Work Text:
It all started on Valentine's day.
On a day like this, it wouldn’t be unusual to give someone close to you a gift. He gave Maya, who is like a sister to him, chocolates and coupons on an all-you-can-eat buffet.
“Good to know you know how to treat a lady right!” Maya said after receiving her gift. He hopes that she would go easy on the restaurant, eating just enough not to sell out their business. Third time's the charm right?
“Hm? Your gift?” Maya turned to him, snapping away from her buffet daydreams when he asked. “It’s me, obviously. My existence is a gift to all, I’ll have you know! I’m like, the best assistant you’ll ever get! That is the gift!”
What did he honestly expect from her?
Nevertheless, he could only sigh. To be fair, kids do need a lot of food while growing up. Next time, when Pearls visits, he could give her something similar. The real gift that Maya could give him might be that he wouldn’t be in the scene where she gets blacklisted by yet another place for devouring everything on their menu this time.
Oh god, if that doesn’t happen, Maya might be framed for murder again. She might as well as murder someone for real while she’s at it. Phoenix desperately prays for a peaceful day.
Of course, nothing ever goes exactly as he would like.
—
As mentioned previously, it wouldn’t be unusual to give someone close to you a gift. Which is why he is standing in front of the Prosecutor’s Office Building, gathering his courage before entering the lobby.
He has gone in here before, but he could probably count the number of times he did on one hand. Miles is usually the one to come to his agency to hang out or talk business first. Still, that doesn’t mean that he is entirely not known by the lady in the front desk, to which he waves to before entering the elevator to Miles’ office.
He plans to give Miles a new tea flavor he found out from a client. “It’s the fancy good stuff.” The client had said. It had been given to him for free, as thanks for solving the case about their sister’s murder. It was a complicated case that he rather not recall while hopping off the elevator on Miles’ floor.
As he was approaching Miles’ office, a loud thud coming from the room startles Phoenix.
Without knocking, he bursts into the room. The sight of his friend struggling on the floor greets him.
“Miles—?” Phoenix says, various emotions overcoming him at once. Concern, worry, confusion. He decided to focus on one, rapidly approaching Miles, and kneeling beside him to check what was happening. He drops the box of teabags, but it doesn’t spill as it is tightly sealed.
“Are you okay? Can you hear me?” Phoenix can’t help but shake him awake. Miles’ eyes looked glazed over, it was clear that he was fighting against closing them, and it’s a losing battle.
What put you into this state, Edgeworth?
“Don’t fall asleep on me now, what happened?” Phoenix shakes him harder, but this time, Miles has become fully limp in his hold. He was out cold.
Phoenix didn’t waste time and immediately called emergency services.
—
“I should get him to a comfortable place while emergency services get here…” Phoenix looks around for somewhere nearby to place Miles. The couch looks like a nice place.
…1… 2… 3….!
He tries to lift up Miles as much as he can, dragging him to the direction of the couch. His arms tremble with both anxiety and fatigue. Phoenix struggles quite a lot more than he thought he would, but not entirely unexpected as his strength has always been with his legs, not arms.
When he manages to settle the prosecutor properly, Phoenix lets out a sigh of relief. “Maybe I should go to the gym… biking isn’t cutting it.”
Phoenix stares at his shivering friend, wiping away the sweat forming at Miles' forehead, with a hundred questions rotating in his head.
What would Miles Edgeworth do in this situation?
Investigate the scene. Inspecting every nook and cranny.
He has a few minutes to take a glance around, he would need to be quick.
A freshly used thermos. Used teacup by the desk. A box in the trashcan.
A vague idea of the events that occurred popped into his brain. But before he knew it, his time was up because help had finally arrived.
—
“It appears that your friend has fainted from fatigue. Does he take long hours working?” The doctor asks. Miles is now peacefully resting in a hospital bed.
