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The drive to Kurain village was long. Simon stared out the window at the passing trees until the long asphalt roads gave way to dirt roads in a quieter countryside. Klavier sat at the driver's seat, fingers tapping out a rhythm that accompanied the unfamiliar song coming from the radio. Even with the beautiful scenery and the familiar company, Simon couldn't find it in himself to relax.
In a few moments he would meet Bobby again. The real Bobby. He had taken Edgeworth's suggestion to book an appointment with Maya Fey for a channelling session while she was in the country – as absurd as the notion was to him. He's heard of Wright's trials that involved channelling, he's read the transcripts and reports, but he still found it hard to believe. He had been desperate and more than a little lonely at that point and so with a sigh of resignation, he dialled Maya's number.
He just needed to see him one last time, say one last goodbye.
Convincing Klavier to come was easy. He told him of his experiences with the Phantom and the jumble of feelings he was left with and Klavier's carefully neutral expression quickly turned to understanding. Before he could even finish making his request, Klavier agreed readily.
"Hey." Simon was jolted out of his thoughts by Klavier's drawl. "Penny for your thoughts?"
"I am having second thoughts."
"Hm…? Why?"
"I do not wish to disturb his rest."
"There's something else."
"He will blame himself once he finds out what the Phantom did," Simon said quietly.
"So you've said. But I believe he will be relieved at least by the fact that you're a free man, Simon."
Klavier pulled into a gravel road and parked in the large space by the entrance of the village. Once he killed the engine, he turned to look at Simon with a reassuring smile.
"Hey, Bobby loves you. It'll be fine."
Simon nodded and wordlessly exited the car. Klavier moved to follow with his usual casual swagger. A tiny young woman in soft pink robes stood by one of the Japanese-style buildings and greeted them with a wave.
"Hello, Mr Klavier, Mr Blackquill, it's so nice to meet you again." Pearl Fey smiled sweetly at them, extending a hand for Simon to take. He shook her hand carefully as his larger hand easily engulfed hers. She had a firm grip despite her size. He could respect that.
"Likewise, Fey-dono."
"Come in, come in. Mystic Maya is just setting up. We can get started as soon as you're ready." She beckoned them inside the channelling hall and Simon was struck by anxiety again.
Was he ready? Would he ever be ready?
A hand on his shoulder tore him from his musing. Klavier smiled at him and they sat at a low table as Pearl began pouring tea into three cups. Simon uttered a small thanks and drank. The familiar gestures and taste of tea soothed his nerves a little bit but the doors to the main hall loomed large in front of him.
"Simon!"
At the shout, he scrambled to set his cup down just as Maya nearly bowled him over. How he kept attracting these types of people was beyond him.
"Hello, Maya."
"Dude, we're totally gonna binge the original Steel Samurai series after this if you're down. I haven't seen you in ages!"
"You haven't been away for that long, Maya."
"Still!" She puffed her cheeks in mock irritation, but then softened. "I'm glad I can help you with this."
"Likewise…"
"Okay, let me tell you what will happen once we're inside and what you can and can't do." Maya clapped her hands. "Klavier, will you be joining us?"
"Ach, nein, Fraulein. I'm just providing moral support today."
She nodded and began the customary procedures before channelling a spirit.
Simon listened intently and before he knew it, he was following Maya into the hall and sitting in front of her, legs tucked underneath him. His hands worried at the fabric of his pants as he watched her chant under her breath, hands positioned a certain way with a photo of Bobby in front of her. He took a shuddery breath and instead closed his eyes and ducked his head. His hands were shaking. It didn't help that the temperature was colder up in the mountains.
Simon startled when a large, warm hand was pressed atop one of his own, ceasing the shakes and making his eyes snap open though he dared not look up. His eyes were locked onto the hand, large and strong and oh so painfully familiar, free of any thick knife wound scar. The other gingerly rose to cup his cheek and Simon's breath stalled. A thumb went to brush something off his cheek, a wet smear left in its wake.
"Bobby," he breathed, jerking his head up to see a slightly different look but the same man nonetheless.
This Bobby had Maya's black hair instead of his dark blond locks. His hair fell over his shoulders in the same way Maya had hers before the channelling. He was missing his trademark yellow aviators and he wore ill fitting white robes but it was still Bobby underneath it all. Earnest brown eyes met his.
