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Phoenix arrived at the twelfth floor of the Prosecutor’s building. He was there to discuss a case with Edgeworth, because frankly, he was quite stumped. Even though Edgeworth wasn’t the prosecutor on this trial, he would often lend a hand to Phoenix when he was stuck.
When he stepped out of the elevator, he was greeted by Gumshoe. His shoulders were slumped and he looked like a kicked puppy.
“Oh, hey pal. If you’re here to see Edgeworth, you might want to come back at another time.”
“Is he busy?”
“Not much busier than usual. But he’s in a really bad mood. He gave me quite the lecture just now. And I didn’t even do anything wrong this time!”
Phoenix considered coming back at another time. But he really needed someone to look over this case and he didn’t trust anyone but Edgeworth to do so. Time was already running out, so he had to see Edgeworth today. How bad could his mood really be? It’s probably nothing he hasn’t seen before.
“Thanks for the heads up, detective. But I really need to see him now. I’m on a time crunch, so I’ll take my chances.
“Well, it’s your funeral, pal. Good luck.”
Gumshoe gave him a pat on the shoulder as he stepped past Phoenix into the elevator.
He walked up to the door. Room 1202. He took a moment to mentally prepare himself before finally knocking on the hard wood and opening the door.
“Gumshoe, I already told you I am in NO mood for your shenanigans today!”
Edgeworth was sitting behind his desk, looking down at his paperwork with his head in his hand. Despite the angle, there was a clear scowl on his face.
“Uh, good thing I’m not Gumshoe, then?”
Edgeworth’s head snapped up to look at Phoenix, standing sheepishly behind the door, only his head peeking out as if using it for protection from the prosecutor’s anger. Once Edgeworth realized who was at the door, he rolled his eyes and dropped his head back into his hand, eyes focused on the paperwork again.
“What do you want, Wright? I am in no mood for your shenanigans today either.”
“Yeah, Gumshoe already told me. You gave him quite the scolding apparently.”
“If you’re just going to comment on how I handle things, I’d advise you to leave. Unless you’re looking for a scolding yourself. I already have a pounding headache and can do without another one.
“As much as I like being berated by you, I’m not here for that today. I kinda need your help with a case I’m working on and it’s quite urgent.”
Edgeworth was silent for a moment, looking back up and narrowing his eyes at Phoenix before he spoke.
“Really, Wright? That’s why you’re here?” He started calmly. Phoenix stayed silent, preparing himself for the storm about to come.
“Are you really that dense that you can’t solve a case without my help? I’m already busy enough as it is with my own work!” Edgeworth stood up quickly, pushing his chair back behind him and slamming his hands on the desk, now yelling. “You better leave now before I—“
Oh, that was a bad decision. He stood up too quickly, his vision now filled with black spots, his ears ringing. He tried to sit back down on his chair, but missed it, disappearing behind the desk.
Phoenix quickly circled around the mahogany, seeing Edgeworth slumped and unconscious on the floor, his neck cradled by the edge of the desk chair. “Edgeworth? Hey, you okay?”
The prosecutor didn’t respond. Luckily, Phoenix knew what to do. He put his arms under Edgeworth’s, lifting him up slightly to place him flat on the hardwood floor before propping his legs up on the chair.
The blood rushed back to Edgeworth’s head and he came back to consciousness quickly.
“Hey there, Edgeworth. You feeling okay?”
“Ugh. What the hell am I doing on the floor?” He immediately tried to sit back up, but Phoenix pushed him down gently.
“Yeah, don’t get up just yet. You fainted. You’re anemic, aren’t you?”
Edgeworth scoffed. “Nonsense. I take very good care of myself.”
“Oh yeah, that’s why your body suddenly gave out. I know what anemia looks like, Edgeworth. You said you had a headache and fell to the floor when you stood up too quickly.”
As much as he wanted to deny it, he had no energy to argue with Phoenix right now, his head was still throbbing and he figured it would be easier to just come clean.
“…Fine. I’m anemic.”
“I knew it. Don’t you have iron supplements to help with that?”
“I… do. I just haven’t been taking them properly as of late.”
“Because you’re a raging workaholic?”
“I work a normal amount. I just look like a workaholic because you barely take on any cases in comparison.”
“I have my hands full with my current cases, thank you very much. I know you, Edgeworth. You’re not forgetful. Not unless you’re focused on work. You either have to cut back on work so you don’t forget anymore or you have to get in more iron through food. How much meat do you eat?”
Edgeworth looked quite uncomfortable being asked that question. He hesitated before he spoke up again.
