Work Text:
There was a clatter to his left. He hated to admit that the sound scared the hell out of him. Once his brain and pulse slowed down. He realized that there were now a set of eyes watching his every movement. A pair of bright, sparkling blue eyes met his own blue and brown eyes. Her blue eyes darted down to the desk sitting between them.
“Daddy, what are you doing?” Trucy’s light voice was tinged with intrigue. Phoenix followed her stare down to the drawing he had been working on before being interrupted by his daughter. He felt a slight heating of his face as he quickly placed his hand over top the pencil scratches on the paper.
“oh, don’t worry about it. It’s just some. . . work?” Fantastic work, Phoenix! How did I ever think I could be an actor?
“I didn’t know that doodling was part of your job.” Trucy’s little hand went up to rest on her chin as she dramatically hummed in thought. Good to know that even my young daughter can see through my bluffs. Trucy sprung towards him and began hopping around the man, desperately attempting to sneak a peek through his fingers. Phoenix half-heartedly swatted her away, but that only succeeded in increasing her range of view allowing the small girl to swoop. Before Phoenix thought about what he did the girl already had nabbed the legal pad.
There was a pause where the absolute silence was palpable.
“Hmmmm. . .” Trucy genuinely hummed as she examined the sketch. “Daddy, why are you drawing a picture of Mr. Edgeworth?” Phoenix’s face was getting increasingly warm as he desperately searched his mind for a plausible reason for what his stupid hand had done without his brain’s approval.
“Er, well, we have been friends for a long time and sometimes friends sketch friends?” No one would fall for that one!
Other people may see Trucy as a sweet, innocent angel, but Phoenix knew, especially in this situation, that she was, in reality, a little gremlin. She glanced back and forth between her papa and the paper in her hands when suddenly a wide, sit-eating grin spread across her face.
Oh no! I don’t think this will end well for me. . .
“Daddy, you have a giant crush on Mr. Edgeworth!” Trucy squealed and began poking Phoenix in his sides. His eyes were wide and he gapped at his daughter before trying to stop her from prodding him.
“Trucy, just because I was drawing a picture of Edgeworth does not mean that I am in love with the man.”
“Objection! I never said that you were in love with him. That was all you!” Damn slip of the tongue! Phoenix rubbed the back of his neck and laughed nervously.
“Hey Trucy, how about you go get Apollo and treat yourself to some froyo or something? On me?” Trucy narrowed her eyes and smirked.
“Are you trying to bribe me, daddy?”
“I would never do such a thing! I – I simply need to get a few more things done before we go home.” Nice save! She certainly won’t tell Apollo and then text Athena later. There’s no way out of this fresh hell!
Trucy took the offered money and left the office calling out to Polly as she went. Once he heard the front door shut behind the bickering youngsters he promptly rested his face in his palms and rubbed his eyes. It felt like he could stay in that position and ignore the world for hours, but then the pressure on his eyeballs began to get to him. Forced to at least uncover his eyes, he ran his hands through his hair before standing up from his desk to splash some water in his face.
He disappeared into the bathroom slowly closing the door behind him. Gotta get yourself together, Phoenix! When Trucy and Apollo return you will have a battle! Sitting on the lid of the toilet, a heavy sigh tumbled out as he rested his head against the cool sink. I could just stay in here. . .for the rest of my life. . .
***
Where is everyone? I thought he had two attorneys working under him yet there is no one here. How is he expected to be taken seriously if this is how he runs his office?
Miles Edgeworth stood there in the middle of the main office of Wright & Co. with his arms crossed, tapping a finger against his forearm. Silver eyes scanned the room searching for any hint of one of the defense attorneys who claimed to work here.
Perhaps Wright forgot about our meeting this afternoon. It would not be the first time that that ridiculous man let something slip out of his mind. Maybe I should get a planner for him?
Miles sighed quietly before stalking to Phoenix’s personal office. He knocked, just in case someone was indeed in there. When silence answered back, Miles opened the door and peeked in to find an empty room. He rolled his eyes and legitimately harrumphed.
Seriously, Wright! Miles stood there in the silent, empty office glaring at the clutter. The man has no organizational skills at all. No wonder he is always running late!
The longer he waited in the middle of the room it dawned on him that this was the first time he was in here by himself. Not that the well-mannered man would ever admit it, but he was extremely nosey. He quickly checked to make sure that no one was outside in the hallway and began wandering around the office.
Wright has a surprising collection of nice editions of books. I wonder if any of them were Ms. Fey’s or if he sought these out himself. Maybe I could sneak that into a conversation? – Now what is this?
He noticed something that was left out on the desk.
***
Phoenix finally gathered enough courage to leave the safety of his bathroom and return to his office to prepare for the upcoming teasing that was surely on its way. Pushing open the door he stopped short in the doorway when he noticed that the last person he wanted to be here was exactly that. Why is Edgeworth here?!
“Er, hey there! What are you doing here?” And please tell me that I had the forethought to hid that! Phoenix rubbed the back of his neck and turned his face down attempting to hide the slight dusting on his cheeks.
“You know, Wright, if you wanted to draw me then you should have asked me to model. You made my shoulders too broad.”
Phoenix felt like he was going to die if his heart was put through much more stress.
“Also, you flatter me. I wish my abs looked like that.” Miles gave him a shy smile and Phoenix noticed that he wasn’t the only one who was feeling much too warm at the moment.
“Ummm thanks for the offer, Edgeworth. I haven’t really attempted sketching since college. I would – appreciate the help?” Their eyes met before a goofy grin broke across Phoenix’s face.
I don’t even care about how ruthlessly the others will tease me! This will be totally worth it!