Work Text:
His temples throbbed as though his head had been run over by a truck. Fuck it hurt. Opening his eyes, the man found himself asleep atop a couch inside of a fancy looking office. The room had clearly been meticulously decorated, not a single item was out of place not even the papers lying on the nearby desk. Each and every sheet had been carefully placed to lie perfectly atop the last in a neat stack.
Was this his office? The man wondered. Though he couldn’t remember it felt strangely familiar so it probably was.
His office… His office… Now that he thought about it, who was he exactly? He couldn’t recall. It was a scary thought; to not remember who you were. And so – whoever he was – decided to look around for something that might reveal his identity.
Having already established that this office was his, it didn’t take long for the man to find a name.
Edgeworth.
Not only was it written on practically all of the papers lying on his desk, but there was also a large nameplate sitting on the desk upon which ‘Prosecutor Edgeworth’ had been engraved.
“The evidence is conclusive. My name is Edgeworth.” He determined with a nod and an excited flutter of his stomach. It was strange, he was only stating his name, and yet… “My name is Edgeworth.” He repeated after which his stomach responded yet again. There was something about hearing his name that made him very happy.
Still in a wonderful mood, Mister Edgeworth moved towards the shelves lining the wall. There hanging on the wall “Seems like I am pretty good at my job.” Edgeworth jutted out his chest with pride as he admired a diploma hanging on the wall, congratulating Prosecutor Edgeworth on his excellent work. “Great even.” He added when his eyes fell on a large trophy in the form of a shield that read ‘King of Prosecutors’.
King Edgeworth sure had a nice ring to it he concluded before moving on to look at the next thing on the shelf…. Another award… and another… and another…
“Alright, I get it, I get it. I am the amazing and highly conceited Prosecutor Edgeworth… But is there nothing in here that isn’t meant to fuel my ego?” Anything that could be used to figure out who he was? Or was this all he was, a conceited workaholic who thought about nothing but being the best at his work?
The thought was rather sad, but after scanning through the rest of the ‘decor’ Edgeworth found only one thing that wasn’t either an award or a diploma. Not that it was much better. It was a framed picture of him receiving one of the many trophies lining the wall. Standing in the center of the image in between several important-looking individuals, he was deadpanning the camera. Looking as though he wanted nothing less than be receiving that trophy. “Can’t even smile when receiving praise for my work, huh. How depressing.”
Unlike his name, which had felt oh so very right, everything else about this office felt wrong. And not only did it feel wrong, but it also had the audacity to not give him any further clues as to who he might be. Sitting down by his desk with a frustrated sigh, he glared down at his past self in the hopes that he would give him some answers, and in a way it did. It confirmed that he really was as much of a conceited prick as he had suspected, because the only thing he could think about when staring at the image was how incredibly attractive he looked in his tailored suit. The way it hugged his figure was simply breathtaking and his face wasn’t half-bad either. Nor was his kissable lips.
Mister Edgeworth leaned forward, he was alone in his office, no one would know if he…
Suddenly and without warning the door to his office swung open and a middle-aged man made his entrance by storming inside and loudly announcing “I hope I’m not interrupting you Mister… Phoenix?” The man stopped in his tracks, staring at the man whose lips were touching the cool glass protecting the picture of himself.
“Ahh…. N-No, you’re not interrupting anything…” He denied as placed the photograph – face DOWN – onto his desk. It was only then he realized that his rude visitor had brought him a gift. His name.
Phoenix.
“That’s right. I’m Mister Phoenix Edgeworth, at your service.” Phoenix spoke with a wide smile, so delighted to have obtained yet another important part of information about himself that he forgot to be mad at the man who had stormed into his office unannounced.
“Phoenix… Edgeworth…” The man repeated as though he too couldn’t remember the name of the man whose office he had just burst into. Perhaps he too had a severe case of amnesia?
After a long extended silence, during which Phoenix patiently waited for the man to explain his appearance, the visitor’s expression turned into one of realization.
Finally they would get somewhere!
“Oh! You’re Phoenix… Edgeworth” he exclaimed with wide eyes.
Nope. They were not getting anywhere, not without Phoenix pushing things along.
