Work Text:
It’s been 5 months… since he heard the news that left a certain someone far too scarred, maybe not as much as the DL-6 case, but it’s something he’ll never forget.
The prosecutions office has been uncomfortably quiet nowadays, complicated cases left and right, with the struggle of the Chief Prosecutor barely pulling himself together.
Most prosecutors would stop by the chief prosecutors office to check over the tired man, some hesitate to try and help, but most do the best they can.
Phoenix Wright decided to pay a visit to his old partner.
Passing by a few familiar faces, it was still strangely quiet, Phoenix passed by to open the door to Miles office, as he let out a breath.
He entered the office to see a tired, upset, Miles Edgeworth, who took a glance away from his papers and fixated on Phoenix, he looked at him dumbfounded, but proceeded to look back on his papers.
“Miles, are you alright?” Phoenix walks towards the prosecutor.
Miles could only remain silent and glance upon his paperwork, gripping tightly on his pen.
Phoenix looked at him worriedly and let out a trembly sigh.
“Hey, I know things are tough right now, but we can get through this, together. I know you, Miles. You’re a strong person.”
Phoenix cups Miles hands into his own.
Miles was shaking, he didn’t know what to say, his eyes were tearing up as he continues to stare at his paperwork.
He finally took a breath and spoke.
“Ph-Phoenix…” he started choking on his own tears. “Wh-Why are y-you here?” He finally had the courage to look at the attorney in the eye.
Phoenix shifted a bit and moved towards Miles in a gentle way.
“Well… it doesn’t look like you’re doing good, so I wanted to check on you and possibly cheer you up?” He said gently.
“You honestly think you can beride by me? That’s just ludicrous.”
Phoenix looked at him worriedly and confusedly. “Beride?”
Miles took a sigh. And started crying out again. Phoenix gripped his hand tighter as he comforted the poor prosecutor.
“Why’d you have to come back…?” Miles hides his face with his hands. Muttering beneath it.
“I never left you Miles, I’m still here okay? Just tell me what’s wrong.” Phoenix looked more worried at Miles.
“No you did, you… me…. You left…” Miles muttered. Phoenix stood up from his seat and proceeded to give a hug to the teary eyed man. Who clung on to Phoenix’s arms and started weeping.
All of a sudden he got really squirmy and aggressive. “Why did this happen out of all things, I don’t understand…!”
Phoenix tried to hug Miles again, guilty that he couldn’t do anything to ease his pain, he could only do so much.
Phoenix kneeled down to see Miles face to face, and cupped his hand around his cheeks. “Hey, look at me. Whatever happened five months ago, just pretend you didn’t hear it, just pretend it never happened, that this is what’s real. Okay?”
“…………but it’s difficult… you just can’t forget news like when that it’s shown to you in such a blatant way..” his tears continue to roll down his face.
“I know… but look at it this way, I’m here with you aren’t I? You haven’t lost anything.” He gave a little soft smile.
“…Have I not?” He continues to frown excessively at the attorney.
“Have I really not… lost you?” He looked intensely at Phoenix.
“That’s up to you to decide that… I promise, I’m still here.” His soft smile turned into a frown. “Please take care of yourself, for my sake and everyone around you, okay?” He gripped his hand tighter.
“B-But…” Miles was cut off, “You haven’t eaten anything and you haven’t been enjoying your job as much, so please go take care of yourself, you matter to me so much Miles, I can’t let you do this to yourself.”
Miles looked at the worried Phoenix, still tears trickling through his face as he let out a forced laugh. “It’s already late too isn’t it?” Miles looked back down on his papers.
Phoenix just sat there and listened to every word, trying to cheer him up as best as possible, but hearing what he heard five months ago, made him so out of it. He wanted so badly to see that smile on his face again, but he already knew too. It was too late.
“This isn’t real… and it’s never going to be real.” Miles mumbled.
The door creaked open, revealing a familiar face, Maya Fey. Miles glanced at the door and then back to his hands. Phoenix wasn’t there. And he never was there.
“Have you taken your schizophrenia pills yet Edgeworth? Franzi told me to come over to remind you, you always seem to forget to take them… how are you holding up?” Maya walked over his desk, searching around for the pills.
Miles was just silently looking at his papers, unable to say anything he wanted to. He could, but he couldn’t. It just couldn’t come out.
Maya looked at him worriedly and handed him the pills and a glass of water. “Here, take it.”
Miles swallowed his pills as he looked at Maya in despair.
Maya noticed his behavior and tried to figure out what to say. “…I’m guessing you saw Nick again…?” Maya frowned.
Miles nodded slowly as he felt a little lightheaded.
“I’m so sorry Edgeworth…. I don’t want to constantly remind you but Franzi told me to for your sake, but… just remember, Nick died 5 years ago.” she said in a soft worried tone.
Miles blinked a few times before tearing up again, that’s right. He lost him. It was his fault, he told himself that over and over again, overdosing himself which eventually led to his brain disease. He kept seeing Phoenix everywhere, talking to him about everything. Until he was diagnosed 5 months ago to find out… Phoenix was never there.
What did this man do to deserve this?