When somebody loves you...

[attorneyatlol]

[Things at Wright & Co have been quiet since Maya's been needed in Kurain more often. When it's especially bad, Phoenix likes to fill the silence with music, sometimes classics like Sinatra, Tony Bennett, and Ella Fitzgerald (or "old fart music", as Maya would say, giving him a teasing look). Now happens to be one such time.

"All of Me" is currently streaming from his computer speakers. With his back to the door, he stands at the filing cabinet, attempting to organize his backlog of files as he taps his foot in time with the beat. Occasionally he hums or sings along, usually painfully out of key.]

Comments

[attorneyatlol]

[Recognizing the half-hearted attempt for what it is, Phoenix redoubles his efforts and pulls Edgeworth until their bodies are flush.]

[innocently] Why? This is a great song to dance to. [as if to illustrate this point, he does his best Sinatra impression (which is terrible) and sings:] Taller than the tallest tree is, that's how it's got to feel...

[samuraiprosecutor]

Oh dear god. Is that meant to encourage me? [He gives Wright a look that’s too stern to be serious (even coming from him).]

I’m supposed to be on my way home now. Or do you not care if I’m done early enough to see you tonight?

[attorneyatlol]

[Clearly enjoying this, Phoenix merely responds by continuing:] Deeper than the deep blue sea is, that's how deep it goes if it's real...

[samuraiprosecutor]

[Edgeworth rolls his eyes in a very exaggerated fashion and continues to stand still as best he can with Wright pulling on him. He’s not quite ready to give up this fight yet, but he’s close.] You’re impossible. Also, an idiot. And a terrible singer. And dancer.

[attorneyatlol]

Ouch, that's harsh.

[...It effectively stops him singing, though, at least for now. He attempts to feign indignation, but the way his lips keep threatening to quirk up at the corners makes it nearly impossible.]

It'd be a little easier if you actually moved with me, you know.

[samuraiprosecutor]

You think I’m trying to make this easier for you? [He can’t stop himself from smirking at that.]

[attorneyatlol]

Well, I just thought you'd be itching to show me how it's done, seeing as how you're such a critic... [If the he words themselves aren't enough to belie his dismissive tone, that familiar challenge in his eyes certainly should.]

[samuraiprosecutor]

I might be, if I weren’t enjoying watching you flop about and make a fool of yourself.

[His tone is as dismissive as his words until he suddenly moves to dip Phoenix. Whether his partner welcomes the move or not has little bearing on whether he goes down. Miles has perfect form, expert positioning, and plenty of experience on his side. All he has to do is place his feet just so, with some slight adjustments for Wright’s weight and height, and balance his weight right there and Wright should be cradled in Edgeworth’s arms staring up at his partner.] But if you insist…

[attorneyatlol]

[Not quite what he was anticipating, Phoenix gives a yelp of surprise and tenses in Edgeworth's embrace as he's tilted back, grip tightening around the other man's neck like it's a lifeline. For several moments, all he can do is stare up in shock, eyes wide to the point that it's comical, until, finally, some of the tension leaves him, and he's able to breathe again.

He tries his damnedest not to smile but fails miserably, settling for rolling his eyes instead.]

Show-off.

[samuraiprosecutor]

[Miles almost laughs at him. Wright looks so much like a startled cat it's hard not to laugh, but he holds it in, smirk fixed in place, and waits impatiently for a reaction. A small corner of his mind says he overstepped his bounds, that Wright's going to react...well, like he might react if caught off guard like that, which is to say badly. Occasionally it's hard to remember not everyone shares his issues.]

[When Wright finally relaxes he's not the only one. The tension in Miles' arms and shoulders releases. He leans down while pulling Phoenix up, bringing their faces only inches apart.]

It took you this long to notice?

[attorneyatlol]

[As he's brought up, his death grip on Edgeworth's neck loosens, and his hands surreptitiously find their way into the man's hair, fingers combing through the short strands.]

[snort] Hardly. I just have a talent for stating the obvious. [Of which you constantly like to remind me, his teasing tone says.]

[samuraiprosecutor]

Mmm. Among other things. [The words are a deep purr in his throat.] The ability to make things far more difficult than they should be, a knack for making trouble, and knowing on instinct precisely how to annoy one Miles Edgeworth.

[At the last, he dips Wright again, a dizzying drop that takes his head almost down to the floor, then pulls him all the way back up to stand in his tight embrace. Miles wears a subtle but devilish grin, and wraps his arms possessively around Phoenix's waist, just above the gentle dip at the top of his ass.]

[attorneyatlol]

[That purr sends a pleasant shiver up Phoenix's spine. Another yelp soon escapes him, however, effectively robbing him of the chance to get a word in as he's dipped back even further this time. His grip tightens again out of instinct; even as a child, he was never fond of the sensation of falling backwards.

