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Miles Edgeworth didn't drink coffee so he wasn't sure how he ended up in an overhyped chain cafe on a rainy day crowded with people. The baristas were running around, all professionalism be damned, in attempts to keep their heads above the waves of incoming orders. The sound of several coffee machines, yelling workers, and customers who laughed too loudly assaulted Miles' eardrums and he rubbed the bridge of his nose in a groan as he attempted to block as much of it out as possible.
I have to get out of here , he thought as he glanced out the window to see… nothing outside. A torrential wave of rain was sliding down the glass, blurring the surroundings so completely that nothing but a few blobs of colors could be seen. And Miles did not have an umbrella. In fact, a quick look at himself, he found himself dressed in his best suit– the one von Karma specifically bought for him for his court debut. No, he couldn't ruin it by walking through a hurricane.
"Edgeworth? Wow, fancy seeing you here!" an unfamiliar voice called from behind him and Miles felt a hand touch his shoulder, making him flinch and shove that hand away.
"Don't touch me!"
"Oh… Um…"
Turning around, Miles found an unfamiliar older man in a blue suit. He narrowed his eyes. Well, no… there was something familiar about him, but certainly not someone he was familiar enough with to allow touching. "Who are you? Do I know you from somewhere?"
"..." the man stared at him with his mouth open, looking Miles up and down.
"Close your mouth or answer the question. You'll let the flies in," Miles sneered. Eyes drawn to a spot of gold, Miles recognized an attorney's badge pinned to the lapel of the man's suit. "Never mind, it doesn't matter. Defense attorneys aren't worth my time."
"W-What? That's… just uncalled for…! You know who I am, Miles Edgeworth, stop playing games! We've known each other for twenty-six years and we've been working together for the last ten years!"
"Working together? With a defense attorney? Never," Miles paused, "And what do you mean twenty-six years? I turned twenty this year."
The man stared at him again, thankfully with his mouth closed this time. Miles didn't need to be distracted by that again. "Edgeworth," he finally said, "Are you alright?"
"I'm perfectly fine! I was on my way before you so rudely intercepted me."
"On your way… where?"
"I was… I was…" Miles trailed off, unsure of how to word his answer. Nothing he said would make sense right now. In fact, he didn't think this would work– that this would happen. It wasn't something he could explain with words. "It's none of your business, anyways," he snapped, "I don't know who you are so I'll have to ask you to leave me alone lest I call the police."
"The police," the man raised a crooked eyebrow. Now that was awfully familiar. "Who? Gumshoe?"
"...!" so the man knew his detective partner. Yet, Miles was certain neither of them would ever befriend a defense attorney.
"He'd be just as concerned if you didn't recognize me, you know! …Come on, Edgeworth, let's get you somewhere safe. Or at least to see a doctor."
"I'm perfectly healthy and don't need to see any medical professional," Miles crossed his arms. Besides, wasting his time in the doctor's office was the last thing he needed right now.
"Then, let's just get you somewhere private at least. How does your office sound?"
"My office…?" Miles raised both eyebrows, "I have an office?" Which was the wrong thing to say because the man immediately took his hand and started dragging him out of the coffee shop. "Stop! Unhand me at once!" Miles flushed and said with gritted teeth. Yet, he couldn't help feeling a slight static in the hold, a familiarity in the warmth of the other's hand, and a desire for… more. When was the last time he held hands with someone like this? Not since… Not since… Miles bit down a sigh and shook his head, hoping the man didn't notice this.
"Nope, we are going to take you to see a doctor!"
But as it turned out, they were not going directly to see a doctor. They were actually stopping by Miles' office. "I don't know your doctor's phone number by heart, but I know you keep a copy of his business card in your office," the man said sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck as they entered the prosecutor's office building.
" Why do you know that?!"
"I told you, it's cause we're partners!"
"There's no way I'd be partners with a defense attorney!" Miles would never consider dating the enemy!
"Ouch," the man pouted and Miles' stomach did a small flip-flop. There was something familiar about that expression and he fought against the sudden stab of guilt that pierced through him. Instead, he crossed his arms, huffed, and looked away. "Sheesh, you haven't said stuff like that since your twenties."
