Work Text:
Five days after being taken in by von Karma
He wakes up in cold sweat. For the fifth night in a row now. He's staring at the ceiling, missing the glow-in-the-dark stars. His room is completely dark. As dark as the elevator was. His breathing is strained and too quick and he knows that if he doesn't get to control it within the next ten seconds or so he's going to have a breakdown again. Or whatever he should call it – being unable to breathe, thinking he will die, vision blurring, hands shaking, feeling sick, throwing up, sometimes. Breakdown seems to be the only fitting term for it. He sits up, hands clenched around the blanket, trying to take deeper breaths. His face is stained with tears. He feels so out of place. He feels so lost. So lost. So lost. Breathing is better, but he starts crying almost hysterically. He wants to go home. He wants to have his Dad back.
A sliver of light falls into the room as the door is opened. The sound of small feet on the thick carpet. It's Mr. von Karma's daughter, the younger one. He quickly wipes the back of his hands over his face and looks up. What's her name again?
“Wieso weinst du?”
He stares at her. Franziska. It's Franziska. “I... I'm sorry. I ... didn't mean to wake you up, I-”
She tilts her head a little and climbs on his bed, looking at him with her big blue eyes.
“Wieso bist du überhaupt wach? Es ist spät.”
He clears his throat, trying to make his voice sound calmer than he actually is. “I... I'm sorry, Franziska, I don't speak German.”
Her eyes light up. “Du erinnerst dich an meinen Namen!” She blinks, then adds with a concentrated look on her face: “You remember my name.”
He still just stares at her. “You ... know English?”
“Bit.”
“You are ... how old are you again?”
“Hm?” She smiles at him. “Zwei. Two!”
How can a two year old speak two languages? Miles nods a little. “I ... really didn't mean to wake you up. I'm sorry.” He doesn't even know if she understands him.
Franziska snuggles up to him, putting her arms around him. “Nicht traurig sein. Not be sad.”
“... Don't.”
“Hmm?”
“It's ... 'don't be sad'.”
She looks pouty for a moment. “I'm perfect!”
He laughs a little. “You sure are. You're a genius for knowing two languages at your age.”
“Genius!” Her smile grows wider and she nods furiously. “I'm a von Karma! You too, now!”
He wants to object. To tell her that he's not a von Karma, no, and he doesn't even want to be, his name is Edgeworth, but he can't bring himself to disagree with this little girl. Only when she holds out her stuffed animal towards him does he realize that she has a little green bear with her. “Er heisst Karl. Nimm ihn.”
Miles blinks a little, but then he takes the bear and looks at it, swallowing heavily, feeling like crying again. “Thank you”, he says, voice almost inaudible.
She nods and lies down, looking at him. “Hinlegen!”
He doesn't understand, but it sounds commanding.
“Lie! I will teach you German.”
So, 'hinlegen' obviously means 'lie down'. Miles does. He doesn't even waste a thought on why he's obeying the commands of a two year old child. It simply feels good not being alone anymore. She snuggles up close, putting one of her thin arms half around him. “Good night, kleiner Bruder.”
“... Huh?”
“Small brother.”
“... Little. ... Little brother? I'm not your little brother, Franziska. I'm older than you. If anything, I'm your big brother.” For the moment, the memory of his Dad and the feeling of being out of place are forgotten.
“No! You came after myself! Don't be so foolish.”
He doesn't know what to say to that. So he doesn't say anything and simply closes his eyes, pulling Franziska even closer.
~
Two years after being taken in by von Karma
He's staring at the law book in front of him. Franziska is sitting across from him on the other side of the table, both law book and her English studies in front of her.
“Do you even understand what you're reading, Franziska?” He points to the thick book. He speaks German, but the words still feel foreign in his mouth. It's such a rugged language, compared to English.
“Of course I do! And your accent is ugly.”
“Thankyouverymuch”, he mumbles, turning the page before closing the book entirely. He sighs. “I don't even want to be a prosecutor.”
