Chapter Text
It’s getting cool and windy. The sun was out for shorter periods of time. The tree leaves turned red, orange, yellow, brown. Plenty had fallen into Phoenix’s tiny yard. They wouldn’t bother to sweep them away, they never had before. A long time ago they heard all types of critters used fallen leaves as shelter. They didn’t know if it was true or not, but they liked to think it was. They’d like to imagine earthworms taking shelter from birds before burrowing back into the soil.
Trucy had already gone to school. But not before giving her father’s outfit a thumbs-up. She hugged their waist extra tight when she prepared to leave. “I love you, Daddy. I love you so much!” she said. There was pride and joy in her voice, the same kind Phoenix had for her. She wished them a great day and ran out the door to meet her classmate. Phoenix watched them walk off from their bedroom window, until they couldn’t see their little girl anymore.
Edgeworth texted them around lunch. He’d be there in ten minutes. Phoenix was already dressed. The sweater dress was a long-sleeved shift with a wide turtleneck. It’s a deep sepia brown, not their go-to color. But it still looked nice in Phoenix’s opinion. They styled it with a wide black belt to cinch their waist. Their tights, gloves, and homemade shawl were also black. It all matched their dark-colored contacts. And for once, they decided not to cover their freckles.
For the fifth time in an hour, Phoenix checked their reflection in the mirror. Not a spike was out of place, and their dress was perfectly straight. But they still felt the need to fuss about it all. They dragged a hand from the top of their chest down to their stomach. No matter how many times they touch, Phoenix can’t wrap their head around it. They’re not big enough for anything more than a sports bra, but… they’re still there. They had boobs. Curves, too, especially in the legs. It’s not a lot. The dress really helped.
A familiar pattern of knocks rapped against the front door. They hadn’t even noticed the sound of a car pulling up! Phoenix jumped, paced back and forth between the mirror and their bedroom door. “C-coming!” They shouted.
Truthfully, they rarely ever left the house in anything other than their baggy hoodie and bright blue beanie. And this was completely new. They weren’t going on a date. Edgeworth didn’t have a clue what was walking in on him. All he was expecting was a fun trip to the richer side of town after court. And Phoenix took the opportunity to dress up since they expected not to find any one who knew who they were. But now Edgeworth was here, and it’s started to set in that Phoenix is going out in public like this.
“Deep breaths, Phoenix Wright, deep breaths,” They soothed themself. They grabbed their cane and purse and headed downstairs. With one more deep breath, they gained control of their shaking fingers and unlocked the door.
“Good Aftern—” Edgeworth’s greeting died on his tongue. His eyes dropped to the dress, then fell even lower to Phoenix’s brown boots. Honestly, Phoenix never thought the prosecutor’s stern eyes could get so big. And they’ve him lose his patience in court.
“Hey,” they greeted back. Their stomach flip-flopped as Edgeworth gawked. At least he finally met their eyes again. “Um. How was the trial?”
The prosecutor’s mouth opened, then closed. He nodded and tried again. “Good.” Okay, he was cute like this. To think they could stun him into silence and make him blush with just the way they looked.
Wait, he was blushing… Well, that’s a good sign!
“Do you like it? The dress?” Edgeworth nodded again. No words this time, just another once-over. Phoenix fiddled with the skirt of their dress. “I wasn’t sure you would.”
“It’s a lovely dress.” Ah, finally got his tongue back. “You look. You look beautiful.”
Phoenix had half a mind to hide behind the door. They smiled again and tried to block it with their hand. “You’re not just saying that, are you?”
“I don’t have it in me to joke or lie right now, Wright. You’re very, very gorgeous.” He grabbed Phoenix’s hand as gently as he could. “Why now, though? I thought this was only supposed to be lunch and a walk around the plaza.”
“It’s still that. I just wanted to dress up.” Phoenix finally stepped outside and unlocked the door. They looked around for any sight of their neighbors, or anyone else. It was just the two of them. “And I wanted to be a worm.”
