Archive of Our Own ^beta

After jetting back to America to check if Phoenix was well (and not dead), Miles found himself helping in a court case that involved a spiteful spirit. The two began to spend more time together in the following days. While the time was short, it was extremely enjoyable, even though they’d spend their time together eating lunch or dinner while talking about mundane topics.

Miles grew fond of Phoenix’s company, greatly looking forward to the quality time with him. This, on top of finding Phoenix to be a very attractive man, led Miles to the logical conclusion that he must be in love with Phoenix. After all, that’s how love works, right?

The day before Miles had to go back to Europe, he invited Phoenix over to his apartment after work to enjoy some takeout together. The two talked about random topics of interest in his living room while eating, but Miles couldn’t help but notice that Phoenix seemed a bit reclusive. “Is something the matter Wright?” He asked.

Phoenix looked up and instinctively tried to give a false smile but seemed to think better of it and decided to be honest instead. “No, it’s just…” He paused and looked down with increasingly blushed cheeks, “I wasn’t sure before, but after spending so much time with you, Edgeworth, I…” another pause.

This was the first time Miles saw Phoenix struggle to talk. Normally, it seemed he blurted out words without thinking. “Phoenix?” Miles asked after a while, making sure he was still with him, and not completely lost in his head. “Sorry! I wasn’t expecting this to be so hard,” Phoenix nervously laughed and, after a deep sigh, looked at Miles with great determination. “Miles, I’m in love with you”.

Miles wasn’t sure what was more shocking: Phoenix using his first name, or the fact that Phoenix seemingly felt the same way as him. Of course, Miles knew how to respond, “I love you too, Phoenix.” Instead of Phoenix being overjoyed over Miles having mutual feelings, his eyes widened. He looked shocked for a split second, before shifting his expression to one of mild frustration. “Miles, you shouldn’t lie about something like that.” Miles was taken aback by this. As far as he was concerned, he hadn’t lied.

 “Phoenix, I have no idea as to why you’d think I’d lie?” He said, sounding more hurt than he intended to. Phoenix sighed with frustration and grabbed the magatama out of his pants pocket, holding it in front of Miles.

Phoenix didn’t have to explain, Miles knew what this meant, but it didn’t make sense. Miles was sure he loved Phoenix. All the facts pointed towards that, so there could only be one logical answer, “Perhaps the magatama made a mistake.”

This response only seemed to upset Phoenix further. “Really? Because from my experience it’s never been wrong.”

“It was wrong when you asked if Matt En- “

“NOT IT WASN’T, MILES!”

Miles flinched, this wasn’t the first time he’d seen Phoenix angry, but the outburst was still shocking. Phoenix continued, sounding cold, “Because in that sick man’s heart, he generally believed he wasn’t a murderer.”

“And I’m sure in my heart that I really do love you, Phoenix,” Miles said, starting to feel desperately frustrated over this misunderstanding.

“I’m sorry Edgeworth, but as long as you have 5 locks- “

“5 LOCKS!?” Miles interrupted. He was already shocked to have any psyche-locks, let alone the maximum amount.

“I can’t be with you, and I need some space from you.” Phoenix continued as if he wasn’t interrupted. “It’s a good thing you’re going to Europe tomorrow,” He muttered under his breath as he got up and walked out of Miles’s apartment before Miles could say anything.

----------

A month later, Miles would return to America and be too distracted with work to think about anything else, including a certain someone. But he could only distract himself from thinking about Phoenix for so long, as eventually a year would pass and he’d learn Phoenix got disbarred and adopted a daughter.

Now his mind was constantly distracted by Phoenix, being both concerned for Phoenix (but too scared to reach out) and frustrated with him for choosing to believe the magatama over him. Luckily most people didn’t notice, as he was not an easy man to read, but most did not include Franziska who, unfortunately for Miles, could read him very well.

“What is it?” she flatly asked him one morning after grabbing herself a bottle of sparkling water from Miles’s fridge. It was at this moment Miles regretted letting his sister stay in his guest bedroom after she complained on the phone to him about all the 5-star hotels in the area being booked. She had to visit America last minute once again, and of course Franziska could never settle for a 4-star hotel.

