26. Forever and a day

Phoenix stumbled out of bed and went to the door still rubbing his eyes and wearing just his sweatpants and flip-flops.

The incessant knocking started up again even as he made his way to the door to answer. He opened the door glaring, only to feel his heart skip a beat.

"Miles?"

"You look like crap."

"You came back early," Phoenix stepped aside to let Miles enter, "Why didn't you tell me—"

"I did," Edgeworth crossed his arms and glanced around the apartment with a frown, "Multiple times. I've even sent you my itinerary. And I'm not early, it's the 18th, same as I said before I left. Same as I've mentioned, every time we talked and you asked me when I'd be back."

"Are you... angry?" Phoenix rubbed his eyes with the heel of his hand, "I'm going to make coffee. Do you want coffee?"

"It's two in the afternoon," Miles continued his tirade, "Why are you still in bed? Here I thought you were anxious to get your badge back—"

"Miles," Phoenix took him by the shoulders, "Relax. I missed you too."

Miles paused and stared at him, nonplussed. Then he shook his head with unguarded dismay.

"What's happened to you?"

"I'm just..." Phoenix pulled away from him and rubbed at his neck, "I got a job working nights—because, I still have to pay rent and put food on the table—"

"You should've just asked," Miles dropped his arms and put his hands on his hips, "I'm here for you whenever—"

"I'm not trying to take advantage—"

"Oh stop! Are you going to let me be a part of this family or not?"

Phoenix glared at him, "Being a part of this family doesn't mean throwing money at us and running off to the other side of the world to—"

"It's not going to be like this permanently," Miles said, "But I need to finish this. This is the path I've chosen and—"

Phoenix leaned in and kissed him silent, "I've been waiting for you. I'll always wait for you, forever and a day."

Miles searched him with those stormy gray eyes but said nothing.

"Just don't expect—I mean, my life is going to go on while you're away. There's a difference between waiting for you to return and putting everything on hold for you. I'm not a kid anymore, I have responsibilities."

Miles nodded solemnly, "I want to help."

"I'd appreciate that."

"You should probably brush your teeth."

A/N: Miles is madly in love with him... :D