#in my head this is the first time miles meets trucy

[idlyingabout]

Doggy :D

[box-dwelling]

As I'm writing and reading a ton of Narumitsu fic I'm noticing that there's a weird unspoken rule to which names they use and there's an art to getting it right. It's not noticeable when it's done well but it sticks out like a swore thumb when it's done wrong and takes me right out. The name they're using is sets the expectations of time, location and tone. My model for it goes as follows but I genuinely think it's more complex and open to interpretation. There have been fics I've read that don't take me out even when these rules aren't being followed but this is my head canon of rules:

1) Surnames are used before they get together. As they are getting together depending on the context and level of intimacy it is likely that one of them will switch to first names reasonablely soon after.

2)Phoenix is more comfortable with first names than Miles. If he is saying Edgeworth and Miles is saying Nick or Phoenix unless there's good reason it will take me out

2.5) this is very very much a headcanon of mine but I think Nick is off the table unless Miles is very very vunerable and open to intimacy. I think he only ever uses it when he's desperate for Phoenix to be close with him because it's what people like Larry and Maya call him who are a lot more willing to accept Phoenix's support use. I wanted to mention it but it's not like, a thing I expect anyone else to follow through with.

3) however Miles is more comfortable with terms of endearment than Phoenix once they are fully together. Dear, darling and my love from him are probably going to be more common that Phoenix saying something like Babe or Baby.

4) If they are in a professional setting they will use only nicknames unless stuff gets really bad and even they I think they have to be out of ear shot of everyone else.

5) There are however different rules with the WAA because of the found family aspect and Trucy's presence. Then it's if the other is being discussed in their relationship setting or work setting. "Miles is going to pick me up some noodles when he comes over" "I have a meeting with Edgeworth about the case". But if in doubt surname is preferable

6) surnames are also used if they are arguing playfully. This doesn't change based on setting. But I think if it's a serious argument Phoenix may use either surnames or first names and Miles will only use surnames. However when the calm down and recosile go back to the other rules.

7) if they break up, surnames if they're mad about it. First names if they're sad. But this doesn't over ride the workplace rule. If they haven't been dating long Miles may use surnames even if he's sad, you kinda have to feel that one out

[schmorpthe]

I see a lot of debate on this fandoms found family obsession and I want to add my two cents and headcannons that no one reaaaallllyyyyy cares about.

I think there's a balance of it that's good. For example, I think interpreting Maya and Phoenix as siblings is just as valid as best friends. Siblings can be best friends, my own sister is literally my best friend. It works with the dynamic of them both feeling like they're taking each other in after Mia's death, and I see their banter and can relate it to how my sister and I treat each other.

On the other hand, I don't like it when people give Phoenix and Apollo the father-son dynamic. I think there is a level of protectiveness from Phoenix, coming from seeing some of himself when he was younger in Apollo, as well as knowing he's Trucy's brother. But Apollo is an adult who looked up to Phoenix when he was younger, just his trust betrayed. At first it's a case of never meet your idols for Apollo. He also finds him irritating. I think there is a point where those two can get on good terms and Apollo forgives Phoenix, but they aren't family. It's a different type of love and care. They are mentor and mentee. Apollo will always find Phoenix annoying too, he just gets used to it and that irritation no longer is from a place of resentment, just Phoenix pushing his buttons.

As far as Athena goes, I haven't played much of DD yet because I started as the new trilogy got announced and decided to wait, but I think it's another case of Phoenix being protective but not quite in an adopted kid sense. He sees a young girl who needs some love, care, and guidance. You can love and care for someone a bit like a daughter without going all the way into they are my daughter territory. Trucy and Athena? Best friends. You know how so many of us have best friends that are basically like a sibling but we don't literally feel like siblings? That's them. They are an unstoppable duo.

As far as Edgeworth and Kay goes, I haven't finished AAI but I do see a little bit of adopted father-daughter dynamic, but not as intense. Kay is very self sufficient and made it through her teen years without her own dad or Edgeworth in her life. They are bonded over the shared trauma of losing a parent at the courthouse and Edgeworth is protective of her and his door is always open for her in the good and the bad. The paternal instinct is there and he would help her through anything. I feel like Kay called him Dad by accident one time and that did make them more like family, but apart from emotional times or jokes, he is Mr Edgeworth.

On the note of Edgeworth, I'm not keen on the adopting basically the entire prosecutor's office. I just don't feel like that's Edgeworth. I do think he softens yes. I do think he cares about his employees, but it's the vibe of a good boss being on professionally friendly terms. They can go to him for help, sometimes not work related. He can be a mentor. But he's their boss first and foremost, and in a more Edgeworth sense than Phoenix. More by the book. So yes he cares about them and can sometimes be protective, but not in a family way.

I do like Edgeworth eventually becoming Trucy's other Dad, but it takes time. For a long time he's Uncle Edgeworth and it takes him a long time to adjust to that even. Eventually he starts treating Trucy like a daughter, Phoenix pulls him up on it, he has a bit of a crisis. This is after the 7yg when Phoenix no longer has to live in the shell he did before getting his name cleared, therefore being able to officially be with Miles. Point being it's not immediate. He does immediately live Trucy but his instinct isn't familial for a while.

Honestly me explaining this hasn't completely gotten what's in my head across about I hope you get what I mean.

Also, at the end of the day everyone can have their own interpretation of the game. People will make it what they need it to be and that's okay. As long as what you are going with isn't illegal or straight up gross, go ahead. These are my own conclusions I've come to and it's these interpretations I look for in the media I consume, but whatever fuels your love for this series is what matters ✨

[digitalstowaway]

No death au where Gregory and Misty merge their families

Gregory meets Klavier right before his first trial and thankfully convinces him that Kristoph is up to no good. Klavier is in awe that Famouse Attorney Gregory Edgeworth is speaking to him, and he's so moved. He knows what to do.

Right before Mia goes in to defend Zak Gramarye, Trucy runs up to her to hand the evidence. Klavier stops Mia before she can go in. He tells her to toss the evidence. She'll understand later when he has time to explain it.

So Kristoph never gets Mia disbarred. Zak still disappears, and Phoenix and Miles take her in.

And Kristoph really amps up the abuse towards Klavier. How could he do that? He let a guilty woman off the hook. He ruined the case. Is he really fit to be an attorney? Really, Klavier, you confuse yourself too often. I thought you outgrew this.

Klavier eventually ends up walking into Gregory's office, shaken and confused. He tells Gregory everything, backtracking and stammering and doubting everything coming out of his mouth. He doesn't look like the confident teenager Gregory had just met a few weeks before.

So Gregory tells him he thinks Kristoph is getting in his head. It'll maybe be best if Klavier just spends some time away from Kristoph.

"But I have no one else. He's always taken care of me."

And that's where Gregory puts his hand on his back.

"I have a bit of reputation," Gregory says, "for taking in every stray kid I come across. How about you join my family for dinner this evening? You can meet all my kids."

"I've already met Mia and Miles. Haven't I?"

"You have. But there's Miles' husband, Phoenix. They just took in little Trucy Gramayre. There's Ema, the sister of one of Mia's friends. She's been staying with us. We have our niece, Pearl. And then our two youngest daughters, Maya and Franziska."

"It's not the Franziska who works in the prosecutor's office, is it?"

"It is! Have you met her?"

"I have... she frightens me."

"She frightens many men. I'll tell her to behave herself tonight."

[girlstrider]

Hey, remember that self insert acecattorney au that i made? I got more lore for it and possible retconning because i realized my ideas back then weren't realistic

Here's how it is now:

In the beginning of the au, winter of 2020, i was quite shy and took a long time to even trust phoenix alone to be able to hold a comfortable conversation with him

Only towards the end of the internship, i become somewhat close to him

Around spring 2021, i was comfortable enough to come out as nonbinary to him, making him the very first person i came out to in this au

Upon hearing this, he gave me the nickname nat, which later becomes my new name

After that, we unfortunately fall out of contact slowly until we meet again almost two years later, february 2023

He has to defend one of my teachers who's wrongfully accused of murder

He comes to my school to investigate the bunker in the basement of the school, where the crime scene is

He's glad to see me again but is surprised that i've seemingly changed in attitude, but eventually just finds out i'm only like that around my best friend

Around him i'm still pretty shy at first, almost as shy as when my internship at his law office ended

Phoenix is a bit bummed at the thought of having to befriend me again, but decides to do it and talks to me whenever he gets the chance to

We both find out that we're big fans of doctor who and he finds out i've watched south park during the two years

Phoenix eventually befriends me again and gains the trust of my best friend, causing him to be included in the friend group

He learns about the way we show our friendship (showing each other the middle finger affectionately, insulting each other and lighthearted bullying) and is surprised and confused about it but tries to tag along, which comes off as awkward at first, but he does get the hang of it

He also finds out that in serious situations, where we need comfort, we immediately turn from well-meaning bullies to worried and genuinely caring friends, dropping everything to be there for each other

I've forgotten bits and pieces of the au, so i just decided to update it while knowing more of the lore than back then

Here are some important details:

Phoenix's disbarment never happened, but he still got to adopt trucy

Phoenix and miles married sometime in 2019

Miles got to adopt kay

The four moved to germany in early 2020, before the pandemic broke out in germany

And now for some stupid headcanons i made for this au thst make absolutely no sense whatsoever:

After my best friend finds out sans from undertale calls guacamole "guac dip" and gets offended by it, phoenix bullies him about it, to which he promptly recieves "friendly punchies" from him

He bullies my best friend multiple times throughout the same day and every time he does he gets friendly punchies

I manage to get phoenix into deponia, with him eventually admitting to me that he has a small crush on rufus

After he gets the games for himself, he calls me in the middle of the night, admitting that he's been playing all night and wanted someone to talk to after finishing the first game

Phoenix gets called "igelkopf" by the friend group, which translates to hedgehog head

Phoenix drinks energy drinks from time to time but will deny it, especially when you offer him one

When you offer him an energy drink, he'll snatch it from you WHILE STILL DENYING HE DRINKS THEM and as soon as he takes the first sip, he's like "alright, you got me, that stuff is alright"

(Now a few lighthearted ones)

He knows i see him like a big brother and plays into that role by accommodating my needs as an autistic person and caring for me

He felt pity for me when i told him my situation at home and my relationship to my mother got worse since the internship, which is also the reason he plays into the big brother role

When i first told him i changed my middle name to his name, he took it as a joke, but after i told him a week later that it wasn't a joke, he got very emotional

He notices i've gotten sensitive to loud noises and gets worried since during the internship he could slam his hands on the desk during trials right next to me and i wouldn't even flinch

Ok, this is quite a lot, but it needed to be written down or else i forget sone details again

[sunset-peril]

Ashes Remain - Chapter Eighteen - The Fall of Apollo Justice

~~~~

April 3rd, 2027

???

~~~~

“Thank you, Wright, for being able to meet on such short notice.”

“Of course, Miles. What’s the occasion?”

“I have someone I’d like you to meet. Kay?”

Edgeworth’s twenty-six year old daughter stepped out from behind the corner, a ginger peeked out from behind her. She was only about an inch shorter than Kay, but seemed worlds smaller. 

“This is Doctor Cykes.”

“I didn’t realize she was already in the country.”

“Her visa arrived a little earlier than expected. Her caretaker and I decided it might be best to get her into the country early and let her settle. She’s quite gun-shy.” He turned towards the two young women. “Athena? Would you like to meet your new boss?”

Athena stepped closer. The first thing Phoenix noticed on her was the strange, frightened looking necklace. Once she was close, her head threw up and gaze hardened. That’s when he noticed the strange scar circling her throat like a collar. 

“She’s one of Franziska’s rescues, and the missing witness from the Blackquill case. A seasoned fighter both in and out of court.”

“Really? I didn’t know Von Karma was involved.” 

“Ever since the crackdown on illegal entertainment began, they’ve had a flood of people, mainly children, come into Interpol custody. Of course, because she was seized by Interpol, I’ve had some trouble finding a residence for her. Typically, I would have offered her the spare bedroom but, she’s… afraid of Pess.”

“Afraid of your dog? He wouldn’t hurt a fly.”

“She’s afraid of dogs, large ones especially.”

“She’s got a pit history!” Kay blurted, clasping a hand over her mouth.