As they were leaving the building, Gumshoe spotted them and insisted on joining. He informed Franziska, who is out of the country at the moment, and she provided a private room for her brother’s recovery out of her own pockets. Gumshoe had to leave early due to his job as a detective, and as an apology, bought flowers to put in the vase beside Miles’ bed.
It is now eleven in the morning. Two hours after Miles fainted.
“He does overwork himself often.” Phoenix replies. However, he has a feeling that that might not be the case this time.
“For now, the patient needs monitoring. When he wakes up, advise him to take better care of his health.”
Phoenix nods, watching as the doctor leaves the room.
“Miles… please wake up soon.” Phoenix could only lay his head down by the bed, completely powerless.
—
It was one in the afternoon, four hours after Miles fainted that he witnessed a miracle.
Phoenix just finished eating lunch in the hospital’s canteen, entering Miles’ room to check up on the patient like he did the hours prior.
A wonderful sight greets him. It was Miles sitting up, awake.
“You’re awake!” Phoenix says excitedly, his worries faded away as joy bubbled over instead.
Something deep inside him screams at him. He ignores this feeling, too overjoyed to listen.
“Wright, do you even know that you shouldn’t shake—” Miles turns to him, but stops talking all of a sudden, his jaw opens slightly then closes.
He wants to rush over to Miles right this moment. He’s awake, alive. He could almost cry out in relief. Seeing Miles in that state, being so pale and sickly… he hopes that he’ll never see that sight again.
Phoenix opens his mouth, ready to ask for the events that unfolded. However, no one could ever guess what is running in Miles Edgeworth’s mind at times.
“Do you perhaps wear lipgloss?” Miles blurts out, squinting.
Huh?
Phoenix blinks once. Then twice.
“...No?” Phoenix responds slowly in confusion.
Talking about lipgloss all of a sudden? Is this some hidden codeword…?
The machine beeped loudly, Miles’ heart rate rapidly increased in such a short amount of time. Is there something wrong with the machine?
“Urgk…” Miles clutches his chest tightly. So there is something wrong. He needs to call someone quickly.
Please don’t faint again, Edgeworth!
“Are you alright, Miles? I’ll… I’ll call the nurse, be back soon.” Phoenix panics, but a hand holds his arm back.
“...Stay…” Miles says, each sound raspier than the last.
“Huh?” Phoenix pauses. “But—”
Miles needs water, food, and possibly some medication. He needs to be checked again by the hospital staff for any symptom that was previously overlooked.
A freshly used thermos. Used teacup by the desk. A box in the trashcan.
This doesn’t really feel like a normal case of fatigue.
“You have to stay with me.” Miles pleads. Why does he sound so desperate? What changed him? And why does it feel… off?
“I won’t take too long, I promise.” Phoenix says, trying to pry his arm off. “Since when are you this strong…?” He murmurs, struggling against Miles’ grip.
It seems like he has no choice.
“Can you let go? Please?” Phoenix had to resort to his last option. He really needs to go, and being polite must work, somehow.
The grip only tightens.
“It appears as if I am not able to control my limbs.” Miles says, bluntly, sounding more like himself ever since he woke up. His other arm tries to grab the one holding Phoenix’s, as if trying to fight it. Strange.
He’s not able to control his own hand?
“That sounds pretty bad, did you hit your head or something when you fell?” Finally, Phoenix frees himself from the tight grip that he was suffering from. Ouch. Hope that doesn’t leave bruises later.
“It’s a possibility. Unlike you who fell from heaven, clearly I did not fall gracefully.” Miles speaks, as natural as reciting his case in court.
Did he just—?
“My vision went—” Miles continued, but stopped, as if noticing Phoenix’s reaction.
“Did you just—” Phoenix stuttered, repeating his thoughts.
Did you just say a corny pick-up line?
????????????
“Did I just, what?” Miles replies, confused. Like he didn’t notice it at all. Like it didn’t come out from his own mouth. Like he didn’t think of it at all.