“What is what?” he shot back with clear annoyance, hoping it would cause her to drop the subject.

It didn’t work of course, “Miles Edgeworth, I know when my little brother is distressed-“

“I’m not distressed.”

“Really?” She said with snark and a raised brow.

“Not at all,” he flatly said, “Now if you’ll excuse me while I make myself tea- “

” I will not,” she interrupted. “In fact, I know exactly what’s bothering you.” Miles decided to push past her and ignore her while making himself tea. Normally he’d offer to make her some, but he felt too frustrated to be considerate of his house guest. “Phoenix Wright.” She eventually said, and Miles involuntarily froze. “That fool has an unusual grip over you.” Her tone would sound rude to most, but Miles knew her well enough to know she’s showing concern.

“It doesn’t matter anymore,” he eventually replied.

“Why not?” Franziska pressed.

“Because I made a grave mistake.”

Franziska sighed, “So foolishly dramatic. Miles Edgeworth. whatever happened could not have been that bad.”

“It was,” he said between sips of tea while leaning his back against the kitchen counter-top.

“How so?” she asked.

“It just was.”

Franziska shot him a glare, “Miles Edgeworth, I do not appreciate you being so foolishly vague with me.”

“And I don’t appreciate you trying to interfere with my personal affairs,” Miles responded, shooting a glare back at Franziska.   

“Fine.” She said with a grin, then after turning around to begin her slow exit from the kitchen, she announced triumphantly. “I guess I’ll have to ask Phoenix Wr- “

“YOU’LL DO NO SUCH THING!” Miles yelled. Of course Franziska had thought of a backup plan if Miles decided to keep tight lipped.

“Then you’ll explain everything?” she gleefully asked with a wide smirk, turning to Miles, after a sigh Miles nodded, it was frustrating when Franziska got what she wanted, because she was always so smug about it.

After moving to the living room, Miles had explained the whole situation, which took a while because he had to spend almost half an hour explaining what the magatama is and how it worked to her. Her response was very predictable, “So he would foolishly believe some magical rock over you? You have awful taste in men, Miles Edgeworth.”

“Was the tacked-on insult really necessary?”

“Yes, of all the men for you to fall for, why him?” She asked with clear disdain. Franziska didn’t dislike Phoenix per say, at one point she almost considered him a friend, but after learning of him being disbarred for submitting forged evidence in court, and listening to what happened between Miles and him, her opinion of Phoenix had recently soured.

“I don’t know,” Miles eventually said with a sigh. “But I really felt a connection with him like no other.”

“So, he made you feel so foolishly giddy and full of butterflies.” Franziska groaned while rolling her eyes. Miles let out a stiff laugh. “Well?” she asked again.

Miles raised a brow, “That wasn’t a serious question, was it, Franziska?”

“And why wouldn’t it be?”

“Because love isn’t that dramatic, Franziska,” Miles said with a dry laugh, “Those things are just romance media tropes.”

After Miles said that Franziska made an expression that was unfamiliar to Miles. He couldn’t tell if she was offended or concerned. “Miles Edgeworth, how would you describe falling in love then?” she asked seriously.

Miles didn’t understand why Franziska would ask this, especially with such concern, but he decided to go along with her question “It’s simply a situation where one is comfortable around another person’s presence and finds them attractive.” He flatly stated as if he just stated the obvious, but Franziska’s expression only grew to be more confused.

“Attractive?” she asked.

Miles laughed, “Franziska, it’s okay if you’ve never been in lov-“

“MILES EDGEWORTH! YOU FOOLISHLY FOOL-HEARTED FOOL! OF COURSE I’VE BEEN IN LOVE!” Franziska quickly interrupted, before Miles could insult her further.

“Then why are you asking so many questions about experiencing love?” He asked, too confused to process the deeper meaning behind her statement.

Franziska groaned, “Because Miles Edgeworth, what you’ve described sounds less like love and more... like friendship.”

“Franziska, my feelings for Phoenix are quite different to friendship.”

“Because you want to have sex with him?”

Miles choked, “E-excuse me!?” he asked, bewildered by how nonchalant his sister was, despite what she just asked.