“Oh.”

“As you can see, it’s detrimental to her health for her to live with us, considering her history. Pess is currently boarded for his own safety, but it would be in his best interest to relocate Doctor Cykes as quickly as possible.”

“There’s the back room of the office. It wouldn’t be ideal permanently, but it would let you bring Pess home, and it’d give her plenty of space.”

“What do you think, Athena? Would you like to go with Mr. Wright in a few weeks?”

She wouldn’t look up at him, but bowed her head even more. “Of course, sir.”

Phoenix knelt down to her hidden height. “Well, I’m excited to work with you, Athena. My daughter, Trucy, is so excited to meet you.” 

Her head sunk even further into her shoulders, if that was even possible, and spoke in a hushed, rushed voice. “I won’t let you down. I’ll make you see my worth, sir.” Finally, she looked up at him. “You won’t regret me.”

“Oh… Athena, why would I regret you? You’re a promising young lawyer.”

Edgeworth’s face crinkled as Athena took a few steps back. “When Franziska found her…” He gestured for Athena to step behind him. “She came from human trafficking, Wright.”

“...oh.”

“I’ll do anything you say, Boss, anything at all, in fact, I’ll-” 

“Cease your rambling, Athena. You’re worth more than that.”“Yes, sir, yes, sir, I’m sorry, sir.” Athena’s voice was growing louder, but her words were becoming faster.

“Kay? I… think Athena has had enough for one day. Help her get somewhere quiet, would you?”

“Of course!” Kay held out one arm towards Athena, and the young lady had instantly darted into her arms before they exited the room.

“Her abusers were mostly male, so it’s been a pain getting her to open back up.”

“How… how long-?”

 “Since the incident, it seems. Our investigation into how she got there is ongoing. But Athena, and her special power, will be ready for you in time. She’s recovered vastly in the past week or so, and Kay thinks that one experience will cause the dominos to fall and for her to show her true self. She has an astounding temperament, Wright. I’ve no doubt that she’ll be a force to be reckoned with once she comes out of this state of extreme self-preservation.” 

~~~~

December 19th, 2027

3:30pm

Wright Anything Agency

~~~~

She was sitting there, watching the world go by below. Apollo hadn’t wanted to talk to her, and the Boss had essentially just let her be.

This time, Apollo hadn’t apologized. It was their first day after being discharged (excluding their little escapade the first morning of Juniper’s trial,) and she already knew he wasn’t going home with her.

The lease was in his name, so it was only a matter of time before she was in the shelter. Edgeworth would try to take her in again, but she couldn’t do that to him. Not again.

Not to poor Pess.

She’d been so stupid. 

Stupid to believe someone would truly love her.

Stupid to believe everyone would trust her. 

In this Dark Age, of course everyone was looking out for themselves. No one was willing to just go along, not without a price. 

She tasted the blood already. The blood would never fall upon her hands or lips, but that didn’t stop the taste from rushing through. And honestly? She was overcome by the nostalgia of it. She looked forward to it, as much as one could without absolute psychopathy.

She ripped off her jacket and discarded it to the floor. The cuffs, warm from body heat and the space heater running nearby, glistened with a threat newly realized. The mark was well concealed, less she go feral.

Perhaps she should take the risk, health-wise and social-wise, and look for ways to get blood back in her diet.

What can she do? Old habits die hard. She was already legally insane, so she could freely blame that little tidbit. Of course, at the rate things were deteriorating, she may not have a chance to blame.

She’d nearly finished it off many times, stopped only by the coexistence of hope and fear. The hope was quickly dying, and the fear was rapidly consuming it. And she cared too much for the fear than to discard it to be trod on like the jacket.

Vivid as some parts were, recollection was denied. As much as fear and sorrow strangled her, the reasons why were lost. The reasons why she knew things that weren’t hers to know, the reason for the silver streaking through the lower layers of her hair when she had the burning feeling it wasn’t always so… 

And those fuzzy memories mess with her temper. 

“Daddy! Thena! We’re home!” A young magician burst through the door, ending her haunting. 

Athena gathered the jacket from the floor, before one of the security guards passed by and called Fulbright on her for noncompliance… again. “Afternoon, Trucy! How was school?”

“School. I like being home with you, Daddy and Polly more. I can practice my magic here!” Trucy shrugged. “You warm, Thena? You can take your jacket off, there’s no one here but us.” She flashed a grin and bounced on her toes. “And I’m not going to call the cops on you!”

“Thank you, Trucy. But I’m good, I was just… thinking. How was the weather, Apollo?” 

“Not bad, gonna investigate more later. Got a few interesting leads, a few people willing to talk. Things better done covert and solo.” 

“I see. That’s good at least. I shouldn’t expect you for dinner?” She unconsciously dipped her head away from him at the mention of dinner. He hadn’t even come home to sleep since Clay passed. Why would he bother to have a meal in her presence?

He never outright said it, but the reason was not because of Clay, it was because she lived there too… for the time being.

“Can’t. Crematory.” 

“I… didn’t realize that was today. I’m sorry.” It hurt, hurt deep inside. She knew in her heart of hearts that he’d scheduled the appointment during the dinner hours for the sole purpose of ignoring her.  

“It’s alright.” She couldn’t tell if that was genuine. “We’ve both been busy.”

All she could do was nod and burst out her suspicions. Last thing she wanted was yet another fight with him. The last thing she wanted was his anger. 

He heard that she wouldn’t respond. There was no way she could edge herself back in, he was just too stubborn.

She could only watch as he approached their boss with one eye, almost no exposed skin and a body full of business. “Sorry. But I’ll be taking a leave of absence.”

“Wait! What do you mean by a ‘leave’?!” A-Apollo? No… please… please no… 

Her boss’ brow furrowed. “Can you at least give me a reason why?”

The expression in her beloved’s eyes didn’t change. He was still focused on something far beyond them. “I can only say… that this is something I must settle on my own.” 

Before she could process what he said, he had left and shut the door behind him. 

When it finally made sense to her brain, a full five seconds after he left, she bolted out the door behind him. “Apollo, wait!” 

Unlike his previous announcement, she realized she’d made a mistake instantly. And before she could talk sense into either her or him, she had been knocked backward from the force of his hand against her neck, and had slammed into a table nearby.

The shooting pain was just below her shoulder. The way Apollo looked at her before running off, with fear and uncertainty, she knew everything was already falling apart. She gathered herself back up, bit back her tears and re-entered the Agency. This death was ugly, and despite what she’d experienced, it was kindest to finish it off while the wound was fresh. “If we’re going to solve this…” She threw her head up in the air, once more flashing the odd, thin scar circling her neck as if it threatened to suffocate her. “Then there’s something I’m afraid I must tell you, Boss. A… confession, of sorts.” 

No turning back now, but the beast just needs to die.

Her boss, obviously immensely bothered by Apollo’s odd and quick departure, bit into his frown. “Of course, Athena. What’s on your mind?”

A heavy sigh escaped her. “I’m sorry to tell you this, but, well…” She threw herself around, back facing towards him, as Uncle Simon always did. If her uncle really was the only dependable entity, she may as well lean into his mannerisms. 

“I’m not Athena Cykes.”

[snezfics-n-shit]

Sicktember Day 10: Excessive Use of Tissues

Fandom: Ace Attorney Characters: Miles Edgeworth, Franziska von Karma

Notes: Set early on in the 7 year gap, Miles is sick with a bad cold and has every intention of just getting whatever rest he can with as little disturbance as possible. Unfortunately, he didn’t account for Franziska to show up at his door, clearly struggling after a recent breakup, with many objections to Miles creating a shortage of tissues.

“Miles Edgeworth!” Franziska’s shouting made Miles’s headache even worse, and the shaky quality of her voice only added to that effect. If she was still trying to prove she was handling the other day’s event of Maya breaking up with her just fine, she wasn’t doing a very good job. “Do you mean to tell me there are no boxes of tissues in your guest room?”

“The guest room box is here, with me.” Miles pulled the box closer to him and took another tissue from it, having no intent to share something he needed so greatly. “I’ll ask Wright to pick some up on his way home.” 

“How foolish of you to catch a cold without properly stocking up on the necessities first!” Franziska crossed her arms with a disappointed expression and made herself comfortable on the same sofa Miles was trying to get some rest on.

“Typically,” Miles paused to blow his nose again, “the preparation is to avoid catching a cold. It’s why Wright is dropping Trucy off to stay with his parents.”

“Why didn’t you think of doing something like that then?”

“Franziska, you–” Miles gave up there and sighed through his nose, causing it to start running again, much to his dismay. And much to Franziska’s dismay, he frantically pressed yet another tissue to his nose.

“Your nose is getting terribly red, so maybe you should give the box to me.”

“What do you need it for?” Miles sniffled, frowning. “I thought you said you were in ‘perfect shape.’”

“I am always in perfect shape!” Franziska turned up her nose, unknowingly making it easier for Miles to notice the slightly shiny tear stains on her cheeks. “I just, um, found some dust collecting in your guest room and wanted to wipe it off.”

“There are cleaning wipes for that purpose in the hall closet.”

“Fool! Those have chemicals! I can’t put them on my face!” Franziska froze and covered her mouth with her hand. 

“If you’re still upset about your breakup you can just say so. There’s nothing shameful about that.” Miles blew his nose yet again, and at this point Franziska thought he was somehow making his nose run so much on purpose just to bother her. “Surely Larry has come to you distressed about his own troubles with love, since you’ve been meeting so much regarding his book.”

“We actually have much more important things that we discuss.”

“Is that so?”

“It is! He tells me Phoenix Wright’s weaknesses and I tell him yours.”

“I see…” Miles’s head hurt a lot more just from imagining all the things Franziska might have said about him. 

“Unfortunately, since Phoenix Wright has been disbarred, we naturally decided not to… How Americans say, ‘whip him while he’s down?’” 

“Would you extend that to me as well?”

“For what? A foolish cold?”

This was starting to get on Miles’s last nerve. If he hadn’t been feeling like his head was filled to the brim with cotton balls that had somehow been microwaved, maybe he would have been more patient, if not sympathetic, towards Franziska. He knew she was going through a hard time, whether she admitted it or not, but there were times like these that the two likely just needed to let each other be.

“Franziska, may I ask why you came here, if not to make me feel worse than I do now?”

“Isn’t it obvious, I, well,” again, Franziska had backed herself into a corner with her own pride. “That’s not important now, since seeing such a weakling as yourself has reminded me I could be much worse!” She huffed.

“Now will you please let me recover in peace and quiet?”

“Fine. And you may keep the last of your precious tissues, too.”

“Oh, how generous of you…”

[tfwlawyers]

Not me singlehandedly going through your entire parent trap au I’m so invested even though like half of the posts are from 2015 💀

THESE THINGS HAPPEN I get such a kick out of knowing this au is still making its rounds though 😭😭

and yk what just because I know I’m never going to do anything else with this, have a 3.5k attempted scramble of fic for this au I tried writing back also in 2015. i was even less of a writer back then than I am now so it’s absolutely terrible but have at thee

“Oh, wait...” Trucy winced and tapped her earring. Apollo’s eyes widened in realization. “Looks like we have one more thing to do tonight - it’ll be super quick, I promise.”

“Oh no,” Apollo said, visibly paling, “there’s no way you’re doing that to me-”

“Then cutting my hair was a total waste,” Trucy huffed, tugging at a newly shorn lock, “because there’s no way I can go to camp with pierced ears and come home without. Come on, Polly, where’s your sense of adventure? It’s just one little pinch!”

“Just one?” he asked hesitantly, eyes now trained on the sharp needle laying on the table.

Trucy paused. “Well... I guess it’s technically two. I really only wear the one earring, but both my ears are pierced.”

Apollo sighed. “Great.”

“Nah, I got this,” Trucy said, grinning toothily. “I went with Aunt Maya when she wanted to get hers pierced, even though she chickened out at the last second.” She picked up the needle and a book of matches from the table, eyes glinting. “I had to get mine repierced because of infection the first time too. Trust me, I know what I’m doing.”