“Nothing, I must have… imagined it or something.” Phoenix took a step away further, it’s better that way. “I’ll be calling the nurse… to check….” Phoenix runs away from the room, failing to hide his burning face.
However, he can’t stop feeling like his gut is screaming at him that something might not be as it appears.
He shakes his head, tossing any wild feelings away. Getting Miles treated properly is his mission right now.
—
After a nurse ran a quick checkup, Miles was allowed to go home.
“Wait, can’t he stay for a bit more?” Phoenix looks at Miles in concern. “Edgeworth, are you sure you’re feeling okay?”
You absolutely need the rest!
“I told you, I’m fine, Wright. I have to get back to work.” Miles waves him off.
Argh! This stubborn fool!
…He sounded like Franziska for a bit there. Actually, she probably doesn’t know Miles is awake yet. However, Phoenix doesn’t have her number to tell her personally.
Phoenix glances at the nurse, hoping she could say something to convince Miles to stay for a little more.
“Stay for as long as you need. The doctor advised rest.” The nurse is the real angel sent from heaven. She then left the room soon after.
“Hear that, Edgeworth!? The doctor advised rest.” Phoenix says smugly. He won!
“Yes, yes, no need to parrot the advice to me, Wright.” Miles is… staring at him like some middle school girl with a crush. His chin is held by the back of his hand, leaning towards Phoenix.
A freshly used thermos. Used teacup by the desk. A box—
Something is wrong! Wrong!
“...Edgeworth…?” Phoenix is confused with the sudden feeling of chills he feels just by looking at Miles.
“Hm?” Miles tilts his head.
Phoenix would normally describe it as simply endearing, but looking at his eyes… his blank, gray irises… it sends shivers down his spine.
“You haven’t eaten lunch, do you want anything to eat?” Phoenix could only manage a crooked smile.
“Something to eat?” Miles seems to be in thought. “Any should be fine.” He let out a small smile. His eyes track Phoenix’s every move.
…Any should be fine? …That’s not… That’s not what Miles would normally say.
“Okay. Okay.” Phoenix could only blankly stare and leave the room. He has to talk to Maya.
—
[where do all those burgers go]
MAYA HLP <
> u ok nick??????
> dont tell me its a gay panic again
> im so done w u
> im enjoying the best time of my life here and ur ruining it
LET ME TALK OK <
> make it quic theyre refilling the pans rn
Miles fainted this morning… Forgot to tell but hes still in the hospital rn <
> omg is he ok??????
He is…. ok <
He woke up almost an hr ago <
> beating u up later for not telling me
> glad 2 kno hes ok
> that it?
> ok
> bye!!!!
MAYA HES ACTING ALL WEIRD <
> weird how?
IDK <
When he woke up he asked me if i use lipgloss… <
> ?????????
> maybe he saw how crusty u r
I dont think thats it <
He also clung to me for some reason <
> ????????
He told me to stay… <
> ?!?!?!??!?!?!
> THE miles edgeworth???
> did he hit jis head and get amnesia or sum
> and mistook u for his long lost soulamte
You have to stop watching those dramas… <
I think he did hit his head <
He said he couldnt control his hand <
> is that liek a new type of excuse or
I already told you its not like that!!! <
I think he genuinely meant it <
It was weird… <
Then he flirted with me ??? <
> HUH??????
> getting sm mixed signals here
Told me i fell from heaven <
> lol
> r u the one that hit ur head
> hed never say that
BUT HE DID I SWEAR <
> lol
Anyways just now he stared weirdly at me <
Actually i think he has been staring weirdly at me for a long time <
> now that i believe
Its different… <
Like you know those kinds of girls when they have a crush… <
Like the eyes and the hand under chin thing… <
> huh
> that is weird
> r u sure he looked like tgat
> or are u just wishing
HE DID <
> lol then what did u do
Ran away <
> boooo coward
Something just doesnt sit right maya <
I have a weird feeling about this… <
> hmm
> did u ask what happened before he fainted?
