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“Phoenix Wright. It has been too long since I’ve seen you, yet here you are, so suddenly, a huge presence in my life so abruptly, and as I’m discovering, one so deeply missed. I am ashamed of the way I acted upon seeing you again…My words and my tone act against my thoughts and feelings. You have never been a negative thing, and I have been a fool for attempting to frame you as one in my mind. You have…disrupted my daily life. Infiltrated a place I have been so comfortable in dominating in a way that most resembled someone so horrible, but still you reach out for me. Still, as you said from behind the glass at the beginning of your last case, you believe in me. With that in mind, Phoenix, I cannot allow myself to let that go to waste. I want to better myself. I want to work on the side of justice, not lies or false evidence. I cannot be like him. I have to be the man you believe in. The reason you are seeing this on a small slip of paper instead of hearing it from my own tongue is because they are words I would struggle to say out loud. I plan to be able to say much more when I return, though. Much more. I have things that I will need to tell you, but cannot as of this moment.
I want you to meet me at the airport to say good-bye. I’ll be at the one closest to here, tomorrow morning at 11. Please be there.”
The letter was folded neatly into the pocket of his slacks as he’d found a spot for his bike, leaving it slanted and locked near the entrance.
Upon arriving, Phoenix had realized Edgeworth’s instructions weren’t as helpful or descriptive as they could be, so they ended up having to call before they could even see each other. Edgeworth apologized profusely for not calling him a cab or an Uber after being reminded that Phoenix strictly bikes everywhere, and then added even more apologies on top of that for not specifying where he had to be. A small smile played on Phoenix’s lips listening to his friend sound so frantic about his small mistakes, and he made sure to reassure him constantly.
“No worries, Edgeworth. Just lead me to you,” he spoke into the phone softly.
The reply was slow, and almost too quiet to be picked up by Phoenix on the other end. “Okay.”
When they saw each other, they both hung up their side of the call, and Phoenix seemed almost hesitant to actually speak to him. There were a lot of questions. A lot. He wasn’t even sure where to start, but even if he did he wasn’t sure if Edgeworth even wanted to answer. He decided that he would let the other man speak before him, so he could say whatever he needed to.
Phoenix gave a little awkward wave with a crooked little smile, and Edgeworth replied with a small nod.
“Wright,” he said as a greeting as he approached, albeit a hesitant one.
“Hey, Edgeworth. What’s up?”
Edgeworth let out a small laugh at the innocent question posed by the innocent man.
“My apologies once again for all the complications. Really, I should have booked you a--”
“Hey, it’s fine, really I didn’t mind. I was distracted the whole time--didn’t even notice how far I’d gone by the time I got here.” Phoenix offered with a dry laugh. He wanted to be accomodating--let Miles say what he wanted to say--but being here, really being in the airport, seeing Edgeworth with a small bag held up with one arm dragging along luggage with another, it put it into perspective. It made the questions pile up. Where are you going? How long will you be away? When will I see you again? Is this permanent? Why are you leaving me again?
As if he could see through the small smile into his brain, Edgeworth did his best to answer.
“I…Understand this is sudden. And…a bit odd to call just you to say good-bye, but I…didn’t want you to think I was running away from you again. I’m not. Really. I’m going to get better at this, hopefully.” He winced, and only held Phoenix’s gaze briefly between sentences, but Phoenix remained silent for him to continue. Edgeworth took a slow, deep inhale and gathered the courage to look him in the eye before starting again.
“I am going back to Europe to study again. After all of this mess--after what I put you through with that trial, I want to improve, Phoenix. As I said in--in the letter, I…I have to be better than him. I don’t know how long this will be for, but… you will be the first to know of my return. That I can promise. And… And perhaps when I get back…well, you read my letter.”
Phoenix, taking all of it in, nodded to show his understanding, but then came his turn to avoid looking the other man in the eye. He took time to figure out a way to pose his question without seeming too…desperate, though he wasn’t sure how successful that had turned out to be.
“You don’t think we could, ah, y’know, stay in contact, at least? I mean--not that I would call you frequently or anything, but, you know, just to check up? Every now and then?”
As he asked, their eyes met again, Edgeworth’s round and blinking as if Phoenix had told him he had grown a third arm.
“I, well, yes, I suppose we could,” he stumbled over his words as he tried to fix his composure again. “I just, er, wasn’t expecting you to want to, if I’m being quite honest.”
For some reason, his answer made the tension in Phoenix’s mind and body almost disappear completely. He felt himself lighten up with the thought of a late night call just to check in with Edgeworth dancing around his head.
“Why wouldn’t I?” A grin grew slowly across his features. “I need to check in to see what laws I can break in Germany and what laws I can’t”
He earned a full snicker out of Edgeworth, happy to lighten the mood a little bit.
“You can’t break any laws, Wright. That is their purpose.”
“Yeah, well, I meant which laws I can get away with breaking, obviously.”
“None, if I’m the prosecutor.”
“That’s the spirit!”
Again, he earned a light chuckle out of his old friend which in turn had placed a growing smile on his face.