-

“Put that apple slice back,” Apollo said, narrowing his eyes at the piece of fruit in Trucy’s hands. “They’re acidic, I don’t need that anywhere near me and oh God you’re really going to shove a piece of metal into my ear, aren’t you-”

-

“You sure I look okay?” he asked, patting down the skirt. He squinted down at the stark white boots he’d thankfully fit into. “I’m terrified to walk in these, they look like death traps -”

“Which is why we’re practicing,” Trucy said primly, wiping her hands on a gel-stained rag. She still didn’t quite have a grasp on the correct ratio of product to actual hair, but she was much better than when they had started five weeks ago. “Now, walk towards me.”

-

“One last thing, I guess,” Apollo said, removing his bracelet and handing it to Trucy, watching as she carefully slid it on. He rubbed his now bare wrist absentmindedly, feeling strangely naked without it.

“So... this is really it. We’re really doing this.”

“We’re really doing this,” Trucy confirmed, bouncing lightly on the balls of her feet. For all her apparent enthusiasm, she looked as nervous as he felt. The studs in her ears reflected the morning light.

“Give papa a hug for me,” he said, smiling weakly.

“Give daddy one for me too,” she said.

They hesitated a moment more before Trucy threw her arms around her brother’s shoulders. Apollo’s arms immediately snaked around her waist, drawing her in tight. They clung to each other, silently willing and praying this was somehow going to all work out - that they wouldn’t just to get to meet their other parent, that they wouldn’t only get a few short weeks with the other father they hadn’t even known had existed, but that they could find some way to reconcile the two, that they wouldn’t have to lose anyone across the wide expanse of the Atlantic ever again.

-

“You’ve had your ears pierced,” he said almost absently, cradling her head between his hands and gently turning her neck back and forth to better view the studs. He clicked his tongue. Trucy felt her heart sink.

“Do you... hate them?” she asked tentatively.

Edgeworth’s eyes snapped to hers. They were the same soft gray color as the paint Daddy always kept too much of around the house. “On the contrary - I find they suit you incredibly well. Please tell me you didn’t get an infection.”

Her face split into a wide smile.

-

Apollo thumbed through a stack of canvases that had been shoved into a corner. There was a thin layer of dust of them; if he had to guess, he’d say they hadn’t been disturbed for at least three months - not a particularly long stretch of time, all things considered. They were clearly less polished works, lacking the technical skill and attention to detail that made Phoenix Wright a name to be reckoned with in the art community, but they were still beautiful in their own way. Paintings of vineyards and what looked like London, towering skyscrapers and calm seas and -

His father.

Apollo blinked.

The portrait of Miles Edgeworth drawn in rich oils did not blink back. Nor did the three that followed.

-

“There were a lot of paintings of the same person in daddy’s works. Some guy with grey hair,” Apollo said, struggling for nonchalance.

Maya’s grip on the mixing bowl faltered. “Is that so,” she said carefully.

“Was he one of daddy’s favorite models or something he just never told me about?”

Maya pursed her lips and continued stirring with a newfound vigor. “You could say that.”

-

“You’re not Apollo?” he asked, voice thick. “You’re Trucy?”

She smiled weakly. “That would be correct.” One strand of hair fell lank across her forehead - how did I not notice, Apollo hasn’t used nearly that much gel in years - and he absentmindedly tucked it behind her ear. He felt her press into the warmth of his hand, as if she were afraid he might suddenly vanish across the Atlantic again.

“I hope you don’t - I hope you don’t hate me,” she said, voice beginning to waver, “it’s just that Polly and I met at the camp and the whole thing sort of just spilled out. I’ve wanted to see you for so long, and Polly felt exactly the same way about Daddy, so we sort of just - just switched lives and hoped it wouldn’t take you so soon to notice. I really hope you don’t hate me, because I’ve wanted to meet you basically my whole life and I hope that maybe one day you can love me for me and not Polly and -” (this is ALL from movie tho so mix this up)

Edgeworth’s left hand came to cradle the rest of Trucy’s face, cutting her off mid-sentence. “Oh, my dear,” he said, cautiously tugging her forward. She came willingly, all but sprawling across his chest, tucking her head underneath his chin and wrapping her arms around his middle. “I’ve loved you since the day you came to me,” he whispered into her hair, blinking away the beginnings of tears he felt gathering at the corner of his eyes. He felt her tighten her hold and he did the same.

-

He poured himself a thumbnail of scotch, perfectly content to pretend he didn’t have tickets to a plane back to a state he had vowed never to set foot in again departing in less than four hours. “He was rather handsome,” he found himself admitting, absentmindedly swirling the glass and taking a sip. He paused, staring at nothing and mumbling to himself, “...had the most crooked smile. Always made me weak at the knees.”

“What was that, sir?”

Edgeworth snapped his attention back to the other man; he’d nearly forgotten Gumshoe was even in the room. “Nothing, nothing, never mind, have you seen the tickets?”

Gumshoe shrugged. That was Trucy’s cue.

“Almost ready, papa?” she asked, stepping smoothly into the room from her hiding place behind the thick wooden door. Edgeworth looked just as wild-eyed as she’d been hoping.

“Yes, of course, I’m almost finished packing -”

She didn’t even have to look at his still mostly bare suitcase to know he was lying.

“ -and you did tell your father we were coming, didn’t you?” he finished, placing his drink on a nearby dresser and running his fingers shakily through his hair.

“Absolutely,” Trucy promised.

“Ah,” Edgeworth said, fiddling with his waistcoat buttons. They looked like they’d been polished recently.

“Liar,” Gumshoe leaned down to whisper. She shushed him.

-

“Might I suggest we continue this little gathering inside,” Maya said, already beginning to shepherd the twins - the twins, she was going to need another vacation just to process the fact that they were together again - into the room. She twisted back around to look at Edgeworth, still shoving Apollo (that was Apollo, right?) forward. “Hi,” she began again, offering a free hand, “you probably don’t remember me -”

“Maya!” he interrupted, smiling warmly and bending to kiss her chastely on the cheek. His breath was sour with vodka and his glasses clunked awkwardly against her face. As he turned and stepped fully into the room, Maya’s cheeks(rp) began to hurt from smiling so fiercely.

“I knew I always liked him,” she said to no one as she closed the door.

-

This was ridiculous. This resort was full of entirely too many people who favored the same sort of eccentric clothing that man had even fourteen years ago, a disproportionate amount of them with the same slate grey hair. He almost would have written that (awkward*) expression seen from across Dahlia’s shoulder/a hotel lobby as a figment of his overtaxed imagination had it not been so much realer than the stacks of canvases in his studio. Which meant Miles was here, but he’d swept the first level of the hotel twice already after begging Dahlia to take to her room for a bit, the pool area was as depressingly empty as the inside was, and -

There he was.

Across the pool, descending the steps carefully from the inside lounge area and walking on the balls of his feet like he always did when he’d had a bit too much to drink (and why did he still remember that) was, without a doubt, Miles Edgeworth.

Phoenix suddenly found it difficult to breathe.

Edgeworth was halfway down the opposite path before Phoenix realized he should probably do something.

“Excuse me,” he said, shouldering his way through the crowd. It would be rude and more than a little intrusive to just call out his ex-husband’s name in the middle of a resort, right? Perhaps not as rude as nearly shoving the poor bellboy into the shrubbery, but, well, desperate times called for desperate measures.

He didn’t immediately notice the odd assortment of friends and family and a lumbering man in striped green swimming trunks perched on pool chairs as he stepped past, but they certainly noticed him.

“Daddy, are you okay?” Trucy asked.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” he said vaguely, refusing to take his eyes off Edgeworth. He was abruptly terrified he might vanish again if he did.

He

“Nick, watch out -”

“Hey, pal -”

“Daddy -”

With that, Phoenix collided into a passing service boy, arms pinwheeling wildly as he fell directly into the pool behind him.

-

“Hello Miles,” he said, smiling sheepishly and wringing out his tie. He fought the urge to rub the back of his neck and settled for clenching his hands into tight fists instead. “Or do you people call you Edgeworth now?”

“Miles is - Miles is fine,” Edgeworth said weakly, trying to look anywhere but Phoenix, as if this was a perfectly normal conversation they should be having for the first time after fifteen years. “My father still calls me Miles.”

-

Something warm coiled in his chest. It felt infinitely more dangerous than it had fifteen years ago.

“You always had a smart mouth,” he murmured, rubbing a swathe of cleaning ointment along the cut on Phoenix’s forehead. Phoenix hissed.

“So glad you remembered,” he bit through gritted teeth.

“Hush.”

Phoenix hmmed but stayed silent for a few more seconds, staring at Edgeworth as he dug back into the first aid kit. Edgeworth tried not to flush under the scrutiny.

-

Phoenix held his wrist in a loose grip. He should have felt clammy from the pool and the rapidly descending night, but he blazed oddly hot against Edgeworth’s skin.

“Miles, I-”

“Feenie? Who is this?”

“Dollie!” Phoenix said, shooting upright and wincing at the sudden dizziness.

-

Edgeworth’s burgundy coat was hung carefully over his arm, too thick for the warm California night. The buttons on his waistcoat glinted from a nearby streetlamp’s glow.

Phoenix swallowed.

-

“Do you have any idea where they’re taking us?” Edgeworth asked, leaning in slightly. Phoenix’s (nose twitched? something about scent memory?) and he refused to let himself acknowledge that Miles’s choice of aftershave hadn’t changed since the day they’d met. He abruptly remembered the taste of cheap wine and overly sweet cake on his tongue, felt the ghost weight of a ring fifteen years gone.

He hastily turned away.

“No idea.”

-

“Grandfather chipped in a bit -”

“Apollo,” Edgeworth warned.

“Alright, so Grandfather chipped in a lot, whatever, we’re poor teenagers, the point is,” he said, emphasizing the final word by pulling the ship’s impressive doors open with a firm tug, “it’s ours for the night.”

Phoenix whistled shrilly in appreciation, instinctively reaching out to ruffle Apollo’s hair. It was a testament to how important the night was that Apollo merely batted Phoenix’s hand away. “Seriously, dad,” he mumbled. His scowl was clearly forced, however; he felt oddly warm that he was able to finally use that word at all.

-

“Subtle,” Phoenix remarked.

“Mm,” Edgeworth agreed. “I don’t suppose we should let their efforts, however misguided they may be, go to waste, should we?”

“You just want to know who else they roped into this ridiculous scheme of theirs.”

“Oh, because you don’t.”

“I,” Phoenix said, moving to the chilled champagne propped by the windowsill and popping its cork, “have a perfectly healthy level of curiosity. It does not involve wondering what’s going on in my kid’s head. Trucy is a teenager. That’s terrifying.” He carefully poured the sparkling drink into two glasses and offered one to Edgeworth.

“I find that somewhat difficult to believe,” Edgeworth said, striding forward and taking the  proffered glass. He made certain their fingers did not brush. “Thank you.”

-

They waited until she had hastily bowed out of the room before turning their focus back to each other. “Miles, that’s why we came up with this arrangement in the first place,” Phoenix continued, nonplussed.

“Really?” Edgeworth carefully picked up his glass flute, trying to ignore the tremor he felt running through his hands. “I thought it was because we’d agreed to never see each other again.”

Phoenix’s heart clenched. “Not ‘we’, Miles,” he said slowly, spreading his hands on the tablecloth and feeling like if he missed a step here, he would risk something he couldn’t afford to lose again.

Edgeworth took a shaky draw of wine. “You know,” he said slowly, seemingly forcing himself to meet Phoenix’s eyes, “that part is unclear to me as well.”

“Oh, you don’t remember the day you packed?” Phoenix asked.

“No, I remember that day perfectly. Did I hurt you when I threw that - oh God, what was it -”

“It was Kamisar’s Modern Criminal Procedure. It left a dent in the wall from where it rebounded off my head.”

“Oh,” Edgeworth said, at least having the grace to look properly abashed. “Right. Sorry.”

Phoenix shrugged. “It’s not like I was making it that easy on you.

-

And....” Edgeworth trailed off, twisting a napkin between his fingers. “You didn’t chase after me.”

Phoenix felt (something) shift. “I didn’t know that you wanted me to.”

-

“A toast to -”

“Our children,” Edgeworth cut in. He ignored the tightening in his chest at the our.

“Our children,” Phoenix repeated slowly, as if the words didn’t quite match with what his mouth had wanted to say.

“We both got where we actually wanted to go.”

