Late

It was around three in the morning when Miles finally heard the latch of the door clicking. He slowly got up, rubbing sleep from his eyes, and went to welcome Wright and tell him about his night taking care of that sweet, sweet girl, as well as ask him why he came by so late.

He did not expect, however, Wright to barge in and completely barrel into him, nearly knocking him to the floor.

"Wright!" he yelled, offuscated. "What the hell do you think you're doing?!"

"Oh... Shit... 'm sorry Miles... Didn't meanta... Hic!"

Miles froze. Wright had never called him by his first name except that time he got really drunk when he managed to overturn Miles' conviction. Which meant that he was probably really drunk at that moment. Miles' expression immediately softened, and he slightly raised his arms as if to calm down a scared animal.

"Wright... Did you drink?"

Wright blinked sluggishly and nodded.

"Just a lil'... 'get the edge off.. Hic!"

Miles frowned and looked away. He slowly, hesitantly grabbed Wright's arms and led him to the couch. Wright blinked confusedly at him.

"Stay here. I will grab you painkillers."

Miles left to the kitchen, taking care to hide the trembling in his hands. Wright wasn't supposed to be like that. Wright was supposed to be happy and smiling and... And...

"Miles? Y'good?" came Wright's voice from the living room.

Miles blinked and came back to his senses. He was gripping the sink with strength he didn't know he had, and he felt sick to his stomach.

"Ah..." he raised his voice so Wright could hear him. "Yes, I'm just trying to find the painkillers. I'll be right there."

Miles hurriedly grabbed one or two painkillers and a glass of water, and composed himself with a deep breath.

Wright was sitting on the couch, head in his hands, expression utterly void of any emotion. Miles stopped and stared at him, feeling his heart break little by little. He waited until Wright raised his head and offered up the medication.

"Trucy is truly..."

"A nightmare?" Wright smirked.

"A lovely child," Miles responded, tilting his head in amusement. "She is truly talented and kind. Like her father."

Wright's eyes widened.

"You knew Zak Gramarye?!" He sounded amazed. Miles cleared his throat.

"Right. Zak Grimoire. Talented magician, yes," lied Miles.

Wright looked at him for a second before taking the painkillers and slumping back against the couch with a groan. Miles sat down beside him silently. He didn't speak to or even look towards him, so they stayed in silence for a few minutes.

"I should be leaving, then," said Miles suddenly, standing up.

Wright's hand came up and grabbed his wrist, and Miles almost gasped. Almost. Wright pulled him back into the couch.

"Mmm... It's late, Edgeworth... You could get hurt on the highway..."

Miles could feel Wright's thumb rubbing against his pulse point. His hand felt like lead, and he felt it impossible to leave now.

"I'll get the couch ready for ya... Hic!"

"I can do it myself, Wright, really..."

"Yeah... 'course you can.... but I'm the host, right?"

"Really..."

They bickered on for a bit before Wright yawned, still holding onto Miles' wrist. Miles was about to chide him once more until he felt a warm breath against his shoulder.

Wright had fallen asleep — or more properly put, completely passed out — right against Miles.

Oh no.

Meeting Them

Miles cleared his throat as he waited for that man to open the door. He fidgeted slightly with the box in his hand. Was it too much? Would the child not like it? He didn't even know her... Would Wright find it tacky? Would--

"Edgeworth..."

Miles nearly dropped the box when Wright opened the door. Nothing could have ever prepared him for... that...

Wright was not the same person as before. Stubble dotted his chin, his sharp blue suit and relatively good posture were replaced by a hoodie and a shrimp-like spine, and his lively eyes were dull and dead... Not to mention the stench of alcohol that radiated off of him. Miles' nose wrinkled involuntarily.

Wright scratched his head.

"Look, really, thank you for coming so late, and I'm sorry to bother you..."

Miles said nothing, his face carefully blank to avoid inconveniencing Phoenix further.

"Y-yeah, never mind, uhm... Come in. Trucy's washing her teeth right now, uh... Yeah, I should probably tell you the rules or something..."

"That would be best, yes..."

Miles saw how Wright seemingly startled at his voice, but made no comment on it and instead looked around the house. It was messy, full of random nick-knacks everywhere. After all, that child, Trucy, was the daughter of a magician...

"Ah... So... bedtime is at 8:30pm, no sweets after washing her teeth, and... Please try to listen to her if she starts rambling about her magic tricks. She's still... She still misses her dad, y'know?"

