Phoenix's phone lights up next to him as he eats dinner that night after visiting the evidence room.

Miles Edgeworth

"I think I may know who your murderer is, Wright. There are a few case files at my apartment I believe have relevance to the case in proving his identity. If you wish to borrow them from me, I will be available between 6-7am before I leave for work. You may have them until the trial ends."

Phoenix Wright

"Oh awesome! I'll see you then. Mind sending me your address so I'm not biking around forever looking for LA's magenta-colored mansion?"

Miles Edgeworth

"..."

Phoenix Wright

"Edgeworth? :)"

—

Phoenix wakes up when his digital alarm clock strikes 5:00am, just enough time to quickly shower and throw on his blue suit. Waking up early was never one of Wright's strong suits, and today was no exception. Not wanting to be late, Wright ran out the door, a piece of toast barely hanging onto his teeth, and pedaled quickly for the three mile bike ride to Edgeworth's apartment, weaving around the Wednesday morning city commuters in the treacherous bike lane.

As Phoenix approached Edgeworth's apartment, he cycled down a street with palm trees and beautiful gardens lining the sidewalks, a lush escape just outside the heart of the city. A modern-looking complex with large black brick condominiums and large windows came in view and Phoenix knew he had found his destination.

Phoenix locked up his bike at the entrance's bike rack and walked over to the gated entrance, hair wind-blown with dark strands hanging around his face haphazardly. This part of the complex had individual gates for each unit, each complex fit with their own small fenced-in yard. Phoenix walks up to the gate and presses the golden button next to "073 - Edgeworth."

To Phoenix's surprise, it takes a few minutes for him to hear the click of the gate as well as a green light flash next to the gold button, alerting him that Edgeworth had allowed him to proceed. Phoenix cautiously opens the gate, it is surprisingly heavy, and walks across the sidewalk to Edgeworth's front door, turning his head to look around the entrance. Red potted flowers are settled below the window next to the door, and trimmed, neat bushes line most of the sidewalk, interspersed with blue flowers. Before Phoenix can knock, Edgeworth opens the door, Phoenix's hand still mid-air in an attempt to knock.

Edgeworth is fitted in a satin pink pajama long sleeve shirt, the first two buttons undone. His bare chest showed a hint of muscle that was a disastrous hit to Phoenix after the cravat mishap had already piqued his curiosity about what lies beneath the rest of Edgeworth's clothes. Below the pink shirt he wore matching pink pants. Fuzzy grey slippers in the shape of the Steel Samurai's head covered his feet. Edgeworth's grey hair was messy with the hint of a hasty finger-combing prior to the door opening. Phoenix's eyes widen. He's never seen Edgeworth in anything but that suit of his, let alone pajamas. Phoenix finally took a look at Edgeworth's tired eyes, they looked bloodshot. "Edgeworth…?" his eyes taking in the sight of his sleepy, disgruntled friend.

Edgeworth squeezed the bridge of his nose with his hand, eyes closed and eyebrows furrowed. "Wright, it's exactly 6am. Why of all days is this the one you decided to show up on time, early, even?" Phoenix could not explain that it was the almost nauseating feeling of excitement that got Phoenix up and out the door that morning. "Hey, I actually got a decent amount of sleep for once last night. Given your state it looks like you didn't experience the same ."

Edgeworth gave Phoenix a bit of a nasty glare and retorted, "You are quite right." Phoenix tried to snap out of his daze, realizing Edgeworth never would wake up late like this to meet anyone, even Phoenix. "Edgeworth, are you okay?" Gripping his arm, Edgeworth looked away from Phoenix. "Before I embarrass myself further by risking my neighbors seeing me like this, do you mind coming inside for a moment? I can explain there. I have the case files ready for you, as well." Phoenix only gave an enthusiastic nod.

The pair walked into his home. The interior was what you would expect of a particularly fashion-forward prosecutor. The walls were covered in expensive art and a silver tear-drop chandelier hung above the mahogany dining table in the middle of the room. Around the corner and to the left looked to be a well-furnished kitchen with white marble counters and silver appliances. The plush grey carpet was soft beneath Phoenix's feet, who was staring in awe yet not surprised at the display of Edgeworth's interior design choices. "Wow!" is all Phoenix is able to muster while he followed Edgeworth to the dining table to sit. As he pulled the cushioned chair out to sit down, Phoenix kept his suit jacket on, feeling the need to straighten up and present himself under the pressure of Edgeworth's pristine home.

Edgeworth started for the kitchen. "I was in the middle of preparing coffee when you buzzed at the gate, do you want a cup, Wright?" Phoenix gave him a confused face. "Coffee? No tea? I didn't even know you drank coffee." Edgeworth sighed. "It has been a morning. My single-origin Colombian coffee is saved for these types of mornings." He takes the ground coffee beans from his coffee grinder and fiddles with a machine that makes Phoenix look puzzled with ideas on how the contraption could possibly make coffee.

