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“… Hah.” Phoenix holds up a shaking hand covered in blood. He glances at it, then back at Miles, staring straight into his eyes. “G-Guess my luck's finally run out…”
“Wright!”
Miles lunges forward, managing to catch his partner before he could double over and collapse entirely onto the cracked pavement. Phoenix winces and shrinks into the safety of Miles' arms while sputtering curses from under his breath. Keeping him steady with one hand, Miles undoes his jabot with the other and slides it underneath Phoenix’s trembling fingers. Crimson easily stains through the thin white silk–but it at least seems to have slowed down the bleeding and is better than nothing at all.
“E-Edgeworth…”
“Just be quiet and keep as much pressure on that as you can,” Miles snaps.
He taps at the call button on his earpiece, his pace increasing with greater urgency as the seconds tick on. Finally, after a loud pop and a crackle of static, Gumshoe's voice booms in his ear.
“Edgeworth! Boy, am I glad to hear your–”
“Wright is injured,” Miles cuts in before the other agent can finish. “We need a medic dispatched to our location immediately.”
“'M fine, Edgeworth. R-Really–”
The glare Miles gives Phoenix is so intense it could melt steel. He takes the hint and shuts up.
“… The medic team's pretty tied up at the moment, pal,” Gumshoe responds. “We can get someone out to your location in ten minutes, tops.”
“We don't have the luxury of waiting that long!” Miles' composure, which has been steadily breaking down, shatters completely–the desperation and despair he's been holding deep inside finally escaping to the surface. “I…” his voice drops to a whisper, and he lets go of the button, “… I can't lose you…”
His finger slips from the earpiece, hand dropping to his side in defeat. Miles falls silent–shuddering as he fights the hot tears threatening to spill.
“Edge…l-look…”
Phoenix points weakly at the shadow of an unknown person approaching them. Miles keeps a tight grip on his partner and reaches for the pistol at his feet.
♤
Three days prior, 1 PM.
Channeler Agency Main Headquarters, Los Angeles.
♤
“Hey Wright, the Boss is looking for you.”
Phoenix could see Gumshoe over the mountain of files and paperwork on his desk–all from his last mission. It's impossible not to see him–the man was tall and bulky, with a tattered green coat that's been through its fair share of scuffles. And Phoenix swore he always saw a pencil tucked behind his ear, too.
“Oh? Thanks for the heads-up, Gumshoe. Did she say why?”
“It's probably for your ears only, pal. I didn’t even hear a peep.”
“All right.” Phoenix got out of his chair, popping his sore back with a sigh of relief. “Guess I'll head over to her office right now, then.”
He left the room and moved down the hall until he reached the very last door, labeled FEY. MIA in large, bold letters. Mia’s secretary was dutifully posted behind their desk right outside–a newer agent who went by 'Charley'. Whether it's his first name or last name, no one was entirely sure. Charley was Charley, and they always greeted everyone with a calm, professional attitude and a smile.
“Good afternoon, Agent Wright.”
“Charley.”
“Director Fey informed me that you’d be arriving. You can head right in.”
“Thank you.”
“Of course.”
Phoenix gave him a polite nod and entered the office. He sucked in a breath as the door clicked shut behind him–he was always a little nervous about coming here, though Mia has always been a kind and fair director.
But before Phoenix could let it out, the air in his lungs became stuck upon the sight of another man by the desk. He stood tall and proud, with an air of refined elegance–and boasted a strong but lithe frame. Phoenix has to stop himself from drooling right then and there.
“Agent Edgeworth…?” he uttered dumbly, too stunned to say anything further.
Phoenix had only heard talk of and seen pictures of Miles Edgeworth–never actually encountering him in person, though they worked in the same organization. He's well-known throughout the agency for his solo missions–which he's always completed quickly, efficiently, and with little emotion.
“That would be me,” the gray-haired man stated, eyebrows furrowing. He turned to the desk. “Director Fey, who is this man and why is he here?”
“This is Agent Wright, one of our best in the field for undercover operations. As of today, you'll be working with him.”
Miles gave Phoenix a scrutinizing glance before returning his sights to Mia. “With respect, Director Fey, need I remind you that I work best alone?”
“I am well aware of how you work, Agent Edgeworth,” Mia said, drumming her fingers on a file folder. “And yes, Agent Wright could perhaps show even just a sliver of professionalism right now…”
Dammit, so he was definitely drooling over this guy he’d only been acquainted with for five minutes. … Great going, Phoenix.
