Chapter Text
Berlin, Germany
October 9, 11:37 PM
My eyes had finally adjusted to the darkness of my hotel room, and I had almost succumbed to the warm lull of sleep when my phone lit up from the night stand, emitting an annoyingly cheerful beep.
Squeezing my eyes shut, I flung out my arm and grabbed it, holding it at arm’s length so as not to blind my eyes. As I’d expected, the notification was the result of a text message from that man.
Fully awake now, I sat up, adjusting the pillows to support my back comfortably. After turning on the desk lamp with my unoccupied hand, I opened the chat. For now, his contact name was Wright, but I had no doubt that the moment I saw Kay and Eustace again, it would magically change to That Man. I read the message, and reread it, trying to read between the lines. Except I couldn’t, because the message did not consist of lines, plural, but only of two words. Two words that nearly stole my breath away with relief.
Wright: Not Guilty
I stared at the screen, wondering how I should respond. Good? No, too underwhelming. My heartiest congratulations on your victory in court? No, that was insensitive – that verdict would only have been reached if Trucy learned her biological father was gone, if Klavier Gavin (for all his numerous and egregious faults) learned that his brother was a monster…
And besides, Wright wasn’t strictly in court during the trial. He might never stand in court again, even with the verdict absolving him of guilt for forging evidence in the Gramarye case.
I shook my head, hoping that it would shake the thought away. It didn’t, not really, but there was no time to linger on that bitter thought. Before I could convince myself not to, I took off my night cap and tossed it carelessly beside me (Wright would tease me relentlessly for wearing it, which is rich for someone who wears that ridiculous beanie), then video called him.
Wright answered. Not Phoenix Wright, but Trucy Wright. She beamed at me, her blue eyes shining.
“Mr. Edgeworth! How are you? How’s Franzy? And Kay and Mr. Winner and–”
“They’re all well, thank you, Trucy,” I replied, smiling despite myself. I felt a slight twinge of guilt at calling the beanie ridiculous – according to Wright, Trucy had made it for him when she was nine.
“Daddy is a bit busy at the moment. Polly and I just got back from the trial, but we’re going out again soon for Eldoon’s! Trials really make me hungry!”
“I imagine that is the reason the snacks from the vending machines in the courthouse are overpriced,” I sighed. “Have you ever tried the Swiss rolls? They’re quite good.”
Trucy giggled. “Daddy would probably say not to give me any ideas.”
“Hmph. I’ll talk to him about increasing your allowance.”
She gave a happy squeal. “Mr. Edgeworth, you’re the best!”
I smirked. “I know. Now, how are you, Trucy? And your father? And Mr. Justice, and…Klavier Gavin?”
“Um, Prosecutor Gavin is pretty upset, of course,” she said, frowning. “Polly wants to talk to him soon, but we agreed to give him a bit of space first.”
“Not too much space, I hope. He’ll need your support.”
She nodded. “Polly’s fine, just a little tired from the trial. And hungry. And a little annoyed at Daddy for keeping him in the dark. And worried about Vera, and…I think he’s still a little shocked about Kristoph.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Make sure he rests, will you? And if you could, convince your father to talk to him to make sure he’s alright. I know they got off to a rocky start, but a healthy relationship between mentor and mentee is paramount to do well in any professional endeavor.”
Trucy grinned at me. “Don’t worry, Mr. Edgeworth! Polly and I have a great relationship, so we’re good!”
Knowing exactly what she meant, I still couldn’t help but tease, “So Justice is a good mentor to you? Excellent.”
She pouted, crossing her arms. “Mr. Edgeworth, you know what I meant! And I’m only half-joking. Or maybe two-thirds-joking. Anyways, Daddy is…” she paused, tapping a finger on her chin. “Just … closed off, I guess.”
“Ah. So the usual,” I replied, trying to temper the bitterness in my voice.
Trucy tilted her head so that her hat brim covered her eyes. “I thought he would be…happy, or something. He’s just acting like nothing happened. It’s like he doesn’t care.”
“Don’t worry, Trucy. I’ll sort this out, but it will take time.” I hesitated, but pressed on in a hushed tone, “Between the two of us, it appears extremely likely that I’m coming back to Los Angeles.”