"Hi, blackbird." The smile he offered was cheerful but it was more muted – a little unsure, a little worried, but altogether fond.
Simon lurched forward to wrap his arms around his shoulders and Bobby caught him in his warm embrace. It felt like home. All his worries regarding how he'd react to the real Bobby dissolved. Simon buried his face in his shoulder and openly sobbed, his shoulders shaking as he heaved in breaths and held Bobby tight against him. Bobby held him just as firmly, rubbing his back to soothe him. He cried messily and it felt like a massive weight lifted off his chest. He gulped down breaths in between his sobs, fisting his hands in Bobby's robes.
"I'm here. I'm right here," Bobby said and it forced more tears out of his eyes. "Oh, I was so worried about you."
Simon pulled away and refrained from smothering him in kisses. That would be wholly inappropriate with the body he was inhabiting at the moment. He wiped his eyes with his sleeve while Bobby's hands moved to hold his arms loosely, keeping him close. It was then when Bobby's eyes drifted to his bare wrists. His lower lip began to wobble as his hands trailed down to hold them. Simon wasn't sure what he was looking at. Was it his scars?
"You're free?" His voice was pinched.
Oh.
"Yes. The truth has been revealed and the Phantom is behind bars. Thanks to everyone involved, including you. We did it."
Now it was Bobby's turn to burst into tears. He pulled Simon in again and bawled. Once it passed, he took one of the provided tissues from the box and blew his nose.
"That is the greatest news I've ever heard." His smile was shaky but genuine.
"I'm glad," Simon whispered, though he now felt unsure of how to broach his intended topic.
"Is everything alright?" Bobby asked.
Simon settled back on his legs, closer to Bobby now. His fingers were twined between Bobby's and he wanted them to remain that way throughout the session, desperately seeking his touch.
"I… I summoned you today for closure. I haven't been able to find it since the Phantom was caught. I've conducted an interrogation but that failed to yield any results. Edgeworth-dono suggested this as an alternative."
"I'm glad you did. I've missed you quite a bit."
"But there are also some things I wish to know."
"Like what?" Bobby's thumb was drawing circles on his hand.
"When…" His throat tightened and his voice faltered. "When was the last time we saw each other?"
Bobby frowned now, it was so full of sorrow and regret that Simon almost felt bad for asking.
"We last saw each other when I drove you back to prison after our Christmas excursion. You know, when I somehow found a way to smuggle you in my apartment." Bobby smiled but it was so, so sad. "When I arrived back home, the Phantom was there. I've never been more glad that I handed you the profile back as one of your gifts."
"Christmas…"
That had been one of the days he held close to his heart. To be able to spend a day with Bobby, uninterrupted and comfortable and safe. To think that what followed was the beginning of the shit Bobby experienced under the Phantom's thumb. Realisation felt like a bucket of ice cold water down his back. He gaped, horror settling. The Phantom had been… which meant…
"If it's any consolation, it was absolutely worth seeing you so content and happy," Bobby added, his voice uneven as he tried to fill the silence Simon left while he tried to process the new information. "I couldn't have asked for a better way to spend our last day together."
"So… new years and the subsequent Valentine's…" Simon's throat bobbed and his lower lip trembled.
He could see the exact moment Bobby understood. "They didn't… tell me they didn't hurt you."
"They didn't. Not in that way. But that truly wasn't you…?"
Bobby shook his head, regretful and heartbroken. Simon clamped a hand over his mouth, trying to stem the growing nausea at the images that came unbidden – the pleasant memories he had of that day were now tainted. All of that had been the Phantom. He violently pushed it away. The implications were too much to unpack right at that moment.
"What did they do to you?" Simon reluctantly asked.
"Oh, Jesus." Bobby let out an uneasy laugh. "What didn't they do to me?"
Simon winced.
"I saw the postmortem photos… You were nigh unrecognisable."
"I'm sorry you had to see that." Bobby leaned against his side. "But to answer your question, they tried everything to pry answers out of me. Even with all the physical punishments, there was always one thing that they knew got to me and they never needed to touch me for that."
