Chapter Text
The apartment was quiet, as usual but the sounds of thudding broke the silence briefly, the noirette stumbling in an exhausted. His scarf was thrown to the floor with reckless abandon and his sweater pulled over his head to reveal a old dark blue t-shirt. Shoving himself onto his couch headfirst, Phoenix Wright finally let out a loud sigh.
That trial was rough, the paperwork made him exhausted, his talk with his defense attorney Mia Fey gave him something to strive for, something worthwhile. But even as the small excitement grew at the thought of maybe seeing him again, all his body wanted to do was pass out. Perhaps swallowing that bottle wasn't the best idea...
He lay there for a few moments before he finally decided to stand, thinking it best to actually sleep in the bed lest he want aching muscles in the morning. He gathers the items he haphazardly threw to the floor and headed to his room, not even bothering turning on the lights and just falling onto his bed, rolling onto his side.
"I can think about everything else later..." Still clutching the scarf and hoodie, he falls into fitful sleep.
~~~
Falling, he felt like he was falling. Struggling against the feeling, Phoenix shot straight up, wincing as his neck yelled in protest. He rubbed the back of his neck but suddenly noticed something, he wasn't in his room. He was however sitting at a desk, still wearing his clothes he slept in. In a slight panic, he stood and looked around the room. It was... Familiar, yet different. Magic show props littered the entire room, some of it decently organized, the rest a complete mess. A bookshelf behind him with a whole bunch of law books and a plant that seemed to make it all click.
He was at the Fey Law Office, but how the hell did he get here? How did all of this stuff get here just a few hours after he had just left? It was definitely not in this state then.
He ran his hand through his hair, glancing at the items on the desk, open binders, loose papers, pens and notepads all in a disorganized mess. I shouldn't touch any of Ms. Fey's things... The curiosity of what these papers were was strong, but not strong enough to override someone's personal space.
A small click of the door opening snapped him out of his contemplation. "Wright. Ms. Cykes said you were in here sleeping and to come in. Haven't I told you-" The man in red paused, seeing Phoenix standing and very much awake. He just frowned, the man seeming familiar some how. "Oh, so you are awake? That saves me the trouble then." He set his briefcase down on the sofa before taking off his coat and putting it on the coat hanger by the door.
At this point, Phoenix hadn't said a word, many things confused him. Why was he back at Mia's office? Why is it such a mess? Who is this guy and why does he look so familiar? Why does he know his name? Well unfortunately for him, his questions aren't answered unless he opens his mouth. The man continued to talk as he pulled files out of the briefcase. "I know this is a tough case for you, however that does not warrant you to sleep at your desk. You have a bed for a reason." Finally, he decided to speak.
"Uh... Who are you?" The man paused, his shoulders stiffening a little before he turns around, a scowl on his face.
"Seriously Wright?" His own frown only deepened.
"Yes and how do you know my name? Do I know you?" The man let out a sound that was similar to a chuckle but more of a scoff.
"Don't tell me this is one of Trucy's tricks. I do believe it's gone far enough." He began to walk towards him, Phoenix now taking a cautious step back only to fall back into the chair. The man stopped, studying his face. His expression didn't change but Phoenix could certainly see the gears turning in his head. He reached out slowly only for Phoenix to flinch back and surprise to flash across his face before he backs away, his expression going to a more neutral one.
"Y-You going to answer any of my questions or can I leave? Wait- Did you kidnap me? Jesus- I can't believe after all of that I go and get into more trouble even after-" The man held up his hand, basically telling him to stop before pulling out his phone and calling someone. He moves to the other side of the room, talking in a hushed tone, every so often looking towards Phoenix.
While he's doing that, Phoenix decides to plan an escape route, and he's not having much luck.
Miles pulls out his phone, quieting Phoenix's rambling. He only had one person in mind to call and even then he wasn't too sure she would be able to help. The phone was answered after one ring.
"Hi Mister Miles!" He frowned a bit.
"Pearls, I was under the impression I was calling Maya." He could hear her giggling on the other side.
"Yeah but right before I answered she got caught up in something, literally." He could hear a faint female voice yelling about how she was just fine, definitely Maya. "Oh here she is!" There was the sound of the phone moving to another person and then the chipper but exasperated voice of Maya Fey came through.
"Mr. Edgeworth. Strange to get a call from you. What's up?" He glanced over at Phoenix, the man looking like a trapped rabbit.
"I believe something is going on with Phoenix."
"Seriously? What's wrong?" He could hear the worry in her voice loud and clear.
"I'm not sure, but he's acting strange, saying he doesn't know who I am." He heard a sharp intake of breath and some mumbling.
"We'll be there in fifteen minutes!"
"If you see Mr. Justice and Ms. Cykes please bring them as well." She gave him an alright before hanging up and he just put his phone back in his pocket, turning back to Phoenix who looked like he was contemplating jumping out the window.
Not wanting the situation to escalate, he slowly sat down on the sofa, his attention on Phoenix who still was glued to the chair. Feeling foolish, he decided to start a conversation. "Miles Edgeworth, that's my name. I'm sure the rest of your questions can be answered with that. There's a few people arriving soon, don't be startled by their presence." He crosses his arms and watched as he put the pieces together.
That certainly didn't take long but what the hell was he supposed to say? Oh, hi Miles I was just thinking about changing my degree from art to law just so I could maybe see you again! He couldn't imagine that going over well, but something seemed strange. The man standing in front of him was definitely older than he was, but they're the same age. Oh god who cares he looks... So handsome! He could only imagine his face right now, looking ridiculous and red. "W-When did you start wearing glasses?" It was a simple question, one that made Edgeworth's face to show a flash of concern but it was gone as quick as it came.
