Chapter Text
It was a late night at Edgeworth's office. The last of his colleagues had left a while ago. Only a lone desk lamp was left illuminated. The Chief Prosecutor himself was still working diligently at his desk.
He was reviewing over documents and other paperwork. This was a common occurrence. Edgeworth was a workaholic almost to the point of insanity, and he was also a bit of a neat freak. He rarely left his office before midnight, preferring to work in the comfort and solitude of his secluded office.
He could feel a headache starting to form. It must be the late nights catching up to him. He would probably need glasses if he kept this up. Edgeworth ran a hand through his hair in exasperation.
He knew he needed to take a break. He tried to focus on the paperwork in front of him, but his mind kept wandering elsewhere. He kept thinking about a certain spiky-haired defense attorney.
Wright...Wright...That man always found a way to disrupt his thoughts. The thought of his smirk and his stupid spiky hair made his blood boil. That man was irritating both in court and in his personal life. He was also far too friendly and easy-going for Edgeworth's taste.
Edgeworth sighed and leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples to try and ease the headache. He knew he needed to stop thinking about Wright, but every time they saw each other in court, Edgeworth felt a spark of something...something he couldn't quite put his finger on.
He tried to tell himself it was just irritation or annoyance, but deep down he knew it was something more than that. Every time he saw Wright smile or laugh, Edgeworth's heart skipped a beat. It was frustrating and confusing all at once.
Edgeworth tried to suppress these feelings. He told himself that he was just being ridiculous. After all, he was the Chief Prosecutor and Wright was just a defense attorney. They were supposed to be adversaries. But somehow, that just made it even more difficult to keep his thoughts in check.
He tried focusing back on his work, but he found his thoughts still lingering on Wright. He couldn't help but recall their interactions in court - the sly grins, the heated debates, the intense eye contact...
It was maddening. Edgeworth couldn't understand why he was so fixated on Wright. He had never felt this way about anyone before. But just the thought of Wright's spiky hair, his confident smirk, and his brilliant deductions was enough to make butterflies flutter in his stomach.
He knew he needed to push these thoughts aside. He couldn't afford to get distracted, especially not by someone like Wright. But try as he might, he just couldn't shake the feeling off. It was like a constant buzzing in the back of his mind, always there no matter how much he tried to ignore it.
His headache was getting worse. Edgeworth got up from his desk and walked over to the small kitchenette in the corner of his office. He poured himself a glass of water and downed it in one gulp, hoping the cool liquid would soothe his throbbing head.
It didn't help. As he stood there in the quiet stillness of the office, Edgeworth found himself thinking back to their last encounter in court. Wright had looked particularly dashing that day, confident and charismatic as he pleaded his case. And the way he had looked at Edgeworth, with those intelligent, penetrating eyes...
Edgeworth felt a pang of longing in his chest. He wanted to see Wright again. He wanted to be in court with him, trading blows and bantering with each other. He wanted - no, needed - to see those mesmerizing grey eyes and that annoyingly handsome face.
It was ridiculous. He knew it was ridiculous. He shouldn't be feeling this way about his rival, his opposite in every way. But try as he might, Edgeworth couldn't shake that feeling. It was like an itch he couldn't scratch, burning under his skin and driving him crazy.
As he stood there staring into his empty glass, Edgeworth realized that he needed a change of scenery. He couldn't stay cooped up in this office any longer. He needed to do something, anything, to take his mind off Wright and this ridiculous infatuation.
He decided to go for a walk. Maybe some fresh air would help clear his head. Edgeworth grabbed his coat and left his office, locking the door behind him. The hallway outside was silent and empty.
He walked through the dark maze of the courthouse, his footsteps echoing off the polished floors. The silence was almost deafening. Edgeworth found himself wishing that Wright was there with him, filling the silence with his stupid quips and idiotic remarks.
He pushed that thought away. He needed to focus on his task. Edgeworth continued walking until he reached the exit. He stepped outside into the crisp evening air. It was a clear night, and the stars twinkled in the sky above.
Edgeworth took a deep breath. The fresh air helped a little, but his headache was still there, pounding away inside his skull. He started walking down the street, heading nowhere in particular. He just needed to keep moving. Maybe the physical activity would tire him out enough to stop thinking.
