, his voice low.
“No. What are you doing?”
“Oh, nothing,” Phoenix dismissed, putting the calendar back on the nightstand and rolling onto his side to face Miles. “Just making sure of the date. Merry Christmas.”
Miles grinned, his face still showing signs of grogginess. “Merry Christmas.”
Despite the softness of the scene, Phoenix felt mildly unsettled. He was supposed to do something right after he woke up, right…? He couldn’t remember for the life of him what it was, though. As he watched Miles slowly fall back asleep, it hit him, and he sat up with a jolt, waking Miles up again.
“Shit. I’ve gotta call Maya.”
“Huh?”
“Promised I’d call her once I was awake,” he mumbled, attempting to get out of bed. Miles sat up as well and caught him by the arm, holding him back.
“Calm down. It’s still early.”
“What time is it?”
“8am. Trucy isn’t even awake yet.”
“Oh.”
“I’m sure she wouldn’t mind if you were to get a few more hours of sleep. Come back,” Miles said, gently tugging Phoenix’s arm towards him. Phoenix gave in without much of a fight, immediately laying back down and facing him once more.
“Are you sure you don’t just want me all to yourself for a little longer?” he teased, running a hand through Miles’s hair and fixing his bangs.
“No. It’s just…more comfortable to have more warmth in the bed, which you happen to be a very good source of,” Miles explained lamely.
“Admit it. You just want to cuddle for longer.”
“As if. You highly overestimate how charming you are, Phoenix Wright,” Miles teased back, putting an arm around Phoenix’s torso and pulling him closer.
“You love me,” he responded, wrapping his free arm around Miles in return, and intertwining their legs.
“Of course I do,” Miles muttered, moving even closer to Phoenix and shutting his eyes.
Some hours later, both men were awoken by Trucy’s footsteps and voice, the door to their bedroom opening. “Daddy! Papa! Wake up!”
“Morning, Truce,” Phoenix yawned and sat up to greet her, and Miles sat up as well, running a hand through his hair. “Ready to open some presents?”
“I was starting to worry you two would never wake up. I made some pancakes for all of us,” she mentioned, the sweet smell drifting in through the open door.
Miles smiled sleepily at her. “Thank you, Trucy. We’ll be there in a few minutes.”
“Gotcha!” With a grin, she turned and left the bedroom and returned to her own devices, and Phoenix turned to Miles, the same stupid grin on his face as well as Miles slipped out of bed.
“What are you looking at?”
“Oh, nothing. Just my favorite prosecutor in the world in my bed.”
“Our bed, Phoenix.”
“Same thing.” Phoenix slipped out of bed as well, on the other side, and crossed the room to meet Miles, their faces close. His nose scrunched up.
“Your breath smells.”
“I know.”
“I hope you’re not going to try and kiss me like that,” he teased, knowing full well that Phoenix was going to kiss him anyway, reaching up and brushing stray hair out of his face.
“Don’t worry. I’ll spare you today, babe.”
“Too late for that, I’m afraid,” Miles responded, sliding his hand up the back of Phoenix’s head, through his hair, and pulling him in for their short good-morning kiss.
As they kissed, fireworks exploding in his chest like it was the first time, Phoenix hoped his mornings would always be as perfect as this for as long as he lived.