"Years ago. My eyesight had started to decline." Phoenix was sure he looked like a fish with how many times he opened and closed his mouth, but he couldn't quite believe it all.
Here he was Miles Edgeworth, the man he wanted to see again, with a face that just screamed wisdom and maturity. A vast contrast to the last time Phoenix had seen him, a childish grin, one that showed innocence and child like wonder.
He hadn't noticed the door open until there was a small gasp and he looked over to see four people walk in, all of them staring at him curiously. Feeling self conscious, he rubbed the back of his neck and looked over to Edgeworth who was now standing, moving to speak to the newcomers. They spoke quietly and he was getting a little tired of it, opening his mouth to say something, he was cut off by the ginger in yellow.
"Mr. Wright, is it alright if you go through some therapy?" He blinked.
"Therapy?" He would've assumed she was a therapist by her words but the attorney's badge on her lapel said otherwise. Her eyebrows shot up and she began to walk over to him slowly, as if sensing his apprehension.
"Yeah I'm just going to ask a few questions, if that's alright." She extended her hand. "I'm Athena Cykes." He cautiously shook her hand and took in more of her appearance. She didn't look much older than him, maybe even younger, and that necklace was definitely interesting. He nodded and released her hand. She just grinned and clicked a button on her necklace, a screen popping up in front of her. A few motions on the screen and she turned her attention back to him.
"So, can you tell me what you did yesterday, preferably from when you woke up to when you went to sleep. No need to be specific." He frowned a little and nodded.
"Well, I woke up and went to class. I was supposed to meet with someone but then..." He paused, wrapping his arms around himself. "I was accused of murder and we had the trial. My girlfriend was the culprit..." He sniffled, the not so distant memory filling his mind. "I came here to finish paperwork with Ms. Fey and then I went home. I fell asleep and woke up here." Just thinking about the incident made his skin crawl, even now he couldn't believe his precious Dahlia would try to kill him...
It didn't take long for the coughing to start up, his body suddenly remembering he was sick. He quickly put the coat and scarf back on in order to cover his coughing and to stave off the incoming shivering. "That's it..."
Miles watched the mood matrix as Phoenix recanted his day, often glancing at Apollo who seemed to not find any lies in his testimony. "Hm... It seems like he's telling the truth, nothing seems out of the ordinary." Athena though for a moment before closing widget and turning to Maya. "Do you have any idea?"
Maya shook her head and looked over to Phoenix who was now coughing almost violently into the scarf. That's when it hit Miles like a truck. The emotions he was feeling are as strong as if he really did experience that trial yesterday and if he really did... "Wright!" He quickly made his way over to the coughing man and held up a handkerchief. "Cough into this." Doing as he was told, he almost doubled over coughing and when he pulled back the cloth, it was clear.
Miles let out a sigh of relief but not before putting his hand on Phoenix's back and steadying him. He was worried that the glass he swallowed had cut up his throat, but in true Wright fashion, he was still only sick with a cold. Apollo handed Miles a bottle of water and he offered it to Phoenix who took it gratefully, drinking nearly the entire bottle. After a few moments he overheard Pearl whispering to Maya.
"Mystic Maya, is it just me or does Mister Nick look younger?" He saw Maya move into her thinking pose while looking at Phoenix from the corner of his eye. The man in question had stopped coughing long enough to take a few deep breaths.
"You're right..." She walked up to the desk and stared at Phoenix so long it made Miles uncomfortable before gasping in recognition. "You're totally right! He is younger!" Silence fell upon the people in the room and finally, Miles said something.
"What." Maya looked a little frustrated.
"I mean think about it! It makes sense! His strong emotions of the trial, his appearance and even what he's wearing!" She quickly rounded onto Phoenix again. "What year is it?" Looking about as confused as everyone else, he just looks around at everyone before answering.
"2014?" It was quiet again.
"WHAAAAAAAT!" Miles winced as both Apollo and Athena yelled in unison, Apollo's voice already making his ears ring. Everyone began talking all at once, Miles could barely think. Slamming his hand down on the table he managed to quiet everyone.
"That's enough!" He pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to cease the oncoming headache. "Talking all at once is not going to allow us to find a solution. Now... Wright, do you have any idea of how you might have gotten here?" As strange as it was, he couldn't deny the facts. This Phoenix Wright is most definitely from 2014. Phoenix shook his head and looked down at the floor, fiddling with the scarf. "Alright..." He sighed hopefully the last time in the next fifteen minutes and turned to Apollo. "Mr. Justice, I trust you can take over Wright's current case."
"But Mr. Edgeworth, the trial is in a few hours."
"Then familiarize yourself with the evidence and case files that he has. If you cannot interpret his chicken scratch, I'm sure Ms. Cykes can help. I will handle the correct paperwork to the presenting judge about the change in attorney." He turned to Maya and Pearl. "If he's truly from the past we must not disclose anything of severe importance to him that might jeopardize our present."
"What if Mr. Nick forgets all about this when he goes back?"
"We can't be sure of that Pearls, it's best we don't talk about you know what and you know who." Maya looked a little hurt, but most likely at the fact that Trucy won't be able to see her father for an indefinite amount of time. "I don't like it anymore than you do, but we don't have much of a choice. I'll explain it to her over the phone." Finally, she managed to get out of that small slump to nod, determined. He finally turned back to Phoenix who had been staring at him. "Wright, come with me. You'll need rest to get over that cough of yours."
Edgeworth had caught him staring but hadn't seemed the least bit worried or embarrassed and even as he led them out of the office and to the car, he kept a sort of air of professionalism. It was thinly veiling some other emotion he wasn't outwardly expressing, but Phoenix couldn't quite pinpoint which emotion.
