Wrightworth Oneshots

Post Earthquake Talk

So... this is me trying to rewrite (and "fix") the talk Phoenix and Edgeworth had after the earthquake in Bridge To The Turnabout
A lot of dialogue will be directly transcribed from the game but I'm obviously also adding my own stuff.

~~~~~

Phoenix stepped out into the small garden. He didn't want to disturb Edgeworth, but he also didn't think it would have been a good idea to leave him alone right now.

Edgeworth was in a corner, shaking slightly and muttering under his breath.
"How could I have done that...?"

I hope he's just blaming himself for letting Iris run off, Phoenix thought. He should know what happened 17 years ago wasn't his fault. I proved it.

He stepped closer.
"Edgeworth...?"
Phoenix scratched the back of his head. I don't even know what to say to him.

"Ah-!" Edgeworth was obviously startled and immediately tried to push past Phoenix and leave the garden.

But Phoenix caught his sleeve.
"Hey! Don't you dare run away!"
He turned to face him, forcing him to do the same.

Edgeworth glared at him.
"What do you want, Wright?"
He still looked very anxious, like he could run away any minute.

"What do I want?" Phoenix frowned. What do you think I want, he thought. Something I can't have.

"If you came here to laugh at me, then get on with it," Edgeworth snapped.
"Go on! Laugh away!"
He turned his face away, avoiding Phoenix's eyes.

Phoenix blinked.
"...laugh? About what... your trauma? Who in their right mind would laugh about that?"
Just the thought of someone doing that to Edgeworth made his blood boil.

Edgeworth stared at the floor. He wasn't one to spill his guts without batting an eye, but he knew he could trust Phoenix.
"He did," he mumbled. He cleared his throat and spoke again, louder this time. "Von Karma did. He called me weak. Pathetic." His voice trembled during the last bit.

"I-..." Phoenix looked at the broken man in front of him, feeling defeated. He wasn't sure what to say.
There was only one thing he could do, the only way he knew how to be there for his friend now.

Before he knew what his body was doing, he took another step and wrapped his arms around Edgeworth. His words had failed him, so now his actions had to speak.

Edgeworth seemed to hesitate for a bit, but then he pressed his hands against Phoenix's back. For a moment, they just stood there. A cold wind blew around them, but Phoenix could barely feel it.

Edgeworth laughed dryly. It sounded more like a cough. "I'm sorry, Wright... there's nothing else I can say. Not after you chose to become a lawyer for my sake... and not after you saved me..." he trailed off.

"You're stronger than you think," Phoenix muttered, just loud enough for Edgeworth to hear it. "So, no more of this self-pity, okay?"

After a deep, shaky breath, Edgeworth pulled away, sniffling. He blinked a few times until the tears stinging in his eyes had subsided.
"Okay."

Phoenix just looked at him, absentmindedly fiddling with his badge. This badge meant more than just a job to him. So much more.

"Interesting," Edgeworth mused, "I never thought I'd ever see you wearing one of these, Wright. Yet... here we are."

"It's because of you that I became an attorney, Edgeworth," Phoenix replied. "Not that I have any regrets. I really don't." A faint smile ghosted over his lips, his eyes staring off into space.

Edgeworth mumbled something.

Phoenix chuckled.
"If you're trying to say 'thanks', you can start by saying it a bit louder."

To his surprise, Edgeworth put a hand on his shoulder, smiling earnestly.
"Thanks, Wright. For everything."