Edgeworth huffed. Phoenix let themself into the passenger side. By the time they placed their cane in the back seat, Edgeworth sat behind the steering wheel. “A worm,” he grumbled. With one more glance before driving off, he said, “Even a butterfly wouldn’t be an adequate comparison.”
Phoenix choked. “A-are you flirting with me?”
“I don’t have it in me to flirt either, Wright. I’m simply telling you, you’re too dazzling to be compared to any bug. However, if worms looked like you, I’d enjoy the sight of them more.”
Ah… now they can’t stop smiling. Their heart might not let up for the rest of the day. Who does Edgeworth think he is saying things like that?
“Honestly, I didn’t expect you to like it. I thought you were only into men. Or at least, more masculine people.”
“Very few women have caught my eye.”
“Really?”
“I’ve never approached them. And I never told anyone. But no one ever asked.”
When they stopped at a red light, Miles turned to them. “You assumed if you ever changed, it would automatically be something I disliked. I suppose it’s a reasonable assumption. But… the worm question is a very roundabout way to ask.”
“I wanted to be subtle! And I wanted to know if you’d still like me.”
Miles sighed. “You’re ridiculous.”
“Do you still like me, even though I’m a worm?”
“I adore you, Wright.” He exhaled, as if he’d been bottling it up for years and finally got to say it. “I already told you, nothing would change how I feel about you. The true question is: do you like yourself?”
Phoenix nodded vigorously. “Of course I do! I always hated being a man. It never felt right— I’m not a woman either, by the way. When I was younger that’s all I thought there was. I mean. Y’know, after that murder trial, no one ever wanted to talk to me again. I lost all my friends and I never spent any time online. Mia and I… had a conversation about how she was trans. And she told me I could start transitioning whenever I wanted. There were no rules and nobody should stop me. But then I got my badge. And I realized, as much as no one should stop me, I’d still be… discriminated against. I mean, Mia was. I felt like I’d be taken more seriously if I stayed the way I was. Even now I don’t feel too safe about it. What with my job and all. But at least I can hide it pretty well with baggy clothes and dim lighting, right?”
… They did not mean to let all that slip out. Had they ever talked that much about themself in one go? And so directly? It’s a little embarrassing. Edgeworth didn’t say a word. His face was hard to read. The rest of the drive was silent. It wasn’t until Edgeworth parked when he finally spoke.
“How should I refer to you, then? Did you want a different name?”
“No, I’m still Phoenix.” With a giddy smile, they clarified, “Your Phoenix, if you want.”
His pale hand was so warm against their cheek. They leaned into it, sighing deeply. “So long as I can be your Miles,” he offered.
Phoenix felt their entire being light up. “Ooh, what a steal! I’ve always wanted my very own Miles Edgeworth!”
It says a lot about how much he loves them when he throws his head back and guffaws. Or maybe it was a really good day in court today. Miles recomposed himself. “You’ve changed me too much, Phoenix. I fear I’m not even the person I was when we first met.” They assumed he meant when they were first adults. If they looked back in time, in ancient times (2000–2001), that Miles was the sweetest thing to Phoenix.
They kept joking in hopes he would laugh like that again. “You’ve become a worm!” Phoenix snaked their hands around Miles and smiled into his neck. “Don’t worry, I love you anyway.”
“Oh, enough with the worms!” Miles admonished him, but they still heard the amusement in his words. “But I love you too.”
When they finally left the car, Miles wrapped an arm around their shoulders, pulling them in. It caught Phoenix by surprise, made them freeze and hold their cane close. “By the way, Wright,” Miles whispered, “Mia was correct, no one should stop you from being you. And I promise, you can always be yourself with me. Your penchant for surpassing my expectations is exactly why I’m so fond of you.”
All Phoenix could do in response was smile and let their heart flutter. They locked arms with Miles as the two walked. After lunch, Miles took them shopping. A few dresses and skirts came home with Phoenix, and they didn’t even have to pay for them. All Miles wanted in return was a kiss.