Work Text:
Japanfornia Airport
September 25th 2023
3:10am
In the early morning the sun isn't even out. The sky still has visible stars in the sky. Maybe they can wish for things to be better. But sadly the day has to keep going regardless of what anyone wants to happen. Phoenix and Edgeworth have been sitting on a bench close to the airport for a while. They got there at 1:30am pretty early for the fight time which was 6:00am but it was better to be prepared because the flight to Germany is 11 hours.
Trucy said her goodbyes before going to sleep and after one last magic trick for some good luck then Edgeworth packed the last of his things and headed to his car with Phoenix to drive a while to get to the airport. They didn't talk much during the drive, they mainly just listened to the music on the radio because they only put non radio music when Trucy is driving with them she has her own playlists and they have some music from CDs Phoenix owns she listens to them sometimes for nostalgia. Edgeworth wishes he could stay longer but he can't stay away from the European courts for long. He's enjoying the work but he misses LA sometimes but he's doing it to try and fix the law system in America. It's a mess to put it lightly.
Edgeworth wasn't really looking much at Phoenix before they were sitting down because he didn't want to be weird but he wanted to stare forever hoping it might ingrain itself into his mind. He's better at hiding it from himself when he is more awake. It's like something goes away when he's more tired and he can't block out his unnecessary feelings like he wants to. Even though a certain someone makes fun of him for that moment despite the fact she wasn't there it was because Maya told her about it and now he can never live it down it wasn't even those unnecessary feelings it was something else entirely at least at the time but they will not listen.
Edgeworth decides to focus on the soft yellow glow of the streetlamp casting itself into Phoenix instead but it's like he's the sun or maybe it was like fire burning like the bird of his namesake. It reminds him of when they were younger during sleepovers when there was just the glow of the table lamp of his childhood room casting over them before everything was ripped away from him. He hasn't seen Phoenix like this in years. When Edgeworth comes over to visit the Wright family he just stays in a hotel nearby and sleeps there then he just comes over to the Wrights apartment that's above the office. It's small and apparently belonged to Mia but they're at least doing good despite everything that's going on with their lives.
He was half focusing on what Phoenix was saying because he wanted to listen to what Trucy and he were up to while he was not there. He was randomly thinking about the distance between them. He does like having personal space. It's nice but sometimes he wants more and it feels strange. Edgeworth hated staring into people's eyes. It felt weird but this was an exception. He wanted to stare into Phoenix's soul hoping to find an answer but it was only a second before going back to staring at other parts of his face and desperately trying to avoid staring at his lips like a freak.
Edgeworth had a thought out of nowhere he was getting tired but something in the back of his mind was rearing its ugly head, something he wants to ignore hoping it will go away. “I wish I could tell him.” was the thought. Why did it have to be now? It was sleep deprivation. His sleep schedule was messed up because of all the travelling he couldn't control his brain properly because he shouldn't be thinking this in the middle of a conversation.
Especially during when his friend is having probably one of the worst times of his life randomly confessing his feelings would not fix anything. Life is messy that way no matter what he daydreams about sometimes. Edgeworth finally can fully focus again after immediately backtracking in his mind finally his common sense has returned. Phoenix was just talking about what's been going on before Edgeworth visited him and Trucy. He wished he focused more on that instead of just overthinking and staring at his friend.
“Hope you enjoyed Trucy's new magic trick she was working on before you visited sorry you couldn't visit before but at least you got to meet her now. She's been great these couple years of this whole thing. She's the light of my life I can't imagine my life without her.”
Phoenix smiles a bit half-heartedly he has moved on the best he can do. He's tried to shut the people who remind him out but still has a part of him clinging onto something. That part of him has been attempting to keep tabs on people involved in the case despite it being years ago he still wants to do something but it feels like it's going nowhere. Deep down in this facade he's continuing with for probably way too long but he's become so committed to it but sometimes it breaks a little he wants to amend things so bad. He wants to try and talk to Maya and Pearls again but he can't because the last time they talked was years ago and he fought with them over what happened but it doesn't matter they wouldn't want to talk to someone who isn't important anymore.
He knows it would probably actually go fine but what if it doesn't they shouldn't have to talk to someone who's given up on the job that saved them. He has a shady job now and is being stalked. He can't put other people in that situation but somehow Edgeworth slipped through the cracks at least for now before it gets back to normal. He hasn't seen or heard anything weird when Edgeworth was visiting and it felt nice finally having some peace for once but it'll go back to normal soon.
It was probably him being distracted by having Edgeworth around but he's safe and not in danger presumably and hopefully because he would absolutely hate putting another person he cares about in this situation it's already hard having his own daughter have to deal with this but sadly it's normal for her now it's horrible that it is and he tries to shield her the best he can. Sometimes he wonders if Maya felt that same suffocating feeling of being watched when she was kidnapped. She couldn't go anywhere but it's different from what he's experiencing. Maybe he's just paranoid and he's not actually being stalked right that would be crazy but he knows it's happening but wants to continue living indenial. Sometimes lving indenial is better than facing the problem head on you can cling onto the false hope that it's not real.
