Edgeworth Law Offices

”..I actually was there not long ago.”

Miles quietly pulled out into the street and began to dive to the house, along the streets that were likely entirely familiar to his father, and yet surreal in their subtle differences.

"…After you no longer…occupied the offices, a young attorney named Mia Fey worked out of there until she…met an very unfortunate end." It was sad for Miss Fey, of course, but that trial had been the beginning of the turning point in his life.

"After that, her intern inherited the offices and made them his own. He has occupied the offices ever since, as I said, for the past ten years. He himself no longer practices law out of the office, but one of his associates does."

Out of the corner of his eye, Miles glanced at his father.

"He calls it an agency for mostly anything these days, but before, when he practiced law, it was called the Wright and Co Law Offices."

#yes same uwu #prosecutorinchief

Once again, Gregory was watching the scenery zoom by, entranced by how familiar, yet alien, it all seemed to him. He listened to what had become of his offices, of Mia Fey's demise—perhaps the building was cursed? It was an interesting idea, but no, it seemed as if the offices' third owner was still doing alright.

The name definitely snagged his attention—how couldn't it? Although it was a rather common name, there was only one person he had ever heard of with that surname in Los Angeles. "Wright," he mused. "You don't mean Phoenix, do you? How's the place looking? Is he looking after it okay?"

It was not the first time that Miles had stepped through the elegant doors of the Gatewater and into its opulent lobby. Nor was it the first time he had paid for a room, but he did so without complaint, and settled his father’s bill with no issue.

Once he was done, he stepped towards the door and peered out at the offices across the way, knowing that Phoenix was out handling his business, but that did not stop him from peering up at the windows. So much history in that building, and it had started with his father. If those walls could talk…

As he heard footsteps approaching him, the prosecutor shook himself from his reverie and turned to look at his father with a nod. As they stepped outside, he gestured towards the building next door with an elegant hand.

"You will never guess who occupied those offices for the past ten years," he remarked as he settled back into his car and started the engine.

Gregory halted and gazed at the former Edgeworth Law Offices once Miles had gestured to it, a little confused by the movement. But then he said that comment, that maddeningly cryptic remark, and the defence attorney hurriedly stowed his luggage in the backseat before resuming his seat in the passengers side.

This comment really caught his interest—he'd been curious as to who were currently occupying his old offices, but he didn't want to go take a look out of fear that it would be completely different than he remembered. "Really? Who?" Gregory squinted at the office building as if hoping to see an answer written in the windows. Alas, there were no telltale signs that gave him any indication of who might be using those offices, so he patiently waited for Miles' reply.

"Surprisingly, I have been able to focus on my work quite well. I have learned to separate my personal feelings from my job as best I can. I am only human, so at times I do not succeed, but…"

A wry smile, faint thought it was, came to Miles’ lips.

"No one is perfect."

It didn’t take very long before the grandiose building that was the Gatewater came into view - strangely, right next door to the former Edgeworth and Co Law Offices that now housed Phoenix’s own agency. He looked wistfully at the offices; every time he stepped inside was like a memory, in a way. Even after all the change, he still had memories of being seated in his father’s office with a book for hours while he handled clients…

He pulled into the hotel’s valet area, and waved a hand at the gentleman who approached them to indicate that they would not be long.

"Father. You did not ask me to pay - I offered. It is really no problem."

"Wow, that's quite a feat. I'm not sure if I would've been able to do that." The defence attorney is clearly quite impressed by his son's ability to separate work from personal, even in as extreme of a situation as this one.

The older Edgeworth knew his beloved offices were right across the way. He didn't know who occupied them now, but he hoped they were treating the place nicely. It had been the place he built up from the ground, he'd been the building's very first inhabitant when it opened in 1989.

"Very well. I'll go get my things while you settle my bill. It shouldn't take me more than ten minutes. I'll meet you in the lobby, kiddo." Gregory unbuckled his seatbelt once Miles had parked and bounded into the hotel, eager to go home at last. Within the promise timeframe, he came down the stairs to the decadent lobby with his suitcase in hand.

For a split second, a cruel flicker of a memory passed through Miles’ mind. A memory of an elevator, and blood blossoming like a macabre flower upon his father’s chest. He stiffened slightly before shaking it away, though the fear still settled heavily in his mind.

Even if this was not a dream, and after two meetings and two very real conversations, surely it was not…what was to say that his father would not one day be taken from him again? Could he handle that when the time came?

Even hearing those old pet names made his heart ache in a bittersweet manner, though he was hardly the nine year old boy the names suggested.