“I… don’t eat meat. I’m a pescatarian.”
“Oh, makes sense that your iron is low then. Now that I think of it, you do always eat salads whenever we have lunch together. I don’t want to be disrespectful of your lifestyle, but it’s probably a good idea for you to start eating meat again.”
“I can’t!” Edgeworth snapped. That was quite a strong reaction. Phoenix could’ve let this go, but he felt that there was something deeper going on here. He had to press him.
“Can’t? What do you mean by that?”
Surprisingly, Edgeworth opened up immediately. Maybe it was the headache crumbling down the walls he usually put up. Maybe he was still not fully conscious. Whatever it was, Phoenix was grateful for it.
“…von Karma would take me and Franziska hunting in Germany. He wanted to teach us to be ruthless and always go in for the perfect kill. He wanted us to compare defense attorneys to deer and other animals, serving no other purpose than to be defeated. We even had to learn how to skin and prepare the meat for dinner that night. It… traumatized me. So whenever I wasn’t having dinner with von Karma, I wouldn’t eat meat. Now that he’s gone, I haven’t had a single bite.”
Phoenix took in the words in silence, just nodding as his friend spoke. Poor Edgeworth. He’d already been through so much. Phoenix knew growing up with von Karma would be traumatizing, but he didn’t know to what extent. He wanted to say I’m sorry for what happened to you, but knew better than to show Edgeworth pity.
“Okay, I see. So meat’s out of the picture. How about stuff like spinach? That stuff’s full of iron, right?”
“I don’t like spinach. I’ve tried it, but I just can’t get myself to eat it. I’m quite ashamed to say I’m a bit of a picky eater.” Edgeworth looked away embarrassed, grabbing his elbow, protecting his body from whatever ridiculing he’d receive from Phoenix. The ridiculing never came, though. Instead, he was met with understanding and compassion. Something he wasn’t used to at all.
“That’s alright, nothing to be ashamed of.” Phoenix offered him a friendly smile. “Then we just have to make sure you take your iron supplements. I probably can’t convince you to cut back on work?”
“I have responsibilities, Wright. The paperwork doesn’t rest so neither can I.”
Phoenix looked a bit disappointed at that. But he figured he could fix his overworking later. First, he needed to make sure Edgeworth properly took his pills. One step at a time.
“Then I’ll remind you. I’ll shoot you a text every morning to remind you to take your iron. If you text me back confirming you took them, I’ll send you a cute picture of an animal.” Phoenix gave him a playful smile.
“That’s very nice of you, but really not necessary.”
“Too late. I’m gonna do it.”
“I won’t reply. I don’t need cute animal pictures.”
“I’ll keep texting until I have confirmation you took your pills.”
There was no use arguing with Phoenix, Edgeworth knew how persistent he could be.
“Ugh, fine. I’ll text you a confirmation. But the animal pictures really aren’t needed.”
“Great! That’s settled then. Maybe we should get you on the couch and off the floor.” Phoenix leaned over to help Edgeworth up, even though he insisted he could stand on his own. They plopped down on the couch and Phoenix reached over to his briefcase to grab a bottle of water before handing it to Edgeworth. He accepted it hesitantly and took a nice, big swig.
Once the water went down his throat, Edgeworth spoke up. “So, you were here because you wanted to discuss a case?”
“Ah! Well, yeah. But I can come back later if you’re still not feeling well.”
“You said it was urgent. I’m feeling better now, thanks to you. It’s the least I can do in return.”
“…Thanks, Edgeworth. I’ll make it quick, I promise. So this case…”
The attorneys went over the case together, bouncing theories back and forth. Just before the sun set, Phoenix finally knew what to do to win the trial tomorrow. He thanked Edgeworth and went on his way back to his office.
July 21st 2018
Phoenix - 10:23 : take your iron pills :)
Edgeworth - 10:27 : I have taken them.
Phoenix - 10:28 : yay! good job
Phoenix - 10:28 : 
Edgeworth - 10:29 : Read.
July 22nd 2018
Phoenix - 9:58 : iron!!
Edgeworth - 10:01 : I have taken them.
Phoenix - 10:03 : that’s my edgey
Phoenix - 10:04 : 
Edgeworth - 10:05 : Read.
July 23rd 2018
Phoenix - 10:14 : iron pill time babey :)
Edgeworth - 10:18 : Do not call me ‘babey’. If you must, at least spell it right. I have taken my pills.
Phoenix - 10:20 : you got it baby ;)
Phoenix - 10:20 : 
Edgeworth - 10:22 : Read.