Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

"What do you mean by that, Miles?"

Miles just stood in front of him with his badge in the palm of his hand.

Miles said to him "I'm sick of simply carrying this around in my pockets constantly. It's time for a change."

“How about carrying it on a chain around your neck? It might be less likely to get lost that way, too."

"Hmm... You're right." He took a chain from his pocket and strung the object, then fastened the necklace. "Uh, I'm having some trouble."

"Trouble is all you mean ever, Wright." He raised a sarcastic eyebrow, fidgeting with his own pocket. "Sometimes I forget why I even trust you with handling situations like... this one."

"I know that's a sensitive topic but please trust me on this" Phoenix said, holding Miles's hand softly.

With a sigh and a squeeze of his hand, Miles replied, "You don't have to ask for my trust, Phoenix... you've had it all this time."

Phoenix laughed quietly. "If it was as easy as that, everything would have been solved a long time ago."

Miles smiled, in a way meant just for Phoenix. "Well..." He trailed off thoughtfully, then looked back to him. "I don't think it's too late to start. We've solved things together before, and we can do it again. What do you say?"

"I say, when we start, we always get to the end." Phoenix's blinding grin was something he'd never get used to.

Miles smiled, a small smile of contentment.

Phoenix couldn't help the rush of warmth in his chest after seeing that smile.

It was such a rare sight to see, and always had been - but always a welcome one.

It was one he would treasure, always. He would do whatever he could to welcome that sight into his life for many times to come. With a nod, he invited Miles along the path beside him.

Chapter Text

 There was a huge vase with many flowers on the table in the Agency.

Though he couldn't begin to name them all, Phoenix definitely appreciated the way the flowers' scents filled the office.

 "I wonder who thought to send these to me," Phoenix thought aloud, going closer to the blooms. He noticed a card tucked in a plastic stand among some white flowers, and picked it up to read.

However, he didn't find what he was looking for. The card was blank.

Miles turned it around to see under the light, and he saw a text, not easily distinguishable that said:

"Meet me in the park, 5pm." Miles checked his phone.

 Once Miles reached the park, it was already dusk. He chose a spot in view of the path, but out of the way of other visitors and from casual observers. He checked the time on his phone until 5, when he noticed that someone was coming toward him with singular intent.

"Five o'clock exactly," the figure walking towards him said, smiling. "Right, Miles?"

"I thought we said six pm exactly."

Miles gave him a flat look, "... Phoenix I have been waiting here for an hour, I'm positive your note did not say 6pm."

Phoenix turned a little pink. "I'm  sorry, really. I hope the wait wasn't too bad. You know how hectic it can get." He glanced to the city edging along the park, then to Miles. "Let me make it up to you. What would you say to a dinner? That is, uh. If you're free, I mean. It'll be my treat."

At the sight of his face, Miles couldn't keep it up. His frown melted in a smile. "Hmph. That will have to do," he said, taking his arm.

Both of them walked into the sunset, smiling fondly at each other, when suddenly something rustled in the bushes nearby.

Phoenix and Miles turned around just in time to see Trucy fall out from behind a bush with a loud "Oof!"

When she looked up, she knew she was caught, and gave a cheesy grin that looked an awful lot like Wright's. "Hey...there, Daddy!" Phoenix laughed and went over to help her up, while Miles hung back. Phoenix gently brushed the dirt off her knees.

With Trucy in his arms, Phoenix walked out of the building, looking forward to some time with his family.

Chapter Text

When the doorbell rang, Pess leapt off her spot on the couch and ran to the door. Miles followed behind her, chuckling at her overprotectiveness, and nudged her aside to open it.

As soon as there was enough room, Pess darted through the crack in the door to greet their visitor.

The door opened and in there was Phoenix Wright, smiling brightly at her.

"Hi there, Chief," he said, extending his hand for her to shake it. "I'm through with the paperwork you asked for. How are things going on your side?"

The Chief Prosecutor paused. As she considered the question, Pess sniffed her shoes and stockinged ankles.

"Not... They're all right. I didn't know you had a dog, Prosecutor Edgeworth." She crouched down to let Pess sniff her hand.

"Ah, yes, I've had Pess for quite a while now," Miles said, letting out a small sigh as Pess managed to stay still long enough for the Chief Prosecutor to pet her.

