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The truth is, when Phoenix isn't lying and scheming and planning the downfall of one Kristoph Gavin, he is bored. He is bored out of his mind. Trucy provides some entertainment, and Phoenix loves her. But when she is busy he is so bored he's taken up counting panels on the ceiling. It's embarrassing. He doesn't do anything but read, watch TV and drink. He is so understimulated it's starting to become painful.
And he hates how boring he is now. Before, he could regale people with stories of his oddest cases, and they'd be absolutely enthralled. Now, if someone asks what he did all day he can only list the different meals he's had.
Which is especially embarrassing when talking to Miles, who seems to be living his best life—saving world leaders and reconnecting with his dad's old friend.
So maybe, Phoenix starts lying. Just a little. Claims he did a really exciting puzzle, or saw a rare bird. Just so he seems more interesting.
"I've been getting really into flower symbolism."
He knows two flowers.
"Really?" Miles says, sounding so incredulous it's almost offending.
"Yup," Phoenix says, doubling down on his lie. "Been learning all about flowers and their—meanings. It's really interesting."
"I bet. So what have you learned?"
Shit.
"Salmon is for desire," he blurts out, quoting something he heard somewhere. He doesn't even know if it applies to flowers.
Miles is quiet for a beat. "I see."
Phoenix's entire face is hot. Salmon is for desire? He sounded deranged!
"Is that all you learned?" Miles asks.
"Well, I just started. There are a lot of flowers."
Miles hums. "Indeed."
"I should get back to it. I'm learning all about—tuplips."
"You mean tulips?"
"That's what I said!"
He hangs up. Fast.
-
He receives a bouquet of flowers a few days later, with a message signed by Miles. Trucy has a big smile on her lips when she brings them in and sets them on the table.
"Aren't they lovely!" She coos, filling a vase with water and cutting the stems down.
"Do you know what they are?" He asks, picking up the note and flipping it over.
For your studies //Miles
"They look like tulips," she says, putting them in the vase before leaning in to smell them.
Phoenix takes them from her and sets them on the windowsill.
"Do you know what their meaning is?"
"Meaning?" Trucy tips her head to the side. "I think these mean friendship, or joy. Something positive like that."
Phoenix nods. So tulips was a symbol of friendship. That was nice.
"You should send some back!" Trucy suggest.
"You think?"
She nods. "It'd be rude not to!"
Phoenix smiles.
That afternoon he heads to the local flowershop. He is helped by a young man far too enthusiastic about plant life, and he makes Phoenix a bit nervous.
"I'm looking for tulips?" He says, more of a question.
"You've come to the right place!" He says with a big smile. "We got tulips up to our ears here!"
Phoenix forces a laugh. The young man shows him to the tulips. They take up several tables and come in all colors Phoenix never would've imagined. He feels a bit overwhelmed.
"Did you have a color in mind?" He asks. Phoenix thinks on it. When he imagines Miles and what color he most associates him with the immediate, and most obvious answer is red. He's got a red suit and a red car. So he must like red.
"Red."
The man smiles. "Very good choice!"
He sets up for a bouquet of red tulips to be sent to Miles, then he heads home.
Hopefully the flowers will satisfy Miles and he won't want to talk more about flower symbolism.
-
A few days pass. Phoenix worries briefly that maybe Miles didn't get the flowers he sent, but soon another bouquet makes it on to his doorsteps. These ones Phoenix has never seen before and when he asks Trucy, even she seems lost. He decides to bring the flowers to the shop and ask the workers there if they know.
When he steps inside he is greeted by the same man who helped him a few days ago.
"Those are Ambrosias!" He tells him, all excited. Phoenix doesn't understand what he's smiling about. "That means whoever sent them reciprocates your feelings!"
Oh. Well, yeah. Phoenix knew that. He had sent back tulips to show Miles his appreciation of him as a friend. Of course Miles reciprocated those feelings—he sent the first flowers after all.
"Would you like to send something back?"
"Sure," Phoenix says.
He decides on sending five roses. Because sending only one seems pathetic and anything less than five doesn't actually feel like a bouquet.
Flower boy looks ecstatic. "Wonderful choice!"
So Phoenix sends five red roses to Miles, hoping that's the end of it.
-
Miles calls him. For some reason he sounds nervous when he speaks.
"I must say I was very surprised when I got the tulips."
Phoenix blinks. "Well, I wanted you to know how I feel about you."
Miles lets out a breath. "Yes, I got that. And it made me—well, happy. I just didn't expect it."
Phoenix frowns. "I thought it was obvious," he says, a little dismayed that Miles would be surprised that Phoenix valued him as a friend.
"How would it have been obvious? You never—never mind. Are you sure now is a good time for you? I know you got a lot going on."