No not yet <
But i think i know… <
> u shld ask
> gtg the main dish is back
Maybe i should… <
Thx maya <
[“where do all those burgers go” sent a like reaction!]
—
“Hey, sorry it took me a long time. The line was longer than I thought.” Phoenix rubs the back of his neck apologetically.
It wasn’t a complete lie, after he texted Maya on his way to the canteen, he suddenly noticed he was lost. When he did find the canteen again, he was met by a long line.
It is now around 2:30pm, and Phoenix could tell that Miles waited impatiently. His slender fingers drummed against his crossed arms, but strangely, his eyebrows weren’t crossed at all.
Phoenix tries his best not to look him in the eye, as subtly as he could.
He has to ask about it now.
“Edgeworth—”
“Wright—”
Both of them spoke at the exact same time, then paused.
“You can go first.” Phoenix says, placing the food on the desk beside Miles’ hospital bed. It was fair to let him go first, can’t really put him in a grumpier mood when his food was delivered quite late.
Phoenix braces himself for a righteous verbal attack, but what he hears next is a thousand times worse, in his opinion.
“I think… I’m in love with you, Wright. Romantically, that is.” Miles drops a metaphorical bomb on him. Phoenix could no longer avoid his gaze, and he looks at him straight in the eyes, the unnerving feeling makes him take a step back.
I’m in love with you.
in love with you.
love.
The words echo in his ears. It was exactly how a confession would sound. It sounded shy, almost. It was exactly how he dreamed it would sound years ago. The years where he put Miles’ name in the middle of drawn hearts, admiring him silently after his defense changed Phoenix’s life, or the times he would find Miles’ in his dreams, yet unreachable to touch.
But he isn’t that Phoenix Wright anymore. He knew that Miles Edgeworth could never like him back. At least, not in that way.
That statement is not made out of denial, it is born out of fact.
Miles has proved, time and time again, that he really can’t love anyone romantically, and that wouldn’t change.
And Phoenix is fine with it. Love isn’t something that should be reciprocated, it is something that could be.
I think… I’m in love with you, Wright. Romantically, that is.
The words ring in his head once more.
Miles…
… doesn’t sound like that.
…The hand, the pick-up line, the weird stares. This …confession.
Who is this person?
What has it done to Miles?
There is an old saying, that the eyes are the window to the soul.
Beyond the chilly gaze that is beyond the norm, behind the unnatural feeling he experiences— there lies the real Miles Edgeworth. Phoenix looks deeper in Miles’ eyes, and finds the truth.
He finds the Miles Edgeworth that didn't mean what he said out loud exactly how he said it. He finds the trapped man under a mess of a rainbow. The man that has been crying out for him this entire time.
A freshly used thermos. Used teacup by the desk. A box in the trashcan.
…
Hah.
This is some cruel joke.
…
Out!
He needs to get out!
Out, where he could breathe.
Breathe, yes. He needs to breathe.
Phoenix exhales, and tries to speak the best that he can.
“Edgeworth… I think…” Phoenix wheezes, he can’t breathe. He tries to breathe.
“You must be confused… or… cursed…” Phoenix blabbers out, trying to find a plausible conclusion to this situation.
He has to get out of here!
“Sorry, I just have to leave for a—” Phoenix can only muster a half-baked excuse, and dashed out of the room.
—
Phoenix rushed to the accessible restroom with a frighteningly fast speed. Bile threatens to rise from his throat, and even without looking in a mirror, he could tell that he isn’t looking great in this condition.
He grips the sink in support, shutting his eyes and letting his sweat drip from his forehead.
He breathes in, and breathes out.
Again.
He breathes in slowly, and breathes out.
Again.
He breathes in slower, and breathes out.
Okay.
What does he know from the situation?
One, something is wrong with Miles.
Two, he consumed something that might’ve influenced it.