So now here the both of them sat, silent and driving only god knows where. "So... Where are you taking me?" He noticed Edgeworth's grip on the steering wheel got just a bit tighter.
"My house. I'll be able to keep a close eye on you, just to make sure you don't try and do anything stupid while recovering." The both of them were quiet, but Phoenix found it hard to look at anything but Edgeworth. The wrinkles around his eyes, the sharpness of his jaw, lips that were just the slightest bit open, showing his concentration on the road, the way his glasses framed his face, making him think of Gregory, his eyelashes that seemed to be as perfect as everything else about him. "Take a picture, it'll last longer."
His face flushed red, he got caught. Without missing a beat, Edgeworth smirked a little, looking over at Phoenix for a brief moment and raising an eyebrow. "Am I that interesting to look at?"
Phoenix stammered for an answer, his blush deepening. What is he trying to do to me?! "I- Yes- I mean- The last time I saw you..." He looked down at his hands fiddling with the scarf before rubbing the back of his neck. "We were still kids..." He was wildly unprepared for all of this. Seeing an older Miles Edgeworth brought back so many feelings he decided to put on the back burner in favor of continuing on with his life. The feelings of a curious and naive child. He buried his face in his scarf, choosing to stare at the road ahead of them, not wanting to exacerbate his already out of control emotions.
"I see." He heard Edgeworth tapping on the steering wheel as if in thought. The ride was silent the rest of the way and when they finally got to Miles' house, Phoenix's eyes widened a little at the interior. "Make sure you take your shoes off." He took his time taking his sneakers off, just gaping at, well, everything from the floor to the coat rack. Slack jawed, and standing in the entryway, Phoenix just had to process it all.
Okay, what's with this egregiously large house- no mansion? Does he live here alone? His mind didn't think much longer when Edgeworth took his chin in his hand and gently closed his mouth. "You look like a gaping fish..." Phoenix felt his face flush at the action, almost starting to stutter out a response. "Come now, standing here in the entryway isn't going to do you any good." He let go of him and motioned for the starstruck man to follow him. With slightly shaking legs, he complied, following Edgeworth into a large bedroom that seemed bigger than his own apartment.
Edgeworth quickly walked into what Phoenix assumed was a walk in closet and came back out with a grey hoodie, sweatpants, simple t-shirt and a towel. He set the items on the bed briefly only to disappear into the closet again. "I'm sure those will fit you just fine. As long as you don't put on that sweater again." He came out without his coat, jabot, and waistcoat, his sleeves rolled up to just past his elbows and suspenders still on his shoulders. He motioned for Phoenix to follow him again, grabbing the clothes off of the bed and opening a different door leading to a large bathroom.
"What's wrong with my sweater?" He could've sworn he saw a grimace cross Edgeworth's face, but it was gone as soon as he blinked.
"Never mind, forget I said anything." He frowned, obviously it wasn't something to forget. He gripped at the sleeves, worried a little.
"You're not going to throw it away when I'm not looking are you?" Edgeworth paused what he was doing, messing with the numerous nobs in the shower, to turn to him.
"What makes you think that? Of course I'm not going to throw it away." He mumbled something else that Phoenix couldn't quite catch. He didn't have time to ask before the water was turned on and after feeling the temperature, Edgeworth stepped back out. "Shower, it'll make you feel better. I'll be in the living room." He closed the door behind himself and left Phoenix alone. He looked at the shower before sighing.
"He's not wrong... It will be better." He stripped and stepped into the shower, sighing at the comfort of it, the water is even at the right temperature. He didn't let himself dwell on that for too long.
By the time he was finished and dressed with the towel over his head, Edgeworth was finishing up a conversation on the phone. "Yes, I know. I love you too darling." He hung up and Phoenix felt a small pang of something as he saw the wedding band catch the light. "Give me a moment Wright, I have one more call to make. Go rest." He watched as Edgeworth looked over some papers, signing some and putting them in a manilla folder. "Yes, Mr. Justice. I have the paperwork completed, Detective Gumshoe should have them to the court before you arrive." He nodded a few times before glancing up at Phoenix.
He met his gaze with slight confusion, slightly understanding what's going on. "He's just fine, staring at me like the world is going to end." Phoenix quickly looked away, catching the smirk that bloomed on Edgeworth's face. "As stubborn as he is in the present." There was a click of a pen. "Everything is in order, I wish you luck." He cautiously looked back over to Edgeworth who now was standing, the folder in his hands. "Sit, I'm not going to hurt you." There was a knock at the door and as Edgeworth made his way over, Phoenix sat down on the ridiculously comfortable couch, glancing at the papers that were neatly stacked on the coffee table.
He heard the door open and someone who was definitely not Gumshoe was talking to Edgeworth. "Herr Edgeworth, I'm here to pick up the paperwork for Herr Forehead."
Herr Forehead? Is that some kind of nickname?
"Gavin, I thought I asked Gumshoe to pick these up."
"Yes, but he's currently giving testimony for Herr Debeste's trial. I wasn't busy so he asked me. Although I was under the impression I was battling Herr Wright this evening." He heard Edgeworth sigh.
"Something has come up," There was a pause. "You should get going, the trial will begin soon." The two of them said their goodbyes and not soon after, he heard Edgeworth in the kitchen. He took this time to think about what has happened so far and it suddenly sinks in that he is not dreaming at all.
What am I going to do? If I'm here then where is this time's Phoenix Wright? What if he's back in my time? Wait, it wouldn't be too much of a problem since he's in the past, but what if he's not there. Did I just make this time's Phoenix blip into nothing?!
