Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Mia, her father and mother were in the hospital, both nervous about what they’d find.

The nurse came in and said they could both come into the room.

The two immediately went into the room, Misty was holding a child, smiling. Mia went to her mother’s side.

“What’s her name?”

Her father went to the other side as he spoke.

“His name is Phoenix.”

“Him…? Than will I need to-“

“No, you don’t need to take him with you. He’ll stay in the village.”

“If you’re sure dear…”

Misty patted Mia’s hair with the hand not holding her son.

“You have a brother now.”

Mia’s face brightened. Misty smiled at her daughter’s excitement.

…

Phoenix then started trying to walk early on.

Morgan looked down at the child…
Phoenix ignored Morgan a lot of the time fortunately.

But when Phoenix started walking he first walked to Mia, Misty couldn’t even say she was disappointed in him not walking to her instead.

Mia hugged Phoenix happy he walked to her.

“My dear sister, I need to talk to you about something.”

Misty hummed and got up

“You two play nice with each other I’ll be right back, just going to talk with your Aunt Morgan”

The two either ignored their mother of busy talking with each other (As much as it could count as talking)

Misty and Morgan went to a different room.

“Dear sister, it’s about him. He needs to leave the village.”

Misty gave a sweet smile.

“Morgan, you’re my sister. But… You’re not telling me what I should do with my son are you?”

“He’s a boy! It’s for the better of the fam-“

Misty looked at Morgan. Her eyes held a cold glare, a cold fire you could say.

“He is my son. Or have you not forgotten he is also your nephew?”

Morgan didn’t flinch

“Dear sister, you aren’t scary.”

“I'm not trying to be. I’m saying watch your tongue Morgan.”

Morgan’s eyes slightly went wide.

“Phoenix is staying in the village for as long as he wants. Is this understood sister?”

“Very well.”

Morgan scoffed.

…

Phoenix was Seven and Mia was Ten when Maya was born.

Mia was able to hold Maya unlike when Phoenix was born. Phoenix held Maya too, he smiled which made Maya giggle a lot.

Phoenix was an older brother… He’d protect Maya as much as he could like he does with Mia.
Nothing could go wrong right?

Right?

…

Wrong.

They waited…

For some reason Phoenix knew she wasn’t coming back… He didn’t know exactly why but he knew.

They waited a year for her to come back. She never did.

Mia was determined to become a lawyer in hopes of figuring out what happened to their mother, so she left the two to the manor.

Mia would bring Phoenix books on some things whenever she’d visit. Phoenix would take care of Maya while Mia was away.

Morgan always tried to take Phoenix out of the picture, out of the village. Obviously it never worked.

Phoenix started self teaching himself things about art in hopes of using it to maybe get them more money, that was until he realized he in fact did like arts.

Phoenix got better at lying. Better at Acting, better at painting, drawing, sculpting. Everything.

Phoenix made sure to give Maya attention, take care of her and him while self teaching himself arts.

Until of course Maya pushed Phoenix to go into the real world, the world outside the village.
Phoenix sighed at this knowing Maya wouldn’t give up and so he did.

It was a surprise when there was a knock on the door.

…

A man came to the door to see a university student

“We’re not taking interns-“

“I know. I’m here to see someone.”

The man sighed and let Phoenix in

“Who are you here to see kid-“

“Phoenix?!”

He heard Mia shout in surprise

“You know this kid-?”

Mia ran and hugged him

“Of course I do! He’s my little brother!”

Phoenix hugged Mia back

“You mean- This is the guy you-? The guy you visit once a month at home?”

“And our sister.”

Phoenix noted

“Wait- Phoenix what are you doing here?”

“Oh! Maya pushed me to leave the village. So I went to Ivy U for an arts degree.”

“Of course she did… Which one are you going for?”

“… Yes.”

“Yes…??”

Diego was confused.

“Yes.”

Mia was unsurprised by Phoenix

“Well I’m glad you’re here, this is Diego Armondo, my co-worker.”

Phoenix looked at the man.

“What about that girl you always talked about when you were in school?”

Mia’s face turned red.

“PHOENIX-!”

Diego’s eyes widened. How in the world did this kid figure out…??

“Oh, you’re dating both of them?”

“I- Well yes… BUT NOT THE POINT!”