"For how long is quite a while?" Phoenix asked, looking at them. While Miles was petting the dog, he looked at her with such adoration, that Phoenix could tell they were through many things together.

"As long as I remember, you could say," Miles said, turning to him with a truly happy gaze. "That's how it feels like, at least."

It was Phoenix's turn to flush deeply. Seeing Miles happy and content like this meant everything to him. "Yes, I feel the same way too. And I can't help but think I'll be feeling that way for a long time, as long as we're here together." He gave Pess a scratch on the head. "What do you think about that?" he said to her.

Pess chose that moment to sneeze on Phoenix's hand, shattering the mood and throwing him into a fit of laughter.

Miles looked at him, at both of them and observed the people he loved, laughing silently himself.

What a lucky man I am, he thought. The happiness he had earned, and the long road to there, he'd never forget.

Miles studied Phoenix, and when Phoenix surfaced from his thoughts, their eyes met comfortably.

"Do you have any plans for-" Miles was interrupted by Pess jumping up onto Phoenix with her big front paws. With her big size, she leaned against his chest and was tall enough to look into his eyes herself.

Phoenix burst out laughing. "Think she's hungry?"

Miles called her off of Phoenix and said "Considering I just fed her less than an hour ago, she shouldn't be... but you can come give her a few treats in exchange for some tricks?" Phoenix's face lit up at the offer, following behind the two on their way to the kitchen.

The kitchen was spacious, and Phoenix looked at Miles.
“So where do you keep the snacks?”

"You still need to ask?"

Chapter Text

"These rings aren't very subtle" Miles said looking at them in the jewelry store.

"I have no idea what you mean, these are the epitome of subtle." Phoenix replied as light reflected off his ring and into his eye, causing him to wince.

"Aagh." He slipped his hand into his pocket. "Well, regardless, your taste is always excellent." He looked  back up, squinting over as he recovered from the glare. "What does yours look like?"

"Mine?" He frowned, deep in thought. "Actually, I am not sure what I'll go for. I could use your opinion on that."

"I'd go for the striped bowtie if I were you" the lawyer said, smiling and taking the material and fitting it into the other's neck, as if to see if it fits indeed.

 "I don't think I could look good in anything straight-" Phoenix's sentence dissolved into laughter while Miles swatted him with the tie.

"Phoenix Wright," Miles managed, over repressing his own laughter. Phoenix snickered, and  reached over to touch the soft silk in his hand. "No, no, I really do love it." Miles handed it to him with a genuine smile. "Good," Miles said. "You deserve nice things like this. Even if they'll never be straight--" He broke off into a snort.

"Let me guess,"he snickered. "Like the wavy gorgeous hair of  a beautiful girlfriend? It's fitting for this silk, you know."

"Not as much as the spiky hair of my fiancee." he said and stroked his cheek.

When he said these words, he felt his face going red, and he saw that Phoenix's face is also in a similar, crimson color.

Smiling and leaning into Miles's hand, Phoenix quietly asked "Have I ever told you how much I love you?"

Tenderly, Miles stroked his cheek and cupped the other side of his face with his other hand.  "You have certainly mentioned it a few times," he said softly. Phoenix grinned. Miles drew closer to Phoenix's face, and the world seemed to go quiet around them when their eyes met.

"Never hurts to hear it again."

Chapter Text

"So," said Phoenix on the other side of the fairground gates, "Where would you like to start first? There are a lot of new attractions this year."

"Let's start with something we have never tried before!" She pointed forward, excited. "What about... that?"

"And that is..... What exactly?" the young woman, asked with a very confused face as if she wanted to understand, but couldn't.

"It's a stepladder, obviously," the other replied, "and I swear if you try to tell me it's just a ladder, I can present supporting evidence for days."

Miles shook his head and smirked, with a confidence that sent a bolt of ice through Phoenix's heart. Yet he persisted. "Try me. I can take any argument you've got!"

“I should know," he smirked, not losing his confidence. "It's how it always goes, isn't it?"

"No." he answered."Not this time. This time it's different." he takes the other's hand and looks at it significantly.

He rubs the back of their hand with his thumb and continues, "This time... it's a telescopic ladder. They can be anything you want them to be, stepladder, ladder, and anything in between..." he sniffs, trying to hold back tears, "With this, we can finally end the debate. No more fighting, no more technicalities... we can finally be at peace." Looking back up, he offers a triumphant, watery smile, full of hope for the future.

