The next day Phoenix woke with a start and a terrible case of bedhead that stuck out at all angles. He brushed his teeth and stared down his reflection in the mirror.
Had yesterday really happened? Had he really suggested…
Yes, he had. He'd opened his big mouth. For better or worse, he'd said what he'd said. There was no going back from that. He spat in the sink and rubbed his face, a tiny bit of stubble catching against his tender palm.
"Great job, Phoenix. You're a real class act," he muttered.
Phoenix and Edgeworth didn't talk for at least a week after their peculiar dinner. The next time they saw each other was at a benefit show that Trucy had been asked to participate in. She had invited Edgeworth without telling Phoenix, surprise surprise, and he'd agreed to stop by and show his support.
Edgeworth approached Phoenix in the hallway outside of the theater. He had a folder under his arm and a briefcase slung over his shoulder.
"Good afternoon, Wright," he said with a subtle incline of his head. "Where's Trucy?"
"She's getting ready backstage," Phoenix answered, trying to get a look at the folder Edgeworth was holding. "I told her I'd meet with her before the show gets underway. Do you wanna go with me?"
"Lead the way," Edgeworth said, stepping aside.
Phoenix took them through the doors that led behind the stage, and on towards the dressing rooms. He stopped when he got to a door with a crisp white paper taped to the front that said TRUCY WRIGHT with a star symbol underneath, and smiled at the sign before knocking three times with his knuckle. "Truce? You in there?"
"Yes dad, come in," Trucy's muffled voice answered.
The inside of Trucy's dressing room was a disaster zone of cases and props not unlike the Agency. She waved them inside while applying a thin layer of glitter to her cheeks.
"Oh, Mr. Edgeworth!" Trucy said, looking at him in the mirror. "I'm so glad you could come! Everyone else was working."
Edgeworth smiled at her reflection. "Thank you for inviting me, Trucy. I'm afraid I'm working too, but fortunately I'm able to take some of it with me." He patted the folder under his arm.
"As long as you're here, that's what matters," Trucy said, putting down her stage makeup kit. "So, are you guys gonna help me or what?"
Edgeworth tilted his head.
"I told her I'd help her practice before the show," Phoenix said, taking off his coat and rolling up his sleeves.
Edgeworth set his briefcase down and took a seat in one of the overstuffed chairs. Once Trucy was pleased with the level of sparkle on her face, they watched her perform several tricks for them while she worked out the kinks and messed around with her script.
"Okay," she said, holding two fingers in the air. "For this next trick I'll need two volunteers."
For just a second Edgeworth glanced around the room, and then chewed his lip sheepishly and stood up.
"Thank you kindly, Mr. Edgeworth. I mean, random audience member."
She put Phoenix and Edgeworth into position next to each other, and they waited while she dug through a hinged wooden box. Eventually she pulled out something with an unmistakable metallic clink.
She walked back to her volunteers and before they could blink they were handcuffed together.
Both men were poised to protest but she silenced them with an "uh-bup!". She rubbed her hands together. "Okay, now pull on the cuffs like you're trying to break them apart."
They shrugged and pulled against each other, and the chain went taut.
"See?" she said. "An ordinary pair of handcuffs."
They nodded.
She took out a square of purple silk and draped it over their hands.
Taking a deep breath, she stretched out her arms and with a flash and a flourish, she pulled the silk away.
They stared down, and then back at her. The handcuffs were still there.
"Oh! Um," she stammered, grabbing the silk from the floor and placing it over the cuffs. "Let's try that again."
She turned around and started whispering to herself. Phoenix and Edgeworth gave each other a nervous glance.
After a heavy pause, she turned back and got into position. "Okay, let's do this." With her tongue poking out of the corner of her mouth, she gave a grunt and yanked the silk away.
The handcuffs were still there.
"Oh gosh. Okay, maybe I'll have to cut this one out…" she went back over to one of her trunks and started digging through it.
Phoenix and Edgeworth stood in silence.
"Um, Trucy?" Phoenix said after a while.
"Shh daddy, gimme a sec," Trucy said, still rummaging. "Aha!" she exclaimed, pulling out a small keyring.
