Chapter Text
Aboard the mighty blip is the location of a wedding. One not too big in terms of people. Nevertheless, the individuals present were still feeling pleasant being there. Currently, Phoenix Wright himself stood by his childhood friend, Miles Edgeworth, surveying the scenery. It was quite a flattering landscape, watching his past client and her fiancé, no, husband finally become happy together once more, despite the prattle coming from Larry Butz, another friend from childhood, and three women Phoenix has known for a while. The three ladies were currently chasing Larry around the blip for the bouquet of flowers. It was quite an amusing scene. Phoenix found himself chuckling and full of joy. Everyone’s looking safe and happy.
“It appears yet another natural and deserved ending has been obtained, Wright,” says words coming from behind Phoenix, making the man turn around. Miles stood seriously in front of him with a small but genuine smile. The gray haired man nods.
“It couldn’t have been done without you, Edgeworth,” he responds with a nod as well. “Working together to figure out the truth is just what we do.”
The two men share a sincere and silent look for a few seconds, before Miles moves to stand beside Phoenix, and the two share a moment to discover that Larry has been apprehended by Athena, while Ema and Maya are wrestling the bouquet out of Larry’s hands. Miles sighs in exasperation, his arms crossed. Phoenix only smiles, glancing to his left to watch his prosecutor friend seem as if he were having a migraine.
“I’m quite surprised to see that Larry hasn’t given up the bouquet,” he finds himself speaking. Miles perks up to listen intently. Phoenix crosses his arms, trying to keep his thoughts away from the fact that he is mirroring his friend’s pose. “Three women gaining on a man is bound to overwhelm him. Does he really want the meaning of the bouquet that bad?”
“That halfwit to this day cannot find a companion, but for good reason,” Miles comments.
“He really needs to get his attitude and ego together if he really wants to get a girlfriend and settle down,” Phoenix says. “Larry really scared me when I first met Ellen. I really thought he and her were getting married.” He manages to get a soft breath of amusement from the man in red next to him as both continue to watch the scene in front of them. Larry is now rocking back and forth from pain caused by the women and crying, and the three women responsible are wrestling on the ground for the bouquet. Now, Phoenix is quite worried as he breaks out with a small sweat. “Uh, should we stop them?”
Miles shakes his head, and that was that. Phoenix gapes as Maya manages to squeeze her arms through Athena’s legs and grab onto the bouquet currently in Ema’s hands. She pulls the flowers out, but not before Athena’s legs tighten and capture Maya’s arms in her hold. The young lawyer twists around, making Maya let go of the bouquet. However, it somehow manages to fly out of her hands.
“Wait, I’ve got it!” Athena cries, jumping but failing to grip it as a result of Ema tackling the other. Maya gets up from the ground and runs. The bouquet leaves a few petals on the other two girls on the floor.
Phoenix can only jaw drop as he realizes the bouquet is flying his way, and his hands move up in reflex to catch the flowers, making them land in his grip. Perfectly, as if he were the bride. Everyone stops and freezes, including Maya in her run, and even the lovely couple who were just spouting lovely compliments at each other. Phoenix twitches with awkwardness. “U-Uh…”
Ellen shouts in excitement. “Mr. Wright! Even after all that, you manage to capture the bouquet. Perhaps it’s fate, and you’re next in line!”
“W-What about me?” Larry cries on the floor, albeit a bit exaggeratedly.
“It would be quite an honor if you were to marry,” Sorin nods with a smile. “You deserve happiness as well, after all. We hope this blessing grants you a love that will last for eternity.”
“Uhm, thank you…” Phoenix answers. Maya walks up to Phoenix, not attempting to take the bouquet, but instead observing Phoenix’s face.
“Everything okay, Nick? Your face is blank,” the spirit medium asks. Athena and Ema then get up from the floor, as well as Larry after a few moments. Athena runs over and slaps a hand over Maya’s shoulder.
“Mr. Wright and marriage? That’s never crossed my mind before!” she shouts excitedly. Everyone else, however, seems to read the atmosphere, and are staring at Phoenix with concern. The man in question is merely staring at the bouquet in silence.
Marriage..? Love..? Is that…even something close to possible? Phoenix thinks. His eyes suddenly widen as he realizes people are staring, and his hands drop the bouquet. “I-I’m fine!” he exclaims. His hand goes behind his neck and he laughs. “It just surprised me, that’s all. B-But you can take the bouquet, Maya.”