He use to just think that Kristoph is just a weird guy who likes having dinner with him a lot and keeps trying to pry into his private life but he knows that he keeps watch over him outside of the dinners like definitely not a stalker at all but he's trying to seem like he doesn't know. Kristoph is very strange but can be nice at times. Maybe if things were different they could actually be friends and maybe in some random universe he could have something more. He needs to stop having a terrible record with people who he has strange feelings for but he is cursed atleast he hasn't poisoned him yet. He doesn't want to open up that can of worms he can never date again atleast not right now he can still imagine things even if it's just some kinda weird coping mechanism definitely wasn't there before this whole situation he's in Phoenix doesn't need to think about that at all.
He doesn't want to think about that now it's different now he has a daughter he can't have that happen to him. He's not that native college student anymore trying so hard to convince himself that his girlfriend isn't terrible and trying so hard to save her and saving Edgeworth. Edgeworth is one of the reasons he decided to stray away from the arts other than his stupid savior complex because he can't save himself at all.
What would Mia think of him now? Probably disappointed as well but he can't ask her because she's gone and also doesn't have the courage to make Maya or Pearls channel her. That's even more scary than just talking to them normally. It's still a terrible situation and he wishes he could have a normal life, maybe something similar to how it's been recently but that's never going to happen. He shouldn't fantasize about the impossible it wouldn't last long.
Phoenix notices Edgeworth being randomly zoned out he was probably getting bored of him talking maybe he should send him off now. Try and just get the hard part over and done with immediately.
“Wait, sorry for talking so long. Edgeworth you have to go to the airport soon. I shouldn't hold you up longer especially when it's getting a bit closer to winter. I know you're used to the cold because of Germany but still I gotta send you off before you freeze to death y'know."
Edgeworth doesn't mind that Phoenix was talking a lot obviously but he can't just say that he was being overly gay in his mind and overthinking everything. He has to divert attention from that from himself and possibly Phoenix too. What if he knows somehow. Another thought that terrifies Edgeworth but it's time for an excuse which is believable. It's not completely wrong, he is tired but it's only a little bit actually.
“No it's fine Wright I don't mind you talking I'm just tired right now I'll be fine when I get on the plane though I know Trucy wanted to also send me off but I had to go for the earliest flight so I could get back to work as fast as I can also thank you for having me over truly.”
Phoenix is also a little tired but he's used to it though he doesn't sleep easily anymore he's just a bit paranoid about everything but he wants to at least help with something despite that.
“Do you want me to help you with your stuff since you're tired? Your welcome also thank you for coming as well. We both appreciated it a lot anyways. Probably should start heading inside now if you want to.”
They start walking to the airport. The street is pretty empty, not many people are outside, especially at this time but at least the sky was glowing with stars that were behind some trees. You could hear animals rustling around but the main thing you could hear is both men walking both walking towards their destination. They both started heading to the airport doors. Next to them there's large windows where you can see all the seats with a lot of people in there, unlike outside where there weren't many people close. Most people were probably sleeping right now. There were some people instead but they mainly kept to themselves and it wasn't too loud which was nice. Edgeworth heads to the desk and checks in so he can get to waiting for his flight and hopefully not fall asleep and miss it. He hasn't done that yet but he still worries about doing it.
Phoenix is standing close to the front door while he waits for his friend to return so he can wish him farewell. But nothing could distract Phoenix from being kind of bored, probably because he was tired but he didn't want to go on his phone because might end up doomscrolling and forgetting his surroundings. He decides people watching might be fun. There were some people waiting but his eyes randomly focused on a small family with one child Phoenix has no idea why he focused on that one. Maybe it was something he wanted deep down. He doesn't want to think about that now that life isn't going to happen.
Phoenix shakes his head trying to basically factory reset it and stops looking at the small family and looks around at other people he presumed like Edgeworth were also traveling by themselves and other people also airport workers looking slightly tired but still working. Edgeworth finds a place to wait and Phoenix is finally forced to say his goodbyes but he doesn't just yet. He doesn't want to say it because what if he finally ditches Phoenix for good he's doing way better in Europe. Edgeworth shouldn't have to come to America just because of him.
He doesn't do anything important anymore he's probably only coming over for Trucy. She's more successful and a better person than him right now too which makes him very proud because she deserves the world but some part of him feels slightly jealous. He should stop thinking about this now. It's kind of pathetic to be like this when it was his fault that his life isn't the same anymore. It's his own fault he shouldn't be jealous of his own daughter.