Franziska looks at him. “Don't say that!”
“But I always wanted to become a defense attorney.”
“Defense attorneys are foolish fools, Miles Edgeworth!”
He doesn't answer. He takes a pen and one page of his notebook, starting to doodle on it.
“Return to your studies, Miles Edgeworth!”
“Or what? You're four, what are you going to do?”
She glares at him, then shouts at the top of her lungs: “Papaaaaa!”
Miles stares at her and quickly pushes the paper aside, opening his law book again. Seconds later, Manfred von Karma enters the room. He looks annoyed. “What do you want, Franziska?”
“Miles Edgeworth refuses to study. He told me he wants to be a defense attorney.”
It's difficult, following the conversation. He does understand German by now, better than he's able to speak it even, but von Karma and Franziska speak it so fast that he has a hard time understanding everything that's said.
He stares down at the pages filled with words and law articles and footnotes. He can feel von Karma's cold eyes on him. Then his stern footsteps. “Look at me, boy.”
Miles compresses his lips and does, trying to not look intimidated although he is. He always is in front of von Karma. “Yes, Sir?”
“Is Franziska telling the truth?” His eyes are frosty, mustering him. “You want to be a defense attorney? Following in your useless father's footsteps, maybe?”
Everytime von Karma speaks about his father, something inside of Miles feels like breaking. He doesn't know why von Karma speaks so ill of him, but it hurts. Sometimes it makes him angry, and that's the emotion he definitely prefers, but right now, it only hurts. He lowers his head. “Sir, I just told her that I always planned on-”
“Your previous life is of no importance anymore. Do you understand that?”
He nods. “Yes, Sir. Understood.”
“Then study.” He looks over to Franziska. “If he chooses to cause trouble again, call me.”
“I will, Papa!”
Miles waits until von Karma has left the room, then he lays his eyes on Franziska who seems to be rather content with her performance. “You're a really lousy big sister.”
Her eyes widen. Miles stands up and takes his book. “I'll continue my studies in my room.” And with that, he leaves.
It's hours later when he sees Franziska again. It's past her bedtime, and she slowly opens the door to his bedroom, stepping in rather hesitantly. “Hey?”
He ignores her, still reading his law book. In his notebook, he writes down the German words he doesn't understand.
Franziska slowly steps closer to his desk. “Hey!”
He rolls his eyes and turns his head to look at her. “What? I could call Mr. von Karma, you know. You're supposed to be in bed.”
For a moment, she seems to feel offended by the idea of him peaching against her, but the expression soon vanishes from her face. She looks a little ... distressed almost. “Miles Edgeworth? Am I really a lousy big sister?”
He looks at her for another second, then sighs and shakes his head, reminding himself that she's only four years old. “No. You're not. I just... It was not okay to call your father. You knew that he would be angry.”
“But you can't leave our family!”
“... What?” He blinks a little, leaning down a little to be at eye level with her.
She returns his gaze defiantly. “All von Karmas are destined to be perfect prosecutors. If you choose to be a defense attorney instead, you can't stay with us!”
Oh.
“Sabine rarely talks to me. You do!”
... Oh.
He smiles a little although he doesn't feel like it and musses up her hair. “Don't worry about that, Franziska. I'm not going anywhere. I have nowhere else to go.”
She looks seriously relieved. “Oh, that's good!”
~
Eight years after being taken in by von Karma
March
“Shut your mouth, Franziska. I told you I've chosen Edgeworth to accompany me into court today.”
“But, Papa, you promised you'd take me with you today! It's not fair!”
Von Karma stares at her, lips curled into a cold smirk. “I will consider it again if you study harder.”
Miles decides to interrupt this pointless discussion and steps into the hallway. “Mr. von Karma, I'm ready.”
Von Karma looks at him. “Good boy.”