When Edgeworth brings him up, he's pouting, though his annoyance is clearly more for show than anything. Already his fingers have found their way back into the other man's hair.]

[a bit breathless] You know, you really oughtta warn a guy before you do that...

[samuraiprosecutor]

And miss that delightful reaction? I think not.

[There's a wicked trace of amusement in his eyes, but his eyelids are drooping with contentment, and he's smiling. Having his hair played with is one of his many weaknesses that Phoenix's curious fingers have uncovered in their time together. After hesitating a bit he slowly begins to sway with the song's tempo. Perhaps it's an apology. Perhaps he's finally rewarding his partner's persistence. Perhaps he's telling him he won. Edgeworth himself isn't sure of the reason, though he'd like to think it's not the latter.]

[attorneyatlol]

[Phoenix would beg to differ if he knew; he's already claimed victory silently to himself.

Once steady, he falls easily into step again, swaying slowly from side to side being one dance even his two left feet can't get wrong. He lets his eyes slip shut and rests his forehead against Edgeworth's, giving a quiet 'hmph' in response to the man's teasing.]

A show-off and a sadist...

[samuraiprosecutor]

Yes, well... [His smile widens as he gently leans into his partner's touch. He closes his eyes and sways smoothly, pressed against Phoenix, reveling in his warmth.] You knew that when you got yourself into this relationship. You only have yourself to blame.

[attorneyatlol]

Mm. Good thing I'm not complaining.

[samuraiprosecutor]

You aren't? [He opens his eyes to look at Wright skeptically, as his smile turns into a smirk.] Hm. I must have misinterpreted.

[attorneyatlol]

[He smiles in response, voice noticeably softer, contented, when he responds.] Just stating the obvious again.

[samuraiprosecutor]

Ah.

[His eyes are already closed. His hands move, going from resting gently on the curve of Phoenix's derriere to wrapping firmly around his waist and squeezing, still holding snugly when he's done. The smile is back, soft and happy and unguarded and most importantly, only for Phoenix.]

[attorneyatlol]

[Phoenix's smile widens, and he appreciatively combs his fingers through Miles' hair once more, before his hold shifts to a loose embrace around the man's shoulders.

As a comfortable silence falls between them, he cracks his eyes open only to be met with a rare, soft smile gracing Edgeworth's lips. Something deep inside his chest aches at the sight, pleasant and painful and yearning, and he suddenly finds it difficult to breathe and impossible to close his eyes again.

Around them, Sinatra's smooth voice carries on.

Who knows where the road will lead us
Only a fool would say]

[samuraiprosecutor]

[Miles stays that way--calm and quiet and resting in his own little world of warmth and that thing he still has trouble naming--for a long time. Eventually he opens his eyes to find Wright staring at him through half-lidded eyes, his expression thoughtful but otherwise indecipherable. His smile has faded to a soft shadow. Miles opens his eyes wider and gives him a questioning look.]

[attorneyatlol]

[But if you let me love you
It's for sure I'm gonna love you
All the way

The lyrics strike a chord with Phoenix, one he's far from ready to give voice to, but it's there: strong and sharp and completely undeniable. He exhales softly and allows himself a moment to wonder if Edgeworth feels it, too, before quickly reining in that train of thought.

All too soon, the warm, unguarded look has faded, its tight hold on Phoenix broken. He pulls back enough to meet Edgeworth's curious gaze with one of his own, until it dawns on him that he was likely caught staring. He smiles sheepishly and gives a slight shrug, probably felt more than seen, as warmth colors his face.]

[samuraiprosecutor]

[Edgeworth is too distracted by Wright's expression to feel what he's feeling. It isn't often he sees him like this, so contemplative, and never is that look directed at him, as he feels it is now. It's extremely perplexing.]

[Eventually Wright shrugs very slightly and his face flushes. Edgeworth waits for the Wax Philosophical Phoenix Wright Power Hour that often follows those looks, but he is disappointed. Whatever he was thinking about, he doesn't seem interested in sharing. Under other circumstances Edgeworth might have pushed for answers. He almost does, in fact, but something tells him perhaps this isn't for him to hear. If Wright wanted him to know, he would undoubtedly tell him. Ordinarily the man can't keep his mouth shut.]

[Finally he shrugs in response, a smoothly elegant gesture, and rests his forehead against Wright's, still swaying.] I should be getting back to work...soon.

[But not just yet.]

[attorneyatlol]

[Phoenix mentally releases a sigh of relief, having feared he ruined the moment by making Edgeworth self-conscious or something. Smile softening, he allows his eyes to slip shut again and comfortably nuzzles his forehead against the other man's.]

Mm... soon.

[But not yet, his thoughts echo.

The instruments pick up volume and intensity as the song nears its end. Phoenix softly hums along with the final lyrics.

So if you'll let me love you
It's for sure I'm gonna love you
All the way
All the way]