Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

"Mr. Armando, can you show me how to work this thing again?" I'm finally starting to get the hang of being a barista at The Moonless Night coffee shop. It pays the bills, and Mr. Armando claims it's a nice change of pace from all the crime fighting, although I'm not sure I see that last part as much. I wish I could just be a superhero full-time, but unfortunately, that just isn't feasible.  

"Easy there, Trite! You have to be gentle with that if you want it to return the favor with a gentle blend of #47". Mr. Armando comes over from the front counter, his favorite mug filled with a pipping hot blend of #102. He takes an indulgent sip before suggesting, "You know, it won't be a busy day today, how about you take over the counter for today?"

 My eyes light up, "You think I'm ready for that?" With a nod of approval from my boss, I hurry over to the counter, ready to greet the customers with a bright, genuine smile!

I overestimated the excitement of being at the front desk by a long shot. Most people are in and out without so much as making small talk, and those who do only seem to like bringing up how my spiky dark hair makes me look a lot like "Phantom". To be fair, he is my alter ego, but none of them really consider the possibility seriously. I'm happy to hear that I'm helping people, but it just makes me wish I could be doing more crime fighting instead of this! I keep up my chipper attitude and smile, but it's honestly kind of boring here…

Just before I start getting ready for my lunch break, with the shop becoming almost completely empty, I hear the door chime ring as a cute, sharply dressed man around my age walks in. My smile becomes genuine again as I say, "Welcome to The Moonless Night! How can I help you sir?"

He averts his eyes shyly, "I… heard you have the best blend of Earl Grey… May I order a cup?"

"Coming right up!" I haven't made one of these yet, since most of the people who come here are coffee lovers, but I've got this!

I don't have this… First, I accidentally added lemongrass, and then I spilled some chamomile into the tea! This is not the kind of Earl Grey Mr. Armando taught me how to make, but I already made him wait! Hopefully he doesn't get too upset…

"Is… everything alright sir?" His voice and face seemed stoic and monotone, but I could tell he was a bit worried.  

I panic a bit, "Y-Yeah! The coff- I mean tea is perfectly fine!"

He shook his head a bit, "Perhaps… I should have been more specific. I was… asking about you…"

"Sorry sir! I'm still getting a grip on the ropes here." It was a half-truth, but he seemed to see right through it anyway.

"I have the time to wait on another batch if you need to make one… I'm… sorry for the trouble…" His grey eyes felt penetrating, yet strangely serene.

Calmed down more by this stranger's patience, I hand him his cup, "Here, I'll just give you this one on the house… It's time for my break…"

"Oh, I'm so sorry! Did I hold you up from that?" He tilts his head down until his short silver locks obscured his face.

"No No! In fact, I'm just getting off now! Do you mind if I sit down with you actually?" I'm not sure who I am trying to reassure at this point, him, or myself?

"…I suppose, if you would like to…"

            As we both sit down in one of the two person booths, the cute man finally took a dainty sip of his tea. "Oh… this is… I have not tasted any Earl Grey like this before…"

Oh no! I knew I messed it up! I look to him ready to apologize profusely, only to see his stoic gaze soften and his lips form a subtle smile. "I… I love it… thank you…"

He may be a bit awkward and closed off, but seeing that face and hearing him express his gratitude so bluntly really warms my heart. I pluck up a bit more of my courage, "I don't think I caught your name. My name is Phoenix Wright."

He seems to hesitate for a moment before saying, "You can call me… Edgeworth… It's a pleasure to meet you… Wright."

As we step past the hurdle of names, we both start to relax a lot more as we talk. Edgeworth stares at me for a moment before saying, "You know, I noticed something about you…" Oh boy, here we go again!

"I… like your smile… it's genuinely bright and warm…"  

Wait, what? My cheeks are dusted with a light pink. If you walked past this man on the street, you would just see him as cold, yet the more I talk to him, the more I see just how sweet he is as soon as he starts breaking out of his shell.

"Well, we are open on weekdays from 7-3, feel free to come in anytime you want to see it!" I manage to return the favor and give him a fine blush himself.

"Very well… I suppose I will have to come back here for the best Earl Grey, and that…"

            As we give our goodbyes and Edgeworth leaves the shop, Mr. Armando emerges from the back with a wry smirk, "Hitting on my customers, Trite?"

I bow my head, "I'm sorry sir, it won't hap-"

Mr. Armando interrupts with a chuckle, "Trite, I'm not complaining! You know I flirt with Mia whenever she stops by!"

"Yeah, but that's different, and you know it! You've been dating for years!" Not to mention, you're both veteran superheroes."

His smirk shifts to a more thoughtful look, "But do you see now why it's good to have a civilian life? I know it may seem boring at times, but it's small, tender moments like that which make it even more worthwhile. At the end of the day, we are all still human."

It's up to me to patrol the northeast side of the city alone tonight, as my sidekick "Mystic", also known as Maya Fey, is off on a first date with someone. It's not like it is the world or anything anyway. As "Phantom", it's not like if I get hurt, I stay hurt for long, and my years of training gave me some skills in combat as well. Still, I can't help but feel a bit lonely. Maybe if Edgeworth was... I banish such a ridiculous thought from my mind. As I scan the area from the rooftops, I notice another figure hiding away in the shadows, but before I can pursue it, I am distracted by the scream of a little boy on the streets below. Yet as quickly as I get down, the shadowy figure from before beats me to it. A gunshot is fired as the crying gets louder, but the figure simply calls out in a smoky voice, "Hunting a small child like a rabbit? There's a special place for the likes of you!" The next thing I hear is a shrill man going, "I ain't scared of costumed freaks like you!" wait, costumed freak?

I arrive just to see the scene unfold. A small boy stands frozen in fear within the alleyway, as a man with a gun tries to fire another round. But before I can jump in and shield the kid, the other man forcefully pulls back the arm, twisting it around until I can hear his bones cracking, preventing him from taking another shot. Then the assailant then drops to the ground, writhing in pain, as the man who stopped him handcuffs the man, while he applies further pressure onto the arm he broke.

 "You've had quite the killing spree, but confess your crimes, and you may just come back to prison in one piece. It's in your best interests that we never meet again… unless this is the last face you ever want to see."

Then, after cuffing the assailant, the man slowly approaches the boy, carefully knelling down to his level as he asks, "Are you hurt?"

After the boy shakes his head no, he asks, "Would you like me to wait with you until the police show up?"

The boy hesitates, yet after he nods his head yes, the man simply sits down nearby, offering an open hand in comfort, but leaving it up to the boy if he wants to take it. He doesn't stay in sight once the police arrive and have the assailant in their grasp, yet he watches over the scene from the rooftops until the alleyway is empty once again.

Then suddenly, I lose track of him in the shadows, only to hear that same smoky voice from right behind me.

"Phantom, I've heard many things about you and your friends."

The moonlight illuminated this strange savior, giving him an almost ethereal glow. Much to my surprise, the man was almost the splitting image of Edgeworth. His silvery locks fluttered in the wind, his gaze felt as though it pieced through me to look at my very soul, and his smug grin as he looked directly at me made my heart skip a beat the same way that Edgeworth's warm smile did at the coffee shop. Even his costume was the same color as his suit, a crimson red that really brought out Edgeworth's eyes, and in the case of this man, it hid the bloodstains on his tailcoat rather well, and it complimented the charcoal formal vest. By all accounts, his costume should have been severe detriment in combat, but looking at the material, it seems it was made specially for such fights.

But there is no way it could be Edgeworth under the inky darkness of that mask! They act like totally different people! And besides, that would mean that Edgeworth would never sleep, which is impossible! Even among other superheroes, I'm the only one who doesn't need sleep-

"You know, you could at least ask for my name before ogling me… It is Crimson, for your information, but you can call me whatever you wish to." He does a mock bow while chuckling to himself.

I try to hide how flustered I am by telling him, "You can call me whatever name you want to as well, but be warned, nothing you say can get under my skin!"

He comes closer to me, his face only inches away from mine, "Is that a challenge, Birdy?"

"B-birdy?" I swallow hard. Does he know my really name?!

His laugh deepens, "It looks like I already ruffled your feathers!"

"I'm all for this lighthearted banter, but there's something troubling me… Why did you go out of your way to break that guy's arm?"

His laugh stops abruptly, as his expression darkens, "I only do that to true monsters, ones who will never turn to the light no matter what a bright-eyed and naïve hero like you says or does to convince them otherwise. That monster was a serial killer who targeted children, and you expect me to gloss over that?"

"It's not glossing over; it's treating people with basic decency! You didn't have to break his arm to stop him, and you certainly didn't have to threaten his life!"

He looks almost wistful for a moment, "A foolish part of me wishes I could agree with you…" but then his face hardens into a scowl, "But I am afraid it is a necessary evil when it comes to criminals like that. The silver lining to them only caring about themselves is that when you threaten them like that, they will do just about anything to save themselves."

I can hardly believe what I'm hearing, "Y-you're wrong! I understand being outraged by such injustices, and I don't expect anyone to forgive them if they don't want to, but they still deserve a chance to make something better of themselves! They are still just as human as we are!"

He laughs once again, but instead of the jovial tune from before, this time it feels heavier in the air. "Perhaps it is better off if you disagree, you are clearly a far more heroic and kinder person than I could ever hope to be. The world needs more people like you to brighten it up, but I am afraid I cannot be one of them."

And with that Crimson leaves just as suddenly as left, not even letting me respond. I don't know exactly what misanthropic nonsense is running through his head, but I known he's wrong, because even the most heinous criminals are human, and a man with no chance at making the world brighter wouldn't go out of his way to comfort and protect a scared child like he did.

"So you found another superhero, but he's convinced he's not a hero...?" Mia Fey, AKA "Chief" has plenty of questions for me during this debriefing.

Diego Armando, AKA "Godot" was cracking up, "Wait a minute... the way you described him... he's the guy you messed up the tea for, isn't he?"

"No! Sure they look a lot like each other, but that can't be it!" I try to explain, but Chief and Godot just give each other a knowing look.

Instead of wasting more time trying to explain my reasoning on that particular topic, I ask, "Can I try looking for him again tomorrow night? I know it doesn't make much sense, but he sounded like he really needed help himself. I don't know exactly what's going on, but I really want to find out. He sounded hurt..."

Chief gave a tired sigh, "You can focus on looking for him, but keep an eye on the city while you two kids are at it alright?"

"Wait, that's not what I... never-mind..."

Chapter Text

Oh, Miles you've gone and done it now! First you start wanting to develop an attachment to that adorable sweetheart at the coffee, and then you have that disaster of a first impression with the Phantom! What were you thinking!? At least I was able to save that kid, and now that that monster confessed, the streets are just a bit safer. What the Phantom said to me still bugs me though. Perhaps he is not as naïve as I first thought, but he is frustratingly stubborn! I need to focus though, I already have another case to go over next, and I need to finish it up in time to go to-

"Mr. Edgeworth, is there a particular reason you are ignoring me?" A grim, snarly voice interrupts my train of thought.

I bow my head to my mentor, Mr. Von Karma, "My apologizes sir! I was lost in thought; I did not mean to upset you!"

It is as if a cold wind enters my office as he approaches my desk, beginning a series of unspoken expectations I had learned the hard way over the years. Every time he would enter my office, announced or otherwise, I was expected to be coldly composed, standing up to bow for him as he entered, greeting him and offering him the correct tea. If I failed at any point… the consequences could be severe…

After completing this ritual, he asked me, "I have received word that you appended that boy killer tonight. Care to share the details?"

"Yes, I caught him attempting another murder and successfully apprehended him before he could commit the murder. I broke his arm to prevent him from shooting."

He took a small sip of the tea before giving me a dead, "and just as you added too much sweetener to my tea tonight, you went too soft on a monster such as that… and you conveniently left out the part where you stayed with the victim until the police arrived… if not longer…"

"You see, the little boy was still at the scene…" I clenched my teeth in pain remembering the look of abject terror in his eyes, "He was curled up in the corner of the alleyway, and it was not safe to leave him alone like that."

He puts down his cup on the nearby table, "I see…"

Then he gives me a signature glare, "Even after all I have done for you, you still ignore my teachings…"

I try to avoid getting too defensive, "I did not mean it as a slight against you sir, I just… I could not just leave a child like that. I know what that is like and-"

"And you are weak, it is your fault you are hung over on such things. It is also rather selfish of you to lower an innocent boy to your level." He interrupts callously.

I down my eyes, "I apologize sir, but I still worry about that child. It is a harsh thing to witness at such a young age. All I wanted-"

"What you want? What does that matter? This is not something for you, this is about stopping all those monsters that plague humanity. That will do far more to help than sitting with a sad child. You kid yourself acting as though you did it out of compassion…"

He leaned closer, his whisper biting like a snake right against my ear, "I know you far better than that, and I believe you know deep down as well, you just want to use them to compensate for your own monstrous deeds."

His words were venomous fangs, burrowing deep into my neck, "But do not fear, as long as you obey me, I will keep you safe from that and keep you safe from yourself. All you have to do is follow my instructions."

"Yes Sir…" I still choose to believe that such a promise is truly meant to help me, the alternative is much sharper…

He sounds rather harsh, but he is the only one I know who choose to put up with me, even knowing just awful I truly am. Not to mention, he has helped me contain my monstrous powers, even letting me pursue an outlet for them. Without him, who else could I have turned too after… that…? At least under his direction, I can make myself useful, and make up for how much of a burden I am.

"Now if you are done feeling sorry for yourself, we have some work to discuss." He resumes his drink despite complaining about its sweetness.

I hold fast to my nerves, "Yes Sir."

He hands me a file containing a name, a photo of a women named "Faren Heit", and the home address of a wealthy businessman with his name redacted. "This woman is planning on burning that house down tonight, while the family is asleep in their beds. I need you to bring her down tonight before she does. Do not be afraid to rough her up more, and do not concede to any attachment with anyone involved. Understand?"

All I can say in response without fearing his wrath is, "Yes Sir."

After a long day at work prosecuting, I make it just in time to the small little sanctuary known as "The Moonless Night". The humid day feels like it is warping the pavement against my feet with every step, as if trying to hold me in place; but once I get inside, I am relieved to see Wright, and the gentle brightness and warmth of his smile seems to banish it all away.

"Edgeworth! I'm glad to see you came back for more!" Whether he means more of his smile, or more of that tea, both are correct.

I walk up to the counter, determined to show more confidence this time but all I can get out is, "I trust you have been well, Wright?" Smooth… real smooth Miles…

"Yeah, for the most part, although it's gotten better now that you're here!" He beams as he tells me such sweet things.

I try not to get flustered as I ask, "Well… I can say the same for me… that is to say, seeing you… made my day better…"

I'm not good with my words in situations like this, Mr. Von Karma always dissuaded me from growing any other attachments, reminding me what happened to the last one I had and what can happen to someone if they get involved with a monster like me. And yet, despite all that, here I am making Mr. Wright just the slightest bit flushed and… I feel… wait… what is this feeling exactly? It's not really the kind of heart racing, butterflies in your stomach sensation that one would expect, but it is… ease? Certainty? I cannot seem to wrap my head around it for now, but it feels like a breath of fresh air compared to the rest of the world, so can anyone blame me for selfishly-

"E-Edgeworth? Is everything alright? Y-you stare is rather… intense…" Idiot! Here you are spacing out and making Wright uncomfortable!

I drop to my knees and bow my head, "I'm really sorry for making you uncomfortable! Please do not let this prevent us from getting to know one another! I promise I won't-"

He starts giggling, but not in a haughty way to make fun of me, it is… patient, and understanding. "You don't have to apologize so fervently. I don't actually mind you staring like that, I just didn't expect you to be so forward…"

I stand up confused, averting my gaze in an attempt to avoid getting lost in his bold, yet paradoxically soothing cobalt eyes. "But… you claimed my stare was rather… intense, you do not have to humor me if it makes you uncomfortable…"

Without so much as a warning, he lurches forward over the counter, coming mere centimeters away from my face. "No! Not like that! I meant-" He suddenly realizes what he had done and after a moment of hesitation, he leans, although the brilliant warmth of breath lingered, threatening to melt me into a puddle right then and there.

"I just… sorry… seeing you stare like that… it looks rather… passionate…"

I cover my face with my hands, "We should sit down… before we make a scene in front of your boss."

"Hey Edgeworth, could I ask you a question?" Wright seemed to fidget a bit.

I reassure him, "Go ahead, you can ask me anything you would like."

"What do you think about Crimson?"

I try not to spit out my drink, doing everything in my power to feign composure. Has he figured out my identity?!

"Well… I personally see him as a monster that hunts other monsters…" I answer honestly for the most part but leave out one critical detail.

Much to my surprise, this seems to frustrate him, "What do you mean by 'a monster'?"

"I respect the masked crime-fighters who protect our city, but that one is arguably just as dangerous as the criminals he fights. Did you hear what he did to that serial killer? He broke their arm, fracturing the bone in multiple places…" I really feel bad for that, I did not mean to hurt him so badly, especially in front of a child. Granted, it is not as if Wright personally witnessed me do that or anything, and you could easily argue it was in defense, but what I did was still at best, a necessary evil.

Wright slams a hand on the table, "He's still a person though! Even if he has some… quirks… I don't agree with how he's doing things now, but given what he does in the full picture, I think he's a good man deep down! He just doesn't know it yet!" And he called my stare passionate! If only he could see the look in his eyes as he said that!

It feels bittersweet though, hearing him talk like this. On one hand, I admire just how compassionate he is, but on the other hand, I am painfully aware of how wrong he is. If he knew what I was really like, if he knew what dark thoughts and secrets I must keep inside of me, and if he knew what I had done to the last person who I was close with… even he would agree I was a monster.

Another thought sprang to mind, this time one that let my curiosity get the better of me, "The way you talk about him, it sounds like you have a crush on him…"

His face turned a brighter red then a boiled lobster, "W-what makes you say that?! It's not like I've met him or anything! And just because he happens to look somewhat like you according to police reports doesn't mean that I like him!"