"Mhmm. Is it okay if I brought her a gift?"

Wright fully stopped at that, eyes wide as saucers.

"You what?"

"I bought her a gift," muttered Miles, very much embarrassed.

But he wasn't embarrassed for long. Because Wright suddenly laughed. Genuinely laughed. An actual chuckle of surprise with a small glint in his dulled eyes.

"Oh my god, Edgeworth, you didn't have to! You sap..."

His voice trailed off just as a very energetic blur darted from the bathroom.

"Papa! Papa! I washed my teeth real good, right? Look!"

A small girl was clinging to Wright's knees now, smiling widely. Wright's expression softened instantly, a myriad of emotions flashing through his eyes. It was almost beautiful to see...

Wright lowered himself to the girl's level and tucked some hair behind her ear.

"Yes... You're awesome, Trucy... Look, auntie Maya's not available to babysit you today..."

"Aweee...."

"I know, I know, sorry..... But.... Someone else came to help! Do you want to meet him?"

The little girl nodded and tucked herself right against Wright's side before looking up at Miles. Miles froze. That little girl was absolutely adorable, eyes wide as she looked up at him. And yet... Miles saw no fear in them, as he often saw with kids. In fact, she grinned!

"Papa! Papa, is that that Mister Edgey-worth you keep talking about?!"

Both Miles and Wright went beet red at those words. Wright cleared his throat and patted her on the head.

"Ahah... Truce, don't go out sharing your dad's deepest darkest secrets yeah? Ahem... But yes, that's Mr. Edgeworth, yeah."

"And he wants to babysit ME?!"

Goodness, Miles thought. What was Wright telling her about him for her to have such an exciting reaction? Most children usually feared him, but this girl was looking at him in pure wonder. Miles hesitantly nodded, and the girl squealed in glee. Wright smiled and gestured for her to walk up to Miles, who awkwardly held out the gift box.

"Oh my gosh, oh my gosh! Thank you! A deck of cards! Look, Papa! I have a new deck of cards!"

Wright grimaced.

"That, you do... It's only... you 34th deck..."

"Oh," whispered Miles. "My apologies, I didn't mean to buy something you already had-"

"Thank you!" Trucy had already thrown her little arms around Miles' knees. She looked just like Kay... Miles' expression softened and he picked her up in his arms.

Wright huffed at that.

"Well, she's got a new favourite uncle. She never lets Larry pick her up like that."

Miles blushed harshly and looked away.

"Either way, have fun... And thank you."

Wright patted Miles's shoulder, and his touch seemed to linger just a second too long.

To Make an Omelette...

It was early the next morning when Miles woke up. He had decided to let Wright rest against him the night prior, mostly because he didn't think he could carry a drunk passed out Wright up the stairs and into his room. He hadn't really expected to be able to fall asleep in that position, however, much less wake up with that man's arms wrapped tightly around his waist.

Dear Lord, what was wrong with that man... Would he ever let Miles' heart rest?

He slowly and disgracefully wriggles out of Wright's grip and heads to the kitchen, getting ready to make breakfast. He heard little steps pitter-pattering on the steps; Trucy was making her way down the stairs.

"Mr Edgeworth!" she exploded into the kitchen, breathless. "Mr Edgeworth! I knew you wouldn't leave, even if you said you would last night! Papa told me that even if you were really grumpy, he could always count on you! And I was counting on you to take care of my papa, even when I couldn't."

Miles' expression softened. He felt sad that Trucy felt the need to take care of her new father so vehemently. She was just a child, after all. A child who had lost so much already... He lowered himself to Trucy's level to speak with her.

"Thank you, Trucy. Do you... Does your father take care of you as well?" he asked, rather indelicately.

"MHMM! He's the best! Sure, I have to make money for us both, and I have to take care of him when he gets a little fuzzy with his adult juice, but... But he loves me. He's never jealous of my first Papa, he always tells me he's joking when he complains, he learned to braid hair all pretty for me, he goes to all of my magic shows, he always tries to get me the best food, when we don't have enough, he lets me have it, he ALWAYS always tucks me in and kisses me goodnight when he's here, and he always wears the bracelet I gave him! He also takes care of my booboos and even helped me with my tooth! He's even more nice than my first Papa!"