Now Diego was even more curious HOW in the world did Phoenix figure THAT out??

Phoenix just laughed

“It really was just a lucky guess.”

Mia groaned, of course her brother figured it out by purely a lucky guess.

“You said you were in arts right?”

Phoenix nodded and pulled out his sketchbook handing it to Diego, Diego’s eyes widening.

“This is insanely good, kid.”

Phoenix smiled. It was like the literal sun to the two.

“So bright-“

“Join the club.”

“Can I keep him?”

“Diego no. He’s my brother.”

“I mean I’m your brother in law if that helps.”

Mia shook her head as Diego grinned.

“We’re keeping him. We’ll teach him law!”

Phoenix wasn’t as oblivious as everyone thought he was. But Phoenix thought it was fun if everyone really did think he was oblivious, thus he never told a single person.

Phoenix tilted his head as Mia looked at him and chuckled ruffling his hair.

“Hey!”

Phoenix laughed while Diego got used to the now sunshine child residing in the office for now.

Chapter Text

It had been a year since Phoenix had moved from Kurain village.

It’d been a few months since Mia’s first trial that was…
Something.

Phoenix started becoming the court artist since Mia and Diego somehow managed to convince the principal of the school to allow Phoenix to take his courses online.

Phoenix looked at Mia and Diego

“I’m sorry you want me to be your what?”

“Co Counsel!”

“And why can’t Diego? Or even Lana?”

“Because, Kid. It’s good to have a new perspective from people outside of law jobs.”

Diego sipped his coffee.

“And I don’t need a reason, you’re my brother and you’re going to be there anyway!”

“Yeah because I’m the court Artist. I can’t be both, M.”

“Says who?”

“Says me, I’m not doing two jobs at the same time.”

“It’s not like you have to comment on everything Phoen.”

“Don’t call me that”

“Plus it’s that guy who pisses me off and you’re the only one who can calm me down!”

Mia smiles. Why must Phoenix be doomed with a sister like her? Even Maya would’ve been better.
Actually no she’s worse considerably.

“That Victorian child guy?”

Diego spat out his coffee in surprise and laughed.

“I’M SORRY VICTORIAN CHILD?!”

“Yes, the fancy guy with the cravat.”

“Fine. Now stop nagging me about it. I still have school work.”

Phoenix got up grabbing his sketchbook and art supplies and putting them into his side bag before hopefully returning to his online class work hoping his Adhd doesn’t become an ass.

Phoenix could hear his two annoyances cheering for convincing him. Phoenix shook his head.

…

“Mr Fey, may I ask why you’re on the defense’s side?”

Phoenix started setting up his art supplies.

“Because my sister kept nagging me about being her co counsel.”

A man walked in and went to the Prosecution bench.
By the time Phoenix finished setting up Mia and the prosecution started debating.

‘Might as well sketch the prosecutor, practice for fancy clothing.’

Phoenix started sketching the fancy man, glancing over ever sometimes.

After a few minutes Mia was getting pissed as the prosecutor was having a smug look on his face.

‘He’s… Cute…’

Phoenix's face slightly turned red and he immediately shook it off.

“I’m going to burn that Cravat I swear-“

“Mia. That’s a Jabot.”

Mia turned to Phoenix

“How do you know that…?”

“I study arts. A cravat is tucked inside, and a Jabot has ruffles. That is Jabot if I’ve ever seen one.”

Phoenix whispered as he continued trying to sketch the prosecutor.

Mia calmed down a bit by Phoenix’s making fun of the cravat.
Then Mia began cross examining the witness.

Phoenix hummed, finishing the sketch of the Prosecutor and now making one of the witnesses.

After a few testimonies Mia was stuck from pressing all the statements.

“Third statement is a lie, he couldn’t have known what the victim's back of the shirt was if he had a jacket on.”

Phoenix mumbled having looked closely at the witness’ mannerisms

Mia’s eyes widened at what Phoenix said

“Why are you not the Lawyer in the family again?”

“Because Maya’s too young and I’m the only one who’s able to properly draw.”

Mia went back to debating with the witness and the prosecutor.
Phoenix went back to sketching and played with some of the decor on his scarf to focus.

…

Phoenix finished sketching everyone including his sister and started giving the first sketch color.