Maya glances down, but she shakes her head and continues to look at Phoenix worriedly. “It’s unusual for you to go into your head like that.”
Miles places a hand on Phoenix’s shoulder. “What’s wrong, Wright?” Phoenix did not realize that Miles was still there, startling him, but he chuckles while putting his hand down, the answer coming very easily.
“It’s as I said,” his voice controlled like a remote car, his own brain not connecting with his words. “I didn’t expect the bouquet to just fly at me like that. Wouldn’t you like it instead, Athena?”
Said girl shined at the prospect. Her hand goes up into a salute. “Yes, Mr. Wright!” she says, obliviously crouching down to pick up the flowers.
Phoenix continues to smile and watch his subordinate, and the wedding continues on. However, he knows Maya and Miles are staring at him, knowing he was lying, and obviously hiding something.
Later on, the group are sitting down at a table, enjoying some talks and food together like a family on Thanksgiving. People gave speeches, and Phoenix watches with warmth in his heart for the people around him. His own speech was a bit off, but true and reassuring for the couple nonetheless. He still got a couple of looks from Maya and Miles once in a while, before their attention kept being diverted. Phoenix was trying to smile constantly, knowing this day was indeed a good one, and everyone he loved was having fun and was safe.
Suddenly, a ringtone goes off. The table is a bit too loud for everyone on the table to hear, so the chatter continues. Only the people next to Phoenix, who were Miles and Athena, could hear the phone that was buzzing in Phoenix’s pocket. He stands up and takes it out.
“Sorry, I have to take this real quick,” he says, before scurrying off, leaving his subordinate and friend in confusion.
Phoenix runs to the bathroom, and he presses the answer button. “This is Phoenix Wright.”
“…Feenie?”
“I…Iris?!” Phoenix straightens his back at the revelation. He stares at the sink, a bit nervous for some reason. “What’s up?”
“...I’m good. Uhm, I’ve continued working at the Hazakura temple. I don’t believe much has changed.”
“Right, uh…”
“Y-You see, I wanted to contact you, because I have something I’ve been…wanting to get off my chest. Something I want to ask, now that I believe…now that I believe I am at least worthy, even if by the tiniest bit.”
“...Go ahead.”
“Feenie, uhm…I’m…I’ve been in love with you.”
“...” Phoenix feels his legs give out. He drops to the floor and falls on his arse. It hurts, but the pain is silent. Phoenix’s mind attempts to comprehend what he heard. “Y-Yes…I believe I remember hearing that.”
“Phoenix. Would you mind if we went out? Just the two of us? On a date?” Iris asks, sounding extremely shy and uncertain.
Her voice mirrors how Phoenix has felt the entire call, but the words don’t process in Phoenix’s brain. Date? he asks himself. “As in…romantically?” he asks.
“Yes,” Iris replies. “I’m sorry it’s so sudden, and…very late. I was hoping that I could ask again once I felt I’d repented enough of my sins. I have…quite a lot. If…if it is not an issue, I’d like to ask that we’d meet again, and for us to attempt a romantic relationship. I want to treat you better. And genuinely.”
It hits Phoenix hard then. Multiple thoughts flew through him, scrambling and blurring his sight. He holds his head with the hand not holding the phone and closes his eyes. “I…” he tries, but the words trail off, and he feels his throat clog. Should he say yes? This…He never believed…Anyone would…But…
“No one would love you. Why, it’s quite unfortunate, but it’s true.”
But…who was that again?
But…they’re right…aren’t they? It’s been proven to me, again…and again…and again…
If I want to keep people, and I have them now…they can’t…know me…They’ll always…hate me…
…
“Iris.”
“Yes, Feenie.”
“...Don’t. Ever. Speak to me again.” It hurts to speak, but Phoenix does what he can best. Bluff, and hold in the tightening in his chest. He pretends his breathing isn’t being held to hide the fact he’s panicking and hurting. His fists clench, and he waits for her response.
“I understand.” Is all she says, before she hangs up.
Phoenix only sits in absolute quiet. He hears the whirring of the blip. He hears the distant happy conversations. What was making him warm and positive inside is now making him afraid and shaky. His breathing is quiet, but deep and shaky. His hands are trembling as he holds onto the bathroom sink to weakly pull himself up.