"Yes, tea. I still keep some of your favorite at the house."

Perhaps any meal at this point would be better in a private setting, though the prosecutor felt it would take some time before he was ready to eat.

Pulling away from the curb, Miles turned his vehicle in the direction of the Gatewater Hotel, and began to drive. Truthfully, he did not mind the drive.

"…I feel guilty for not offering you a place sooner," he finally said as they passed down the street. "Allow me to pay for your room, please." Even though to most it would cost a pretty penny, Miles felt that it was hardly expensive for his father.

The sudden stiffening was not lost on the perceptive attorney, but he didn't question it. All would be revealed to him in due time, he hoped. Though he felt mixed emotions about this upcoming conversation—He didn't want to know what Miles had gone through since his death, but he also needed to know, as a parent. He very much doubted either of them were going to sleep that night.

"You keep English Breakfast at home?" Gregory idly watched the scenery zip by as Miles drove. "I can't believe you remember my favourite tea, it's been so long."

He shook his head with a wry smile at his son's offer. "Don't feel guilty, you were in shock. You probably haven't been able to think clearly since I showed up in your office, am I wrong?" Gregory couldn't allow his son to pay for his room, but it would be rude to decline his offer. "I couldn't possibly ask you to do that for me, kiddo."

"Ah, but…"

Miles smiled a bit wistfully as the coastline came into view before them, just as the sun was beginning to lower towards the horizon. They weren’t far from the pier now, but they would likely have to walk.

"…I have spent twenty-five years figuring out how I would say these things to you, even though I never actually expected that I would get the chance. I know exactly what to say…It’s just a matter of getting the words out."

Slowly, he came to a parking place along the beach side, and parked. He turned the car off and sat there for a moment, looking at his father’s face silently. It was still so strange to see him seated there - as if this were a vivid dream, and he’d once again wake up to reality and his loss.

"We can talk once we get back to the house. Over tea, perhaps." He suddenly was not terribly hungry; though he would have enjoyed the first meal with his father in this many years, there was once again so much he was holding inside that he needed to say.

The defence attorney wasn't very sure what to say to this, so he kept his gaze trained upon the horizon before them. Then he felt a familiar intense stare on him, and he was instantly reminded of a little Miles watching him work in his study. He turned in his seat and found Miles, now all grown up, staring at him, almost in disbelief. Gregory could only imagine what thoughts were going through his son's head, considering the defence attorney was supposed to be dead.

Gregory gave his son a reassuring smile, almost as if silently affirming that he wasn't going anywhere, that he was really there. To further compound upon this, he reached out and patted Miles' shoulder. "Sounds like a plan, sport. I could really use a nice cup of tea, to be perfectly honest."

okay tumblr

okay

#outofoffice #????

i may be a nerd, but at least i've never cheated in the courtroom unlike SOME prosecutors i know

stay in school, don't do forged evidence, kiddies

#gregory's psas

yuuhana

yuuhana:

Miles Edgeworth & Gregory Edgeworth - Like Father, Like Son

#family photos

#the nerdbomberworths

wow manny that's rude

#manfredvonkarma

It was really not much of a surprise to know that his father only had minimal belongings, as his displacement had likely been abrupt and without any sort of explanation. Still, as he came to a stop light, Miles turned and looked at Gregory with intense, inquisitive eyes. It stung deeply that his father would have willingly stayed away from him, more than he expected, though he logically understood why. Glancing aside, he tried to hide that fact, but he doubted a man as keen and thorough as his father would miss it.

"There is nothing to apologize for," he said quietly. "It wasn’t something you could help. And for all that it has been strange and surreal…I can’t say that I am unhappy. I honestly…"

The chief prosecutor took a breath.

"…There were so many questions I had looming over me that I never thought I could find the answers to, even if they were unpleasant. But now….I’ve not felt more…relieved in twenty five years. It’s as if some heavy burden has been lifted off of my shoulders. Even though it’s hard, that does not mean that it is negative. I will adjust, Father. In time."

As the light changed and Miles headed for the beaches where the pier was, he considered his next thoughts.

"What will make it hard is just…overcoming a lot of the scars I’ve had over the years. Things that I haven’t really detailed to you yet, but…perhaps you should know them so you can better understand." He swallowed. "Though they are not for discussion in public."

They were things that he had hinted at before, at their first meeting, but not really delved into. The sorts of emotional abuse, the nightmares…the fact that he’d never grieved properly…there was a lot.

"…And you won’t like them."