"Me," Simon spat.
"Simon, I'm really sorry. I should have been ready. I should have been able to stop them – to protect you from all this! It's my fault. I should have been on better guard."
And there it was.
Simon bit his lip to stifle the frustrated noise he made. What came out was a strangled sob as he shook his head vehemently.
"Don't. Don't ever blame yourself for this. Please, I cannot in good conscience let you leave this realm burdened by this. You could not have known it would come to this." Simon's tone was almost pleading. "It wasn't you. You didn't do any of this. The Phantom did, do you understand me? I trust you with my life, Bobby. I believe wholeheartedly that you could and would never have done what they did."
Bobby sighed and his hands moved up to gently run his fingers over his heavily scarred wrist.
"What did they do to you?" he whispered in return.
Simon swallowed heavily.
"Remember the electrified shackles you were so against?"
Bobby looked aghast. "Simon, no."
Simon smiled ruefully. "Yes. The shackles were what finally clued me to the fact that something was off about you."
"My god…" Bobby continued to gently touch the scars.
"Do not blame yourself for the things they did," Simon reminded sharply.
"That's easier said than done. It's hard to believe that when you see yourself doing things you'd never do. They wore my face, used my voice, to hurt and deceive everyone around me. They tortured me wearing my own face, sometimes yours."
Simon leaned into Bobby, tucking his head in the crook of his neck and chin. Bobby pressed his cheek against the top of his head. The both of them looked at one of the candles that surrounded them, dancing in the breeze. It was intimate and almost romantic had they been anywhere else.
"So how did you overturn your verdict?" Bobby asked in a whisper.
"Aura kidnapped a lot of people – one of which was Phoenix Wright and the Chief's daughter – and demanded a retrial. As such, I had Phoenix Wright defending me and the Chief himself prosecuting. I fought to keep Athena out of it but it was to no avail. While I walked away free, Justice indicted Athena. But in true Wright fashion, a turnabout happened. Evidence began pointing at the Phantom and then Wright… He accused you of being the Phantom. It was horrifying to see you up on the stand after realising that it wasn't truly you. I took up the prosecutorial position after that and it was… difficult, to say the least. When everything was resolved, a shot rang out and caught the Phantom on the shoulder. Seeing your body fall even with the knowledge that it wasn't you should not have been as traumatising as it was. I still have nightmares."
"I'm sorry," he said again, rubbing his arm.
"It's not your fault."
"Still, I… I wish I could be there for you."
Simon's sigh was shaky. "I wish you could as well. I wish we hadn't been dealt this hand."
Bobby squeezed him tight. "But you did it. You're here, alive and free. At last. I cannot be happier than that."
Simon shifted so he now knelt in front of Bobby again. "I don't want to say goodbye."
"Neither do I, love. But I hope this helped, at least a little bit."
"Don't go."
Bobby took his hand. "I'm sorry I can't be there for you like I promised, like I always said I would. But you have people who love and care about you. Let them help. You deserve to be cared for."
Simon opened his mouth but Bobby tutted.
"If you're about to say anything self-deprecating, I will haunt you, Simon."
He cracked a half-hearted smirk. "Is that a threat or a promise?"
Bobby rolled his eyes. Simon laughed softly.
"Will I ever see you again?"
"That's not up to me, now is it? But promise me you won't dwell. I don't think that's healthy."
"I can't promise you that."
Bobby shook his head fondly and gathered him into one last hug, pressing his face into Simon's hair.
"Love you."
Simon said as much in return. "I'll miss you."
"Go and live on, blackbird." Bobby cupped his cheeks and parted from him. Simon watched as Maya replaced him, swaying slightly. Simon reached out to steady her as she readjusted in her own body and saw him.
"Whoa, you alright, big guy? Did you say goodbye?"
Simon nodded mutely, scrubbing away the wetness on his face.
Maya patted his shoulder. "I know how hard that is. I'm sorry about him. Think some tea will make you feel better?"
"Tea is always welcome."
"Then come on." She grabbed his hand and helped him up. "We can talk as much or as little as you need to."
For a brief, warm moment, he realised how much lighter he felt.
It would take time and he wasn't sure if it would ever stop hurting, but maybe one day he would be okay.