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Another day, another trial. It was no surprise when the prosecution was met with another loss. Edgeworth tried, and oh did he try hard, only for Phoenix to pull some story out of his ass that happened to be the exact truth. He hated it. He hated the way his voice rang in his ears... the way he was always right. That stupid, stupid smile that crossed his face when he won a case by a thread. Today’s proceedings were no different. Just as the judge lifted his gavel, that man said his line.
“Objection!” the defense yelled, his voice bringing the chatter in the room to an immediate halt.
Here we go again. Edgeworth thought to himself, a huff of air leaving him as he crossed his arms over his chest. As always, the defense is going to make up another nonsensical story an- “Your honor, our witness left behind a major clue. His prints.” he stated sternly. He was so sure of himself. How could prints be left if there was none found on the scene? The entire place was practically flipped upside down to no avail. Maybe it was coincidence? No way the fingerprints found were “coincidentally” the same as those of the witness. With the defense’s persistent badgering, he’d gotten the witness to actually confess to their crimes. Without a moment to spare, the witness was being cuffed the minute court was adjourned. It was over, just like that... Same as always. It almost felt a bit too soon for everything to be wrapped up, but the situation was no longer in his control... so he began to head out. His steps were light on the tile, though his heart felt heavy with such a foolish loss.
Right as he reached the door, he felt a hand touch his shoulder. “Nice job today, Edgeworth.” A familiar voice said, filling him with absolute dread. Of course he’d come. It’s like he was rubbing salt in the wound with his optimistic attitude. “I really thought it was over for a sec there. You almost had me!” he chuckled, hand scratching the back of his neck. The prosecutor didn’t even spare him a glance. Why would he do so if he knew that stupid toothy grin would be plastered on his face? Oh well. He had to suck it up.
“I suppose you also did well. But that doesn’t mean your claims aren’t nonsensical, Wright.” he sighed. It always seemed like every word leaving his mouth was some kind of joke. Phoenix's thought process was a mystery to him, like a door bolted shut with no key to unlock it. Yet despite their distance over the years, Phoenix remained fond of him. In more recent years, they grew a bit closer.
Closer...
He mentally scolded himself for getting lost in thought.. For thinking a bit too deeply. Though, not about himself. About that man... He hated the way he could just stop him right in his tracks. The way he’d pick up on little things he said during their restaurant discussions post-trial. How he’d let a few words spill from his lips just for Phoenix to soak them in and use against him... but this wasn’t court.
The attorney was going on and on about some nonsense now, not that the prosecutor was really listening to anything he said. He was still in his own head. Thinking. Thinking about how strange it was that phoenix held on for so long, since he’d lost that hope himself the minute he was adopted into the von Karma household. It... felt unfamiliar. Weird. Odd. Odd how people could still rely on him when he couldn’t do the same in turn. Phoenix’s words were sort of muffled to him. Something about the trial.. or his process of deduction? He couldn’t really be sure till his voice was finally clear when Edgeworth put his full focus on him, but it was too late then.
“Aaaaand that’s how everything came together.” he said confidently, hands on his hips as he stood proudly. He really put the “loud” in “loud and proud”, which was not something Edgeworth really enjoyed... but it was missed. Welcome, even.
His previous thoughts were dismissed as a girl in purple came up to the two of them. “I knew who it was all along, Nick.” Maya poked, nudging the attorney with her elbow. Their playful banter went back and forth, which the prosecutor observed momentarily.
“Revel in your victory while it lasts. Your luck is bound to run dry soon enough.” he scoffed, rolling his eyes in annoyance as he made his way out of the courtroom lobby.
The pitter patter of rain could be heard as each droplet hit the roof above him, keeping him sheltered from the water. He was unaware of the conditions. He was usually informed daily, if not by the news, then by Detective Gumshoe. But he was in a rush this morning, and didn’t have time to do either. The day couldn’t be worse, he thought to himself before being interrupted by the courthouse doors creaking open. Out came Phoenix and Maya, who shared a look of confusion and curiosity as to why Edgeworth was even there when he walked out almost 15 minutes ago. It didn’t take a genius to figure out why he was still there anyway.