Chapter Text

"And what am I supposed to do with this?" he said, angrily waving the USB dongle.

"Hey, careful with that!" Phoenix leaned forward to stop Miles from waving the small technology. The hamburger and french fry keychains Maya had attached to it clanked to a stop. "You'll be interested to know what's on it, I guarantee. Maya is really good at organizing photos."

"... Photos? Phoenix, I swear if you brought me here just to show me a gallery documenting Maya's obsession with hamburgers I'm walking away." From the look on his face, it was clear that he was deathly serious.

"No. They're not photos of that, rather... look closer."

Miles did, and when the blinding light of the curtain stopped, to his eyes a huge collection of chibi Steel Samurai figurines was shown.

"You... you had all this all along? And you never told me?" His voice was surprised, yet slightly amused. "Me, of all people. Hah!"

"That's right," Maya crowed. She looked between the two lawyers, as satisfied as Pess on Miles' expensive couch. "Now what do you think of Phoenix's career choice after you saw this Valentine?"

"Well if he had taken the artist route, I wouldn't have been subjected to... this." Though he tried to make it sound like an insult, he was obviously happy, judging by the blush spreading across his face.

“But you like it.” - Phoenix said with conviction, also smiling.
“Yes. And I like you too.” he said taking his look away from the artwork, and looking straight into Phoenix's eyes.
Phoenix never saw Miles this happy, in his life.

Chapter Text

"I can't believe my eyes," Phoenix said, looking wistfully at the sparkling floor. "Who would have thought she'd teach me how to dance?"

"She's the most capable of them all," Miles replied with a fond smile. "Since she started taking lessons with Billie Jean, she's been eager to teach you. Why don't you go over and talk to her?"

"But... Are you quite sure? I mean since she's so talented... I couldn't possibly take lessons from her..." he said. A green frog on a unicycle crossed his path.

"Maybe that boy would do?"

Suddenly, Phoenix started running after the frog. "Hurry, Truce! We have to catch that boy! He needs to teach me how to drive!"

"We will make it, I promise. Even if we have to go five hundred miles!"

"Well then, what are we waiting for!" Phoenix said with a grin. "Let's beat it!" He paused immediately. "Oh, but can we take your car?"

"Let me think about this" he said, cracking open a cold one with Pess.

After a while, he smiled, a brilliant smile that should be directed at his husband, but ended up directed at the car.

The absence of his husband wiped away Phoenix's smile in favor of a long sigh. He turned back to Pess and asked, "A man's gotta yeet when a man's gotta yeet, huh?"

Chapter Text

Miles picked up the phone one afternoon for his regular call with Franziska. They had their usual conversation about work, and then against his will, it turned to Miles'  love life. "So, do you tend to enjoy the company of this...man?"

"Why yes. It should be obvious, shouldn't it?" he said with utmost admiration. Pess looked at him, confused.

"Excuse me, Pess, but there's someone I need to have a word with," Miles said as he went to retrieve his coat.

The road greeted him with a deep winter chill. For a time, he paused to watch the trees be combed by the wind, lost in his thoughts.

Once the chill had settled in his skin and gloved hands, he continued driving. The car heater thawed his hands, and soon enough, he came to the house where a light was on for him. He parked and cut the engine, and went to the door in the glassy clear stillness, wine bottle in hand.

His walk was long and tedious, considering that it was only 5m distance to the door. When he entered, and was about to head to the stairs, he noticed someone there. "Yo."

The unexpected greeting had him staring in silence for a few seconds before he realized exactly who it was and relaxed into an easy smile. "Wright? I was just about to head up to speak with you."

"Of course it's me," he said, with a delightful grin. "Who else did you expect?"

"Oh, well," he said, a smirk stealing into his voice. "I had a wonderful dream last week about a man I love very much. We were having tea. I think I told you--and he looks exactly like you. Have you seen him around?" This last was accompanied by the cheesiest grin either of them had ever seen.

"Can't say I have. But if you look that way, maybe he'll be seen. Follow the dog, I suppose."

 With a quick thank you, he trailed after the dog, paying close attention to his surroundings for any sign of the man.

He thought, with a smile, maybe they'd get to meet at last.