Phoenix has been keeping a close eye on Miles since the incident last week. Since then, Miles has been coming to him more often, more times very upset than not. He thinks that this is a more accurate representation of Miles' mood, and how Miles has just been keeping it a secret how upset he really was this whole time. However, he's glad that Miles is finally opening up and accepting the help that he's both needed and wanted this whole time.
That doesn't decrease the amount that Phoenix worries. Just because Miles is telling him when he feels like cutting doesn't mean he won't slip up. Wright trusts him, but he knows that Miles' mind and trauma can get the best of him, despite how hard he's trying to resist them.
Phoenix stands from his desk, stretching his legs. His eyes flick to his phone as he debates checking up on Edgeworth. He doesn't want to seem like he's harassing or babying the other man, but he worries. Miles does tend to take on more than anyone really should. "Work can wait," Phoenix sighs and calls Miles.
He's frustrated to say the least. Miles hasn't felt like this for a long while. Sometimes it's like a huge weight has been lifted off his shoulders. Other times, the urges are all worse and his anxiety is so bad that Miles is afraid he might actually have a heart attack. It's one of those times right now, and he's sitting in his office, all his paperwork laid out in front of him and he feels like it's literally suffocating him. Caught up in problems that will mean nothing in a few weeks time, he's taking on everything at once and it's overwhelming. Even though Miles knows full well that if he just took a step back and set up a schedule to manage his time, he could get it done with a bit of time but no problems, he can't bring himself away from the effects of the stress.
All he wants to do is slice his skin, but he instead settles for trying to calm down and approach it reasonably. Of course, that would be easier if he could steady his breathing, shaking, and heartrate. Just as he thinks that he can't take it anymore and reaches for his phone to call Phoenix, a call comes in. It's Miles' lucky day; his help has come to him.
"Hey Miles," Phoenix's voice is chipper, but Edgeworth isn't fooled for a moment; he's concerned. "Just thinking of you. How you holding up?"
Edgeworth laughs. "I'm..." he trails off before laughing again. "I'm glad you called. Saved me the trouble." He meant that; just because he was devoted to asking for his lover's help, didn't mean it was any easier on his pride.
Wright was about to say, "what's wrong?" before deciding against it. "You want me to stop by?"
"Please," Miles blurts. It didn't matter that he was at work, Lana had probably figured it out already. Hell, Phoenix and Gumshoe had, and Miles knew he wasn't as discreet as he once was.
"On my way," Phoenix said, already grabbing his coat. Work could wait.
Whether he was working a case or looking out for Miles, it never took Phoenix long to get where he was going. Today is no exception as he pounds on the prosecutor's door. The door opens a sliver and a hesitant Edgeworth cowers behind, looking out to make sure it was Phoenix. He lets him in, closing the door and locking it behind him before collapsing into Phoenix's arms.
As he holds the crying prosecutor, Phoenix takes inventory. His desk is a mess, but his trashcan, visible from the doorway, holds only papers. There are no signs of blood anywhere, and Miles hadn't resorted to throwing things. As for the boy himself, he's panting hard, but he seems to be calming down already, sniffling and opening his once shut-tight eyes. It doesn't look like he's holding it in, either. He seems to be genuinely calming down, for which Phoenix was grateful; it was emotionally exhausting to deal with an irrational, upset Edgeworth.
Stroking the taller man's grey hair, Phoenix guides him over to his desk chair to sit and kneels in front of him. "You good now?" He asks softly, holding Miles' hands.
Miles shakes his head "no," but responds with a quiet, "Yes." Phoenix doesn't pick up on it, but the head shake is merely an attempt to keep Miles' mind in the present.
"Overwhelmed with work?" Phoenix asks, to which Miles nods.
"Yes, and I'm afraid it brings out the worst in me."
"Don't be ashamed, you're alright."
Edgeworth smiles, grateful that Phoenix has picked up on the emotions that are usually associated with his panic attacks; it just shows how much he cares. "I'm not ashamed, Wright." He chuckles, trying not to dwell. Focusing on Phoenix in front of him has been working more and more for that, and it's such a relief to feel something positive amid what feels like, but totally isn't, the end of the world. "It's okay, right?"
Phoenix smiles, incredibly proud of how far Miles has come, before he realizes from the expectant look on the other's face that he's asked a question, not made a statement. "Yes, it's okay." He answers encouragingly, flushed from mishearing his name.
Miles doesn't miss it, and he laughs at Wright's error. "Thanks, Phoenix." He closes his eyes and sighs. His mind is blank. It's nice, but as soon as he notices it, he remembers the stress and the trauma; all of it. He simply sighs, knowing it's in the past and that Phoenix is right, it will be okay, and that he really should take a moment for his sanity.
Attuned to Miles' tell tales, Phoenix pulls him back in, and though his eyes are still shut, he cradles him and rubs his back comfortingly. "It'll be alright. Just do what you can."
"It's all I can do." Miles says calmly, finishing the sentence that Phoenix has said countless times before. It's comforting because he knows it's right. He opens his eyes and smiles up at Phoenix. He's still stressed, but he takes a few moments to himself before shooing his boyfriend away and continuing his work. He deserves it.