“What are you saying, Wright..?” he asks himself aloud. “S-She said she loves you, so what are you…” But he shakes his head. It was genuine, but was it really? Am I deluding myself again? Am I hanging by a thread? Am I desperate?
“...I can’t be wrong. It’s been proven. It’s a given.” Phoenix mumbles, hands fidgeting as he slouches against the counter, his eyes closed and in thought. “Sorry, Iris.” He shakes his head, almost enough to give himself a headache, and prepares to leave towards the table where his friends are at again.
When he finds himself at the table, everyone is laughing. It makes Phoenix laugh too, despite the small pang in his chest that he fully chooses to ignore. “What’s happening?” he asks.
“Maya was telling us about the time her older sister had dealt with a silly client, Mr. Wright!” Athena exclaims with a grin. “It was a murder trial, and the defendant was described as a real nutjob!”
Phoenix arches an eyebrow and sits down. “I feel as though most clients would be when accused of murder.”
Maya giggles, and places both hands flat against the table. “But this client stood out to sis the most! She said he was an ugly crier, and sick on the day of the trial, so it was difficult to handle him!” Phoenix’s heart drops. No way. “Also! He was so in love with the actual murderer that he ate his glass necklace with some poison inside! Can you believe how crazy that is?!”
“The things you do for love…” Ellen sighs with a smile, but then frowns. “He must have been heartbroken to have his lover convicted and sentenced to death.”
Phoenix’s jaw drops, and he started to sweat profusely.
Ema speaks up. “In addition, she mentioned how loud his coughs were that they echoed through the entire room. I wonder if his immune system was doing okay.”
I have a bad immune system in general, but thanks.
“If I had a lover like that, I would have laughed a lot!” Maya snorts. “I mean, that kind of man is definitely not my type, and I’m sure lots of women would agree. In addition, it is quite stupid of him to swallow glass, but Mia was still able to solve the case, luckily.”
“I wonder if he ever dated again,” Athena says aloud, hand on her chin.
No, I didn’t.
“I mean, probably not?” Ellen said. “If he was that attached, you’d think it’d scare off everyone he liked.”
“My love, that is quite rude…” Sorin tells his bride.
“Oh- I’m sorry! That probably was really mean!” Ellen panics. “I bet it’s not true! I really hope that he is doing okay.”
And that, your honor, hit directly where it hurts.
“Hey, Nick? Are you sure you’re okay?” Maya asks. “You really have been quiet this whole time, and it’s bothering me. Usually you’d give a quip or two on how immature I am for trash-talking defendants like this.”
Miles is also giving him a deep piercing stare. Phoenix is keeping his expression firm, as to not give anything away, but he knows that eventually his friends will face him directly when alone. He just does not want to be confronted right now.
How would they feel, if they knew that that client was me?
“It was me,” he states in a professional manner.
“What was that, Nicky?” Larry asks loudly.
“I was the client Mia dealt with that day,” he declares to them. Might as well give a shocking revelation for them. Maybe they’ll hate him. Maybe not. Either way, it does not change the inevitable.
The entire table is not speaking a word, before breaking out into a riot.
“What!? N-n-n-n-n-nick! You were the one who ate a glass necklace with poison inside? For a girl?!” Maya screeches.
“I-I’m sorry for commenting on your immune system!” Ema asserts.
“I’m sorry for saying rude things about you!” Ellen bellows.
“It’s fine,” he tells them with a sheepish laugh. “It was over a decade ago, anyway.”
“I was not aware you dated when we were in our twenties,” Miles remarks to Phoenix. “However, I was quite surprised to hear that Ms. Fey was your teacher. She was a respectable defense attorney. I had always wondered how you managed to meet.” Phoenix smirks at this.
“Respectable? I believe you lost to her, Edgeworth.”
“Hmph.”
“I’m shocked I never knew you were the defendant, Nick!” Maya says. “You always gave me a hint of your goofy nature, with how obviously fake your ‘put together’ act is, but I didn’t know your younger years were that extreme!”
“I uh…Was just being attached to someone, someone I shouldn’t have been attached to,” he responds, before realizing that his answer was a bit heavy for this event. He places a hand behind his neck immediately and laughs, a bit too loud. “It’s unfortunate but that’s all in the past now, right?! I think we should definitely begin with the dance now!” I was too loud, wasn’t I?