Before he knew it, tears were streaming down his face and without the cover of the scarf, he couldn't exactly hide it. He reached up to wipe his face with the sleeve of the hoodie he was wearing but stopped. What if this is Miles'? I don't want to get it all gross with my snot!
"Wright, do you-" He quickly looked up at Edgeworth who was holding a tray full of tea stuff, all through vision distorted by tears. He hiccupped and sniffles.
"I-I'm s-sorry I-I just-" He could barely continue, the whole situation making him feel so overwhelmed. He barely noticed Edgeworth had crouched down in front of him and was now wiping away his tears with a handkerchief, softly caressing his face. They both stayed like that for a few minutes until Phoenix was able to calm down enough to speak and Edgeworth, God was he patient.
"Do you feel better now?" He nodded, sniffling. Edgeworth smiled softly and brought the towel over his head and began to slowly dry his hair. Phoenix would be lying if he said he didn't enjoy this or find it relaxing, because he most definitely did. Even through the towel he could feel just how gentle Edgeworth was being and just that thought alone made his heart soar.
Good things must eventually come to an end; Edgeworth pulls the towel off of his head and slicks his hair back a bit, but without hair gel one strand refuses to stay back. The both of them sit in relative silence before Edgeworth turns back just to pick up a tea cup and hands it to Phoenix. "I... I don't really drink tea."
"I know, that's why this isn't tea." He moves to sit right next to Phoenix and starts to make his own cup of tea. Hesitantly, Phoenix brings the teacup to his lips and takes a sip. It was coffee, exactly how he liked it and with a hint of hazelnut. "I'm sure you have a lot of questions and I hope I'll be able to answer them."
Without anything to fiddle with besides the teacup, Phoenix sits still, thinking for a moment. "How did you know how I like my coffee?" Edgeworth hums, taking a sip of his own tea.
"If this can put this into perspective, currently you are fifteen years into the future. It is nearly 2030." Phoenix's eyes widen and he does his best not to drop the cup in his hand. "We have known each other for a long time Phoenix."
"But- Ever since grade school I haven't seen you!" Edgeworth smiles a little, almost side eyeing him as he does so.
"Four years into your future we'll meet again, that will never change no matter what anyone says here." Phoenix rubbed the back of his neck and stays silent for a while before speaking up again.
"Why did you leave? Without telling anyone?" A dark look passes over his face, but before Phoenix could react, it was gone.
"My father died and I was taken into custody by Manfred von Karma. He spent no time flying me back to Europe with him." He took another sip of his tea like it was nothing, but that was like a bomb shell to Phoenix. Edgeworth was kind enough to not say anything else in the silence, letting Phoenix process all of it.
"Okay..." He bit at his lip, trying not to cry again. Taking a deep breath, he decided to change the topic. "So, you got married?" Edgeworth's mouth turned up into a knowing smile before hiding it behind his cup.
"Yes, but do not worry too much about who I'm married to. You'll figure it out in your own time." That did not reassure that nasty feeling Phoenix had in his gut at all, that statement alone just made it worse.
I'm happy he found someone, but... It still hurts. This train of thought made him think of Dahlia again and he physically grimaced. "Dolly..." That wasn't the voice of some love sick fool, it was the voice of someone who was betrayed. He sets the cup on a coaster on the coffee table and puts his head in his hands. "I can't believe she tried to..." There was a hand on his back and he looked up to see Edgeworth with an unreadable expression.
"I know it will take you time to accept it, but Dahlia Hawthorne was not a good person, she never was. Please do not beat yourself up over it." It was strange. Here he was, Miles Edgeworth, twenty six years since the last he had seen him, the same, but also in some ways different.
The first would be the strange tissue that was around his neck, although Phoenix was quite sure it was fabric, it was poofy and radiated high class I'm better than you. Despite that, it suited the older Miles.
The second would be the way he holds himself, almost as if someone was watching his every move. Even if it was subtle, the way he held himself in the presence of others, other than himself was different. Like he was trying to keep up appearances. It softened around him, but was still very much there. What happened to him after Mr. Edgeworth died?
The last thing was the darkness in his eyes, like he's been through a lot he cannot explain. It's understandable considering what happened to his father, but there's more under all of that.
He hadn't realized he was staring until Edgeworth tilted his head to the side, confused. "Phoenix?"
"U-Uh yeah?" There was a ghost of a smile.
"I asked if you were alright?" To be completely honest, not really but being here with him made it so much better. Not like he would ever say that out loud to him.
"Not really, but you're right... She did try to kill me after all..." He sniffled and rubbed his nose with his hand a little before his eyes falls to the cup of coffee. "How did you know how I like my coffee?" He saw the smirk out of the corner of his eye before it was obscured by the tea cup. "I never drank coffee as a kid."
"You didn't need it as a kid, far too energetic for your own good..." Phoenix frowned and then looked down at his clothes.
"Am I borrowing someone else's clothes too?" Edgeworth raised an eyebrow before setting his cup down on the coffee table. "Miles?"
"As I stated earlier, we meet again four years from you're current time, during court. You on the defense, I on the prosecution." Phoenix's eyes go wide.
"Prosecution? I thought you were going to be a defense attorney like your dad." There was a strange emotion on the older man's face as he blinks slowly.
"Many things happened under the watchful eye of Manfred von Karma, me becoming a prosecutor was one of them. He himself was a prosecutor, an undefeated one at that."
"Was?" Humor flashed across Edgeworth's face as he let out a small laugh.
"Yes, was. He's now deceased although I cannot tell you the details of why." Phoenix frowned and looked away, fiddling with the jacket sleeve.