“I'm still thinking about the offer to go to Europe for a case I don't know when I can you know how it is I only want to go for Trucy she hasn't been there yet she's been excited about it but work is keeping me real busy and I feel bad not being there for her like I want to be also I still don't know why you want me to go I'm not a lawyer anymore my skills now of are no use.”
Phoenix looks at Edgeworth slightly conflicted. He knows that he's never going to be a lawyer again no matter what Edgeworth thinks but he knows deep down he wants to do something anything related to law again but he will never say that to Edgeworth's face. He already feels like a charity case to Edgeworth but Phoenix guesses he's probably just doing this because he owes him a favour from the past but it feels pathetic he can't just leave everything behind now he has to keep watch of everything no matter what.
He has some suspicions he doesn't want to believe in and he definitely can't tell anyone about it just yet especially now but he's made up excuses not to see Kristoph for at least a couple days. He doesn't mention Edgeworth at all in case he might also accidentally get involved in the bullshit that is the case he's trying to get together even though he's mostly given up there's a little light in him still collecting evidence. Maybe they'll have some peace for a while at least until Kristoph invites Phoenix to dinner at his workplace yet again. Why does it always have to be there? He thought that Kristoph would like somewhere fancier but he's a strange man so it doesn't really matter he shouldn't overthink about this right now.
Kristoph may be kind of an asshole to put it lightly but Phoenix is also one too takes one to know one and randomly watching him most of the time has made him a bit paranoid to be honest but what if he's just accusing him because he's weird and kinda creepy like doesn't mean he should accuse people with no evidence even if they are suspicious and make you have a weird feeling in your gut.
Kristoph has ringed some alarm bells in Phoenix but he voted against him losing his badge he believes in Phoenix at least that's what Kristoph tells him whenever he tries to get more out of him and he was also involved in that case too he understands more than Edgeworth he hates to even think that but it's true. He doesn't want Edgeworth involved anyways in case something might happen to him or other people he knows. He hates being secretive but it's for other people's safety it would be dangerous and selfish to involve them. He has to fix everything with only people who were involved, no one else.
His mind goes back on track to the subject of The Trip to Europe, Trucy would have fun in Europe he can't let her go by herself first thing is that she's just a preteen right now and the second thing is that she would hate to go without him and he would never leave her for that long even if he doesn't want to pretend that he can relive his old life even for just a moment. Phoenix doesn't want to leave her side even if he trusts Edgeworth Trucy's the light of his life and she doesn't deserve to be left alone without her side again. Like with her previous father he's still pissed off about that but at least he's a slightly better dad. Hopefully he's better it still feels a little werid that he's a father now. It's been over a year now since then but he's only starting to get used to it.
Edgeworth waits a little to collect his thoughts. He knows that he's probably being more pushy than he should but Phoenix did this for him not long ago he doesn't know why they act like it's been longer than that. It wasn't long ago that the Hazakura Temple case happened. That was a couple months before the dreadful case that took his badge. They've both been through a lot during the years. Maybe it's to make it hurt less but also it does feel like it's been a lifetime ago. He wants to keep whatever little part of Phoenix Wright the “Turnabout Terror” going even if it doesn't seem like he wants to do anything law related ever again. It's strange that now he has to do this instead of Wright doing this with him years ago he's doing better now but now Phoenix is in a similar position Edgeworth was years ago.
“I admire that you want to go for Trucy and you both don't have to come to Europe now but there's a lot of cases where your expertise can be used, even if you're not a lawyer anymore your skills are useful to the cases there that you could help me with. I hate it when all of this blows over if you were not at an equal level to me, I'm merely just making sure you don't get rusty next time we work on a trial together.”
Edgeworth knows it won't do anything. Wright is starting to get used to the non-lawyer life. It still feels wrong with everything that happened years ago. The only good thing about it was Trucy being in Wright's life and maybe them slowly becoming regular friends again but it’s mainly Trucy being in his life that's keeping him together or it seems like it.
“You know I'm never getting it back Edgeworth it can't happen especially after everything that happened I don't deserve to have it back. I only want to go so Trucy can have a fun holiday and I will do whatever you want me there for but I can't be a lawyer anymore no matter what I want or even you anyways I should head back home sorry for leaving on this note hope you have a nice flight Edgeworth.”
Phoenix looks at Edgeworth feeling a little bad but he gets up and starts heading back home hoping that he got it through to him. He knows that Edgeworth's trying to help but he can't accept it. It was already hard to even think of going there but he doesn't have to see Edgeworth's face looking pitiful right now. He knows that his friend is making sense but he can't do it yet. He can't relive that time he's too different now it wouldn't work for whatever Edgeworth is thinking.
Phoenix's a forger he can't be trusted he presented that evidence without checking properly he just wanted to get a one way ticket to winning it was too good to be true but they can't work together even in another country it's impossible because of that it's his fault. He should hear Edgeworth out because he has to be a decent person in this moment despite failing at his old job and friendship. He should take a chance to fix it slightly.
