Chapter Text
Miles Edgeworth was a very strange man, Phoenix thought, observing the man dusting his office’s collection of Steel Samurai merchandise. Edgeworth paused and sneezed, feather duster still grasped in his hand. Yes, a strange man indeed.
Well- to be fair, it wasn’t like Phoenix was any less weird, and the current situation he was in would surely garner a double take from anyone. There was a certain domesticity to the state of his and Miles’ friendship, something he never thought he’d be saying about Edgeworth. He supposed it had just creeped up on him, over time, or maybe his affections towards the other man had simply made him blind towards his friend’s rough edges (pun very intended).
It really was nice though, hanging out, if you could even call it that. Miles had decided, post Phoenix’s “rough tumble” as a certain Larry Butz had so eloquently put it, that it was long overdue that he return to California for an extended period of time.
He hadn’t proffered a clear reason when Phoenix had asked, other than his desire to help fix the court system, and well-don’t get Phoenix wrong-while that was surely reason enough, his magatama had said otherwise. Regardless, even though there was more to the truth, he wasn’t especially intent on prying it out. The last thing he wanted to do was put a strain on their already complicated circumstances of companionship.
Thankfully, at this point Phoenix knew Miles well enough to know that whatever the psyche lock was, nothing recently had been troubling him to the point of worry. Well, other than-
“-so much dust, I swear, Wright, it’s like they never cleaned in here while I was gone,” Edgeworth huffed, his sneeze returning with a vengeance. Phoenix, still lounged on the couch, hopped up and dragged his finger across a different shelf, noticing a distinct lack of dust when he inspected it.
“I don’t know, Edgeworth,” He said, walking towards the prosecutor, peering towards the memorabilia, “I distinctly remember you threatening Gumshoe with a another pay cut if anyone so much as glanced at your collection of..poor financial decisions.” Edgeworth leveled him with a glare, mouth set in a hard line. ‘Yikes. Maybe I shouldn’t have insulted the district chief prosecutor’s spending habits. Even if they are silly.’ Perhaps Miles had noted the lack of malice in Phoenix’s statement though, since his gaze then softened, and he crossed his arms.
“Hmph. I suppose I did do that, rightfully so, mind you,” A small smile formed on his face, “I suppose the Steel Samurai was better of dusty than damaged by an imbecile who doesn’t know how to use a feather duster.” Edgeworth placed a hand on his hip, and Phoenix refrained from mentioning that no one but Miles was using an ornate Victorian feather duster in the modern age. As much as Miles was eccentric, Phoenix was still endeared by his mannerisms (gay gay homosexual gay).
Unfortunately for Phoenix, that had become a problem as of late. Edgeworth was a good friend, of course, but ever since Iris’ case it had become more and more difficult to find any action of Miles’ to not be endearing. Phoenix had already long since come to terms with his adamant and unyielding love for Miles Edgeworth, but he’d always had some sort of cover to hide behind so he wouldn’t have to admit it. The first year? He’d simply been a court rival, and the second year he’d disappeared, leaving Phoenix to grieve over his empty office (the extent of said grief telling in and of itself). Now however, there was no major source of discourse between them, and it had been far too easy to slip into a friendship that was scarily domestic.
Hell, Edgeworth had even started bringing him lunch every Friday, claiming that Phoenix couldn’t “live on cup noodles alone, you’ll of die of being malnourished”, and conveniently ignoring the fact that it’d been years since he’d been able to afford his own groceries (he wasn’t a fresh out of law school attorney anymore, after all). It never failed to leave Phoenix flustered whenever Miles showed up at the door of the Wright & co. law offices with a bag in hand, a constant and reliable promise of care and warmth after the harshness of the week prior. So really, it was becoming quite difficult for Phoenix to not profess his affections towards Edgeworth at any given opportunity.
During Phoenix’s moment of reflection, the object of his endearments finished his dusting and began sifting through a pile of files at his desk, sorting a few into his briefcase. His hand hovered over one such piece of paper, before he tucked it at the bottom of the pile, and closed his briefcase, the click of the latches snapping Phoenix out of his thoughts. Edgeworth straightened up and walked towards him where he had settled on the couch. Phoenix shifted upwards, preparing to stand.
“Wright, might you be amendable to some dinner? Prosecutor Gavin recommended a restaurant to me the other day, and I find myself partial to some company for a while longer.” Phoenix blinked.
“Klavier recommended you a restaurant?” Edgeworth nodded sagely.
“Yes, he mentioned he and Mr. Justice had thoroughly enjoyed the food there some time ago, and suggested I try it. I thought perhaps you’d have the same taste as your protegee?” Edgeworth mouth curved upwards, eyes crinkling at the corners, an expression of amusement on his face. Phoenix flushed slightly. “I see Apollo has roped Klavier into his matchmaking attempts. Honestly I’m surprised they’re trying to get us together. Their own relationship is the embodiment of beating around the bush, honestly I think everyone knows they like each other except them’. Phoenix huffed a laugh, before responding.
“That sounds great Edgeworth, I’d be glad to accompany you,” he said, a slight smile on his face, hand rubbing the back of his neck trying not to be nervous. Edgeworth hummed and offered out his hand. Phoenix gratefully grabbed it and stood up. He let go and dusted off his suit (that had no dust on it to begin with), and gestured towards the office door.
“Well then, shall we head out?” Miles nodded and the pair stepped outside, starting their trek down the stairwell.