Phoenix’s eyes never wavered from his. “We did,” he said, voice strange.

They toasted again and finished their meal in silence.

-

“Apollo, what are you doing in those clothes? We’ve got a plane to catch.”

“We’re getting totally ripped off,” maybe-Trucy said. “Daddy said we’d get our camping trip and we want to go.”

“Wait, hang on,” Phoenix interrupted, “what camping trip?”

“The one Aunt Maya and I make you take us on every year before school starts,” almost-definitely-Trucy said. Phoenix began to lift his finger in triumph, sure he’d found his kid -

“ -the one behind the house that runs all the way up to Gourd Lake, remember when you fell in that one year,” I’m-not-too-sure-if-this-one-is-still-in-fact-Apollo finished.

Phoenix’s arm fell listlessly to his side. Edgeworth snorted.

Phoenix shot Edgeworth a look. Thanks for helping, one of these is yours. “This is entirely unfunny, you’re going to make your father miss his flight,” he said, shifting his attention back to the twins. Honestly, he was an Ivy University graduate and Miles was a world renowned defense attorney, how were they being duped by their own kids -

“Apollo -” Edgeworth began.

“Yes?” they both said in unison.

Edgeworth groaned. “They get this from you, I’m sure,” he said.

“It’s not my fault you’ve apparently been raising a devilishly deceptive teenager,” Phoenix quipped back, never taking his eyes off the twins. He could feel the beginnings of a migraine pound at the base of his neck. “He’s probably rubbed off on Trucy.”

The twins grinned.

Phoenix rubbed a hand over his eyes before stooping to their height once again. He stared hard at each of them, looking back and forth between their faces. “This one’s Trucy,” he said slowly, pointing a finger to the sibling in orange. “I’m positive.”

“You know, I hope you’re right, Daddy. You wouldn’t want to send the wrong kid all the way back to Germany - ”

“ - would you?”

How was any of this fair?

“Here’s our proposition. We go back to Daddy’s house, pack our stuff, and the four of us leave on the camping trip.”

“The four of us?” Edgeworth interjected. They ignored him.

“And when you bring us back,” maybe-Trucy-maybe-Apollo continued, “we’ll tell you who’s Trucy and who’s Apollo.”

“Or,” Edgeworth said, carefully stepping around and in front of Phoenix and crossing his arms firmly across his chest, tapping his finger rhythmically against his arm, “new plan. I take one of you back to Germany with me whether you like it or not.”

Two identical sets of eyes twinkled back at him.

(He felt a migraine beginning to pound in his left temple.)

-

“You can cook now?” Edgeworth asked.

“Oh yeah,” Phoenix said. “I can make pasta. And pasta. Probably more pasta, if you ask really nicely.”

“Hm,” Edgeworth said, eyebrows scrunched in mock thought, “pasta sounds good.”

Phoenix grinned, bumping Edgeworth’s shoulder. He was warm through the cotton. “Pasta it is.”

-

Edgeworth looked across the seat at Apollo. His glassy eyes reflected the flickering street lamps as the taxi sped down the empty street.

“Apollo, I -” he began, deflating as Apollo turned further away. It’s entirely justified, he thought despondently. I’d hate myself as well.

-

“Grandfather?” Apollo called, shrugging out of his heavy jacket and hanging it on the coat rack. The house was silent.

“I’ll check the study,” Edgeworth said, tugging his jabot loose. Apollo nodded and headed towards the direction of the kitchen, toeing off his shoes on the way. Pushing open the wide doors that led to the study, Edgeworth saw someone reading a paper at the desk. He cocked his hip against the door and crossed his arms. “Hello, father. We’re back.”

The newspaper lowered. It wasn’t Gregory.

“Hiya, papa,” Trucy said. The corners of her mouth were quirked despite her obvious attempts to reign in her expression. “Did you know the Concord gets you here in half the time?”

Edgeworth slipped against the doorframe. He felt the knob dig into his hip. “I - yes, I’ve heard that.”

(Edgeworth was acutely aware of the doorknob digging into his hip from when he pressed against it. “I - yes, I’ve heard that.”)

Apollo walked into the room, drawn to the sound of voices. When he saw Trucy his face split into a blinding grin. “What are you doing here?”

Trucy neatly folded the newspaper on the desk and clasped her hands in front of her. “It took us about thirty seconds after you left that we decided we didn’t want to lose you two again,” she said, eyes crinkling.

Edgeworth swallowed past the sudden lump in his throat. “We?” he said, voice cracking.

“We,” a new voice agreed.

From the corner of his eye, Edgeworth noted Trucy moving to stand by the far wall of the study, giving the vaguest attempt of privacy. It didn’t matter. His eyes were trained on Phoenix, tracking his movement as he crossed the room.

-

Phoenix peppered his face in light kisses, smiling into the curve of his throat and pressing his lips to the thrumming heartbeat beneath his skin.

They eventually pulled back, desperate for air. Phoenix’s eyes crinkled - crow’s feet, Edgeworth thought wildly through his haze, he’s got crow’s feet now, I haven’t seen him this close up since - and he rested his forehead against Edgeworth’s.

“God, I’m never letting you go again,” he whispered, hands snaking around the other man’s back to pull him even closer.

-

“You want to toast with this? I’d have thought you might want to upgrade to something with a little more class.”

Phoenix smiled sloppily, pressing a chaste kiss to his temple. “You’re the only one I said I’d drink it with, remember?”

Edgeworth smiled back. He took the proffered bottle warmed by the weather and tugged his husband into a proper kiss, matching rings glinting in the dying sunlight.

[the-storming-sea]

i dont go here but give me your wrightquill hcs

oh my god a wrightquill ask?? **starts violently shaking my raft**

Because AA5 kinda erases AA4 Phoenix's character we are just. not acknowledging it. Instead we get a lawyer with AA4 Phoenix's personality bc that makes sense in my head, which intrigues Simon bc this Phoenix Wright is not the Phoenix Wright he heard about from his law classes

pulling in my own au here where the first time Phoenix meets Simon is actually during the 7 year gap as a favor to Miles. Phoenix was instructed to study Simon and see if he was a trustworthy man. while he still did not understand Simon after that, he's pretty convinced that Simon wasn't a murderer after that

he keeps coming back to play poker with Simon after that, whenever Kristoph starts getting under his skin. Simon can't complain – it gets lonely as fuck in jail – but he is a little confused

unfortunately they bond. its what happens when you both have overwhelming feelings of guilt revolving around protecting your weird little girl while being blamed for the law world absolutely going to shit

They also bond over the mortifying ordeal of caring about someone who wasn't who they said they were and said person also trying to kill them at some point, bc thats an oddly hyperspecific situation they can both relate to

they will occasionally play poker together on terrible evil days when they want to exist as their worst selves

Anyways after Simon's exonerated and he's had his mental breakdown, Phoenix is the most helpful in bringing Simon back to semi-normal life (along with Athena) because Phoenix knows what it's like to be forced to get back to normalcy after living approx. seven years on the edge

indulging in my asian-american nature for a moment. Simon is half Japanese while Phoenix is completely Japanese but is a immigrated to America at a very young age and is not in touch with his culture at ALL. He thought he didn't care about his culture until he started talking with Simon and then he realized that unfortunately he cares A Lot. So Simon gets to infodump on him while Phoenix gets to learn

The first time one of them kisses the other, Phoenix kisses Simon's cheek in front of the rest of the WAA and then just LEAVES, turning off his phone, and subjecting Simon to the WAA's questioning like the smug bastard he is

both Simon and Taka are big fans of the stubble

Simon makes a lot of bird jokes/phoenix jokes at Phoenix's expense bc you know. birds. jokes on Simon, they forgot to inform him that Phoenix is a dad pun menace

As is customary for every person Phoenix dates/is friends with, Simon loves the Steel Samurai and watches it religiously with Miles, Maya, and Trucy at Phoenix's apartment. Phoenix will never escape the Steel Samurai. half of his apartment is covered with Steel Samurai Merch.

They're some of the only people who can handle each other's sense of deadpan morbid humor (aside from Ema ofc). Hearing them joke around is kind of terrifying for anyone involved

[96percentdone]

Yahoooo~, I recently started playing AA Investigations, and Kay really reminds me of Tracy somehow. I don't know if the two of them ever meet up in canon, but do you have any thoughts or potential headcanons about the two becoming acquainted with each other?

Kay is basically like Miles' honorary daughter so she's definitely met Trucy before, even if she doesn't live in the Wright-Edgeworth household (narumitsu is canon do not @ me i'm right).

Unlike Trucy, who lives with Nick because she's. literally his child, Kay just kinda floats in and out of Miles' life whenever she feels like it. I don't even mean like "she doesn't live in their house" level I mean like. She fucks off for like weeks even at a time with only five texts and a postcard or two to show for it (she's very busy as a Great Thief you know), and then comes back and sits Miles down and asks him to spill the deets first thing. Already this can lead to her being totally surprised by sudden changes, and Nick's disbarment is a BIG change that happens in like a week after the plot of Investigations 2.

Now Nick once he gets disbarred slowly chips people out of his life as best as he can for a while, because Kristoph Gavin is the worst and had him convinced it was for the best he do so. This means for a while Miles isn't in much contact with Phoenix or Trucy, and that means Kay still has no idea who the hell That Man™ is, just that things look bad on that front. However, once Nick rights the boat a little, and reconnect with the people he cut out and is better equipped to defeat Kristoph, now the door is open. They can meet.

What i'm saying is they meet when one day, Kay, who had vanished for like a few months on different interpol missions (because I believe in interpol Kay supremacy), like. Sneaks into Miles' apartment in the middle of the afternoon intending to surprise him when he gets home from work, but SURPRISE!! There's this like 12 year old girl sitting in his apartment, that she's never seen in her life. And then the twelve year old is like "oh! you must be Miss Kay!"

Imagine being Kay in that moment. This rando child knows who you are, and you have no idea who the hell she is, or why she's in Mr. Edgeworth's apartment. Naturally, she's like "Who are you?"

"I'm Trucy! Trucy Wright!"

Well, that doesn't answer any of her questions. Did Mr. Edgeworth take up babysitting? Maybe that's not surprising, given how he used to watch her, but he did that while prosecuting? Does he even have free time as he climbs the prosecutorial ladder? Okay, new question: "How do you know my name?"

"Uncle Miles told me aaaaallll about you. His old assistant and friend!"

Uncle. Uncle Miles? Well, Trucy just said she's a Wright and not a von Karma, meaning...meaning what. Who the hell is this child in Mr. Edgeworth's apartment? Why? Unless...."Oh my god. Did Mr. Edgeworth finally start dating "That Man"? Is his name Wright? Something Wright?" Who is that man?

Trucy just tilts her head and looks at Kay, confused. "Mr. Edgeworth and Daddy aren't dating Even if they should, they can't yet. Um....who is That Man?"

"Wouldn't I love to know?"

Anyway they spend the next half hour or so talking about their respective parents, and reaching a conclusion about that man, and also learning about each other. They have a lot in common! They have a lot of passion for a trade they inherited from their fathers, and a love for the men who stepped up for them when they needed it. They're both too curious and mischievous for their own good, and like experimenting with techniques and tactics never tried before to fill an objective. The minute Kay learns Trucy is a magician she whips out Little Thief and they start using it to plan the most insane magic show of all time. It's too dangerous, and potentially entirely unfeasible, but they can't be stopped! The hype is too real!

And then the door opens "Sorry Trucy. Those errands took longer than I anticipated--Kay Faraday?" It's Miles Edgeworth, exposed to an insane simulation of a vaguely illegal performance feat. and he's already exhausted. "I see you've met Trucy."

"Yeah! I didn't know you had a kid!" Kay says, knowing its not true but just to cause problems.

"I don't. I'm merely watching over her while her father works," Miles says. He looks around the room at the holographic hellscape and says "Don't put ideas in Trucy's head."

But it's too late. This is a friendship, nay, a sibling bond of two girls enabling each other's most chaotic impulses for FUN and also intellectual stimulation. They can't be stopped. Turns out Kay is better at keeping in touch with Trucy than anyone else after this. Thanks for coming to my ted talk.

[browniefox]

@wrightfamilyweek day 1 - Pride and Joy :D

This is a sequel to my oneshot ‘Trucy and the Week Long Paranoia Game’ that you can read here.