As he walked, Edgeworth found his thoughts creeping back to Wright again. He couldn't help but remember the last time they had seen each other. That stupid smirk on his face, that gleam in his eye as he made yet another perfect deduction. It was maddening.
Edgeworth tried to push those thoughts aside, but they kept nagging at him, like an itch he couldn't scratch. He quickened his pace, trying to outrun his own thoughts. But no matter how fast he walked, he couldn't escape the memory of that infuriating, beautiful smile.
He felt a pang of longing in his chest. It was so stupid. He was the Chief Prosecutor. He was supposed to be logical and rational, not hopelessly smitten with a defense attorney. And not just any defense attorney, but Phoenix Wright, the one person who could push his buttons like no one else.
He found himself heading towards the park. It was quiet and deserted at this hour. Edgeworth sat down on a park bench and let out a sigh. The cool night air felt good against his skin, but it did nothing to soothe his troubled thoughts.
He closed his eyes and tried to clear his mind. But all he could see was Wright -- that sharp mind, those sparkling eyes, that damnable smirk. It was maddening. Edgeworth felt like he was on the verge of losing his mind.
He sat on that bench for what felt like hours, going over every interaction he'd had with Wright, every word, every look, every smile. It was like a sickness, an addiction he couldn't shake. Every time he thought he had it under control, it came back stronger than ever.
Suddenly, he heard a rustling sound coming from a nearby bush. Edgeworth tensed up, his senses on high alert. He was about to reach for his phone when a familiar voice called out from the shadows.
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"Edgeworth?"
Edgeworth's heart skipped a beat. He knew that voice all too well. Wright stepped out from behind the bushes, his spiky hair visible even in the fading light.
"Wright." Edgeworth said, trying to control his voice. "What are you doing here?"
Wright chuckled and walked over to the bench, sitting down next to Edgeworth. "Just taking a little night stroll. I didn't expect to run into you here."
Edgeworth gritted his teeth. Seeing Wright in person only made things worse. He could feel his heart racing in his chest, and he tried desperately to keep his poker face on.
"You look troubled." Wright said, studying Edgeworth's face. "You got a headache or something?"
"It's nothing." Edgeworth replied curtly. He didn't want to admit that he'd been having headaches all week, and that they were probably because he'd been thinking about a certain spiky-haired man non-stop for days on end.
Wright just chuckled. "You're a terrible liar, you know that?" He said, leaning back on the bench. "I can tell that something's bothering you. You look like you've got the weight of the world on your shoulders."
Edgeworth didn't say anything. He didn't want to talk about it, especially not to Wright of all people. But there was something about the way Wright was looking at him - with those warm, understanding eyes - that made it difficult to keep up his usual cold demeanor.
"Come on, Edgeworth." Wright said softly. "You can tell me. We're friends, aren’t we?"
Edgeworth felt his resolve weakening. He hadn't realized how much he had missed hearing Wright’s voice until now. He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. Instead, he just sighed and slumped back on the bench.
Wright chuckled again. "You're really struggling tonight, huh?" He said, reaching out and giving Edgeworth's shoulder a gentle squeeze. "It's okay. Take your time. I'm in no rush."
Edgeworth felt a jolt of electricity run through him as Wright touched his shoulder. It was just a small gesture, but it felt like fireworks going off inside his chest. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, trying to collect his thoughts.
He felt Wright shift closer to him on the bench, their shoulders almost touching. The air between them felt charged, like a live wire. Edgeworth could feel his heart beating faster and faster, his thoughts swirling wildly in his head.
"It's just..." Edgeworth began, then trailed off. He didn't know how to say what he was feeling. It was a tangle of emotions he couldn't make sense of. He felt frustrated, confused, and more than a little bit afraid.
"Just... what?" Wright prompted gently. He was so close that Edgeworth could feel the warmth radiating off his body. It was both comforting and excruciating at the same time.
"Nothing. I need to go."
Edgeworth moved to stand up, but Wright reached out and grabbed his arm. "Wait." He said firmly. "You're not going anywhere until you tell me what's bothering you."
