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[ he's clearly not fine, and it's a good thing Phoenix has learned to take anything Edgeworth says about his own personal health at more than face value. ]

How important do you think yourself? [ it comes out a little rough, because there is no way in hell Phoenix is letting him think that every single person Lucifer killed was on his hands alone. he's got a ton of words for him, but before that: ]

Miles. Look at me.

[Edgeworth slowly looks up. Guilt and discomfort are heavy in his expression. But he waits for Phoenix's assessment: after all, this is why he brought it up, so his friend would absolve him of some of the guilt. Because that is, of course, what Phoenix will do; that is what he can always be counted on to do.]

[ That's an expression he doesn't like to see, especially on Edgeworth, and he will gladly do what he's always done. Convince him of the truth. ]

What makes you so sure you had anything that could've convinced him to stop? And even if he'd accepted whatever you offered, you can't seriously believe he would've kept up his end of the bargain. Maybe for a day, maybe for two, but forever?

[ Firmly: ] You're not responsible for him any more than I am, and to claim you are is pure ego. It's a disservice to yourself, and it's a disservice to his victims.

[Edgeworth of course, no matter his resolve, can't hold Phoenix's gaze for long. He's courageous in many ways, and stands up to any danger, but he's always fled from displays of emotion; it's a measure of how far he's come that he's not actually avoiding the topic, but being able to face it head-on is beyond him.]

Yes. Well. I suspect if I'd offered my life, that would have been sufficient. And while that would have been out of the question, one cannot help but feel...an irrational sort of - remorse, when one does not offer such a thing.

[ He takes a moment to breathe because lord knows otherwise he might actually bite Edgeworth's head off. How could he even think...? ]

How is offering to sacrifice yourself ever an option? Irrational is right.

[ Phoenix frowns. ]

Don't let him get in your head. All of this, that's what he wants.

[Edgeworth doesn't look up, but he does offer a slight nod - a single, grim lowering of the head, an even slighter rise. And then, still not looking up, he offers a humorless little smile.]

You're furious with me.

[ It's just as well that it wasn't a question. Since Edgeworth still isn't meeting his eye, Phoenix puts the teacup down on the table with a clatter.

He is upset, though he manages to sound miraculously mild. ]

Did you expect me to say "you're right, you should have tried to give yourself up in an act of martyrdom"?

No.

[He shakes his head very slightly.]

I know you'd never say something like that. Never mind that you'd be thinking it if it were you in the same situation.

[ ... Damn him. ]

Regardless, it's not, so I'm not.

If I ever get the idea in my head to do something like that, you can quote my words back at me, but until then, I'm allowed to be angry.

I didn't offer my life to him. [A beat.] I wouldn't have. It is short-sighted and ill-advised to give into the wishes of criminals.

I simply...

[Feel guilty. He can't quite finish that statement - even now, he feels it's impossibly foolish and petty and stupid for him to complain about something as inconsequential as his feelings - but he's at least able to hint at it.]

Well.

I know what you simply.

[ And he does. Really. Edgeworth hit the nail on the head when he accused him of doing the same in his position, and while he refuses to admit it, he has a pretty good idea of how he's feeling.

Some of his anger deflates at that. ]

Guilt's a funny emotion, and it can play with your mind. Focus on what you can and should do, not what you didn't. Which you didn't do, for good reason.

[A nod. Edgeworth doesn't look up, even after all of that, even after those encouraging words - but he does manage to force out awkward, self-conscious gratitude.]

Right. I...Thank you, Wright. Rather what I needed to hear.

[ He should really look up, because the last of Phoenix's unhappiness with him fades (when has he ever been able to hold a grudge anyway) and now there's a small but encouraging smile on Phoenix's face. ]

If you forget, I'll be here to remind you. ...But try to remember.

[ And Phoenix will finally pick up his tea and take a sip. ]

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