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The aftermath of the trial was the worst part. He could hardly think about it properly whilst it was happening, but now it had fully hit him, he would feel it hard in the gut.
He had gone drinking the previous night, guzzling down so much red wine that he could hardly move, let alone stand without falling over or vomiting.
And now, he had a horrible, ringing headache to top his emotions. He could still hardly move, spending a terrifying amount of time sitting on his couch, staring at the wall, his face looking like he was thinking hard about something, when really the only thing in his mind was the ringing in his eardrums.
His father figure, the man that he had aspired to be for so long, the man that he had practically turned into, was the same man that shot his father in the chest that faithful day. He had lived under that man's roof... eaten his food...
At the thought of it, Miles choked back a sob.
As his thoughts returned and he regained awareness, the pain that filled him was immense. Unbearable. He had turned into his worst enemy. He had turned into his father's killer, the same man that had given him so much trauma, that made him turn into a blithering, sobbing mess in front of Phoenix.
Phoenix. He despised him for how he had come up with the truth, but he still... loved him. Was that the proper term? It was likely the closest...
He then thought of it. He could end it all here and now.
Stop the thing closest to his father's killer. And then, his mind filled with an odd calm. He was... empty. Like a shell where a soul used to be.
Most people wouldn't be so calm at the thought. But Miles had fully given up.
He'd sigh a bit, thinking that suicide was a cowards way out of his troubles, but the did not care. In whatever life came next, he would not have to worry about it anymore. He could be free.
And so he wrote, his normally perfect penmanship slightly ruined by the uncontrollable tremble in his hands.
~
Dear Dick Gumshoe,
I, Miles Edgeworth, am gone by the time you are reading this. I understand that this may sound odd coming from me, but, thank you. You really were a good friend. I hope that your next boss isn't as horrible as me.
Sincerely, Miles Edgeworth.
~
He set that letter to the side, then grabbed the one that would be hardest to write. He had no clue where to start...
~
Dear Phoenix,
I am long gone by the time you are reading this. I am sorry you ever met such a horrible being as me... I have one last thing to tell you however. If this is to be my last messsage to you, then know this. I love you. I really do. I have ever scense we were little children.
Thank you, Miles Edgeworth.
~
Normally, it would have been hard for him to write that last part, but ah well. It was far to late for regrets.
He walked down to the place where he had parked his red sports car, unlocking it then sliding into it.
To his own surprise, his hands were slick with sweat, dampening the wheel.
He drove, first stepping out of the car onto a large sidewalk in front of a rather depressing building, leaving a letter outside of the police office, knowing that Gumshoe would only find it in the morning.
Then, he drove to Phoenix's apartment. He stepped out of his car, walking a short ways down the sidewalk, avoiding stepping on the lines, a habit he had picked up ever since he had hear the child's rhyme that went "Step on a crack, break your mom's back, step on a line, break your dad's spine!" before dropping the letter, knowing that tomorrow Phoenix would find it.
As he got back to his apartment, he parked his car outside of the sheltered parking lot, leaving it out in the rain for the first time in his life.
He walked up the may flights of stairs, staring at the elevator for what he thought would be one last time, before continuing his walk.
As he stepped into his room, he grabbed the nearest stool, not even bothering to lock the door behind him.
He then grabbed the leash of his childhood dog that he had kept with him for sentimental purposes, and tied one end to the lightbulb hook on the ceiling, the one that used to hold the old light that always flickered. The other end, he wrapped around his kneck.
He closed his eyes, before kicking the stool out from under him.
He felt a crushing pain in his airway, before everything went black.
___________________
Phoenix was stressed, and he had no clue why. Perhaps it was because of Miles.. Imagine how he must feel. After all, that trial had forced him to remember his greatest trauma, then find out that his father figure was the one who murdered his father...
Phoenix shuddered at the thought, deciding that perhaps it was a bad idea to put himself in Miles's shoes.
He, however, couldn't shake the stress out of his system. It lingered, sticking to him. So, he decided that perhaps a nighttime walk would relax his senses.
As he stepped into the rain, he noticed an odd letter sitting on the floor.
"Hm? What's thi-"
His voice would cut off in confusion as he read his own name on the front. Out of curiosity, he flipped it over and read.
Worry and concern would fill his features as he read on, until he read who it was from.
Miles.
Phoenix's heart stopped.
"MILES!" He screached, not even caring about waking people.
He sprinted over to his bike, diving into it as he sped faster than bikes should ever go, panic overruning his senses.
As he pulled into Miles's apartment, he saw that red sports car just sitting there.
"Miles wouldn't do that.. Oh god Miles.." he'd say as he sprinted into the building, dashing up the stairs to the third floor, room 35A.