“Yes, we have established that. So, about the folder you’re holding…” he spoke, gesturing towards the yellow binder the man carried with him assuming it was the reason for his visit.
“This? It’s the autopsy report I’m meant to deliver to Mister… uhm…” The man’s cheeks went an embarrassed shade of red. “Your partner” he finished after clearing his throat.
The man’s strange behavior, his awkwardness at the mention of Phoenix’s partner, the apparent lack of thoughts going on inside his head… All the evidence pointed towards one thing and one thing only.
Phoenix gasped. “You’re in love with my partner!?”
“WHAT!? N-No, I merely admire him as a great and just prosecutor.”
Phoenix narrowed his eyes.
“I mean it! MISTER EDGEWORTH BELONGS TO YOU AND YOU ONLY!” Phoenix was about to argue back when a cold disapproving voice beat him to it.
“Detective Gumshoe… What is it that you think you’re shouting in my office?”
The man let out a high-pitched shriek of true terror. “M-M-Mister Edgeworth! I-I-I-…”
“You what? You will be expecting pay cut?”
“I-…” The older man hung his head in defeat. “Yes. I’m sorry for shouting. I didn’t know your relationship with Mister…” The detective looked over at him. “Edgeworth, was supposed to be kept a secret.”
“My relationship with…” Peaking around the large detective was a man with his brow furrowed. As their eyes met, his features softened. “Mister Wright. I’m happy to see that you’re up and about again.”
“Y-Y-You stole my face!” Phoenix accused, viciously pointing towards the doppelganger.
The fake Edgeworth sighed. “I retract my previous statement. Detective gumshoe, could you please give us a moment… and please leave the report behind, will you.”
“Ah-ha-ha-ha-ha. Right” The larger man laughed awkwardly before placing the folder atop the coffee table and hurrying out of the room, leaving Phoenix to deal with the doppelganger all on his own.
It was just the two of them left, and the other man wasted no time crossing the room. Phoenix hurriedly stood up from his chair. He didn’t know what the other man wished to do with him, but he feared that whatever it was it wasn’t anything good. And so when the face-stealer circled the desk, so did Phoenix. Making sure to always keep the desk in between them. For safety.
“Mister Wright, this is no time to be playing around.” The other scowled. “You need urgent help. NOW.” The other Edgeworth circled around the desk once more, but failed to catch up to Phoenix.
“Help? The only help I need is to remove the man who’s trying to replace me.” Phoenix snarled.
“Stop messing around Phoenix, no one would want to replace you... and even if they did, no one could replace you.” The man spoke, clearly unsure of whether insulting or complimenting him was the best way to get to his target.
“Says the man wearing my face.”
“Your face?” The other stopped in his tracks. Their chase around the desk, temporarily stopped.
“Don’t try to fool me. I might not know what you did to my memories, but I know what my own face looks like.” He’d seen his picture. And the man in front of him was a perfect match. No doubt about it. “You stole my face, and now you’re trying to replace me.”
The doppelganger’s voice lowered, becoming more sincere. “Phoenix… You… You actually lost your memories…?”
“Yeah…” Phoenix replied and the other man’s eyes were suddenly drowning in worry. “Phoenix, we need to get you to a hospital. I have brought my car out front. Please come with me.” The man pleaded, his hand outstretched over the desk for him to take.
“I-” Phoenix wanted to obey, to take the hand offered. But fear wouldn’t let him. “I’m sorry, I can’t go with someone who’s stolen my face.”
The other hummed in… understanding? Phoenix didn’t understand what was going on but soon after the man begun to rummage around in his pocket, pulling out a small compact mirror that he held out for him to take.
Was this a trap?
The man didn’t seem as aggressive as before, but still…
Noticing his hesitation, the second Edgeworth placed the item on the desk and stepped away from the desk. Feeling a little safer Phoenix dared to pick up the mirror, gently flipping it open to reveal his own image.
“IIIHHH!” The man inside. He… he looked nothing like himself. Using his other hand to pad at his face, Phoenix confirmed that the reflection was in fact real. “I-I-…. I look nothing like myself.”
“No. That’s you Phoenix. Phoenix Wright. The one and only defense attorney who is able to enter the courtroom without a plan and still have his client declared not guilty.” The only man in the room looking like Edgeworth spoke, on his lips was an affectionate smile.
