Everything short of...

[attorneyatlol]

[Phoenix sighs contentedly. Something about tonight is especially nice, he thinks, though he can't say exactly why. It isn't as though it's the first time they've spent their nights like this: him lying on the couch, head cushioned against Edgeworth's thigh, and Edgeworth silently reading a book above him; the TV on, just loud enough for him to make out some words; Sigi happily curled on the floor at his master's feet.

It isn't the first time they've spent their nights like this, no, but it is rare, now that he thinks about it. Too often Edgeworth spends his nights in his study, working on something or another that can't possibly wait until morning to finish. Every once in a while, though, he'll venture out to join Phoenix for a quiet night like this, and as much as Phoenix likes to complain about the man's workaholic tendencies, he supposes it does make these rare moments special.

Smiling, he idly reaches a hand down to gently (and maybe a bit hesitantly) pet Sigi's fur, satisfied when the dog doesn't flinch or move away.

Tonight is especially nice, he concludes, and his happiness inspires an urge he's found himself shying away from for far too long. Without giving himself a chance to think or doubt, he quietly, boldly says:]

I love you, you know.

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[samuraiprosecutor]

[As far as Edgeworth can tell, he succeeds, though Miles wouldn’t have risked a confrontation by pointing it out if he hadn’t. Edgeworth nods, quick and far more sure than he feels. By design, his ‘work’ may keep him up long after Wright falls asleep, and knowing that is only compounding his guilt.] Mm. Let me know when you’re going to bed.

[attorneyatlol]

[Humming affirmatively, he hesitates a moment before leaning down to press a quick kiss into Edgeworth's hair and then hurriedly makes for the kitchen.

It's not as big a deal as it seems, he tells himself. By morning, it'll all have blown over, the doubt and discomfort only an echo of a moment of stupidity. They're only words, after all...]

[samuraiprosecutor]

[It is as big a deal as it seems. Edgeworth knows this all too well. It’s the truth that drives him from the living room as soon as Wright is out of sight. Once sequestered in his office he boots up his computer and opens all the necessary programs for work he doesn’t have. He loads the file for a case he’s already finished, busying himself with checking it over for errors for the third, maybe fourth time. Anything to continue avoiding that conversation until he’s ready to deal with the problem that he just compounded.]

[They’re only words, he tells himself. And it is only the truth. You’ve known that for a long time now. There’s no reason you shouldn’t be able to say it.]

[He spends the rest of the night trying to convince himself of that.]