Archive of Our Own ^beta

The first time it happens, Phoenix doesn't think much of it. After all, it's a matter of necessity, not luxury. He needs his phone to pay his bills, and look for a job and enroll Trucy in school. People need to contact him, and he needs to contact people. So when Miles buys him a new phone after he drops his in the bath Phoenix doesn't protest.

"Thank you," he says, having immediately made his first call to Miles when he finally gets the phone up and running. "I'll pay you back."

"Nonsense," Miles says. "This is the least I can do. Just focus on you and Trucy."

And a few weeks later, when Phoenix expresses worry over not being able to afford clothes for Trucy, and Miles sends an entire care package, nothing clicks. He just accepts it gracefully, because he knows that as soon as he has money, he will spoil Miles right back. Despite their drastically different economic status, money has never been a source of friction in their relationship. They both treat each other on dates, buy gifts and pay to get the other to come visit. Phoenix isn't keeping a tab—he just knows he will repay him one day.

Miles never complains, nor does he hold his money-spending over Phoenix's head when they argue. He isn't doing this to have leverage, Phoenix knows. He's doing it because he genuinely cares, and that warms Phoenix to the bone. As ill-timed as it was for them to start dating just as Phoenix's life fell apart, it's the silver lining Phoenix needs in his life. Miles and Trucy. Trucy and Miles.

The gift-giving slowly escalates with time, going from needs to just plain presents. Miles would say things like, "I think this would suit you," or "I saw this and thought of you," and Phoenix would accept everything with no complaints, only gratitude. Some gifts were silly; like stuffed animals or silly cups that said #1 DAD. They would make Phoenix laugh, and he kept every single one of them. Because they were from Miles. Trucy would also get gifts, mostly related to her magic. Miles bought her a new hat and she was practically walking on air for days—so happy about it.

It all comes crashing down thanks to Kristoph.

They're meeting up at The Broscht Bowl for their regular dinner. Kristoph's gaze wanders up and down the length of Phoenix's body when Phoenix steps inside. He brings a glass of wine up to his lips and sips it slowly.

"New outfit?"

"Hm?" Phoenix looks down at the new shoes, pants and jacket he is wearing. "Yes, actually."

"Looks expensive," he comments. "Can you really afford that on your currents salary?"

Phoenix waves him off and takes a seat. "Edgeworth bought it for me. He bought some props for Trucy too."

Kristoph hums. "Must be nice—being a sugar baby."

Phoenix's mind screeches to a halt. He stares at the man in front of him.

"What?"

Kristoph raises an eyebrow. "Is that not what you are? He pays for everything, then, when you see each other you repay him with your body."

Phoenix's mouth feels dry. "We're in a relationship," he protests.

Kristoph nods. "Most sugar babies are. You're especially lucky cause Mr Edgeworth is your age. Most sugar babies are with people way older."

"Stop calling me that!" Phoenix snaps, slamming a hand down on the table. "I'm not a sugar baby."

Kristoph pats the corners of his mouth with a napkin. "My apologies. I didn't mean to upset you. I merely commented on something I was observing."

"Yeah, well. You observed wrong," Phoenix mumbles, and their meal continues.

But even as the evening draws to an end and the two go their seperate ways, Phoenix can't rid himself of the uncomfortable weight in the pit of his stomach, and the question that comes with it.

Am I a sugar baby?

-

Kristoph wisely shuts up about the matter after that, but that doesn’t mean the conversation isn't haunting Phoenix every hour of every day. Miles hasn't bought him or Trucy anything new in a while. Phoenix allows himself to breathe out, and holds it as indisputable proof that he is not a sugar baby.

Miles comes to visit a few days later. Phoenix and Trucy take a cab to meet him at the airport. Trucy tackles him when he finally shows up and Miles smiles warmly as he pats the top of her hat. He then turns to Phoenix.

Phoenix leans in and kisses him on the mouth. He hears Trucy gasp—playfully scandalized, and Miles smiles against his lips.

"Welcome back," Phoenix mutters, taking the bag from Miles. Miles lets him and takes Trucy's hand in his.

"It's good to see you," he says, then gives Phoenix an appreciative once-over. "I see the clothes fit."

Phoenix tamps down the irritation that flares up, knowing Miles doesn't mean anything by it. He gives him a stiff smile.

"They fit perfectly."

"Daddy is very handsome!" Trucy chimes in, and Miles laughs.

"He really is."

They pack into the cab, Trucy squished between Phoenix and Miles as all three of them fit in the backseat. Trucy chatters on about school and a new trick she's learning and Miles nods along, asking follow-up questions now and then.

Phoenix tries to participate, but he can't get Kristoph's voice out his head.

He's not a sugar baby. He's not. As soon as he's cleared his name and retaken the bar he is going to spoil Miles rotten. Then who's the sugar baby?

