Miles loved his father. He was the only person who Miles really felt cared for him, and without him the young boy always felt so alone. While Franziska had always helped him keep himself grounded and offered her company, there was still a constant, nagging void somewhere inside of Miles that he thought would never be filled. That is, until Phoenix Wright came into his life, breaking down his barriers and showing him that someone truly does care about him. Phoenix loved Miles as much as Gregory once did, enough for the young prosecutor to keep his mind out of that restless void where it always wanted to wander.
Miles feels so loved, so normal, as he drives down the snowy road with Phoenix seated beside him. Phoenix's grip is tight as he holds the other man's hand across the center console. Despite the cold outside and the car's heat turned off, Miles is warm.
He drives very quickly to his house, as fast as he can without jeopardizing their safety. Their hands only unlink for a few moments when they both get out of the car before scurrying into Miles' house. When the two get to the door, Miles fumbled with his keys for a moment while Phoenix practically hangs off him. In the backseat of the red vehicle lie Miles' case files and Phoenix's coat, forgotten.
The next day at the precinct is a shitshow. There's a new case to investigate, so it's hectic. Miles is running around signing things, trying to get his paperwork in, but his mind is elsewhere. He can't focus on his work, and whenever he leaves his office, he skims the crowd for Phoenix. On one of these occasions, he catches Gumshoe's eye.
"Mr. Edgeworth!" he grins characteristically, jogging over to the prosecutor.
"What is it, Detective?" Miles asks, a bit nervous but hiding it under his once again well-worn façade.
"You seem well!" he beams. "How are you? Feeling better?"
Edgeworth smiles, small but genuine and a little shy. "I'm actually doing quite well, thank you Detective."
"Really? That's great, sir!" Gumshoe chirps back. While not fond of his constant perkiness, Edgeworth is glad that he isn't so worried about him for now. However, his demeanor changes, and Miles tenses. "Um, Mr. Edgeworth, sir? Would you mind if I asked you something?" His deep voice is a tad quieter than before.
"What is it?" Miles hesitates, knowing what Dick is going to ask him about. He's not sure he's comfortable answering still, even though he doesn't have to – or want to - explain himself. He's not sure he's ready to tell anyone about him and Phoenix. It's still a new development in his life, and he's not decided how to feel about it himself. Not that he's embarrassed to be seen in a relationship with the other man, but the two of them have never really talked about it. Miles isn't even sure what they are, if they're actually together or still just friends.
Sure enough, Gumshoe mentions Phoenix: "I haven't seen Mr. Wright today and he's the defending attorney for this new case, so I was wondering if you'd seen him this morning?"
Miles shifts his feet, clutching his left arm instinctually. "Yes, I saw him this morning, but I haven't the slightest where he is now."
"Darn. Thanks anyway, sir!" Gumshoe simpers, not walking away. "Um, if you don't mind my asking again, what's the deal with you two?"
Miles sighs, thinking. "I'm not quite sure yet, Detective." He settles on after a few moment's pause. "But your previous assumption is safe."
Mentally, Miles begs Gumshoe to leave it that, to take his cue and not pry, but of course that doesn't happen. "I thought so," he whispers, grinning victoriously. It's strange to hear him speak so quietly. "You two have always had something unspoken going on, haven't you?"
"What?" The prosecutor questions, taken aback.
"Don't tell me you've never noticed how he's always looked at you. It's obvious how much he cares about you." At the puzzled look on the prosecutor's face, Dick laughs. "Oh, come on, sir! I'm glad you two are finally dating."
"Well, er, thank you then, Detective Gumshoe," Miles replies nervously, though more confident than before. He walks away from the burly man, thinking.
Of course, Phoenix cared about him. Why else would he have started going over there in the first place? Edgeworth remembers back to when they had first reunited, how the other attorney had always taken an interest in him like nobody else. Miles knows he loves Phoenix, but he can't shake the feeling that something will happen, that they won't be alright together or that Wright simply feels obligated. Miles doesn't want to be a burden to Phoenix, doesn't want to make the man he loves perpetually worry about him, but maybe it's not so bad. Maybe it's as simple as Phoenix loves him and wants to be with him and that's that. If even Gumshoe can see it, maybe Miles has nothing to be worried about.
Edgeworth smirks, remembering the whitish stains on Phoenix's button up, the way he waited for him in the stairwell after work, kissed him, held him as they both fell asleep intertwined with each other.
"Yeah, he loves me," Miles chuckles to himself under his breath, closing the door to his office behind him.
Phoenix comes over as usual, and the previous night reoccurs. Usually Miles can't get to sleep, but tonight, with Wright in bed next to him, he fights it. He cuddles up against him, feeling comfortable. He enjoys it, knowing that nothing lasts forever.