Three, Miles is in love with him as an effect.
Phoenix’s knees weaken at the thought. He has to get back and tell Miles what was wrong. He has to get back. Back to where Miles is.
Phoenix couldn’t even take a glance at the door. His mind is a jumble, finding himself unable to do what he needs to do.
Maybe he is the one under a curse all along, being this way.
…
Staying a little longer shouldn’t hurt.
He just needs time to breathe more, that’s all.
—
Phoenix walks towards Miles’ room, the bare hospital walls suffocating him just by looking at it. It’s been a long day. He’s quite sick of hospitals already.
It wasn’t long till he ended up in front of the door, this time closed, just like the moment he saw Miles awake again.
He gently turns the knob and pushes the door open.
…
He didn’t know how long it had been since he stayed there in that restroom, staring at the wall, staring at the door, staring at his reflection.
But when he comes back to Miles’ room, it’s empty.
—
Phoenix runs out of the hospital, knowing exactly where Miles went.
“I told you, I’m fine, Wright. I have to get back to work.” Miles waves him off.
He went back to work, of course. Of course!
Phoenix is seriously losing his mind, what kind of sick guy goes straight back to work!?
Phoenix hops in a taxi, too tired to run far, as this day isn’t going as well as he would’ve liked.
It wasn’t long till he arrived at the building.
With a completely different purpose from this morning, Phoenix ran towards the elevator and onto Miles’ room, slamming the door open.
“Edgeworth! Why did you leave the hospital!?” Phoenix did not hold back.
Does this guy know how badly he looked this morning?
“I’m fine, Wright.” Miles says dismissively, not even giving Phoenix a glance, absorbed in his work. He’s currently sitting at his desk right now.
He refuses to give him attention? Well, there’s more than one way to get it.
“Don’t you know I can tell you’re still not fine?” Phoenix slams his hands on the desk, trying to force Miles to look at him.
And look at him did Miles do.
“It’s just some bad chocolate I ate.” Miles says, deadpan. It was as if he was trying to school his expressions into something neutral.
“That chocolate, it’s the one in the empty box, isn’t it. The one in your trash can.” Phoenix connects the dots.
A freshly used thermos. Used teacup by the desk. A box in the trashcan.
The box contained chocolate, and Miles took it with his morning tea.
“Yes, it was a special gift from Wendy Oldbag that I had mistakenly eaten.” Miles answers. It sounds like the truth.
However, there is one thing that Phoenix is curious about, and that is—
“How would you even get chocolates from her in the first place? Don’t you have security in this place?” Phoenix asks, bewildered. His anger is forgotten, too confused by the explanation about the event this morning.
“.......” Miles did not respond. He looks embarrassed, for some reason.
That must mean that the Steel Samurai is somehow related to this, so he does not pry about it.
“What did that chocolate even do to you? You’ve been acting weird ever since you woke up.” Phoenix questions him even more, suddenly feeling like he’s back at court with his cross examinations.
Miles Edgeworth is a terrible witness. He usually closes himself up, so it’s shocking how much information he has been giving away.
Phoenix isn’t sure whether to attribute it to the strange happenings today or not.
Miles slowly rises up from his chair, tucking away his work.
“It seems like I have been put into a state similarly to a love potion.” Miles finally admits the whole truth.
A love potion.
Phoenix isn’t… sure what to feel.
“A love potion?” Phoenix takes a step back. “Is that possible?”
He’s not sure whether to cry out in relief or to be anything. He feels… numb, or something close to it. It has not been a very great day.
“It says so in fine print on the back of the box. I wouldn’t have believed it either if I wasn’t acting strange.” Miles responds. Phoenix really wasn’t going insane after all, it was a damn curse that put them both to the spot.
“It also said that if the curse isn’t solved by today, I could stay this way forever.” Miles adds, and there it is again. That unbearable feeling of something being inherently wrong.
It must be the curse all along.