The cab stops outside of Phoenix's apartment complex. Phoenix gets out his card, but Miles reaches over to stop him.

"Let me—" he starts. Phoenix shakes his head.

"I got it—"

"I insist—"

"I said I got it—"

"Don't be so stubborn, Wright—"

"I said I got it!"

Miles freezes. Trucy stares up at him with wide eyes. Phoenix can feel his cheeks heat.

"I got it," he repeates, this time in a whisper. Miles slowly puts away his wallet.

"Okay."

Phoenix pays and they all exit the cab, Miles going around to get his bag out of the trunk. He eyes Phoenix with caution on the way, and Phoenix pretends not to notice.

They head inside, Phoenix helping carry the bags up three flights of stairs as the elevator is out of commission. They're both sweating and panting by the time they reach the door. Trucy digs the key out from Phoenix's pocket and unlocks the door.

"I'm gonna make hot chocolate!" She calls, dancing her way into the kitchen. Miles chuckles and sets the bag down. He takes off his jacket and hangs it in the hall before following Trucy. Phoenix hangs back for a second, pulling out his phone to check his bank account. The cab fair wasn't exactly cheap, and he hisses through his teeth when he sees how little money he has left.

"Wright?" Miles calls.

"Coming!"

Phoenix pockets his phone and joins them in the kitchen.

Trucy is standing on a stool, balancing precariously as she reaches for the cocoa powder. Miles is next to her, looking prepared to catch her if she falls down.

"Make sure you don't make too much," Phoenix tells her, sitting down. "Leave room for dinner."

Trucy grabs the sugar and a pack of marshmallows before climbing down.

"What are we eating?" She asks, skipping over to the stove.

Phoenix opens his mouth, but Miles beats him to it.

"Why don't we go out to eat? My treat."

Phoenix grits his teeth. "No."

Miles seems surprised. "No?"

Phoenix doesn't look at him. "We have food here. I'll whip something up."

Miles and Trucy exchange glances, but no one protests.

"Okay," Miles says, and Phoenix ignores Trucy's whisper of, "but daddy can't cook."

-

Phoenix is loading in clothes in the machine when Miles stops by the laundry room, loitering in the doorway. Phoenix doesn't acknowledge his presence, focusing on sorting the clothes.

"I feel like I've offended you," Miles finally says. Phoenix keeps loading in the washing machine. "First the cab, then the dinner. If I did something to upset you, I'm sorry."

Phoenix sighs. "No, no. It's not you."

Miles walks over and stands next to Phoenix, putting a hand on his shoulder.

"Then what?"

Phoenix starts the machine, and it grinds and shakes like a thing possessed. Miles takes a step back.

"That doesn't sound good," he mutters. Phoenix hums. "It's been doing that for a while. I think it's on its last legs."

"I can—"

Phoenix snaps.

"I'm not your sugar baby!"

Miles stares at him. Phoenix can feel his entire face heat up.

"What?" Miles gapes.

Phoenix sputters. "You send me gifts, and you pay for stuff that I can't afford! And then I sleep with you! And it's messing me up!"

Miles closes his mouth. "Well, it shouldn't," he says. "For one, we haven't even slept together."

"But we will!"

"Yes," Miles says patiently. "Because we're dating. Not because you owe me anything. I don't expect sex from you in return for my gifts!"

"Then what is this? Why are you doing all this?"

"Is wanting to see you happy such a crime?" He whispers. Phoenix drags a hand over his face. "I want you and Trucy clothed and cared for, I can make sure that happens. So why wouldn't I?"

"I can't pay you back," Phoenix mumbles, shaking his head. "You've already spent so much on us."

"I don't care," Miles says forcefully. "I have never cared. I thought you didn't either. Where is this coming from?"

Phoenix mutters something under his breath.

Miles raises an eyebrow. "Pardon?"

"Kristoph called me your sugar baby."

Miles nods. "I'm gonna kill him."

Phoenix snorts and slumps against him. "Not before me."

Miles puts an arm around him. "If me spending money on you makes you uncomfortable I'll stop. But to me...It makes me happy. I'm so far away now, and there is only so much I can do to help you. And I already owe you so much for what you've done for me. No amount of money in the world could ever repay you for that."

Phoenix buries his face in Miles' shoulder. "I don't mind," he admits. "I just didn't like the idea of our relationship being solely transactional."

Miles kisses the top of his head. "It's not. It's never been. It's always been based on mutual respect and helping each other. You helped me once. Now, let me help you."

Phoenix nods, feeling his eyes sting. "Okay."

"So, will you let me buy you a new washing machine?"

Phoenix laughs, the sound a little wet. "Yeah, okay. But nothing fancy. I don't need one of those that plays Für Elise when a cycle is done."

Miles chuckles. "Deal."