“Amaranth...”

While trying to make the color Mia yelled out an objection making Phoenix Flinch.

‘ANOTHER reason why I prefer to be in the gallery instead.’

Phoenix sighed and kept working on the sketch.
He glances at the prosecutor again then starts doing the silver of his hair.

Phoenix felt eyes staring at him…

‘I get everyone has to stare at me because of my set up but COME ON!’

Phoenix looked up at the prosecutor

‘Oh. Holy shit he is pretty.’

The prosecutor looked at him too and tried to get back to debating with Mia about the defendant being guilty.
Phoenix got back to the colored sketch.

…

Mia started ranting to him about the trial

“That stupid smug look! I wish I could wipe it off- Phoenix? Are you listening?”

“He’s… pretty.”

Mia’s eyes widened as they went inside the office

“I’m sorry- Phoenix but- WHY HIM??”

“Hey! I’m just saying he’s pretty. I never said I was attracted to him!”

Phoenix’s face turned slightly red.

“Ugh- DIEGO!”

Diego came into the lobby to see Mia pissed

“Let me guess the brat again?”

“YES! And it’s worse! my poor little brother has been caught in his web!”

“All I did was admit he’s pretty. I admitted that one woman who ended up a killer was pretty too and I wasn’t attracted to her.”

Diego looked shocked at Phoenix

“What? Did you think I was straight? I’m sorry whatever led you to believe that.”

“No no, but why that brat?”

“All I said is that he was pretty and you all get all over me!”

“Because he’s a jackass!”

“An asshole with you will.”

Phoenix rolled his eyes

“Whatever you two say he’s still pretty.”

Phoenix after dealing with the sketches getting to their sources went into Mia’s apartment and into his room

He put a green magatama into the drawer for safe keeping and started resting on his bed…

As he sleeps his phone buzzes. with a text…

unknown: Is this Phoenix Fey by chance?

Chapter Text

Phoenix woke up despite his wishes of not wanting to.

He rubbed his eyes and looked at his phone. An Unknown number.

Phoenix: Yes, that's me. Who is this?

Unknown: My apologies, Miles Edgeworth.

Phoenix sat up in his bead. Why would a prosecutor be texting him…?

Nevertheless Phoenix changed the name in his phone

Victorian Child: I would appreciate it if you did not tell that Novice Sister of yours about this.

Phoenix laughed to himself

“Fine. I won't gossip to my older sister. Maya's fair game”

Phoenix: Fine. But tell me Oh great prosecutor prodigy, why are you texting me?

Victorian Child: I would like to meet up with you to talk about something.

Then he sent a location to some rich Cafe. Phoenix hummed seeing this.

“Well. Since he’s offering I don't see why I can't.”

Phoenix got up and put on a sweater that was supposed to be Mia's.

Not anymore.

Phoenix put on the identical scarf he had from Lana and went out to the Cafe after pocketing his Magatama, passing by the Agency.

“Whoa whoa Kid, where are you going? You usually don't dress up that often?”

“Especially with the scarf Lana gifted you”

Phoenix smiled

“Nothing for you to worry about!”

Mia hummed for a moment

“See? No psyche locks!”

Mia sighed facing Diego

“He's right. There's no psyche locks.”

“Alright then go on you little date then-”

Phoenix ran out shouting “Not a date!” rolling his eyes went to the Cafe's location.

When he arrived he saw the prosecutor at an outside table and approached

“Seat taken?”

Edgeworth looked up from the book he was reading and closed it.

“Are you Feys always late?”

“Depends, do all Feys have an older sister who's a Lawyer with her boyfriend trying to interrogate you?”

“You didn't tell?”

Phoenix grinned while sitting down

“It's easy to get around the Magatama.”

Edgeworth looked (surprisingly) slightly confused with an eyebrow raise.

“These.”

Phoenix pulled out his Magatama

“Ah. That’s what she wears”

“All born as Feys wear them or have them somewhere. You wanted to talk?”

Phoenix put the Magatama back into his pocket.

“Yes I did.”

Edgeworth pulled out a file and laid it out to Phoenix

“The case files for this case?”

“You wish, no. A case that dates a few years back.”

“And you're asking me to look at it, why?”

Phoenix opened the case and was hit with a shit ton of emotions.

