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The apartment already felt empty.
Two suitcases, one neatly folded and about ready to close, stood on the couch, a frustrated former attorney trying to fit everything inside. Trucy was sitting beside them, kicking her legs as she watched the two get ready to leave. Uncle Edgeworth and her dad were dressed nicely, suits and everything. Phoenix almost looked like a lawyer again, if it weren’t for the hat he stubbornly wore.
“Do you have the passports?” Phoenix asked, and Edgeworth gestured to the messy table, covered in their papers, toys, and whatever mess was left over from breakfast. Her father picked up his own, pocketing it, and Trucy watched, hope glimmering in her eyes. He reached for Edgeworth’s, a special passport for agents of interpol. Phoenix didn’t notice a thing out of place. At first. He paused, waved it a bit, and opened it up. Uh oh, Trucy thought with a frown. Even international passports weren’t that thick, huh?
Phoenix raised an eyebrow as he plucked a certain someone’s passport out, giving Trucy a side eye. He handed it back to her, shaking his head with a soft chuckle, which earned him a big glare. He didn’t have to wonder why. Phoenix knew. And Trucy knew he knew what was wrong. She was upset that he was going on another trip to Europe, without her. Again.
“Why do I get the feeling someone’s mad at me?” He asked with a whistle, acting ignorant as to who it could be, and Trucy just stuck her tongue out at him as walked back to his suitcase.
To try and get it to close was a challenge- his stuff was overflowing out, just a hair taller than the space allowed. He even sat down on it, but it didn’t work, the overstuffed case just refusing to cooperate. He glanced back at her. Usually such a humorous act would make Trucy laugh, but she just huffed, turning her nose. Phoenix frowned, glancing up at Edgeworth as the man just watched, mouthing a plea for help. Miles decidedly took that to mean with the packing, walking over and taking the suitcase, refolding clothes and ignoring the pleading look he got from Phoenix.
When Phoenix turned back to Trucy, he was met with another pouty glare.
“I want to go to France too!” Trucy stamped her foot, getting up.
Phoenix didn’t seem phased, and crossed his arms back.“Trucy, I already told you, you can’t come,” he said, sitting down across from her.
“But why not?!”
“You’re only a kid, and it’s not a vacation this time- Edgeworth and I will be very busy, and we can’t watch you.”
“I can come along! I can watch myself!”
“Trucy, no. ”
His voice was firm, unwavering. Trucy huffed and puffed out her cheeks, accepting the challenge. But nothing, not tantrums, not seemed to work with him! What was this, the third time Uncle Edgeworth was taking him to Europe without her? Yes, they had all gone on a vacation together too, but…this just wasn’t fair!
“I can barely reach you when you go! I know you don’t want to let me miss school, but I’m older now, and it’s summer!” She tried to argue, waving her hands in the air for emphasis. “I can go on a trip, even if it’s not gonna be all fun.” Phoenix was not convinced, and he shook his head once more, glancing over at the Edgeworth's suitcase, full of files.
“Trucy, I just really don’t think you should come-“
“Why not?! You don’t want me around?!” She shouted, balling her hands into fists, her cheeks red with anger.
Phoenix leaned back, mouth opening, but fish eyed blubbering was all he could manage.
An arm quickly passed between the two, cutting the tension. “Ms. Wright," Miles finally spoke up, leaning down to talk to her. "I must apologize. It was of my insistence that you don’t come. The case I need assistance with is quite… gruesome.”
“Gruesome?” She tilted her head at him, concern in her voice as she glanced at Phoenix, who had turned back to his suitcase in silence.
“I wish not to go into detail. But I was worried such a case- and really, all our cases together, would be a burden for someone so young to hear about. Being around us would make it hard to escape the details. Do you understand why we wouldn’t want to take you with us?”
Still? Not really no. “Yes, Uncle Edgeworth...”
“Thank you, Ms. Wright. How about you go to your room and get ready to have fun with your babysitter Larry?”
Trucy crossed her arms, and she nodded, despite the fact that she felt even more upset than she was before. “Okay, Uncle Edgeworth.”