“You are insane, Wright.”
“Not insane enough to book a flight to Europe suddenly.”
“Hm. Fair enough.”
There was a simmering silence between the two, where they held each other’s gaze. Was there more to say? Neither of them were sure they were ready to leave it there.
However, it seemed they both realized it was time for them to go.
Edgeworth took a deep breath once more before starting for the last time.
“I will return to you a better man, Phoenix Wright.”
He couldn’t help the rush of warmth flooding his mind and body. A feeling Phoenix was hesitant, to say the least, to put a label on. It was hard not to tell him he was already a great man, a fantastic one, a beautiful human being. It was hard not to ask him to stay, to tell him he was already good enough for Phoenix. They were all selfish thoughts, he knew. So he nodded, firmly, at his friend.
“I know you will, Miles. I guess… I’ll see you when you get back.”
There was a pause--both parties uncertain of how to part ways--until Phoenix crumbled and collapsed over Edgeworth, wrapping his arms around him like he’d slip away too soon. But Edgeworth only hugged back. He stood without pulling away from Phoenix, arms finding the small of Phoenix back and holding him there until they were ready. Until Phoenix was ready to let go. Until Miles was ready to march forward.
“No one in Europe will be as good as an opponent--partner, if you will, as you.
He said it quietly, gently as they pulled apart and started in their opposite directions, and Phoenix had no reply. He only watched--waved good-bye, as words did not come to him then. He already missed him.
‘’
“Phoenix,” he had started his last call with his first name, so Phoenix had been engaged immediately. “I believe…I believe I am about ready for my return.”
He hadn’t replied right away. It’d been so long, he’d gotten used to the scattered calls that had turned out to be more frequent than he expected. He’d accepted that it’d likely be this way for a while, so upon hearing Edgeworth’s revelation, he had absolutely no words. No coherent thoughts! Just, what!?
“To you. To Japanifornia. I think I am ready to come home.”
‘Okay.’ Was all Phoenix had managed, and Edgeworth had swiftly hung up the phone.
Miles Edgeworth was coming back. Back home. Back to Japanifornia. Back to him.
‘’
“I’m still at the airport, Wright, waiting for my luggage to arrive so I can get out of here.”
“I know! I know! But I want to hear about Europe from you! That last case you told me about was insane! There have got to be other ones I missed out on.”
“I will tell you all about the most incredible and exotic prosecution case files that I have once I have all of my clothes and belongings filed away neatly in my bedroom. You can wait a few hours to go drinking can’t you?”
“We don’t even have to drink, Edgeworth, I just want to talk with you.”
There was silence over the other side of the phone for a few seconds, aside from quiet breathing.
“Alright. I can put things away later. Once I get home, I’ll come pick you up.”
Phoenix beamed, and in his office with no one watching but Charlie the plant, he did a little skip around the room.
“Do you want to go out? We can stay in and hangout at my office if you’re tired from all the airport shenanigans, Maya’s off for a few days to watch over Pearls.”
There was a soft sigh on the other end, and he really did seem exhausted enough to collapse.
“Yeah, that actually sounds preferable. Will you order or will I?”
“I can. Anything you want in particular?”
“Rice. I want rice. Order me anything with rice, I don’t care what it is.”
“Aye Aye. I’ll see you when you get here.”
“Yes, I will be seeing you soon. Goodbye, Wright.”
“Bye.”
‘’
It was getting to be late around the time he finally heard an engine die down outside and a knock on the door a few moments later.
It was hard to fully grasp the fact that he was here through calls and messages, but being face to face with him again made it real. As usual, he couldn’t say much right away.
“Edgeworth.”
“Hello, Wright,” He said, stepping into the room as Phoenix stepped away from the door to give him space.
He only blinked and immediately the space between them was gone, replaced by a timid, but still desperate hug. He held his dear friend only for a few moments before deciding to let him go sooner than he’d prefer out of consideration for the other party.
“Edgeworth! You’re here! You’re back! Food is on the coffee table.”
He didn’t say anything in response, though he did smile fondly, more openly than Phoenix had ever seen him smile before. Needless to say, he left Phoenix with his breath caught up in his throat as he freely gravitated towards the food and the couch without much remorse.
“Yes, I’m here,” he said gently, not as formally or rigidly as he spoke regularly or when he was on the phone with Phoenix. It seemed to be a mixture of exhaustion and complete trust in his companion for the evening--he seemed more at ease than he normally was. Phoenix was happy not to have to see him looking tense.
“Is this one mine?” He pointed to one of their boxes and Phoenix just shrugged as he started off away from the table to a machine propped up on Mia’s old desk.
“I didn’t open anything, it got here just a few minutes before you showed up. Anyway--”
He made his return to the couch with a small gift--a Phoenix brewed Earl Grey tea in a mug (he didn’t own teacups) placed gently next to the box Edgeworth had opened.
“I did my best, sorry if it’s awful.” He said, sincerely apologetic for any potential mistake. “I poured us some wine as well, let me go grab the glasses.”