She took it over to Phoenix and held up his wrist. Squinting, she inserted the key and tried to turn it, but it wouldn't budge.
She chewed her lip and tried again. Still nothing.
Edgeworth's handcuff was no different.
Trucy examined the key in her hands and the small round tag attached to it. "Ah," she whispered.
She rushed back to the trunk and combed through it once more, looking increasingly anxious. Finally, she stopped and stepped away from the trunk. She walked over to her father.
"Well, I have good news and bad news," she said, looking down at the ground and twisting her shoe. Phoenix stared at her, silent and unamused. "The good news is, I'm pretty sure I know where the emergency key is. The bad news is that it isn't here."
Phoenix inhaled slowly through his nose and exhaled through clenched teeth.
"Do you have a bobby pin?" Edgeworth asked.
"Yeah, but…" Trucy still couldn't meet their eyes. "These are special handcuffs, designed for specific tricks. They can only be opened with a certain kind of key. I don't think you can pick them like police handcuffs. You can try, but I don't think it'll work."
Trucy plucked a pin from her hair and handed it to Edgeworth before shuffling to the vanity to replace it.
Edgeworth turned his wrist and started working on the handcuff.
"You know how to pick locks?" Phoenix asked, surprised.
"Of course," Edgeworth said brusquely without looking up.
"Oh, right," Phoenix answered, deadpan. "I guess I'm the idiot for assuming you didn't. My bad."
Edgeworth ignored him and continued to work, his fingers agile and precise. After several failed attempts, he pulled the bobby pin out with a grunt. "You're right; it's not going to work."
Trucy cringed. "Sorry," she said meekly.
"Oh my god," Phoenix said, staring at his captive hand.
Trucy poked her tongue out, all innocence and goodness. "At least I decided to test it before the show," she said.
"Oh my god," Phoenix repeated.
"I-I can definitely unlock you when we get home! Probably. Maybe."
"Trucy," Phoenix said in a low rumble, a fierce, dangerous look in his eyes. Trucy gulped.
"I'm afraid I have to return to my office after the show," Edgeworth said, his face solemn. "You'll have to come with me, Wright."
"What?" Phoenix asked, gaping at him. "Can't you put it off for a few more hours?"
Edgeworth shook his head. "I have a crucial conference call in two hours, and a lot of work to finish up. I really can't reschedule."
"Um…" Trucy poked her fingers together. "Maybe I can meet you at your office when I find them? It may take a while, but I'll go as fast as I can."
Edgeworth glanced at Phoenix and back to Trucy. "I suppose we'll have to."
"Sorry, daddy," Trucy said gently.
"Trucy…" Phoenix said again in a rather threatening tone.
Trucy bit her lip, ready to be reprimanded.
Edgeworth suddenly squeezed Phoenix's arm with his free hand. "It was an accident, Phoenix. We can handle this. Let's just get through the rest of the afternoon and I'm sure Trucy will be able to fix it, right?" He nodded towards her.
"Yeah!" she said, "I'll leave as soon as the show's over and you'll be free in no time."
Phoenix looked between her and Edgeworth, and ducked his head, grumbling.
Since he couldn't put his jacket back on, Phoenix tried to sling it over their hands to avoid any unnecessary confusion from passersby. By the time Trucy's segment of the show started, he was no longer livid.
When they tried clapping, they both got yanked back and forth and their jangling drew confused looks from their neighbors.
At the end of Trucy's set Phoenix and Edgeworth stood and cheered, and Phoenix shot her a look so intense he knew she'd be able to see it from the stage. She bowed like a professional but rushed to get her gear offstage as if her life depended on it.
They walked to the garage where Edgeworth was parked. Everything went fine until they were standing in front of the car.
"I guess I'll have to crawl through the driver's side," Phoenix said.
"Yes, you will," Edgeworth responded, trying and failing to cross his arms. "Because I'm certainly not."
"Fine, fine," Phoenix said, waving behind him as he opened the door.
He tried going in front first, but seeing Edgeworth's disgruntled face mashed against the steering wheel tipped him off that it was not the best idea. He got back in the driver's seat and tried again, going feet first this time. This was a more successful technique but he and Edgeworth were forced to spend a moment or two with their faces a little too close for comfort.