He smiled a sympathetic smile, or attempted to, and straightened up. The doorbell rang, and Phoenix bounded up to answer it. It didn’t take long for him to yell, “Oh, c’mon Larry!” And Edgeworth to take that as a signal he needed help. Again.
Trucy slowly looked around the room once more, hoping to find another way to get on this trip, and not be left alone. Uncle Larry was nice and all, but her daddy was better. And then her eyes were undeniably drawn to the hideous suitcase that was Uncle Edgeworth’s. Trucy stared at the large suitcase, and a certain magic trick her father had taught her came to mind. A mischievous grin spread across her face.
When the trio of men came back, she was nowhere in sight. Phoenix sighed, and called for her. “Truce? Trucy!”
Miles put a comforting hand on his back. “She went to her room, Wright. I’m sure she’ll be fine by the time we come back.”
“Ah, I see. Sorry Larry, I think she’s pretty mad at us at the moment. She might not be talkative today.”
“Aw well, that’s fine! I’ll make her favorite dessert, I bet that’ll make it all better!”
“Thanks again, Larry. I’ll call when we get there.” He turned back to the apartment, frowning. “Okay Trucy, we’re going! Love you!” He called, but deflated when he didn’t get a response.
The plane ride over had been tense. Miles could see leaving Trucy, no doubt still upset, made Phoenix anxious. Thankfully, it was a chartered jet, or else he was sure Phoenix would have snapped on someone. Still, even as they got to the hotel room, he was bothered, rummaging for his phone as soon as they got into the hotel room. “Okay, hold on Edgeworth. I gotta call Larry and check up on Truce.”
Edgeworth decided it was better not to goad him about actually helping with the unpacking first, or going over their case files. Hopefully knowing she’s alright will calm him down. “Alright, Wright. Tell her I said ‘hi.’” Edgeworth sighed as he lugged the suitcase into the bedroom, shaking his head. Had this thing gotten heavier, or was he getting weaker as he aged? Well, he did have a lot of case files… he put down the case on the bed, before jolting as he heard a yell.
“What do you mean you can’t find her?!”
Phoenix’s panicked voice made Edgeworth Jump, leaving his suitcase on the bed as he rushed to join him in the living space. The frantic look on Phoenix’s face as he stared down at his phone in disbelief told Edgeworth that something was horribly wrong. “What’s going on?”
“Larry-” Phoenix looked up, eyes watering over, tears that Miles hadn't seen in years threatening to fall, “Larry lost Trucy! He- he can't find her in the apartment or the office, or anywhere! She’s not answering her phone!“
“He lost her? How could he possibly manage that?“
That was the wrong question to ask, as Phoenix’s face contorted in a look of confusion and fear. “I- I- I don’t know!” Phoenix let out a noise between a sob and a yell, sinking into the couch of the hotel and practically collapsing.
Miles, startled, got down beside him, as Phoenix spiraled into panic faster than he’d ever seen him before. He took the phone from Phoenix, wrapping an arm around him. “Larry? Contact Gumshoe if you can’t find her within an hour, okay? Call us back, let me handle Wright.” He hung up at that, and started to rub Phoenix’s back as the man hyperventilated into his chest.
“It’ll be okay. It’ll be okay. Just breathe, Phoenix, breathe. ” He tried to reassure the other, but Phoenix was inconsolable.
“She could be hurt, Miles!” He grasped the prosecutor’s arms, shaking his head. “And it’s my fault! I knew she was mad at me, but I left anyway! What if she ran away? What if she hates me? What if I never find her?!”
As their voices spread through the air, the zipper on Miles’s suitcase slowly became undone. Trucy carefully lifted herself out of the case, quiet as she could be as she heard the wailing sobs, peeking from behind the door.
Uncle Edgeworth sat with her father, an arm around his shoulder, rubbing circles into his back. “Phoenix, breathe, please. Look, I’ll book you a return flight immediately- no, both of us.” His voice was pleading, as if asking someone far away to come close. “We can look for her as soon as we get back, okay? Just- calm down, don’t panic.”