Miles smiles at the compliment and walks towards the door, only to be harshly pushed aside by an enraged Franziska. “I hate you, Miles Edgeworth!”, she hisses.
“God, calm down, baby.” He shakes his head and leaves the house after von Karma.
~
June
“Can you please let me study in peace, Franziska?!”
“What do you even study for? You said you wanted to be a foolish defense attorney!”
“Well, I've changed my mind, obviously. Now stop being so childish.”
“You're not even a von Karma! You never will be!”
“Franziska, leave me alone.”
“You're the son of a foolish, worthless defense attorney!”
“Franziska, I swear. One more word and I'll slap you.”
“Papa! Miles Edgeworth threatens to-”
“I have no time for your childish arguments, Franziska. Return to your studies.”
Miles smiles and looks at her. “See? Not even your own father has time for your childishness.”
“You are a disgrace, Miles Edgeworth! Your accent is a disgrace! And at least my father is still alive!”
SMACK!
Miles stares at her, still pointing her riding crop at him. “I hate you, Miles Edgeworth. You're worthless.” With that, she leaves his room. He presses his hand against his cheek where the riding crop had hit him. He hisses as he just now realizes that the blow has left him with an open wound which is bleeding.
~
September
Miles looks at Franziska, staring gloomily down at a sheet of paper. “What's wrong?”
“I can't show this to Papa.” She thrusts the paper towards him, and he sees that it's her test results.
“What's wrong with that? You've scored 98 %. That's amazing.”
“No! You had 100 %! Papa will never accept this. I'm supposed to be perfect!”
“God, Franziska. I scored 100, yes, but 98 is really good. Plus, you're seven years younger than me.”
Franziska pushes her chair back almost violently and stands up, ripping the test out of his hand. “I don't need your foolish pity, Miles Edgeworth!”
~
28th of December
He opens the door to Franziska's room without knocking. He steps in, one hand clenched. “Franziska?” His voice is just a whisper. “Franziska, are you awake?”
She stirs slightly and mumbles something.
“Franziska. Please wake up.”
“Oh, God, what is it, you foolish fool?” Her voice is drowsy. “It's ... two in the morning.”
He steps a little closer. “Can I sleep in your bed tonight?” His voice is shaking almost as hard as his hands.
“No. Have you forgotten that I hate you?” Her voice is dry, rational. It's a simple statement of facts.
He feels like crying. “Franziska, please. Please. I'm sorry for what I said earlier today. I didn't mean it, I was ...” On edge. Desperate. Lost. “... tired.”
She groans in annoyance, but she shifts more towards the wall, clearing space for him. He feels so relieved that he can feel a single tear running down his face. “Thanks.” He lies down next to her.
He knows that they're both not children anymore. He's seventeen, and she's ten. They probably shouldn't sleep in the same bed. It should feel weird. And if von Karma would happen to witness this scenario... Miles doesn't even want to imagine it. But it doesn't feel weird, it feels comforting, and he snuggles up against her.
Half an hour passes until Franziska turns around to face him. “You're breathing too fast, little brother.” Again, she's just stating the facts. “Why are you doing that?”
He quickly shakes his head, but she doesn't let go. “What's wrong, Miles Edgeworth?”
He feels sick. He feels like throwing up. He squeezes his eyes shut. “I... I'm having a panic attack.” The words leave his mouth before he can even try to hold them back.
She sits up. “... Huh? ... Hey, are you okay?”
Her small hand on his shoulder.
“Miles Edgeworth, talk to me.”
He doesn't. Instead, he starts crying.
Franziska takes in a surprised breath. “Why ... are you crying, for God's sake?”
He buries his face in his hands and just continues sobbing, trying to breathe, trying to hold himself together. But he doesn't succeed. He never does.
“Miles Edgeworth, crying is a sign of weakness.”
“I... I know...” But he can't stop.
“You're such a fool!” But despite her words, she puts her arms around him, and he immediately returns the gesture by wrapping his arms around her, too. She gently strokes his back.
