Trials of Love (Phoenix Wright x Female Reader)

Chapter 13

I woke up slowly, my head heavy as I lifted it up. Taking a second to remember everything, I brushed my hair out of my face.

I was on a couch, in an unfamiliar apartment. I nearly jumped out of my skin when I heard Nick stir beside me. My face went red and I got up quietly, grabbing my purse, shoes, and phone before I rushed out, closing the door behind me softly.

'Shit, I fell asleep next to him!' I thought, my heart pounding out of my chest. I took a few deep breathes and left the building, speedwalking down the sidewalk in the dark, early dawn.

I wasn't paying attention when I collided with someone, flying back and nearly hitting my head on the pavement. I was helped up, still dazed, and focused slowly. I looked up and paused. "What are you doing out so early, Edgeworth?" I asked, surprised to see the red-clad prosecutor.

He adjusted his cravat, his expression stiff and cool as if it were carved from ice. "I would like to ask you the same question, Miss L/N. You seem to be coming from the direction that just so happens to be Phoenix's apartment." He said.

My face grew hot. "I-It's not what you might think, I s-swear!" I assured quickly, "I accidentally fell asleep while I was there, I was just keeping him company!"

He raised a brow. "Ah, yes, I'm sure it was an accident. Nevertheless, you shouldn't be out here this early alone. There is a high crime rate."

"Then what are you doing here?" I asked, suddenly nervous. He sighed, crossing his arms. "Well, I'm waiting for Detective Gumshoe. I lent him my car after I dropped you and Wright off, and he swore he'd be here to return it half an hour ago." He tapped his foot impatiently.

"Mmhm, that makes sense," I hummed, changing the subject, "Were you and, Larry, Nick friends back when you were children?"

"I suppose you could say that. I transferred away the year after I met him, but while we knew eachother, we got along decently." Edgeworth closed his eyes, remembering something.

The conversation was interrupted by the sound of a car sharply hitting the breaks. "Careful, Detective, my car is valuable!" Miles scolded, giving me a curt nod before getting in his car and driving off.

I sighed and turned, continuing my walk home. I felt more cautious than ever, after what Edgeworth said, but nothing was out of the norm. I finally arrived home, unlocking my door and stepping into my familiar room.

The smell of fresh paint and metal hit me. It was pleasant, knowing this old rickety building was finally repaired. But I had no time to enjoy it, I had to quickly get dressed and get changed into proper clothes.

I undressed and looked at myself in the mirror. My chest heaved, thoughts of Phoenix plaguing my mind. I quickly got dressed in more formal attire, a blue pencil skirt with a matching suit jacket and small red tie. I hummed tunelessly as I started up some coffee, letting it cool before I downed it in one gulped.

I glanced at the clock and left quickly, wanting to be early. Unfortunately, a certain someone got there before I did.

As soon as I stepped in, Phoenix stopped. There was an uncomfortable silence between us before he stood up and walked over to me, rubbing his neck nervously. "Thanks for last night, Y/N, I appreciate it. I suppose I was just a little scared that something would happen if I was alone." He sighed.

"White and that mafia woman are in jail, Nick, what would you be so worried about?" I asked, grabbing some paperwork and scanning through it.

"Well, I guess it wasn't really me I was worried about." He muttered, turning away. I looked up, raising a brow. "What, were you worried about me?" I asked.

He made a small, startled sound. "Urm, well, I uhm... Err..." He mumbled. I felt the tips of my ears warm up, "Why were you so worried about me? It's not like White or the woman can come after me, they're locked up. I don't have many enemies, White was really the only one."

"Vasquez, the mafia woman's name was Vasquez." He corrected, obviously hoping to change the subject.

"Whatever, my point still stands. I'm perfectly safe, Nick." I said, scribbling down my signature on one of the papers.

"But you aren't! No one is ever really, truly safe, Y/N, especially not in this city. I've had three murder cases in the span of a few months, and I'm not even the most requested defense attorney!" He seemed genuinely scared.

"Then why aren't you worrying over Maya? Or Edgeworth? Why me specifically?" I asked coolly, brushing a stray stand of hair out of my face.

He didn't respond, leaving the lobby and disappearing into his office quietly, his hands shaking. 'He's hiding something...' I instinctively thought, but continued my work nevertheless. He didn't speak to me for the rest of the day, his mind clearly on something else. I couldn't help but wonder what it was.