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

This icon is an accurate representation of Miles' feelings rn.

[samuraiprosecutor]

[The words are a shock to Edgeworth’s contented system. Coming wholly out of the blue, as far as he can see, they catch him off guard and leave him flailing for support as his heart seems to fall from its proper place. His body tenses, every muscle going taut, and for too long he can only stare at the pages of his book, unseeing, his mind having suddenly lost all comprehension of the printed lines.]

[Finally he manages to make his mouth work, though his response isn’t nearly as calm or collected as he wants it to be.] I know.

TIMESKIP WHOOSH

[samuraiprosecutor]

[For Edgeworth it becomes easier to ignore the issue as time passes, but only because the next day finds him embroiled in a case that puts his formidable skills to the test as few cases do, aside from the ones Wright is involved in. By the second day of trial he’s fighting for every inch, yet somewhere in the midst of the scuffle he pulls a miraculous bit of deduction which in turn pulls the linchpin out of his opponent’s argument. He takes only a fraction of his usual pleasure in watching the defendant break down and seeing the defense slump on his bench as if all his bones were suddenly snatched from his body. In fact, after methodically returning everything to his briefcase he stalks from the courtroom without a word to the defense and only the barest of pleasantries to the judge and a few other colleagues he meets in the hall.]

[Edgeworth is tired. Bone tired. He’s still tired when he makes it home around 11:00pm. It must have shown because Wright, ever the contradiction, almost immediately suggests then asks (for some definition of the word) Edgeworth to go out for a terribly late dinner with him.]

[He should say no. He barely feels capable of driving them there (Wright offers to pay for a taxi), he looks like hell (Wright points out that anyone out that late on a Tuesday night probably also looks like hell), and he doesn’t want to go. But Wright wants to go. It’s blindingly obvious when he looks in those sad puppy dog eyes of his. After that fiasco last week he has been trying very hard not to disappoint his partner again. It won’t be much of a streak if he breaks it now.]

[Besides, the thought of a well-mixed drink and good food that he doesn’t even have to make is starting to remind Miles that he’s hardly eaten since breakfast. Has he eaten since then? Was that bag of chips from this afternoon or yesterday?]

[Grumbling all the while, Miles takes Phoenix out to dinner. They pick a favorite place down the street, within walking distance. It’s dimly lit and the fare is excellent as always, and most importantly, the company is his usual sweet, goofy self throughout. By the time they’re on the way home Miles has a pleasantly full stomach and a slightly foggy head, and for once he thinks he can look forward to collapsing into sleep the moment his head hits the pillow. All things considered it turned out to be an enjoyable night, thanks to Wright.]