"I told you I just turned twenty!"
The two of them were crossing the lobby and Miles spotted a few familiar faces walking between hallways and towards cubicle desks. The secretary even nodded at both of them, smiling as a greeting and making no effort to chase the defense attorney out. There's evidence of truth in his words , Miles thought as he made his way towards the cubicles on the first floor.
"Edgeworth, where are you going?" the man pulled at his wrist again to stop him. It was different from before, where their skin had direct contact. But, he could still feel the heat from his hand as he held him over the sleeve.
"Ah… to my desk?"
"Your desk is in your office. On the twelfth floor. Don't tell me you forgot that too."
"I have an office on the twelfth floor?" Miles' parrotted with wide eyes. The other man had mentioned it before, but Miles figured he must have an office within the first few floors. He couldn't imagine getting a prestigious one on the twelfth floor after… after… Miles averted his eyes and let the man guide him to the stairwell door. "We're going to walk to the twelfth floor?" he asked weakly.
"Of course? How else would we get there?"
The elevator, Miles didn't say as they started their journey up. And it was with this unspoken acknowledgement that Miles realized he was indeed close to this man. But, just who is he? How could he possibly have become so close to a defense attorney? Following von Karma's tutelage, it was expected that he'd never work together with defense attorneys. It was never verbally requested of him, but Miles knew better than to go against the silent expectation.
They were quiet as they climbed up. Clearly, the other man was not as used to climbing up twelve flights of stairs and was beginning to pant as they passed the third landing. Rather than talking, even he saved his breath for the ascent.
But as they passed the sixth floor, Miles couldn't keep the question within him, "Hey."
"Hm?"
"Who are you–"
"Wright, what are you doing here?" Miles was interrupted by a familiar voice from the landing above them. When he looked up, he found a familiar looking man in glasses and a similar maroon suit staring down at them with his hands crossed.
Beside him, the defense attorney– Wright, it seems– swung his head back and forth between Miles and the newcomer several times before screeching, "EDGEWORTH??!"
Fifteen minutes later, they arrived at Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth's office. Miles walked in with a sense of awe, admiring the furniture he picked out for his future office, and the decor that was implemented. Of course the law books were all neatly arranged on shelves. He didn't expect the Steel Samurai figure by the window, but it would make sense for him to own one given that he had the money for it now. (Who was Wendy, though?) Oddly, the suit he was currently wearing was framed on the wall. Whyever would he do that…?
"Wright, are you alright?" Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth asked from the doorway where he was helping Wright in. The latter was doubled over and panting, trying to catch his breath from the twelve flight climb.
Pathetic, really , Miles thought with a smirk, of course a few stairs is enough to do a defense attorney in.
"I'm fine, Edgeworth! Really!" Wright laughed, but the Chief Prosecutor still looked unconvinced, his hands hovering just slightly over Wright's waist, ready to catch him should he pass out from the exertion. Miles narrowed his eyes and frowned, an itch of annoyance building up from within his throat and causing his lip to twitch. He bit down to stop it.
"You really shouldn't push yourself. Why didn't you use the elevator?"
"Oh, well, you know…" Wright tilted his head towards Miles, who was standing further in the office, taking note of everything.
"Right…" Chief Prosecutor mumbled, "You must be–"
"Prosecutor Miles Edgeworth," Miles answered.
"Good to meet you. I'm Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth," the older man responded and crossed his arms.
Miles' eyebrow twitched, but he schooled his face into a practiced smirk and also crossed his arms, "I surmised as much."
"Oh, this is going to get confusing quick," Wright grumbled.
The three of them sat awkwardly in the office. Wright next to the Chief and Miles across from them. The Chief even prepared tea for the three of them. Even though he knew perfectly why , it still irked him that Miles Edgeworth the Older picked his favorite blend and prepared it at the perfect temperature, steeped for the perfect time. He should be proud, yet…
"Well, why are you here?" Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth finally broke the silence.
"Why? Why not? It's a free country, I can go wherever I like."
" Wherever ," Wright huffed, "I don't think we have any laws on whenever . I think you owe us an explanation, at the least."
