Phoenix's mind was once again preoccupied with thoughts to the point of barely remembering how he hiked home. Why couldn't I stop staring? Why did it feel so taboo to see his neck? He's one of my best friends, what the hell am I thinking, staring like that? The image of Edgeworth's jawline, accentuated by the bare neck that rose out from his crisp white dress shirt, appeared clearly in his mind. Phoenix cycled harder, able to distract himself with the uphill climb for the next mile. Once the tension eases on the pedals, Edgeworth's cocky, faint smile flashes in his mind, grey eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. I can't shake it. When my mind wanders, it goes to him. . .

—

Needing to review the evidence for his trial, Phoenix made the trek down to the LA precinct by bike. Okay, the trial is set for a few days from now. I need to examine some evidence from the aquarium incident last year, because I have a suspicion the two events are linked. Really, how many murders take place in an aquarium? Phoenix parked his bike and locked it in the blue badger themed bike rack. Slightly out of breath from the ride, with a faint sheen of sweat on his forehead, he was greeted by a familiar "Pal!" and caught up with Gumshoe for a minute. A few minutes of conversation later and Phoenix had cajoled his way into accessing the evidence room. Gumshoe owed Phoenix after helping set him up with his longtime crush Maggey, anyway.

Phoenix staked out the evidence from a previous case he needed to assess, and took to his crumpled notepad. He realized after some time that he was not the sole occupant of the evidence room. Hearing some scrawling and low muttering, Phoenix peeked his head around the corner to see none other than Miles Edgeworth, set up on one of the studying tables, writing diligently in his notebook. Something looked different about him, though. Since when did he wear glasses?

Dark charcoal rectangular glasses framed the now-closed eyes of a man deep in thought. Edgeworth's table had evidence organized chaotically on every surface possible, absentmindedly chewing on his pen. Edgeworth must be worked up about something if he doesn't realize he's doing this nervous habit he would never allow another human being to see. Eyelids lift to reveal deep, smoky gray eyes between the gray bangs framing his face, and Edgeworth writes in his notebook, deeply focused. His mouth remains slightly open, his pink lips resting in a neutral position. Phoenix steadies his gaze on Edgeworth, taking in the delight of seeing the man relaxed and in his own world. Knowing he's unlikely to be caught any time soon, Phoenix takes the opportunity to trace over every curve of Edgeworth's body with his eyes. Eventually, he fixated on Edgeworth's large hands holding the notebook and pen, watching as each tendon in the back of his hand glided smoothly with any movement. Pale blue vessels protruded just slightly under the surface of his skin, complimenting his tendons, and disappearing underneath Edgeworth's red suit.

Edgeworth lifts a finger up to his mouth and holds it there, rereading the page before turning to the next. A quick flash of his pink tongue wetting his right index finger in anticipation of turning the next page in his notebook. His hand-bound leather notebook's pages could be very difficult to turn without a little assistance. Phoenix shuddered at the sight, feeling his entire body warm up. At this point, Phoenix felt embarrassed, like his eyes had overstayed their welcome. He staked out a spot where Phoenix could steal a look or two at his engrossed rival and still pretend that he was oblivious enough to not realize Edgeworth was just around the corner when he was inevitably asked. I need to focus on this evidence anyway, I didn't come here to look at Edgeworth. I don't get what's gotten into me lately.

As Edgeworth placed the evidence he was inspecting away into their respective files, until the eyes beneath the glasses that perfectly fit his face made contact with Phoenix's blue suit. He walks closer to Phoenix. "Wright? How did you even get in here? Should I bother asking or will I be disappointed in your methods as always?"

Phoenix looked up to see Edgeworth standing across from him at the table, crossing his arms with a small furrow in his brow. "Edgeworth, who would've known! I'm not that corrupt, you know I have some connections."

"And by connections, you mean Detective Gumshoe," Edgeworth replied while tapping his index finger on his crossed arm.

Phoenix's face turned into a goofy, embarrassed smile, rubbing the back of his neck. "Well, seems like you've got me figured out. Please don't lower his salary for helping me, he barely gets enough food as is."

Edgeworth's scowling expression softened. "Knowing you, a good reason to be here. Did something new crop up about the case that required you to cross reference with old cases?"

Phoenix explained how a motive he uncovered would link the case back to the other aquarium murder last year. "I almost have it. But it looks like some evidence from last year's trial is missing, and I'm thinking someone tampered with this evidence box, or has connections in the precinct to get it by other means."

Edgeworth pulled up a chair to the right of Phoenix at the table, and the two discussed. Phoenix admired Edgeworth as they spoke, now having an excuse to keep his eyes on the man who had started a lecture on how to carefully go about these situations. The sight of Edgeworth's glasses and angular face reminded Phoenix of Edgeworth's father, at least of what he could remember of him. Now that he thought of it, the glasses were a more fashionable version of Gregory Edgeworth's solid charcoal frames.

When they finished talking, both men rose from the table to start putting evidence away. "Edgeworth, since when do you wear glasses?" Edgeworth smirked, "I actually just purchased these this morning. My vision has been declining, and I can't have that with all my reading for work. My father's declining eyesight started at a young age as well, I suppose it runs in the family." Edgeworth's eyes had a hint of wistfulness in them, only to return to their usual soft confidence when he caught Phoenix's gaze.

"Well, they look great! You just need a hat and you would be the spitting image of your dad." Phoenix placed a comforting hand on the man's shoulder. The warmth of Edgeworth's shoulder and feel of his muscles attempted to distract Phoenix, but that was not his goal at this time. He knew Edgeworth had come to terms with his father's death, but one doesn't resolve the death of their parent that easily. "You think so?" Edgeworth said with a smile, noticing Phoenix's touch. "Thank you, Wright."

—

(Notes:

Thank you all for reading! I really enjoyed writing the first chapter so I decided to go ahead with the second. I'm not too much of a detailed planner, so somehow this chapter came out sappy and sweet at the end. I have no regrets, Edgeworth deserves happiness.

Also, I haven't played through Dual Destinies yet but I am aware of the aquarium-related setting for one of the trials, this is not that trial.)