“It’s really me?” Phoenix looked back into the small mirror. The face inside did feel familiar. Only…“GAH!” Trying to look over more of his face, Phoenix’s eyes had fallen on his forehead, or more specifically the large bump on his forehead. And touching it had sent a sharp jolt of pain through his head.
“Phoenix!” Edgeworth exclaimed, rushing to his side. And this time Phoenix didn’t run away. He allowed the man to get close enough to guide his hand away from the source of his pain.
“What happened to my head?”
“Uhm… well… you bashed it into the wall over there.” Mister Edgeworth replied, pointing towards a large dent over by the door.
“I did…?” Phoenix uttered in complete disbelief. “Why in the hell would anyone do that?”
“To forget.”
“To forget?” he repeated.
“Yes.” Edgeworth sighed. “Because you’re an impatient idiot who… who is currently injured. Let’s get you to the hospital. We can talk about the rest later”
But Phoenix had the dreadful sense that if left for later the topic would never be brought up again, and for some – to him unknown – reason he REALLY wanted to know about the incident leading him to bash his head against the wall.
“No.” He planted his feet thoroughly on the ground, refusing to move a single inch until the truth was out there. “We’re talking about this now.”
“Phoenix. This is not the time to play around.”
“Exactly, so just tell me the reason and off to the hospital we go.”
“Phoenix…”
Phoenix stubbornly remained unmoving.
“Fine.” Edgeworth sighed heavily before taking a deep calming breath. Whatever he was about to say, wasn’t easy for him to reveal. “You confessed your feelings towards me and I was so surprised my you felt the same way about me that I froze. And apparently your dumb ass thought my delayed reaction warranted you bashing your head against the wall until you fell unconscious.” He angrily roared.
“Edgeworth… y-you’re crushing my hand!”
The grip on his hand immediately loosened. “M-My apologies.”
“Don’t worry. I’m sure the doctor won’t mind taking a look at it whilst they’re at it.”
Mister Edgeworth’s eyes widened. “So you’re actually coming with me?” he asked, having apparently not expected Phoenix to be convinced so easily.
“Of course. Now that you’ve clarified that you’re my boyfriend and not some identity stealing freak, I’m more than willing to get into your car.”
“B-B-Boyfriend?” Edgeworth stammered, his cheeks turning a gorgeous pink.
”Yeah, I mean we both like each other. Don’t we?” Phoenix looked at the handsome man with puppy-eyes before suggestively glancing over at the dented wall.
”O-Of course! I like you too Phoenix! Let’s be boyfriends.” He hurriedly exclaimed, desperate to not have the past repeat itself.
”Are you sure…?” Not that he was planning on testing it out, but Mister Wright wondered whether hitting his head a second time might bring his memories back.
”Oh for goodness sake Phoenix!” Pulling hard at now boyfriend’s arm Edgeworth pressed his lips against Phoenix’s. It wasn’t a very good kiss, that much was obvious, and still Phoenix couldn’t help but sigh with contentment. This kiss, in all its imperfection, was everything he wanted.
”That was so much better than kissing your picture.” Phoenix stated with a goofy smile on his lips.
”You did what?”
”Your picture” Phoenix pointed towards the framed picture still laying upside down atop his desk. ”You looked so good couldn’t help but kiss you.”
”Phoenix… didn’t you think it was you in that picture?” Mister Edgeworth questioned. The hint of skepticism in his voice one of confusion rather than one of judgement.
”Yeah…” A slightly embarrassed chuckle escaped Phoenix’s lips. ”I was a bit worried I’d become known as the guy so in love with himself he decided to kiss his own image. Being known as the man who’s crazy in love with his boyfriend is so — soo — much better.”
Looking at Edgeworth, Phoenix actually did feel crazy in love. His heart was racing a million miles a minute… miles a minute… ”Miles?”
”Yes, Phoenix?”
”I love you, Miles”
”I love you too Phoenix.” Edgeworth confessed before pulling him in for yet another breathtaking kiss. ”Let’s get you to the hospital.”
”Yeah, let’s go show off how handsome of a boyfriend I have to all of the hospital staff.”