"I owe you no such thing!"
"Really, man? You're staring at your older self and you don't think you should explain how you got here? What if you cause a time paradox?"
"..."
Wright moved to pick up his tea for a sip, but not before muttering, "You're such a brat. I'm glad I never spent time with you when you were twenty–"
"Wright, wait–"
The Chief Prosecutor's warning came too late, Wright took a sip of the tea and flinched, let out a yelp, and dropped the teacup on his lap. "Ouch!!"
"Wright!" the older Miles Edgeworth jumped right to action, picking up the teacup and setting it aside before pulling out a handkerchief to dab at Wright's shirt and pants. "Actually, take these off, we need to see if you've been burned."
"What? I can't do that–" Wright's cheeks flushed at the exact same time as the Chief Prosecutor and Miles raised an eyebrow in interest.
"I-I mean, you should do that in the bathroom, of course!" The Chief Prosecutor stammered.
"O-Of course, yeah! I didn't think it was anything else!" Wright laughed, all pain forgotten as he stood up at the same time as the Chief Prosecutor.
"Let me–"
"Don't tell me you're going with him," Miles cut in, his face aghast as he pieced together the details. The way his older self hovered over this man, the way he looked for an excuse to touch Wright, but never allowing himself to do so, the way he offered his handkerchief !! How dare he! "Objection! Miles Edgeworth, you're in love with a def– Mmmphh!!"
Who knew his older self could jump over a coffee table without a second thought!? No matter how clean he kept his shoes, they do not belong on an African Blackwood coffee table! Yet, that was exactly what the Chief Prosecutor did, using the endangered species' converted product as little more than a stepping stone to stuff the handkerchief right into Miles' mouth.
"E-Edgeworth?"
"What do you think you're doing?!"
Miles spat out the handkerchief and glared at his older self, "I can ask the same of you! What the hell do you think you're doing?! Flirting with a defense– Mmpbt!"
This time, a hand was clapped over his mouth, making him lose balance and fall against the back of the sofa with Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth glaring down at him. For the first time in a while, Miles felt a twinge of terror flow through him. It was an ice cold look that reminded him of when von Karma found mistakes in his work. He hadn't experienced that often since becoming an adult. And to see it come from his own face–
He couldn't even compare. He couldn't compete. He couldn't muster any courage to put up a front.
"Quiet! You think I don't know why you're here?" the Chief Prosecutor snapped at him, "You want some sort of confirmation that your life is going to be fine? Well, let me tell you! It's not, it won't be!
"You're not perfect and you never will be! All you'll ever be is a coward hiding behind a facade in the courtroom. You'll never amount to anything and you'll be all alone! You think that attitude will protect you from anything?! No, all it'll do is make you miserable and hated by everyone. No one trusts you and–"
Miles shoved his older self away, knocking him slightly off balance and forcing him a step away. He immediately took this chance to dash to the door and run out of the room.
"Edgeworth! Hey, Edgeworth!" Wright tried to follow him, but he was gone by the time he looked down the hallway.
"...I'm right here, Wright."
"I know," the other man sighed, "I'm talking about the younger you. What was that about?"
"Hmph. I didn't say anything he didn't deserve to hear."
"He's only twenty!"
"He's me, Wright."
"Exactly! You should know best what you were like at that time," Wright picked up his jacket and put it on. "Be a little kinder to yourself."
"..." Edgeworth looked away, "Wait. You're still soaking wet."
"It doesn't matter, it's raining outside anyways."
"You might have burns."
"If I had burns, I wouldn't be able to move from the pain now. Stop making excuses. If you're not going to talk with him, I will."
With that, Wright walked out as well, closing the door behind him and leaving Edgeworth in the office by himself. "You have to stop doing this, Wright," he whispered as he pulled his glasses off to rub his temples, "I don't deserve it. And the person I was back then won't even appreciate it."
Miles frowned as he watched the scene before him with furrowed brows. The man in the blue suit made two laps around the block, but still hadn't noticed Miles sitting under the bus stop shelter. Well, it might've been due to the torrential rain that made it hard for him to see.