“Think about it Miles Edgeworth, if you didn’t find Phoenix Wright attractive, would you still be convinced you’re in love with him?”

Miles was confused by this question. Of course, “no” was the obvious answer, but wasn’t that the case for everyone? Regardless, it was clear Franziska didn’t seem to think so, so he decided to shift the conversation onto her to figure out why she disagreed. “Franziska,” he started, “you mentioned that you’ve been in love?”

“Correct.”

“Could you explain what love feels like, Miss love expert.” He sarcastically asked.

“Very well,” She said, not caring to acknowledge her brother’s sarcasm. “When I fell in love with Adrian Andrews, I felt intensely nervous and bubbly around her, I couldn't stop thinking about her in every waking moment. It unfortunately was rather distracting, so had to tell her before I lost the ability to breath around her.”

“That… sounds dramatic.” Miles responded.

Franziska laughed. “Love often is,” she said wistfully.

Miles felt a little frustrated, because the most intense thing about his feelings for Phoenix were his sexual fantasies involving him, but he of course didn’t want to dwell on those now, let alone mention them to anyone. Instead of outright disagreeing, and risk having to mention his private thoughts to Franziska, he instead decided to be sarcastic. “So what? You two are living happily ever after?” Instead of responding with equal sarcasm, as he expected, Franziska instead flinched, and Miles immediately regretted what he’d just said.

“No,” she said with a deep sigh. “It didn’t work out,” she added, not being able to completely mask sadness in her tone.

Miles felt horrible. He had essentially forced Franziska to say all of this. “I’m sorry it didn’t work out.” he eventually said.

Franziska huffed, “I do not require your pity, Miles Edgeworth.”

“I know,” he responded, “but it’s still unfortunate it didn’t work, and I apologise for making you bring it up-”

“You didn’t make me bring anything up.” she interrupted “I just couldn’t give her what she wanted.” Miles had no idea what this meant and stayed silent, assuming Franziska would shift the topic back to him, but instead she asked, “Would you like to know what was?”

“No. I don’t enjoy prying into others personal affairs.”

“It is of no consequence,” she said with her chin held high. “Besides I believe it may help you with your situation.”

Miles raised a skeptical brow, “Go on, then.” Knowing her, she’d force him into a corner if he refused her “help” again, so he decided it was best to just accept the unneeded help.

“I couldn’t sleep with her,” she then said, as if it was a completely mundane thing, and not at all related to intimate bedroom activities.

“Franziska, I don’t see how what you do, or rather, don’t do in the bedroom is of any concern to m-” “let me finish.” she interrupted, and Miles sighed, for it was too late for him to shift the topic to something far less uncomfortable.

 “Before we went to her apartment, our relationship was perfect, but then we went to her bedroom,” she said, looking down while fidgeting her hands. “And as soon as she suggested we take the next step, I felt uncomfortable and repulsed by the mere thought of us... doing that.“ Franziska continued after a long pause, “When I said no and explained my discomfort, it understandably upset her… she then broke up with me.” Franziska than let out a deep sigh, “I feel awful for hurting her.”

“But you didn’t mean to hurt her,” Miles sternly responded, “It’s entirely unreasonable for her to breakup with you over something so… trivial.” he said, scowling as he said the last word.

“So you would be content with a sexless relationship?” Franziska asked skeptically.

Miles thought this question over before coming to an honest answer. “No,” he eventually said, feeling awful since he would never want to hurt anyone like Ms. Andrews had hurt Franziska. “But how is this unfortunate situation of yours meant to help me?” he asked.

“Well, after I was dumped, I decided to research the matter, hoping to find a fix for my problem.”

“And did you find a fix?”

She shook her head, “No.” She sighed, “It turns out I’m asexual.”

Miles was unfamiliar with that term but knew enough about linguistics to guess what this term meant. “So you’re... not sexual?” he asked, and she nodded.

“Essentially yes.” She than clarified, “I’m simply incapable of sexual attraction.”

“I see… congratulations?” he said unsure on if that was the correct response, but it caused Franziska to chuckle a little, so he was glad to of at least relieved some tension, but he now had one question left. “I still don’t see how this applies to me?” Miles asked, “After all, I’m definitely not asexual.”