“Did you not bring an umbrella..?” Phoenix asked, holding back a little chuckle when he looked over at Edgeworth. He went a bit pale. He noticed that the other was trying not to laugh at his mistake, leaving him embarrassed. “It’s not necessary. I’ll wait till the storm calms.” he huffed. “I’ll walk you home, if you want. Or at least back to your car.” Phoenix offered as he opened up his umbrella.
“It’s the least I can do to help. That’s what friends are for, right?”
The prosecutor felt his face grow warm. The thought was more embarrassing than anything. He wouldn’t be caught dead walking with his fool of a rival... but he wanted to. He wanted to share an umbrella with him, be walked back.. It made his heart swell, but his stubborn pride spoke first. “I don’t need your help, nor your pity.” he scowled, gritting his teeth. Phoenix furrowed his brows. “Don’t be so stubborn. It’s not like you’ll die from a little help. Besides, It’ll rain cats and dogs till morning.” he said bluntly, holding out his umbrella to him, flashing that same smile like always. It was useless to keep pushing him away. He was just so damn persistent, so determined...
With a heavy sigh, he bottled up his pride and held onto the umbrella, his hand just above Phoenix’s. Something in him wanted to put his hand on top of his. Again, he scolded himself for having such a silly thought. “..I suppose we’ll be going to the prosecution office. My car is.. Around there.” he mumbled reluctantly, his pride threatening to bubble up once more. Phoenix waved Maya off as they parted ways, agreeing to see each other back at the office later in the day. The walk was mostly quiet. Awkward. The silence made Phoenix anxious, so he at least tried to make some small talk... Though, the responses he got were just a sentence, maybe a word or simple hums. Edgeworth was trying to keep conversation minimal, as to keep his little heart from beating out of his chest. Phoenix knew the other wasn’t the most talkative person anyway, so he eventually went quiet. He’s been like that since they were kids.
*thud*
Both lawyers turn to see where the sound came from, only to see that it was caused by Phoenix’s wallet falling from his pocket. It fell open and was... decently empty. Kinda sad more than anything. Edgeworth resisted a snicker watching the other reach for his wallet in embarrassment. The sight was almost pitiful. “..Has all your money gone to our lunches?” the prosecutor asked as he looked from the wallet to Phoenix’s face. “Um.. Yeah. Sorta? I didn’t want you to have to pay, so...” he trailed off, scratching the back of his neck. Edgeworth leaned down and swept it up with elegance. Typical. Upon further inspection, it seemed like his wallet paid for more than just lunch. It was empty and ragged to the point where it was falling apart.
“...Your wallet.” Edgeworth mumbled, handing it over to Phoenix. As the other reached out, their hands brushed. The subtle touch made the usually aloof man to recoil, now feeling fuzzy and warm. Phoenix shoved the wallet into his pocket and the pair began to walk again. Again, their hands brushed together. It was a nice feeling, anything but unwelcome. With a moment to muster up the courage, Edgeworth wrapped his hand around Phoenix’s. It seemed Phoenix didn’t mind the touch, seeing as a little smile tugged at his lips. Thunder boomed as it continued to rain, and it made Edgeworth wince. The attorney rubbed the prosecutor’s knuckles with his thumb as if to reassure him. It was okay to hold hands. Edgeworth’s hands were warm, getting sweaty the more he got flustered. Phoenix looked at him only to find that his face was going red. Edgeworth noticed Phoenix had the slightest flush gracing his brown skin. Not a word came from them for the rest of their walk.
It wasn’t long before the prosecutor’s office was in sight, and the same went for Edgeworth’s car. Not that the bright red sports car was hard to spot... Phoenix let go of Edgeworth’s hand, leaving both of them with a feeling of emptiness. The taller man fumbled his keys before unlocking the car and opening the door. “So... I guess this is goodbye.” Phoenix sighed, shifting his weight from one foot to the other. “I suppose so,” Edgeworth mumbled, looking anywhere but the other’s face. The rain began to pour down harder, the sound filling the current silence between the pair.