But who wants to acknowledge they're the one he's looking for when he's shouting my name at the top of his lungs… Miles thought with second hand embarrassment. Thank god there was barely anyone around due to the rain. Finally, he took pity on Wright and called out to him, "I'm in here, you porcupine fool."
"Edgeworth!! You– Achoo!!"
"Tsk. Get in here," Miles pulled Wright into the shelter with him. "What in the world were you doing?"
"Looking for you– Achoo!"
He was such a sorry mess, Miles couldn't help handing him his own handkerchief to get some of the water off him. It didn't help much, but it was better than nothing. It is nothing , Miles shook his head, I'm simply being humane. "Whatever for? You don't even know me. You don't owe me anything. Why look for me? Aren't you better off kissing up to the Chief Prosecutor instead?"
"Kiss up…? Why in the world would I ever do that?"
"..." Miles raised an eyebrow.
"Besides, I've known the Chief for years. I know he'll be fine. I have trust in him," Wright averted his eyes, a small smile spreading on his face. It was so disgustingly lovesick, Miles didn't want to know how his future came to this point. He ought to find out what happened just to avoid it, temporal paradoxes be damned.
Still, Miles recognized jealousy when he saw it. Seeing someone care for another– for his future self, no less– was something he wished for himself. All this time, he chased after being perfect, but the Chief Prosecutor was right. It didn't make him any happier and he was all alone before he knew it. And I'm not even perfect , if his recent debut was any proof. Why would anyone waste their time on something imperfect?
"Hmph. I'm fine too."
"Uh-huh. You probably don't even know how to make it back to the coffee shop you appeared in."
"I… do! How many coffee shops can there be? I bet I've been there many times before."
"It opened last year."
"Tch…"
"Things change a lot in fifteen years, you know."
"..." Miles didn't want to admit it, but it was true, especially looking himself in the eyes. Whoever he became, wasn't the person he wanted to be. But was it really for the better? "...I know you from somewhere, don't I?"
"What? You still haven't figured it out yet? …Ouch," despite feigning injury, Wright grinned at him, all teeth and wagging eyebrows.
"I don't claim to have a perfect memory and I care not for your taunts. Either you tell me or you don't."
"You're no fun," Wright sighed, "It's me , Phoenix Wright." And in the moment he said those words, between the drops of water hanging from the edge of his eyelashes, Miles recognized a sparkle within his irises. Within the curve of his smile, a depth of warmth that he long since buried.
"Phoenix, huh? That's a familiar name," Miles muttered. He had to nip this in the bud. "Doesn't really ring a bell, though." Yet, it left such a bitter taste to do so. But for the sake of being perfect, he didn't need such weaknesses.
"Really? You're breaking my heart here."
"You don't sound disappointed in the slightest."
"Well, no, I'm not disappointed. I'm just a little regretful. I wish I was faster."
"Faster?"
"To help you. I wish I saw you again at age twenty."
"...What the hell?"
"The Chief Prosecutor was right, you know."
"..." Miles narrowed his eyes and curled his lips, both trying to think of a proper retort and trying to keep quiet. Only the weak would fall to such taunting.
"You act like you're alright that you're all alone, but I know you're not."
"You don't know anything about me."
"Perhaps I don't. Perhaps I still don't. But I do know that you don't actually like being alone."
"That's a cheap statement."
"It is, but it's true, isn't it? It's true for everyone."
"..."
"No matter what, Miles, I'll be in your corner. Please don't forget that. You'll meet lots of people and you won't be alone," Wright smiled at him, "Just wait a bit, okay? The 'me' of your time is working hard to come see you again."
"I didn't ask for such a thing."
"No, it's something I wanted to do for myself too, you know. I'm not all virtue and kindness."
"...Could've fooled me," Miles mumbled. Wright didn't seem to hear, as he ran to the edge of the bus shelter to peer outside.
"Oh, looks like it stopped raining! Let's go back and talk with the Chief, okay? I'm sure he's fretting over everything that's happened."
"I doubt it."
"Give yourself a chance. You're the one who knows you best," the smile Wright gave him was dazzling. It should've been impossible for him to look brighter than the sun peeking out of the clouds, but it flashed a warmth in Miles that the light of a star could never give.
