#but they become closer friends again when mia and miles defend phoenix in court!!!

[eliounora]

miles as a defense lawyer AU!?

[vikkirosko]

Headcanons

⚖️ Phoenix Wright x Reader 🚲

For Phoenix, relationships were something that rarely appeared in his life. His infatuation ended sadly, so when he realized that he had fallen in love with you, he tried to properly sort out his feelings. He didn't want to find himself in a similar situation again, but pretty quickly he became convinced not only of his feelings, but also that you had mutual feelings for him

From the very beginning of your relationship, you tried to see each other often. You came to his office when you knew he was busy on another case. You brought him a snack and sometimes helped him put the office and documents in order. You knew that he was doing a lot to win the trial and prove the innocence of his client, which is why you tried to help him in the few ways that were available to you

You tried to attend all the court sessions where Phoenix represented the defense. Every time he saw you among people, he felt confident in himself. Your support gave him the belief that he could do anything, including prove the innocence of the defendant

Phoenix cherished your relationship and tried to protect you. He knew that you could be in danger, as Maya was, which is why he tried to protect you from it. The last thing he wanted was for his loved one to suffer because of his next job

👻 Maya Fey x Reader 🍔

Maya didn't have a lot of opportunities to have a relationship. She spent most of her life in her native village where everyone was familiar to her, almost her own family. She met you in Los Angeles. You were her other older sister and it was she who introduced you. You were able to find a common language quickly and often tried to meet when Maya came to town. The news of her sister's death was a great blow to both of you

You supported each other after Mia's death, becoming even closer than before. Maya lived in your apartment the whole time she was in town. She was calmer with you. Your relationship began with the fact that after winning in court, she kissed you in a fit of emotion. You were both embarrassed by it, but that was the beginning of your relationship

You often went on dates when you both had free time. She told you about what happened to her during the time that you didn't see each other. When she returned to the village, you tried to call, but she did not always have the opportunity to do so. You understood that her aunt might not react well if she found out about your relationship, so you didn't tell anyone from her family about it

You and Maya have been through a lot of difficulties together. You supported each other and helped each other. You took care of her, lifted her spirits and tried to surround her with love. Your feelings for her were sincere, as were her feelings for you

⚖️ Miles Edgeworth x Reader 🚘

Edgeworth has never had time to arrange his personal life. He spent a lot of time studying and then working. It was only when he rethought for himself what it means to be a prosecutor that he began to find time for a rare rest. One of such rare rest was a friendly meeting with Phoenix during which he introduced Edgeworth to you

You and Phoenix have known each other since university, but unlike him, you graduated from the Faculty of Arts. During your acquaintance Miles behaved calmly and restrained, but his heart was beating furiously. He fell in love with you at first sight. It was the first time he felt such feelings and they did not hide from the Phoenix

Phoenix sincerely wanted to help his friend and you to be together. He saw that you also liked Edgeworth, so he and Maya tried to help you see each other's feelings. Their plans didn't always work, but eventually you and Miles really started dating. He was insecure when it came to relationships, but he genuinely wanted to make you happy

For the first time Edgeworth was so happy. He had friends, a favorite job and a loved one. Next to you, he felt warmth in his chest and wanted to smile at him. He was genuinely in love with you and hoped that you could spend as much time together as possible

⚖️ Franziska von Karma x Reader ⚜️

Since childhood, Franziska has not thought about relationships. She was completely focused on her studies, striving to become perfect, as her father had told her. She had no friends and certainly no romantic relationships. She aspired to become the best prosecutor no matter what. However, when she came to Los Angeles to work there as a prosecutor while Edgeworth was not there, she met you

You have worked in court and you have often encountered Franziska. At first she treated you coldly, but she liked you. She treated you more gently than others, sometimes being embarrassed around you. You didn't mind talking to her. You were genuinely interested in communicating with her, especially when she told you about life in Germany

When she left for her homeland, the first time you corresponded, sending letters to each other. She would have been happy for you to come to her, but she understood that you had no serious reason to leave your native country. However, in another letter you wrote to her that you were planning to surprise her. She assumed you were planning to send her a package, but she was wrong. You came to her in person. As it turned out, you were offered a job in Germany and you could not refuse the opportunity to combine the useful with the pleasant

She couldn't contain her feelings and hugged you tightly. She was glad to see you again. Now you had a lot of time that you could spend together. You had a lot of time to make sure of your feelings for each other and talk about them

[vickyvicarious]

Also... meeting Kristoph that way, with everyone else turned against Phoenix but this one person believing in and defending him - it's almost exactly how Phoenix met some of the most important people in his entire life.