“My sister's first case…?”

“She never allowed you to see it did she?”

Phoenix shook his head

“She said she had good reason to.”

“She is a fool.”

“Be careful there, she's still my sister.”

Phoenix was aware he wasn’t going to apologize for it. Phoenix looked closer at it. At Dahlia’s profile.

“She goes to your university does she not?”

“Not going to ask how you know I go to Ivy U. But yeah.”

“A precautionary for you to avoid.”

“Huh. Guess it makes more sense why they both did that now.”

“Hm?”

“Diego and Mia convinced the principal to let me take all my classes online. Hell, they do anything to avoid me going there. But they’ve never discussed it with me at all.”

Edgeworth sighed at this fact.

“The witness ingested poison on purpose before the trial had occurred. The poison killed him.”

“Explains why she doesn’t like talking about it. But why do you really want me to take a look at this file?”

Phoenix closed the file and looked up at Edgeworth…

“As I said before, precautions.”

He heard the chains lock in place.

‘Three psyche locks? Why doesn’t he want me to know why…?’

“Was there anything beside this file you wanted to talk about?”

Phoenix pushed the file to Edgeworth

“I insist you keep the file.“

Edgeworth pushed the file back to Phoenix.

“And you could say I’m also getting to know the enemy.”

“My sister hates you, you know?”

“She’s made that fact abundantly clear several occasions in both our careers.”

“Then why do you want to get to know me specifically?”

‘I don’t mind an attractive man trying to get to know me. But getting to know the enemy?’

“It was also to… Apologize for staring at you earlier that trial…”

A woman came by their table and asked for their orders, Edgeworth automatically giving his order and Phoenix getting a coffee and a few sour desserts.

Edgeworth’s phone started ringing and he answered, allowing Phoenix to his own thoughts as he played with the ends of the scarf.

When Edgeworth got off the phone the waitress had given them their items.

Phoenix took one sit of the coffee

“Oh. This is great. Better than any of Diego’s coffee blends.”

“Does he make you taste them a lot?”

“Taste them? No. Taste test however? Yes. I really don’t get what M sees in him.”

Phoenix tasted the tart… It was good to put it in simple words for Phoenix.

“Fey-“

“Phoenix. Just called me Phoenix at least. Assuming you’re buying all the things we ordered.”

“That was the plan.”

He took a sip of the tea he ordered

“You said during that trial she dragged you there?”

Phoenix groaned at the memory

“Yeah, she did. She begged me to be her co counsel for that trial…”

Slowly Phoenix went off into a rant about it and without realizing it drank all the coffee and ate the tart.

Edgeworth listened. Never told him to shut up.
After an hour Phoenix stopped upon realizing.

“I’ve been ranting for an hour huh…? Sorry! I-“

“Don’t apologize for something I quite obviously allowed you to do. I do have to admit, you’re not who I expected you to be.”

“Based on my sister?”

“Correct. I expected you to be more…”

“disagreeing, disliking you?”

“No other way to explain it but yes.”

Phoenix laughed to himself.

‘Your nothing as I expected… I believe that’s a good thing for some reason…’

“Yeah, my younger sister shares more of Mia’s habits than I do honestly.”

“Younger sister?”

“I’m the middle sibling. Except not the forgotten one!”

“You never feel left out?”

“Oh no I definitely do at times. In the Fey clan it’s quite literally all about the women. But besides times where they were talking about clan stuff I’ve never felt left out.”

“Hmm… You wouldn’t know someone by the name Misty Fey would you?”

Phoenix’s eyes widened.

“That was… Our mother.”

“I… My sincerest apologies.”

“We hadn’t seen her since that day she left. It’s fine for me. for my sisters however it is a sour subject.”

Edgeworth hummed

Phoenix looked at his phone

“I have to head back so Diego and my sister don’t think I’ve been murdered.”

“Ah. I will be heading out as well.”

Edgeworth had already paid for their food and drinks earlier.

“It was good getting to know you, Edgeworth!”

Phoenix ran off to presumably the office.
Edgeworth went his way

“He’s pleasant company.”

…

Phoenix entered the office

“I’m ALIVE! Do not commit any murders.”

“How was your date?”

“Diego, it wasn’t a date!”