“I appreciate the gesture, Wright.” Again, he spoke softly, and was way more calm than Phoenix was feeling right now. He placed one glass of wine down on the table for Edgeworth and held his own in one hand as his eyes traced the shape of the phenomenon in front of him. Maybe he shouldn’t have been so worked up. It was just meeting up with an old friend again, and after so long--
“Phoenix…”
His name brought him out of his thoughts, focused on the set of eyes across from him on the couch. Edgeworth continued, and as he went he began to feel less and less composed--more and more similar to how Phoenix was feeling at the moment.
“I, well, I know you wanted to talk about my trip and all of my most exciting stories, and--and I--we can do that, but… as you know…”
He took a deep breath, picked up his glass with a small sip, eyes dancing all around Phoenix himself before finally landing on him. The distance between them was safe, nothing dangerous, but he readied himself for it to grow even further. Preparing for the worse.
“Well, I…” he laughed lightly at himself, looking somewhat sad somehow. Phoenix winced, wanting to close the space between them but not wanting to cross any boundaries. He felt his chest tighten despite his determination though, and he let Edgeworth go on.
“I… would like to talk about, well, you. Phoenix Wright.”
Phoenix just blinked. “What? Me? Did I do something?”
Edgeworth mirrored the action, but watching his friend's innocent confusion somehow made him giddy, made him laugh lightly. He loved the man in front of him. Perhaps he was wrong to think that bettering himself would make it any easier to admit that to the other, but at least he could admit it to himself now.
He loved Phoenix Wright. There was nothing he could do about it, whether he thought it wasn’t fair to him or not, he just did. After almost a year gone though, he wanted him to know. He knew Phoenix. Even if he didn’t return the feelings, he was Phoenix; Sweet and completely understanding. Like Edgworth had said in the letter—Phoenix could never be a negative thing, and he could never react in the cold, horrible ways Edgeworth’s imagination often offered. He was a lovely human being. He loved being around him. He loved him. And sure, it would hurt to know he didn’t feel the same, but he had to remember who he was dealing with.
Now, the subject at hand was even more confused with Edgeworth’s laughter, which made Edgeworth’s heart melt. He would tell him. It would be okay. It was Phoenix Wright.
“Phoenix,” he said after recovering to gather his attention again. “Phoenix, you have done so much for me. I...wish I could give you as much as you give me, but… there’s a lot of… want… in my way.”
He paused, eyes darting up to catch any sort of reaction. Phoenix’s brow only furrowed. Edgeworth looked away again.
“B-being here again, I mean… this shabby little office of yours,” he said in a light joking tune without looking up, “it really is a place to come back to. A-after seeing you again after so long…I remember the feeling of home.”
There was a long silence. Phoenix was obviously lost, rightfully so, Edgeworth thought, but he was piecing things together in the moments where the quiet hung.
“...What… do you mean by that, Edgeworth?” He spoke again after a minute. It wasn’t that he was confused. He understood, but… surely he hadn’t meant it in the same way Phoenix had felt. Surely.
Edgeworth took another sip of wine.
“I mean to say that…erm, well.” He let his courage gather with another sip.
“I’ve missed this. And I’ve missed you dearly, Phoenix.”
No matter how he meant it, Phoenix felt his face flush with color and his hands grow clammy in his lap. While he watched his friend, he grew drunk on the other man’s beautiful, flushed smile, one where he didn’t look up at Phoenix and his hair fell over his eyes. A rush of airy warmth flooded his head and butterflies danced around in his stomach. I’ve missed you dearly, Phoenix. The taste of his name so sweetly whispered on the other man’s lips.
“I-I,uh, y-yeah. I mean, yeah, I…really missed you too, Miles.” He was still dizzy with all the blood gone to his head.
Edgeworth just smiled. A soft smile, one he finally looked up to meet Phoenix’s gaze with.
“Yes, but I am in love with you, Phoenix. I’ve been gone from you for too long.”
“I really--”
He had an arm extended about halfway to the coffee table, and he froze. After just a few seconds, he turned back and Edgeworth’s eyes only smiled at him, cheeks rosy and fully confident.
“Y-you what?” He replied lamely. He was needing far too many reality checks lately--perhaps it was the wine?
“I am in love with you, Phoenix. I-I hope that’s not too much trouble.”
Phoenix just stared, his lips falling occasionally with no words on his tongue to follow up. He meant it? He said it again?
Phoenix could only hear his heartbeat in his ears, while Edgeworth grew more and more uncertain about his confession. Why was the silence so long? If anyone knew how to kindly turn down this sort of gesture, it would be Phoenix. Was it different because they were friends? Perhaps…he’d been too hopeful?
“Hey…” He started, voice trembling with the adrenaline that ran through his skin and clouded his thoughts. He swallowed thickly before speaking again, somehow more shy than his partner after his confession. “Can I kiss you, Miles?”
The response consisted of a coy smile, hands reaching for Phoenix’s face, and the distance between them gone in just a few subtle movements. Gentle kisses stretch into deeper ones, and sooner or later Miles Edgeworth decides to stay the night.