…

I just sit in silence. I should have known… This must be my karma for daring to get attached despite knowing just how much of a stain on this earth I am. This is why I should just avoid situations like this in the first place. Mr. Von Karma was right…

And yet… I cannot bring myself to get up and walk out of the door. I really am selfish, even knowing all that, even knowing I am not the one he truly wants, I still want to stay. Perhaps if I can at least find a way to make him smile so brightly, then I can at least make up for that selfishness…

And perhaps I can have Crimson pay him the visits he desires…

I am seriously out of sorts today! I realized as I was staking out the mansion as Crimson, my curled horns and my arrowhead tipped tail decided to pay a visit. Usually, I can forcefully hide them by staying calm, but with my emotions a bit more volatile after a heavy day, they resist it. If I do not get them to go away by the time I meet with Mr. Von Karma, I'll have to cut them off again. They can work well for intimidation, but it could cause a scene if anyone else were to see them, especially-

"There you are Crimson!" Shoot…

I look over my shoulder to see Phantom, eying my seemingly new features curiously.

"Do not pay any mind to these, they will recede in due time." I try to draw as little attention to them as possible.

He stays bubbly as he replies, "You know, they actually look pretty good on you. You should show them off more often…"

"You deny seeing anyone as a monster… yet you compliment my demon-like features? You are a strange one…" I arc an eyebrow at him in confusion.

"Well, it's not my fault you happen to look cute with those lamb horns."

"P-pardon?!"

We both get flustered, equally shocked to hear such a notion out loud.

He shakes his head, "forget I said anything about it! Anyway… what are you doing here?"

Taking the chance to clear out the awkwardness between us, I tell him, "It's my next mission, an arsonist plot. I have to take them down before they act tonight, but I have to catch them in the act so there is enough evidence."

"Why not just find them and convince them not to go through with it?"

I scoff, "And try to reason with a monster willing to burn a house down knowing the family is still inside? How do you propose we do that?"

He goes deep in thought for a moment, "Well, do we know why they are trying to do this? Most people wouldn't do this type of thing just for the hell of it, usually there is some type of motive."

"Most people wouldn't commit arson and murder in the first place… but I see what you are getting at…"

He reaches out his hand to me, "Look, just let me help you with this one, and I promise I'll make it worth the trouble."

"Oh, do you now? Does it perhaps have something to do with the fact that you think my horns look cute?" I smirk.

He goes quite for a few seconds then looks out towards the house and goes, "W-wait, I think I see the suspect!"

I look over to see Faren Heit, stalking around the residence as if to make sure all the lights were off before she committed the act. She does not want them to have the slightest chance of survival! I teleport down through the shadows as she readies the lighter, yanking her away from the house by the back of her collar.

"Ms. Faren Heit, I know what you are planning, but if you confess your crimes-"

"Wait! Ms. Heit, we aren't going to hurt you, we just want to know more about what's going on here so we can serve out justice!" Phantom interrupts me as he finishes getting down from the rooftop.

Ms. Heit struggles, "And why should I answer to you?"

I try to go along with this line of questioning as ludicrous as it is, "Why did you want to burn down this man's house while him and his family sleeping inside?"

Much to my surprise, the blood drains from her face as soon as I mention the family, "He's… his family is in there… his wife and kids?"

"I thought that was part of your plan, why else would you wait until late at night to do this?"

She froze, before dropping to her knees, "I- I was told they would be out of town… I didn't want to hurt or kill anyone… I just wanted to get back at that man for extorting people…"

 "Who told you this? Or can you not say?" I feel lost, I was certain she knew what she was doing, that if I was sent to handle the case, it must be a monster behind the crime. Yet, hearing her voice crack as she realized she almost killed a family…

"I can't tell you who set me up, but I will warn you both of this… someone's pulling the strings of a lot of crime in this town, someone with a lot of connections… I'll come to the station and confess what I was planning on doing tonight, but can't say who sent me… for both my own safety, and for yours…" She puts away the lighter, hanging her head low and avoiding eye contact with both of us.

If something bigger is going on here, then does that mean…?

My stomach drops at the realization. Could I have been part of the set up? Was the information on what she knew falsified so I would show her less mercy…? Is that why I keep getting tasks involving kid victims? So I would get more riled up and be more violent in retaliation? It feels as though my feet are sinking into the cement. I'm such an awful monster, almost doing that to someone just in a desperate situation! If Phantom had not been here to stop me-

"Crimson? What's going on?" Even with most of my face covered, my eyes and mouth made enough of an expression to worry him.

There has to be something I can do! "I… I know someone who might be able to help her… and help us get to the bottom of this…"

Both of their eyes looked up to me in shock and newfound hope, "You do?!"

I take out one of my cards, "I know a prosecutor, his name is Miles Edgeworth, who will take on her case, helping her get a fair verdict even if the rest of the court is paid off. No matter what money he is offered, he will do the right thing. He will also prosecute that businessman for the extortion, and look into this mastermind behind the curtains…"

Ms. Heit begins to cry, "but… I don't have enough money to pay for that!"

"No need to worry, just tell him who you are, and he will know I was the one who told you. I will cover all of the expenses myself." I am technically not lying, since I would dare not charge someone in her position, I already make more than enough to be charitable… and it is the least I can do to make up for what I nearly did today…

She shakes my hand wildly, "Oh I can't thank you enough! I'll make sure to answer and cooperate with your friend as best I can!" For some reason, despite being about to go to prison, she smiles.

"So…  What did you think of trying things my way for a change?" He looks to me triumphantly as the police finally leave the scene.

I keep looking to the ground, "I am such a fool…"

"Hey! I'll have you know my methods aren't-"

"That is not what I was talking about…"

He's eyes fill with confusion and concern, "Then, what did you mean?"

"I was told that she knew… that she wanted to kill the family. And I believed it. Surely she had to be if her case was given to the likes of me… right? I have someone who informs me of the worst of the worst monsters in this city, and yet… this woman was set up…"

He tries to pat my shoulder, "You didn't know so it's not really your-"

I bristle and jerk away from him, a primal terror overriding everything else for a brief time that felt like eons.

I try to regain my composure, "My apologies… I… I do not like being touched… particularly when it comes to people I do not trust yet…"

The pain in his eyes begins to water, "You don't trust me?"

"I… I am starting to think you were right about these criminals not being monsters… but I am afraid your view on me is still wrong. If you had not stepped in, I-"

"Well then don't beat them up anymore! And stop beating yourself up while you're at it! You can't change the past, but you can at least continue doing things like we did tonight. Thanks to both of us, nobody got hurt, and justice will be honored." His attempts to reassure me are kind and well intentioned, but I can feel just how much I do not deserve it.

"Do you know that saying about 'he who fights monsters'? Well… I failed… so if it turns out I was just fighting people the whole time… what does that make me?" I already know the answer, but perhaps this question will let him understand. This way, he does not get attached. This way, I do not end up hurting him in the end… This way, when the time comes that I-

"Then that makes you a person going against other people, is that really so bad?"

"I want to believe that… I really do, but we both know it is not true…"

He practically starts yelling as he chews me out, "I know you're wrong! I know you're a good person behind that mask! I saw you stay with that kid yesterday! I saw you look after him until the cops left! And you just offered that woman the legal help she needs, free of charge! Is that really something a heartless monster would do?!"

It is not the first time I have had someone yell at me like that, but this feels different somehow. This does not feel like when my mentor would claim to do the same. I can tell I have upset him, yet he is trying to build me up rather than trying to put me in my place. I choose to believe that this discrepancy must just be a difference in style, after all, the alternative is much sharper...

"And what would you say if I did all those things for selfish reasons?"

Even after all that frustration, his gaze softens, "A heartless monster wouldn't care enough to ask a question like that."

I cannot let him see me so vulnerable! I run without another word, obfuscating my path until I know I have lost him. Hopefully he can forgive me for doing this, although knowing him, he would forgive me for… no, I cannot entertain such a fantastical thought. Even so… if he is nothing but fool for thinking that I deserve such kindness, then why am I the one crying over it?

After a long time, I finally return to my office, my eyes still puffy, and my horns and tail stubbornly clinging to me. I feel my heart sink as I hear my mentor, "Miles… you are late! We need to have a long talk over what happened tonight…"

Chapter Text

I shouldn't have let myself lose sight of him! I know that I sounded rather harsh, but I couldn't bear to let such awful sentiments go unchallenged! Hopefully I didn't hurt his feelings so badly, because I really hope to befriend him, but I can tell that something about it bore him to tears. I want to go and comfort him, but he's far faster than me, and his ability to teleport in the shadows made it impossible to follow him. I try to summon my wings and fly out to get a birds-eye view, but I still can't find him. I wanted to keep looking for him, but as the morning grew closer, I had to leave in defeat, just hoping he had gone home, and I would see him again tomorrow. I should be more focused on what that woman said, but the pain in his voice tore into me.

I was finally on my way to work in my civilian form when I heard a certain noise, like the laughter of a clown. All of a sudden, I'm pulled up into the air with a force that nearly knocks the wind out of me.

"Ladies and Gentleman, Boys and Girls, Onlookers of all walks of life! Consider yourself lucky to bear witness to the next ab-so-lute-ly fabulous magic trick of Max Galactica!" People on the streets look in horror as I'm hoisted up to the top of a building.

This day just keeps getting better and better. Under normal circumstances, I'd just get away from a villain's clutches with ease, but with so many witnesses, I'll have to wait until I get out of sight… but given who I'm against, I doubt he'll relinquish the spotlight for even a second.

"For my next spectacular trick, I will be turning this man into a pancake by dropping him from the tippy top of this twenty-story building!"

Oh this is bad, this is really really bad! If he throws me off the building, my powers will kick in and resurrect me at the bottom! I can't let that happen! I try to put up a resistance without giving away my real strength, but before I know it, I'm already dangled off the building, too far for me to reach the windowsill ledges below. I hear people screaming from below for somebody to come and save me. All I can do is squeeze my eyes shut as Galactica lets go.

Then I feel a drop, followed by the warmth of strong arms wrapped around me, as if an angel heard my plea and rescued me. The feeling of falling quickly stops, as I instinctively cling to the chest of my savior. But as I open my eyes, I never expected the man who saved me to be… Crimson?!

"You gave everyone quite the scare, are you alright?" Despite the air of confidence, I can tell there was a bit of genuine fear in his own voice, I could even see his horns peaking off the top of his head.

I continue to cling to his chest, "H-how did you do that?! Why are you saving me?!"

"I will answer that in a moment, but unfortunately, I have to attend to that… person… who tried to kill you just now. I can hold you as long as you want me to as soon as I get back."

I'm not sure where I am, but it's really dim, somewhat cramped, and strangely enough, I already miss having Crimson's arms around me. It must only be natural, I just feel safer in an attractive man's arms, it's not like I-

That train of thought came to a screeching halt as he returned again, once again with his arms wrapped around me, and my head rested against his chest. "I can tell your heart is still racing, I will keep you company until you are calmed down if you want…" Is he that oblivious that he can't tell he's part of the problem himself?!

But instead of pushing away, I end up indulging in this little fantasy come true. I really was scared, granted, not for the same reasons as everyone else, but I really needed the comfort, and despite all the walls he puts up around himself, despite his aversion to being touched, he holds me close like a precious treasure. I don't even know where I am, yet it feels like no matter the answer, even if I was just a normal person, I would be safe. It's not fair, he's so hard on himself, thinking of himself as a heartless monster when I can hear it racing underneath my ear now! If only it didn't blow my cover, I would tell him that right now. Instead, a couple frustrated tears begin to well in my eyes. He must see them, because he wipes them away with the light caresses of his silk-gloved fingers, cupping my cheek afterwards.

"There is no need to cry, I have made sure that… person… will be locked up and never hurt you again." He even tries to stop calling the people he fights monsters!

I try to open up to him, "No, these tears are for you… and you still haven't answered my questions."

He gives me a bewildered stare before reassuring me, "What I may have done was a bit dangerous, jumping off after you to save you and making a tight rescue with my powers. It is good fortune that I managed to spot the shadows peaking from under the door of this coffee shop utility closet. Any shadow I can see, even the dim ones, I can teleport to and from, and on top of that, my vision is quite precise, although it is even stronger in the darkness like this."

"But if you had taken the fall… why would you risk your life for me like that?" and why would you turn around and do that after claiming to have no light left?

The smile he gives me in response, maybe I am just looking too much into it, but it almost seems bittersweet and ripe with a hidden affection. My cheeks attempt to camouflage with his suit. I have to remind myself that this man is a hero, even if he would disagree with that. Saving people and comforting them after the threat is extinguished is just what he does. But even then, could I at least steal this one selfish moment of closeness?

After all of that, the brief moments of closeness with Crimson were burned into my mind. Even Mr. Armando caught onto it.

"Heard you got saved by Crimson, that still on your mind Trite?" He waved a hand in front of my face to make sure I wasn't spaced out.

 Before I could answer, who should walk in the door but Edgeworth, seemingly out of breath and with bandages on his forehead.

"W-what happened to you?!" I rush over to help him to a chair.

He stiffens up, "It… It is not worth your concern, just a pair of epidermal scrapes from hitting my head against the ceiling of a short office. And here I was worried about you!"

"Crimson took good care of me, he even…" That smile he made to me came back to mind, reminding me of just how silly this sounds after what I told Edgeworth yesterday.

Edgeworth smirks, "judging by how shades of flushing just appeared on your face, I imagine it was something you enjoyed?"

I bow my head against the table, "I'm sorry about yesterday Edgeworth, you were right… I think I might… have a crush on him…"

The look on Edgeworth's face after I said that was a puzzle in need of cracking, but what stole away my attention before I could was the uproarious laughter from Mr. Armando.

"Ha! I knew it! Let me know if anyone else shows up kids, I need to go tell Mia she lost a little bet!"

If I could bury my head further into the table in shame, I would. Much to my surprise though, when I peaked back up, I heard Edgeworth say something I could have never expected.

"I… might be able to help… actually…" His voice is soft and low, but the weight of his words is enough to knock a man out cold.

"W-what do you mean by that?! I thought-"

"He may not be my favorite costumed crime-fighter, but I handle many of the cases he is involved with, and he asked me to fight on behalf of culprits to get them a fair trial… so you could say I… know him…"

I struggle to pick my jaw off the floor. If I hadn't been pinching myself to make sure this wasn't a dream since Crimson left, I would start pinching myself now.

"I do not know all that much about him, but he… thought you were cute… so he gave me permission to give you his number… on the condition you keep it a secret of course!" Despite such a serious conversation, he seems to avert his eyes from mine as he slides over his napkin after writing on the bottom of it.

I let the excitement get to me as I begin to enter it into my phone, "How can I ever thank you? Should I call him right now? What should I say?"

"Just be your bright and compassionate self, and I am certain he will be head over heels for you. But I do not suggest that you-"

I finish dialing the number, but unfortunately, it goes directly to voicemail, with the interesting message being:

"Stranger! If you, passing, meet me, and desire to speak to me, why should you not speak to me? And why should I not speak to you?"

Shoot! What do I say?!

"Umm, hi… this is Phoenix Wright… the guy you saved today… I just… thank you… can I get to know you more?"

After that train wreck of a message, I nervously ask Edgeworth, "So… what were you going to say?"

He goes silent for a minute. "Did you at least get the reference on his voicemail?"

"That was a reference?"

He almost gets a bit huffy as he says, "Walt Whitman, he is a rather famous poet…"

No wonder the two still managed to get along, they're both total nerds on top of both fighting for justice! I still can hardly believe that they know each other though… especially combined with the coincidence that they are almost identical looking, and the only difference in their voices is that Crimson's as far deeper and smokier. And yet, I know for a fact they couldn't possibly be the same person, after all… they have different phone numbers, and when would they get in the time to sleep? The only way Godot manages is with his coffee addiction, and Chief has even been telling him to cut back on it!

Getting back to my apartment before the sun goes down, I suddenly get a call from Crimson! Not even bothering to undo my apron, I immediately pick up.

"H-Hi there! This is Phoenix! Although if you heard my message you already knew that… How can I help you?" He hasn't even said anything, but I'm already tripping over my words!

He gives a teasing chortle, "I presume you are off the clock right now, so there is no need to treat me like a customer… unless it is a different kind of service you are offering me?"

"Different… kind… you don't mean…" It's almost infuriatingly hard to play it cool when he's purposely trying to fluster me like this.

"I imagine you must be making the same face as when you were in the utility closet? Forgive me, I find your expressiveness rather adorable."

I try to change the subject before I'm a melted heap right behind the front door, "Is it really alright for you to get to know me like this?"

"For you my dear, I am honored. In fact, you can ask me anything you want, for a small price of course…"

"A small price?" I don't make a large income though…

"Yes, all it will cost is a little kiss~, preferably on the- I am teasing again, just ask and I will answer to the best of my abilities."

With so many questions bubbling up to the surface, the first one to leap out of my chest was, "Why did you become Crimson?"

Chapter Text

"Why did you become Crimson?"

Such a simple question, his first question no less, yet I am unsure how to answer it.

Part of this was in penance for what I did that day, and another part of it was make sure that all the monsters as awful as me get the punishment they deserve. Even so, for one reason or another, there is a part of me that calls back to when I was still an innocent child, and I dreamed of becoming a superhero because I felt that it would bring more justice to the world. And after everything I have been through, I cannot bear the thought of letting someone else go through a helpless situation like the one I was in, even if it does not line up with my two major reasons. What happened to that? What happened to me?

"I became Crimson to hunt down the monsters that lurk within society." I give a standard answer in hopes it satisfies that curiosity.

"No, I meant why do you want to do that?"

Quite persistent, I see… "It is something the world needs, and I feel I owe it to the world to help."

He stifles a laugh, "Now you sound a bit heroic again! But why do you feel you owe it to the world?"

I let out a sigh, dreading the true answer, "Such a thing is my penitence for what I have done."

"Oh… well… what happens when there are no monsters to fight?"

I told a precious lie as I tried not to let him hear the quaking in my voice, "After that… I will watch over the city to keep it safe…"

Unfortunately, in order to get rid of every monster, that would mean-

"Would you do it alongside Phantom?"