Trucy immediately brightened up, bouncing on her heels. “Really? Really?”
“Really really,” I laughed. “If I could catch a flight right this second to see my favorite magician, I would, but I have a few loose ends I need to tie up.”
Her bright smile faded, and an unusually serious expression rested on her face. “Why didn’t you tell Daddy yet?”
“I – I wanted to be sure. I can’t – I don’t want to disappoint him again.” I sighed, my fist closing on the duvet. “He has to trust that my stay will be permanent this time. No more false hopes…”
“Okay,” she replied quietly. “I understand. But Daddy will be upset about being left out.”
“Nnngh … damned if I do, damned if I don’t.”
We fell silent for a while, and then I realized that I’d fallen for Trucy’s sleight of hand during our conversation.
“Trucy.”
“Yes, Mr. Edgeworth?”
“You didn’t tell me how you are doing.”
Down went the hat brim again. But this time, she raised her right hand to her chest, clenching it. Her shoulders began to shake.
“Trucy…”
She didn’t reply, and I searched my mind for words of comfort. “Trucy, I know how it is. It’s hard, and…” I swallowed. What did I want to hear, all those years again, after DL-6? “It’s okay to let it out, Trucy. You don’t have to pretend that you’re not grieved.”
“B-but a true entertainer always keeps a smile on their face!”
I smiled sadly. “You are a true entertainer whether or not you follow that creed to the letter, Trucy. It’s alright to be vulnerable to those you trust. Your father, Mr. Justice, and myself — we are all here to help you. You can confide in us.”
Trucy sniffled, her hand clenching even tighter. She whispered haltingly, “But the Gramarye creed! My Daddy used to say it to me all the time! Back when he still…was…there…” Her shoulder shook more violently, and a pair of arms circled around her and pulled her in close. I immediately recognized that gray fabric with the two blue stripes.
“Wright,” I said automatically.
“Edgeworth.” There was a slight sharpness to his tone, but it melted away when he addressed his daughter. “He’s right, honey,” Phoenix murmured. “You can always tell me what you’re feeling, okay? You can cry now that it’s all over.”
“A slightly edited version of that particular creed,” I muttered.
Thankfully, the two didn’t notice my dry comment, or ignored it. Trucy buried her face in his chest and he rubbed her back soothingly. I placed the phone face-down beside me, feeling that my intrusion in this delicate situation was no longer needed.
“I’ll call you right back, Edgeworth.”
“Take your time.”
I tilted my head back on the headboard and closed my eyes. Without realizing it, my hand gripped my elbow. Frowning disgustedly, I let go and pressed my palms to my eyes.
You’re happy for her. She has the comfort and support she needs during this difficult time. It’s immaterial that you didn’t.
The problem was with the last sentiment. It left a bitter taste in my mouth. With a sigh, I got up. Might as well brew some tea while I waited for Wright.
This was going to be a long night.
❧
I had finished four cups of tea, but the caffeine wasn’t nearly enough. It was 12:34 AM and Wright still didn’t call back. At least my room had a Nespresso machine and not an infernal Filterkaffeemaschine.
I had just finished making a subpar latte (this is why tea is superior) when Wright finally called. He was lying down on the Wright and Co.'s (for I will forever think of it as such) couch, running a hand through unkempt dark spikes. He looked exhausted. I suspected I did not look much better.
The greeting went much the same as previous.
“Wright.”
“Edgeworth.”
“How’s Trucy?”
“Better. She’s resting now, Apollo’s getting takeout from Eldoon’s.”
“That’s a relief.”
“It is.”
Silence stretched between us. Where did our old camaraderie go?
“You should sleep, Edgeworth,” Wright finally said. “It’s nearly one in the morning for you.”
“It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve stayed up for my work, and this is far more important.”
“It is?”
“Of course.”
“This matters to you more than your work?” He repeated disbelievingly.
“Yes.”
“...Can the prosecution substantiate its claim with evidence?”
I smirked, tapping my index finger to the side of my temple. “The prosecution most certainly can.”
Wright was smiling slightly now. “I can’t believe I miss this.”