Twenty minutes later, his breathing is back to normal and Franziska takes a wet cotton washcloth. She gently rubs it over his face. He's sitting on the bathroom floor in front of the toilet, and for once, she's taller, standing next to him.
“I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, Franziska.” He repeats the words again and again until she smacks him with the washcloth. “Cease your foolish apologies. It is alright.” She shifts her weight on her left foot. “Do you feel better?”
“I think so.”
“Good. Then come back to bed now.” She waits until he stands and pushed him out of the bathroom, following him back to her bedroom.
He sits down on her bed. “Franziska, I don't want to sleep. I don't want to, and I can't.”
“It's late at night, and you do need to sleep now, foolish fool.”
“I... I can't.” He tries to blink the tears away. And then, against his will, he can hear himself saying: “My father always used to bring me hot milk when I couldn't sleep. ... I miss him, Franziska.”
She looks at him for a few seconds, then stands up and leaves the bedroom. When she comes back, she hands him her favorite cup – the one her big sister Sabine had given her for her ninth birthday – filled with warm milk.
~
Shortly after the conviction of Manfred von Karma
“You have reached the voicemail of Prosecutor Miles Edgeworth. Leave a message.”
“... Miles Edgeworth? It's ... me. ... I have heard about the ... trial. ... ... How are you? ... ... ... We haven't talked in a while, I guess. ... I have some business to attend here, but ... ... I'm planning on flying over early next month. ... ... Can you recommend a hotel? ... ... ... I... You... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... That is all.”
~
One day after the suicide note was discovered
“You have reached the voicemail of Prosecutor Miles Edgeworth. Leave a message.”
“Miles Edgeworth! How dare you?! How fucking dare you, you foolish fool! You can't do that to me! You can't leave me, Miles Edgeworth! Not like that! Not after I lost my Papa! Please tell me they are wrong! Please tell me that you're still alive! ... ... [soft crying, almost not audible] ... You're so selfish, Miles Edgeworth! I hate you!”
“You have reached the voicemail of Prosecutor Miles Edgeworth. Leave a message.”
“Miles Edgeworth, it's me again. I don't know what I'm supposed to do now. I don't know how to go on if you really just left me. Without a word. Please tell me you didn't really do that to me. ... ... Please, little brother ... I need you ...”
~
Sometime during the events of the non-flashback Baby Steps stories
“Of course you still drink tea.”
“Of course I do.” He smiles a little. “And you gave up your beloved coffee?”
“Hah. Never, Miles Edgeworth.”
“I wouldn't call the beverage you ordered just now coffee.”
“Miles Edgeworth, there's nothing wrong with Caramel Macchiato.”
Miles hides his smile and shakes his head. “No, of course not.”
For a while, they walk without talking, and then Franziska speaks, trying to sound casual and failing at it: “So ... Phoenix Wright and you, hm?”
He takes a sip of his tea and shrugs a little. “Yes. Wright and I.”
“Hmpf. I can't say I didn't see that one coming.”
He lifts an eyebrow. “Please.”
“Come on, Miles Edgeworth, everybody knew. You once played defense attorney for him.”
“I ... did, yes.”
“It's fitting. Two foolishly foolish fools.”
He laughs a little. “I suppose. ... But ... you and Miss Fey, huh? I can't say I did see that one coming.”
Franziska shoots him another scolding glance. “I'll have you know, Miles Edgeworth, that Miss Maya Fey is perfect.”
He smiles again. “Of course she is.”
Silence again, until Miles stops and looks at her. “You know, I never thanked you.”
She also stops walking, looking at him with an almost wary expression. “For what?”
“For being my big sister. Thank you.” He leans over and kisses her on the cheek.
She pushes him away, and he swears he can see her blush a little. “Don't get foolishly emotional, Miles Edgeworth.” She starts walking again, and Miles follows, still smiling.