“…but this mission is an urgent one that requires both of your unique skill sets.”
“What do you need us to do, Boss?”
Phoenix was fully alert now, determined to show Miles that he's a professional and skilled agent in his own right. Mia slid the folder in her hands across the desk and opened it up.
“We received word from an anonymous tip just last night that the Gramarye family is hosting a gala in three days. We have enough reason to believe that this will be a front for their rumored smuggling operations.”
Miles crosses his arms. “So you want us to gather information?”
“Correct. We need substantial evidence in order to take down their leader, Magnfi. Once we do that…the rest will easily come crumbling down.”
“Hold on a moment,” Phoenix cut in, eyeing the file closely. “I get the undercover part of this–I've been doing that sort of work for years now, after all–but why do we have to pose as a couple specifically?”
“What.” Miles snatched up the folder from Phoenix's hands, his eyes getting wider the more he scanned over the offending text. He glared menacingly at the director. “Absolutely not.”
“A number of field studies show that paired agents working undercover operations as loving couples are ninety-five percent more likely to succeed.”
“… You made that up,” Miles grunted, turning away.
“Maybe I did, maybe I didn't.” Mia leaned in, tapping the folder. “The point is, it's safer to go in together, rather than alone. And anyway, I'd feel much better if this mission was left to you both. You're my best agents–so my best shot at getting this done.”
The office fell quiet, save for the rumbling of the run-down air conditioner behind the desk. Finally, after much tense deliberation, the two agents nodded their consent.
“Okay, Boss,” Phoenix said. “I'll trust you on this.”
“As will I,” Miles agreed. “Though I certainly don't care for some… details of this mission, I believe that letting criminals do as they please is much less desirable.”
“Then it's settled. You'll be leaving in the morning. A copy of your travel information and other arrangements will be sent to your mission browsers. And you can pick up the credit cards and IDs you'll be using from Charley on your way out. Good luck to both of you.”
♡
The next day, 10 PM.
Hotel Splendor, Reception Desk.
♡
After a long day of traveling, nothing sounded more appealing to Phoenix than collapsing on a bed and having a nap. He and Miles entered the hotel together, and he was immediately taken aback by how grand it was inside. Usually on his regular assignments, he went for the far more economical options. But this wasn't any regular assignment, and Phoenix didn’t think Miles would be caught in anything lower than a five-star anyway.
They walked up to the front desk and the poor receptionist nearly dropped the phone at her ear at the sight of Miles. She hastily returned it to its place and put on a shy smile.
“W-Welcome to the Hotel Splendor, gentlemen! How can I assist you today? Do you have a reservation? We're pretty booked up at the moment, but I'm sure we can make arrangements for two wonderful men such as yourselves–”
She rambled on, and Phoenix could clearly see Miles' patience slip away with the continued chatter. The look on the other agent's face brought Phoenix great joy, but ultimately, he just wanted to sleep, and they did have a mission…
“We have a reservation!” Phoenix chirped cheerfully, looping his arm around Miles' own. Ignoring the deadly stare burning at the back of his head, he continued his act. “It should be under Naruhodo–or possibly my boyfriend's name, Hunter, if that doesn't come up.”
“Ah-!” The receptionist seemed crestfallen that Miles was 'taken'–and by another man to boot. “Y-Yes, sir, I do see a reservation here for one of our deluxe suites for a Nick Naruhodo…”
“Yup! That would be me!” Phoenix slid the ID and credit card he was provided across the counter. “Ben and I have heard wonderful things about this hotel–we've been looking forward to staying here for months, haven't we, babe?”
“Y-Yes. It truly is a magnificent building…” Miles stuttered out.
“We pride ourselves in being a prime couple's destination,” the receptionist bit out as pleasantly as she could while putting in the information. “There we go, you're all set. Here's your cards back and also the room keys–you'll be staying in 307.”
Phoenix swiped up the cards and the keys, one of which he passed off to Miles. “Thank you so much, ma'am. We appreciate you.”
“And Hotel Splendor appreciates your patronage,” the woman said with a tone that clearly conveyed, 'I'm done dealing with you'.
“What exactly was all of that?” Miles asked in an exasperated whisper as they left the counter and walked to the elevator.
“It's called acting, Edgeworth. The Boss mentioned we each have our own unique skills to bring to the table, yes? One of mine is acting. It's something you should probably pick up if you want to succeed in undercover work.”
“I can handle acting just fine, thank you very much.”
“The way you 'handled' that receptionist tells me otherwise.”
“… Hmph.”