"Does it have something to do with the future?"
"Naturally." He stood, offering his hand. "Come now, you still need to rest." Almost hesitantly, Phoenix took his hand and followed Edgeworth back to that large bedroom. "Rest in the bed, if you need anything, I'll be in the living room." He paused, taking his phone out of his pocket, glancing at it for a moment before putting it back and opening the medicine cabinet to grab something. Phoenix's stomach lurched at the thought of taking cold medication.
"I-I don't need cold meds..." He sat down on the bed, watching Edgeworth.
"That's not what I'm getting you." He walked out of the bathroom and set a cup of water, thermometer, and an cooling pad on the nightstand. "If you begin to feel feverish, check your temperature and use the cooling pad. Be sure to drink the water as well." He looked over at Phoenix a strange fondness on his face before patting his head. "If you need anything, and I mean anything, let me know." Not able to find his voice, Phoenix just nods and watches as Edgeworth leaves the room.
He looks away from the closed door after a few moments, feeling his face flush. He just pat my head- He falls back onto the bed, covering his face as it just grows warmer. "Why are these feelings coming back now?" He knew why, just didn't want to say it out loud.
As children, he knew he felt different around Edgeworth than around anyone else. His heart would race everytime they held hands, he felt giddy whenever he saw him, and he just couldn't stop staring. Staring as he read those thick law books during class breaks, as both him and Larry play video games, as he left for home on days they couldn't hang out, and even as he fell asleep after a particularly long day of playing signal samurai at the park. He just chalked it up to Edgeworth being his best friend, even if he didn't feel the same with Larry.
Now, as an adult, thinking back on those feelings, one, the staring was definitely creepy and two, it was more than friendship he felt. "I think I love him..." That singular revelation made him sit up quickly, hiding his face in the shirt as if that would make it go away. He shook his head and lied back down, but made sure to get under the covers this time. "No Phoenix... He's married now I can't..." He rolls over, vaguely aware of the high thread count sheets. "Just go to sleep and maybe I'll be back home..."
Even if I don't want to go back.
However, one other thought crossed his mind before his body succumbed to fever induced exhaustion; Miles never answered his questions.
~~
Standing in a white room, or what it seems to be a white room, Phoenix looks around noticing a small boy in a red coat, his back to the older man. "Hey, do you know where we are?" The boy turned, his face blurry.
"No." Phoenix squinted, trying to get a better look at his face before someone behind him cleared their throat. He spun around to face this new person and his eyes widened a little. He looked like Edgeworth, but younger and in an awfully gaudy outfit.
"It's best you keep quiet. No one needs to hear the childish lies."
"Miles?" Gaudy Miles sent him a cold glare.
"That's Prosecutor Edgeworth to you." Phoenix frowned.
"This is a dream isn't it? Just like earlier with the older Miles." Another voice spoke to his left.
"That's for you to decide on your own." It was another Edgeworth, a less stuffy suit, one similar to the suit that the Edgeworth in his waking world wears. He opened his mouth to ask another question, but the other two Edgeworths made their way to the other's side. He blinked as their images became even more blurry, almost as if they were merging together.
One last ditch effort to clear his vision, he rubbed his eyes and when he finally opened them, it was the Edgeworth in the waking world, looking at him with a soft smile. "Phoenix."
"Miles! What's going on? Were those people you?" Edgeworth began to walk towards him, the room seeming to dim slightly with every step he took until the walls and floor were now a dull grey. "Miles?" The cold hand on his cheek startled him enough to jump, but he was calmed down by the expression Edgeworth had: love.
"Phoenix, there's so much you don't know."
"W-What don't I know?" He leaned in close before their lips met and Phoenix could feel like the floor would fall under him and he wouldn't notice. His heart was beating quickly and he knew his face was red, but he couldn't care. It didn't last too long and eventually Edgeworth pulled away to only lean in closer and whisper in his ear.
"So many things I wish to tell you, Feenie."
His eyes widened and he stood in shocked silence as Edgeworth's voice morphed into someone else's. The cold hand on his cheek felt like it was freezing his entire body and something felt like it was tightening around his heart and throat.
"Why did you let them catch me? I thought you loved me Feenie." The tightening got worse and he felt trapped, bound to an invisible force. The voice grew louder and louder with every accusation and Edgeworth was no longer there, in his place was none other than Dahlia Hawthorne. Quickly the space began to fill with other sounds, screaming in a language he couldn't recognize, loud cracks, and children crying.
"I will never let you forget what you did to me Phoenix Wright."
~~
He woke up in a start, breathing heavily like he had been deprived of oxygen and sweating like he was in a sauna. He frantically looked around before getting out of the bed. There was a bowl on the nightstand and a discarded washcloth on the floor where it no doubt fell after his frantic mission to get out of the confines of the sheets.
Still feeling fairly disoriented, he left the room, clutching onto the wall, making sure it was very real and began to look for Edgeworth. There was a string of loud angry words coming from the kitchen and then a sudden snap that made Phoenix squeal and fall to the floor, shaking. It sounded exactly like his dream. The speaking stopped and quickly, he found himself staring at Edgeworth who had a worried look in his eyes as he looked over Phoenix for, something. "Franziska, you scared him!" He looked over Edgeworth's shoulder to see a woman with short silver blue hair with an impressive scowl on her face. He lightly notes the whip in her hands.
"That foolish fool should know better than to foolishly sneak up on others conversations!"
At least I know what her favorite word is...