Edgeworth gets up and grabs Phoenix's arm and stops him from walking. He notices a couple people staring at them but he just focuses on Wright letting go after that so Phoenix can turn around hoping he doesn't just turn back again but that doesn't happen Phoenix looks at him after that he's willing to hear him out.
“I'm sorry for pushing that onto you, Wright. I know it's been hard. I just thought it would be nice to do something law related together again, not that I don't like visiting, I just missed the old days even if they were messy at times we got to work together as partners. I want to do that again.”
Edgeworth has gotten softer and maybe a bit selfish. He just wants Wright to not have to suffer mainly by himself and have him by his side again but he can't be direct about it because it might push him away but he's gotten better about avoiding it was rough for a while but he's seemingly gotten better. Phoenix faces Edgeworth and his face relaxes a bit and he maybe spills more than he wants to but he's telling most of the truth this time he hasn't done that with someone other than Trucy in a while.
“I want that too Edgeworth sorry for getting like that I was being realistic but maybe I really want to try to be wishful and work together with you one more time but not right now maybe next year and it's a maybe not certain just yet but goodbye again Edgeworth see you soon.”
Edgeworth looked around nervously he was being pushy even if it was to help, he can't just force the man to go to Europe and work with him and bring his daughter too. But he knows that this isn't completey hopeless Edgeworth has to try but maybe he should back down a bit now. Maybe that will do something.
“Apologies for being pushy. I hope you can at least visit Europe and help me in my work to fix the law system in this country. I know your own mission but I know things are different now. I was just being sentimental. Goodbye Wright.”
Edgeworth looks away he doesn't want to be pushy or forceful he should back down he still cares about Phoenix no matter what he's doing with his life but he knows that somewhere under the facade he's out on for whatever mission he's on he wishes for a better life he knows how that is. When something crumbles your entire self identity and you have to just accept it but Phoenix also dragged him out of that rut and Edgeworth eventually started to rebuild his foundation and become a better person but Phoenix can't give himself that same treatment so Edgeworth has to try his best to repay him for what he's done despite it all.
Phoenix lightens up a bit he's also nostalgic for that time even if it was a little fucked up at times and also extremely too but atleast his life was together most of the part and he saw Maya and Pearls more. He misses her so much but he can't let her in now she'll be put in danger like other times she deserves to have some peace in her life. She's training to become the Master of the Kurain Channeling Technique. She shouldn't push it aside for him just because he's not doing anything good with his life anymore.
He should maybe let Trucy visit her and Pearls one day they would get along so well. It's been too long to do that best he can do is eventually respond to the millions of texts Maya has sent him. It's not actually that much but them piling on and on feels like it is. He knows he's been forgiven but he's probably gonna fuck it up again he rather just avoid them for now. He has to say goodbye again. He can't keep on being nostalgic and hoping for things to get better. He's trying hard to not do that anymore. It's been years and him not being a lawyer is starting to be longer than when he was one.
He has to let go of that part of his life eventually but Edgeworth, one of the reminders and the reason he became a lawyer, is here trying to remind him of the person he used to be.
“Goodbye Edgeworth have a safe flight no need to apologize for anything it's my mission I have to do I can't do anything until it's more calm again but I don't know when that will be I should be apologizing I did become a lawyer because of you but I failed at it I can't go back but I wouldn't mind going to with you to help out one day I can at least make up for it a bit by doing that.”
Phoenix knows Edgeworth isn't disappointed in him but he still feels like it might be true despite Edgeworth never saying it but he can hopefully make up for it this way. Despite him trying so hard to get away from the past he wants to go back just for a bit even if he isn't fit for it now. He can be selfish now it doesn't matter anymore but maybe not too much he can't go full in on being selfish he has to control himself odviously.
Edgeworth knows that he was the reason that Phoenix became a lawyer but sometimes it feels like a strange dream but a dream nonetheless and not an actual fact but he has to respond with something now. He can't just be quite after that speech and hope everything will be better by saying this.
“Good luck on your mission I may not be able to help directly but I'm glad I can be of help indirectly. Wright, I'll call you when I get back to Europe, see you soon when I'm able to come to America again.”
Phoenix smiles a bit even though they have to go their seperate ways he has Trucy and Edgeworth in his corner he's not alone even if one of them doesn't know everything yet. They say goodbye in their own ways and shake hands and maybe hold on a little longer but at least they both do it so it's not super awkward. Phoenix starts to leave and waves farewell and Edgeworth waves back for a bit and sits back down with his things. Phoenix waves a little longer until Edgeworth is out of his field of vision and continues heading back home.
They'll see each other again soon. It's not like before it's a nice feeling knowing they will see each other soon. Even though it's a strange time in their lives they have that to rely on.