Phantom… now that I think of it, would he be… would Phoenix be… I feel idiotic for only realizing now, but they would miss me, even if the world was better off that way. I truly am awful, selfishly indulging in their company even though I know it will only hurt them in the end.

"I suppose Phantom would probably prefer it that way."

"Is there something about Phantom you dislike?"

"I do not resent him… if anything, it is as if I am looking at something slightly too bright for my eyes every time I see him. That is to say, while well intentioned, his kindness itself brings me pain…"

The call goes silent for several moments, as if I have struck a chord.

"Why would kindness cause you pain?"

"I… I do not deserve it. I do not deserve praise, compassion, nor affection, so why-"

"That's a lie and you should know that by now!" Phoenix really starts to sound like Phantom when he gets angry.

It's bitterly ironic since that is likely the most honest statement during this entire conversation. But I suppose he does not realize just how twisted I am.

"You do not understand, I have hurt genuinely good people with my actions!"

"But what lead you down that path in the first place?"

A pain boils over in my head, the memory of a certain scent makes it hard to breathe.

"I killed an innocent man Phoenix… and if the courts will not punish me for it, I will."

I hang up the phone before he can respond, before curling up on the cold kitchen floor of my apartment. After all these years, I only just realized how much of a fool I am for becoming Crimson. I spent so much time convinced that it was just a necessary evil that I pushed myself to do as penitence for that dreaded day, yet all this time, I was only racking up more reasons why I never deserve such a thing in the first place. And now I keep lashing out at the people who care about me like an idiot. Mr. Von Karma was right. I never should have let myself get attached like this again…

The phone plays a melody from my favorite show, normally I would do a small mini dance to it since nobody is looking, but I cannot be bothered to at this point. Part of me considers just staying here until I rot away, but I look at the text message I received anyway. It is from Phoenix, simply put:

"Hey, I'm really sorry for bringing up something that must have been traumatic like that. Even after what you said, As strange as it sounds, I think you should talk to Phantom about it. I don't believe that you are a bad person, even after what you told me, and maybe you think that's naïve, but I also know if anyone can help, it would be him. I don't believe you are a murderer like that, and chances are, he will do everything he can to prove that to you too. Whatever you do, just remember that you do have a heart that beats like everyone else's, I heard it today."

As much as it does not make it easier, I think he is almost right… and as great as wasting away here on the tile floor sounds right now, there is far more work to be done.

This time, I look for Phantom before seeking out my target. I think his outlook is starting to seep its way through the cracks in my mask, and such a thought terrifies me, yet I feel as though I am unable to stop. Maybe this is the right way to go about it… even if it seems strange to me. It definitely helped that woman last night, and I still get a chill down my spine imagining what would have happened if Phantom was not there. But what scares me even more is I will never know how many people like that I ran into over the years.

"Oh, there you are Crimson! I was starting to worry you wouldn't show up! I'm really sorry about what happened yesterday! And thanks for taking care of that civilian earlier, I don't even want to imagine what would have happened if you hadn't shown up!"

"I… you do not have to apologize, I was the one giving you trouble, I should have just gone along with you." Much to my surprise, unlike how my mentor would react, such a reassurance only riles him up more.

He gently clasps my hand as if making a formal declaration. "No, that's not what you should do at all! I meant every word I have said to you! I know it doesn't feel like it yet, but…"

Then he takes my hand and places it above my heart, letting the sensation of my heartbeat radiate through. "There is a kind heart in your chest, and I'm not going to give up on it! I won't rest until you believe in it too!"

All I can do is stare as if I am looking at something slightly too bright. "Why do you put yourself through all that trouble on my behalf? What good does believing in a monst-"

"Person, you mean person Crimson. You're not a monster, so stop calling yourself that."

"Do you have any clue what darkness might be hidden in me?" His interruption leaves me curt.

He runs his finger through his hair, "Well unless you sprang to life from a storybook-"

I suddenly see the target coming into earshot from our vantage point on the rooftops. Realizing they might spot our silhouettes, I pin Phantom flat on the roof, with myself mere centimeters above him. I hold the back of his head with my hand to avoid him hitting his head on the paving, and my other hand around his waist. Now that I think of it, this is a rather… romantic position to be in. If only it were Phoenix here, I would probably give into the impulse to kiss him.  Even so… I must admit, the sudden melty look on Phantom, his cheeks ablaze, his eyes suddenly heavy lidded, and his lips ever so slightly parted… I would be lying if I claimed it was not the slightest bit enticing.  

As the target passes by, I finally stand up, holding out my hand to help him up. His hand feels especially warm in mine. For some reason, Phoenix comes to mind, and I wonder if his hand would feel this warm too if I… as if I deserve to know such things.

"What's with that lonely look in your eyes?" Someone as bright as Phantom has no clue about it of course.

I merely dodge the question with, "If we let him get too far ahead, it will be too late to stop him."

Mark O. Shane, a low ranking, yet very active member of the Cadaverini Mob. He currently serves as a loan-shark, extorting people and even going as far as to break in and steal things to "pay off the debt" for a time. I would see them as something just as low as I am, but perhaps Phantom will prove me wrong again.

"Do you really think this one will listen Phantom?" I hide behind such a simple jab.

He perks up, "Good to see you're starting to see things in a similar light!"

"That does not answer my question, and regardless…" I open my mouth for some witty rebuttal, but frustratingly, nothing comes to mind.

As the man with a fresh warrant prowls the dimly lit street, the glint of a barrel from an unlit window above us catches my eye, without hesitation, I go to shield Phantom. I hear three shots fire, followed by the screams of Mark O. Shane, and a searing pain tearing into my clavicle, as another shot flew over my head.

"Crimson!" That was the next scream I heard, this time from Phantom.

"Are you hurt?" I have no worry for my own health, Phantom is far more important.

"No! Do you need me to take you to a hospital?" For the first time, I saw him genuinely frightened, but it was for my sake, not his…

I stand up, acting as though the pain was minimal, "I am fine… but Mark O. Shane…"

Mark O. Shane was sprawled on the ground, awash in a pool of his own blood. I rush over to provide first aid.

"Crimson… Take him over to the hospital with you, I'll take care of the assassin!" He starts dashing off immediately.

"But you could get shot-"

"I'll be fine Crimson! I regenerate! Now focus on taking care of yourself and Mark O. Shane!"

Thankfully, the hospital is not too busy with other cases, so Mark O. Shane is treated immediately. I may not have full regenerative powers, but when my horns emerge, it seems like I can direct some of that boosted energy to disguise the wound. Still, I will have to call it an early night and be extra careful not to incur Von Karma's wrath.

Mark. O Shane seems bewildered as he regains consciousness. "Y-You're that… Crimson guy…"

"I've paid your hospital bill in full, all I ask in return is for you to cooperate with the police."

I can hear the weak rattling as he attempts to tug on the restraints with no luck.

"Save your strength, you will need it for-"

"Why the hell did you save my life?"

I look him in the eyes for the first time, "A certain man is attempting to convince me to do things more like he does, and I am beginning to suspect he was onto something…"

I turn to leave the room, only for him Mr. Shane to half-shout, "Wait! Before you go… you work under Von Karma, right?"

I stop in my tracks, "How do you know that name?"

"The Cadaverini have the best network in town. I think I see what's really going on here…"

"And what would that be?" I need to know the answer.

Suddenly, one of the nurses come in. "Excuse me sir, the patient needs his rest, and I need to speak with him in private about treatment options."

It feels like an hour before I can come back in. It appears they gave him a sedative, but he still seems alert, so I ask him again, "So, what was it that you thought was going on?"

"Oh, don’t play dumb, it's a private room!"

I rake my mind for what he could be referring to, "Are you by chance referring to my growing… attachment… to a certain man?"

The blood drains from his face, now awash in a cold sweat as he quivers, "Y-you, you don't know, do you?"

"What are you hiding?!" Is this related to what the woman said before?

He averts his eyes, "Forget… forget I mentioned anything, for your sake, and mine."

I barely make it back to my office this time, but thankfully, I was able to retract my horns this time. I hope Phantom is alright… I will have to watch the news today to see how he fared on his end…

"Edgeworth! You have so much to answer for, where do I begin?!" Von Karma emerged from the corridor, gripping his cane so tightly that his knuckle turns white.

I try to explain to him, "Shane was shot, if I did not assist him to the hospital-"

His other fist slams on my desk, "I already know that! Why in blazes did you not just go after the assailant?! And why on earth would you try to save a monster?!"

"Sir, please… it was the right thing to-"

"What would you know about the right thing to do?! I saw what you did that day with my own two eyes!"

My mouth goes dry as I hesitantly add, "It was not just my idea… I talked to someone about right and wrong, and it inspire-"

I feel the smack of the wooden cane mark against my face, "And did this someone offer you shelter after seeing what you did to the last person who did so?! Did they take you under their wing and hide your shameful past for you?! Did they provide you with everything you needed, asking for nothing short of your loyalty in return?! Well?!" The number of impacts swell to hammer in his sentiments.

"…No…" the world seems so bitter when he gets like this.

"Exactly, that was me, you ungrateful, stupid, shallow chunk of rotting meat!"

Despite his lashing in fury, I cannot bear to return a harsh volley, as his feelings are justified, as in a way… I have been betraying him…

"Now, so you do not mess it up, I will make the tea for once." He glares at me through the entire process, as if to assure I was still on thin ice.

As he sets my cup down in front of me, the corpse-like chill seems to dissipate, instead replaced with an almost warm, "Do not worry, I know how you constantly make mistakes, but I am gracious enough to forgive you."

As I take a small sip, the tea tastes extra bitter, but I refuse to bring it up in fear he will lash out again. Instead, I confide in him what I heard from Mark O. Shane, as it still worries me.

"Apparently, according to the target for tonight, the Cadaverini mob is aware that I work under you as Crimson…"

He abruptly stops drinking the tea, "That little… attempting to do such a thing. Have you told anyone of our meetings?"

"No Sir!" The tension already begins to coil around my throat.

He looks to me, seemingly worried, "You should exercise additional caution with who you associate with. I am beginning to suspect that coffee shop worker you talk to…"

I… I never told him about Phoenix, how did he…?

"I saw your daily purchases at that coffee shop, and you leave an unusually high tip every time, but the secretary claimed to see you talking with him one time. His name is Phoenix Wright, if I am not mistaken?"

My stomach drops, as the tension begins to tighten around my throat like a noose.

"He would never… no…" I disbelieve such a notion wholeheartedly, yet the floor feels shaky beneath my feet.

Von Karma rises from the seat, finishing his tea early. "So you would believe him over me… I see… Just remember, I am only trying to protect you…"

He slams the door shut, leaving the rest of the brew to wash down with the stinging from my bruises. Thankfully, my suit hides them well…

I hate having to hide them, but if I do not do it… I fear what would happen then…

I try to act normal throughout the morning, but it feels like something sinister is creeping up on me. I found out Phantom had managed to catch the sniper unharmed. I selfishly wish I could have seen it, but I will have to ask about it later. The other major piece of news left me rather shaken.

"Mark O. Shane was found dead in his hospital bed this morning. Strangely though, authorities say they are certain he did not succumb to his wounds, although no official public comment has been made on the true cause of death. Internal sources suggest that some sort of foul play might be involved."

He knew this sort of thing was going to happen to him… was that why he became so petrified…?

"Edgeworth? Is something bothering you? Mr. Armando is out today, so you can say whatever is on your mind." Phoenix is deflated by my dreary mood. I will have to make it up to him another time.

"It… it has been difficult at work recently…" My head feels foggy for some reason. It starts feeling like a lot more effort is needed to raise my half full teacup, finishing the rest of it off as an indulgence for such a comforting flavor and aroma.

"You look pale, are you feeling alright?" He continues to worry about me like the kind heart he is. The fact that Von Karma would suggest he was simply gathering intel from me… I refuse to even consider the possibility.

"Do not waste your concern on me, I am perfectly fi-ghh!" A searing pain erupting from my abdomen radiates through my body, causing me to fall from the chair.

The last thing I hear before losing consciousness is the panic in Phoenix as he yells, "M-miles?! MILES?!?!"

Chapter Text

MILES! I catch him before his head can hit the floor. I knew something was wrong, but this is… no, no it can't be! I quickly check for breathing and a pulse. I breaths are weak, slightly shaky, and shallow. But to my horror, when I roll up his sleeves a bit to get his pulse, something awful catches my eye.

Are these… bruises?

Multiple marks traveled up his arm, some of them being older, but many of them being disturbingly recent. Despite being practically unconscious, he flinched in pain as I placed my finger near it to check his pulse. His pulse is too fast, and his skin feels feverish to the touch. What happened to you Miles?! I try to help him sit up as I call for an ambulance, only to see him flinch again as I prop up his back.

It's… not just his arm, is it…?

Hang in there Miles, I'll make sure you get through this! I keep hold of his hand the entire time. When the ambulance arrives, they ask me what happened. I can't explain it, but I insist on staying with him until he is stable again at the very least. This was when I found out that Miles had put me as his first emergency medical contact. Does he trust me that much, or did he feel he had nobody else to turn to? Why wasn't his mentor or a family member said contact?

Either way, Miles fast tracks through the waiting room, almost immediately getting treatment. I wait by his bedside the whole time, still holding his hand and keeping a keen eye on him.

The doctor comes in with a grim look, "The lab results returned for his blood test… I am afraid he was poisoned, sir…"

"Poisoned?!?! Can you cure it?! Please, I'll do anything!"

The doctor's face darkens as she elaborates, "It was the same poison found during Mark O. Shane's autopsy…"

No… No! "Is there anything you can do?!?!"

"It was a miracle he even made it to the hospital alive at this point. If you were not immediately there to assist him, he would have died. Since it has already spread through the bloodstream, we are currently only able to treat the symptoms. In addition to that, there is another issue complicating things…"

She points out the bruises littered across his body. Now wearing a hospital gown, the number of scars and bruises were laid bare. The majority were on his arms, like he was holding them up to block a strike, but many lacerations were etched into his back and chest. It was an awful sight to see, especially when I saw just how recently many of them must have been inflicted. I can only imagine the amount of pain he was in.

"Do you know how he acquired these injuries?" The doctor's voice grew stern.

"I don't know where he got these marks! He must have been hiding them!"

How long Miles? How long have you been hiding this? Days? Months…? Maybe even… years? It is hard not to be filled with dread just thinking of it. It feels so awful seeing him in pain like this… if only I could use my ability on him, then he wouldn't have to suffer like this.

Not long after, I get a call from Mr. Armando.

"Trite… care to explain why the store was left unattended… and why it looks like a ten-person tavern brawl broke out in here?" the frustration and disappointment was barely contained in an irritable tone.

"I'm so sorry Mr. Armando! Something happened to Edgeworth, and I got so distracted by that I-"

"What do you mean 'something happened' to him?"

I struggled to say it without my voice cracking into sobs, "Someone poisoned him… and he's beat up badly…"

Mr. Armando went silent for a moment, taking a long sip of coffee before asking once again in a low, almost snarling voice, "He was poisoned… in my shop?"

"I- I don't think so! All he had was that tea blend I made…"

"And the wounds?"

"He's got a lot of bruising on his upper body, with many marks being recent."

He takes a deep breath, "Okay, Wright, you aren't going to want to hear this but… I'm worried this could be another Dahlia situation-"

"No! Don't even compare this to her and her sister's schemes! Miles would never do something like that!" I thought I had gotten over that whole debacle, yet the idea of even comparing it to now feels sickening.

I hear Mia say something in the background, followed by Mr. Armando saying, "Look kid, I don't want it to be that either, but don't be surprised if this case gets darker than blend #102. Regardless, be careful, and see it through."

It was nearly sundown by the time Miles open his eyes again. Tears well behind my eyelids as our eyes meet once again, and I pull his hand into a hug, trying to avoid putting him in more pain.

"Wright? What happened- oh…" It seemed to hit him like a train when he realized where he was.

He winces with pain as he tries to reach out and wipe away the tears, "I sincerely apologize for making you worry and making you cry like this…"

"You don't have to apologize, you know this isn't your fault, right?"  Even after everything, he's worried about me first.

Miles doesn't answer, instead dodging the question with, "I am certain you are wondering where I got… these… you see, I-

"Oh my word! What in blazes happened to you Edgeworth?" Miles winches in pain and his hands begin to shake, as an older man practically bursts into the room.

"V-Von Karma! Please forgive me for missing our meeting!" His eyes keep flickering between this Von Karma and me.

Von Karma reaches out and taps him on the shoulder with his cane, causing Miles to violently flinch, "It is perfectly alright, I was just worried I was about to lose my star pupil..."  

"Mr. Von Karma sir, the bruises are still very sensitive, please be more careful around him…" What is with this guy?

He gives me an uncanny looking smile before quickly switching to worry. "Is this the man you were with when it happened?"

Miles grips the sheets of the hospital bed even tighter, "He was, in fact, if it were not for him being there, I could have died…"

The next question sends a chill down my spine, "Did he offer you any food or drink before the incident?"

He averts his eyes from his mentor's face, "Y-yes… are you suggesting that…"

"Where else could the poison have come from? You ingest something given to you by a man you have only known for a short period of time, then suddenly you just so happen to pass out and nearly die? Do you see how suspicious that is?"

His hands begin to quake when he softly retorts, "It was not merely the poison…"

Von Karma starts tapping the wounds with his cane, making Miles recoil in pain, "Oh, you mean these things? Honestly, you must be more careful with yourself! I know you are clumsy, but this is the worst I've seen you in a long time."

Something about what he said, or more like the way he conveyed it, makes my stomach feel like it is being tied in knots. I don't want to believe it, but the look on Miles face… the way it contorts as if desperately trying to hold something back…

"I… I apologize Von Karma… I tripped on the 9^th floor stairs on the way out from my office… and tumbled down to the ground floor… hitting many steps along the way…" His eyes are pricked with pain as he makes such a claim…

"Regardless, what we should be more concerned with is making up for all the work you-"

"HOLD IT!" I slam my hands down on the bedside table without thinking.

"He doesn't need to worry about work! He needs to worry about his health first!"