◇
Five minutes later.
Hotel Splendor, Room 307.
◇
As they entered the room, the two agents quickly discovered a new problem:
“… There's only one bed,” Miles stated, clearly displeased.
“Well, yeah,” Phoenix replied, trying to keep his tone light and casual. He flopped down in the desk chair. “We are playing the roles of 'madly in love boyfriends' Benjamin and Nick, after all. Comes with the territory.”
“… You're to stay on your side of the bed at all times. If this ends up being too difficult of a task, you will sleep on the floor.” Miles tilted his head, his signature ‘Edgeworth glare’ appearing. “Are we clear?”
“C-Crystal.”
Miles whipped around and unzipped his suitcase. He pulled out a toothbrush, toothpaste, and a pair of pink silk pajamas–complete with a matching nightcap. Blatantly ignoring the amusement in the other agent's eyes, he stalked over to the bathroom and went inside. Once he heard the faint click of the door closing, Phoenix sank down in his seat with a sigh of relief.
'This guy is something else, huh?'
Phoenix sat up, switching his watch's mission browser on. Agent Miles Edgeworth was everything Phoenix was not: cool, calm, collected, and stoic. He had heard all the stories told about him–of the man, often called the ‘Chilling Demon Agent’ by the more gossipy ones in the agency. A blue hologram appeared, cast up into the surrounding space from the face of his watch.
'Just who are you exactly, Edgeworth?’
♧
The next day, 9 AM.
Lordly Tailor.
Eleven hours remaining before the Gramarye Gala.
♧
Their first order of business before the gala was to obtain new suits, which Phoenix came to learn was a mission all on its own. Because Miles Edgeworth, as it turned out (but to no surprise) was extremely fussy over his outfits. Phoenix had to fight the urge to scream as he waited on his own measurements to be taken.
“That suit is not amaranth in color–that is wine!” Miles growled, turning to Phoenix. “Honestly, Nick, could we have chosen a better location than…this? One where the staff actually know what they are doing?!” He glares daggers at the tailor working with him on the last question.
“… Terribly sorry sir…” he mumbled before retreating to find the right color.
“Because, my dear Benjamin,” Phoenix shot back with equal fire, “this was the only shop in town that met your very particular tastes on such short notice. Maybe try not to be so picky?”
“Says the man who hasn't been able to decide between a bow tie and a tie for the last twenty minutes!”
Phoenix knew he'd never be able to show his face in this town again when this was all over. Which was a genuine shame because it was a nice place.
♤
2 PM.
Auntie Patty’s Café & Bakery.
Six hours remaining before the Gramarye Gala.
♤
With their suits finally selected, purchased, and boxed up, they decided to have a light lunch before returning to the hotel to prepare for the gala. Miles easily selected a place known for its local cuisine, and for the first time ever, Phoenix saw the makings of a genuine smile on his face. They made their way through the main course quickly, then it was on to dessert. The other agent clearly had a sweet tooth, which Phoenix wasn't expecting, but he actually found quite charming.
Wait…what?
“Have you tried this cake, Nick? I think it has a particularly unique flavor.”
Phoenix was torn away from his thoughts by a fork thrust into his face. Miles stared at him expectantly over it, almost like a puppy. The spiky haired agent inspected his drink dubiously for a moment before reaching to grab the bit of cake with his thumb and finger.
“No, no,” the other man chastised. “It's far too sticky. Just…just use my fork.”
“… O-Okay?”
Miles was becoming really devoted to this acting thing. And while Phoenix appreciated that for the sake of the mission…he couldn't help but acknowledge the ache that grew as they spent more time together like this.
… Like a couple.
He ate the offered cake with a sweet smile that concealed his pain. After all, he had a role to play as well, didn’t he?
♡
6 PM.
Hotel Splendor, Room 307.
Two hours remaining before the Gramarye Gala.
♡
Along with his bow tie, which was a rather nice dark rose-red, Phoenix had chosen a blue suit with a black shirt and white waistcoat. It slimmed him rather nicely, all things considered. He smiled at his reflection.
“I must say, that suit does look quite fetching on you.”
Miles appeared behind him in the mirror, lips quirked into an expression that could be considered approval. His false boyfriend wore an amaranth suit with a white shirt and light brown waistcoat. A crisp white silk jabot finished off the look. He stood so close that Phoenix could smell his cologne and felt his warm breath caressing his cheek.
'Oh God, I want him to kiss me so bad.'
“T-Thank you,” heat flushed across Phoenix's skin.