Franziska rolled her eyes “I know, you’ve made that grossly clear,” she groaned. “But,” she started, “I suspect you might be aromantic. I came across that term during my research.” Miles wasn’t sure how to respond to this. Sure, aside from sexual attraction, you could argue his feelings for Phoenix were platonic but, he still deeply cared for Phoenix, more so than he cared for most, and he more than enjoyed the idea of being in a committed relationship with Phoenix for the rest of his life. Isn’t that all what love is? 

“Do you believe my assumption is wrong?” She eventually asked.

“Yes, I care deeply for him, and I had wished to spend the rest of my life with him, before he broke up with me.”

Franziska was quiet for a moment than seemed to recall something. “Miles do you remember when we went to my older sister’s wedding?” she asked.

“How could I not?” he sighed. “Why do you ask?”

 “Do you remember what you said when I asked if you wanted to get married?”

“Over my dead body,” He quickly and flatly stated.

“What is your point, Franziska? Are you implying I’m aromantic simply because I recognised how utterly annoying and cumbersome weddings are when I was twelve?”

Franziska sighed and then got up, “Well Miles Edgeworth, as much as I’d like to watch you have an existential crisis, I have more important matters to attend to now. I’ll see you later this evening.” She began to walk out.

Miles scoffed. “I will not have an existential crisis, Franziska, because you’re simply wrong!” he yelled out just before she slammed the door shut. 

----------

Later that night, Miles could not sleep. “Stupid Franziska,” he muttered to himself quietly. Thanks to her, he was in fact beginning to have an existential crisis. What she said had started to explain not just the magatama incident, but many other things, such as him never having a crush (as, upon further reflection, he simply just found some men to be physically attractive) his indifference towards Valentine’s Day, and his disgust towards great declarations of love. Seriously, did people actually enjoy such wince worthy acts?

He then got up and went to his study to research the matter further. Surely, this was all a mere coincidence and Franziska was incorrect in her assumption. Hours later, he was frustrated to find his sister was correct (because that gave her another thing to be smug about), and he was, without a doubt, aromantic. But once he accepted this fact, he began to feel deeply sad, because feeling romantic attraction was something considered important in long term intimate relationships (something Miles had hoped to have with Phoenix) but will probably never have with any man.

----------

Almost a decade had since passed since the night Miles had that realisation, and many things had happened since. Such as Phoenix reaching out to Miles, hoping Miles could help him implement a new legal system that he had been working on with some help from Ema Skye. He needed more than a tech savvy detective to have the new legal system taken seriously, and luckily a well-respected prosecutor was the perfect person to help. That legal system was, unfortunately, not implemented, even after a successful trial run, but the process luckily led to Phoenix’s name being cleared. He eventually decided to re-take the bar exam after Miles practically begged him to. During that period Miles had become friends with Phoenix again and also became friends with Trucy.

Miles also got promoted and overall was doing really well in life. He was glad that both him and Phoenix had an unspoken agreement to never mention the magatama incident, until today, when they were both invited to a wedding.

“Mrs. Sprocket informed me you were the one behind my invitation?” Miles asked Phoenix while the two watched Larry being chased by an angry horde of women for hogging the flower bouquet.

“Well, you helped prove her innocence in court as much as I did.”

“Of course, though I must say your performance in court was rather lacklustre.” Miles smirked.

“Was it now?” Phoenix laughed, “And what makes you say that?”

“Well, your “power of love” spill was extremely ridiculous, for one.” Miles chuckled.

“...Yeah, you would think that.” Phoenix let out flatly and Miles immediately stopped laughing. He instead grew concerned.

“Wright, you’re not still hurt over that are you?” Miles asked, suddenly feeling the grave loss he felt that day.

“Kind of.” Phoenix started, “I mean why did you lie to me? I would have preferred it if you just rejected me- “

“Because I didn’t think I was lying.” Miles interrupted sternly, and before Phoenix could respond, Miles interrupted him again “Wright, could you please let me explain? Since that situation I’ve learnt something crucial about myself that I believe explains why the magatama activated.” Phoenix nodded with a cautious expression. Miles sighed, scared of how Phoenix would respond to the truth, as Miles was aware of the stigmas that aromantic and asexual people can face. He was scared to face judgement from someone he deeply cared about. This was one of the reasons he decided to only have Franziska know he was aromantic once he accepted this aspect of himself.

