trace (vestiges)
For the first time in Miles' life, he feels free.
There is something so inherently wonderful about having Frederik in the loop about his situation. Rather than hiding the cause of his loneliness and heartache, it is such a visceral relief to be able to come into the office, sigh, and admit to Frederik's curious, amused look, "I dreamt of him again," for Frederik always softens and pats him on the shoulder kindly with a sort of tenderness he has never experienced from a mentor. It is such a soothing feeling to not be on a pedestal- to not be a prodigy of von Karma- to just be a young man.
After two more months of working as Frederik's aid, he finally is given the chance to prosecute his own case. It is a baffling affair, in all honesty; from the get-go, the evidence lines up perfectly to declare the suspect guilty, and yet, something in the back of Miles' mind tells him to keep digging even when the judge and jury are all convinced of the man's guilt.
Miles Edgeworth, the Demon Prosecutor, would have muffled that cry. He would have swallowed it down with a cup of tea bought post-victory. He would have smiled and waved at the man being taken away to prison as he added another win to his record.
Miles Edgeworth, the clumsy rookie-but-not prosecutor, does no such thing. He looks at Frederik plaintively by his side when the pieces click together, but Frederik merely smiles and shrugs, waiting for Miles to make his move. Then, he looks over to the defense attorney. He has spoken with this woman in the past; she is intelligent and taciturn and extremely competent, and she looks at him with such firm resolve in her gaze that he cannot help but nod in respect, in agreement… in peace.
It is his turn to act. So, he does. He moves. He takes that step, and he throws his suspicions on the table, and one hour of digging and debating and cross-examinations later, he has lost his trial. The shame stings more than anything as one of the suspect's family members is indicted for the real crime and the court begins its proceedings to process the culprit instead of a now-innocent man.
Miles adds another strike to his mental tally of losses which has only exponentially grown since reuniting with Phoenix; and yet, strangely enough… he is not upset by the loss. Shame is something that shall likely always linger in his heart, for he has spent his entire life fighting it rather than learning to accept it gracefully. However, the heartache which used to resound so thoroughly in his chest is no longer present as he concedes this defeat.
Upon reflection, it is only thanks to the fact that he is no longer alone on his side of the courtroom that he is able to accomplish such a feat. He is acutely aware of this fact. Frederik's hand upon his shoulder is warm and proud in a way that is so unguarded and welcoming that he almost weeps when the elder booms out, "Good work, Edgeworth! That's how it should be done. We got to the bottom of it, now didn't we?"
Clearing his throat, he replies, "I… wouldn't have gotten to it without you."
He is not surprised when Frederik nods without a moment's hesitation. "Of course, you're still a rookie here after all. You know how you can repay me for my help, though?"
"No, and the answer is no-"
Miles' heart is already sinking in his chest when the elder speaks aloud his worst fears. "Show me a picture of your dearest lawyer, Edgeworth! C'mon, don't keep him a secret!"
He sighs, but eventually his phone is pulled out and a picture of Phoenix Wright is procured for the elder to scrutinize with great gusto. Although the ensuing conversation is embarrassing beyond measure, hearing Frederik so honestly praise Phoenix's sharp, handsome features fills his heart with such pride that he does not fight the elder for this teasing.
When this case's defense attorney appears, ready with a smile and a friendly handshake, Miles is able to return the gesture with genuine amicability. "We found the truth together. Good work," she says kindly, squeezing his hand before letting go. There is a calm about her, a confidence which cannot be swayed by anything even though the last few hours have been grueling. If this had been an attorney in the USA, he can very easily imagine their eyes spitting daggers at him, none of this friendliness to be seen post-trial even if Miles had lost.
We weren't enemies, he thinks slowly as she leaves. We… were working together.
This understanding should not be as starting as it is, and yet, he finds himself lost for words until Frederik grabs his attention once more. "So, how do you feel?"
His heart seizes as he thinks back to Phoenix- thinks back to that strange, jarring case regarding the Steel Samurai, back to Dee Vasquez and her connections with the underworld. It was there all along, wasn't it? We worked together to put her in prison. It was meant to be that all along.
He wants to cry. He has always thought that Phoenix was his enemy in the courtroom, although their relationship outside of it has morphed beyond measure. However, if they are to be allies…
"It does not matter who wins, does it?" he whispers. "We're on the same side."
Frederik squeezes his shoulder before dragging him down the hall. "Time to go back to the office, Edgeworth. Now that you've got it, we've got some cases to get through, and I'm going to fully enjoy having you in my court until you leave."
Eight months away from Phoenix is painful enough, after all. But Miles is still not ready. "I think you'll have me here for a little longer, if that's alright," he confesses. "I- I need to make sure I can really help once I come back."
Frederik rolls his eyes, but nods anyways. "Fine. You worry too much about your dear Wright."
"I do not!"
"C'mon. Let's even out your win-loss record properly, shall we?"
To that, Miles can only smile, as flushed and flustered as he is. Prosecuting with the goal of helping the defense find the truth- prosecuting with the goal of helping Phoenix sleep guilt-free- it all has a lovely ring to it.