"..."
"..."
Two Miles Edgeworths stared at each other in the office, standing at full height with their arms crossed. It appeared that he didn't grow much past twenty years old and thankfully mid-thirties was too early for shrinking. Miles felt oddly proud and disappointed. He did enjoy glaring down opponents from even a centimeter above.
And he might be facing his most challenging adversary yet: himself.
"...Wright, could you give us a moment?"
Wright's eyes flitted between them before giving a nervous nod, "Sure. I'll be outside if you need me for anything, Edgeworth."
"Of course," both of them answered together at the same time and Wright raised both eyebrows, unable to hide a smirk. Meanwhile, both Miles Edgeworths let out a grunt of frustration and mirrored rubbing the bridge of their nose.
Wright quickly left the room and both of them stood awkwardly in front of each other. Without an audience, there certainly wasn't any reason to keep up airs… Especially since this was himself. This was the person he came all this way to see, after all.
"I am, ahem," the Chief Prosecutor started, hiding behind clearing his throat to muster up the courage to continue, "sorry about my outburst earlier."
"It's fine. I didn't think anything of it."
Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth couldn't resist rolling his eyes. "But I stand by what I said earlier. I rather be frank than walk on eggshells around you."
"..."
"I know it's not what you want to hear, but the person you are now will never become the chief prosecutor. After all, do you even know why you want this position?"
Miles opened his mouth, but the answer he came up with sounded pathetic even to his own ears. Thankfully, he didn't have to say it, but hearing it from his older self was just as embarrassing.
"von Karma, right?" the Chief Prosecutor scoffed, "Back then, his approval was all I wanted, too. If I could get a position that even he didn't have, then I'll have something to be proud of."
"..."
"But in the end, it still tethered on what he wanted, not what I wanted."
"Then, why did you choose to become the Chief Prosecutor?"
His older self gave a non-committed shrug, "The position was open and the goals I wanted to fulfill needed me to have that job. That's all I can tell you."
Miles was ready to ask for more info, before he said that. Then he scowled, "Time paradox."
"Correct."
"Then you really do know why I'm here."
"I don't lie. You should know that yourself. Although, I did think it was a dream for the longest time."
"Will I really be okay?" Miles said, much softer than he intended. Had he been this terrified the whole time? Even though he was determined to get this answer, he was scared of what it might be.
"Of course. It wasn't easy and there's a lot of things that I regret doing, or not doing over the years. But, can't you tell? I'm happy."
"..." Miles didn't know how to answer so he just nodded. It was true. Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth stood in front of him, with only a few more barely visible lines on his face and a pair of glasses. It was like looking into a mirror. Yet, he was a completely different person from him. There were no visible doubts, no questions about his own person, no hints of fearing what he desired. He was unrecognizable. And he was supposed to grow into this person someday? Miles didn't dare to hope.
"You'll be alright, Miles Edgeworth."
Miles nodded, fighting back a sarcastic laugh, "Yeah… That's all I really needed to know. I can't believe this worked."
"Me too. Like I said, I thought it was a dream. I only remembered due to seeing you here today."
"One last thing… Why haven't you started dating Wright yet?"
"E-Excuse me?!"
"He's clearly head over heels for you, though I can't see why."
"What's that supposed to mean? I'm you ."
"A less appealing version of me," Miles laughed, "You say all these flattering things about yourself and how I'm never going to be better, but you're still just a coward."
"Using my words against me, hm…?" the Chief Prosecutor said with a grimace.
"Naturally," Miles smirked, finally getting his footing back for this conversation, "Hiding your true feelings and not telling the object of your affections how you really feel is cowardly, old man."
"You don't understand a thing. You're still a child."
"I'm twenty. Per the law, you cannot call me a child."
"..." the Chief Prosecutor heaved a sigh, "Are you quite done? Even if you're no longer physically a child, you sure behave like one."
Miles narrowed his eyes, "Fine if you think me such a child, I'll prove otherwise."
"Do try."
Miles stepped up to the Chief Prosecutor with a smug grin on his face. For the first time, a hint of discomfort showed on the older man's face, but he made no attempt to move away or show any signs of weakness beyond that. "I'll do what you can't, I'll confess to Wright first."