Eventually Phoenix was secure in his seat and, by physical necessity, Edgeworth was in the driver's seat. Phoenix had to keep leaning over in order for Edgeworth to maneuver the wheel, and ended up shoved against his side several times before they'd even left the garage. Out on the street where the turns weren't as sharp, it was a bit easier to maintain a comfortable distance. Phoenix ground out a weary grumble and let his arm stretch out on the center console.
"Well, this is fun," Phoenix said.
"Yes, being chained to a defense attorney is just what I've always wanted. I'm so thrilled."
"It could be worse, I guess. If we'd been reversed you'd have to let me drive," Phoenix said with a chuckle that died when he saw the glower on Edgeworth's face. Phoenix sighed. "Look, I'm sorry. I'm sure she means well, but this is going too far, to say the least."
Edgeworth did a stunned double take. "You think she did this on purpose?"
Phoenix shook his head and gave him a look of sympathy. "My poor, naïve Miles."
"What makes you think-"
"Because I know my kid. And I know that she may be absent-minded sometimes but she doesn't make mistakes like this." He held up his chained hand. "Not when it comes to her act."
Edgeworth breathed out through his nose. "I suppose that's what we get for going along with this charade."
Phoenix hummed and suddenly sat up straight. "No, wait! This is it, this is our opportunity!"
"What are you talking about?" Edgeworth said.
"I'm saying that this could be the 'turning point' for our plan. You know, the thing that finally brings us together. Like, 'oh we were stuck together for a day and we worked out our differences and now we're going steady'. You know?"
"For…the plan," Edgeworth said, slow and careful.
"Yes!" Phoenix said. "It fits in with the narrative perfectly."
At the next red light, Edgeworth turned to him and steadily narrowed his eyes. "Fine," he answered.
"Fine?"
"Fine."
Phoenix grinned. "Fantastic."
Getting out of the car without breaking anything was a challenge; Phoenix lost at least one button on his waistcoat and cursed all the way. At last they made it out in one piece, Phoenix panting and trying to adjust his clothes, glad that no one else was around to see them.
Making their way through the building without raising any suspicions was a trying task in itself. Phoenix kept having to stop himself from waving at people he knew with the wrong hand.
Walking up all those flights of stairs while trying to match each other's pace was a goddamn endurance test.
When they finally got to the office, Edgeworth slammed the doors with a loud groan and slumped against them.
"Hey, hey," Phoenix said gently. "Take it easy. We made it. No one's hand got ripped off and we probably won't have to leave until Trucy gets here."
Edgeworth mumbled and plopped his briefcase on top of his desk. He took one of the guest chairs from the corner, carried it under his arm and set it down next to his office chair. They sat down and he started gathering his paperwork together.
Phoenix waited as patiently as he could with his hand getting tugged on every few minutes while Edgeworth flipped through papers. In time they settled and the silence started to feel comfortable. Twenty minutes before the conference call was meant to take place, Edgeworth let out a soft curse.
Phoenix looked up in surprise. "What's wrong?"
Edgeworth glanced from Phoenix to his desk, and his lips fell open. He picked up the phone and pressed a button with his free hand. "Prosecutor Gavin?" he said into the receiver, "I was wondering if I could have a moment of your time. Yes, thank you." He proceeded to give Klavier an odd request, and Phoenix tilted his head but said nothing. After they hung up it was only a few minutes before Klavier knocked on the door and came strolling into the office with a pair of headphones slung over his arm.
"Good afternoon, Herr Chief. And Herr Wright! What a pleasant surprise this is." He came up to the desk and stopped short when he saw the handcuffs.
Phoenix blustered and tried to hide their hands, but Edgeworth calmly kept his on the table. "He was going to find out one way or another, Wright. Prosecutor Gavin can be quite crafty when he wants to be." He looked Klavier over with a hint of pride.
"And is there any particular reason that you are chained together at the moment?" Klavier asked. "Or would you prefer not to say," he added with a smirk.
"Trucy. Magic accident," Phoenix answered.