"Wright…"

Von Karma arcs an eyebrow, "You are rather foolish, he just explained them, what more do you-"

"You expect me to buy that bluff!? If it was just him falling down the stairs, then why don't we look at the security cameras from last night?"

Strangely, I expected him to refuse, or flinch, or something to show he was shaken… but he just laughed.

"I presented it to the doctors when I arrived, care to have a copy?"

I obliged, but when I put the tape in… I saw…

Just as he had described it, the video showed Miles at the ninth floor, missing a step, and falling into a tumble…

What? This still… something doesn't feel right about it, yet I can't deny what I just saw…

Von Karma leaned in with a foreboding glee, "Now, you wouldn't make any false accusations, now would you?"

Undeterred, I pointed back at him, "But that still doesn't explain the poison!"

The whites of his eyes widened with a wicked glare, "I was hoping you could explain that one, Mr. Wright?"

I don't like where this is going, "Are you trying to imply I had something to do with it?"

He mocks a contemplative gesture, "Well, let's see, he didn't have any contaminable drink until he got to the coffee shop you work at. You personally made him a custom blend, did you not?"

"But why would I-"

"I did find it rather strange at first that you would try to become so close to him in such a short period of time, but now I see exactly why. You were just building repour so that you could kill him without anyone suspecting you? Crafty devil!"

I cannot help but get angry, "Why on earth would I ever want to kill him!? I like him!"

Shoot, that probably wasn't the best way to say it, but my point still stands!

"Oh? Where would you want to begin? The money, the status, or maybe you are even far craftier then I give you credit for… maybe this is only the beginning of your devilish scheme? Perhaps this is all in an attempt to get closer to him… to make him feel indebted to you, luring him into a false sense of security so that you can blackmail him later? And if he refuses, what will you do them? Kidnap and tie him up in a basement somewhere? Hold him for ransom? Brainwash him into becoming your personal-"

"Enough Von Karma!" despite his trembling hands and his poor health, he practically shoots up, his face a shade of unusually uncomposed frustration.

Miles…

"How dare you insult the man that saved my life! You may be my mentor and superior, yet I will not tolerate such baseless accusations against those I care about! If you insist on charging this man for a crime he did not commit, then be prepared for me to defend him!"

He would really do that for me…?

Von Karma sputtered, his knuckles white hot with a contained rage as he grips his cane, "I see… perhaps you will be spared this time…"

He points the surprisingly sharp tip of the cane to my throat, "But if you find yourself attempting any funny business with my protégé, be prepared to face the consequences under the full penalty of the law!"

 He gives a final, monstrous grin before exiting the room, allowing Miles to slump back into the hospital bed.

"Hey Miles… is there anything I can do to thank you for sticking up for me like that?"

He looks at me bewildered, "If anyone should be asking that question, it should be me, Wright! You saved my life!"

"Well, you saved my skin too! You offered to defend me in court against a man who looked like he was ready to tear me apart…"

Miles went silent again for a moment before quietly asking, "If you must insist… unless there is a way you could get in contact with Phantom…"

I scratch the back of my neck, "Actually, I can do that for you!"

"W-what? And you acted shocked when I knew Crimson?"

Well… that was because you are a civilian Miles… but I can't tell him that. "Anyway, I'll head back out and make sure to let him know. Get some rest Miles!"

He waves me out the door, seemingly hesitant about something. As I walk out to the alleyway to change into my alter ego, I keep replaying that tape in my mind, trying to make sense of it. That's when something finally clicks, and I come to a stomach-churning realization. When Miles grabbed hold of the rail before he fell, he began fiddling with his sleeve, allowing me to catch a glimpse… and see the freshest bruises already on his body… So, it was a lie! I'm not sure he will tell me about it as Phoenix… but maybe I can talk to him as Phantom?

When I walk into the room Miles looks up at me, as if mesmerized by the fact that I really showed up.

"I heard you wanted to speak to me?" I try to act natural, which is a bit easier, since I have no idea what he actually wanted to ask about.

He grips his arm despite the bruising, "I… I have a favor to ask of you… I'll do anything I can to repay you for it, but I need you to keep it private…"

I arc my eyebrows, "Is this related to how you ended up in the hospital?"

He seems to fight back against his own watery eyes, "yes… there's someone I want you to protect…"

I try to lighten the mood by saying, "I'll be happy to be a knight in shining offer for you!"

Looking away, in a low voice that craves comfort, "No… there's another person I want you to protect…"

Wait, he doesn't mean…

"I need your help protecting Phoenix Wright! The same man that contacted you…"

I feel my heart skip a beat, even after everything he just went through, he's still more concerned about my safety!

"And why do you care so much for his safety, are you waiting to confess your love or something?" I was saying it to break the tension, but instead of flat out denying it like I would expect, he hung his head and came forward with a surprisingly open confession.

"I… I admit I have developed some… unnecessary feelings for him… but I do not plan on admitting these feelings to him. He has feelings for someone else… Crimson, to be more specific. In addition to that… his feelings are requited ones. A selfish part of me wants to steal his eye, but in truth, I just want Phoenix to be happy and content with life… even if that means his heart belongs to someone else. And now, thanks to my own foolishness, the forces that threaten me will now be after him…"

He grabs hold of the cuff of my sleeve as if desperate to make sure I don't run away," So please! I need you to protect him for me… at least until I have recovered!"

I… Miles… I never could have imagined such deep feelings for me coming from him… attraction maybe, but this isn't just a shallow attraction, is it?

Without thinking, I cup his cheek and raise his head, wiping away the pinprick tears that began to silently trail down his face. Even though I was wearing my gloves, I could feel his skin burning. He looked up at me as if trying to stare at something too bright.

"Maybe this is just the fever talking… but you look so much like him… perhaps, if you can forgive such a lonely and shameful creature such as me for this…"

He stares into my eyes, seemingly captivated, before he closes his own and for a split second, gently presses his lips against mine, and immediately passing out again from the exhaustion of such a hard day.

The sweet warmth of it lingers… as if it was a charm of protection…

Chapter Text

What have I done?! I was… he was… I- that was my first kiss! I looked around the hospital room, noticing scorched footprints that seemed to start off gingerly, only to break into a panic and dash off… was that from Phantom? Was he so angry that he started burning up? Did my fever spread to him somehow? Agh! I try to wring my hands into my hair, only to make a startling discovery, for my horns had grown back completely! I search for other signs of transformation, panic rising with each new observation. My tail unravels, having grown longer and with a sharper point, strong enough to practically function as another limb. My incisors grew into something more closely resembling vampiric fangs, and there were two painful lumps on each scapula, seemingly ready to burst, but full of something solid. I have had my tail and horns crop up before, but this is a whole new beast! I cannot let anyone see me like this!

I try to use my teleportation ability to leave in the dead of night, seeing the shadows through my window, but I realize that may have been a mistake. As I head back to my apartment to get my costume, I taste iron in my mouth, as if it were bleeding. What the hell is going on? I hesitate for a moment, before finally looking in the mirror…

I can barely recognize myself! My hair has grown into a wild mane; my eyes had an almost uncanny glow; my fangs had grown into an almost wolf-like jaws. And then, at this moment, the lumps from my scapula painfully burst open, revealing jagged, leathery bat wings that ripped through my costume. At this point, I am unsure whether to credit the pain medication from the hospital or this transformation for eliminating the searing pain of all those bruises. Either way, I cannot let anyone see me like this! I try to calm myself down, but to no avail, as the transformation still refuses to subside. I do not understand… Von Karma always said in order to quell this kind of thing, I had to repress every emotion causing it, but it is not working this time. What else can I do? I have nobody to turn to for something like this…

Well… perhaps he could… NO! I cannot be selfish and dump more of my problems onto him! I try to hide behind strong sentiments like that, even though my weak heart begs for something else. Perhaps this is all part of my just deserts, a physical manifestation of what I truly am underneath… something so monstrous I do not even deserve an ounce of pity. After all, this is my fault, so it is only fair that I am the one who has to deal with the fallout. Moving to curl up on the couch without even bothering to turn the light on, trying to avoid the thoughts of that day I dare not speak of, I turn on the television, only to see a news bulletin ring out:

"Authorities are currently searching for Prosecutor Miles Edgeworth, who recently went missing from the hospital approximately 1 hour ago without taking any of his belongings. Police believe that Miles Edgeworth is in imminent danger and are suspecting foul play."

Oh no, I need to get out of here, and I need to take my stuff that implicates me as Crimson! But as I scramble together all of my belongings as Crimson, the Television blares with another update that makes me nearly drop everything in shock:

"This just in, Authorities have released information regarding the current suspect, and… much to the surprise of everyone, they believe that the current prime suspect is… The Phantom! Has this shining beacon of hope been corrupted by the darkness?"

W-what?! Oh dear, this is getting worse by the second! I need to find and warn him before he gets caught! But just as I was finally ready, suddenly, that slimy voice I have grown all to familiar with emanates from the inky darkness of my apartment…

"Leaving so soon, my dear protégé?"

I repress the urge to hiss under my breath. "Von Karma… I see you were waiting for me?"

"Am I not allowed to look for you when you go missing?"

He stands from a nearby chair and reaches over, grabbing my wings in his icy grasp as he studies me.

"Fascinating… this is the same form when you…"

I beg frantically with my eyes for him to not to say it out loud.

"When you killed him." He compromised by refraining from mentioning "him" by name.

I can only remember that day in short snippets of memory, from the pungent smell of fire and ash mixed with blood, to the sight of… him… It was all so painful; I think my mind locked it all away just to survive.

"So… now that you have seen me like this, will you call off the search for me and tell them Phantom is innocent?"

His icicle-like fingers practically claw into my shoulders as he cackled, "Oh? After that little stunt you pulled at the hospital? I am being generous with only charging him with kidnapping! You are supposed to keep to yourself and rely on me, yet you go off and get seduced by some shmuck!

"S-seduced?! Von Karma, you cannot be serious!"

"What word would you prefer then, you insufferable romanticist? Manipulated? Lead astray? Stringed along for his own personal gain?"

"Stop… please…" I hang my head, holding back something as it tries to prickle my eyes.

He jerks me around, "I am merely trying to keep you safe! You know deep down that as soon as he finds out who you really are, and what you have done, he's going to throw you to the wolves with no mercy, and even if it takes you years, you will come running back like a wounded dog!"

Von Karma leans in close to my ear, a nauseating grin carved into his face. "But do not worry, my dear little pet, I will have this interloper out of our hair in no time."

The realization of what he means drains the blood from my face, "You would not dare…" It comes out less angry and more like a plead.

"Oh, I already have… and the result should go live right about…"

A third bulletin chimes in:

"This just in, authorities have released more information regarding the disappearance of Miles Edgeworth. This case has now been classified as a kidnapping, with the discovery of a cruel ransom note from the Phantom himself! We shall read it out now, but we will warn you in advance that this content may be disturbing to some audiences!"

Chapter Text

That was… so sweet! I've never seen this side of Miles before, the side that is both attracted to me and would just go for it and kiss me like that! Oh, I can't wait to tell him I like him back, and we can go on dates and hold hands and… wait… is something burning? I can smell- OH NO WHY AM I ON FIRE?! IT DOESN'T HURT OR ANYTHING BUT I SHOULD NOT BE ON FIRE RIGHT NOW! I NEED TO FIND A WAY TO FIX THIS! I dash out to avoid anyone, especially Miles seeing me like this! I can't seem to pat the flames down, so I panic and run to somebody who might know what to do: Maya Fey. Knowing the address, I rush to her apartment building, skipping the formalities by climbing up to the window and let myself in.

"Nick?! WAIT DON'T-"

Those are the only words she can get out before the sprinklers go off, dousing us both in water, thankfully putting out the fire. I let out a relieved sigh, but clearly Maya doesn't share my feeling as she sweeps aside her wet and droopy bangs to reveal an annoyed scowl.

"Nick… why the heck did you-"

"I'm sorry! I panicked! I'll… help clean up…"

"No need, I got this." She clasps her hands together, chanting a ritual as her magatama glows with green energy. The water floats off of every surface in droplets all coalescing into one bubble of water floating in the air. But instead of dumping it harmlessly out the window, she instead freezes it in her hand before beaning me in the head with it.

"Ow! I get you're angry, but that was a bit overboard!"

"Oh, relax bird-brain, you knew as much as I did that wasn't going to kill you!"

I stay flopped on the floor, mocking a dramatic death with the back of my hand to my forehead, "But Maya, my one weakness is ice!"

We both laughed a bit, and Maya took another jab, "Oh, and is that why you like Mr. Heart of Ice so much?"

"Says the woman going on dates with Prosecutor Franziska Von Karma!"

She puts her hand over her heart in make believe shock, "I'll have you know that despite her reputation, she's a huge softie!"

Trying not to get too sidetracked, I return to the real reason I showed up here in the first place. "By the way… I should probably explain why I came here. I really need your help."

She crosses her arms and taps her foot, "Go on…"

"So, you and your older sister still have those books about phoenixes, right? My powers started acting up again, and I don't know what to do… why are you staring at me like that…"

"You don't…" A mischievous grin curls on her face, as she suddenly pushes me out of the window again!

Oh gez! I don't want to splat against the concrete! Maya, you didn't have to… wait… why did I stop falling? I look up, seeing a pair of fiery feathered wings flapping wildly, keeping me afloat. Another new power!? I thought I had already gotten all of my power, but I guess I was wrong… Slowly raising myself back to the apartment, I see Maya waiting for me with the biggest grin on her face.

"I knew it!"

After getting back in, Maya pulled out a dusty book from her village on phoenix development. Confused I ask, "Wait, but I already reached maturity Maya, why would I-"

She shoves a particular passage in my face. My eyes widen as I read the title, "S-soulmates? What does that have to do with my powers?!"

She puts on a mock sophisticated voice as she lectures, "Upon your first kiss with your soulmate, your powers will tap into their full potential, and you will grow a feature that remained a staple of the phoenix of legends: your wings. During this tumultuous time, instead of merely butterflies in your stomach, you may instead experience your inner flame setting you harmlessly on fire to display your attraction."

What? Wait… does that mean…

"So… who is it? I've got a bet of $100 dollars each with Mia and Diego!"

"What? You knew already!? And you all made a bet on it?!"

She shrugged before returning to bouncing on the soles of her feet. "So? Just say who it is already! There's $300 dollars at stake! Do you know how many quality cut steak hamburgers that could buy?!"

"Do you always measure the value of something in hamburgers? And also, this isn't about your bet, It's about me and-"

"And?"

I starch the back of my neck awkwardly, "So… I went to visit Miles at the hospital, and he asked if he could see Phantom… so I showed up in uniform, and I think he still had a fever… because he… started talking wildly out of character for him… and he…" My mind got lost in thought remembering his confession and his kiss, melting a little in the process. "His lips feel like rose petals…" I was not planning on saying that last part out loud, but I got a bit carried away…

"I knew it! Coffee Shop Boy came in clutch with the never-before-seen coma and fever strat combo! I need to call them and tell them they lost the bet!"

"Wait Maya! First off, he didn't intend to get into a coma, and that's not one of the reasons I like him! Plus, I still need your help!" I understand her getting distracted in her excitement, but this feels like I'm the only one taking it seriously.

She puffs up her cheeks, but finally calms down, "Sorry… I'm getting sidetracked, what did you need help with? All you have to do is reveal your identity and confess to him!"

"Oh yeah, it's so easy to do that! All I have to do is set him up as a potential target for my enemies and then rope him in by saying we're soulmates… something he might not even believe in… that's no big deal!" I know I'm being harsh with the sarcasm, but this really isn't all that simple.

She rolls her eyes as if I'm being ridiculous, "If you insist… you could also just seduce him as Phantom-"

"Seduce?! Maya!" I shake my head at the image forming in my mind hearing that. Noticing these thoughts and images nearly set me on fire again, I quickly go and dunk my head in the nearby kitchen sink, turning on the faucet just in time to avoid setting of the sprinklers again.

"Oh, don't get your feathers in a twist! You know what I mean! Just be yourself and spend some time around him as Phantom, and fate should work the rest out. It's already clear he's attracted to you as Phantom, so just work your way from there."

I really shouldn't be this nervous, but maybe she does have a point. Plus, I do have a few ideas on how to-

"Authorities are currently searching for Prosecutor Miles Edgeworth, who recently went missing from the hospital approximately 1 hour ago without taking any of his belongings. Police believe that Miles Edgeworth is in imminent danger and are suspecting foul play." The TV rings out, apparently having been left on.

What?! I immediately turn the volume up and dash towards the TV, looking for more information. I have to save him!

"This just in, Authorities have released information regarding the current suspect, and… much to the surprise of everyone, they believe that the current prime suspect is… The Phantom! Has this shining beacon of hope been corrupted by the darkness?"

What…? WHAT?! That can't be right! I may have been the last one to see him, but there's no way anyone could believe I did such a thing! Maya looks on in horror and shocked disbelief next to me. This must be some prank or dark joke! But instead of reassuring me of the truth, instead a third announcement just makes me feel as if I have slipped into a dark alternate reality!

"This just in, authorities have released more information regarding the disappearance of Miles Edgeworth. This case has now been classified as a kidnapping, with the discovery of a cruel ransom note from the Phantom himself! We shall read it out now, but we will warn you in advance that this content may be disturbing to some audiences!"

No… NO! THAT'S NOT ME! THIS IS A SET UP, PLEASE!

"As long as you follow my instructions, I will return Miles Edgeworth in one piece, although I cannot promise he will be the same afterwards when I am done with him… My first set of instructions will be sent in tomorrow morning, and I will be sending a tuff of his hair with it as proof that this is no bluff. Do not worry, just follow my orders, and I will take good care of him in the meantime! But if you do not… I will have fun breaking this new toy I have acquired! Perhaps I can even record the process for posterity? The choice is yours."

I finally shut the TV off, still in shock. Normally someone in my shoes would say this was a dream or a nightmare, but I don't even have to pinch myself to know this is real, whether I like it or not.

I slowly turn my head to Maya, "You… you know that wasn't me… right?"

