Finding Equilibrium
Dec. 15th, 2024 01:29 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
madimpossibledreamerMain Points:
Ace Attorney Soulmate AU
Chapter Summary: Phoenix is doing a little better, knowing that Miles is actually alive. That's not saying much.
Word Count: 930
Rating: Teen
Pairing: pre-Wright/Edgeworth
Spoilers: The entirety of the first game and some pretty important spoilers for the second and third
Admittedly, Phoenix has been thinking about all the romantic implications of finally getting through to his Linked and making the first steps on this new exciting development and…
He can’t bring himself to share any of this. It’s become like a mantra. Miles Edgeworth has been through enough. Phoenix Wright is not going to be a burden. Phoenix has to get through this on his own because Miles, for his part, isn’t holding much of anything back, for once, allowing emotions and surface impressions to diffuse through the Link, and he’s definitely struggling, but he’s also trying. He is doing better, even if some days he doesn’t feel as if any of it is worth it.
Phoenix doesn’t want to quench any of that, and while he should know better than to listen to Dahlia’s words, he can’t entirely help it. Miles is sharp, though, and he’d catch on if Phoenix pulled away entirely, so he’s sharing small details, griping about the Paynes or sharing his enjoyment of the pastries Maya brought because she’d walked past a bakery that one time. And then his frustration when he realized that she used his money. Again. (He does share the entire amnesia thing, mostly because he doesn’t have a clue of what he should or should not be doing when it comes to his Link, and at least then he didn’t have anything too difficult for Miles to work through. It’s fascinating, looking back on it, Miles having walked him through the basics as he goes and even giving him small praise, because it’s maybe a glimpse into what Miles Edgeworth, Defense Attorney would have looked like, and Edgeworth had done a magnificent job compartmentalizing and not having a complete mental breakdown until after it was all over. Miles is...uncharacteristically kind, when he says that Phoenix could absolutely have done all of it on his own, but he appreciates it anyway.)
He also files the paperwork about Linked Status to the court. He doesn’t really feel like taking that step; it’s weird and private, but it’s maybe a good sign that Edgeworth might actually be coming back eventually after all, that Miles pushes for that, so he listens.
He’d done such a good job, which is why he’s caught by surprise by Maya’s kidnapping and all his mental walls just crumble.
“Wright. Phoenix. Breathe with me,” he finally hears through the Link.
Miles is still being way too nice, and he’s doing a decent job projecting an air of confidence and control, but Phoenix can feel the trace of uncertainty and worry. It’d been impressive enough when it seemed like he knew what he was doing, but actually getting to see behind the scenes just makes it that much more humbling.
“Is there something I can do to help?” That’s...also wild. He offers that like he’s done it before, like it’s casual and not some big thing.
“Oh, uh.” He...wants to tell Miles, but no, he can’t, the guy isn’t even in the country. Fortunately, there’s an easy explanation right there. “We were just minding our business at the Gatewater and there’s been another murder. Why does this keep happening?”
Edgeworth’s instant response is another thought very much like an exclamation point, but he collects himself almost immediately after. It’s a useful trick. It’d be nice if Phoenix knew how to do that. He’s trying, but it’s not really clear how much is leaking through. “You shouldn’t be there,” is his next thought. It’s unclear if he meant to send that, or just didn’t bother hiding it.
Phoenix very much wants to ask why, but he doesn’t. “Will Powers invited us. You saying you wouldn’t have gone?”
It is kind of adorable that Miles gets a little envious, and he doesn’t bother hiding that, either. “...I probably would have begged for a rain check. There’s an investigation going on in the Gatewater at this point in time.” So he has actually been involved, still, through Gumshoe. Phoenix had wondered that.
“What kind of investigation? Is it related to the murder?” Maybe he can get some useful information without bugging the prosecution, since Miles is still in Germany...
“I’m afraid I can’t share that information at the moment.” It’s a little amused, but still firm. So much for collaborating with the defense. “I have changed, Wright, and I hope to show you the results of my year abroad soon.”
That’s not exactly what he’d been implying. “I’ve gotten a few glimpses of that, here and there. And it’s not—I am proud of you.”
Apparently that’s enough to make Miles flustered, and maybe that’s just what he needs to keep him from noticing anything. Gumshoe is on it, and directing him is the only thing Miles would be doing if he knew, so…
And then his attention wanders off. A subordinate, someone with information about an investigation he’s running. “I’m sorry, Wright—”
“No, don’t apologize! It’s fine. I know you’re busy and I appreciate that you took time out of your day to help me, so...go get ‘em.” And maybe, after this is all over, they can trade storied about the respective cases they won, and Maya will be fine. It’ll all be fine. He’s just got to keep it together until then. That’s all.