"...?!"
"I'll steal him away from you, old man."
" What ?! What is that supposed to mean? You're literally me, you can't 'steal' him away from yourself!"
"Watch me," Miles laughed as he stepped back and headed to the doorway. "I'll show you just how the next time we meet. So you better hurry up, or else."
"Are you done?" Wright asked the moment Miles opened the door. He was leaning against the wall next to the door. Seeing the younger Miles appear at the door, he took a step to stand in front of him instead.
"Yes, I'll be going now."
"So soon?"
"Did you want me to stay longer?" there was a hint of annoyance in Miles' tone and Wright immediately grew flustered. A nice shade of pink dusted his cheeks as he grinned and rubbed the back of his neck. The sight made Miles' lips tug into a smile for a brief moment; it reminded him very much of a childhood friend.
"W-Well, if you…"
"No, I don't wish to prolong my time here," Miles paused to glance back at the Chief Prosecutor, who remained leaning against his desk with his arms crossed. He glowered at the two of them, no doubt trying to hide how much Miles' words bothered him. Well, why not give him one more parting gift to be troubled with?
He smirked and leaned towards Wright, encroaching in his personal space and getting a spectacular reaction from the man. Wright's light pink blush turned fully red and extended to his ears. Caught off guard, Wright tried to move back, only to misstep and stumble. Before he could steady himself, however, Miles already caught him with a hand behind his neck.
"E-E-Edgew–"
Miles leaned even closer, but just before their noses touched, he swiveled to the side to whisper against his bright red ear instead, "I'll see you soon, Phoenix Wright."
"...!"
Wright caught himself on the doorframe as Miles let go, walking past him and out into the hall. He didn't take note of where the younger Miles Edgeworth went, but the older one, the one he's known for twenty-six years was immediately by his side, helping him stand up.
"Wright! Are you alright?! What did he do to you?"
"N-Nothing," Wright attempted to laugh to cover up his awkwardness and embarrassment, looking everywhere but Edgeworth in the eyes. "He was just… saying his goodbyes?"
"..."
Looking up, Wright finally noticed that he was as close to Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth as he was to the younger one just minutes prior. He could see his own face reflected in the pools of deep gray eyes. It was much closer than either one of them had dared to be before. His heart pounded in his ears. He could feel Edgeworth's breath against the side of his mouth. Wright swallowed audibly before parting his lips. Yet, he couldn't think of anything to say. Not at this distance.
"Edgeworth, um…" Wright mumbled before choosing to close the distance completely.
Miles Edgeworth blinked his eyes open and pushed himself off the dinner table. His elbow bumped into a pile of cards and they fell off the edge of the table, scattering across the floor. "Shit…" he grumbled as he ran a hand through his hair, which was in a complete mess thanks to his choice of sleeping quarters.
Looking at the cards on the floor, he shook his head and turned back to the table, where a strange formation of the remaining cards lay. Frowning, he inspected the pictures and names on them before scoffing. What was that moment of weakness? To buy a deck of tarot cards off some street corner magician? To even consider the mystics as a possible solution to his problems–
Miles let out a sigh. I don't need to be so hard on myself. It's not like anyone saw or would berate me for buying a pack of cards.
Rubbing his eyes to clear the sleep from it, he bent down to pick up the fallen cards. Once they were returned to a pile, he placed it on the table top and took a seat again. He stared at the cards still placed in front of him for a few seconds before gathering those as well. As he placed the last card in the pile, he paused, staring at a picture of two people and a cleric.
The Lovers.
Miles placed the card on the top of the pile and returned the deck to its box.
…
Sitting alone in his apartment, listening to one of the clocks tick as the minutes passed, Miles came to a decision.
Taking his phone from his pocket, Miles scrolled through contacts that had been transferred from phone to phone without deletion. Selecting the one he wanted, he listened to dial tone as the call connected.
"Hello?" a woman's voice answered.
"Mrs. Wright, this is Miles Edgeworth. I know it's been a long time, but I was wondering if you could put me in contact with your son, Phoenix?"