She doesn't answer for a moment, only to suddenly burst out laughing, "Proof that this is no bluff? Record the process for posterity? Do they seriously think you talk like an old fart?! Oh my goddess! I think I'm going to die and ascend to the other side if I hear anymore of that!" At least she is in good spirits.

Chapter Text

I stand at the precipice, the place where this nightmare all began. Even after all these years, the ruins of this old, dilapidated building are still here. Feeling the rain beat down, part of me wants to join the termites and hide underground… but there's no room for me under there, at least not yet… I don't even bother with my costume anymore; the darkness of my new form having overtaken every inch of my skin; one could say I have finally shown just how disqualified I am from being human…

Even in the freezing rain, I can still feel the flames licking the walls, I can see the single word in my father's eyes: Betrayal. What a fitting thing to be seared into my memories, it is the only thing I appear to be capable of. I betray everyone in the end, the man who said I could be a hero, the one who opened my heart despite my best efforts, the mentor who saved my life, and my father himself. My skin crawls as I recall that day, I never thought I would speak of… those memories I locked away for my own safety… no, what I locked away in a selfish attempt to keep grasp of my own ego… I can feel myself sinking into the ground remembering.

𝙄𝙩'𝙨 𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙜𝙖𝙞𝙣...

I should be better than this, it's just a feeling! I keep trying to tell myself that, but my heart keeps pounding. It feels like a snake has coiled around my chest, and I am left gasping for air.

Tԋιʂ ιʂ ყσυɾ ϝαυʅƚ ყσυ ƙɳσɯ...

I… I know… I know this is all my fault… but I… I didn't mean to… I never meant to hurt anyone!

...ɥɔnoʇ noʎ ǝnoʎɹǝʌǝ ʇɹnɥ noʎ ...llɐ ɯǝɥʇ ʇɹnɥ no ⅄

I can't breathe anymore; I can't think clearly anymore. The fog is rolling in and all I can hear is my head roaring.

𝓱σ Ⓦ 𝔩σŇ Ｇ 𝓭𝐢𝓭 𝕪σ 𝕌 t 𝓱𝐢Ň 𝕂 𝕪σ 𝕌 𝓬σ 𝕌𝔩𝓭 я 𝕌Ň ⓕ яσ 爪 t 𝓱 Ｅ tя 𝕌t 𝓱?

Run… I want to run… I want to run… I have to get away, but it feels like my feet can't touch the ground…

ץ๏ย кเɭɭє๔ ђเ๓ ๓เɭєร. ђє гคเรє๔ ץ๏ย, ץ๏ย ฬєгє ђเร ฬђ๏ɭє ฬ๏гɭ๔ คภ๔ คภ๔ ђ๏ฬ ๔เ๔ ץ๏ย Շђคภк ђเ๓?

Make it stop… please… make it stop…

꓄ꁝꏂꋊ ꏂꋊ꒯ ꒐꓄ ꋬ꒒ꋪꏂꋬ꒯ꌦ.

No…

ꐞꂦꐇ ꅏꈼꌅꈼ ꋖꍩꈼ ꂦꋊ꒒ꐞ ꂵꂦꋊꌚꋖꈼꌅ ꋖꍩꂑꌚ ꅏꍩꂦ꒒ꈼ ꋖꂑꂵꈼ, ꂑꋖ ꅏꁲꌚ ꁲ꒒ꅏꁲꐞꌚ ꐞꂦꐇ... ꂦꋊ꒒ꐞ ꐞꂦꐇ...

I…

₣ł₦ł₴Ⱨ ɎØɄⱤ ₥ł₴₴łØ₦ ₥łⱠɆ₴...

But…

D̷̗͍ͣe̫͕̪̟̳̭͂̇ͯ͟s̥̹̗̦̯͇̻̞͐̽͟ṫ̲̯͟r̜͕͔̞̦̜̦̝̎̎̇ͬ͜o̜̼̘̺͇̰ͩy̨̙͍͖̞͍̣͎̭ͬͬ̓̆ ̺̣̣̋̀̐t̡̟̜̩̭̲͈ͦͭ͛̊ͅh̜̥͊͗͢e͛ͨ̌͆҉͇̠͔ ̡̬̣͔̩͍ͪ̇̎o̴̙̹ͮ̊n̬̯̮̙͍̠ͥ͡l̸̖̼̥͇̘ͬ̽y̧͚̰̼͕̏ ̗̣̩̩̝͚̥̞͛̐͑͊͡m̺͙̗̬̦̺̪̐ͮ͒o͕͚̘̔̈͞ṉ̲͙͔̜͖͓̳͐̓ͤ͠s̨̫̭͉̀͒͒̎t̴̲͉̤̫̳ͩē̵͙̟̥̪̜̯̆r̐̉͆҉̩̼̤̫͖ ͖̮͎̼̒ͣ͠l̅̽̿̒҉̳̬̫̩̮͉e̢͕̪͈͋̌f͔̻͉̙͎̻̙ͧ̕ͅẗ́̏͋҉̼̻͚̭͇͇͉ ̼̥̣̜̰͔̙̺̓̎ͤ̉i̷̦̦͂̽nͭ͏̼̙̤͚̜̙̺ ̴͇͈̪̰̠̯̈́̈t̴̜͉͚̩͐͂͒ͅh̥͇̼̥̮̜̾͝i̽̑͏̗͍̠͔s͇̖̝̣̠ͬ͐͂ͣ͘ͅ ͈̥ͯ͡ŵ̡̪̰̞̩̝̝̊̅̄o̶̗̺͒ͣ̚r̵̩̳̜̘͓̰̐̃ͬ̓ͅl̡̟̞̱̪̗̯̿d̵̪̰͇̱͛ͧ!̣͕̩͍̣̌̏̔͒͞

…

"Miles? Can you hear me?" His voice is soft and strangely calm… cutting through the fog momentarily…

I try to speak, to tell him to run, but I can barely get out a croak. I flail my arms in an attempt to get across to him… only to nearly slash into his chest by accident… The momentary lapse in fear spurs a particularly grisly memory…

Yet as if it hadn't happened… he gets closer… his gaze is so gentle…

"Let's focus on Breathing. Just follow my voice."

He begins counting to three, then tells me to breath in… then he counts again and tells me to breath out. I struggle to follow at first… but eventually I catch on. It feels like I finally begin to feel the ground beneath me again. I realize how cold the rain feels on my face. I keep following his voice, even if I don't really understand why. The fog starts to clear again… and even when I remember where I am again… he keeps going…

I do not understand… he sees this place; he sees me like this… He should only at best consider me as the living corpse, an idiot dead to shame, a monster deserving of the pits of hell… something so weak and truly wretched that even happiness only serves as another sword in my back…

Yet he smiles at me… he helps me to my feet… and he guides me to the maw of a cave to take shelter from the storm… It really is not fair. I dragged him down to my weakest point; I nearly attacked him on impulse just to try and scare him off; I made him stay out in this miserable storm; yet his smile remains just as bright and warm as when I met him…

"Why…?"

"Do I need a reason? I care about you Miles."

Hearing him say my first name like that… so softly… "How…did you know it was me?"

"I had a feeling… but I knew when you opened your eyes a bit as I called out your name."

I do not understand, I never understood… It feels like all of this should be a lie; it would all be so much easier if this was nothing but a lie. It would make sense to me; I would already know it. I can handle being treated like a monster; I can handle playing the role of the villain. If only it was a world like that, where nobody wanted me, where me disappearing would make thousands of people delighted. If only it was that kind of world…

I notice the Phantom has gathered up some sticks and set them alight, then he sits down next to me, mere inches away. Still frightened by this unfamiliar kindness, I turn my back to him, yet I still speak to him…

"You are probably wondering why I look like… this… and if I am being honest… I am not sure myself…" although I have one theory.

"Yes… but if it's any comfort… you don't look like a monster. I know that's not what you said… but you kept muttering about being one, so…"

"You do not have to be kind to me…"

"I'm not just being kind, it's the truth!"

I scoff, "If you knew the truth… you would not be talking to me right now, you would be running away… and I would not blame you…"

"If you're so confident in that, then tell me! I know I haven't known you for long… but I can tell you're hiding something Edgeworth, and it's hurting you!" My heart sinks a little hearing him switch back to my last name.

I really want to get it off my chest, as selfish as it is. The things I never said about that day burn like hot coals in my stomach. It hurts so much, but I deserve it after what I have done. Even reflected in his eyes, I can see how much of a beast I have become. Part of me wants to lash out like an animal just to scare him away, just to keep him from getting attached. But either way, I do not want to hurt him, and either way, I do anyway, so instead… I just freeze in silence…

"All it will do is bring you pain… I do not want to burden you with my own personal mess. I… it is not as if I do not want to tell you… but it would be selfish and cruel of me… It is all my fault anyway, so I do not deserve your pity."

I do not understand why he inches closer after I tell him that. It makes no sense to me that I suddenly crave his comfort, or why I have to curl my hand up into a tight ball just to avoid reaching out for his hand…

"If you want to call it that… then be selfish and cruel. Either way, I won't abandon you Edgeworth… I promise…"

I want to believe that he is just saying this for his own sake, this compassion merely well masked pity, I know such a thing is cruel, but that is what I deserve… and all I have ever known for so long, so why? Why is the look in his eyes so comforting? Why have those chiseled features softened with a small smile? I can see the pain in his face, yet he refuses to turn away! It is almost as baffling as the tightening sensation in my chest, and the urge to give in.

"Please… Edgeworth… Miles…" I was already on shaky ground attempting to keep it under lock and key, but hearing him say my first name again in such a sweet voice…

I try to force the words clogging in my throat… "He… he was lying to protect me… he- I- this was all my fault… and now- you…"

My mind comes to a halt as he gently reaches out his hand, his hand hovering as he wordlessly asks to cup my shoulder. As forward as it is, I hesitate for only a moment before nodding my head ever so slightly. I should not dare to indulge in such things, and a dark part of me wishes he would just take my corpse and shred it to bits, at least then nobody would have to worry about me-

The way he tenderly cups my shoulder, it feels as though he is keeping my mind from floating off to stew in such horrible thoughts. "Let's take a deep breath. I know this is hard, but we'll get through it together… okay?"

"It is admirable that you want to comfort me, but it will not change the truth… I…" The image of my father's face that day flashed through my eyes, causing me to ring my hands tightly through my hair, as if hoping to rip it straight from my scalp.

"Take a deep breath in with me Miles… hold it a moment… then let it all out…"

I take a deep breath as he asked me to, but afterwards, all these thoughts I had swirling and boiling over in my head start threatening to spew out.

"Out there was my childhood home… and if you are wondering what happened to it, I- I happened to it…"

He does not faulter, "What do you mean?"

"These powers… or rather… this curse… I was a child, I must have lost control of it-" I see my fathers body drop to the floor, the sound of him choking on his own blood.

Feeling as though everything is crumbling, I spiral as I recall the worst day of my life. "My… f-father was trying to help me… and I… I…"

The end of the sentence ties a noose around my windpipe, and it feels as though I'm suffocating! My entire body begins to tremble like a frightened child, and I recall that roaring static that filled my head, and the throbbing pain that spread out from the back of my neck.

And it all comes back to that look on my father's face… something so ingrained into my head I used to wonder if it was imprinted onto the back of my eyelids. First, his eyes widen into a pained stare, a gasp comes out and his mouth hangs slightly open, a small amount of blood being shot out. Then, his eyes well with barely held back tears as he strangles down a sob. Finally, I can see how his face contorts into a grimace; his jaw is tightly clenched as he bares his teeth, and I can feel the unbridled rage and betrayal emanating from his eyes… yet he averts his gaze upward. Even in his final moments, even after what I had just done to him, and even when he had no time left to control the intensity of his reaction… he showed me that small, merciful reprieve.

He was such a kindhearted man…

"And I killed him…"

The words drop to the ground like a ball and chain. Even the Phantom struggles not to recoil in shock, and his grip tightens for a split second. This is the part where he steps back, where he apologizes for not being able to live up to his promise knowing what I have done. This is the part where he is supposed to look at me in disgust and horror knowing that I am capable of such a heartless deed. This is the part where he abandons me… and I am left alone with my thoughts again…

But the Phantom is also a kindhearted man…

So, he stays.

"Then, after my father was… he rescued me from the flames of my own mess, and even took pity on me, sheltering me from the consequences and hiding the true culprit. He has done that and so much more for me… and I betrayed him too!" My sense of reason is tossed aside, and I can barely see Phantom through my watering eyes.

"I tried calling Crimson a monster that hunts other monsters, but in reality, Crimson is not the one who murdered an innocent man, the only monster here is me!"

I feel a gentle warmth envelop me as Phantom wraps his arms around me, offering up a shoulder to cry on. He holds me closely with one hand on the small of my back, softly running soothing circles in my skin with his finger. His other hand goes to the back of my head, cradling it as he runs his fingers gingerly through my hair, taking extra care around my horns, occasionally lacing with my own hands.

"I don't believe it! I know you aren't a monster Miles, and I'll stay by your side until I prove it to you!" The defiance in his eyes burns with a passion I dare not get lost in. He makes such a bold declaration like it was no big deal, yet I could tell he meant every word. That tightness in my chest finally uncoils, and it feels as if, for the first time in years, that weight it carried had finally began to loosen up.

I felt safe again, an intoxicating indulgence that threatened to melt me on the spot. I am not sure why, but in his arms like this… it feels like I belong, and that I make him happy somehow. I do not know how long exactly I was crying into his shoulder, finally able to show such a vulnerable side of myself without the fear of retaliation. Even after all my tears dry, I entertain the idea of resting my head against his chest, with the sound of his breathing almost melodic.

Can we just stay like this, at least until the rain outside has passed as well?

Chapter Text

I can never get tired… yet holding Miles made me feel like I could just get lost in my own head for a bit. I felt so complete just interlaced with him like that, so when I snap back to reality and can't feel him there anymore, I panic a little. Fortunately, he is just a bit further away… and man, is he a breathtaking sight or what!

He wears the spare hoodie and pants I brought well, despite it being a bit baggy of a fit on him. Something about seeing him wearing my clothes like this just made my heart soar…

"P-Phantom! You're-"

And then I realized I was on fire again.

"Uhm… no need to panic! It's just… a thing that happens sometimes! Yeah…"

"So, you know how to make it stop then?"

"Well… I know water works… this is a bit… new…"

He walks over slightly deeper into the cave, "The pond should work, although you should-"

I run in without hesitation, accidentally hitting him with a large splash.

Surprisingly, despite being soaked on the head to the point his hair was mopped over his head, he did not get sad or frustrated. Instead, I heard a quiet, somehow adorable wheezing laugh.

Seeing him actually smile as he wiped the hair from his face, especially after last night, the sight is like a streak of light in between the stormy clouds that weigh above his head. I want to treasure it and cherish it up close, and thankfully, I get my wish as he jumps in and splashes me back.

"What about the clothes, won't you get cold?" I hate to ruin the fun, but we are both still in a bit of a jam, and we might have trouble getting a spare pair of clothes.

That laugh bubbles up again, "You can just warm me up after this!" He says it so casually it makes my heart skip more than a beat. If anything, he is the one warming me up saying something like that. It is a lucky thing we were already in the water, or my cheeks would not be the only thing burning.

After getting back out, Miles gives an inquisitive look, "You claimed that the fire was a new thing, do you know how to start it up again?"

He pierces through any bravado I had as Phantom again like it was nothing, "Well… I don't have an exact way of triggering it…" I look away hoping he will buy that half-truth.

"In that case… what triggered it for the first time?" This time he seemed hesitant, as if he already knew.

I stumble over my words, as laying it all out might scare him off. "Erm… well that's a funny story actually… you see… this might freak you out but-"

"So, it was when… I…" I'm surprised he remembered, but what shocks me even more is how he immediately gets to his knees and kowtows.

"Please forgive me for my lecherous affront against you! I will accept whatever punishment you see fit for my vile act! I hope comforting me has not been discomforting you, but if it did, I completely understand, and I vow to never-"

"Miles! That's not- You don't have to apologize to me. You were delirious after all, and if anything… I was a bit flattered…"

You would think we were in an overheated sauna seeing his reaction. Come to think of it, I wonder if he would make that kind of face when we kiss on the lips… I do have an aching curiosity for what it would feel like to do it again… Not that we have time for that-

My train of thought comes to a screeching halt as Miles gives me a quick hug. "Perhaps… this will aid you in the activation of your ability then…" He averts his eyes rather curtly.

Needless to say, it worked. In fact, our clothes were dry in no time at all.

Now we were left with a new situation: Where do we go from here? I'm still currently a wanted fugitive, and Miles is a missing man with small horns, wings, and a tail. I can only think of one place we can get the help we need, although hopefully I don't set the fire alarm off this time…

Still under the cover of the early morning, the two of us make our way back to Maya's apartment, finding that the window is locked. I knock on it, only to see a different woman, one with short blue hair, come to the window half asleep. She says something out loud, and Maya trails behind her, still rubbing the tiredness from her eyes.

Maya opens the latch and simply groans, "Ugggh… would it end the world to use the door every now and then?"

The other woman seems equally unsurprised, strangely enough, until she notices something that catches her off guard, causing wrath to boil in her eyes.

"What did you do to my little brother?!" She roars, summoning a whip to her side with terrifying ease.

Maya jumps to stop her "Franzie! Stop! He didn't do it!"

Wait, little brother?

"Franziska, I assure you he was set up! I am alive and well!" Miles makes his way inside trying to show her.

She practically hisses, reading her whip with a booming crack, "If that is the case, then why have you sprouted wings, along with the tail and horns?! I swear whatever he did to you he will wish he had the ability to die when he faces my fury!"

"About that… it… I am not sure why they are still out, and the wings are definitely new…" Miles tries to calm his sister down, putting himself between the both of us for my protection.

So, she knew about his transformation? How common of a thing is this?! I've only ever seen Miles this way- wait a minute. I think back to Crimson, remembering the similar horns and tail. Looking so similar is one thing… perhaps he had his outfit inspired by Miles? Maybe-

"You do not have to defend this man, even if you and your foolish heart forgive him!"