That's how he met Miles Edgeworth. The whole class turned against him and the teacher was going to punish him for something he didn't do - when Miles (and then Larry) spoke up in his defense. This meant so much to Phoenix that he upended his entire life over a decade later to try and repay the man.

It's how he met Mia Fey. The courtroom was against him and the judge was going to convince him for something he didn't do (even his girlfriend began throwing him under the bus deep enough into the trial), but Mia defended him and believed in him, even when he wasn't cooperative with her. This inspired Phoenix so much that he joined her law firm and looked up to her as a mentor in just about everything for not only the rest of her life, but his too, years after she was dead and gone.

And then, the third instance. The bar association all turned against him and were going to punish him for something he didn't (knowingly/intentionally) do, but Kristoph spoke up in his defense. Unlike the other times, he wasn't able to save Phoenix from negative consequences but he appeared to try, and the way he did so showed the same kind of faith in him and willingness to listen despite public opinion that Miles and Mia showed.

The Apollo Justice game deals a fair bit with appearances/reality, and looking closer to figure out what's actually going on. I mean, the Perceive ability... And this is another good example. Because although it first seemed that Kristoph was behaving like some of Phoenix's truest friends, he was actually manipulating the situation to his own advantage. (Their whole story is also an interesting parallel to the trilogy games with Mia vs. Dahlia, which is slightly off-topic here but shows again how much impact someone like Mia has had on Phoenix's life.)

For Phoenix, someone stepping in like that is a hero, and it speaks to how his whole life changed so drastically, and I suppose to his growth when it comes to reading people, that the devotion he usually extends to such people was able to give way. That he was able to realize the betrayal and then not reveal that, to keep pantomiming friendship as he tries to understand/undo what Kristoph did to him. It's a very different reaction from both "eats glass to protect Dollie despite the evidence against her" Feenie, and from "yes I know you are the murderer and I'll say it to your face, White/von Karma" Phoenix. In a way, he's clearly learning from his mistakes, to not trust as blindly and to be careful about accusing someone too early without the ability to make it stick in court. But he's also become much more willing to give up on someone who has wronged him. He never gave up on Miles, and for years still privately felt that Dahlia wasn't herself in that trial despite all available evidence - and both of those were backed up in the end, so maybe it's just an extension of him being ultimately a good judge of character. Iris was the one he knew, and though she certainly did betray him, it wasn't in quite the same way as everyone thought Dahlia was betraying him. Still, she did betray him and Phoenix still defended her later (yes of a different crime, but he still wanted to protect her even if he couldn't forgive her). This is I think the first time Phoenix has ever outright worked against a person he once trusted/loved, and I find that so interesting.

I definitely think you're onto something by mentioning Trucy, because not only does she seem like the one who would initially be suspicious of Kristoph, but also I think what Kristoph did would be more unforgivable to Phoenix because of how it affects her, too.

...All to say I agree, Phoenix truly did believe in Kristoph for a while, and his heart was broken when he figured out the truth. They have a strong exes vibe but even if it were friendship alone that'd stand true.

(And Kristoph's feelings for Phoenix are definitely a complicated mix of envy, hate, affection, admiration, resentment, love... I really like the 'Kristoph reluctantly fell in love with Phoenix during the seven years' trope, especially if that's paired with 'around the same time Phoenix began to figure out their friendship had always been a lie'. If this came after they had been dating a little while, genuinely on Phoenix's part and initially faked by Kristoph, and then soon after their respective realizations they break up 'but stay friends' except Kristoph is in love and Phoenix is heartbroken but neither will admit it - all the better.)

i do enjoy the idea of krisnix even though i pretty much only ship them as exes (they have the divorce energy ever, it's amazing thank you capcom) because on one hand it's hilarious. i love the idea of the passive-aggression and continuous attempts to mildly inconvinience the other in the worst ways while also appearing sweet and caring towards the other because they still have to pretend. they make everyone around them miserable and it's really funny. on the other hand, they are really tragic if you think about them too deeply (and not only in a ship sense, canonically i find them to be tragic as well) after all, phoenix did believe kristoph was genuine at first, imagine how important and touching it must've been for someone who so strongly believed and fought for the people around them (his clients, his friends) even if the whole world was telling him that it was wrong to finally have someone believe in him when the world turned their backs on him. i really don't think phoenix was suspicious of kristoph from the very beginning of their relationship because a) phoenix was very vulnerable at the time. he needed someone to believe in him and b) why wouldn't he trust him? he had no reason to suspect him, after all, phoenix would have done the same thing if someone else was in his position and he had reasons to think that something was wrong. maybe it's possible that he saw himself in kristoph, a seemingly kind lawyer who believed in him when no one else would. in my opinion, the one who was probably wary of kristoph from the very beginning was trucy (don't even get me started on that because when i start talking about trucy there's no off button you can press to stop me)