Phoenix and Trucy talk about reasons for adopting someone.

oOo

It’s the end of a week of fear and worry and anxiety, and twenty-four hours spent on a plane. A moment of silence from all the questions rattling through her head, with Mr. Miles Edgeworth behind her, and now Trucy is back in California, back home, and her daddy is right there. The next thing to do is all too clear.

Trucy hugs her daddy and cries.

After Trucy has bawled into Daddy’s shoulder for what feels like a week and Daddy’s tears have drenched her hair, and her face has been covered in layers and layers of kisses, Daddy finally pulls away from her, a clear reluctance to the action, and grabs onto Miles’ hand. Then, with a quick and sudden yank that makes the man stumble, Daddy pulls Miles into hug too.

“God, Miles, really, thank you.” Daddy says fervently, insistently.

“Nnngh, o-of course.” Miles says. His words come out a little haltingly, but he returns the hug almost immediately.

“If… if you’re already here, you know, you should stay for a bit.” Daddy tells Miles. With them hugging like that, Trucy bets that Miles can’t see Daddy’s face, how hopeful it looks right then.

“... perhaps you’re right. It’s a long trip across the ocean, and a hard one to make in quick succession like your daughter just has. Perhaps we could meet up… tomorrow?” Miles offers.

“Well, my office-”

“Does not have nearly enough room to put up another person. I’ll see you tomorrow, Wright. Go home and… and talk to your daughter.” Miles’ eyes flicker over to her and he whispers something into Daddy’s ear. Daddy nods, looks at her too, and then nods again.

“Okay,” Daddy gives Miles a pat on the back, “I’ll see you tomorrow.” Trucy sees how Daddy’s hand lingers on Miles shoulder for one, two, three seconds before he steps back to Trucy. He ruffles her hair and gives her forehead yet another kiss and squishes her face in his hands, all familiar actions from him, all things he’s done before. Something feels off about each and every one of them. She isn’t sure what makes them different. Maybe it’s him. Maybe it’s her.

It must be her. Her fault. From running away.

Trucy still feels gross from the plane ride, and there’s a brief moment where she thinks she might just throw up again. She doesn’t. What she does do is grab onto Daddy’s hand, holding onto it tightly. Her hand fits perfectly like that. Daddy squeezes her hand back just as tightly. With that, the two of them and Miles walk out of the airport.

There’s a big man waiting for them outside. She recognizes him, but only barely. His name is far more familiar to Trucy, the Detective Dick Gumshoe of Daddy’s old case files, the man who worked most of the murders that Daddy’s clients were accused of. Daddy had shown her a picture of the Detective, once, and told her that if she was ever in trouble and needed police help, she should talk to Gumshoe, because Gumshoe is a good man, and a friend, and she can trust him. Unless she’s been arrested, in which case nobody is her friend and she shouldn’t say or do anything until she’s talked to a lawyer.

(Trucy remembers right after her First Daddy disappeared how a bunch of policemen tried to talk to her about it, and her Daddy - then just Phoenix Wright, just the old boy who she’d handed off a piece of paper to and was supposed to help her First Daddy - telling her that she didn’t have to say anything, didn’t have to tell the policemen anything, even if they were being really mean or really nice or kept asking the same questions or it was going on for a really long time. He told her that just before policemen took him away so they could talk to him, too.)

“Oh good, she is okay,” Gumshoe sighs in relief, visibly slumping with emotion. He then sees Miles and his back straightens right out, “Mr. Edgeworth, sir, good to see you again!”

“Likewise, Gumshoe.” Miles says, his mouth twitching into a bare-bones smile. Despite its thin appearance, the expression has an odd kind of warmth to it that surprises Trucy. Miles had been kind throughout the entire flight, but also clearly uncomfortable, not talking to her much. He seemed to try and distract himself with anything and everything he could, but there was a tension and rigidness throughout his entire form from the moment the plane took off until it landed. He kept looking at her almost like he expected her to explode, like a bomb. Now, though, Miles looks much more in control of himself as well as his surroundings, “I’ll admit, however, that I’m surprised to find the police already on this case. I thought a missing person couldn’t be reported until twenty-four hours have passed.”

“Well, not officially, no, but I might’ve seen what I could do, you know, just with my own time.” Gumshoe says, scratching the back of his head. Daddy grins and pats Gumshoe on the back.

“Dick came running as soon as he heard. Really put up with me those first twelve hours.” Daddy says.

“Well, just because police work slow doesn’t mean we always have to! And, well, it’s your girl, we all know how much you worry about her.”

The three adults talk some more, but the sound of their voices seems to fade away as Trucy stares down at her shoes. Daddy was worried about her. Of course he was, but he’d been worried the entire time. She feels silly, now, for having run away, for having doubted him. But even then, even now, she isn’t sure what he wants from her. ‘Nothing’ is the answer, apparently, but still, still the other shoe feels like it’s hovering at eye-level, just waiting to drop.

Daddy’s still holding her hand. She gives it a squeeze, and he squeezes it back, and she tunes back into the three talking adults.

“Well, since I’m here, I can give you a ride to wherever it is you need to get to!” Gumshoe offers Miles.

“Hm, I already ordered a ride, but perhaps you could drive me by the prosecutor’s office before I head to my hotel. Wright, why don’t you take my ride.” Miles offers. Daddy stiffens slightly, in that way he does when a game looks like it’s starting to slip through his fingers, or when people on the street give him weird looks and start whispering and she gives his hand yet another squeeze.

“Miles, I really don’t-”

“Wright, it’s already been paid for. I, of course, have no issue letting such a frivolous amount of money go by, but there’s little to no reason to let something like this pass you by when you’re this far from the office at this hour of night, when most buses have already stopped working.” Miles says it with swiftness and clarity, leaving no room for argument. Daddy, however, still looks like he might try and argue anyway, so Trucy adds in her own opinion, tugging, Daddy’s arm a little and saying,

“Daddy, I wanna go home.”

The stubborn-expression that had been forming onto his face melts away almost immediately.

“Alright, let’s go home.” He says.

Daddy exchanges another hug with Miles and then one with Gumshoe. Gumshoe puts out his hand to give Trucy a handshake, but she gives him a big hug anyway and he chuckles, something that shakes through his entire chest, that she can feel when held up against it like that. It’s very nice. She might just like Gumshoe. Miles starts to go for a handshake, then aborts it halfway through, and gives her an awkward pat on the head.

“Be good for your father.” He says with a certain amount of ferventness.

“I will.” She tells him. She grabs the sleeve of his shirt and pulls on it until he catches on and kneels down to her level. Then, she gives him a pat on the head right back. He looks surprised, and Daddy laughs. Miles surprised expression morphs into a scowl, but there’s no heat behind it as he stands back up, rolling his shoulders and crossing his arms.

“I’ll be off then. I shall stop by your office tomorrow around noon. Please try and tidy it up, Maya tells me you’ve made the place into a hellscape.” He says hauntily.

“No promises.” Daddy says.

Miles and Gumshoe leave, and then she and daddy climb into a car. The stranger in the front offers them his ipad to play games on, but Daddy rejects it.  Trucy mainly stares out the window, and when she looks over, Daddy is too. His hand is out, though, still holding onto hers.

The car drops them off at the hotel across from the office, and they cross the street and climb the stairs back to home. The night is dark and quiet, and Trucy can’t help but to think it feels like a calm before a storm. She’s seen Daddy frustrated before, and get in fights with others before, but  she doesn’t think she’s ever seen him be well and truly mad. Now was probably as good a time as any, though. She wonders if it’ll be like Grandpa’s anger, all cold and silent. Maybe it’ll be like first Daddy’s, loud and raging, just barely a second away from throwing something.

“I know you’re tired, Trucy, but we need to talk.” Daddy says before Trucy can slip into her room. Slowly, she walks away from her door. He’s sitting on the couch, and he pats the spot next to him. She hops up. Daddy runs a hand over his face, feeling the stubble on his chin. He’s looking straight forward, not at her.

“Yes Daddy?” Trucy says. Daddy sighs, ending back on the couch, now looking up at the ceiling.

“... Trucy, you know I want what’s best for you, right?”

Trucy doesn’t know what to say to that at first, and the moment stretches on for far far too long. Daddy sighs again.

“I know that, but…” Trucy bites on her lip, “But isn’t there something else you want?”

“‘Something else I want’?” Daddy repeats. Trucy is avoiding looking at him. Her heart has relocated to her throat and her stomach is doing somersaults.

“I-it’s okay, I know I’m… but whatever it is you want from me, I just wanna know, okay?” Trucy swings her feet.

“Truce, why do you think I want something from you?” Daddy presses. Trucy shrugs and swings her feet harder.

“That’s what parents do. And after I… after what I…” She tries and tries and tries to say she gave him the piece of paper that got him disbarred, that she knows she did, that she’s really really sorry about it, but the words all stick to her tongue and get bungled up inside of her. Her face is getting hot, and her eyes are getting hot, and her chest feels like it’s going to explode.

“... Trucy, if you’re not happy here, you know you just have to tell me. Your happiness is what’s most important, okay?”

“But I am happy here!” Trucy wails, and just like that the flood gates give way and she starts sobbing. She turns and grabs onto her Daddy, crying into his soft gray hoodie, and he wraps her up in another hug, holding her close to him.

“Hey, hey, it’s okay, it’s okay, hey it’s alright, I’m right here.” He says, a constant mumbling mantra. And he is right there, and he’s nice,and great, and willing to listen to her, and play with her. He’s not perfect, but he’s definitely trying, she can see that, she knows that.

“... j-j-just please, tell-tell me what you w-w-want from me! Please, Daddy!” Trucy cries, trembling, “M-Miles says you don’t want anything, b-but-but that can’t be right! You-you gotta want something! I-is it my help-help-help with poker? Is it revenge against my Daddy somehow? Is-is-is it something else! Please just t-t-t-tell me!” Trucy buries her face even more into him. He’s rubbing circles into her back, making little soothing ‘shush’ing sounds. He doesn’t say anything until she’s quieted down a bit.

“I guess I should’ve expected it was something big. Why else would you go all the way to Germany over it, huh?” He mumbles, “Truce, I didn’t have some kind of secret or evil motive behind taking you in. You were a kid, all alone. It wasn’t really a choice at all. I know what it’s like, to feel like the whole world is against you, and you’re alone and little and confused about what’s going on. I didn’t even think about how it might’ve looked to you. Or, well, I guess Miles brought it up, but I didn’t want to think about it.

“I… I am selfish, maybe, for wanting you to stay here. Trucy, you’re one of the few good things that have come to me in the past year, alright? Seeing you perform, seeing your smile, hearing your laughter… it means the world to me, okay? And if you’re not happy here - no, let me finish - if you’re not happy here, we can find somewhere where you can be, okay? I know I’m not like Zak; I don’t let you perform whenever you want, and I try to keep more track of your location, and I imagine it must be hard adjusting to my rules instead of the ones you were raised with. But I’m willing to learn and get better. And if that means starting with telling you that you matter to me, Trucy, that I love you, and that my reason for adopting you and keeping you around is just because I love you and the light you give my life, then I’ll start there, okay?”

Daddy gives her a small smile. He’s so open right now, and honest, no little tells twitching upon him.

Trucy squeezes onto his lap and lets herself be held for even longer.

Daddy isn’t Grandpa, or first Daddy, or Vallant, or anybody from the circus. He’s just Daddy, and maybe Trucy is still trying to figure out what htat means, but Daddy is trying to figure that out too.

They’re going to figure it out together.

“I love you, Daddy,” She tells him, “And I’m not going anywhere.”

[theriveroflight]

our coming-of-age has come and gone

Fandom: Ace Attorney

Rating: T for themes

Relationships: Gen -- Miles & Trucy & Phoenix; Phoenix & Kristoph, Miles/Phoenix if you squint

Word Count: 2153

Summary: Miles Edgeworth doesn’t come back immediately after hearing the news of Wright’s disbarment, but it’s a near thing. (A SYG fic, from the perspective of Edgeworth.)

Notes: Special thanks to all my AA friends for inspiring me :) Title from Taylor Swift’s “peace”. 

