Shi-Long Lang and Miles Edgeworth

Finale

Even though it was obvious what the verdict was going to be, Lang couldn't help holding his breath when the Judge announced:

"The court finds Quercus Alba guilty of all charges."

So, it was over.

Well, this case at least.

Lang was somewhat disappointed Edgeworth wasn't the one prosecuting, but his sister was doing an excellent job.

Still, he wanted to see the other Prosecutor in action.

Why not, he could stay in this country a while longer.

Soliloquy

There was elegance to the prosecutor, Lang decided.

He watched Edgeworth deliver his opening statement, clearly outlining the case, starting the hunt.

True, the criminal had already been caught, but Lang was starting to appreciate the different kind of chase that took place behind the courtroom doors.

Lang took notice how Edgeworth took control of the proceedings, circling around the accused, leading him and the defense into one trap after another, watching the noose tighten around the murderer.

Occasionally he allowed the defense attorney, a middle-aged woman with red hair and an equally fiery temper to lead, but it only ended up driving the defendant into yet another a corner and proving his guilt.

Lang stayed in the gallery after it was all over, watching Edgeworth collect his papers and finish there.

And he realized he had fallen for the Prosecutor.

He had to think about this.

Lang hadn't really considered the possibility of getting into a relationship with anyone. If anything, he thought of his subordinates as his family. So why would he need anything else? Something so selfish?

But looking at this lone wolf prosecutor he had come to respect, it seemed obvious what he had to do.

Sustained

Miles stepped out of the courtroom, and was greeted by the man with a wolfish grin.

"Agent Lang." Edgeworth nodded. This wasn't a surprise, he had seen the agent in the gallery quite often these days.

He supposed the man was following trials as a part of his studies of law enforcement.

"What did you think of the trial today?" Miles wasn't completely certain what the odd feeling in the pit of his stomach was.

But the feeling only got greater when the other man smiled. It wasn't a grin, no. This was a gentle and somehow very intimate expression.

"It was enjoyable. Although I don't see why you didn't present the second knife in the very beginning."

"I wanted the defense to refute the claim that it was the murder weapon."

Lang's brow furrowed. He looked almost troubled. "Why? To play with your prey? Give them the illusion of a way out?"

"No."

"Then why didn't you present all the evidence from the start?"

"Because I knew there was something wrong with the knife that seemed to be the most obvious murder-weapon. I was almost certain what was going on with it, but I couldn't prove why he would have tried to hide the original weapon. I needed for someone who the defendant trusted to dig the truth about that to light."

"The defense attorney."

Miles nodded. "And she did just that."

"It didn't matter in the end, though," Lang pointed out. "He just wanted to frame his sister with that. But since he did such a bad job at it and she had an alibi it didn't matter."

"Maybe the end result was the same, but for the whole truth to come out, I needed to find out what was behind that."

"It sounds to me like if you had a police force that provided you with all the possible evidence and knowledge, you would not have needed the defense's help."

Edgeworth protested, defending the police force.

Lang was only half-listening.

He was starting to have a plan.

Haggard

"Another one."

The Interpol agent threw the case file on Edgeworth's table with an even wider grin than usual.

Miles lifted an eyebrow. There was something about this that seemed oddly familiar.

"You are still in the country?"

And apparently chasing criminals.

Chasing... There was something about that thought that almost hit the target...

Well, it would come to him.

Lang nodded. "Yes, there's still lot to learn."

"And you're helping the force here?"

Miles took a look at the file. The picture of a haggard balding man greeted him.

"Assault and theft?"

"Yes, sorry, couldn't find anything bigger."

Miles was about to ask why exactly he was bringing all of these cases to him, when it hit him.

Lang's behavior was reminiscent of what his dog Pess was in habit of doing when he got outside.

He was carrying him things he had found by the roadside.

Miles could almost imagine the wolfish man wagging his tail, waiting for his reaction to the 'prey' he had dragged in.

Was he trying to impress him?

Or...

One look at the eager face of the agent made him sure.

Oh.

Allegorical

Enough of this, Edgeworth decided.

"Listen, Lang, what are you up to?"

"Lang Zi says: The wolf that brings the largest prey to its mate eats first."

Edgeworth gave him an odd look.

Eventually he smirked. "I suspect Lang Zi didn't have much to say on dating?"

Lang returned the smirk. "You might say that."

"Not that I know much about it either. I don't really even know whether I am interested, Lang..."

"I won't need much. You don't have to do anything you don't want. Like kiss, or do other things. Or even tell people about us, or live together or anything."

"I'm... Not sure how that would really be a relationship." Miles pointed out.

"So, you aren't interested. I get it. No hard feelings."

"Wait."

This whole discussion had taken Edgeworth by surprise. He tried to gather his thoughts.

"I don't really know... What I want."

Lang didn't dare to hope for too much. "But you could try it out?"

Miles nodded. "Could you..." He stood up and faced the other man, looking him in the eye. "I am going to kiss you."

Their lips met in a chaste kiss.

Edgeworth pulled back, staying close to the other man.

It was Lang who spoke first. "Would you like to... Do more stuff like that?"

Edgeworth nodded. "Yes. I think so."

A/N: As per usual, the first reviewer to give me three reasons why this pairing (Lang/Edgeworth) is the best gets to request the next one.

EDIT: Next up, Simon/Athena