"How unfortunate," Klavier said with no sympathy on his face. "In any case, I brought what you asked for." He set the headphones and a small music player down on the desk.
Phoenix stared down at them. "And this is for…"
"The conference, Wright," Edgeworth answered. "I'm afraid it would be unethical to let you listen so this is the only solution I can think of. Do you have any objections?"
"And what makes you think I won't listen in on the sly? Athena's been giving me tips on super-hearing, you know," Phoenix said.
Edgeworth sighed. "Because I've known you since we were nine and I know that if I ask you not to, you won't. Because I trust you and I trust your ethics."
Phoenix and Klavier glanced at each other, a small chill sweeping over the room.
"The past is in the past. Isn't that so, Herr Wright?" Klavier said quietly.
Phoenix just smiled up at him and took the music player in his hands.
"It's mostly Gavinners tunes," Klavier informed him. "There may be some classic rock as well if you can't tolerate the sound of my voice. Although," he twirled his finger around his hair, "what are the chances of that?"
Phoenix murmured as he scrolled through the music. "Don't worry, it's fine. Thank you, Gavin."
Klavier's eyes lit up. "Are you perhaps trying to imply that you are a fan?"
Phoenix snorted. "Don't flatter yourself. What I'm saying is that I have a teenage daughter and thin walls. The human spirit can grow accustomed to many things under duress."
Klavier's eyes widened, and he chuckled. "I respect your candor, Herr Wright," he said.
"Well thank god for that," Phoenix muttered under his breath.
Edgeworth thanked Klavier for his help and dismissed him.
"Alright, let's give this a shot," Phoenix said, and pulled the headphones over his head. They were a large purple monstrosity that covered his ears. He chose a song, set the player on shuffle and dialed up the volume. The music filled his head and drowned out everything else. He could see Edgeworth talking to him, so he just gave him a thumbs up and Edgeworth shrugged, satisfied with that.
A few minutes later he saw Edgeworth's desk phone come alive with flickering lights. Edgeworth picked up the phone and spoke with someone before setting it down on the desk. He looked to Phoenix to make sure that the headphones were still on, and after a second of hesitation he pressed a button on the keypad and leaned back. Phoenix couldn't hear a thing as long as the music was going, so he just watched as Edgeworth started talking to the mysterious person or persons on the line.
He saw Edgeworth card his left hand through his hair. Small silver strands fell against his face, barely touching his forehead. They looked so soft. Phoenix gulped.
He tried to keep his eyes fixed elsewhere, but watching Edgeworth at work was so compelling, the persona he adopted as a professional so markedly different from his everyday stoic self. Phoenix found himself drawn to the way Edgeworth's eyebrows suddenly became more animated when he talked, the way he brushed his fingers against his lips and twisted his ring in circles and pushed his glasses back up onto the bridge of his nose when they started to slide down. The way he scratched his neck in thought, leaving small red streaks against his pale skin that disappeared beneath his cravat.
At some point he began to notice Phoenix staring at him, and his face grew flushed. Phoenix looked away quickly and turned up the music, trying to distract his overactive mind. It worked to a point, but he couldn't stop himself from peering over once in a while to see what Edgeworth was doing.
When the call was finished, Edgeworth took down some notes and Phoenix had to lean over to give him full use of his hands. Edgeworth started talking to him, but he still had the headphones on. He pointed to them and mouthed, "I can't hear you." Edgeworth rolled his eyes and yanked the headphones off with his cuffed hand, accidentally smacking Phoenix in the face with his own hand in the process.
"Jeez," Phoenix said, rubbing his face. "You could have just asked me to take them off."
Edgeworth glared at him.
Phoenix grinned. "So how'd it go?"
Edgeworth pursed his lips and looked down at his notes. "It went well," he said finally. "Not spectacular, but then, I wouldn't expect anything else."
Phoenix's grin widened. "Why Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth, are you perhaps less-than-thrilled with the state of our fine legal system?"
Edgeworth gave him a "don't start with me" look and tore the note from its pad, tucking it into one of the brown folders on his desk.
"No really," Phoenix said, his expression turning serious. "Or am I just reading too much into it?"