“Here–to complete the look.” Miles reached down and fastened a pin with a fancy flower design on his lapel. “It's a gardenia,” he explained, retracting his hands.
Phoenix ran his fingers over the gift. “Is there…a special meaning for it?”
“They can mean many things–beauty, joy, purity. But also…” he leaned close to Phoenix's ear, “…it's simply one of my favorite flowers.”
“I see… Thank you, Edgeworth. I wish I could give you something just as wonderful in return.”
“You already have.”
“I have…?”
Miles glanced at his watch. “… We'll be late–let's go, Wright.”
Once again, Agent Miles Edgeworth had left Phoenix to drown in a sea of confusing feelings.
◇
8 PM.
Gramarye Gala, Ballroom.
◇
“I’m not seeing anything suspicious here,” Phoenix said as they entered the main ballroom.
“Don’t assume you will right away,” Miles replied warily, glancing around. “Now come on, we ought to start dancing with the others before anyone starts questioning our authenticity.” He held out his hand for the other agent to take.
“Is this a bad time to admit I don’t know how to dance?” Phoenix said sheepishly.
“Just take my hand. I’ll lead.” There was a soft tone of amusement in his voice.
They went out into the center of the room, hand in hand. No one doubted even a second that the two were 'deeply in love.' Phoenix stumbled a few times with the dancing bit, but with Miles' lead, he quickly got the hang of the necessary steps. They danced together for what felt like forever, until their rhythm was eventually broken by the need to find information for their mission.
“Would you like a drink, Nick?” Miles offered. “I hear they're exceptional here.”
“Sure, I'd love one, babe. I'm going to freshen up first, okay?”
“Of course, just don't keep me waiting too long, dearest.”
Phoenix blew a kiss to Miles and left in the direction of the restroom. However, rather than go inside, he snuck off to an adjacent room he’d noticed some attendees enter earlier. Sure enough, a meeting was taking place inside regrading the sale and transportation of highly illegal goods.
“Hey, Edgeworth,” Phoenix whispered. “You getting this?”
“Yes,” came his reply. “I’m sending it to Headquarters as we speak. Wait, what in the–”
Smoke filled the surroundings and Phoenix’s vision. Coughing, he staggered out of the room, only to find Miles standing there,
“We need to leave– now.”
“What happened?!”
“A murder. Apparently there were some not completely satisfied with the leadership in place here. We have obtained what we came for–now let’s go.”
“Right.”
They moved for the exit together, but stopped upon hearing a scream.
“Please help me!”
The voice came from a terrified little girl whose dress hem was stuck under a heavy object. Phoenix turned, ready to go back and help her. Miles grabbed his arm.
“What are you doing, Wright?!”
“If I don’t help her, no one else will. Go on without me, okay? I’ll be out soon.”
A thousand different emotions passed through the other agent’s eyes. “… All right. But you’d better make it out of this, you hear me?”
“Loud and clear.”
Miles hesitated a second longer, then let go of his partner’s arm. He ran from the building without another word. Meanwhile, Phoenix crouched down and began moving the object off of the girl’s dress.
“T-Thank you, Mister,” she stuttered.
“It’s no trouble at all,” Phoenix replied with a kind smile, “What’s your name, kid?”
“… Trucy.”
“That’s a lovely name. Don’t worry, Trucy–we’ll have you out of there very soon, okay?”
“O-Okay, Mister.”
Once Trucy was free, she went to return to the main hall.
“Wait, where are you going, kid? It’s not safe in there!” Phoenix called.
“I have to find my friend!”
She left before Phoenix could catch her. Sighing to himself, Phoenix went to leave and reunite with Miles, who waited outside for him. He thought of all the feelings he wished to tell him about after this–about how much he–
… A sharp pain ripped through his side and he stumbled out the door, clutching the new wound with a tight grip…
♧
Present Time.
♧
“Wait! Please don't shoot, Mister !” comes the voice of a little girl. Trucy leaves the shadows, hands raised. Her skin is bruised and pink dress torn, but otherwise she looks okay. “I can help you–or, well, my friend Polly can. He knows a lot about first aid!”
'Polly' appears from behind Trucy, a young man who looks to be in his late teens, give or take. “I don't know as much as Trucy makes it sound like,” he clarifies. But I can definitely keep your friend here stable until help arrives…but only if you want.”
“I don't fully trust you,” Miles says bluntly to the little girl. He turns to the young man. “And I certainly don’t trust him.”
“Polly’s my bodyguard!” Trucy defends. “He’s almost like an older brother to me!”