Miles finally gets through to her when he barely flinches as she lashes out with the whip. She remains silent but backs away and recoils the whip. There seems to be anger still flaring, but now it seems directed at Miles.

She did not come off as the composed prosecutor she was known as, more a mess of different frustrations chaotically fighting each other in her head. "You foolish, selfish- Papa and I- oh just you wait until Papa-"

"He already knows…"

Another silence as she the worry and confusion bubble to the surface. Finally, she leaves to the living room, grumbling one word to her brother.

"Talk."

Maya and I try to follow, only for her to growl, "Stay."

"Sooo… what's the plan now Nick?" Maya leans against the kitchen island as I pace back and forth.

"I don't know…" If anything, it seems like Miles has some kind of plan, but I don't know what exactly it is.

She groans, "He still doesn't know who you are, and you're still not ready to reveal it? I really think you're overthinking it. I revealed my identity to Franzy, and it only brought us closer! I thought you were still all about giving everyone a chance at your trust?"

"I still trust him, and I want to tell him, but… knowingly endangering him more when he already has so much on his plate isn’t right."

"And stringing him along under a false identity is? It's going to come out eventually!"

"I know! I know! It's just… I need more time, a moment where it doesn't seem like we both have our backs against the wall. Then I can really tell him who I am, and how I feel about him, mask or no mask…"

Thinking about it makes me want to fixate on that thought, but instead, I'm interrupted by the slam of a palm on the island counter.

"Wait, so even after the kiss?! You never talked about it or anything?! Nick, you're like a brother to me, but what the heck?! This isn't rocket science! He's literally your soulmate!"

I put my hands up, "Not so loud! And for the record, he was delirious when he confessed his feelings for me… specifically my civilian alter ego… while I was Phantom. I don't know exactly what is going on, but he wanted to protect me, and even after being roughed up and poisoned, his first priority was still protecting me. I don't know the exact details, but his mentor and Crimson are entangled somehow, and given how shaken he was, they terrified him!"

"Wait… who is his mentor again?"

"I think if I remember correctly his name is Von Karma?"

Suddenly her eyes seem to fill with fire, "OH, IT'S THAT SON OF A SEWAGE PILE!"

"You know him?"

"Know him, ever since wonder boy got hospitalized, he's been putting more pressure on Franzie to drop all her hobbies and other activities to work under him! I know you can't always get along with family, but he is actually just the worst!"

"Do you think…" I want to say it, but my throat dries up at the thought.

Mr. Von Karma is his mentor, and he carries around a blunt force weapon in the form of his walking cane at all times. It would be natural to suspect that the bruising might have been caused by him. But if he was also behind the poisoning, and the forged ransom note… then that means this isn't just about having control over Miles…

He wants to get rid of him.

I hope to be proven wrong, but the solemn looks on Franziska and Miles faces when they each return provides little comfort.

"We need to talk." Four words was all he said. We walked into the living room ourselves to do that.

When he shuts the door behind the both of us, I ask "What about your sister and Maya?"

"They have their own problems to discuss… and Ms. Fey… Ms. Fey would be a far more comforting person for my sister to be with right now…" He takes in a dragged and pained deep breath.

I decide not to press on that, it's clear things are not the best between them.

"It isn't your fault you know." I blurt out under my breath without thinking.

"W-what are you talking about?" He trails off as if realizing what I meant, seemingly content to just drop the subject.

I sit down on the sofa, still figuring out how to do so comfortably with my wings. Miles asks me to turn around as he changes into a new outfit. The tension of us both going silent for a moment is… I try to lighten it with conversation. But what to talk about in this situation that isn't more tense? I end up blurting out the first thought that comes to mind as I give up brainstorming.

"So… about that kiss huh?"

Welp, time to go crawl in a hole and cry.

He coughs to clear his throat. "Well… if you would prefer, we can pretend as if that never happened…"

"No! I mean… that isn't necessary!"

Another silence passes between us, but this time he's the one to break it with a small hiss of pain. Worried, I look over to see what was wrong…

My heart sank when I could see his bruises again. They were slightly more faded than they were in the hospital, but the fresh ones were probably still really sensitive.

"I told you to t-turn around…"

"I'm sorry!" I turn head away again, remembering the request.

"For the record… if you are worried about the bruising, don't be. They usually fade in a few weeks. I run… incredibly cold… so it usually doesn't bother me as much…"

But that's not the only thing that troubles me, not by a long shot. "Is Mr. Von Karma is the one who-"

"I know." His breath sharpens as his words grew coarse. "I know it may seem strange, but I… it was part of my punishment for my crime-"

"Stop saying that! You didn't do it, and nobody deserves to be treated like that!"

"You can worry about me later! I'm more worried about proving you innocent!"

He finally finishes putting on a suit like the one he usually wears, leaning with his back against a wall.

"You… you're going to defend me in court…" As it finally hits me, it feels as though our roles have reversed, and he's the superhero.

"Of course! I know you are innocent, and I am not going to let Von Karma hurt another person I care about!" He speaks so boldly, only to stumble his words a bit after his declaration. "I mean… if you want to I- well… I do care about you, but it's also to do it for Phoenix, even if he does not return my feelings, I still want to be friends, and I know you two know one another, and knowing how kindhearted he is, I…"

Oh Miles, don't sell yourself short, you're kindhearted too!

He takes a deep breath as his eyes dart around the room as if trying to avert mine. "Naturally, since we do not want you to have to relinquish your costume and reveal your identity, I have a plan that will allow you to remain out of prison as I build your case… on one condition…"

 "It sounds like you don't think I'll like it, but if it helps, I don't mind."

"It requires using an antiquated clause in the law, and it will raise a few eyebrows since it has not been used in decades… but you are allowed to remain outside of prison… under the stipulations that… you have your bond paid off… and you remain under the custody of the lawyer in charge of your defense…"

Uh- wait… "What exactly does being in your custody entail?"

His face heats up like a boiled lobster, "Well… for a capital crime such as kidnapping in particular… this entails you… being handcuffed to me… at all times…"

"Oh… that… okay…"

Don't set yourself on fire Phoenix! Don't set yourself on fire, just keep focused. Look around the room for something else to focus on other then how pretty his face looks when his face turns flush like this. Uh… Aha! An open book on the table!

A Phoenix's fire can be very frightening to behold at first, and one might worry about injuring their soulmate. However, while the fire of a Phoenix can usually only be tamed by said Phoenix through a learned technique, the fire naturally calms into being harmless in the physical presence of their soulmate, merely feeling like a pleasant warmth and causing no damage. This is particularly convenient during more intimate moments since-

Okay! New plan! That did not help!

"Erm- I-I'll be right back!" I bolt off to the restroom, with the nearest one thankfully having a shower.

Oh, this is going to be tricky! It's far better than if I went to prison, and I would be lying if I said part of me wasn't excited to be closer to Miles, but if I don't get this fire under control… I'm going to have a lot of explaining to do…

Chapter Text

                "Little Brother, you better explain what the hell is going on or by my whip I will smite you and your friend six feet under!"

Oh dear, this is going to be rather tricky, but I have to tell the truth to her! Not just for my sake, but for Phantom as well!

"Where do you want to start?"

"How about you start with WHAT DO YOU MEAN PAPA ALREADY KNEW YOU WERE SAFE?!?!"

I suppose starting at the root of it is one way to go about it, but I can already feel my muscles tense, anticipating the slashing of her whip.

"There is no easy way to tell you this Franziska… but your father… your father is not the man we idolized when we were younger-"

"AND YOU THINK I DON'T KNOW THAT ALREADY YOU FOOL?!" I can almost hear the tension of her whip threatening to tear under the pressure of her tightening it between her hands.

This isn't just going to be about this mess is it?

"You are not taking this away from me too! After all these years of constantly living in your shadow and never being good enough for him to even acknowledge my presence, after being devastated by losing you in spite of it, I finally was able to get him to notice my talent and potential! Now you waltz back in at the crack of dawn just to tell me it was all a lie?" She whips at my feet, giving me a warning of what was to come.

Franziska… I wish it had not been like that, I look back on all this time and feel guilty for how he treated you, asking what more I could have done to stand up for you like we did in the beginning. At the same time however… I do not want you to just have gone through what he put me through instead. "I… I see… Franziska, I know this is going to sound silly… but I do not want to see you get treated the same way I did-"

"Well then maybe you should have never come back at all then!"

…

"I'm sorry Miles… that was a horrible for me to say…" She begins to tear up, and I'm not sure exactly what to do to comfort her…

I tentatively offer up a hug, not really used to expressing this kind of thing, and for just a moment, she accepts it, but then she pushes away again.

"Don't try to act like you did not benefit from his undivided attention… because you have these!" She points out my remaining demon-like features.

"I-"

"Oh, and don't go trying to call it a curse or something like that! Just because of what you were born with, you got to take my father away from me and leave me in the dust! Even now when I thought I could finally get through to him, do you know what he said to me? He asked why I couldn't have had powers like you! And now you burst in showing off even more new abilities for me to fail to compare to! What's next? What else would you like to show off as living proof of just how insignificant I am compared to you…"

"Franziska! This is not about me having powers and you having none! I cannot let him treat you the same way he treated me, because…. Because!" I hesitate for a moment before showing her some of the bruising…

She studies them with abject horror, "These are… defensive wounds…! You aren't seriously claiming that…?"

"You know his cane lines up with these wounds Franziska, and you know what kind of man he is…"

"But! Papa would never go so far as to-!"

"He did… and he convinced me that I deserved it every time… and that he was being generous by only going that far..."

A silence hangs in the room as she clutches her shoulders, her mind clearly searching for something, anything to fire back with.

All she could muster up was "Why…?"

"I… I thought it was because… the debt I owe him for taking me under his wing… and failing him… but…"

She's not ready to hear what I have done yet; it will only confuse things further.

"Something darker is going on here, and while you are free to despise me afterwards if you wish, I beg of you… at least give me the chance to clear Phantom's name! I will take responsibility for the rest, that way you and Ms. Fey will stay safe as wel-"

She raises her whip, and I wince in expectation of a harsh fury of blows, only for her to reach out and hug me…

"So you really are… you fool…"

I stand in shock for a moment at the sudden affection from her, but slowly reciprocate it.

                "Well… for a capital crime such as kidnapping in particular… this entails you… being handcuffed to me… at all times…"

HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH you idiot why did you have to phrase it that way! Now he must be really uncomfortable since he bolted off to the restroom to hide!

I know there are not many options here for us but… being tied together like this… for the entire duration of the proceedings outside of court… even when… even then… The more I think about it, the more flustered I become. And then a thought… no… a fantasy pops up in my mind before I can stop it…

Just before drifting off to sleep on my bed next to Phantom… he turns to face me, an inviting look in his eyes as his lips part ever so slightly. He cups my face in his hands gently, drawing near as he whispers, "May we share a tender kiss to keep us company until we reunite in our dreams?"

I bury my face in my hands as I snap myself out of such a ridiculous thought. Maybe that book Phantom looked at for a moment may be a good distraction from the sappy, unrealistic fantasies of a meek-hearted fool such as myself.

Yet, just as I reach out my hand, Phantom returns the room, sheepish, but completely extinguished. I recoil my hand immediately, attempting to act casual so I do not discomfort Phantom.

"Are you comfortable staying that close for the whole time…?"

Hoping to ease his worries, I reply, "My apartment has the proper accommodations for you to temporarily stay as well. As long as you are comfortable taking this step, then I am willing to do this to help you."

"Promise me one thing before I agree to this?" I see how he averts his eyes back to the book he was looking at before.

He seems ashamed to admit, "Can you promise not to try finding out my identity?"

"I promise" There is nothing to be ashamed of Phantom, I completely understand it all.

                The morning at the police station is tense, with many shocked by the idea that I am defending him, but thankfully, we managed to get out, now attached by a 42-centimeter chain in handcuffs, with each of us having one hand free. The police station was kind enough to make arrangements for a police car to handle transportation for the time being, ensuring our safety. Now came the most difficult task… returning to my office on the twelfth floor. This was not for the journey, but for what, or rather… who was waiting for us when we got there. It felt as though a tightly wound knot was slowly coiling inside of me with each step up the stairs.

Phantom holds out his hand without a word, and I take it, resisting the sudden urge to lace my fingers with his.

"You're shaking Miles… are you sure you're up to this, given who might-"

"I know he's up there, and I know he is not going to be pleased… but…" As strange as it sounds, despite knowing how it may set him off, with you by my side… I feel… safe…

The room is unusually dark, with a sinister chill that left my skin crawling. He was waiting in the room on his own. The door slams behind us, as if locking shut on its own.

"Shall we cut straight to the point?" That sickening tone already made me want to puke. He was not just angry, he was livid.

Suddenly, it feels like a pair of icy hands are wrapped around my throat, as if attempting to claw into my throat and crush my windpipe. In my panic, my horns and tail grow back to full size, and my wings return, becoming visible once again and ripping from their binding violently. Even through the buzzing static filling my ears, I can hear a cacophony of laughter and the scream of Phantom. My vision grows hazy, and I feel seconds away from blacking out…

Only to get in a gasp of air to keep me conscious. It's torture, and I struggle clawing at the empty space around my throat in a desperate attempt to pry my throat free, but to no avail.

"Let him go!"

"Oh? And why should I listen to- no no no, you take one step closer to me and I'll make his head pop like a pus-filled pimple."

"Stop it! What do you want from him?!"

"You poor fool… this is not about what I want from him, I already figured out this little brat will not listen to me anymore, and frankly, he is beginning to outlive his usefulness to me."

I feel the grasping on my neck constrict more.

"WHAT DO YOU WANT THEN!?!?!?"

"It is you who I wish to speak to… Phantom. I know that you are a notoriously hard bug to squash beneath my boot, but you made the mistake of getting attached to my rebellious protégé."

"Just tell me already and let him go!"

"Ha!  You think this is a negotiation? This is a warning! I will get my guilty verdict on you Phantom, and you will pay for leading my apprentice astray. I will take immense satisfaction in your suffering and defeat, no matter how much you insist on squirming-"

"WE DON'T HAVE TIME FOR YOUR EVIL MONOLOGUING! STOP TORTURING HIM!"

With the next breath of air to stay conscious, suddenly it feels as though my lungs are collapsing, as if another pair of corpse-cold hands was squeezing them like a stress ball, causing an involuntary cry in pain.

"You know what, I do not really appreciate you interrupting me… Now then, where were we?"

"You… you… you son of a-"

"I would choose your next words very carefully if I were you. It would just be a shame if you broke one of his arms…"

"…"

My lungs are freed, but I still remain in his stranglehold.

"Good, now listen here, maggot. If you don't want me to paint the courthouse in his bloody viscera, I suggest you take your guilty verdict quietly and without any resistance. You will not mention any of what I have done here today, or else I will not just settle for killing him, I will personally come to your cell with him so you can have a front row seat as my creative genius shows, slowly torture him to death drawing out the pain as long as possible, and all you will be able to do is sit there and watch. I will make sure you cannot turn away or hide your eyes, and the consequences of you daring to cross me will haunt your mind for all eternity!"

"I-If I do that, will you let him go?! Please?!"

Phantom…

"There you go, I like it a lot more when you are cooperative like this! So, do we agree that this never happened?"

"Let him go, and I-"

"Remember hero, choose your words carefully… or I might just…"

I feel another pair of cold hands pull at the base of my wings, threatening to rip them from my body.

"OKAY THIS NEVER HAPPENED PLEASE DON'T HURT HIM ANYMORE!"

"Good…"

The grip on my neck and wings finally let go, causing me to fall to my hands and knees, gasping for air.

"Miles!" Phantom drops to my side, making sure I am not too Injured and can breathe normally again, and up close I can see the pain in his face, his eyes still wet from tears.

As Mr. Von Karma quietly grabbed his cane and walked out of my office triumphantly, he comes to a halt at the door, after unlocking it again, turning back to face me, his stare uncanny and his smile nightmarish. I freeze in terror as his ghostly hand tightly grasps my jaw, pulling it to face him.

"Perhaps you still have some use after all…"

You will not get away with this Von Karma, even if it costs me my life!

Chapter Text

Miles! I catch him before his head can hit the floor. I- 

“Miles… I’m so sorry I… I couldn’t let him… I failed you…”

The gentle stroke of his finger wipes away a tear from my face. Everything is a bit blurry, but even as I cry I swear he looks at me with such conviction.

“You do not have to apologize to me, all you have done up to this point is nothing short of admirable.” He reaches into his pocket for a pink handkerchief.  “Here… crying over me like this does not suit you and your… I… despise seeing you this distressed…”

He gives the handkerchief to me with one hand, using the other holding my own. And here I thought I would be the one comforting him in this situation. Even in such a helpless situation, with his life on the line, he’s calmer about it than me.

“I know you were hoping to help me, but I couldn’t… he would…” The threat he gave before leaving sunk low in my stomach like a bunch of rocks. 

Miles grimaced, “Mr. Von Karma… I will not let you hurt them too…” And as if the spark of determination was ignited within him, he got to his feet, immediately pulling me up.

“But if you defend me, he might… unless you happen to be invincible or something, he will try to kill you!”

“Try he might, but while I am not invincible like you… I refuse to let his little threat stop me from saving you.” He starts looking for something from a nearby shelf.

“But-”

“Even if it costs me my life, that would be a small price to pay for your-”

I slam my hands on the bookshelf, cornering Miles as he turns to face me. His back is pressed against the wall, and he drops the file in his hand, letting out a small yelp in surprise. He doesn’t look away, instead meeting my eyes with a strange happiness and a hint of defiance.

“Listen to yourself! You keep acting like you're just going to give up your life as if there’s nothing wrong with that! Aren’t you scared?!”

A pained expression clouds his face, “And what does that matter? Your life is worth far more than mine in the grand scheme of things. Phantom is the hero this city needs, and I am merely…”

“Not to me you’re not! Just because I have some mask and alter ego doesn’t make my life worth more than yours!”

A weighted, melancholic smile forms on his face. “I suppose you are right… however, if I do not help, who will?”

What should I do? For once I think I’ve bitten off more than I can chew. I can’t stop him… I have no right to stop him! But even so, I just sob something even though I don’t fully believe it yet.