Phoenix knows exactly what this curse means. What it means to Miles, what it means to them.
“What are you trying to say, Edgeworth?” Phoenix tries keeping his voice stable, but fails.
“We can be in love with each other forever.” Miles looks crazed, shutting his eyes for a moment before crinkling them in delight.
That isn’t him, it’s not him talking. Does Miles know that? Does Miles know how badly the curse has affected him?
Get away!
“This— this isn’t right, Edgeworth, and you know that.” Phoenix wants to shake the sense into him, but his instincts are screaming at him to get away from his creature he’s facing.
It’s Miles. It's just Miles, but cursed. He isn’t something that you should be afraid of.
Phoenix tries to remind himself over and over again.
“...I thought you would’ve jumped at the opportunity.” Miles sounds confused, then looks outside the window. The side of his mouth seemed to tilt a millimeter upwards. Phoenix cannot tell whether or not it’s the curse talking. Is this about his unrequited love?
It’s really not something he should be concerned about, when he’s under a curse!
“Do I seem like that kind of person to you?” Phoenix couldn’t feel but be a little angry, he knows Miles knows him well. It doesn’t matter if Miles could love him the same way he does, it doesn’t matter at all.
“No, not at all.” Miles grips his own arm, squeezing it tighter. It’s a habit he formed, and Phoenix has never been glad to see it again.
Miles is still there.
If Phoenix could just reach out and figure out how to get rid of the curse, he could save Miles.
“Get a grip, Edgeworth! Is it you or the curse talking!?” Phoenix grabs Miles by the shoulders, forcing himself to look him in the eye.
Miles shakes his head, slightly wincing in pain.
“I don’t know… I—” Miles averts his glance. “It’s quite hard to tell, at times.”
Phoenix figured out that was the case. Miles seems to be unaware of his actions and words at times. He couldn’t imagine how deep the curse had taken root in his brain.
Miles closes his eyes.
“Wouldn’t it be nice… if I could feel romantic attraction, especially directed at you? I could love you back, this time.”
Get a hold of yourself, Miles!
Phoenix finally had enough of it and shakes him by the shoulders, trying to put sense into him.
“No, I don’t need that.” Phoenix says firmly. He needs to be clear about it. The curse could be twisting Miles’ existing thoughts to create something new. “I’m content with what we are, what we have.”
Miles slowly opens his eyes. “Are you certain of it?” He averts his gaze.
Phoenix wants him to look him in the eye, to see for himself how certain he is.
“Does it matter?” Phoenix lets go of Miles, a small hopeful smile on his face. “Does it matter what way I could spend forever with you?”
Does it matter if the love they feel for each other is romantic or not?
“...No, I suppose not.” Miles clutches his arm, finally looking at Phoenix for once.
Phoenix and Miles stare at each other, knowing that finally, they are on the same page.
The room is silent. The two slowly became painfully aware of the fact.
Tick.
Tick.
Tick.
With every tick of the clock, the silence becomes more and more awkward.
“So… how do you get rid of the curse? Do you just wait it out, or—?” Phoenix nervously asks.
Hopefully it won't be anything difficult! Miles did say that the deadline is at the end of the day…
Miles looks out of the window.
“The moment the sky darkens.” Miles says, “We must…” Miles pauses.
Must what?
“...We must hold hands till we awaken the next day.” Miles then turns red out of embarrassment.
…That’s it? It’s easier than I thought!?
The sunlight fades into pitch darkness, leaving a small table lamp illuminating the room.
“Well…” Phoenix responds, offering a hand out. “The moon is out, isn’t it? Shall we?”
Miles takes his hand on his. Their fingers slowly intertwine.
Miles’ hands are cold, but Phoenix couldn’t help but feel warm inside. This February night won’t be as chilly as he thought it would be.
—
“So, where are we staying the night? We can’t really go our separate ways with the hand holding and stuff.” Phoenix swings their interlocked hands.