yes, phoenix started suspecting him during his investigation and through the years, and it's possible that he already knew that kristoph had something to do with his disbarment by the time the events of turnabout trump happened. while it's true that he kept kristoph close to keep an eye on him, i also think he also thought he could fix him. let's not forget that phoenix found out that kristoph was capable of murder with zak's death, not before. oh my god i can't stop thinking about that, about the moment phoenix realized that kristoph was way more dangerous and rotten than he thought he was.

additionally, i think kristoph had very complicated and mixed feelings about phoenix. after all, no matter how much you hate someone, 7 years of (albeit fake) friendship is a pretty long time, and i don't see kristoph as an emotionless person incapable of caring about others, but rather as someone who did what he did in spite of his feelings towards others. he was driven by fear and that's one of the most powerful emotions, after all.

this rant started with me talking about how funny the idea of krisnix is and it ended up with me sobbing about how sad their relationship is in canon waaaah sorry but i love 2 fucked up men

[hfdkshlfjadsfhhfjkhdasf-blog2]

Title: Stars Aligned. Words: 1407 Summary:  Whenever they were finally happy, someone would have to swoop in and play the hero. Years of back and forth. Years of waiting, and missing, and wanting. But never letting it happen. Warnings: Spoilers for the first game. Also spoilers for the second game. Also mentions of death and suicidal ideals, but nothing very graphic, if you squint it’s there. Let me know if I missed anything. Notes: And my gift for @tevinterwench for the @aalgbtgiftexchange is done!! The prompt was a little vague so I hope this was okay, I tried to make it like, resolved in the end. Anyways, I hope  you have a good holiday!! Also on AO3!

They’ve wanted to be together for years but the timing was never right. Whenever they were finally happy, someone would have to swoop in and play the hero. Years of back and forth. Years of waiting, and missing, and wanting. But never letting it happen. —