“Please don’t do it…”

Suddenly he pulls me closer, resting my head on the crook of his neck and silently offering a shoulder to cry on. Enveloped in cooling comfort and the scent of chamomile and lemongrass, it feels as though I can really let go for a moment. 

“Even with my abilities, I really am powerless in this, huh?”

He pats my head, “Do not get too discouraged, especially not when we have this…” He holds out a tiny camera with the “record” light blaring red.

“You… you mean… why didn’t you lead with that you jerk?!” I hug him back tightly, smiling and laughing a bit at his poor timing, even as he keeps on that solemn face that I still don’t understand yet.

“This recording will be an important piece of insurance for us. While legally you cannot record any consultations in here, Manfred Von Karma’s outburst does not count, and is thus admissible in court.”

“Well, let’s get it over to the police right now-”

Miles wags his finger, “I am afraid we cannot rely on them at this moment, as Von Karma may use them to either tamper with it or destroy it.”

“Wait, then who are we sending it to?” I look at him with confusion, but he goes awkwardly silent for a moment, as if scared of my reaction.

Finally it hits me, “Wait, you don’t mean…?!?!”

“She may be his daughter, Phantom, and we may have our turbulence at the moment-”

“How do you know she isn’t going to hand it right over to her dad as soon as she gets her hands on it?!” 

He hesitates for a moment before answering, “I… I do not know. However, I trust Franziska to make the right decision in the end, I believe in her.”

“Now you’re starting to sound like me!” I lightly elbow him while teasing.

He pretends to scoff before returning the favor playfully, “I am surprised that it was me trying to convince you, after all, you even jumped at giving Crimson the chance to redeem himself!”

Crimson… I admit I have had my mind on him as well… It’s clear he’s connected to this case somehow, although I have even less details on how then Von Karma. Come to think of it, he hasn’t appeared since that night when we went after Mark O. Shane…

"I killed an innocent man Phoenix… and if the courts will not punish me for it, I will."

His words over the phone come to mind again. Crimson was the one to take him to the hospital, only for him to turn up dead… and then Miles…

"It was the same poison found during Mark O. Shane's autopsy…"

But if that’s the case… then… wouldn’t that…

"It's my next mission, an arsonist plot."

Now that I think of it, I never asked where Crimson got his intel from… and the way he phrased it… he never really mentioned if he was working under anybody… but…

"It… it has been difficult at work recently…"

I already know that Miles said that as a lie of omission, but what if he wasn’t just omitting Von Karma’s actions…?

“He… he was lying to protect me… he- I- this was all my fault… and now- you…”

What if the person he was referring to when he said that was actually…

"I tried calling Crimson a monster that hunts other monsters, but in reality, Crimson is not the one who murdered an innocent man, the only monster here is me!"

Clearly Crimson was on his mind at the time…

"It is you who I wish to speak to… Phantom. I know that you are a notoriously hard bug to squash beneath my boot, but you made the mistake of getting attached to my rebellious protégé."

How did he know? How would he have known about my powers? How did he know that I had gotten attached to Miles…?

I don’t dare to say my conclusion out loud, because I don’t want to believe it’s true. I don’t want to believe that Crimson would be capable of something like that!

It barely occurred to us just how much time had passed reading over old records and stewing over memories that it was already almost nightfall. We probably would have stayed there all night if it weren’t for the same officer from before knocking on the door. At first I thought this handcuff situation would be particularly difficult, but so far, things were actually going pretty easy when it came to that…

At least until we reached his apartment… This was where the real challenges would come. Eating together would be easy, but what about bathing? What about sleeping? What about this burning urge to wrap my arms around him? I wonder what his hair would feel like if I ran my fingers through it? I wonder if he’s-

“Phantom…? Is everything alright? You have been silent the entire way home- I mean to my home! Not that you have to consider this home if you don’t want to! I just… hope you feel at home here… for the time being at least.” Even his most fumbled words make my heart sing.

I could already feel the flames rising up from my heart, and I think I might need a shower to cool this one down “May I use your restroom?”

“Er- yes… I… I believe in this circumstance, as long as I wait outside the door… you can be uncuffed while you are in there…”

“And what about when you need to…”

“I believe I can trust you to stay put for that amount of time… even without the handcuffs?” He playfully teases me.

Glad to return the favor, I take it up a notch by leaning in closer, a hand pressed against the wall by his head.

“Not that I mind, but you trust your supposed kidnapper with handcuffs?”

“Oh bite me, you know just as well as I do that you are innocent. Why else would I allow you to stay with me like this?” He volleys back as he unlocks them.

“I’m just saying, you might not want to do this for every kidnapping suspect you defend, not that I would hesitate to rescue you if need be.” 

Oh jeez! That came out really weird! What am I saying?! 

His bangs hide his face as he looks down for a moment, almost covering up his flustered, frustrated grimace.

“D-do not make fun of me for this, but… I… I do not- I never actually… had someone stay over like this before…”

“Well, I’m happy to be your first…I mean I’m glad you trust me this much! Sorry umm, I’ll… go use the shower now so the fire doesn’t cause any damage…” 

I don’t know what it is about when he is earnest with me like this… but it really goes straight to my heart and soul. I guess that’s part of him being my soulmate even if he probably doesn’t believe in things like that. Hopefully, after this whole trial nonsense is over, I can finally tell him how I feel… and who I really am behind this mask.

Just as I am finally done and getting back into my uniform, I overhear Miles talking on the phone. I know it’s wrong to eavesdrop, but with nothing but a closed door and open air between us, it was hard not to hear him… not to mention his voice is really good at getting and keeping my attention.

“Thank you again for stopping by with Ms. Fey, I really appreciate the extra food for the pantry, as well as for keeping that thumb drive safe in the meantime…”

I didn’t even realize they stopped by! Now that I think of it… I think I smell dinner… Did Miles-?

“Oh, am I on speakerphone? Ms. Fey, I must thank her again as well for stopping by his apartment so he has his spare uniforms and casual-wear for the evenings. That and… I am really happy that my sister has someone like you in her life… Oh, and since you are her girlfriend, make sure to ask her about why she despises kiwi so much.”

I swear I can hear a bit of both Maya laughing and Franziska yelling about how fruits are not supposed to have fuzzy hair.

“Oh, but peaches and coconuts are alright in your book?”

It warms my heart knowing he is opening up to me, but it warms my heart even more knowing I’m not the only person he is showing more of himself to. He deserves to know that there are many people in his life who care about him too, and he deserves to be able to connect with them.

“I… you really think I have a chance with him?! I- must admit… I do have feelings for him, but even if he does by some miracle return them, it would not be fair to him to pursue a relationship when I still harbor feelings for Phoenix. He deserves a partner that is ready for a relationship, not one still pining after someone else…”

Miles… I’m really sorry… I was so caught up in the idea that I had to protect you from people who might use that connection against us, I didn’t even think about how you would feel. You’re so much stronger than that, not some damsel in distress for me to rescue. You… I was thinking of waiting until after the trial to tell you, but… you shouldn’t have to wait that long. 

“Thanks again for cooking dinner Miles… I haven’t had a home cooked meal like that in ages! It was delicious!” I beam as I take my last bite of spaghetti.

He tries to deflect, “It’s no big deal, Ms. Fey- I mean Maya mentioned it was your favorite, so I thought it would be a great way to welcome you.”

“No big deal? You’ve been a wonderful host, although I never expected you of all people to wear pink silk pajamas.” I have to admire it though, the sight of him looking over a file while lounging on the couch in sleep wear was something I never thought I needed, but now that it’s right in front of me, I never want to forget this.

“It is salmon colored, actually… and I never expected your mask to fit as well with your gray hoodie and sweatpants ensemble.” 

Putting the bowl down on the mini-table next to me, I turn towards him, feeling my heart skip a beat as he slowly peered up at me. Okay Phoenix, you can do this! Just say what comes to mind, and say it with confidence.

“Miles, there’s something I need to tell you, and it can’t wait until after the trial.” 

He puts down the file gently, “Whatever it is, you can tell me. I trust you, and no matter what, I will prove to the courts that your innocent, so-”

“I heard what you said, about having feelings for me… and for Phoenix Wright…”

Chapter Text

“I heard what you said, about having feelings for me… and for Phoenix Wright…”

This is- oh dear! How could I be so foolish! He must be disturbed by it! What if he thinks I did all of this as an excuse to get closer to him? I must look like a creep now!

“O-oh… I see…” 

I squeeze my arm, looking away in hopes that the look of betrayal and disgust on his brilliant face will not be burned into my mind.

“Miles…”

“You don’t have to pretend or anything, I completely understand if you despise me and what to find someone else to-”

I struggle to conceal an involuntary squeak, when I feel his warm hand rest on my shoulder, far too gentle to be upset.

“Miles… you can tell me the truth, I’m not going anywhere just because you open up more to me." His other had glides up to hold my cheek.

HIS HAND IS CUPPING MY CHEEK! I AM GOING TO MELT IN THE PRESENCE OF THIS RADIANT MAN! Okay Miles, stay calm, I am a grown man after all. Now he wants me to open up more, and frankly, I could bear my very soul to this man if he keeps getting closer like this… But I cannot be incautious at a time like this. Clearly he must not be as disgusted as you anticipated, which means the next step is to gather information. Just say anything you might want to tell him that comes to mind, and use it as a clue by gauging his reaction, preferably something romantic, but anything will do.

“I must confess.. I am actually… Crimson.”

ANYTHING BUT THAT! I feel his hand leave my face, the warmth of his skin pressed gently to mine still lingering. I turn back to look at him, and much to my dismay, his hands cover over his mouth in shock, and tears begin to leak out from behind his mask. He tries to say something with his mouth still cupped by his hands, but I can parse out my name and the words “such an idiot”. 

“I know it sounds silly, especially since… well, ever since I kissed you at the hospital… I… you have remained at the forefront of my mind ever since… and now…”

I could barely call the life I had since the incident living, but it feels as though his presence, his voice, and his touch… everything changed, and not in some cliche way where all my troubles are but a distant memory. Rather, it feels as though the storm has not passed, but I do not have to wait it out alone. Even if such an indulgence is as fleeting as I fear… fighting for something greater than self-punishment… coming back to not just an apartment, but home… Throwing the rules and sensibility to the wind, I unlock Phantom and I from the cuffs once again, roughly aiming for the table nearby as I toss them.

Guiding his hand to my incorrigible heart, I confess, “You were right… there is a heart in my chest, but right now, you are the pulse that keeps it beating… if that makes any sense…”

His hand hesitates as he pulls it back, and I feel as though something about what I said had weighed on him.

“Sorry, that was a lot to dump on someone I haven’t known for very long…for some reason… it feels like it was much longer… granted, I can barely remember when I was young anymore… I only realized after going back to that house for the first time in years that I used to know Phoenix for almost a year when we were little kids. I failed to even recognize him after all these years, and I must be unrecognizable myself…”

I try to keep my eyes glued to the floor, only for that warm hand of his to gently guide my chin back…

“Miles…” Having removed his mask himself, I can see a familiar sky full of stars in his cobalt eyes.

“Phoenix…” I should have known…it feels like so many things click into place at once. Of course Phoenix would want to be a hero, of course he would stubbornly refuse to give up on me. Of course he would be the bright light shining in front of me.

We both inch closer to one another, and Phoenix’s face fills with an unexpected revelry. I stare mesmerized by his passionate gaze, unsure of where to rest my hands, ending up with them on his shoulders. 

“So… Phoenix… you have heard how I feel about you… but… how do you feel about me, now that you have seen the so-called man behind the mask? I understand if this is a rather probing line of questioning, and you do not feel the same way that I-”

My racing thoughts trail off into nothing but white noise as both his hands cup my face like a priceless treasure. One of his thumbs gently caresses my cheek, wiping away a tear I had not even noticed was trailing down my cheek.

A small burst of excitement courses through me as he pulls me closer, my eyes flutter shut in anticipation.

His lips brush softly against mine, a spark that set me alight. His hands trace my jaw, letting the warmth linger as they travel to the nape of my neck, with one continuing up, running fingers through my hair adoringly. 

I glide my hands down to his waist, backing us both up against the sofa, the flame of passion in our hearts spreading through every inch of us. It feels as if for a moment, the fire had burned away our worries and barriers, allowing us to slip away from our troubles into a paradise just between the two of us. 

Even if I am the foolish Icarus flying too close to the sun, melting as I am now beneath that radiance, this sun is far kinder than the one of myth, catching me before I sink into the depths of the sea, and encouraging me to don a stronger pair of wings to take flight once again.

We both pull back to check in on each other, his soft breaths against my skin a comfort I never realized I needed. Realizing how entangled we were in the culmination of our newly forged connection, we both sit up again, getting lost in each other's eyes, until something else catches my attention.

“Your fire… it… it put itself out?”

He blinks a few times, as if registering it for the first time, “Huh… didn’t expect that to be the fix…”

“So… based on the evidence, I hypothesize that this fire is caused by your attraction to me, and is calmed by relief from expressing this attraction?”

“Well… if you really want to compare it to a scientific study, don’t those things need you to repeat the experiment over and over again to test your theory?” His confident smirk combined with the remaining flush of his face makes the offer very tempting..

“I may be your defense, and while you are innocent of the charges currently laid out by the courts, you are certainly guilty in other regards…” I tease, hoping to return the favor.

He leans in closer while playing coy, “And what might I be guilty of?”

“You are quite the serial offender when it comes to your thievery… you take my breath away, steal my heart, and even steal a kiss from me!”

“Hey! You’re also guilty of doing all that to me! And you kissed me first!” 

“In that case… what is the sentence for such a scandalous transgression?” 

His grin draws in a mischievous laugh, sweeping me up into his arms and holding me close like a cherished treasure, “A criminal like you gets to serve their sentence in the maximum security of my arms!”

“Well… if that is the sentence, I am afraid this will only encourage me to be a repeat offender…” I wrap my arms around his neck, surprised to find his hair so soft and silky to the touch despite being so spiky, and getting so captivated by this discovery that Phoenix took the opportunity to steal another slow, sweet kiss. At this rate, sleeping together in the same bed will be a breeze.

The chill of winter and the mix of cinder and ash makes a suffocating concoction. No… not this again… please…

My father reaches out his hand to me, calling for me to hurry behind him as we weave through the smoke and darkness. I reach out my hand foolishly yet again.

A pained stare… a gasp of shock… a grimace of rage… and that small, merciful reprieve…

But when his body drops to the ground, in the blink of an eye it becomes Phoenix as the one lying there. I rush to his side, noticing in dismay that his wounds are not regenerating. Even as I cradle him in my arms, I feel no heartbeat. His body is so cold… the world is so cold… it all feels so cold… 

I startle awake in my bed, drenched in sweat as a bolt up. Phoenix stirs awake beside me, rubbing his eyes, only to look sorrowful once he sees my face.

“A nightmare…?”

I nod my head, barely able to see him without my glasses, and further blinded by the darkness and tears blurring my vision.

I hear him slowly sit up, his voice soft and soothing, “Miles… would it help if I hold you?”

Opening my mouth to speak fails to produce any sound other than sobbing, so I shake my head yes.

He envelops me in his tranquil warmth, his arms wrapped around me as his hands traced over the muscles of my back, slowly beginning to calm them. Resting my head against his chest, I can feel his heartbeat and breathing, reassuring me that he is here, alive and well. 

I try to choke down the tears in hopes he cannot hear them, only for him to console me, “It’s okay if you need to cry Miles, I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere, okay?”

Why isn’t he upset that I woke him up? I know neither of us really need to sleep, but the rest that it provides… especially before such an important event tomorrow…

“I apologize for waking you up…” I whimper as I bury my face against his chest, another wave of relief washing over me as I feel those hands lace through my hair once again.

“You don’t have to be sorry Miles, I’m here for you just like you’re here for me. We’ll get through this together, okay?”

“But… These nightmares have not stopped since… What if they never stop?”

“Then I’ll wake you up every time and comfort you.” The tenderness of his voice sinks his words into my heart.

Even as I cry, even though I know what we are up against, and even as selfish as I am for this… I… I feel safe in his arms…

Safe… just like the cave… how long has it been since I was able to feel this way? It’s such an unfamiliar feeling… and frankly… It seems a bit foolish. I know his presence isn’t going to magically fix all the pain and hardship, nor is it his job to do so. Yet somehow, beyond all doubt and reason, here in his arms, my safe escape remains, where neither the mess we happen to be in nor the haunting thoughts can plague me.

I lift my head up to face him, my eyes having dried enough to finally see the brilliantly shining man in front of me again. “Thank you… for helping me feel safe again…”

I hear him murmur sweet nothings into my ear, still sleepy and unbothered by the weight of me resting my head on his chest. Even I was beginning to feel drowsy at this point, and knowing that Phoenix would be there for me if another nightmare were to creep up on me, sleeping no longer felt like a gamble. Curled up in his arms, feeling his chest slowly rise and fall beneath my ear, the rhythmic beating of his heart slowly lulls me back to sleep. I am not just safe, I am home.

Chapter Text

“Are you sure you're ready for this Miles?” Tension rolls over me as he paces back and forth in the defense lobby.

He looks up at me, a small dash of affection seeping through regardless of the situation, “Even if you are not able to testify, we not only have a solid case, but I know you are innocent, Phantom.”

It does seem like it should be an open and shut case in our favor, but if that’s so… why do we still have a trial going? And why is the undefeated Manfred Von Karma so determined to win this…?

As we make our way to the benches, seeing Von Karma on the other side of the bench, his sickening grin widening as he glares at me, I can already feel my stomach drop.

I look at Miles, seeming ruthless in his own way, double checking files and evidence while talking to himself.

“Court is now in session for the Superhero Phantom, charged with the murder of Mark O. Shane and the attempted murder of Miles Edgeworth.”

“HOLD IT! Your honor, my client was not the defendant of a murder charge, there must be a mistake!”

I hear that cold laugh from Von Karma, leaving my skin crawling. “Oh? Were you not informed of the police report? We have dropped his kidnapping charge due to lack of evidence… However, we in the process of this investigation uncovered the identity of the person who is behind this poisoning incident… isn’t that right Phantom?”