Content Warnings: AA-compliant death, light transphobia (Klavier is a trans man; Kristoph de-genders Klavier, which is a form of misgendering where gender-neutral nouns are used to avoid gendering correctly). 

Read on AO3

Miles Edgeworth has kept up with his old workplace. Of course he has — he would be a fool not to.

So, of course, he knows when Klavier Gavin is hired. The first thing he notes is the odd name — Klavier is a word, but it is certainly not a name that Miles has ever heard for anyone.

But he doesn’t think too much of it. Plenty of people choose their own names, after all, and it is no more likely as an assigned name than Phoenix Wright. Miles doesn't know what the man's parents had thought at the time, after all.

But…speaking of Klavier Gavin's family, the name rings a bell. Gavin may be a young prosecutor (younger than Franziska when she started, and younger than Miles all those years ago…did he really start this game of one-upmanship?), but the name sounded familiar.

Ah. That is who else bears the last name of Gavin. Wright’s…friend. Another defense attorney.

It paints quite the picture, doesn’t it? Defense and prosecution, brothers. It raises the question of whether it would be corrupt for them to have a case together

But…the legal system’s troubles have always been in favor of the prosecution. Perhaps it wouldn't be all bad to have an advantage that favored the defense.

Still.

Miles reaches for his phone — he should ask Wright to keep an eye out for the young attorney. Wright has always had a knack for working with younger prosecutors, after all — even him, that very first time.

“I, ah, heard what happened,” Miles says. What is he supposed to say in times like these? “I am sorry that you were disbarred.”

“I was set up,” Wright says, on the other side of the phone. Thousands of kilometers, and Miles still can hear the tremble in his voice — Wright is being truthful, or at least as far as Wright believes it is truth. “I…don’t know who did it, but whoever wanted to set me up is the one who contacted the prosecution. If only I could ask…they probably despise me now.”

Miles hums. “They would likely not be at liberty to tell you that information regardless.”

“Edgeworth?”

“Yes, Wright?”

“Do you…believe me? I know you aren’t working as a prosecutor here anymore, usually you take the higher profile cases, but…”

“I believe in your commitment to your clients. And to the truth,” Miles responds.

He trusts Wright, against his better instincts. Wright is the one who taught Miles that commitment to the truth, after all.

“Thank you,” Wright says softly. “Miles.”

“It is the truth,” he says, unwilling to unpack Wright saying his given name. “There is nothing more to it. I hope my belief is not unfounded.”

-

“Edgeworth!” Wright calls. A young girl at his side holds a sign up that bears his name.

“Hello, Wright.” Miles lowers his head. “And just who might this young lady be?”

“Trucy Wright, at your service!” She holds out a hand, with a large smile on her face. “Daddy told me about you while we were coming here.”

“It’s quite nice to meet you, Miss Wright.” He shakes her hand. He has a lot of questions, none of which will be answered right now. He will have to find some time to speak with Wright alone. “How old are you?”

“Eight,” she answers, that same smile plastered on her face.

They leave the airport. Wright tosses a set of keys to Miles. Typical.

Trucy spends the time talking about magic — he supposes he should have known, from her whole…getup.

“Thank you, Edgeworth,” Wright says as he exits the vehicle. “For everything.”

“Of course.”

In the interim, Miles will need to recover from his jet lag with a proper cup of tea.

-

Miles goes to visit Wright the next day. It seems the building has been rebranded.

But there is someone else there.

“Ah, Edgeworth,” Wright says, “I did…not expect you to come here. Allow me to introduce you to my friend, Kristoph Gavin.”

Miles looks at Gavin, and sees something in him that Miles recognizes as someone he was once like.

Of course. Phoenix Wright has always held a propensity for caring about others who negatively affect his mental health. Iris, namely, but Miles is an example as well.

And now another name must be added to the list, it seems.

“It is quite nice to make your acquaintance, Prosecutor Edgeworth,” Gavin says.

“I could say the same to you,” Miles responds. He does not address the moniker prosecutor, for it is a sign of Gavin's respect, at the very least.

Wright looks between the two of them, perhaps sensing the tension.

“I have heard quite a bit about your younger brother,” Miles says. “He has…made quite the splash in both the legal world and the rest of it as a musician.”

Gavin frowns — just subtly, but subtle reactions are reactions nonetheless. “Yes, well, my sibling's musical follies are no one’s business.”

Wright smiles. “I wouldn’t be so quick to disregard music, Kristoph. After all, I am working as a pianist.”

“I would hardly consider your work as professional,” Kristoph answers, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose, “considering you only know one song you play on loop.”

What has Wright become in such a short span of time? And what right does Gavin have to say anything about it?

“Speaking of performance,” Wright says, searching for something in the pocket of his hoodie, “would you like to come to Trucy’s show tonight, Edgeworth?” He offers a card to Miles. “She does a magic show on Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday nights here.”

Miles takes the card. It’s laminated, but the only thing on it is an address — not even a name for the location.

“It would be an honor,” Miles says, but when he answers he makes sure to look at Gavin — to make sure that Gavin knows any disrespect for Wright will not be tolerated. “I look forward to seeing your daughter tonight, then. I…am going to visit my former coworkers now.”

“Give my regards to my sibling,” Gavin says. “If you’re visiting the prosecutor’s office, you will almost certainly meet Klavier.”

“Of course.”

Why does Gavin keep referring to Klavier as his sibling? Aren’t the two brothers? Perhaps it is to give some semblance of emotional distance.

-

The prosecutor’s office hasn’t changed one bit. “Mr. Edgeworth,” the secretary at the desk says (the same as always, Ms. Tipe), “how was Europe?”

“I am not here to return to my former position.” Though the chief prosecutor has been incredibly open about the fact that he could resume prosecuting here, Miles has not sought it out. “Not yet, at least. There is still much work to do in Europe. This is merely a visit. I wish to see how my former coworkers have fared.”

She frowns. “I’m afraid you'll be disappointed, then.”

“I do not expect much,” he says, and he takes the stairs up. He’s not really expecting much of his coworkers, but he is interested in greeting the new hires.

Winston Payne is still there (of course), greeting Miles with the usual enthusiasm. There are a few others that Miles greets with the same reaction as usual; he isn’t exactly known for his friendliness, so why act as though he cares for most of them? He admires the dedication of the others, of course, but they have never been friends.

“Herr Edgeworth,” a young man says (with a German accent that sounds mostly fake). “I have heard much about you.”

“I could say the same, Mr. Gavin,” Miles says, looking at Klavier Gavin. Miles can see the family resemblance.

“It is an honor to meet you.” Klavier bows. “You were, after all, always an inspiration.”

Oh.

Miles…doesn’t know how to react to that. The man who got Phoenix Wright disbarred, calling Miles an inspiration.

The first thought Miles has is that he really shouldn’t be an inspiration after all he had done. But…Miles’s former role model was his father of sorts. Even he could acknowledge he was a better choice than Manfred von Karma.

“It is a pleasure to meet you as well,” Miles responds, after far too long of a pause. “How are you?”

“Fine,” Klavier answers dismissively. It feels like a lie, but no more so than everyone else who lies about being okay. “And how are you?”

There is something more to Klavier Gavin.

Miles will not learn it right now.

“Fine,” he answers.

“If I may be so bold…why are you here, instead of Europe, Herr Edgeworth?”

“Visiting a friend,” Miles answers. “I take it you speak German fluently.” He slips into the language. “I do as well, which is a useful skill considering my current place of residence.”

“I see,” Klavier responds, speaking in German as well. “Yes, it is where I chose my name from.”

So Klavier was not named by his parents. Put together with Kristoph not referring to Klavier as a brother, and…

“I take it that music is important to you, then?”

“I am part of a band.” Klavier twines a strand of hair around a finger. He switches back to English. “We’re called the Gavinners. You should check our music out sometime, ja? It’s all themed around the legal system.”

“I prefer classical, myself,” Miles answers. “But I will be sure to look it up.” He can't imagine the Gavinners are a classical music ensemble. Klavier certainly dresses like a rock star. “Have a good day, Mr. Gavin.”

“Please, call me by my first name instead, Herr Edgeworth,” Klavier says. “I…do not wish for you to mistake me for my brother, after all.”

“I doubt I could,” Miles responds. “You seem…very different.”

“Thank you,” Klavier says.

“It is simply the truth,” Miles says, looking at Klavier. “Neither compliment nor judgement.”

-

Miles looks down at the card that Wright gave him — this is, in fact, the correct address. The Borscht Bowl Club. Interesting. He pushes open the door and spots a small crowd gathered in a few tables. He makes way for a small table in the back — it is the smallest he can get, and does not invite others to sit with him.

There is a piano, but it has been pushed to the side, in favor of allowing more space. The slightly raised platform is empty, but he suspects that Trucy and Wright will appear soon enough.

“Hello, Edgeworth,” Wright says, sitting down across from him. “Trucy’s coming out soon. I hope you enjoy the show. She’s quite the performer, but once you figure out the tricks it’s not quite as entertaining.”

“I thought magicians weren’t known for divulging their secrets,” Miles says, sipping at the water the waitress gave him.

“Not typically, but I’ve observed Trucy long enough to pick up on some of it.” Wright smiles. “She’s still learning, after all.”

“Good evening!” A child’s voice projects from the stage, and Trucy Wright steps out. “Welcome to the show! Allow me to introduce my co-host, Mr. Hat!” There’s a small flourish, and a bell rings as a mannequin springs out from under Trucy’s cape, having taken the hat from off of her head. 

Cute. Miles smiles. The audience politely claps, himself included.

“Hello, everyone,” Mr. Hat ‘says’. Miles squints. He can see Trucy’s arm moving underneath her cape, controlling the movement. Ventriloquism is not a subject that he knows much about at all, but…it’s interesting how even Mr. Hat’s voice is deeper. “How are you tonight?”

Some people cheer.

“Let’s get this show on the road, shall we?” Trucy asks, an infectious smile on her face.

-

Outside of the club that night, Wright doesn’t look at him as he speaks. If Miles hadn’t already known, he wouldn’t be able to tell. Which was…likely the point.

“Thank you for coming,” Wright says. “I’m sure you don’t realize how much it means, considering you and Trucy just met, but it means far more than you are aware.”

“I would gladly support you and your daughter. Speaking of, how did you…come to adopt her?”

“It was before my badge was taken,” Wright responds. “Trucy’s father was my last client. I’m sure you recall the facts of the case.”

Zak Gramarye. Yes, Miles recalls reading about it.

“No relatives willing to take her in?”

Wright shakes his head. “So it fell to me.”

“I trust you’ll treat her well,” Miles says.

Wright nods. “I hope that trust isn’t misplaced as much as you probably are, Miles.”

“Good luck. Call me if you ever…want any help, Phoenix.”

“Good night,” Phoenix responds. “I have some…ideas, but we can talk later to see if any of them are feasible.”

“The same to you.” Miles unlocks his car, and gets in to go back to his residence.

He has much to think about.

[synnefo-nefeli]

5 and 15 for the ask meme?

5. Favorite Head Canon I like to use:

Klavier and Franziska are distantly related and there is a Gavin / von Karma blood fued going on because the Gavins became defense attorneys to rival the von Karmas. Klavier is the first prosecutor in generations, further alienating him from his family while simultaneously earning him *some* respect with Franziska. Miles stays out of it.

Bonus: Apollo the Disney Adult and all my indulgent SoCal references

15. WIP snippet

Was debating between Fumbling, Strange Days and Heard Your Heart Beating but then I realized I don’t want to spoil the penultimate chapter of Fumbling, and The only thing I’ve written for SD are spicy scenes so I’ll keep those for another time. The scene from HYHB next chapter is actually pretty sad ( Apollo’s birthday + grieving over Clay) so I’m going to post a snippet from another chapter after that. Sorry that it’s rough- it’s an early draft.

————

“Are you free right now, Mr. Justice?” No matter how much time he’d spent with Miles outside of work at game nights and other informal functions with Miles Edgeworth, a part of Apollo still withered under the Chief Prosecutor’s gaze.

“Uh yes, I was just going to process these documents” he indicated the folder that was neatly organized in the brief case Mr. Wright and Mr. Edgeworth had gifted him for his birthday, “and then I was going to see if Mr, Wright was ready to go back the office-“

:read more:

“Good, come with me,” the other man practically commanded, turning towards the courtroom exit, “Wright will be meeting us upstairs.”