"We talked about this!" Edgeworth ignored Franziska in favor of gently placing his hands on Phoenix's trembling shoulders. "Are you alright? Did something happen?" Nervously, Phoenix glanced at the whip in the woman's hands and Edgeworth seemed to notice and he glanced back at the woman. "Franziska, steck deine Peitsche weg, bevor er denkt, dass du sie bei ihm anwenden wirst." She frowned and put the whip onto her belt.
((Franziska, put your whip away before he thinks you are going to use it on him.))
Edgeworth turned back to Phoenix. "Phoenix, did we wake you up?" He shook his head, his mouth feeling dry.
"N-Nightmare... About Doll- Dahlia..." Edgeworth nodded and helped him stand before leading him into the kitchen. He sat down on one of the bar stools, wringing his hands together and fiddling with the sleeves of the jacket. He watched as the two spoke in hushed voices, Franziska's occasionally growing in volume before she looks over to Phoenix and then back to Edgeworth.
He watched Edgeworth twirl the ring on his finger, glancing down at it occasionally during the conversation. Eventually, they both came to some sort of agreement and Franziska left the room. Edgeworth handed him a mug of what looked like tea. "Miles you-"
"It will help you calm down." He leaned his arms against the counter and looked over Phoenix. After some time of silence, he finally spoke up. "That was Franziska von Karma, my sister." Phoenix frowned and looked up at him.
"Von Karma? Isn't that-"
"Yes Manfred von Karma's daughter. She is as much as family as my father." He let out a small oh before taking a sip of the tea. It warmed his body that he just recently noticed was cold, despite sweating so much. The two of them were quiet before Franziska came back, handing something to Edgeworth and then sitting directly in front of Phoenix, slamming a pack of cards on the table, opened and looking well used. "Franziska."
"Shut up kleiner Bruder!" She stared at Phoenix with an intensity that almost made him break out into a sweat. "Phoenix Wright, you will entertain me with one game of poker." Now that gave him pause.
"Excuse me?" She scoffed.
"I will not repeat myself!" He frowned at the cards as if they had done him a personal disservice. Had he played poker in the future too? If that was the case then why did she want to play? Did she know he knew how to play? Before he knew it, he grabbed the cards and began to shuffle them. Once he was satisfied and feeling the calm settle over him, he looked up at Edgeworth.
"This isn't illegal, correct." A strange look was on his face, but he nodded nonetheless.
"It's only illegal if you bet money." He pushed off the counter and placed something down in front of him. "Once you're done, use this." He glanced down, it was a thermometer. "I'll be in the living room." Before he could say anything else, Edgeworth was gone.
"I trust you will not try to cheat." He looked over at Franziska, his own scowl forming.
"Of course not. Apparently, if you know me this well," He raises the deck in his hands. "then you should know that I don't cheat." She nodded as if pleased with the answer and he began to deal, his mind now switching to autopilot.
Miles had not in fact left the room, he stood out of Phoenix's line of sight, watching with his arms crossed over his chest. He watched as his face quickly morphed into his poker face. It was less refined than older Phoenix's but it was still good, and good enough for Franziska to relax a little.
He was still against this approach, but it was the only way for the younger sibling to ascertain her own evaluation of Phoenix. The two had become, as close as they could, over the years. A poker game was a good settlement to their arguments when they weren't able to battle each other in court, but Miles suspects its the one thing that Franziska thinks she could eventually win against him. First hand experience tells him otherwise.
The score between the two was fifty-seven against zero. Franziska, if anything, was stubbornly determined. He watched as Phoenix took a sip of the tea, grimacing a bit. That action alone was enough to show how... Inexperienced he currently is. At least, for lack of a better word. Miles knows for a fact why Phoenix usually pays all of his attention on his opponent. He grimaced, gripping his elbow painfully. He did not want to think about Kristoph Gavin right now.
A half hour passes by and unsurprisingly, the match ends quickly and by the look of almost abject horror on Franziska's face, she won. Phoenix laughed a little, rubbing the back of his neck. "I guess I got really close there for a minute. Not close enough to beat you Ms. von Karma." She quickly looked up at her cards, a mix of emotions on her face before she stands and quickly makes her way to Miles.
She's biting her nail now. "That really isn't our fool...!" If he wasn't afraid of being whipped at point blank range, he'd almost say that she looks worried. "Did Maya-"
"She's looking into it now but nothing so far."
"That foolishly foolish fool! Getting himself into foolish trouble!" He saw her gripping the handle of her whip, but with no intention of using it. "Trucy deserves to know." Miles looked away from her, his frown deepening. "Miles Edgeworth! Your daughter should know what happened to her father!"
"I have no objections to that line of reasoning however-"
"However she will find out anyway! It would be best if she heard it from you!" He grit his teeth and said nothing else. "I won against him! That's not supposed to happen!" She pushed past him. "I'm bringing her here at once! She deserves to know!"
"Franz-" CRACK!
"This is not up for debate Miles Edgeworth!" He winced at the blooming pain on his arm. She left, fuming with concern but to anyone else who didn't know her, they'd think the two of them just had a fight. Phoenix walked over to him, thermometer in hand.
"Does... Does she do that a lot?" He looked concerned and... Angry?
"Not as often, no but she means well I promise you." He nodded subtly and handed him the thermometer.
"It's uh, 37° I'm assuming in celsius." Miles nods and sets it down on the counter. "Uh... If you don't mind me asking, but what were you two arguing about? I... You two weren't speaking English."
"Your fever is down and you're looking significantly better." He sees Phoenix frown.
"Miles." He sighed and adjusted his glasses.
"Someone is coming over and please do not be alarmed by her. I'm sure she would like to see you anyway." He looked away, still unsure of what Franziska is doing is okay. The two of them were quiet and Phoenix sat back down.
"How long was I asleep?" He glanced at the watch on his wrist.