Mia gave a sarcastic hum.

“My brother’s growing up already!”

Phoenix rolling his eyes and getting on the computer to do school work.

‘Oh if only those two knew who it was I met up with they’d be singing a different tune. Besides, it's too early to call it a date.’

Chapter Text

Phoenix looked over the files of a case he's not even supposed to be looking at right now. In his mind he knows he should trust his sister. But damn it all, he wanted to know just why Mia went through so many precautions to make sure he never met this woman.

He wasn't prepared for what he was reading, it was twisted, conniving, and all around sickening. She planned everything. Her step sister's death, the defendant's death, faking her own death. Everything

“This is…”

He glanced over to the computer he used to do online schooling. He had exams soon and he needed to do that portion in person and could very well meet this woman there. Phoenix looked at the picture of the witness. Bright red hair and a kind face you'd betray your best friend to. Meslissa Foster. Phoenix didn't believe that was her real name for a second.

‘If I meet her at school then I meet her, but why would a prosecutor give me his files if Mia has the same ones?’

“A prosecutor wouldn't be that sneaky right?”

Phoenix closes the files and puts them into his side bag and biked home, he fortunately didn’t with his older sister. One of the few times he has time to himself, even in the Manor he was always with Maya since she was little. 

He finally makes it to his apartment and goes in putting the file on the bed and pulls a drawer with a black bar that had a switch on the side of it out. 

“There’s no way.”

Phoenix grabbed the files and flicked the switch on the item and it glowed with Purple Light, he could see the message clearly.

Hello Phoenix.

Secret messages only seen with black ink. 

‘Smart, sneaky and attractive.’

Phoenix shook his head taking his mind off of the thought in question and started to go through the files again, this time with the black light seeing Miles’ messages on the file.

Aware that she's seen as “Attractive” and “Innocent” and will use it to her advantage.

It was written under the Witness’ description… He went through all of them and once done sent a text.

Phoenix: Sneaky huh?

Victorian Child: Found it, have you?

Phoenix: You know we don't casually have a black light right?

Victorian Child: And you do?

Phoenix: Yes actually. And a Crowbar. But besides the point, I didn’t know Prosecutors could be sneaky.

Victorian Child: If it is needed.

Phoenix: And this is needed why?

Victorian Child: Your sister wants this hidden.

Phoenix: And you want to know why she wants it hidden so badly?

Victorian Child: I don’t care if she wants it hidden, but she doesn’t want it hidden for a normal reason, she made sure you wouldn't meet the woman.

Phoenix: Just say yes like a normal person.

Phoenix rubbed his eyes.

‘I should head to sleep soon. my eyes are starting to hurt.’

He quickly dressed into his pajamas to sleep.

Phoenix once he was at the office checked his computer. He hummed seeing the message.

You will be (In person) doing the Art Final Exam on the 16th. The Law Final Exam on the 30th.

Phoenix wasn't shocked by having to do the exam in person, planned for it even. Once both Diego and Mia were in the office he told them about needing to do his exams in person, they both paled when he said it, trying to make a plan. 

‘Right…’

Phoenix took out his phone to check any messages

Victorian Child: I bid you morning Phoenix.

Phoenix: Please text like a normal person.

Victorian Child: I saw the art you did.

Phoenix: ?

Phoenix: Oh they finally published it?

Victorian Child: The way you painted me… Why?

Phoenix: Because people don't Prosecutors?

Victorian Child: Yes.

Phoenix: Because justice needs both.

Victorian Child: Both?

Phoenix: Yeah. Two sides of the same coin. You need a prosecutor to make a defense attorney think, you need a defense attorney to prove against evidence. Titles like the “Demon Prosecutor” are just that, names with no meaning.

Victorian Child: You have… An intriguing way of thinking. 

Phoenix: Everyone says that.

Phoenix didn't wait for a response since he heard Mia and Diego stop discussing 

“Since we have no choice, we'll drive you to the exams”

“You mean you right Mia? Diego doesn't have a license”

Diego was suddenly the the corner with a sad look on his face

“Do you Feys just exist to cause suffering?”

“Yes.”

The two siblings replied at the same time only scaring Diego even more. 

“So, 16th and 30th?”

“Well there's other ones but those are the important ones”

“I can easily drive you there”

“Thank you!”