“It's…okay, Edgeworth. I t-trust them,” whispers Phoenix. “It's gonna be okay.”
“Very well,” Miles agrees with a sigh. “… But I’m only giving them this chance for you–and for you alone,” he adds with a hushed tone.
He waves ‘Polly’ closer, who gets out a small medical kit from his bag and opens it up.
“I’m assuming ‘Polly’ isn’t your real name?” Miles asks as the younger man starts his work.
“No, sir. It’s Justice. Apollo Justice.”
“Well, Mr. Justice, for everyone’s benefit, I hope something good will come of this.”
“I wouldn’t want it any other way, sir.”
♤
A week later.
Channeler Agency Main Headquarters, Los Angeles.
♤
“Hey, Wright, Edgeworth’s looking for you, pal. He said it was urgent.”
“He is?” Phoenix quickly rises to his feet, ignoring the shooting pain in his side. “Did he say why?”
“It's probably for your ears only, pal. But it didn’t sound work related, surprisingly, knowing how he normally talks–”
Phoenix already is out the door before Gumshoe can finish. He rushes for Miles’ office, which is far from the rest. Miles gestures for him to sit once the door is securely shut.
“You're leaving the agency,” Miles says, eyebrows furrowing.
“Ah, yeah… that,” Phoenix rubs the back of his neck. “I meant to tell you earlier. It’s only temporary until Trucy is old enough.”
“‘Until Trucy is old enough’? Do you mean…”
“I’ve made a decision to adopt her, since her father, who was apparently a Gramarye, basically ran out on her. And everyone else in her family is either dead or arrested, so… I’m going to step down from here until she’s old enough that it would be more or less okay to leave her on her own during missions.”
“I see. And you didn’t think this would be important to tell me?”
“I don’t need your approval, Edgeworth. You're not my superior.”
“It’s not that. It’s…” Miles looks down at his feet, “I… liked working with you. I…”
Everything went quiet.
“Edgeworth, I, uh…looked up the meaning of gardenias. Or well…more of them, anyway.”
“Oh.”
“Yeah. … Do you really feel that way? Is that why you don’t want me to leave?”
“… Yes. I don’t know when it was exactly, but I simply felt this magnetic connection to you. Like we were meant to exist together. ”
“I feel the same way. … Admittedly, I’ve liked you from the second I first saw you.”
Miles’ face flushes red.
“Leave with me, Edge–Miles. Let’s raise Trucy together. She really is such a sweet girl, I just know it. She’s the reason I’m even alive now, so…”
Miles raises a brow. “We haven’t even been on a real date, and you already are asking me to move in and raise a child with you? Isn’t this going a bit fast, Phoenix?”
“That’s just how I am,” Phoenix replies with a chuckle. “But I’d really like that, if you want it too. We’ll learn as we go.”
The silver haired agent smiles–wide, warm, and genuine. “How can I refuse such an offer?”
They lean in, sharing the first of many real kisses to come.
♡
A year later.
A farmhouse in the countryside. Exact location unknown.
♡
Miles and Phoenix are sitting together on a pair of rocking chairs. They watch as their most important mission bounces right up to them on the porch, shrieking with delight.
“Daddy! Papa! Look what I found!”
Trucy holds out a bumpy toad–large in her small hands, and smiles widely. The toad, however, looks less than pleased.
“Can I keep him? Please?”
“I don't know, baby,” Phoenix says, examining his daughter's catch. “He'd probably be happier where you found him.”
“Aw, but Daddy…”
“Perhaps we can look into getting a pet in the future,” Miles adds. “But this toad belongs outside, where all its friends are, don't you see?”
“I guess… Oh! D'you think we could get a cat then? I read a book where a girl adopts a shelter cat!”
“We'll talk about it. But first, please return that toad back to its home.”
“Okay!”
Trucy scampers off, leaving her fathers alone once more. Phoenix takes Miles' hand, beginning to stroke it with his thumb. Miles doesn't snatch it away, relaxing into the comforting touch.
“A year ago, I never would've believed that I could have all of this,” Miles admits. He fully turns to his partner, locking eyes with him. “Every morning that I awaken next to you is a dream come true, Phoenix.”
“It's a dream come true for me, too, Miles. I'm so glad we were assigned that mission together…”
They lean in, but before they can close the gap between them with a kiss, Trucy calls out to them from the nearby pond:
“Daddy! Papa! Look, there are hundreds of toads here!”
♤♡◇♧
The End.