Edgeworth sighed. "Let's just say we still have a long way to go. It is improving, however slowly, but I've also grown more cynical over these past years. Our experiences change us," he said with a meaningful glance to Phoenix. "As I'm sure you're well aware."
Phoenix gave him a wry smile. "Oh? Have I really changed that much?"
"Yes," Edgeworth said, quiet and sudden. Phoenix was taken aback by the earnest look in his eyes. "I'm not saying it's bad. But you're certainly a different person than you were when we first faced each other in court." Edgeworth studied him close. "Though I suppose you haven't changed where it counts, have you," he said softly.
Phoenix didn't quite know what to say to that, so he didn't say anything.
He watched Edgeworth work for some time after that, and ended up half-sprawled out on the desk with his arm laid next to Edgeworth's paperwork so he'd stop getting wrenched to and fro every time Edgeworth lifted his hand to write something. Trucy called to say she'd found the key and was bringing it over as soon as possible. Phoenix was tired and comfortable on Edgeworth's desk so he just muttered an acknowledgement and put the phone back in his pocket.
"Would you like a blanket?" Edgeworth asked.
Phoenix shook his head and spoke into the desk. "No, I'm fine."
"I was joking, Wright. I didn't think it was possible to sleep on top of a desk and look so peaceful."
"My life is a warm fuzzy ball of contentment, Herr Edgeworth," Phoenix said, sleep filling his voice.
Edgeworth smiled. "Am I to take it that this isn't your first time sleeping on a desk?"
Phoenix shook his head again, rolling his face against the surface of the desk.
Klavier dropped by some time later to pick up his music, looking at Phoenix with amusement. Edgeworth shushed him before he got too close and handed Klavier his headphones back, nodding gratefully. Klavier nodded back and stole one more look at the slumbering Phoenix before heading out again.
When the phone rang, Phoenix bolted upright, his hair framing his face like a lion's mane.
"Your daughter's here," Edgeworth said as he put the phone back down, his eyes filled with mirth.
Phoenix blinked and grumbled, but then his eyes snapped wide open. He smoothed his hair down as much as he could and adjusted his waistcoat.
"Okay, this is it," he said to Edgeworth.
"What is what?" Edgeworth asked.
"We're doing this, right? So we have to act like something's changed between us, okay?"
Edgeworth chewed his lip. "Ah."
"Come on, it's now or never," Phoenix said, trying to get them both pumped up.
"I'm still not quite clear on why we're doing this, but I suppose I agreed. I'll play along."
Phoenix grinned. "Yes!" He lowered his voice. "The curtains part." They could hear footsteps in the hallway. "It's showtime," he whispered. He snuck his pinky finger around Edgeworth's, the responding intake of breath cursedly audible in the quiet of the room.
Trucy stepped inside and found her father and Mr. Edgeworth sitting at the desk, determinedly not looking at each other. She held the keys up on her finger. "Got them!" she said, cringing a bit at the way her voice echoed through the enormous room.
"Thanks Truce," Phoenix said, his voice a little strained, his eyes soft and grateful.
Trucy walked around to the back of the desk and gasped when she saw the way their hands were touching. They immediately broke away from each other, but the seed was planted. Phoenix stole a small happy glance at Edgeworth without turning his head.
"O-okay daddy, let me see your hand," she said, trying to study them both and not being nearly as subtle as she wanted to be.
She took Phoenix's wrist and brought the key up to the cuff. Her hand was shaking a little bit, but she managed to fit the key inside. With a click the ratchet was released and he was free. He took a deep breath and rubbed his wrist.
"Thank you, Trucy," he said.
"Of course, daddy," she replied. "I'm sorry again for all the trouble I caused." She looked down at the ground. Damn, she was good.
"Don't worry about it. It was…" he looked over at Edgeworth meaningfully. "It was fine. It turned out just fine."
She looked between them and forgot to speak. After a moment she remembered that she was in the middle of something. "Oh, sorry Mr. Edgeworth! I'll have that off in a jiffy." She got between them to remove Edgeworth's cuff.