Edgeworth felt a tug in his heart as Wright held onto his arm. He wanted to pull away, to end this conversation and flee before he said something he would regret. But something about the way Wright was looking at him, with those intense grey eyes, made him stay.
"There's nothing bothering me."
"That's not true and you know it." Wright said, his grip on Edgeworth's arm loosening slightly. "You've been acting strangely all week, and now you're out here in the middle of the night looking like you haven't slept in days. So don't tell me that nothing's bothering you."
Edgeworth felt his defenses weakening even more.Wright's touch and his words were wearing down his resistance, like water eroding stone.
He knew he should have pulled away, should have run far away from here before he did something stupid. But instead, he found himself sinking back down onto the bench, his arm still in Wright's grasp.
"Let me go, Wright."
Wright didn't loosen his grip. Instead, he scooted even closer to Edgeworth on the bench, their bodies almost touching now. "Not until you tell me what's going on." He said, his voice gentle but firm.
"I just had a long week at work. Nothing for you to worry about."
"Bull." Wright said bluntly. "You're always busy with work. Something else is bothering you. You can't fool me, Edgeworth."
Edgeworth felt a thrill run through him as Wright said his name. It was silly to be affected so much by something as simple as a name, but hearing it come from Wright's lips made his heart flutter in his chest.
"And don't think I haven't noticed how you've been acting around me lately." Wright continued, his eyes fixed on Edgeworth's face. "You've been avoiding me, you're short with me, and you look like you're about to burst out of your skin every time we see each other. So what's going on? Are you just that stressed out about work?"
Edgeworth felt a wave of anxiety wash over him. Wright was observant, annoyingly so. He had noticed the changes in Edgeworth's behavior, and now he was pressing for answers. Edgeworth wanted to come up with some excuse, some half-truth that would satisfy Wright and get him to drop the subject. But everything that came to mind felt hollow and unconvincing.
"Yes. I am overworked and I need to go to sleep soon or so help me Wright, I will commit an homicide."
Wright let out a bark of laughter. "There's the Edgeworth I know." He said, finally releasing Edgeworth's arm. "Always so dramatic."
He shifted a bit on the bench so that he was facing Edgeworth directly. They were now mere inches apart, close enough that Edgeworth could see the individual flecks of grey in Wright's eyes.
Edgeworth felt his heart skip a beat. Wright was so close that he could smell his cologne, a scent that was both familiar and arousing at the same time. He tried to focus on breathing normally, but it was hard when Wright was looking at him like that, with those keen eyes and that infuriatingly smug smile.
"Now that you've satiated your curiousity, I'm leaving." Edgeworth stood up. Wright didn't try to stop him this time. "I'll see you tomorrow at the courtroom. Don't be late."
"Wait." Wright said, getting up as well. "I'm coming with you."
Edgeworth felt a wave of irritation wash over him. "You are not." He said, his voice cold. "I don't need you tagging along with me."
Wright just smirked and fell into step beside Edgeworth as he started walking. "Oh come on, I'm just being a good friend. You look like you could use some company."
Edgeworth gritted his teeth. Wright's stubbornness knew no bounds.
"I don't need company." Edgeworth replied, his steps quickening as he tried to outpace Wright. "I need solitude. I need to be alone with my thoughts, without any distractions."
Wright kept up with him effortlessly. "Oh really? And what kind of thoughts are you trying to have, exactly?" He asked, a note of teasing in his voice.
Edgeworth shot him a glare, which just made Wright's smirk grow wider.
"None of your business." Edgeworth snapped, quickening his pace even more. But no matter how fast he walked, Wright kept up with him, his long legs easily matching Edgeworth's stride.
Finally, they reached Edgeworth's apartment building. It was a tall, modern-looking building in a quiet part of town. Edgeworth fumbled in his pocket for his keys, trying to ignore the fact that Wright was still walking beside him.
"Nice place." Wright said, looking up at the building. "I didn't realize the Chief Prosecutor was living so well."
"It's not some flashy penthouse or anything." Edgeworth muttered, unlocking the front door. "It's simple, but it serves its purpose."