He'd close his eyes, gently opening the unlocked door.
At the sight, he let out a scream of pure horror.
____________
"Miles" came the muffled voice, awakening him.
As his senses became more aware, the louder the screams got.
"MILES DAMN IT! DON'T JUST LEAVE ME HERE!" Came a choked out scream, the voice recognizable, yet full of terror, but somehow laced with comfort, flowing into Mile's body and wrapping him up, bringing him slowly back awake.
He'd open his eyes, and see Phoenix standing there, looking down at him with pure panic and horror on his features. Miles know he would worry Phoenix, but this much? He had to admit even he was a bit surprised, the way Phoenix's face was contorted in fear and pain, he looked as though he thought he had just lost the most important thing in his life.
As he thought of that, being the most important thing in Phoenix's life, his heart would flutter, however his mind refused to let him belive that he could be special in anyone's life.
Not having enough energy to speak, Miles would slowly reach up, his fingers pale and shaking, and clutch onto Phoenix's pajamas, tightening his grip until his nuckles went white.
He'd look up into his once rival's eyes, and felt sympathetic, as he saw sadness in Phoenix's beutiful eyes.
"Oh god.. Miles I- I thought..." Choked out Phoenix, shaking almost as much as Miles was.
A tear would fall down Mile's cheek, leaving a wet trail in it's wake. Phoenix reached up and brushed it away with a gentle finger, his eyes lingering on Miles for a while.
However, this sentimental moment could not last, as Miles was severly injured from his ordeal.
He'd turn away from Phoenix suddenly, letting out a gagging noise, moving one of his hands to his mouth.
Phoenix would move his hands to hold onto miles comfortingly, grabbing his shoulder.
"Miles? Are you alright?"
Miles would then heave, his body trembling. He'd swallow agressiveley, then before he could regain himelf he'd yet again heave violently, vomiting up thick red blood, coating his nice carpet with deep red sick.
"Miles! I-I'll call 911.." Said Phoenix, shaking as he realized that it was not just a sentimental moment, but a medical one.
"Yes, Floor 3, room 35A.. Suicide.. vomiting blood... And have Dick Gumshoe come will you?" Said Phoenix on the phone.
Miles would shudder, gagging up a bit more blood, this time his heaving more agressive.
"Miles, just hold on for me, alright?"
The last of Phoenix's words drowned out for miles, weak and tired, would fall unconcious again, landing his head in Phoenix's lap.
When he awoke, he felt a large, heavy hand resting on his shoulder, along with choking sobs coming from a more feminine voice.
As he sat up at last, He'd see Gumshoe holding onto his shoulder, fast asleep, Phoenix pacing the room, tears slipping down his face, and his sister, crying for what must be the first time.
"Wha.." Said Miles.
Suddenly, all the faces in the room would snap to him.
"MILES Y-YOU IMBICLE OF AN IDIOT!" Cried Franzisca, her voice attempting to sound like her normal sternness, but it came out shakily. In most scenarios, she would have whipped him, and persumably everyone nearby as well, but now clearly was NOT the time.
"Sir! You.. Your awake!" Said Gumshoe, his voice sounding torn and hoarse, like he had just been crying.
"Miles!" Said Phoenix, rushing over to clutch his hand.
Suddenly, he'd hear small footsteps enter the room, and a small face come over to him.
"Uncle Miles!" Said Trucy, her little face nearly covered by her magician hat that was to large for her. "Daddy said you were hurt. Are you ok?!" She'd say, a look of innocent, clearly unknowing worry filling her eyes and her soft features.
Miles felt his heart crush to bits as he took in the people around him. He knew they would worry, perhaps cry a bit, but not this much. He saw the way the people around him looked scared and worried, the way they all looked as though their whole world had been destroyed. He felt tired, like he didn't deserve it, and like he had put all of them into needless emotional torture.
In his shock and sadness, all he could manage to mutter out was a small, pathetic "Sorry."
Instantly, the room that had been filled with a deep, unsettling silence ever sence Trucy had spoken filled with sound.
"No- Miles, don't be sorry!" Cried the nearest voice, the one who was clutching onto his hand. Phoenix.
"You'd better be!" Said a sharp tone, the voice coated with malice, however cracking a bit to sound like fear, and sadness. Franzisca...
"It's alright sir..!" Came a shaky yet kind voice. Gumshoe.
"It's ok uncle Miles! I forgive you!" Squeaked Trucy, her voice cheerful and sweet.
Miles smiled softly at all of them. He realised rather quickly that, while not many, there were people who cared for him deeply. And for now, that was enough for him.