"Most of the day, it's almost six pm." Speaking of... He begins to prepare dinner.
"Oh wow... I guess I would've missed talking to Mia after all."
"What were you going to talk about?" He glanced over his shoulder to catch Phoenix staring, the man in question quickly looking away, his face red.
"J-Just that I wanted to be a lawyer. I've been thinking about it for a while and I guess that trial really just set my mind at ease." Now that Miles thinks about it, he remembered Phoenix telling him about that day. It was the same day he would find out that Miles was a prosecutor. "I guess I really do go through with it..." The two of them sit in silence, apart from the sounds of cooking. It was only after he had put the chicken in the oven did he hear the front door open.
"PAPA!" He smiled.
"I'm in here Trucy." The pitter patter of feet quickly approaching and then the loud oof he let out signaled Trucy Wright's arrival to the kitchen. He hugged her back just as tightly, chuckling a little. "Hello there." She lifted her head from his chest, beaming.
"Auntie Franzy picked me up from practice today with a mean look on her face." He looked up to see Franziska standing there with a scowl on her face, pointing to Phoenix, who admittedly looks like he was trying really hard not to cry. He released his daughter and cleared his throat.
"And in true fashion she explained nothing..." Trucy took one look over to Phoenix and was about to leap on him before she noticed his entire demeanor. She frowned and tilted her head to the side, thinking; One of the many expressions she picked up from her father. "Trucy-"
"I got it!" She moved over to Phoenix and stuck her hand out. "Hi! I'm Trucy Gramarye!" Miles breathed in sharply, the shock nearly showing on his face. He had half expected her to introduce herself as Trucy Wright, but never as her stage name. Not to mention, the name Gramarye itself was giving him warning bells. If Phoenix did in fact remember everything from this encounter, it's already bad.
Trucy looked over to Edgeworth briefly. "Don't mind Papa. I think he's too caught up in something." Phoenix definitely caught that part, but he's still shocked at the Papa part. He took her hand tentatively.
"I-I'm Phoenix Wright. It's a pleasure to meet you Ms. Gramarye." She giggled and took her hand back.
"You really are different." She struck a thinking pose again before she just smiles and nods. "Okay. I think I understand now." She sits down next to him. "So I'm guessing Papa said that he doesn't want you to know some things in the future just in case it changes our past, right?" He nods slowly and just barely catches the look of warning Edgeworth gives to her. "Well, if you think about it this way, this has already happened before, just Daddy doesn't remember or he just thought it was a dream." His eyebrows raise quickly and he quickly turns to look at Edgeworth.
"Trucy! You can't jus-"
"Objection!" Trucy did the point.
When did this become a court room?
"If this didn't change our past before then telling him anything won't change his future." She held Edgeworth's concerned stare. "It makes sense." After a few moments of looking back and forth between the two, Edgeworth finally sighs and rubs the bridge of his nose.
"The prosecution rests..." Trucy claps happily before grabbing Phoenix's hands.
"Great! We can start off with super small things!" Phoenix just looked down at their hands and then back up to her smiling face.
"Small? C-Can I ask a question first?" She nods. "Who's Daddy?" He's sure he already put the pieces together, but he needed someone to say it out loud. She just had a bright smile on her face.
"It's you." There was silence, quiet enough to hear the oven running. It only took a few more seconds for the sentence to hit Phoenix and his face grew red, almost alarmingly fast.
"Then- I- You- When-" It was a relief to have Trucy holding his hands or else they would be flailing everywhere with no place to be.
She's my daughter?! Then that means Miles is- I'm marr- to MILES EDGEWORTH??? Phoenix.exe has stopped working.
"I think you broke the fool." She certainly sounded like she was enjoying herself.
"Trucy that was not small!"
"It's not my fault he's acting like this. He just put the pieces together." Put the pieces together he did. Looking over at Edgeworth, he looks at the ring on his hand and then looks back to his own hands clasped in Trucy's tight grip.
"I'm married to Miles Edgeworth..." Before he knew it, he had started crying, Trucy jumping a little. He pulls his hands away to wipe his face, laughing. "I'm actually..." He felt arms wrap around him and he opened his eyes to see that it was Trucy.
"A lot has happened. While I wasn't there for the beginning, Daddy has told me most of it." She pulls away from him and holds onto his shoulders. "So, where do you want to start?"
They spent a good fifteen minutes dredging up old case videos, specifically all of Phoenix's cases so he could watch them as per his request.
"Found it!" Trucy held up a CD labeled August 3rd 2016. "Your first trial ready to watch!" Edgeworth left the room to turn off the timer that was beeping in the kitchen.
"Not until we eat dinner first. Franziska, are you staying?" Phoenix looked up from the box he was rifling through to see Franziska sigh and shrug.
"Why not. I too would like to see the fool's first cases."
"Papa! Can't we just watch them while we eat?!" There was some noise and then a defeated sigh.
"Fine." Trucy jumped up and began fiddling with the DVD player. Phoenix stood, making his way to the kitchen, watching Edgeworth gather plates and utensils.
"Would you like some help?" Edgeworth shook his head.
"I've got everything here, why don't you go sit down. I'm sure Trucy is eager to start." Instead of doing just that, he watched as Edgeworth put the plates together, watching as his face calms into one of concentration. Phoenix also couldn't help but stare at his forearms, his sleeves of his dress shirt rolled up to reveal them flex a little as he picks things up or just moves in general. He felt his face heat up as Edgeworth meets his eyes, an amused look on his face. "Phoenix..." There was that look, the same look the dream Edgeworth gave him and it made his stomach do all kinds of flips.