He pushed the door open and stepped inside, assuming that Wright would take the hint and leave him alone. But to his annoyance, Wright followed him inside without hesitation.
"Oh, so the simple, practical approach, huh?" Wright said, wandering around the entryway and examining Edgeworth's belongings with unconcealed curiosity. "I should have known. You've never been one for extravagance."
"I don't need extravagance. I need efficiency and practicality." Edgeworth snapped, shutting the door behind them. "I don't have time for pointless frills and distractions."
Wright just chuckled as he continued to explore, picking up a vase and turning it over in his hands.
"You really do live a boring life, don't you?" Wright said, setting the vase down and picking up a book from a nearby shelf. "Work all day, come home at night, rinse and repeat. No social life to speak of. No significant other either, if I had to guess."
Edgeworth felt a pang in his chest at Wright's words. It was a low blow, and a true one. He didn't exactly have a vibrant social life outside of work, and his romantic life was almost non-existent. But to have it pointed out so bluntly, and by Wright of all people... it stung.
"I don't need a social life or a significant other." He said coldly. "I'm perfectly happy with my work."
"Uh-huh." Wright said, setting the book down and turning to face Edgeworth. "That's why you're so stressed out all the time, and why you look like you haven't slept in weeks. Because you're perfectly happy and content."
Edgeworth clenched his jaw. He hated it when Wright was right. But he wasn't about to admit that out loud.
"I just haven't been sleeping well lately." Edgeworth said, avoiding Wright's gaze. "It's not a big deal."
"You know," Wright said, stepping closer to Edgeworth. "When people have trouble sleeping, it's usually because they have something on their mind. Something that they can't stop thinking about, even when they're trying to rest."
Edgeworth felt a tightness in his chest as Wright came closer. He could feel the heat radiating off his body, could smell that maddening cologne again. "Get out."
Wright stopped in his tracks. "What?"
Edgeworth felt a surge of anger and frustration. "I said get out. Leave. I don't want you here."
Wright looked confused for a moment, but then a realization seemed to dawn on him. He fixed Edgeworth with a piercing gaze, as if he was trying to drill into his very soul.
"Oh, I see." He said softly. "You're afraid."
"I said. Get. Out!"
Wright didn't move. He just stood there, observing Edgeworth with a mixture of concern and determination. "I'm not going anywhere."
Edgeworth felt like someone had punched him in the gut. Wright was the most stubborn person in the world, yet now was not the time for this. "I am not joking, Wright. Leave before I decide that you're not worth the troubles."
Wright sighed, evidently torn between arguing back and giving up, not wanting to push Edgeworth away. But it was clear that his best friend was at the end of his patience and ready to fly back to Europe if he didn't get his way sooner or later.
Edgeworth watched as Wright walked towards the door. He felt a pang of something like disappointment mixed with relief. Part of him wanted Wright to stay, to keep pushing and prodding until he got past his defenses. But another part of him was glad to finally be rid of his nosy presence.
Wright paused at the door, looking back at Edgeworth with a soft expression. "You know, you can't keep running away forever." He said, his tone both challenging and almost... tender. "Eventually, you'll have to face up to what's really bothering you."
Edgeworth gritted his teeth. He didn't want to admit it, but Wright was right. As much as it annoyed him, Wright always seemed to see through his facade somehow. "Don't tell me what to do, Wright." He snapped, his voice cold and aloof.
"Just some friendly advice." Wright said, opening the door. "Don't wait too long. Or maybe I'll just have to come force it out of you."
He gave Edgeworth one last smile before he walked out and shut the door, leaving Edgeworth alone in his silent, empty apartment.
Edgeworth stood for a moment, staring at the closed door. He could still feel Wright's presence, even though he was gone now. It was like a physical ache in his chest, a void left behind by Wright's absence.
He tried to shake off the feeling, to convince himself that Wright was just being his usual nosy, insufferable self. But deep down, he knew that Wright had hit a nerve.
As he was about to go to his room, Edgeworth saw a green light in the darkness of his living room. He quickly realized as he picked it up that it was Wright's annoying glowing rock and that the man probably lost it while they were fighting. How infuriating. And how much more infuriating could the man get?
With this, Edgeworth promptly fell asleep.
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