Chapter Text
“And what are you saying this deal entails, exactly?” Phoenix asks his close friend, Miles Edgeworth.
The pair had recently returned from the courthouse after a long and rigorous case with the two of them pit against one another. It had resulted in a “Not Guilty” verdict, as Phoenix was capable of turning the tides even after plenty of evidence had clearly pointed towards the defendant’s guilt. However, they both had retreated to the Chief Prosecutor’s office as per Edgeworth’s request. In the privacy of the office, Edgeworth had asked if Phoenix wanted a deal. One that would benefit not only Phoenix’s life, but possibly Edgeworth’s as well.
Said prosecutor crosses his arms in a huff. “You’d gain my funds for any pursuit of your choosing. Not only that, but I’d want to care for you…when I happen to be able, of course.”
Phoenix arches an eyebrow. “This deal seems kind of suspicious. You don’t seem to get anything out of it.” He inches closer to the desk where Edgeworth had sat down and leans against it on his hands.
Edgeworth’s eye twitches, and he makes eye contact with his friend. “You’d offer me your services…in the…well. Primitive realm, so to speak.”
It takes a moment for Phoenix to process the words. His eyes widen slightly when he realizes what Edgeworth is proposing. “You want to be…my sugar daddy..?”
Edgeworth flinches, and he immediately fires back a response before Phoenix could get any ideas. “It’s not a sugar daddy, per se. Perhaps a better term would be a consensual trade. However, in our relationship, I’d be offering more than just funds and my bank account. I’d be offering company, which I am aware you lack.”
“Hold it!” Phoenix exclaims, slamming his hands against Edgeworth’s desk, who seems to expect this outburst. “W-Why exactly are you offering this all of a sudden? It’s so…out of the blue. And…us having s-sex?”
“I was not aware that you have any other means of dealing with your rent, Wright.”
“T-That’s irrelevant!” The defense attorney cries out, exasperatedly. “Why would you purposefully want to have sex with me?”
Edgeworth lets out a cough. “E-ehm, well…Verily…I believe that this would be a purely positive trade between the two of us. Your stature is rather…fine.”
Phoenix was speechless, jaw dropped immensely. Then, he takes a deep breath and gives a neutral expression. “When would we be associating in this, exactly? Am I just at your beck and call?”
Edgeworth smirks, albeit nervously. “That is precisely the idea.”
Phoenix places a hand to his chin in thought. Edgeworth seems awfully quiet, not willing to say much more at this point, and merely waiting for Phoenix’s answer.
After the silence becomes too long, Edgeworth lets out a final question. “So, do you accept the proposition, Wright?
Phoenix weighs the pros, without the cons. His financial situation has always been bad, but he’s dealt with it very well despite this. At least, in the best way one in poverty can deal with it. He does have an immense amount of free time, as well. Phoenix had always wished he would be allowed the comfort of a plush couch, or maybe just the quality of the food he eats.
In addition to that, bedding with Edgeworth of all people? That seemed the most appealing reasoning of all. So before he could contemplate further: “…Sure. Why not?”
“…Nhgooh!!??”
“...Were you not proposing this with the idea that I’d accept..?” Phoenix deadpans.
Edgeworth is clearly shaken by Phoenix’s approval. Phoenix tries to take his laid-back attitude a notch, giving a concerned expression. “You know, if you really are just doing this now for my sake in the cash, you don’t have to go this far, Edgeworth.”
Edgeworth seems to come to a realization then. He shakes his head in disapproval. “I stand by my proposal, Wright. I’ve always…Ahem. I believe it’s in both of our best interests to partake in this agreement. After all, Trucy is an adult, and she deserves more than she has, as well as you. For me, I…I’ve already stated my benefits.” His arms are crossed in a manner that is oh so familiar for Phoenix. One hand goes up to adjust his glasses, and Phoenix can only stare.
“O-Okay then. So…we’re both agreeing,” Phoenix starts. “That means…what, exactly?”
“I will give you…payment, at this moment,” Edgeworth responds, shocking Phoenix. “This is so we both remember the consensus that has been made on this day.”
“W-What?!” Phoenix almost gags. “Right now?! We haven’t even done anything!”
Edgeworth is not listening, and he just takes out a checkbook and a pen. Phoenix tries not to question where those items came from. The scribbles are fast and efficient, and it is immediately handed to Phoenix before Edgeworth shoves the defense attorney towards the door.
“I will be in touch, Wright,” is all he says before slamming the door shut behind Phoenix, who is now outside of the Prosecutor’s Office.
Poor, silent Phoenix Wright was stiff and unmoving. His wide-as-saucer eyes move down to the check, already fearing what he was going to see.
…
He turns to bang on the door.
“Edgeworth!”
He was probably louder than Apollo’s chords of steel.
After a few minutes of Phoenix acting like a mad man outside of the Prosecutors’ Office, Phoenix gave up and just decided to head back.
Phoenix went to the agency, extremely weary. Seriously, what was his friend thinking? He shamelessly gave him thousands of dollars like it was nothing.
Well, it kind of is nothing…to him, at least. This could buy Trucy and I meals for like, months, though! He thinks while sweatdropping. He sits at his desk, his mind still in the events that transpired prior.
Athena walks into the office from the bathroom. “Heya, Mr. Wright! How’d your trial go?” She asks excitedly. Phoenix, at this current moment, was not sharing the same enthusiasm.
“Just fine, Athena,” he answers her, trying to seem as normal as possible.
He completely forgets in that moment, however, that his office is filled with lie detectors. “That’s weird. I can hear your emotions, and they seem very far from fine,” she remarks.
He chuckles. “Must be a little tired, is all.”
Athena frowns, but then smiles, entertaining him. “Sure! Stress gets the best of us, Mr. Wright!” She tells him with an energized thumbs up. “Let me know if there’s any cases to solve; I’ve been stuck on cleaning duty all day!!” Both of her hands are on her hips and she walks around Phoenix’s desk in anticipation.
Phoenix coughs. “You know, Athena,” he begins. “If you want a job that’s not cleaning…do you mind running this to the bank for me? It’s a deposit.” He hands the check he got from Edgeworth earlier to Athena, who readily grabs it without hesitation.
“Sure thing!” She exclaims, relieved to have something else to do. “Although, it’s a bit weird for you to get a payment when your client already paid beforehandahhhhh!!?? Mr, Wright, when did you get this?!” Her oblivious expression turns into one of shock when she sees the number on the check.
Phoenix looks away with a sigh, a lie eagerly awaiting for him to say. “The client came to see me on my way here, thanking me constantly. They said they wanted to really show their appreciation.”
“Well appreciated you must feel!” Athena gapes. “Don’t worry Mr. Wright! I won’t lose it! I’ll take it to the bank safely for you!” She salutes before running out of the office. Phoenix would be half-worried that she was running away to take the money, but he knows that Athena is a good person, so he decides on not worrying any further.
He hears an email notification from his computer. Believing it’s from a client, Phoenix moves to it right away.
His heart skips a beat when he realizes who it actually is.
Miles Edgeworth
I won’t call you, as I don’t want to disturb you. Therefore, check your email constantly for dates and times.
Sent 2:30pm.
Phoenix unknowingly beams at the screen. It almost feels that he reached a date with the prosecutor, despite knowing that it isn’t.
Phoenix Wright
You already know I will. I agreed to this. :)
Sent 2:31pm.
For once, he doesn’t feel tense or awkward about him and Edgeworth. He feels fulfilled.