“I’m coming to Los Angeles.”
“Objection. That is not sufficient evidence to support that claim.”
“Overruled. That was a weak objection, Wright.”
He rolled his eyes. “I don’t want to wake up Trucy. Besides, since when did prosecutors overrule objections?”
Manfred von Karma, I thought. The same thought evidently crossed Wright’s mind; he grimaced and muttered, “Never mind.”
I stared at Phoenix’s exhausted face. He was wearing the same expression he did during the Matt Engarde case. His words to me when we first spoke after my year-long hiatus are forever seared into my memory:
“It'd been better for everyone if you never came back from the dead, Edgeworth!”
I hadn’t realized until that moment that I’d hurt him so deeply by my disappearance. I didn’t even realize that I’d mattered at all. It was a poor way to repay him after everything that he’d done for me, and I’d sworn to myself that day that I’d never disappoint him again.
But the only sufficient evidence he would accept now was the promise that I was coming back home for good. I gripped my phone tightly before it slipped from my sweaty fingers. It was now or never. He asked, and I owed him an answer. And yet … what if things didn’t go to plan? What if I was forced to stay here?
“Edgeworth? What’s the matter?”
I snapped out my reverie. Taking a deep breath, I said, “I meant permanently, Wright.”
“...WHAT?!”
“So much for not waking up your daughter.”
“You’re coming. To Los Angeles. Permanently.”
“I miss home,” I said simply. “I miss you.”
“What?” His voice was hoarse.
“...Phoenix. Years ago, you believed in me, and helped me when I needed it the most. You changed your entire career for me. I thought I would never have the chance to repay you.”
“I never asked you to do so, Miles,” he interjected. I shook my head.
“Nevertheless. Now, just before your disbarment, I was embroiled in cases of a sensitive nature. I realized just how deep corruption ran in the judiciary. I was able to uncover some of it and ensure that justice was served.”
“Yes, I remember.”
“I’d only scratched the surface, but I was apparently a threat to those involved in that corruption. A threat that had to be removed. By any means necessary.”
I paused, allowing Wright to process exactly what I meant. As I’d expected, he was furious. He snapped up from the couch and paced, his brow clouding.
“Edgeworth! Why didn’t you tell me any of this? I could’ve–”
“Done nothing. You were already disbarred at the time,” I returned, taking care to keep my tone gentle. “It was Shelly DeKiller who kindly warned me that my life was in danger.”
“DeKiller? Kindly?”
“He held me at gunpoint, but that’s beside the point.” Ignoring Wright’s spluttering, I continued, “I decided to continue my work abroad. I was still an international prosecutor at the time, after all.”
“Hold it! Why are you coming back now, then?”
I smirked. “Hmph, I thought you wanted me to come back…”
“I do! But not at the cost of your life!”
“Thank you, but I wouldn’t worry if I were you.”
Wright sat down heavily. “Edgeworth…”
“What?”
“My magatama works even if this conversation is virtual.”
“Nngh … Wright, I am not the kind of man that runs across burning bridges hanging several feet above a treacherous river! That’s your specialty! I know what I’m doing!”
“Heh.”
“I’m sorry, did I say something amusing?” I snapped.
“It was a bluff, Edgeworth.”
“...That’s it, I’m not coming anymore.”
“Aw, Edgeworth…”
“Shut up, Wright.”
He laughed, that warm laugh that seemed to come from his very soul and bubble over with mirth. My smile slipped when I realized I hadn’t heard it in seven years.
“To return to my previous point,” I continued hastily, “I never planned to remain permanently abroad. It was a temporary retreat to strengthen my footing before returning. I realized that I would be hindered at every possible point by corrupt members of the judiciary if I was not in a position of power. But in order to gain such a position, I needed to build my reputation so that I could be such an ideal candidate that no objections could be raised. That’s what I’ve been doing these past seven years.”
Wright rubbed at his chin, deep in thought. “Position of power … the only position of power that would work for your needs now that is open is – Edgeworth, are you going to be the Chief Prosecutor?!”
“That’s strictly confidential, Wright. Please refrain from telling anyone of this.”