“Oh that’s good, that’s where I was going-“ Apollo said lamely as he shoved the rest of his court documents into the briefcase (hoping Edgeworth didn’t notice), and hurried to keep up with the other man.

Several flights of stairs later, Apollo thought his legs were going to give out- how could ride his bike through traffic but stairs could wind him? Mr. Edgeworth looked unphased, the man’s usual placid expression in place, as they climbed at the fast clip Mr. Edgeworth set for the.

Come to think of it, Mr. Edgeworth seemed to be in a hurry and the back of his shoulders were tense.

“So, where are we going?” Apollo attempted to ask as the door on the landing above them,as if on cue, slammed open to reveal his boss who was looking especially harried despite him winning his case.

“Oh good you got him, we got to hurry they office is going to close in fifteen, and there’s a lot more paperwork- I’ve been trying to get it all filled out for us.”

Apollo pushed himself up the final steps, “uh- where are we going? Is everything okay? you both look nervous”

Mr. Wright gave him a wide grin, “Nothing’s wrong”, and rubbed the back of his neck. Apollo knew that tick well enough- something was up.

“Nothing is wrong, Apollo; the officiant requires us to have a witness,” Edgeworth said primly pausing a moment to adjust his fiancé’s tie, before taking Mr. Wright by the hand and pulling him into the hallway at a brisk pace.

Apollo blinked, “Officiant?” As he scrambled after the pair,and then he realized where they actually were- the 7th floor.

The Office of the County Clerk Recorder. To be more specific.

“YOU’RE GETTING MARRIED??? NOW?!” Apollo yelled, “ On a Tuesday?!”

This wasn’t good. They had been doing so much prep; Apollo had finally planned the bachelors party (well, Klavier had done that. Apollo just had to convince Chief Gumshoe and Larry that they had contributed).

He did not just spend his Sunday evening convincing Wright and Edgeworth’s best friend from childhood, that booking VIP rooms at various strip clubs in North Hollywood, was not going to go over well with either groom, for the pair to just go and essentially elope before the end of the work day.

“Wedding planning is a terrible headache and we’re sick of it,” Mr. Edgeworth said hurriedly.

Phoenix gave Apollo a nervous smile, “His sister has completely taken over the planning- what was the final straw this time, babe?”

“ Apparently Franziska doesn’t approve that the cumberbunds don’t match some other inane item-“ the Chief Prosecutor snapped, “Apollo whenever you get married, tell your partner you want to elope. And do it immediately after you announce your engagement.”

Mr. Wright now looked more amused than sheepish, “Last month when we were on the Judge’s spring boat soirée , Miles almost had the captain marry us when Fran texted us about runner material. Apparently the one we picked makes distracting noises and looks ‘cheap’. Thank god Gumshoe was there to guikt him out of it; apparently he’s never been in a wedding aside his own and he really wants to be Miles’ best man”

Apollo felt his cheeks heat unexpectedly. This was all too much, “Wait. wait...but still..you can’t get married today- I mean the wedding’s only two months away-“ he was finding it difficult to not lag behind the taller men as their pace picked up.

“Why on earth did I allow us to get talked into June? Only five months to plan-foolish“ Edgeworth muttered.

The Clerk-Recorder’s office loomed in the distance. Apollo was frantically trying to come up with something to make them reconsider. Prosecutor von Karma and Maya would have his head if Wright and Edgeworth went through with this.

Guilt. Chief Gumshoe had done it...maybe Apollo could too:

“Are you seriously going to get married without Trucy being here?” Apollo blurted a little too loudly.

It had the intended effect though; Mr. Wright nearly slammed into his fiancé as Mr. Edgeworth suddenly stopped short.

[littleladymab]

yesterday @thesugarcookieday​ distracted me from being glum by making us both sad over 7yg ldr nrmts+trucy headcanons so i decided to return the favor in between working on things that I should Actually be working on 

i love this fambily, ur honor

----

Trucy is still mostly asleep when they disembark from the plane. Phoenix is used to this, of course — having more than his fair share of handling all of their things one-armed as he carried her in the other. The stewardess is nice enough to help him with their things, even if he tells her he’s fine. (But it’s hard to say no when the older woman seemed to be extremely fond of Trucy, so he lets her help.) 

The line through customs moves smoothly, thankfully, and Trucy remains mostly asleep through the entire process. The one time they did this when she was awake, Phoenix had to keep making sure she didn’t wander off to investigate something or show someone a card trick, and then he’d lose sight of her for a few minutes and it was a whole process. Half asleep, he knows exactly where she is, can present their passports single-handedly, and has perfected the art of stacking their backpacks and single suitcase. 

Not that they’ve made this trip often, but the frequent weekend trips to visit ‘Aunt’ Maya in Kurain have helped hone the skill. 

Phoenix’s phone buzzes in his pocket, and he juggles Trucy carefully as he pulls it free. 

Have you successfully convinced customs that you’re safe to allow into the country? 

“Hah hah,” Phoenix mutters, and Trucy mumbles the laugh back into his shoulder. 

“What’s funny, Daddy?” she asks, becoming a little more awake as they jostle their way through the airport. “Oh. We made it through the long line already?” 

“You slept right through it. Do you want down?” He thumbs out a reply, careful to keep an eye on where he’s walking as he does so. Despite your wishes, I have infiltrated your country once more.

Trucy hums in thought, then nods. “I want to pull the suitcase!” 

“You sure? It’s almost taller than you.” 

She pouts. “I can do it!” 

Phoenix laughs and puts her down, ruffling her hair as she attempts to fix her skirts. 

“Daddy! Stop!!” Trucy’s pout only deepens, though the seriousness of it is greatly diminished by the creases on her cheeks from her travel pillow. “Is Uncle Miles here already?” 

“Should be.” While the text didn’t say as much, Phoenix knows how to interpret most of Miles’ humor. But to be sure, he also sends, Truce and I will be down shortly. 

The reply is almost immediate. See you soon. 

Phoenix can’t help the smile before returning his phone to his pocket. “Alright. Do you need to use the bathroom?” 

“No!” 

“Are you sure? You remember how long the drive was back to Miles’ place, don’t you?” 

She thinks about this, tapping her finger to her chin. “Okay, you’re right, hold on.” Trucy gives his hand a pat, as if telling a dog to wait, then skips off in the direction of the nearest restroom. 

Phoenix takes the time to stretch, pulling off his beanie to ruffle his own hair — knowing that there’s no possibility of making it look even the slightest bit presentable. How Miles manages to step off of a sixteen hour flight looking as immaculate as always, Phoenix has yet to learn. 

Perhaps it’s one of the perks of First Class, though he’s more certain it just has to do with Miles’ inability to look ruffled in front of other people. 

Trucy emerges from the restroom, looking more awake and refreshed than when he put her down. Well, at least one of them will look presentable. 

She rejoins him, pulling her backpack free from the tower he made. “Okay! Let’s go!” 

“Are you sure you want to carry the luggage?” Phoenix asks as he takes his own backpack. 

“I am sure!” she says, and expertly nudges the suitcase with her foot to tip it down in her direction. “I helped Daddy and Uncle Valant move equipment all the time! This is nothing.” 

He laughs and reaches out to pinch one of her biceps, and she puffs out her cheeks in response. “Oh, good, you’ll be able to take care of me in my old age.” 

Trucy flexes her free arm as she starts walking. “Don’t worry, Daddy! Soon, I will carry you when you get too tired!” 

“I’m going to get you to make that promise in writing!” He’s not even thirty, but with his luck, who knows how soon that would be. 

She takes his hand in hers, and proceeds to take the lead in navigating the airport. Even though this is only her third time visiting, and she can’t read German (as far as he’s aware), she has a keen sense for where to go and who to follow. 

They descend into the area near the luggage carousels, and Trucy bounces up on the balls of her feet with every other step.

“You’re going to trip if you keep that up,” Phoenix says, steadying the suitcase after one particularily wild leap sends it skidding to the side and nearly colliding with someone passing them. 

“Can you see him, Daddy?” she asks, ignoring his caution. “I’m not tall enough.” 

“You wanted to be put down.” 

She sticks her tongue out at him and does another bounce to try and see. “Why is everyone so tall?” 

Phoenix scans the crowd as well, trying not to wonder if he is simply looking in the wrong place or if he’s glancing over Miles or— 

The phone in his hand buzzes with an incoming call and Phoenix answers it without even looking at the caller ID. “Do you always look so lost when in a crowd, Wright?” 

He frowns out of habit, and has to tug Trucy back to his side before she can go wandering off in search of the man currently on the phone. “You can see me?” 

“Yes, I can.” 

Phoenix scans the crowd again, frown starting to deepen as he ignores the twinge of panic, but then their eyes meet as a group of tourists parts and his heart jumps as he watches the smile form over Miles’ face. 

Miles’ lips move seconds before his voice floats through the phone. “Ah, you found me.” 

“Of course I did,” Phoenix says at the same time Trucy tugs on his hand and says, “Oh! I spotted Uncle Miles!” 

He lets her tug him a few steps before she simply abandons him and the suitcase to fling herself headlong through the rush of people. 

“Trucy!” he calls, hanging up and scrambling after her. 

Another flood of tourists surges past, and he scoots through the thick of them to come out the other side — just in time to see Trucy being caught up in Miles’ arms and her delighted laughter ringing out. 

“You’ve grown considerably, Trucy Wright,” Miles says with a groan. “What has your father been feeding you?” 

“Haven’t you heard?” Phoenix asks as he gets within earshot. “She’s been working out. Show him your muscles, Trucy.” 

This time, she has both arms free to flex, and Miles gives an appreciative whistle. “I see,” he muses. “It all makes sense now.” 

Phoenix tucks his hands into the pockets of his sweatshirt, resisting the urge to reach automatically for Miles — always afraid of the distance at first, uncertain what might have changed between visits. “She’s volunteered to carry me in my old age.” 

“Well, I certainly wouldn’t be able to manage. I wear myself out with paperwork.” Miles sets Trucy back down and moves to close the distance between them. 

The pull is automatic and magnetic, and Phoenix frees his hands just in time to wrap his arms around Miles. “I’ve missed you,” he says, the sentiment buried into Miles’ shoulder as he tries to tug himself closer. 

“And I, you,” Miles returns, his nose pressed to the side of Phoenix’s head. 

There is a beat before Phoenix can feel Trucy’s arm around his hip, and he looks down to see her clinging onto both of them with a large grin on her face. 

“I want a hug, too!” she says, rocking up on the balls of her feet and giving her most winning smile.

“Dads only hug, sorry,” he teases, and ruffles her hair. 

She pouts, arms crossed over her chest, but the expression doesn’t last that long before Phoenix gives a sigh and scoops her back up into his arms. From this height, she gives Miles another hug, and snags Phoenix’s beanie for herself. 

“Hey!” he says, having to free one hand to try and snag it back. “I’m the one with bad hair, not you!” 

“You keep ruffling mine!” she says matter of factly and tugs the beanie on, even though it’s too big and slips down low over her brow. Doesn’t diminish the large, teasing grin she wears though. 

Miles laughs, and combs his fingers back through Phoenix’s hair (so maybe it wasn’t such a bad thing after all). “Come on, then. Let’s get you home so you can relax.” 

Phoenix swoops in for a quick kiss, hearing Trucy gasp as Miles doesn’t let him immediately pull back. When he looks, he sees that she’s pulled the beanie down over her eyes. “Are you going to pull the suitcase again, or are you going to make me carry you?” 

“I’m tired, Daddy, carry me,” she says, and drapes her arms around his neck to settle her cheek against the top of his head. The beanie is still pulled down over her eyes, so he reaches up to pluck it free. 

“I’ll get your suitcase,” Miles offers, and ignores Phoenix’s protests — and also effectively ends them by taking Phoenix’s free hand in his own. “There. You have Trucy, I have your suitcase. Seems fair.” He gives Phoenix’s hand a fond squeeze. 

“Alright, you win this round.”

Miles leans in to give him another kiss, then leads them out of the airport towards where his car is waiting for them. 

—— 

The drive back to Miles’ apartment takes a bit as it is a few cities over, though they also stop for lunch on the way in. 

