After the Hazakura temple case, Wright's victory, despite his fall and subsequent illness, garnered such media attention that a wave of clients started and had no end in sight. Phoenix was dropping off paperwork at the courthouse for his newest client, Dewey Gong, when he heard a familiar voice filling up the courtroom next door. The low, well-enunciated baritone with a slight Mid-Atlantic accent could only belong to his courthouse rival, famous prosecutor Miles Edgeworth. The familiar voice draws Phoenix's mouth into a soft smile as he staples his paper copies, thinking how it would be much more fun to be Edgeworth's opponent than his current chores.
After filing his papers, the trial next door had apparently ended, as the large hallway had filled with people exiting the courtroom. As he walked out Phoenix caught a glimpse of a particular magenta suit and continued looking until he could see the face of the owner among the moving crowd. Edgeworth, having seen the spikes from afar, had already met Wright's gaze through the crowd with a smirk, though there was a happiness in his grey eyes that suggested genuine joy. Their eye contact was broken by a sudden shift in the crowd, multiple heads of people trying to leave now blocking each other's view. Phoenix knew they were both too occupied with their respective jobs to chat, but he couldn't stop thinking about that smile. Even as he biked, Wright barely remembered the ride home because he was so preoccupied. Why couldn't he stop thinking about that smile?
—
Phoenix breathed heavily as he marched his way up the stairs at the prosecutor's office. Papers upon papers in hand against his sapphire suit, Phoenix had finally figured out the murderer in a case and wanted to seek his legal partner's opinion on his logic. Miles is always so good at filling the gaps between my breaks in logic. I can see the whole picture, but he draws in the fine details, I know he'll be able to help me solidify my case. After bounding up staircases in what felt like an eternity, Wright arrived at room 1202 just to slam the door open with his excitement while saying Edgeworth's name, no warning knock given.
Phoenix hears a gasp. "Wright!" Edgeworth is sitting at his desk, looking down at his tea-soaked cravat that he gingerly holds between his hands. "You made me spill my tea. It's a new pu-erh directly from the Yunnan province in China I just acquired recently, and now my cravat gets to enjoy this cup more than me. Don't you have any manners? It is polite to knock." Edgeworth stands up in anticipation of cleaning the mess.
Wright hurries in, placing his papers down on the couch away from any collateral tea damage. "Edgeworth, I'm so sorry. Can I make you another cup of tea and clean up the mess I made?" Phoenix had already taken the paper towels from Edgeworth and started dabbing at the tea puddles on the table. Edgeworth looked at him with a small lopsided grin, "Well, if you really wanted to apologize, you could buy me a new cravat. These silk ones I purchase are only about $100, but I have a feeling that even with your new influx of clients your wallet isn't so substantial yet." While Phoenix remedied the small tea catastrophe, Edgeworth began taking off his sullied cravat. He loosens the wrap around his neck, untucks the top piece of fabric, and the cravat unravels, a long white piece of fabric hanging around his neck that he now lifts over his head to avoid getting tea on any additional surfaces. Suddenly he feels that someone is staring at him, and realizes that Wright hasn't spoken in quite some time.
Edgeworth lifts his face to see Phoenix quickly avert his eyes away from his now exposed neck, going back over the dried tea puddles once again to ensure there is not a drop left. "Wright . . .? You didn't respond to my obvious insult." Wright hesitated a moment, unsure of how to explain himself. He couldn't help but stare at the smooth skin on Edgeworth's bare neck while his strong hands so delicately removed the cravat. Wright admired the muscles on the side of Edgeworth's neck, watching their contour down into his white dress shirt. His Adam's apple presented itself; another beautiful curve accentuating his pale neck. Had he ever seen Edgeworth's neck without a cravat before? It felt like Edgeworth was naked, despite his other clothing being, unfortunately, still intact.
Dammit, I'm cornered. What do I even say? I can feel myself blushing for fuck's sake. "Haha, you got me there Edgeworth," Phoenix squeaked out as he rubbed the back of his neck. "Sorry, I just feel so bad about this. I know how much you love your tea, and cravat of course." He can barely make eye contact with Edgeworth, his neck only making his sharp, defined jawline stand out more. "Wright, it's really okay. What did you come here to tell me about? I can make us some fresh cups of this pu-erh tea that even amateurs to tea will enjoy, and we can sit and discuss why you came here."
Wright gathers his papers from the couch and seats himself across Edgeworth's desk as he begins explaining that he visited Edgeworth for advice on the case Wright believes he has solved but wants a second opinion from a trustworthy source before the trial. He stares at the soaked cravat sitting on a plate on the back counter of the office, wondering what he did to deserve the punishment of having to keep himself composed while speaking to a cravat-less Edgeworth. The man in question is still preparing the teas off to the side of the office next to his beloved Steel Samurai figurine. The water in his silver electric kettle finally reached exactly 195 degrees Fahrenheit, and Edgeworth carefully weighed out the loose leaf tea. Wright found his eyes wandering to the back of Miles' neck, tracing the soft grey hairs down the nape of his neck until they disappeared. His eyes drifted further downward, tracing the outline of Miles' broad shoulders, his figure distinct underneath his well-fitting suit. Phoenix cannot stop himself from staring until Edgeworth abruptly turns around brandishing two ornamental tea cups, too occupied with not spilling anymore tea to notice the rosy hue that took to Wright's face.
"Tea is ready, Wright. Just so we don't confuse the two on accident, I gave you the blue cup and the red to myself. I hope that is alright." Phoenix takes a closer look at the detailed art on his tea cup while Miles sits in his plush desk chair. "Edgeworth, are these Steel Samurai tea cups?" Edgeworth makes a disgruntled face as he sips a bit of tea. "Hmph, you're correct. They're limited edition collectors' tea cups. Unfortunately, they're the only ones present in my office at the moment." Phoenix smiles, admiring the Pink Princess art on the tea cup while trying not to spill the tea inside. For a moment, he had forgotten about the fact that Edgeworth still lacked a cravat. Pushing the papers across the desk towards Edgeworth, Phoenix clears his throat and through sheer willpower makes eye contact with Edgeworth while only stealing a millisecond of a glance at his neck. "Shall we talk about the case?"