“I’m trying.” Phoenix said, taking a deep breath. “But I’m supposed to protect her, make her happy, and keep her safe, Miles…” his head dropped into his hands. “I can’t even do that. Oh- God- I just- I knew why she was mad, thought it was fine anyway- She just- she just doesn’t want me to disappear, like her real dad did. But we always leave her behind-“
“Because a case like this is dangerous for a child, it wouldn’t be safe to bring her along while we investigate.”
Phoenix took a shuttering breath, looking back up at Edgeworth, his eyes red, watery, yet focused.
“Then maybe I shouldn’t- maybe I shouldn’t leave anymore. Maybe I shouldn’t go on these investigations.”
“Phoenix…”
“Maybe working for the law just… just isn’t for me anymore…”
“But the law needs you. What happened wasn’t fair, and we can fix it-”
“What’s not fair is throwing Trucy under the bus! Especially if this is how she feels every time I go away…” he planted his head on Miles’ shoulder. “Oh… god. Is this how she feels when I go away? I’m a horrible da-“
“Daddy?”
The two men practically jolt upwards, Miles giving a surprised yelp, while Phoenix turned around, complete shock on his face. “Trucy?!” He jumped out of his seat, rushing to check her over.
She didn't expect his reaction. She'd never really seen Phoenix panic or get upset like this before. Trucy expected him to be angry, or at least to scold her for what she did- especially after hearing all of that. But she didn't expect Phoenix to get down to her level, and pull her into a tight hug, words tumbling out of his mouth faster than the plane that got them here. “Ohthankgoodnessyou’reokayareyouhurtwhathappened-“
“Daddy! You’re going too fast!”
Phoenix finally paused his flurry of words, and a nervous, almost pained laugh escapes him, as he sits down on the floor, catching his breath. “I… I… sorry. Sorry. Are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m okay!”
“You’re not hurt?”
She shook her head, and waved her arms, showing she was fine.
“I’m so glad you’re alright,” he said, moving to stand. Edgeworth came to his side, helping him up, and patting his back.
He did look a lot happier now that he knew she was here- but despite herself, Trucy found that the way he talked hurt a lot more than being scolded or yelled at. He’s not mad at her- so why does that make her feel so… bad?
“I’m sorry,” she mumbled, and hugged him tightly. “I’m sorry!”
“Wha- Truce-“
“I made you cry!” She sniffled.
Phoenix blinked, already runny cheeks getting even redder. “You saw all that?” He rubbed the back of his neck, nervously.
She nodded, ashamed. “I just thought… you didn’t want me around… but you were so scared when you thought I was gone. And, and you were gonna stop going out with Uncle Edgeworth- but it makes you happy! I don’t want you to be sad for me!” And there she was, all out bawling.
Phoenix picked her up, swinging her into his arms and carrying her to the couch. “Shhh,” he comforted, holding her close. “You disappearing like that... did make me sad, yes. But I think I understand better now, too.” He hugged her, rocking Trucy until she only sniffled. "Daddy's been selfish with these trips. It's okay if I cut down on them. They don't make me happy, like you do, Truce. Alright?"
She rubbed her eyes, and sniffled, before nodding. "All Wright."
Phoenix smiled, but the moment was interrupted by a hand on his shoulder. “How... how did you even get here, Trucy?” Miles finally gained a voice, pale, as if he’d seen a ghost.
“Oh! That’s simple! I hid in your suitcase, Uncle Edgeworth! I had to remove some of the big papers and that pink suit, but I managed!” Trucy knocked on her head, sticking her tongue out and giggling, her trick a fantastic one.
“In my suitcase... and... Big papers… do you mean the case files?” The two men looked at each other, before Phoenix burst into laughter, Miles just giving a soft groan of defeat. "Oh god, I've smuggled a child into a country and left the case files behind. Franziska is going to personally prosecute me."
Phoenix threw his head back, Trucy grinning with him. "Hey, Miles?"
"Yes, Wright?"
"Just breathe."
Miles gave them the most unamused face. "You Wrights are going to be the end of me."