"R-Right!" He hurries back to the living room only to plop right in front of the coffee table, not even bothering to sit on the couch as Trucy sits next to him.
"Papa! Can we start it now?!" The girl was practically bursting with excitement. Phoenix jumped when he heard Edgeworth's voice right next to his ear as the man leant over to place two plates of food onto the coffee table.
"It's nothing I haven't seen before, go ahead." He barely had any time to react before Edgeworth moved and Trucy excitedly played the CD.
The trial of Larry Butz is now in session.
"Larry?!" Phoenix almost choked on his food.
"Yes, Larry was your first client." He watches as he sees himself respond to the Judge.
The defense is ready y-your honor!
Phoenix blanched. "Was I that nervous?" Neither of them answered and he watched the prosecution. The more he looked at the defense's bench the more he could see. "Oh! That's my old suit!"
"Old?" Franziska questions with almost a sneer, he just rubbed the back of his neck nervously.
"Y-Yeah... I think I got it for special occasions... Wait... No, maybe prom..." He turned his attention back to the video and finally noticed the person standing next to him. "Ms. Fey! She was my co-counsel?"
"Yes, only for this trial though." Edgeworth responded and he frowned a little.
"I wonder why..." The rest of dinner and the trial were spent either yelling or muttering quietly at the TV, both at the case itself and just Larry. He really hadn't changed since they were kids.
As soon as Trucy stood to get the next CD, Edgeworth got up and began to collect the dishes, a strange look on his face. It wasn't until he sat down and Trucy played the CD did he find out. His breath hitched as he saw Edgeworth standing behind the prosecutors bench, a sharp look on his face. It was different from the one he wore now, more like he was tired. Phoenix frowned and nodded. "That's why I fought so hard." Trucy paused the CD right as Edgeworth was about to give the opening statement.
"What?" He nodded again, more to himself.
"I must have seen it later, that look." He clenched his fists and looked determinedly at the screen. "He needs help, his eyes are almost screaming for it." It was almost difficult to tell with the recording but it was clear as day. That Miles Edgeworth's eyes were blank like someone had forcefully wiped the emotion away and all that was left was a man going through the motions.
Trucy smiled and played the CD, and Phoenix gasped as he heard the opening statement. "Mia...!" He clasped his hand over his mouth to prevent himself from bursting into tears. Trucy moved to pause it again, but he just waved her hand away and shook his head. "N-No I need to get through this!" She nodded and placed her hands in her lap, watching.
Another trial later and Edgeworth stopped the last CD. "This next case is best left for tomorrow, it's already late. Trucy." She jolted awake from where she was laying her head, the coffee table, and just nodded sleepily.
"Got it Papa..." She got up and left the room, almost stumbling. Franziska stood from her spot on the couch and nodded to Edgeworth wordlessly. She also left the room, but Phoenix could hear the front door close behind her softly.
"I'm sure she'll be back tomorrow, for now," Edgeworth looked at Phoenix who was admittedly trying not to fall asleep as well. "You should go sleep." He stood and rubbed his eyes.
"What about you Miles?" He stared sleepily at the older man.
"I'll sleep on the couch." Phoenix shook his head.
"No- You don't have to give up your bed for me. Besides it's big enough for the both of us." He waved his hand dismissively, too tired to think of the implications.
"I-If you're sure..." The two of them walked to the room in silence and as soon as Phoenix lied down, he couldn't help but pass right out.
Miles sighed and covered the man with the duvet. His hand brushed against his shoulder and he sighed again. He hoped to whatever being that what Trucy theorized was right or else... Or else I just might lose all of this. He grit his teeth and continued his nightly routine. There was no way he was going to let his mind go down that dangerous path. As soon as he got into bed however, he looked over to Phoenix. "I hope what I fear isn't true..." He lied down facing Phoenix, staring at how calm his sleeping face looks or even how his eyelashes rest on his cheeks. He lifted his hand to the younger man's face. "Please just forget about this so we won't lose what we gain..." He pressed the faintest of kisses on his forehead before rolling over and closing his own eyes.
~~
Fortunately for Phoenix, he did not have another nightmare, but he did sleep quite pleasantly. He wrapped his arms around the warm pillow he was currently laying on and buried his face into it, trying to block out the sunlight. He ignored the person trying to wake him up with a groan. "Five more minutes..."
"I would give you five more minutes if you would stop holding onto me like a koala." Strange that his pillow was talking.
"Mhm..." Reluctantly, Phoenix opened his eyes and was met with a face full of chest partially covered by silk nightwear. It was at that moment he realized exactly what he was hugging and his face practically burst into flames as he scrambled to the other side of the bed, looking anywhere but at Edgeworth. "S-Sorry! I didn't mean- That was-" He kept stammering, his hands flailing in every direction in a desperate attempt to try to explain what was going on. He just stopped immediately, quickly realizing his stammering was getting him nowhere and just put his hands between his crossed legs, looking still very embarrassed.
"Phoenix..." His head shot up at the tone Edgeworth was using and it made his face heat up even more. Edgeworth was looking at him with an amused expression. "You're fine. I just... I need to get ready for work. As much as I'd like to stay here with you, I do not work under my own hours." He reached over and put his hand on Phoenix's forehead, nodding after a few seconds. "It does seem like your fever is gone. How do you feel?" Still a little shell shocked, Phoenix just looked away, scratching the back of his neck.
"B-Better than during the trial... I guess..." Edgeworth nodded as if satisfied before standing.
"That's good to hear. I'm sure Trucy is up already, so she can keep you company while I'm gone." He paused before entering the closet. "Oh and... Just say yes if she asks you to be her assistant. I'm sure Mr. Justice will appreciate it."