“Nick…” Maya is staring at Phoenix, now seriously concerned, but everyone else somehow buys his fake-out and gets up to go to the dance floor. She walks up to him. “We’re talking about this.”
“...Don’t talk to me.”
“..! Nick!-”
“Hey, Edgeworth!”
Phoenix speed walks to his friend. Miles is already staring at Phoenix, and Phoenix then knows he’s absolutely screwed.
“We’re having a talk when this wedding is over,” the prosecutor sternly tells him. Maya walks over and nods angrily, crossing her arms. “You’re worrying Ms. Fey, and me as well, Wright. You’ve been extremely off ever since catching the bouquet.”
“It’s none of your business, really.” Phoenix attempts to harshly cut off. Maya slaps him, shocking him and making him widely stare at the spirit medium. Miles is also extremely shocked, and steps forward to place an arm between them.
“I don’t believe that was necessary…” Miles mumbles.
“Nick, you’re such a jerk,” Maya growls. Phoenix’s eyes widen, and he holds his cheek. “We’ve known each other for so long, but it’s as if I don’t know anything about you! Other than trials and eating out, and talking about our friends, I don’t even think I know your favorite color.”
The woman is tearing up, and suddenly an ice cold water bucket is dumped on him.
“When Edgeworth disappeared, I knew you were sad. I knew it hurt! You stared into space and were extremely aggressive when handling evidence during investigations, but you never voiced it…” Maya tugs her sleeve and gives him a look so painful he wants to cry. “I felt so useless every day… You sometimes seemed disheveled but you’re so damn good at acting that I had to dismiss it. You ate less and slept less! You looked so serious. And when Edgeworth came back you were furious, as if a switch flipped because you never let out those feelings beforehand!”
“Wright, I’ve known you long enough to know you are a big actor,” Miles chimes in, stepping close and speaking steadily. “Even as kids you never were one who said everything you felt, but only how much you cared about that imbecile and I. I know how it feels to not want to speak to…anyone. However, someone like you, who cares so deeply, would need that conversation. After losing your job, you were the same way as well, if even worse. You need to tell someone.”
“I-I thought we were friends, Nick! So why whenever something terrible happens and I know you’re sad, I never hear about it?!”
The outburst from Maya turned into screams by the end of it. Maya is crying, and Phoenix is stumped, frozen, and silent. Miles is stern and assessing both Maya and Phoenix. His own eyebrows are furrowing in emotional pain. The dancers are blasting music so loud on the dance floor, far enough from the table that no one had heard. Phoenix is staring down at his shoes when he realizes.
“I…I really am a jerk,” he tells himself breathily, knowing his friends didn’t hear him over the jazzy pieces blasting in the room. Why did I think I even deserved this? Just because I saved someone. Shouldn’t that be natural? Just because they deserve love doesn’t mean I do. I… Phoenix begins to shake. He feels a hesitant hand on his arm. Phoenix walks backwards.
He looks up at his friends. Maya was teary and seeming angry, but her expression turns into shock and worry. Miles was concerned, and it only deepened when seeing him. He was crying, like a child. He already told himself he’d never do that again. Not when he became a lawyer. But here he is, sobbing and making waterfalls. His hands are stiff at his sides, and his eyes close, eager to not look at his friends. He wants to run, but he can’t. He can only hear loud jazz music, and feel warm, heavy tears run down his face, snot making it hard to breathe. He shakes his head.
“I-I’m f-fie- …’M fine!” he shouts. “It’s just this we-wedding is so…so sweet…” He lets out a wet laugh that made his friends wince. He finally wipes his eyes with his sleeve, but more drops fall down. “Sh-shit…I…” I never wanted to feel like this again.
“Wright.” Someone grabs his arm again, and through his blurry tears he sees Miles holding his forearm. He turns to Maya. “...We shall head to the facilities.”
Maya hesitates, wiping her own eyes, but nods gently. She softly places a hand on Phoenix’s arm and rubs. “Hey, it’s okay, Nick. I don’t hate you.”
For some reason it makes Phoenix cry more, and Miles urges Phoenix to follow him. He turns his head back as Miles pulls him along to look at Maya.
She looks more concerned than she has all day.
I’m sorry, Maya.