Trucy has to fight to stay awake in the back seat, as Phoenix has to remind her to stay awake until it’s bedtime here in Germany instead of responding to her body demanding California time. He gives her his phone to play games on during the long ride — content to sit with his hand in Miles’, the two of them talking softly as they drive. 

The apartment is as clean as always and Trucy gives a delighted whoop as she bounces onto the sofa that will be pulled out for her bed later. She pulls out her deck of cards and barely gives Miles the chance to sit down before she’s already demonstrating her latest tricks for him. 

They spend the rest of the afternoon like that, making plans for the two weeks of vacation. They order take out for dinner, and Trucy picks a movie that they all curl up onto the couch to watch. 

When Trucy’s bedtime finally arrives, Phoenix helps Miles set up the pull-out sofa for her. She’s already back to being mostly asleep, so he has to usher her into the bathroom to brush her teeth and wash her face before carrying her back into the living room. 

The room is dark, illuminated only by a nightlight in the corner, and the light spilling out of Miles’ open door. 

Phoenix tucks Trucy into bed, running his hand through her hair as she gives a huge yawn. “You’ll be okay?” 

“Yeah, I’ll be okay!” 

“You know where to find me if you need anything.” 

She nods, then throws her arms around his neck for a hug. “Goodnight, Daddy.” 

“Goodnight, baby.” He gives her a kiss on her forehead before picking his way carefully across to Miles’ room. 

Miles looks up from his phone when he hears the door click shut. He doesn’t have to say anything — he just sets aside his phone and barely manages to pull off his glasses before Phoenix collides with him. 

He feels like he can finally breathe again the moment Miles’ arms close around him. “Christ, I’ve missed you,” he sighs. 

“Are you alright?” Miles asks, fingers carding back through Phoenix’s hair.

“I am now.” 

“Phoenix—” 

“It’s fine. I’m fine.” It must not sound that convincing because Miles cups Phoenix’s face between his hands and pulls him back far enough to make eye contact. “You do the Disappointed Dad face a lot better than I do. Trucy would listen to me more if I could pull that off.” 

Miles gives a snort of amusement before leaning in to kiss him. “I’m not disappointed. I’m just worried.” 

“Nothing I haven’t already told you.” 

“They’re all valid things to be worried about, and it’s okay to not be fine.” 

Phoenix shifts up so he can sit on the edge of the bed next to Miles. “I know. I just… Everything feels easier here.” 

Miles lifts an eyebrow. “In Germany?” 

He rocks to the side and nudges Miles with his shoulder. “Next to you.”

There’s a breath of silence between them as Miles takes his hand, lifting it to his lips and placing a tender kiss on their joined fingers. “I’m sorry I had to cancel my trip out over Christmas.” 

Phoenix takes a breath, but Miles cuts him off with a kiss — and a second and a third when the first wasn’t enough. “You don’t have to apologize,” Phoenix says instead of it’s fine, because each time he tries Miles doesn’t let him get the words out. “You know you don’t have to apologize for that.” 

“I get so few chances to see you,” Miles murmurs against his lips, and Phoenix turns it into another kiss. 

He kisses across Miles’ jaw, then down his neck — nuzzling the soft skin there to earn a throaty laugh. “Then make up for lost time,” he says, and gives a sharp, delighted grin as he is tugged into Miles’ lap. 

[digitalstowaway]

Aristocats au

They finally arrive at Miles' home. The horses trot down their long pathway. Kay and Sebastian are ready to jump, and Miles is telling them to stay put until the buggy stops.

They bounce out once Phoenix pulls up to the front of the house. Phoenix helps Trucy out. Miles stands looking up at this house, feeling very at peace for the first time in over a week.

"I insist you stay a night with us," he tells Phoenix. "Or multiple nights. You should rest. I'll have a servant take care of your horses and ready a room for you."

And Phoenix can't say no to that. Mostly because the kids are shouting at him to stay.

"When we get inside, we're all going to need baths," Miles says. "All of you need to stay in the bath until you've scrubbed away all of the grime and all of the fleas we've acquired."

"Hey, I like my fleas," Phoenix says.

Miles must be exhausted because he laughs. Trucy quietly asks Sebastian if they really have fleas.

Miles throws open the door. Franziska stumbles in front of him as if she had been running to greet them but caught herself. She collects herself and glares.

"Where have you have been, Miles Edgeworth? If you were going to run away for two weeks, you could have done it without the children. I was worried sick about them. And look at them!"

"It's nice to see you, too, Franziska. We did get home safe and sound, thank you."

"Who's this vagabond you've let inside?"

Trucy grabs Phoenix's hand. "His name is Mr. Phoenix!"

Franziska looks like she wants to say more. But she lowers her head.

"Father would like to speak to you," she says. "I recommend you tidy yourself up before meeting him in your study."

Miles' heart tightens again. "Could you see the children upstairs? And find someone to ready a room and bath for Mr. Wright."

Franziska leads the children upstairs. Kay proudly tells her she didn't brush her hair for a whole week. Franziska says she can tell.

Before Phoenix follows a servant up the stairs, he gives Miles a concerned look.

"This father--is it the guy?"

"The man who has provided for me and my children? Yes."

"Edgeworth--"

"Please, Mr. Wright. Helen here will draw you a bath and find you clean clothes. Dinner will be ready once everyone has bathed."

"Edgeworth, should I--"

"You should go upstairs and bathe. I can handle Mr. von Karma."

[isogenderskitty]

One-Shot Fic: Tied Together

Soon to be put on AO3 once my signup goes through but for now it lives here.

Fandom: Ace Attorney Ship: Narumitsu (AKA Wrightworth) Word count: 1,342 Genre: Fluff, getting together, inspired by a conversation on a Narumitsu Discord server. ♥ Warnings: None! Except that I haven’t written anything in approx. 100 years. jkzsdhf Summary: Phoenix isn’t very good at tying his tie neatly. Miles really, really wants to fix it, among other things.

When he gets over the initial shock of his childhood friend suddenly showing up across the courtroom from him, the first thing that Miles Edgeworth notices is inane, illogical, and confusing.

The man cannot tie a tie.

It’s not so bad that it’s not technically tied up, he reasons – a person with slightly lower standards than his own probably wouldn’t even notice – but it is loose and wonky, and could look so much better with a little help from a more deft hand.

It’s not an outright obsession; there are often much more pressing matters at hand, obviously, both professionally and personally. But in tiny moments throughout the years, something living in back of his mind taps him lightly on the shoulder with slowly increasing confidence to say Miles, you really want to reach out and fix that tie.

Every time it comes to him, the thought is accompanied by an increasingly tighter chest, faster pulse, and more detailed visions of what Wright’s face might look like that close. How he might look at him. Whether he would feel the same pounding and rushing and near loss of control that Miles does. What that meant.

He thinks about it during multiple post-trial celebrations, looking across a tightly populated dinner table with the buzz of alcohol consumption in the air, unable to hear anything anyone said for worrying amounts of time, and especially unable to look away from a triumphant and jubilant Wright, smiling enough for all of them.

He thinks about it hundreds, thousands, infinite times while away in Europe for that secret year, wondering if Wright still hadn’t learned how to tie a tie properly. As lonely months pass, that thought becomes less wistful and more riddled with guilt and anxiety.

When he returns home, the first time he sees him is in the Criminal Affairs department, a young girl in robes clutching his hand tightly. He’s never seen Wright look this dishevelled. He looks like he hasn’t slept in days and hasn’t changed out of his suit or showered in just as long. The tie is barely holding on. A selfish and stupid thought flickers through Miles’s mind, for just a moment: is this what happens when I leave?

How absurd, he thinks, shaking his head. Something else must be wrong.

When Wright is disbarred, Miles can’t get hold of him for weeks. He drops everything and rushes over when he finally hears from him. Two surprises meet him at the door, albeit one much bigger than the other; Wright has a daughter now, and there isn’t even a tie in sight to fix.

He finds himself taking a more active role in Phoenix’s life from then on; as a current friend rather than just an old one. Visiting often for game nights, or just to watch TV, or giving financial or personal aid. Some nights just talking, some just listening, most a mixture of both.

After about six months of this new, altered relationship, they develop a silent agreement. If they just so happen to be sitting adjacent on the sofa, and perhaps Trucy has gone to bed or fallen asleep with her head on Phoenix’s lap, and all is still and dark and quiet except for lights and sounds from the television, they enter a different state with a different set of laws.

Heads can lean on shoulders and against the napes of necks. Thumbs can brush softly over knuckles while the other fingers grip each other tight. Feet can gently kick and nudge each other on the floor, that or perhaps the TV eliciting chuckles that can be felt as rumbles against skin or as breaths in hair. Every moment of living in this warm space they create makes Miles’s heart burst aflame and crash violently against his rib cage, screaming to be set free… and yet, mysteriously, he always wants more of that destructive feeling. As years roll by like this, ties are long forgotten.

Until Phoenix gets his badge back.

Miles walks into the defendant lobby a few minutes before the trial is due to start, to wish his dear friend luck. He stops in his tracks when he sees him. Back in that familiar blue suit, but better. So many details that are already driving Miles insane. The hair, the chain, the waistcoat.

The tie. Even this new, more mature, somehow even handsomer version of Phoenix was hopeless.

Before he knows what he’s doing, Miles has already walked over to him and opened his mouth.

“Wright.”

A turn, a beaming smile that threatens to blind him, a slight crack in the voice that is echoed on the surface of Miles’s heart. “Oh, hey Edgeworth!”

“I… just wanted to bid you good luck.” He bows out of habit. Too formal, even for the public eye, he scolds himself as Phoenix’s face falls ever-so-slightly. The last thing he wants right now is for Phoenix to think he’s been demoted to Wright. That being a lawyer again means their previous, stiffer relationship has been reinstated along with his career. He panics slightly, not wanting that idea to take hold.

“Thanks.” It’d sound happy to anyone else, but Miles can hear the undercurrent of worry.

Again his body moves without his mind’s explicit consent and he’s reaching for Phoenix’s tie in the middle of the defendant lobby before he’s registered the impulse to do so. Phoenix squawks and goes stiff as a board and red as an apple but doesn’t quite get as far as moving away. “Edgeworth, what… “

“You never were any good at tying this thing. Hold still.” His own voice sounds much farther away than Phoenix’s. Miles distantly decides that if he’s going to exist in this insane dream state for a moment he might as well embrace it. He commits to memory the heat coming off Phoenix’s skin, the cheap feel of the tie, the way his knuckles brush against his neck and he thinks he feels the hint of a nervous gulp. The air in the room suddenly feels unbearably hot.

After he finishes finally fixing that godforsaken pink tie, he admires his work for a moment, and then dares to look up to Phoenix’s face. The actual proximity of his eyes shocks him mute. He feels a slight tremble in his fingers as he pulls them away from Phoenix’s lapel. The room doesn’t exist.

He spots Phoenix wet his lips quickly with his tongue, and speak:

“I love you.”

It’s not said as if it’s news, or as if it’s a dramatic declaration, just a simple statement. Like it’s a reminder of something he’s already said. In a way, Miles supposes he has, in ways other than with words, countless times. He supposes they both have.

Phoenix looks just as shocked as Miles feels. Miles can’t help but laugh a little, even in his stupor. Phoenix looks even more shaken at that.

Distantly, as if echoed through a valley, they become aware that the bailiff is standing a few paces away, awkwardly trying to get Phoenix to go into the courtroom. Miles steps back, clearing his throat. His finger catches on Phoenix’s newly reattached attorney’s badge for a moment, giving him a burst of pride that is somehow perceptible over the rest of his body screaming bloody murder.

“I-I should go,” Phoenix stammers.

Miles faintly registers just before Phoenix turns away that he shouldn’t leave this conversation at that bombshell; he doesn’t want him to think the feeling isn’t mutual - the one that tears him apart day and night. He takes a deep breath and replies perhaps a little too loud.

“I love you too. Call me after the trial?”

“Way ahead of you,” Phoenix breathes, chest heaving. The beaming smile is back and somehow even brighter. It seems to illuminate the entire courthouse in a radiant golden light. Miles weakly offers up an uncharacteristically erratic wave before Phoenix turns and disappears into the courtroom with a skip in his step. Miles makes a mental note to apologise profusely for the distraction if he loses the case.