Turnabout Goodbyes

Trials End

Phoenix

The trial had finally ended! Phoenix returned triumphantly to Lobby 2, where Larry, Detective Gumshoe, Maya and Edgeworth were waiting.

As soon as he opened the door, a torrent of hyped cheering and laughter shot out at him; he was slightly taken aback. "Nick! Nick you did it I'm so proud of you!" yelled Maya as she ran up to him and shook his arm. "W-well thank you Maya, I couldn't have done it without you," he returned with a smile, wiping the sweat off his brow. Before Phoenix could take another step, he was bombarded by the distinctive sound of Larry's voice; "Dude! You were so cool out there, you saved Edgey, man!"

"Yes...Edgey." Phoenix cast his eye over to the back of the lobby where Edgeworth was standing with the Detective, his arms folded across his chest, finger tapping on his arm.

Well, that was Edgeworth, although, Phoenix caught a small glimpse of a smile cross his face.

"Whoa pal you saved Mr. Edgeworth's skin there!" boomed Gumshoe, slapping Edgeworth hard on the back, making him grimace and straighten his crimson suit again. "As I said before...it wasn't all me..." protested Phoenix as he struggled to get across the room with Larry and Maya clinging to his arm.

"Oh shush will you?" teased Maya, beaming, "Not only did you beat Von Karma, you delivered justice – and him a sentence!"

"Wright," Edgeworth's voice cut through the hubbub, causing flashes of childhood memories to flood Phoenix's brain, "I believe thanks are in order."

"Oh...w-well I...you're welcome Edgeworth, I guess this was my chance to repay you," he stammered, managing a smile and offering an outstretched hand.

"I guess it was," replied Edgeworth, analyzing him with his silver-grey eyes and shaking Phoenix's hand. A tingling sensation flowed through every nerve in Phoenix's body, heat rose into his cheeks and he turned away abruptly, looking for another focus.

"Sooo, I guess it's the old gang then eh?" spluttered Larry through half a can of soda. "Well yes! It feels good to be back again," sighed Phoenix in contempt, trying to relax. But his brain was whirring. What had that been all about? He had only shook Edgeworth's hand, yet it was for the first time in 15 years... No. He wouldn't re-live that, not now. With that, Phoenix dismissed it as nothing but adrenaline jitters, residing from the trial beforehand.

"Well everybody, I say we should all have a celebration party!" suggested Gumshoe, "Who's with me?"

"I am! I am!" chimed in Larry and Maya.

"How about you, Phoenix and you Mr. Edgeworth?" proposed the Detective. A small moment of silence cast a wave of suspense over the gathering, freezing their spirited faces. "Ha ha are you kidding? Of course we will!" laughed Phoenix, running a hand through his hair as he watched the enthusiasm restore in their expressions. Edgeworth looked disapproving; he didn't like choices being made for him. "Oh great guys! This is gonna be so fun!" squealed Maya, jumping up and down. "I'll get the drinks!" gargled Larry as he stumbled across the Lobby, "see y'all later!"

And with that all 3 of them, Maya, Larry and Gumshoe, had left the room; silence in their wake.

Edgeworth sighed and took a seat at the desk, stretching his arms in front of him. Phoenix could feel his eyes on the back of his head and he whipped around, hands on the desk in front of him.

 Edgeworth

In the 15 years Edgeworth hadn't seen him, Phoenix had changed a lot; he was a determined young adult, a skilled defense attorney, and not the small boy he had been in grade school. Phoenix now had broad shoulders, a trim, blue suit and a perfectly cut jaw-line that complimented his features. Although, he still had that same spiky, porcupine haircut. Edgeworth chuckled to himself; something he hadn't done in a long while.

"What is it?" enquired Phoenix.

"Oh, it's just how much you have changed."

As soon as it was out of his mouth Edgeworth regretted it. Phoenix had caught him off guard, damn. He struggled to regain his withdrawn persona.

"Well, um...15 years is quite a long time Edgeworth," murmured Phoenix, splaying his hands on the desk in slight exasperation.

"Hmm, I agree," contributed Edgeworth, now attaining his wonted well-spoken manner. He got swiftly out of his chair and walked round the desk to face Phoenix.

Phoenix

Phoenix couldn't help but feel him self blushing again. He stared at the desk counter, not facing Edgeworth.

"Face me Phoenix."

He stopped. He almost stopped breathing. Hearing his first name coming out of Edgeworth's mouth was like a soothing but bitter cold frost settling on his senses.

"I...um...okay." Phoenix reluctantly agreed, face reddening by the second.

Edgeworth stood for a minute, studying Phoenix as Phoenix couldn't help but study him; his claret-colored suit, sharp features, a fringe of silvery hair, and unsettlingly steely eyes that seemed to delve into his own.

Phoenix made a start to turn away but he was interrupted – "Wright, don't hide your face from me." Edgeworth spoke softly, as if his usual brashness would hurt Phoenix. "Well I wasn't...er-" Phoenix's sentence was cut short by Edgeworth taking Phoenix's face in his hands. Phoenix cried out in shock and shot his hand out to steady himself on the desk.

"Ssh!" scowled Edgeworth, his usual manner back in play, "you want us to get caught?" His eyes narrowed as he played, teasingly with Phoenix's hair.

"Mmph..." tried Phoenix, shaking his head and aware of how close their lips were; he could feel Edgeworth's warm breath caressing his skin.

"Edge-?" he questioned but was silenced with a kiss. His eyes widened in astonishment, only to see Edgeworth's staring relentlessly into his, as his tongue explored Phoenix's mouth, a bittersweet taste left in it's wake. Edgeworth's embrace was firm but comfortable and his hand sneaked up the back of Phoenix's shirt, spearing a chill up his spine.

Then, as soon as it had begun, it was over. Edgeworth loosened his grip and dropped his head onto Phoenix's shoulder. Phoenix was paralyzed in shock, one arm around Edgeworth's back the one hand still clamped to the desk. Thoughts and questions jumped around in his mind, making them hard to catch. How? Why? Since when?

Gradually, he felt tears stain his jacket. Was Edgeworth...crying? In all the years Phoenix had known him, Edgeworth would never let one scrap of emotion escape him. Apart from, that was, the day he moved house...15 years ago...the next time they met after that was...now.

"M-Mitsu-Rugi..." soothed Phoenix, stroking his hair, Phoenix was still feeling helplessly shaky, so his other arm remained firmly on the desk top where a sweaty hand print was now forming on the waxed surface.

Edgeworth lifted his head from Phoenix's shoulder and straightened his suit, avoiding eye contact with Phoenix, he took a quick glance around the room and sat down on the sofa, residing tears still glistening on his cheeks. Phoenix joined him and they sat in silence, not an awkward silence, just comfortable enough for both of them. Then, like a stone dropped in a lake, the quiet was broken by Edgeworth's soft, dampened voice, "I missed you Phoenix."

Phoenix was stunned into a giddy silence with every syllable Edgeworth uttered. But as his shoulders started to shake, Phoenix hurriedly took his own blue jacket off and draped it around Edgeworth's shoulders. "I missed you too Miles." He comforted.