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“The Steel Samurai Revival?”
Phoenix more or less speaks out loud to himself and the surrounding bed, not bothering to hide his unamusement.
How long is this franchise going to run? Phoenix stops searching with the remote and shoots a look at Miles. …Who is pretending to ignore him. Flushing furiously, Miles digs his nose further into his book.
“Did… Will Powers come back for this?”
“Why are you asking me? I don’t watch The Steel Samurai.” Miles fiddles with the corner of his big Law tome, like a liar. It’s pretty obvious he has a Steel Samurai Manga hidden in the comically large book. Really, he’s been doing this schtick for years.
Phoenix points his hand in Miles’ face and yells, “OBJECTION!”
With a cry of, “Nngooh!” Miles startlingly shuts his absurd book. “M-must you shout? You’re right next to me.” Like a perturbed cat, he swats Phoenix’s finger out of his face.
“Miles, it’s literally in our recently watched.” Phoenix explains while vaguely waving the remote in the TV’s direction.
Crossing his arms stubbornly, Miles huffs and mumbles, “You or Trucy could’ve put it there,” Phoenix doesn’t dignify that with a response, “Maya could’ve weaseled her way into our account again, you never know!”
“Don’t go this direction with me, I have a literal lie detector.” The Magatama sits on Phoenix’s nightstand along with many other assorted paraphernalia. In deep contrast, Miles’ nightstand is neat, tidy, and organized. Not even a speck of dust is out of place.
Miles rounds on Phoenix, narrowing his eyes, “That magic rock causes hallucinations and I refuse to believe otherwise.” The intimidation is severely dampened by how dorky he looks in his pink silk pajamas and a days worn hair-do. Cute. I wanna kiss him.
So he leans in and catches Miles’ cheek as he turns, “Believe what you want, I still know you’re lying because you’re my husband.” He smiles softly.
Phoenix will never tire of calling him his husband. It’s been a long time coming. There will always be that lovesick boy from the 4th grade in him.
The damn bastard gives him that stupid smarmy smirk, “At least you know how to use solid evidence outside of court.”
“Hey! Low blow, Miles. Low blow.” Phoenix gives an offended look while Miles continues to smirk. That stupid, sardonic smirk. Still pouting, his husband lightly laughs before closing the distance. Almost instantly, Phoenix forgets what he was supposed to be offended by.
Miles kisses him chastely which Phoenix returns enthusiastically. The connection to Miles spreads sappy warmth through his head all the way to his toes. He happily sighs and his brain has gone dumb and happy.
Before pulling away (which Phoenix fights back to whine about), Miles mumbles a small, “…yes.”
He slowly opens his eyes, “Huh?”
“Do all your mental faculties have to run away when we kiss?”
“You’re driving a hard bargain, Mr. Edgeworth.” Phoenix teases while attempting to kiss him in earnest again. Leaning in finds his lips connected with a surface that isn’t his husband's mouth at all. That’s Miles’ hand. It naturally wraps around his face, keeping his mouth shut.
With a flushed expression and steely glare, Miles huffs, “Enough,” and pushes his face away.
Rude, Phoenix pouts.
“Wh—? Oh, c’mon!” His hand swiftly pulls back from the wet sensation before wiping it on Phoenix’s worn sleep shirt. In protest, Phoenix opens his mouth to speak but Miles glares until he closes his trap. Okay, Fine, he was the one to lick him.
Miles’ adjusts his glasses, more so out of embarrassment than them needing to be adjusted, “Will Powers makes a comeback for this installment. It surprised me to see them bring back a seasoned actor such as him.” He speaks of the Steel Samurai so incredibly fondly. It makes Phoenix smile to know of the small reminders he’s human. That he’s here with him. That he’s alive.
Skeptically, Phoenix tacks on, “Is it any good?,” while clicking on the episode list.
“Good as any remake can be. It’s not done yet, however Powers is doing a remarkable job as the Steel Samurai so far.”
Remarkable. Hm, that tone of voice and emphasis on that word is shockingly familiar. Phoenix’s brain scrambles to connect the loose dots.
… Wait.
“… You find him hot.” He bluffs. It’s a shot in the dark.
Phoenix gets elbowed in the side, “I do not! I just appreciate his acting skills.” Miles was never one to admit something head-on.
“And his sexy body.” Double or nothing, Phoenix!
“…” Miles grumpily stews while his face shifts into a deep red.
Bullseye.
“Oh my God! You do! I knew it.” Who knew Miles uses “remarkable” as a universal attractive term. Phoenix feels a little slighted as he remembers all the times Miles used big words to describe Phoenix and his “sexy body.” (A stretch but Miles has pretty much said it in his own words).
“Dont tell me you're jealous.” Why does he have to wear that smarmy smirk like he knows every damn thing?
“I’m not. I’m just making an observation.” He crosses his arms and does not at all sulk.
“I can see it on your face, Phoenix. You don't have to worry.”
“You praise him more than me!” Maybe he’s a little jealous.
“And do you know which one I married?” He asks rhetorically while slipping his hand into Phoenix’s. With their fingers intertwined, Miles fidgets with the ring on Phoenix’s hand.
Dramatically, Phoenix drawls on, “I knew it. In those lost years, you married Will Powers in your mind.” Phoenix squeezes Miles’ hand. It’s a comforting reminder that he’s not leaving. He’s here to stay.
He softly laughs before bringing their hands up to kiss Phoenix’s knuckles. “You’re ridiculous.”
Phoenix’s eyes crinkle as he smiles.
“Wanna watch it?”
Miles’ eyes go a little wide. “…We don’t have to. I know you aren’t particularly a big fan of things like this.”
“It’s different when I’m watching it with you.” And it really, truly is different to watch something with Miles. It’s different when there’s confirmation of another heartbeat with him.
“You say that but then you’ll be asleep in 10 minutes.” … that also happens to be true.
“Ah, you know me so well!” Phoenix nuzzles in closer and settles his head on Miles’ chest. The show starts up with its jingle and some spiel about fighting evildoers. Phoenix will never truly understand it. But it makes Miles happy.
“…Miles?”
Miles mumbles into the crown of Phoenix’s head, threading his fingers soothingly through the spikes, “Yes?”
“I’m glad you’re alive.”
It’s an unspoken topic between the two of them, especially these days, but Phoenix is still more than happy to not have to deal with stupid notes or impromptu flights to Europe anymore. Miles is permanently here with him now.
The Steel Samurai erratically speaks something about justice as Phoenix slips into unconsciousness. The soothing sound of Miles’ heartbeat lulls him to sleep.