“Wright, I cared for you deeply and found you to be extremely attractive,” Miles felt his cheeks warm, “and I still do but,” he paused and looked away, scared to meet Phoenix’s gaze. He even nervously grabbed his arm, an old habit he thought he’d forgotten. “I’m aromantic, which means I-“

“Experience little to no romantic attraction, I know.” Phoenix interrupted and Miles’s eyes widened.

“H-how did you know?”

“Last year, Athena decided to sign the Wright Anything Agency up for a workplace diversity course behind my back, because she deemed it to be ‘extremely important’.”

“...I see, so you learnt about that term from the course?” Miles asked.

Phoenix nodded, “Yep, among a bunch of other stuff. It wasn’t a bad course at all, well, aside from the steep price it costed.” After a moment of silence, Phoenix sighed “I can’t believe I didn’t realise you were aromantic until now.”

Miles let out a dry laugh. “Well, it took me many years to realise it myself, so I can hardly expect you to of figured it out, especially with your skills of deduction,” he responded.

“Right, because I wasn’t the one who figured out who the real culprit was in our last trial.” Phoenix said with an eye roll.

“Fair point.” Miles responded with a fond smile.

“So, you find me attractive?” Phoenix than asked after a long silent pause.

“Yes, but please don’t let that inflate your ego further.” Miles responded with a smirk.

“I won’t,” Phoenix laughed, “but Miles?”

“Yes?”

“Would you want to be in a relationship with me?” a moment of silence came over the two again. “I of course don’t want to make you uncomfortable, but I remember when we were together you seemed to enjoy our relationship, and I know it wouldn’t be the same as before, but I- “

“Phoenix,” Miles interrupted “Are you really comfortable being with someone who doesn’t love you?”

Phoenix looked into Miles’s eyes. “Miles, you’ve said many times that you deeply care about me.”

“Yes, but those feelings aren’t special- “

“Yes, they are!” Miles flinched a bit at the sudden outburst. “Sorry for yelling, but Miles, you shouldn’t ever dismiss your feelings. Yes, I love you, but I also love Trucy, Maya and so many others! Just in different, but equally special ways. Romantic love isn’t the only love that’s special.”

“So, you believe we can make us work?”

“I do, as long as we’re honest with each other, I think we can make us work,” Phoenix nervously smiled and asked, “if you’d want to make us a thing?”

“I do, but you know being with me won’t be easy, even if I wasn’t aromantic, I-”

“Miles, I doubt any relationship worthwhile is ever easy, and that’s okay, because you’re worth it.” Phoenix said looking into Miles’s eyes passionately. Miles didn’t realise how much it would mean to hear Phoenix say such things so earnestly. To say and believe it was worth being with, and to still want to be in a relationship with him after all this time, it all meant a lot to him.

“Very well,” Miles said, “I guess that means we’re now a couple, whatever that means for us.” He huffed, amused over how relieved and happy he suddenly felt.

Phoenix smiled, “I guess so,” and then he looked down for a second. “Miles? Would you be comfortable holding my hand?”

Miles smiled, “No, perhaps later. For now, I’d rather just be in your company.”

“That sounds good,” Phoenix smiled and looked back everyone else at the wedding. The married couple seemed to be content with each other’s company, while everyone else attending the wedding was distracted, watching the trio of girls continue to chase Larry, who, for whatever reason, still clung to the bouquet.

“Should we help him?” Miles asked with minor concern, also watching the chaos that was literally following Larry around.

Phoenix shook his head, “No, Larry will be fine. Plus, he deserves it for trying to steal Mr. Sprocket's bride.”

“And for his countless unspeakable crimes against society at large,” Miles added.

Phoenix nodded, “Yep for those as well.”

Phoenix and Miles continued to watch as the girls had decided to tackle Larry for the bouquet. Athena eventually won, ripping the bouquet out of Larry’s grasp, and began to jump up and down, yelling in victory.