Phoenix is confused now. Good time to learn flower symbolism?
"I mean, I've thought about it for some time," he lies. "With all that's happened I thought this could be good for me."
He doesn't know why he keeps digging this hole. He's not passionate about flowers, he just wanted to give the illusion that he was actually doing something.
Miles breath hitches. "How long have you been feeling this way?"
Phoenix doesn't understand why Miles sounds like that—all breathless and a little hoarse.
"I don't know," Phoenix mumbles. "A while."
"A while," Miles repeats. "Well, I'm glad you finally did something about it," he lets out a little laugh. "At least one of us did."
Phoenix is silent, feeling more and more like two completely different conversations are taking place.
"You can also get into flower symbolism?" He suggests weakly.
"I already know more than enough," Miles says. "I'll send you some books about it."
"Great," Phoenix says, trying not to yawn at the mere thought. "I look forward to it."
-
Miles sends him 24 roses and a book on flower symbolism. 24 seems like overkill, but the message he sends with them is short and sweet and for some reason Phoenix's heart is doing somersaults in his chest.
Thinking of you //Miles
The faint scent of Miles' cologne clings to it and Phoenix brings it up to his face, closes his eyes, and breathes in slowly.
He hadn't realized just how much he missed Miles until this moment.
He puts the book in his bookshelf, thinking he'll try and read it someday. He is in no hurry.
-
There are yellow carnations on sale, and they look beautiful so Phoenix doesn't think anything of it when he buys a bouquet and send them Miles' way.
That is the wrong choice.
"Have I done something wrong?" Miles asks when he calls a few days later, sounding small and almost hurt.
Phoenix blinks. "No? Why do you think that?"
"You sent me yellow carnations."
"They were on sale," Phoenix says, still confused.
"So, you didn't—" Miles falls quiet.
"What?"
"Wright, do you know what yellow carnations mean?"
Phoenix starts sweating. "I—I haven't gotten to that yet," he starts.
Miles is silent. "Do you have any idea what you've been saying with your flowers?"
Phoenix hides his face behind a hand.
"Okay, look," he says, feeling his cheeks heat up. "I don't know anything about flower symbolism. I know like two flowers. I just said that cause—I don't know! I don't do anything and when we talk I have nothing to say! I was embarrassed. So I lied about having a hobby. I'm sorry."
Miles exhales harshly. "So, when you sent the tulips, you didn't—"
"I meant it! You're my dearest friend, Miles. I thought you knew that."
"Friend?" Miles repeats. Then he swears. "You have no idea, do you, Wright?"
Phoenix frowns. "What?"
"Red tulips mean love. Romantic love!"
Phoenix's eyes widen. "Oh."
"Those are Ambrosias! That means whoever sent them reciprocates your feelings!"
"How would it have been obvious? You never—never mind. Are you sure now is a good time for you? I know you got a lot going on."
"Oh."
"I'm such an idiot," Miles whispers.
"Wait, no, Edge—"
He hangs up.
Phoenix swears and throws the phone.
He really messed up.
-
He gets into flower symbolism. For real. He reads the book Miles sent him, front to back.
He sends 15 roses to Miles when he's done.
-
"I got your flowers," Miles says into the phone. "Fifteen. Have you been studying or was it just a wild guess?"
Phoenix laughs, a little shaky from nerves. "I read the book you sent me."
Miles hums. "Good for you. Now you actually do have a hobby."
Ouch.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean for this to spiral the way it did. I was ashamed. I don't feel like a person anymore and any time we'd talk I would just be reminded of how boring my life has become."
Miles sighs. "You're not boring, Wright. I love hearing about what you've eaten and what out of pocket statement Trucy has said. Because it's you. You could become the strangest hermit with frogs for friends and I'd still want to hear all about your day. I'm more upset about the misunderstanding. I thought—" he quiets himself, voice breaking. Phoenix presses a fist over his heart, as if trying to alleviate the pain that sears through him at the sound.
"If I had known what they meant I never would've sent them," Phoenix whispers, and Miles swallows.
"I know," he says, sounding strangled.
"No, you don't. I never would've sent them because I would've been too scared to tell you the truth."
Silence.
"What?"
Phoenix chuckles and drags a hand over his face.
"I'm so completely gone on you, Edgeworth. I have been for a long time. I never would've confessed through flowers cause I would've been too scared that you didn't feel the same."
"So, you—"
"Miles Edgeworth, next time I visit you, can I take you out on a date?"
Phoenix's heart is in his throat as he waits, hoping he hasn't screwed this up completely.
"Yes," Miles finally says. "Yes, you may."
Phoenix laughs, relieved. "Great. I'll bring you flowers. And I'll be sure to read up on the meaning behind them this time."
He can practically hear Miles' smile when he replies.
"I'm looking forward to it."