Phoenix smiles, Mia and Diego could swear they could see the sun behind him shining, then Phoenix got a text and hummed pulling his scarf out of his side bag

“You're going out?”

Phoenix nodded

“Yep! I'll be back in a few hours!”

“I wanna-”

“THIS IS THE 2ND TIME MIA!”

Phoenix quickly got out of the office and sighed walking to the Cafe as he walked he heard meows until he saw Edgeworth slightly smiling while petting a cat… 

‘Pretty…’

Phoenix shook his head and took a seat as the cats around Edgeworth immediately went to Phoenix wanting his attention, more cats also appearing.

“You're shockingly not late.”

Phoenix hummed affirmatively

“Got out before my sister could ask questions.”

Phoenix starts petting on of the cats that was now on his lap

“Where are they, where are they!? Where is that cat-”

The waitress looked around until looking to Phoenix and shocked too, staring

“I'm… Sorry. That's Lapi. They usually don't like people, we'll pay you for any expenses-”

“What expenses?”

The cat– Lapi, was purring from Phoenix's attention 

“Yes, I see no reason as to why this cat is an issue.”

“Lapi didn't scratch either of you?”

Phoenix looked to Lapi and saw a blue and golden eye.

“Their eyes are like mine!”

“That's… rather strange actually… Lapi doesn't like anyone. Not even me and I feed them. I'll… be right back.”

The waitress leaves. 

“So Edgeworth-”

“Miles.”

Phoenix's eyes lit up

“Then, Miles, why did you invite me here?”

“Mostly to discuss certain things. Prosecutors are often given an early on look to people taking the bar or Final exams for people who are looking or planning on becoming a lawyer of some type. I just happened to glance at the paper.”

Phoenix's eyes widened knowing where this was going

“And interestingly I see Fey on it and it certainly couldn't be either of your sisters. All this time, you've been lying to your older sister. Shame on you”

Phoenix heard Edge- No. Miles’ mocking tone on the end

“Well. I never lied. I never said to her I wasn't going to be a lawyer, just… not a defense attorney.”

“Oh?”

“There's this new legal aid they're making for Prosecutors and they wanted at least one person to actually see if it could work, and I wanted to do it. Everyone else says Prosecutors are full of themselves and you'd basically just be standing there doing nothing.”

“A legal aid for Prosecutors? Betraying your sister are you?”

Phoenix chuckles.

“It's not betrayal if I was never on her side. She said I would be a pretty bad Defense attorney because no one could ever take me seriously. So that's why I didn't become a defense attorney like her.”

“Spiteful I see. Raised by a defense attorney only to help Prosecutors. My, you are certainly interesting.”

Phoenix smiles, not a sunshine smile like most people saw, Miles could see why they saw that however. No, no, no. It was a smug smile, a planning smile. Only someone planning their everyone would make that smile and play it off as innocence could make a smile like that. The cat purring in his lap only makes Phoenix look like a classic villain worse. 

“What can I say? She's my sister, but that doesn't mean I'm going to be on her side.”

The waitress came in putting down papers in front of Phoenix.

“Please keep them! Please please please!”

Phoenix looks at the papers and sees the adoption paperwork for Lapi.

Khao Manee. Phoenix hummed

“I'd love to but with my apartment I can barely afford rent just painting events in the courtroom I doubt that I could-”

“Apologies but barely? How much do they pay you?”

“Depends but usually 17 dollars an hour. My sister gets paid more than I do that's for sure. 50 usually she gets paid, and the fact she and Diego live together helps and I don't have a roommate”

Miles just blinks

“You're. Kidding. Right?”

Phoenix shook his head and Miles suddenly grabbed the files and signed them filling them out quickly, Phoenix raised an eyebrow. Phoenix said thanks to the waitress and was about to walk home until, Miles grabbed his arm

“No, you tell me where you live, you're moving in with me.”

Phoenix's eyes widened

“Do- Do I have a choice in this great decision of yours?”

“No.”

“Of course not…”

Phoenix followed Miles to his car.

“My sister's going to go insane if she finds out”

Phoenix was sitting next to Miles, who was driving

“She doesn't need to know”

So this is the path Phoenix has chosen. In Phoenix's opinion, it's worth it.