“You can count on me. But this is wonderful news, Edgeworth! Please don’t take offense, but I’m genuinely very proud of you.”
“Why on earth would I take offense to that?” I asked, smiling. “How ludicrous. And … thank you for the sentiment.”
Wright chuckled. “You’ve come a long way, Edgeworth. You could hardly say ‘thank you’ at the end of the DL-6 retrial.”
“Hmph.”
“He would also be very proud of you.”
“Who?”
“...You know.” His eyes drifted to the side, and he rubbed his neck uncomfortably.
“...Ah. Father. I don’t know about that.”
“Miles.”
“Wright, I have neither the energy nor the will to broach this topic at the moment.”
He opened his mouth to protest, so I gave him my best courtroom glare. He frowned at me. “...Fine. It’s late, so I will bring this up when we speak later, in person.”
“I look forward to it,” I returned dryly. “Do I need to be forewarned of anything else?”
“Trucy will give you a bone-crushing hug.”
“That’s only to be expected.”
Wright hesitated, then he added in a low voice, “I might too.”
Softly, I replied, “I wouldn’t mind it.”
“Really? I don’t want to push your boundaries…”
I shrugged. “I tolerate them, now. I … still haven’t reached the point of initiating them, but I am capable of reciprocation.”
Wright grinned, chuckling. “Seven years is a long time, but I never expected such changes from you, Edgeworth.”
“One must keep moving forward, Wright.” I paused, furrowing my brow. “Why seven years?”
“Sorry?”
“Surely the change you speak of began since my year-long hiatus?”
“Oh. Uh … I said seven years for a specific reason. Remember, during the Hazakura trial, after the earthquake?”
“I try not to remember, Wright.”
He pressed on anyway. Once a lawyer, always a lawyer. I should have been annoyed, but I was comforted instead. “I was investigating, and I found you still muttering about letting Iris escape…”
“Ah, that conversation. We spoke of DL-6, did we not?”
“Yes. I wanted to – to comfort you.”
I understood at last what he was driving at. “You wanted to embrace me?”
Wright nodded. “But you were so aloof and cold and – I just thought it wouldn’t be welcome.”
“Wright?”
“Yes?”
“You are an idiot.”
He groaned. “Urk…this is what I get for trying to be considerate of my friends’ sensitivities.”
“Sensitivities?! Wright, that situation was different! I even acknowledged that you saved me, that you became a lawyer for my sake. That’s the closest I could get to saying –” I stopped abruptly. All these years, and I still couldn’t say it. I exhaled and continued, “Surely you recognized the ... sentiment behind those words.”
I swallowed hard, and my hand twitched to my elbow before I stopped myself from gripping it. Wright stared at me, his brown eyes wide and brimming with emotion. I looked away. In an unspoken agreement we stayed silent, unwilling to say anything that would mar the poignant moment.
Characteristically, it was Wright that spoke first. “...Miles, you’d better be coming very soon.”
His voice was steady, so I deduced that it was safe to meet his gaze. “As I told Trucy, I still have a few loose ends I need to tie up, and–”
“HOLD IT! You told Trucy before me? Traitor!” He placed a hand over his heart, and the heavy atmosphere lightened. I breathed a sigh of relief, shaking my head fondly. It’s so obvious that he studied theater. Still, for the sake of my sanity, I will never tell him that I find his theatrics endearing.
I smirked. “Well, she is my favorite Wright.”
The Wright in question suddenly appeared as if by magic. Her dark hair tousled from sleep, but her eyes were bright and alert. “Hehe! And you’re my favorite Edgeworth!”
Her father snorted, shifting to give her space. “That doesn’t mean much, Trucy, he’s the only Edgeworth.”
“Objection! Eddie Fender is an honorary Edgeworth!” Trucy exclaimed, pointing at her father and artfully poking him in the ribs. He winced but laughed, mussing her hair. She batted his hand away, pouting at the indignity of being treated as though she was still eight. I tried not to die from watching the adorable scene. DeKiller’s warnings were for naught, I suppose.
“Edgeworth? What’s the matter?”
“Hmm? No, nothing.” A perplexing question, considering that I was smiling.
