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.

Comments

[attorneyatlol]

[On the other hand, the words come as a complete surprise to Phoenix, whose stops suddenly in his tracks. His smile falls, replaced by an undefined look and a question in his eyes, as he stares silently at Edgeworth.]

[samuraiprosecutor]

[Miles smiles softly. Before the trial took all of his attention he had toyed with the idea of doing this under very meticulously planned circumstances. Make it a night to remember, and one which was so particular and special that he would be less likely to chicken out at the last minute. But now that they’re here, a bit of a fog in his head and dinner on his breath, he realizes no amount of planning could have been better.]

Do you have any idea what you’ve done for me, Phoenix? I don’t know where I would be without you… [dead, in prison, still wallowing in my own personal hell] …but I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I would not be happy.

[Awkwardly, almost shyly, he takes his partner’s hand in both of his own and caresses it.] You didn’t have to do it. Any of it. You could have lived a normal life, even found someone who could be everything you deserve.

[He gives Phoenix a look to forestall any protests.] Don’t try to pretend your life wouldn’t be easier with someone who doesn’t choose work over you or…wake you with a panic attack in the middle of the night. Someone more like you, who doesn’t hesitate to say what’s in their heart.

Yet you’re here with me. I can’t express how grateful I am for that. You make me feel… [He worries his lower lip and averts his gaze to some spot just to Phoenix’s right.] …less broken. I do love you, for that and many, many other reasons.

[attorneyatlol]

Edgeworth...

[Soft and breathless, it's the only word Phoenix can say for several moments. Throughout Edgeworth's speech, he'd remained silently in awe, offering no protest even where it was clearly expected. (By the time he'd even thought to object, Edgeworth had already moved on, and he was rendered speechless anew.) Now he stands just as still, the only movement being the convulsive bob of his Adam's apple.

He's never been one to choke up during moments like this. Even in his younger, more emotional days, when he thought he'd never hear words as beautiful and loving as Dollie's, his chest had never ached so deeply or felt so full that he thought it might burst. Maybe it's that he didn't expect it from Edgeworth, or perhaps it's that he's older and no longer so naive. Maybe it's just because it's Edgeworth...

Whatever the cause, he's finding it very difficult to do more than sputter around the lump in his throat.]

I didn't think... I-- I mean, I knew that you... but you didn't have to...

[Realizing how ridiculous he must sound, he laughs, a quiet, breathless noise that sounds suspiciously like a sob, and then pulls Miles close to him. He rests his forehead against the other man's, eyes slipping shut, and wishes he could think of something equally beautiful to say back to him, but all he can seem to manage are a few, whispered words.]

God, Miles... You mean everything to me, you know that? Everything...

[samuraiprosecutor]

[Miles is out of his younger, more emotional days, but he knows with a blinding clarity that these are the most beautiful and loving words he will ever hear. He may hear them many more times, in many more places, many more ways, but they will never sound like this again, will never again carry this same, paradoxically uplifting weight. There's no way he can ever match them. He has to try, though, for Phoenix's sake.]

Finding true justice is...was my sole purpose in life, but it would have eluded me forever if it weren't for you. You gave me back my purpose, my life, even...the heart I gave up on as a child. I never thought I could... [The imperfect words catch in his throat, finally forcing him to say instead, with an awkward smile:] You are my everything.