The lawyer instantly felt guilty as he noticed his words hurting his son; that hadn't been what he wanted, not at all. He really should think more before opening his mouth. But for now, he kept his mouth closed as Miles spoke, focusing on what his son was saying. It was a relief to hear he was doing better, but then he mentioned scars. His brow furrowed in concern, wondering exactly what Miles meant by that cryptic statement. Of course he was probably talking about Gregory's death, and von Karma probably wasn't the best mentor or legal guardian for him.

Gregory nodded in understanding; he didn't want to press Miles and bring up painful memories, but he as though he needed to know, to fully understand his son and the person he had become. "Very well. We don't have to bring this up tonight, we could discuss this in the morning if you'd rather. Give you time to think of how to talk about it, you know?"

#tbh i was expecting three edgeworths and a lizzie #i am surprised #outofoffice

something has gone horribly awry

son and sharkboy, okay i can dig it

but then two of my ow n accoutns how did this happ ne i'm cyring

In all actuality, it was the least lonely Miles had been in years, and generally, the happiest. Of course, he had his concerns and not everything was roses, but he was finally…content.

Even the house did not seem so large and empty when he had Phoenix’s voice calling out for him from down the hall.

"We can stop by the Gatewater after we eat and pick up…well." Miles frowned a bit as he pulled off of the freeway and into Santa Monica. "…Do you have much luggage? I…I’d like to help you; I should have offered you a place to stay sooner, but I was shocked by your visit…I didn’t stay at home for a few nights."

A part of him hoped that his father would not question why or where, but the other part of him didn’t feel shame for the nature of his relationship. He was an adult, after all…

But it was strange, as if he were the teenager he never really got to be around his father. It bothered him in a way, but it was likely something that would pass in time. He was certain it would likely startle him a fair amount at first, waking up and having not only another tenant in the house but it being…

"…I will also have a set of keys made this evening as well. At least it’s one less thing to concern yourself with. I’m sure this is…an adjustment."

He would not apologize any more for not being the little boy he’d never had a chance to be - there was no point in such thoughts.

Gregory shook his head at the initial question—he hadn't much luggage, only a suitcase's worth of belongings. "No, I only have one bag, son...Er, I'm sorry for suddenly reappearing in your life. If I had known it would have had such an effect on you, I would've stayed away. But I think it's better this way, I think. It's sure going to be more...interesting."

The defence lawyer felt it would be best for everyone involved if he didn't ask where Miles spent the night, if he wasn't at home. He didn't want to know. Miles was his innocent son, despite being his age.

"Yes, it sure will be. For both of us. But this is also going to be an experience. Thanks for everything, sport. You've been so great to me through all of this, though I can only imagine how you're holding up. You're okay with me living with you?"

Gregory would not have been wrong in his assumption that Miles, in general, did not go out as much as a general rule, but his relationship with Phoenix had changed that. While they could not outwardly call them “dates” due to various reasons, it really was what they were, to them.

"…I. I do live there alone," Miles answered quietly, almost as if he were ashamed. He gripped the steering wheel a bit more tightly. "I do on occasion have Phoenix or Franziska over…but other than that, I do not oft entertain guests." Miles knew that it was a house meant for a family, and while he was beginning to have one, in a manner of speaking, they did not all live under one roof. It was difficult to explain why he did not entertain guests or have more friends; it went back to much of von Karma’s emotional abuse and what he had done mentally in order to survive. He was better now, than he had been some ten years ago, but some scars did not fade.

"I might…one day ask Phoenix and his daughter to come live there, if it is something that lasts. At least, the thought did occur to me before your first visit. Not for some time, of course, and please, Father."

The prosecutor nodded, more resolute.

"It is your house as much as it is mine. You can come home when you like. Though…I have changed the locks and updated the security system over the years." Gregory might have only had one enemy, but Miles knew that he himself had several.

The lawyer wasn't sure how to reply to this—the last thing he ever wanted for his son was to lead such a lonely life. Maybe if he had lived, Miles wouldn't be so lonesome now. It hurt to see that his son had been so very withdrawn over the years, but there was nothing he could do to reverse all those years of pain and psychological damage. He tried to focus on the good instead of the bad. It was good that Miles was starting to open up to others, even if it was just to Phoenix and Gregory. And he got to live in his house again! Those were very good things, indeed.

"Could I possibly come home tonight? Or tomorrow morning?" Gregory peered over at his son, almost hardly believing he could come home. It would be...different, living with his son who was now his age, but it would definitely be interesting to see what habits and daily rituals Miles had picked up.