Phoenix intercepted her, taking the keys from her fingers. "No, that's okay. I'll do it," he said. He took hold of Edgeworth's wrist, looking into his eyes, lingering just a little too long on how soft his skin was. Edgeworth watched with wide eyes as he slowly turned the key and removed the handcuff. Phoenix set the handcuffs down on the desk and massaged the tender, red skin at Edgeworth's wrist.
Trucy made a small, sharp noise and spun around to face the window.
Phoenix gave Edgeworth another conspiratorial smirk. Edgeworth smiled back weakly, his face burning up. Phoenix still had his fingers wrapped around Edgeworth's wrist, working his fingertips back and forth in smooth strokes, and he didn't seem to be aware that he was doing it.
"Y-you have an amazing view, Mr. Edgeworth," Trucy said, staring out the window and very much not looking at them.
Edgeworth blanked out for a moment. "What? Oh, oh yes, it's particularly lovely at night." He removed his hand from Phoenix's control and ignored Phoenix's small involuntary pout. "Well, I suppose you two had better be going," He nudged Phoenix in the side.
"Oh, right," Phoenix said, getting up out of his chair. "I guess we should get home so we can grab dinner."
Trucy turned around, biting her thumb and blushing. "Um, sorry again for what happened, Mr. Edgeworth. I'm really glad you came to see my show."
"I'm glad too," Edgeworth said with a soft smile.
Trucy started to move towards the door, so Phoenix waited until she turned around to come up behind Edgeworth and give his shoulder a gentle squeeze as he leaned over to pick up the handcuffs.
"Bye," he said, giving a well-timed suggestive wink. Edgeworth swallowed heavily and nodded. Trucy was glued in place for a few seconds, and then dashed through the door.
Phoenix laughed under his breath and followed after her, swinging the handcuffs around his finger.
When they were gone, Edgeworth sat back in his chair and covered his mouth, adrenaline and shock coursing through his body.
That evening, Trucy avoided her father. She seemed happy though. Almost giddy. Phoenix didn't say anything; he just observed and plotted.
The next day, Phoenix called Edgeworth's personal cell phone.
"Hello?" Edgeworth answered.
"I think we should go on a date," Phoenix said up front.
Edgeworth stammered. "E-excuse me?"
"You know, when two people go out and spend an evening together. Dinner, movie, candles, flowers, all that good stuff."
Edgeworth frowned. "Yes, I understand what a date is, I just don't-"
"I mean, we don't actually have to go out. We can just hang out at your place and do anything. The important thing is that people think we're on a date, right?"
"Ah, yes. Of course."
"So, are you in or what?" Phoenix asked.
Edgeworth took a long pause before answering. "Alright," he replied.
"Yes!" Phoenix said. "How's Friday sound?"
Edgeworth took out his schedule and flipped through to Friday. He followed his finger down the page. "I suppose it'll work," he said. "Would you like me to pick you up?"
"That would be great!" Phoenix exclaimed. "It'll really add to the realism."
"Good," Edgeworth said. "Ah. Um," he stammered for a moment.
"Hm?" Phoenix said.
"What would be an appropriate time to start. A date."
Phoenix was silent for a breath or two. "Oh, uh, anytime in the evening. Maybe like 7?"
"Alright, I'll be there at 7."
"Great," Phoenix said, smiling broadly. "Don't keep me waiting," he added.
"Phoenix? One more question," Edgeworth said, his voice higher than normal.
"What's up?"
"What are we actually going to do? Shouldn't we at least plan something?"
"Oh, right," Phoenix said. "Well, like I said, we can just hang out at your place if you don't mind."
"I don't mind. Should I prepare dinner?"
Phoenix rubbed his neck. "You don't have to."
"It's no trouble," Edgeworth assured him.
"O-okay, cool," Phoenix said. "That sounds great."
"I'll see you on Friday, Wright."
"See you then."
They hung up. Phoenix fidgeted on the couch, not quite feeling the way he'd expected to feel. Instead of devious glee at pulling one over on his colleagues, a nervous lump started to rise in his throat.
At his office, Edgeworth stared at the cellphone in his hand. His fingers clenched around the edges, itching to sate his frustration by doing something idiotic, like hurling the phone across the room. Instead he just returned it to his pocket and went to make himself a cup of tea.