As Edgeworth measures out the ground coffee and preheats the kettle, Phoenix takes the chance to glance at Edgeworth while he is distracted. Even though Edgeworth looked like he had a rough night, Phoenix admired the softness of the image of the man in front of him. His messy hair was almost preferable to the usual prim hairstyle, the grey strands of hair fell over his forehead. Filling the contraption with the ground beans and hot water, Edgeworth's eyes were tired but concentrated on making his muscular hands steady on the machine. Edgeworth's face looked rugged and tired, but behind it was a soft vulnerability Phoenix rarely saw come out in his expressions. That duality of sharp and soft was something Phoenix learned to love about Miles. The light pink satin pajamas suited Edgeworth's pale skin so well, Phoenix almost succumbed to imagining running his hands over the satin and the skin underneath.

Edgeworth's voice pulled Phoenix out of his own mind. "Do you mind aeropress coffee? I have a V-60 too, I do not know what you prefer." "Edgeworth, whatever bean juice has the caffeine is good enough for me. Just toss some sugar and milk in there and I'll be good no matter which way you make it."

Phoenix and Miles sit at the round table facing each other, silent, both holding their coffee cups. "So, do you want to tell me why I got the pleasure to see you in your Sunday best this morning?" "Wright," Edgeworth scoffs, "You remember my nightmares, correct?" Phoenix feels a tinge of guilt. "Of course I do. I thought they had gotten better?"

"Well, since Von Karma's sentence they vastly improved. That horrible weight of guilt off my shoulders allowed my conscience to relax, for the most part." Miles brings his ceramic coffee cup up to his mouth. Phoenix notes that it looks handmade, the imperfections in the glaze just barely noticeable. "However, knowing the truth also brought in Von Karma as the enemy, and now when I have those dreaded nightmares he lures over them, with a vengeance, I suppose. I can't escape the man." Edgeworth frowns, staring at the dark coffee steaming up his glasses.

Phoenix almost wishes for a second that he hadn't jumped to be early for once. Edgeworth's bloodshot eyes, his grey irises dull and face streaked with red, had he been crying in his sleep from the nightmares?

"Miles, I'm sorry. The one time I try to be on time and I intrude on you like this, I know you wouldn't have opened the door for anyone else. But thank you for telling me what's going on. Will you be okay?"

Edgeworth looks at Phoenix with a straight face. He almost wants to smile at how ridiculous the stray hairs popping out of Phoenix's hair looked. He must've not used as much hair gel today as usual. "Of course. What am I if not a man capable of outliving his nightmares? My father gone, my mentor and foster parent the cause of his death, almost losing you to that rickety bridge in Hazakura… I'll be fine, Wright."

They both sip from their coffee cups, Edgeworth looking unusually pink in the face. I didn't know coffee made him so flushed, maybe this is why he usually drinks tea.

Edgeworth glances at the grandfather clock in the corner of the room, a mobile sun and moon were stationed above the clock hands to indicate day or night. "Wright, I appreciate your company, however it is about time for me to prepare for work. Let me grab the case file for you, it's in the other room. Edgeworth stands up, hands splayed out on the table in front of him, the bend at his waist and shirt just short enough worked together to flash a hint of the gray waistband and soft skin underneath his pajamas. Phoenix is grateful Edgeworth had to leave the room. Staring into his coffee cup with a face pinker than Edgeworth's pajamas, Phoenix felt a stirring in his pants. Oh no, no no. Quick. Think. Wendy Oldbag. Wendy Oldbag yelling at me for existing and talking my ear off about how things were in her day. Wendy Oldbag—Edgeworth returns holding a large black binder to find Phoenix with a strained smile on his face. That was close.

"Here are the files, Wright. Please use them as you see fit until the end of the trial, then please return them to me." Edgeworth places the binder in front of Phoenix on the table. "Shall I walk you to the door?" Phoenix takes the binder and uses it as cover while he stands up, hoping his quick thinking took care of most of the bulk of things.

Phoenix stands outside Edgeworth's door once again, saying goodbye to the man inside the doorway. "I really appreciate this Edgeworth, sorry again for crashing your bad morning. . ." Phoenix flashes him a big crooked smile, then, realizing this is his last chance in potentially forever, slowly glances down at Edgeworth's bare chest, trying to go unnoticed. "It's no problem at all, Wright. Your company was appreciated. Your current gaze however, is not. My eyes are up here." Fuck, he noticed me. Am I really that obvious? Phoenix, trying to hide his shock, looks back up to Edgeworth's face, meeting his smirk. "Have a nice day, Wright. I am sure we will run into each other again soon." He waits until Phoenix's face, still red, turns around and waves at him through the gate before closing the door. Edgeworth stops after shutting the door, turning around and looking down at his pajamas. Why was he looking at me like that?

--

Note:

This chapter was inspired by @ryutoreiji's art on tumblr https/ryutoreiji./post/186486751665/pj-miles-edgeworth-is-a-must-certainly-a-side

In fact the art inspired this entire fic!