Ace Attorney Soulmate AU
Chapter Summary: Phoenix is doing a little better, knowing that Miles is actually alive. That's not saying much.
Word Count: 930
Rating: Teen
Pairing: pre-Wright/Edgeworth
Spoilers: The entirety of the first game and some pretty important spoilers for the second and third
Miles Edgeworth has been through enough. Phoenix Wright is not going to be a burden. Not when Edgeworth is struggling through an existential crisis and the aftermath of a mental health crisis, too. Phoenix might be weak and occasionally a coward, but he can muddle through somehow.
Admittedly, Phoenix has been thinking about all the romantic implications of finally getting through to his Linked and making the first steps on this new exciting development and…
He can’t bring himself to share any of this. It’s become like a mantra. Miles Edgeworth has been through enough. Phoenix Wright is not going to be a burden. Phoenix has to get through this on his own because Miles, for his part, isn’t holding much of anything back, for once, allowing emotions and surface impressions to diffuse through the Link, and he’s definitely struggling, but he’s also trying. He is doing better, even if some days he doesn’t feel as if any of it is worth it.
Phoenix doesn’t want to quench any of that, and while he should know better than to listen to Dahlia’s words, he can’t entirely help it. Miles is sharp, though, and he’d catch on if Phoenix pulled away entirely, so he’s sharing small details, griping about the Paynes or sharing his enjoyment of the pastries Maya brought because she’d walked past a bakery that one time. And then his frustration when he realized that she used his money. Again. (He does share the entire amnesia thing, mostly because he doesn’t have a clue of what he should or should not be doing when it comes to his Link, and at least then he didn’t have anything too difficult for Miles to work through. It’s fascinating, looking back on it, Miles having walked him through the basics as he goes and even giving him small praise, because it’s maybe a glimpse into what Miles Edgeworth, Defense Attorney would have looked like, and Edgeworth had done a magnificent job compartmentalizing and not having a complete mental breakdown until after it was all over. Miles is...uncharacteristically kind, when he says that Phoenix could absolutely have done all of it on his own, but he appreciates it anyway.)
He also files the paperwork about Linked Status to the court. He doesn’t really feel like taking that step; it’s weird and private, but it’s maybe a good sign that Edgeworth might actually be coming back eventually after all, that Miles pushes for that, so he listens.
He’d done such a good job, which is why he’s caught by surprise by Maya’s kidnapping and all his mental walls just crumble.
“Wright. Phoenix. Breathe with me,” he finally hears through the Link.
Miles is still being way too nice, and he’s doing a decent job projecting an air of confidence and control, but Phoenix can feel the trace of uncertainty and worry. It’d been impressive enough when it seemed like he knew what he was doing, but actually getting to see behind the scenes just makes it that much more humbling.
“Is there something I can do to help?” That’s...also wild. He offers that like he’s done it before, like it’s casual and not some big thing.
“Oh, uh.” He...wants to tell Miles, but no, he can’t, the guy isn’t even in the country. Fortunately, there’s an easy explanation right there. “We were just minding our business at the Gatewater and there’s been another murder. Why does this keep happening?”
Edgeworth’s instant response is another thought very much like an exclamation point, but he collects himself almost immediately after. It’s a useful trick. It’d be nice if Phoenix knew how to do that. He’s trying, but it’s not really clear how much is leaking through. “You shouldn’t be there,” is his next thought. It’s unclear if he meant to send that, or just didn’t bother hiding it.
Phoenix very much wants to ask why, but he doesn’t. “Will Powers invited us. You saying you wouldn’t have gone?”
It is kind of adorable that Miles gets a little envious, and he doesn’t bother hiding that, either. “...I probably would have begged for a rain check. There’s an investigation going on in the Gatewater at this point in time.” So he has actually been involved, still, through Gumshoe. Phoenix had wondered that.
“What kind of investigation? Is it related to the murder?” Maybe he can get some useful information without bugging the prosecution, since Miles is still in Germany...
“I’m afraid I can’t share that information at the moment.” It’s a little amused, but still firm. So much for collaborating with the defense. “I have changed, Wright, and I hope to show you the results of my year abroad soon.”
That’s not exactly what he’d been implying. “I’ve gotten a few glimpses of that, here and there. And it’s not—I am proud of you.”
Apparently that’s enough to make Miles flustered, and maybe that’s just what he needs to keep him from noticing anything. Gumshoe is on it, and directing him is the only thing Miles would be doing if he knew, so…
And then his attention wanders off. A subordinate, someone with information about an investigation he’s running. “I’m sorry, Wright—”
“No, don’t apologize! It’s fine. I know you’re busy and I appreciate that you took time out of your day to help me, so...go get ‘em.” And maybe, after this is all over, they can trade storied about the respective cases they won, and Maya will be fine. It’ll all be fine. He’s just got to keep it together until then. That’s all.