Perfect witness, perfect evidence, Von Karma had pulled out the floorboards from under us, without any evidence in our hands… without any time to prepare, Miles spends most of the case struggling to find a foothold. Von Karma manages to convince the judge that us not getting all the information and evidence was an accident on the police’s part.

I can hear the gallery quietly mumbling to themselves, complaining about how the trial has been dragging on.

“OBJECTION!” Even after coming up empty handed time and time again, he musters up a brave face.

“Must you insist on keeping this charade going? Each point you have attempted to bring up has led to one dead end after another.” The man on the other side of the room struggles to hide the frustration and impatience.

“Indeed, but when you put it all together, it raises many unanswered questions: “Why would Mark O. Shane be taken to the hospital if the Phantom was trying to kill him? If his goal was to kill me using the same poison, why would he choose to kidnap me instead of killing me? Why was Crimson’s outfit found at the scene of the supposed kidnapping?”

Von Karma’s knuckles whiten as he clenches his fist around his cane.

“You see, Prosecutor Von Karma, there was one thing that you failed to account for in all of this: you assumed it was Phantom, yet you leave out one potential suspect who would be far more suited for this accusation…”

Wait… Miles?

“You attempt to throw out evidence that Crimson was at the scene of the kidnapping, ignore the fact that Crimson was the one who took Mark O. Shane to hospital, and purposefully left out that Crimson has much more of a motive for doing all of this than Phantom ever could. Care to enlighten the court as to why?”

But… 

“You know, there’s something very interesting about all of this… throughout my investigation, I have questioned why this Mark O. Shane posed so much of a threat that it would require him to be silenced permanently. He was a member of the Cadaverini Mob, but if he was such a low ranking member, why would they poison him? Would they not, as infamous arms dealers, be far more likely to shoot him instead?”

“Wait-”

“And was that not how he got to the hospital? And guess who not only brought him there, but was supposedly the last to see him alive? Not Phantom, but Crimson. This would suggest a far different story to the one you presented to us: one where, because of something he said during that visit to Crimson, he was killed off to ensure he wouldn’t speak any more.”

The glare that Von Karma is giving! I try to defend him, calling his bluff. “But why would Crimson work with the Cadaverini Mob? He has not been active in the city long enough to join them!”

I don’t like where this is headed one bit. 

“Perhaps, at first glance, but considering this: His first case of caped crime fighting in this city involved apprehending a then suspected serial killer, but at the time, it was not public information that he was connected to more than one crime. According to witness testimony, he was somehow aware of that fact anyway. And in addition to that, he knew the identity and whereabouts of Mark O. Shane, enough to tell the hospital his blood type when he took him there.” He only glances back with a weak smile.

“Are you suggesting that he had an informant?! One in our very ranks no less?!” 

“Do not feign such surprise, after all, this is not the first time such a thing has been brought up.”

Von Karma for a split second seemed more enraged than when I saw him in the office, but he hid it well under a snarling, “Gregory Edgeworth…”

Miles balls his fists on the desk, barely containing how much he was shaking as he explained, “You are familiar with his cold case then? Just as the defense attorney… my father… was attempting to investigate such a thing, his house was burned down the night before he was to submit his findings to the court… burning away the evidence…”

A single tear trails down his face as he lowered his head, “Leaving me as the sole survivor…”

I try to reassure him with a hand on the shoulder, and as if it ignites a final burst of passion in him, he raises his head, “But we know that is not the cause of death in his case! His autopsy report revealed internal injuries and deep gashes in his chest, suggesting that something tore into him so viciously it punctured his lungs! Someone wanted him dead, that is certain. And just as we near the anniversary of that tragedy, Crimson decides to visit, even in the middle of a thunderstorm! He must be connected to this case, in fact, he was the one who was behind the incident himself!”

The gallery begins to chatter wildly among themselves loudly without even attempting to mask it. For the first time, I see a flash of fear rush through Von Karma as he attempts to claw his way back into control of the narrative.

“And how, pray tell, can you prove this as more than mere desperate conjecture?” This barely covered threat fills his face with pain and dread, yet Miles faces it head on.

“No… Miles! Please don’t-”

He takes one last look at me, and even through it all, he gives me one last look, so intense it feels as if he was trying to commit my face to memory. He then turns to face Von Karma once again, using his powers to put up the illusion of his Crimson mantle.

“Because I am Crimson.”

I feel my heart stop as the gallows roar in shock. Manfred Von Karma’s cane finally snaps under the weight of his fury. The judge has to bring the trial to an end for the day thanks to the revelation, and while I am freed once again with the public none the wiser of my identity, it shouldn’t have cost so much for Miles to prove it. As the bailiff cuffs Miles and attempts to take him away, I rush over to him.

“Miles! Why did you do that? I know you didn’t poison anyone! And-”

“Phantom… I cannot hide from the truth. The goal was to free you and prove your innocence, was it not?”

That’s… “Yes… but that doesn’t mean you have to- we were supposed to be a team! We were going to get through this together!”

Franziska rushes in from another room, the thumb drive in one hand, and her whip in the other, calling out to Miles, “You foolishly foolish fool! What the hell was all of that?!”

He turns his head back to the both of us, the guilt in his face a haunting image.

“I’m sorry for tricking you into wasting your kindness on a monster like me…”

“Was this your goal the whole time?! Is that why you never called me in to bring this?!” She holds out the thumb drive, clutching it so tightly that it’s a wonder the thing doesn’t break under her fury.

Miles turned back around, as if to hide his face from us. “Ah… That… you can do what you wish with it at this point, it does not matter anymore. And do not worry, I know you were not involved in it, so you will stay free too.”

The bailiffs push him to move along, leaving us both alone in a cold silence that bared down on us.

Franziska lowered her head for a moment, seemingly fighting back the urge to run after him, muttering to herself, “Foolish… you think… after everything you can just…”

Suddenly, she lashes out, grabbing me by the collar with a fury even more potent than when we first met.

“And you! I can’t believe you of all people would let him pull something like this! You’re supposed to be a hero, and you couldn’t even save him?! ”

“I-”

“Oh and don’t even waste my time trying to fool me with some excuse! I saw the tape myself, I know about your little deal to keep him safe! I should have known, you couldn’t keep him safe then, so why in blazes would you keep him safe now?” Even as all of this spills out, taking it out on me does not stop her eyes from getting wet.

“Franziska, I know this is going to be hard to hear, and I know you despise me right now, but I need your help-”

“Oh, so the invincible superhero needs my help now?! You are really so useless that you need to rely on a powerless prosecutor to clean up this mess!?”

“That’s not the point! And don’t demean yourself like that! You don’t need powers to help me save Miles!”

Somehow, this got her to put me down by the collar and start… glaring?

“Ever since last night, you keep calling my little brother by his first name, and such arrogance is starting to get on my nerves. His foolish little crush on you and your coffee boy persona does not give you the right to pretend you are close to him!”

I scratch at the back of my neck, both a bit embarrassed that this is when I have to tell her the news, and fearing the wrath of her whip bearing down on me. 

“Well, we did reveal our true identities and started dating, so it would be kinda weird if I didn’t at this point…”

She storms off to the parking lot outside, throwing the doors open so hard you can practically hear the hinges squeak.

“Get in.”

What?

“Get the hell in you fool, you are far from the perfect candidate for such a task, but if my foolish brother is so infatuated with you, surely you must be of some use.”

As I get in, I hear her call Maya, cutting to the chase immediately with, “Maya, I have terrible news and even worse news, which do you want to hear first.”

“How about we start with the worst news then the other terrible news won’t be so bad?”

“My little brother is trying to take the fall himself, and he’s convinced himself he killed his father.”

“I already know, they just started that news feed! They even interrupted Pink Princess for the news bulletin! What was the other bad news?”

“Mia won the bet.”

“Are you kidding me?! I thought I had it in the bag! I was gonna win enough money for me to start up my own burger- sorry… I’ll meet you guys at the detention center, okay? We’ll save him Franzy, together.”

Chapter Text

I should have known he would follow me here, but I hardly expected him to be accompanied by Ms. Fey and Franziska. I really messed up this time… they shouldn’t be wasting their energy on a criminal like me… and even though by all means this should be our goodbye, that defiance in their eyes… of course, it must be pitiful to see someone with a face like this, even if that somebody is me.

“So, come to laugh at the fallen attorney, have you? Go ahead, laugh all you wish.”

“We’re not here to laugh at you Miles… just… let us help you!” He slams the desk on the opposite side of the glass so hard I can feel it.

“Now you finally get the chance Franziska, you no longer have to live in my shadow. The world will finally see how much better you are compared to m-”

“Did you really think that was all I cared about Miles?”

Franziska… please… for your own good, despise me…

“So you were fooled by my facade? Ingratiating myself into your family and then supplanting your position? You said yourself that you despise this, and yet you grew to care for it regardless?”

It hurts me to say these things… but I have to… I cannot let you get chained down by me and my personal mess…

I want her to be angry, so angry that she can toss me aside and forget, yet it breaks my heart seeing her eyes getting wet. “Stop it, stop lying to me! You can’t just grow up with me and then expect me to just let you push me away and pretend like it meant nothing to you!”

“Face it, I never took on the family name, nor was your father ever really a proper father figure to me. I was never a Von Karma, nor will I ever be.”

“But you are still my little brother.” She smiled when she said that, I made her cry, dragged her into this mess, stole the spotlight from her growing up, yet she can look me in the eye and call me her little brother with a genuine smile.

I really am the monster huh? I laughed to myself as a way to mask the urge to sob.

“And now you finally see the real me, how truly cruel I am, spending our entire childhood playing on your loneliness to ward off my own, even when I knew, even all those years ago, that one day I was going to have to face my crimes and sever that bond. I selfishly played the part even though I knew it would only serve to hurt you the more we connected.”

“That’s a lie and you know it! Franzy told me all about growing up with you, and how much you really cared!” Ms. Fey objects, her face puffed up and her fists tightened.

“All those old games, huh? Then let me put it this way: the game is up, I never told you the truth in the end, but you cannot live in those fantasies I indulged any longer.”

Finally I think I am getting somewhere when the embers of her rage return to her eyes, only for her to shout, “I don’t care if I have to go through hell and back to do it, but I know what you are trying to do, and I am not going to stand by and watch you destroy yourself and pretend like it’s better that way! Even if somehow you didn’t really care, which I know is utter rubbish, I still care about you, you fool! And I will prove you did not kill anyone, I’ll prove it to the whole damn world, and I’ll prove it to you if I have to!”

She storms off with Maya in tow, leaving Phoenix and I alone again. At this point, I have become such a mess that I do not know if I am laughing or crying anymore, but whatever it is, it spills out all over the table.

“I just… let me do this… let me go so I can do this for you…”

The truth is, I really do not want to hurt them, I hate it, but I cannot let them stay close, I will just hurt them again! Just like-

“Miles…” his warm hand reaches through the slot in the glass, taking hold of my own hand as it quivers.

“At least, let us find the truth together… okay? For the record… even if it did turn out… that still doesn’t make you a monster.”

It is a wicked endeavor that I have walked, and I always understood that this whole situation would not bring him any good. Yet for a moment, my heart beats faster than it should be, letting my fingers melt between his.

“Forgive me… for this…” 

Forgive me for being born.

Forgive me for falling in love with you.

Even now, I wish to know everything there is to know about you, and I hate myself for that.

Forgive me for being a coward and building a wall around myself.

I love you so much, I really do, but I cannot open the door to my heart like this.

Forgive me… for not being able to stop these tears from pouring out despite that.

I am not one to see people as nothing but a means to meet and end, but this mission of mine… this final mission of mine, requires a sacrificial lamb.

“Let me help you Miles… I promised I would prove to you that you were innocent too, remember?”

“Why… why do you still-”

“Because I love you too.”

I know I have no right to indulge in him and his radiance, but…

“The assistant that went into hiding after I… after my father died… Raymond Shields… I know where he is.”

It hurts so much seeing his eyes brighten up encouragingly at the new information, yet even the pain is strangely precious to me.

“He is staying with Kathrine Hall at her inherited mansion. Tell her I asked you to come speak with him, and she should let you.”

He pulls the back of my hand through to the other side of the slot, gently pressing his lip to the back of my hand. He even hesitates as he lets go of my hand.

“I’ll be back before visiting hours end, okay?”

“I… look forward to it”.

Even knowing the truth in my head, my heart clutches to a selfish fantasy.

“Fancy seeing you here…” I sneer at Von Karma through the glass.

I take a twisted enjoyment out of the new expression on his face, the slight panic born of fear. After years of him holding the reins, this change of pace really helps me sink further into this “Crimson” persona.

“You lied in court about your mission! All so you could bring up that stupid…”

“Oh do not worry sir, I will clear everything up in court tomorrow, including your involvement.” I keep a dark smile, narrowing my eyes.

“...As if they would believe the word of a criminal.”

“About that, did you think I switched sides without doing any research? Have you ever heard what happens when you lie in front of someone with a magatama?”

A drop of sweat beats down his face, “Enlighten me…”

“While mostly just a mere rock to those who are not trained spirit mediums, in the hands of anyone with a strong moral compass, they have one mystical ability: to see through the lies in one’s statements, allowing them to break through the locks in one’s heart to find the truth.”

He sits there for a moment, only to burst into a fit of laughter, “As if you would believe in such a thing! Just as foolish as your father!”

“Careful, I doubt that room can hold your over-inflated ego much longer, I might just have to pop it.” Each word pours out, dripping in sarcasm.

“You do not hold the power here, I do! What could you possibly hope to gain from this?” His dismissive tone fails to hide just how important it is to him.

“It is a small sacrifice to bring down a far bigger threat, the same one my father worked so hard to prove all those years ago… the same one that took the life of Mark. O. Shane just to keep it all quiet, but it was too late.”

He clenches his teeth, “What did he tell you?”

“I know you are connected to the Cadaverini Mob in some way, to the point they assumed not only that I was working under you, but that this corrupted connection was known to me. You are not the only one with a connection, are you?”

“If you keep treading this line of thought, you might end up just like that Mark O. Shane…” He grabs me by the neck with an invisible hand.

“Tsk tsk tsk, I would avoid attempting to threaten me with physical harm, after all, if anything happened to me… my life is currently your only insurance stopping an immortal Phoenix from becoming your worst enemy, is it not?”

“What do you want?” He asks bluntly under his breath as he lets go of me.

“Pardon?”

“In return for your silence, what do you want?”

“I see… a bribe… finally showing your true colors, are we?-”

“As if you of all pitiful creatures has any room to talk!”

Giving into helpless spite despite my dire predicament, I press further, “And if I am so pitiful, what does that make you?”

“E-excuse me?” Rage, that barely hidden rage, so your true colors Von Karma, show them so I can sink further into the truth of this inky darkness.

“Well, despite having powers of your own, years of experience, and connections to the most power mob in the city, as well as countless accolades as an undefeated prosecutor, you sunk so low that you relied on a mere child to do your dirty work for you, raising someone just so you could stay up in your ivory tower and pretend as though your hands are clean.”

“You-”

“I almost pity you in a strange way. It makes me wonder how low someone would have to sink, just how much venom must run through you to do such a thing. Maybe it was just me being a vulnerable, impressionable child at the time, but for the record, you did have my respect back then.”

He snarls, “A monstrous child like you did not deserve the compassion I granted looking after you, how dare you say such things when you are indebted to-”

“You are still rather childish yourself I see. I would have thought, for someone as feared as you, you would be cold, cunning, and calculated killer deep down, and yet… all it took was the threat of you losing your favorite puppet. All it took was the threat of me finding the truth to make you fall back on your own incriminating impulsive tendencies.”

“I take back my previous comment… you are even more foolish than he ever was.”

“...was it worth it…?” My voice shakes a little.

“What in blazes are you referring to now?”

“All this time, the only reason you showed interest in me, even before I became of any real use to you… it was all just to get vengeance against my father. Every little controlled burst of anger, every bruise, scar and insult… it was all just your demented way of trying to get back at him, right?”

His silence tells me all I need to know.

“So was it worth it? Are you satisfied with how far you have gone just to get some desperate sense of retribution against a dead man? You may see me as self destructive for bringing you down with me, yet in the end… you are even worse than me.”

“...Quiet-”

“Oh and one more thing before your time is up… about that thing about being in debt to you… I realized in a way, I already repaid that debt. You told me not to mention the fact that you went to visit the house around the time of the fire, so I did not… but if my powers did not go out of control that night… you were going to kill him yourself, weren’t you?”

I give a satisfied smirk, even as his invisible hands wrap around my throat attempting to crush my windpipe. Refusing to let his blind rage be the last thing I see, I selfishly close my eyes and let my thoughts drift to Phoenix…

“Excuse me, Von Karma sir, It’s half an hour past your time limit, and we have another visitor waiting to see him.”

His hands let go, as his fists ball up against the desk in frustration. Even after all of this… Phoenix must have kept his promise… saving me once again without even realizing it.

…I guess even now, my selfish heart will continue beating for him. Maybe... that is not such a bad thing after all...

Chapter Text

Hey there, I know this might seem a little sudden, and I'm really sorry for leaving this on such a note for the time being.

I would rather not get into too much detail on this, and there is no easy way to say this, but recently something happened in my personal life, regarding my own adoptive parent. Because of a traumatic incident involving my adoptive father, it has become incredibly difficult to write this fic, as many of the current elements at play just hit way too close to home for me.

I am safe now, and I am getting back on my feet. I'm not leaving A03 or anything like that.

It is just that after trying to write the draft for the past few weeks, and the wound is still far too fresh to simulate a disturbingly similar situation with fictional characters.

Hopefully in the future I can return to this and give you all the proper conclusion you deserve.

Thank you so much for following this story. Every single comment and kudo really brightens my day, and I hope that I can make other people's days with these little stories I cook up in my spare time.

And thank you to my wonderful fiancé Tele for not only helping me through all of this, but for helping me write out this notice as well.

I hope you all have a good day/night/etc. And I hope you enjoy the other things I will be working on in the meantime. Stay safe everyone.