There was the class trial. Miles Edgeworth swooping in to save the day. Phoenix could feel the anxiety creeping in as the pointing went on. The way they laughed at him. Patronizing him. Blaming him for the things he didn’t do. Then finally, the safety. The sense of belonging. The belief that he wasn’t alone. Miles Edgeworth. Phoenix could feel it. The lingering thoughts, the way they weren’t alone anymore. Warmth and comfort as their arms wrapped around each other. The way he felt safe, and the way he wanted to be there, forever. Endless nights spent as their sleepovers shifted from Steel Samurai marathons to heartfelt conversations. Who they wanted to be, their aspirations in life, the way Miles Edgeworth wanted to be just like his father. He always thought it was amazing how sure of himself Miles always was. They felt safe, and warm, and nothing could change that. The longer they spent together, the closer they grew. The people around them watched, noticing how the “you’re my best friend” shifted into “I love you.” Watching as the hugs turned into kisses and the sleepovers turned into dates. Miles Edgeworth was Phoenix Wright’s kindergarten boyfriend, the love of his life. Then he was gone. — There were the letters. Miles’s mailbox overflowing from the words of support. Wondering if he was safe, and happy. Worried if he’s been eating. Worried about the nightmares. Upset with the way he didn’t even get to say goodbye. “Dear Miles, I have a girlfriend. She doesn’t kiss as well as you do, but she’s kind and beautiful. And she makes me feel loved. She gave me a necklace and now she wants it back. I love her almost as much as I miss you. Please tell me you’re okay. I haven’t seen you around, but I know you’re working on becoming a lawyer. I know that’s a lot of work. I’m proud of you. P.W.” “Dear Miles, My girlfriend tried to kill me. She legitimately and honestly wanted to poison me. When did love become so violent? I miss you. P.W.” “Dear Miles, I’m completely and utterly alone. I’m scared. Please, come back. I don’t know what to do. “Wright.” But he never responded. — There were the endless years of law school. He was interning with Mia Fey. Sure, there was the constant stress, but he didn’t mind always scrubbing the toilets. Plus there were the stories about her time in law school, the way her and her roommate dated for a while before she ran off to become the chief prosecutor and never saw her again. Funny how alike they were. She mentioned her sister a lot too, he wondered if he would ever get to meet her. If she would like him. He graduated law school and his first trial came and went, Larry Butz was declared innocent. Then he saw him, Miles Edgeworth in the distance, winning another trial. Phoenix Wright ran, he chased him down. His kindergarten boyfriend, the love of his life. But then he was gone. And so was she. — There was the trial for Mia Fey’s murder. The thoughts never ended. His mentor was dead, his only friend in this world, and now he was here. It felt like a dream, a very surreal dream and he was going to wake up soon. But he never did. He finally met Mia’s sister, it was in a cold, dark office, and the scent of blood lingered. But he was going to save her, he had to, for the sake of Mia. He saved her, but had to turn around and save himself. Miles Edgeworth wasn’t going to swoop in and save him this time. He was living this. He had to do this on his own. He was face to face in court with Miles Edgeworth. And he won. Then Miles Edgeworth was gone again. — Then there was the charges for the murder on Christmas Eve. “Miles Edgeworth charged for murder.” The news headline shook him to the core every single time. It wasn’t the way Phoenix Wright wanted to spend his Christmas. Watching as Miles Edgeworth avoided eye contact and stayed silent. The cold air lingering awkwardly between the two, Maya glaring at Nick, as if a cue for him to say something, anything, to the convicted prosecutor. “Why have you come?” Miles asks, his voice cold, back to the man he had once loved back in their childhood. Phoenix offered to be Mile’s attorney, it was his turn to play the hero. Miles laughed, his eyes shifting down from Phoenix’s eyes to the ground and back. Miles Edgeworth wanted Phoenix Wright to leave, never come back. Never show his face to him again. “You know if I don’t defend you no one will.” He said it simply, thinking back to Detective Gumshoe’s words. “Get out.” So Phoenix did. — Then there was the trial itself. Finger pointing, the blame. So much blame. The flashbacks to that night, gunshots filling the air, earthquakes. Him. The images flashing of him dying over and over again. The blame. No matter how hard he tried, he could never turn the blame away from himself. His father’s death was his fault, and this trial was his punishment. The nightmares couldn’t change what he’d done, that night in the elevator was his fault. The gun flying through the air, the sound ringing out, echoing in the emptiness over and over again. The scream. The scream that shook him to his very core for as long as he could remember, waking him up time and time again as the nights shifted from peaceful slumber to panic attacks that he had to stay quiet to control in the dark, cold loneliness of the night. Even if he wasn’t guilty of this murder on the lake, this is what he deserved. His punishment for what he’d done so long ago. Not if Phoenix Wright could help it. He’d never lost a single trial, all three of them ended up with a not guilty verdict, When the odds are against him, he ended up rising from the ashes and bluffing his way to victory. That’s because all of his clients were innocent – and despite Edgeworth's’ protests, he was innocent too. Even if Miles Edgeworth wanted to play the martyr Phoenix wouldn’t let him It was his turn to play the hero, just like Edgeworth did back in the class trial. Manfred von Karma was proven guilty of murder. Miles Edgeworth chooses death. Then he was gone again. — There was the loneliness. The endless phone calls to his office. The sound of the voicemail recording echoing the empty office over and over again, leaving the rotting feeling that caused Phoenix’s heart to sink into his stomach. As soon as they had the chance to reunite, he was gone again. Just like he did when they were kids. — There was Edgeworth’s recovery. He always thought he saw him in passing, silvery hair reflecting off gourd lake, or his red suit flashing through the subway windows, but it was never him. No matter how hard he hoped it was. Then he was there, almost miraculously. Just when Phoenix had given up hope, he was back. His first guilty verdict, a convicted actor, the comfort of Miles Edgeworth in his arms again. And this time he wasn’t letting him go. — There was the loss of his badge. The fake diary page, the way the betrayal still stung weeks later. Sometimes when magicians vanish, they leave something behind. But Trucy, happy, smiling, was the light in that darkness. Even when he was lost and alone, she was his guiding force. And when Edgeworth finally swooped in and got to play the hero this time, paying bills, watering Charley, showing him he wasn’t alone. Edgeworth kept the office up and running, kept Phoenix alive, and even if Phoenix denied it, he was thankful for the help. The support. Even if they weren’t alone together as a family, they weren’t alone.

The stars had aligned, neither of them were leaving again.

Even if Edgeworth had to play the hero over and over again.