“Miles-”
“ Wright, ”
They both looked at each other in a bit of a daze. The prosecutor offered a nod, letting the other speak first. “Do you wanna hang out with me? Like- Um- Outside of our post-trial meals?” he pursed his lips, rocking on his heels. It wasn’t hard to talk to people. If anything, Phoenix was always a social butterfly. It’s like he thrived off conversation. But with Edgeworth it was difficult to find his words. The man made him weak in the knees, to where he’d only stutter a few syllables or mix up his sentences entirely just to blurt nonsense. That was nothing new to Edgeworth. He found the trait rather endearing, even if it was aggravating when Phoenix wouldn’t just spit it out. Not that he’d ever admit that.
He turned to enter his car but hesitated. This nagging feeling in him was telling him not to leave, like he didn’t have a choice to. His mind kept telling him to say something, say what, though? It was more confusing than anything. He never had to deal with situations like these, not once. Well... maybe once, way back when in elementary... He shook it off. That’s not what’s important right now.
“Is there something you wanted to ask me?” Edgeworth asked, quirking an eyebrow.
Phoenix shuffled his feet anxiously. He had no idea how to word what he wanted to say. How is someone even supposed to-
“I wanna go out with you.” he blurted. His face had gone red. Edgeworth’s cheeks became flush. He crossed his arms over his chest, head held high as usual as he looked away from Phoenix. His attempt at trying to seem nonchalant was poor, and warranted a chuckle from the other. His laugh was like a melody. An irritating, yet catchy melody he couldn’t help but enjoy, swirling around in his head. It sure lightened the pressure of the tense atmosphere... Edgeworth had a pout on his face, letting out a huff. But rain wasn’t getting any lighter, that’s for sure. It’d gotten gusty and cold. “Can I? I mean, take you out sometime, obviously. I know it was sort of out of the blue and I’m sorry I-”
“Wright.”
The lawyer laughed awkwardly, running a hand through his dark hair. He hadn’t really noticed that he started rambling. Edgeworth glanced over at him. Not a word left his lips, and that just made Phoenix nervous about what he had to say. He just hoped to god it wasn’t a rejection. “I suppose that’s... doable. My schedule’s been rather busy.” the prosecutor said with a huff. Phoenix let out a sigh of relief. Thank god he thought. Lightning crackled as it struck down, followed by the loud booming of thunder. The light made Edgeworth’s face so much clearer. It had a warmth he’d never seen. The faintest smile, the slightest blush... It made his heart swell. He could stare all day if he were able to, but now’s not the time. A strong gust of wind made his umbrella turn inside out, causing it to surrender to the vicious storm and fly off. Edgeworth couldn’t help but laugh at his misfortune. The two of them were getting pelted by heavy drops of rain but they couldn’t care less about their attire getting soaked. Not in this moment at least.
“I assume walking isn’t an option for you now, is it?” he teased, a smug look now on his face. “...are you offering me a ride?” Phoenix asked, appearing to be a bit puzzled by the comment. “Friends help each other, don’t they? You said it yourself.” Edgeworth softly smiled, getting into his car and escaping the rain. Right. Friends. Phoenix was lost in thought now, standing in the rain. Did Edgeworth really mean that? Edgeworth of all people? Friends....? A honk of the horn spooked him, making the lawyer snap out of his thoughts. He quickly ran over to the passenger’s side and slammed the door shut once he was in his seat, dripping water all over the seats. Edgeworth huffed, rolling his eyes. He was more focused on getting out on the road now. The rest of ride was quiet. Phoenix stared out the window, watching raindrops splatter on it. Edgeworth tapped his fingers against the steering wheel impatiently with every red light. Silent and heavy. Heavy with the tension of unspoken words, yet there were no words left to say.