They’re currently in Miles’ car, Phoenix’s bicycle on the back. There have been a couple of weird stares on their way out of the office, hopefully the rumors wouldn’t be too bad for Miles.
“Isn’t your apartment closer?” Miles suggests. Phoenix tries to look chill at the suggestion.
Because Miles absolutely cannot go to his apartment!
“It’s a bit… messy.” Phoenix nervously laughs. It is messy, so messy, in fact, that Miles would scold him for the mess and would make him scrub every inch of his apartment the day after.
It might be a little messy at times, but it’s much more messy now that Maya has been staying in his apartment! She has a problem with hers, and decided that she should make it Phoenix’s problem and kick him out of his own bedroom and onto the couch.
Phoenix has been sleeping on the couch for two weeks now. Two weeks!
It’s hard to take care of an evil little sister.
…He should try stealing something from her for a change.
But is he that petty to steal from a teenager?
Probably.
Miles quirks up an eyebrow, knowing Phoenix isn’t exactly being truthful about the matter.
“...Fine. Maya took over my apartment… I’m practically homeless.” Phoenix admits the truth.
Miles looks like he’s a breeze away from laughing. His face contorts to a way that means laughter, and Phoenix could feel that none of it is from the curse.
“Maybe you could live under my staircase. It’s very spacious.” On rare occasions, Miles cracks up a joke, and it seems like today is one of them.
“Ha, ha.” Phoenix says in response. “Just start the car, we seriously need that rest.”
Miles starts the car, the engine roars as the lights open.
“The offer of my staircase is merciful. I don’t want you complaining about ghosts in the basement.” Miles adds.
But before Phoenix can respond, Miles steps on the gas pedal and speeds faster than a rollercoaster. Phoenix isn’t sure if he’s well into the speed limit, but he’s too busy clutching for his life to even think about any law.
“Are you trying to add me to your basement ghost collection!?” Phoenix screams.
Miles doesn’t respond, but only speeds up faster. Phoenix is sure he’s laughing on the inside at that moment.
Why am I surrounded by evil people!?
Phoenix swears that his soul left his body at least ten times during the ride. He vows to never get in a car with Miles ever again. This would be his first and last ride.
—
It is now morning, Miles has finally woken up. The curse should be gone at this point, so he tries to let go of the other’s hand.
Yesterday night, Phoenix agreed on sleeping on the floor beside Miles’ bed. It was an uncomfortable position at first, but Miles owned a taller mattress to almost line up with the bed so Phoenix was able to sleep well. He wants to desperately take home the mattress, he never had that much of a good sleep since forever.
Anyway, Miles continuously refuses to let go. At first, Phoenix was worried that the curse didn’t go away, but with Miles' reassurance and his trusty instinct, he now knows that the curse is now truly gone.
“...I've always wanted to know what holding your hands feels like.” Miles says, embarrassed. He’s currently dragging Phoenix in some part of his house.
It’s cute of him, almost.
Phoenix starts snickering, then it evolves into chuckling. He’s so glad that’s all over. More chuckles bubble out of him in relief.
“I really can’t figure out what you’re thinking sometimes.” Phoenix says.
“There’s plenty of time to. Do you fancy some tea?” Miles offers in return, pointing at the counter where a box of tea sits.
Somehow, they ended up in Miles’ kitchen. It is spacious and sleek. The box on the counter is achingly familiar. He couldn’t quite place his finger where—
His Valentines’ gift!
“Is that the one I brought yesterday?” Phoenix exclaims loudly. Miles nods in return.
He dropped it on Miles’ office yesterday morning. Miles must’ve brought it back to his place and stashed it away without him looking.
Phoenix takes the box, holding it with his free hand. “It’s a day late, but… Happy Valentine's Day, Edgeworth.” Phoenix hands over the box to Miles.
“Happy Valentine’s Day, Wright.” Miles let out a small smile.