Miles blinked at the tirade Trucy had just spat out. Then, he laughed. He should have known Wright would be the best father he possibly could to Trucy, even if he looked... Different. Although that last bit about being "nicer than her first Papa" slightly worried him

"Well, I can guarantee that your father loves you very much. And that he's very, very tired right now. So... How about we cook as quietly as possible?"

"We?" Trucy's eyes widened in pure joy. "I get to cook?"

"If you want to."

Miles smiled warmly as Trucy scrambled onto the counter top. He went to fetch some eggs, something warm yet bittersweet making its way to his chest. His own father used to cook with him, back before...

"What do you think about omelettes, Trucy?"

"Yay! Omelettes!"

Unbeknownst to both of them, Phoenix had already woken up by that time (hard not to with such a loudly happy little girl). He had sat up and rubbed his eyes, head pounding. He had definitely overdone it, drinking with Olga and the others at the Borscht Bowl the night prior. God, what would Edgeworth think... He didn't do anything embarrassing... Right?

And yet, as he made his way to the kitchen, he didn't regret contacting Edgeworth after a year of silence. Not when Phoenix could see him smiling, face smeared with eggs as Trucy vigorously whipped the ingredients for an omelette.

For once, everything felt right again.

Chapter I - A Call from Him

Chapter II - Meeting Them

Chapter III - Late

Chapter IV - To Make an Omelette...

Chapter V -

A Call From Him

A year.

It had been a year since that man had talked to him.

And he couldn't blame him. They barely spoke out of arguments in court or investigations. And it wasn't like he had reached out to that man after the disbarment... But what could that man even want with him?

Miles Edgeworth, demon prosecutor, going to bother Phoenix Wright and remind him of all he has lost, right after vowing to change the law for the better? As miss Maya Fey would put it... Yeah, right.

And yet, Miles couldn't help but feel worried about him, even (though it was very embarrassing to admit it) losing sleep over it more than once. That man was alone with a new child with only miss Maya Fey and Larry Butz as help, and he had lost one of the most important parts of his identity, his attorney's badge. As much as he liked to smile through the pain, no one can last so long.

At least he had others who cared for him...

Miles was shaken out of his thoughts by his cellphone. He quickly cleaned up the tea he spilled as he startled and answered the phone without looking at the caller.

"Hey, uh... Edgeworth?" came someone's voice. It was a man, late twenties to early thirties if Miles had to guess, but their voice was sad, laden with... Guilt?

"Hello. Who is it?"

"Ah..." The presumed man stopped for a second, cleared their throat, then started again. "It's... It's Phoenix... Phoenix Wright..."

Miles nearly dropped his phone. Oh no. That couldn't be! Wright's voice should be full of life, laughter, a sardonic comment or two, not... That!

"E-Edgeworth? Is this a bad time? I'm sorry, it wasn't anything important anyw--"

"No."

Miles realized belatedly that his tone might've been too forceful, so he started once more, his voice (hopefully) softer.

"No, this isn't a bad time, Wright. Did you need something?"

Wright sighed, then chuckled. It wasn't his usual happy giggle, or the sarcastic laughter he gave miss Fey when she asked him to pay for their burgers. It was darker, more worn.

"Well... This is going to sound really stupid, but I need someone to babysit Trucy for me tonight, and Maya's away for some training... And you know I can't trust Larry with my child and my home."

That earned him an amused huff from Miles. He couldn't help but tease back.

"And you're sure you can trust me with those two responsibilities?"

"... ... Yes." Wright's voice was serious. "I'm sure. B-but I get it if you're uncomfortable... After all, it's not... You're not good with kids and all..."

"When do you need me there?"

"Huh?"

"When do you need me there, Wright?"

"W-well in about thirty minutes. But, really..."

Miles had hung up. He hurriedly grabbed his keys, his phone, his wallet, his extra jabot (one never knew with kids) and darted out of the door. His head felt out of order, a revolting mess of emotions that he needed to get under control before he arrived at that man's apartment.

Joy, fear, trepidation, sadness... Goodness, something was wrong with him. But that had to wait for later. Wright had asked him for help after a year of silence, and he could not let this opportunity slide.

Because yes, Miles Edgeworth was selfish. He was still only focused on Wright needing him, even when he knew it was wrong and that he should worry more about Wright's mental state, but he couldn't help it.

Wright needed him. He trusted him with his child...