“I was expecting you to say ‘sustained’ or something like that.”
“Since when did you become a mind reader, Wright?” I groused. “Do you even need your magatama at this point?”
“Years of practice,” he returned, but the smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Please stay safe, Edgeworth. Are you sure DeKiller himself is not a threat?”
“I can but try, but I think the attempts on my life will increase substantially since I’m leaving. After becoming Chief Prosecutor, I will be a much more difficult target.”
Both Wrights were staring at me in horror, and I realized that I may have been too blunt.
“...I should be fine, however.”
Trucy frowned at me. “You’re almost as bad as Polly. He always says he’s fine when he isn’t.”
I sighed. “Please don’t worry yourselves. I have plenty of allies and friends on my side, and they’ve shown me more times than I can count that I can rely on them.”
Trucy crossed her arms. “If you don’t come back, we’ll ask Auntie Maya to channel you. Right, Daddy?”
Wright squeezed her shoulder fondly. “You bet, Trucy. And then we’ll annoy him until he flees–”
“Wright, I already have enough reasons for wishing to remain alive. There is really no need to add to my stress.”
He tilted his head. “Are you stressed, Edgeworth?”
I groaned. “I can’t do this anymore, Wright. I need to sleep now. I have so much to do tomorrow … not to mention many flights to catch this entire week. I’m practically touring Europe at this rate.”
Wright grimaced. “Are you sure you’ll be good with turbulence?”
“I never said I was and I doubt I ever will be.”
A pained expression crossed his face. “God, Miles … how did you deal with that for nine years of being an international prosecutor?”
“Wright, I spent fifteen years reliving DL-6 in my dreams. It’s nothing. Though I won’t pretend that I am not relieved to be settling permanently in L.A.”
He was still looking at me worriedly, his expression empathetic. Gently, I added, “These seven years haven’t been kind to you either, Wright. Looking back, the two years before that weren’t much better.”
His face slipped back into practiced passivity. Trucy immediately sensed the change in her father’s demeanor and nudged him.
“Daddy, you forgot to tell Mr. Edgeworth.”
“Huh?”
“Come on, Daddy! Didn’t he say that he missed you?”
Wright froze. “You heard that?”
“You screamed and woke me up, Daddy.”
“Heh. Did I not predict this, Wright?”
“Shut up, Edgeworth,” he snapped, glaring at me. “Oh, and I miss you too. Thank you for reminding me, Trucy.”
“No problem, Daddy! Always happy to help!”
“A little more sincerity, Wright?” I requested, smiling despite myself.
“Are you sure you can handle it?” He challenged.
“On second thought, save it for later.”
“Will do.” His eyes softened. “Rest well, Edgeworth, and come home safely.”
“I’ll try. Good bye, Wright, Trucy.”
“Bye, Mr. Edgeworth!”
Wright smiled warmly. “Good night, Edgeworth.”
Trucy exclaimed, “Oh, Mr. Edgeworth! Before you hang up!”
“Yes?”
“We both love you! A lot!”
I choked and coughed to clear my throat. “Ah. T-thank you, Trucy. The sentiment is…reciprocated.”
I hastily ended the call, but not before I saw Trucy look over at her father triumphantly as he smirked.
I placed my elbow on the table and rested my forehead on my palm, my heart racing. After all of these years, I finally said it. Not plainly, but…
I turned off the lights and shivered as a sudden chill passed through me. I froze, then promptly chastised myself. Of course it was cold, it’s October.
…Which is why I had turned on the heater before trying to sleep earlier.
I sighed, and decided to give myself room to be foolish for once.
“Father? Are you proud of me?” I whispered into the darkness.
The chill suddenly dissipated, and a flood of warmth washed over me.
Coincidence, I thought desperately. Just a coincidence! My tears flowed anyway, and I dashed them away with my fist. Was that him abandoning me? Or was it…?
There was no doubting it, the sudden warmth felt exactly like when he’d bundle me up in his arms when I was still a child. Why did that hurt more than the idea that he abandoned me? I slipped back under the covers, holding a pillow to my face and squeezing my eyes shut. Please…I just want to sleep…
Drinking that coffee was a terrible idea.